Nikki & Dan | Wild Basin Lodge, Estes Park, CO

It was clear to me the first time I met Nikki and Dan, when they came to Philadelphia visiting family that they are meant to be. Good spirits and fun follow them around, and they have this amazing ability to laugh through just about any situation. They are unique, a little quirky, and a very excitable couple!

When we landed in Denver, we made the 2 hour car ride toward Estes Park. As we traveled through Boulder and began to climb higher and higher into the mountains, the bars on my phone got lower and lower. When we parked at the Wild Basin Lodge, a few things hit me- my phone beeped begging me to return it to a 5-bar comfort zone, clear crisp air and warm sunshine filled my lungs, a pounding headache thumped in each vein of my head (apparently altitude sickness), an extreme sense of solitude, but somehow all wrapped up in a blanket of contentment and well-being. The view was breathtaking, and with great people around me I knew this was going to be an amazing wedding to be a part of. The next day – wedding day – couldn’t come quick enough.

The morning brought normal wedding morning jitters to Nikki as she got ready. With excitement building she walked out to Dan and tapped him on the shoulder, embracing and kissing each other in a beautiful moment and in the next she exclaimed, “I feel like running!” Sure enough, they turned and bolt down the road, and as I raced to catch up – photographing the entire way- they giggled and held hands soaking it all in! I whisked them away to head down to a wide open field I had seen traveling the previous evening. We ran around that wide open plane for what felt like hours and soon returned for their ceremony.

Through tearful and heartfelt vows to each other, to the genuine, thoughtful and loving words their dear friend Mike (the officiant) quoting from Dr. Seuss’s “Fox in Socks” prepared, left not a single dry eye! The moment Nikki & Dan literally “tied the knot” and sealed it with a kiss, they once again ran from the spotlight laughing hand in hand, this time with an audience cheering. clapping and encouraging their new marriage!

The reception was in line with the rest of the day- laughter, tears, a flowing silver level ballroom first dance, a wild dance party to “Hey-Ya” on repeat and a crazy after party that lasted till the wee hours of the morning.

Nikki & Dan, thank you! Thank you! Thank you for having me be a part of your wedding. It was one of a kind, an hell of a lot of fun and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

Enjoy!!!