Erika and Grady are the kind of couple you can’t help but like. When I met them over a year ago, I loved their excitement for their big day and they wanted to have their wedding vendors be excited for their day as well. I hadn’t ever had the opportunity to do a wedding at UCCS, especially not in the library, but I loved the uniqueness of it! Erika and Grady decided to get ready at a large vacation home in Downtown Colorado Springs and it was perfect for awesome late morning lighting for the getting ready photos.

My gift to my brides is a personalized name hanger for their dress photos. Before I told Erika this, she called and asked me where I got all the other ones I used in the photos so she could order one and had to let the cat out of the bag on her surprise. Although they may not use it to hang their dress on it forever, I think it’s much better than a plastic hanger that most dresses come on!

Erika’s mom made her veil. She hand stitched all the lace on the bottom, and it was stunning.

What I loved most about this family is their love and emotion for one another. Such an important moment of a dad handing off his daughter and I’m so glad the way this photo turned out. I love real people and real emotion.

Erika was an awesome wife and rented this car for Grady for the afternoon.

Thanks so much Erika and Grady — you guys are such a wonderful couple and I’m so glad to have you as new friends!

I  had a chance to work with these awesome vendors:

Vacation Rental:/Getting ready location: Vacation home downtown Colorado Springs

Wedding Venue: University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Flowers and Cake: Cris Geiger from CG Blume

DJ/MC: Dan with Laser Sound LLC

Photographers: Megan and Sarah with Megan Hardre Photography

Hands down, Morgan’s shoes are among my favorite shoes I’ve come across simply because of the pink.

Such a great group of ladies to have on her side during her big day.

Since meeting Esther and Jeff a year or so ago, there are a few things I’ve really grown to admire about them. First off is their communication with one another — the love and mutual respect they show for one another when they are together. Secondly, and more importantly in my opinion, is their faith. I loved that their ceremony was very personal, including their officiant who had known them both since they were 16 — and knew their faith in God. Furthermore, they incorporated their love for God throughout their wedding with multiple prayers with their mentors and friends. When I left them that evening, I knew they were starting out their marriage on the right foot by having God at the center of it and nothing makes me happier than to see that with the couples I photograph.

They were married at Hudson Gardens and Event Center in Denver and during their ceremony, we had dark, ominous clouds looming overhead only to clear up and provide incredible lighting for their photos after the ceremony.Yay!

Praying with the bridal party moments before the ceremony.

Giving his daughter away.

It’s tough to be a flower girl.

And they’re married!

Be blessed you two,

Megan

Last Thursday, I boarded a flight along with my husband and two boys to Portland, Oregon where I grew up to spend until Tuesday visiting friends in Portland, Lincoln City and Medford. It was a jam packed few days, but so wonderful to have some much needed downtime that we rarely get, especially as a family. We started the weekend at the coast and rented a beach house with 4 other couples and their kids for a few nights — all I can say was that it was too short! I loved waking up before everyone else was up and watching the waves crash onto the beach with my coffee in hand and nothing else to do. I loved seeing all our friends that we’ve known for so long and spend quality time with them; chatting and eating good food. Can I go back there now? Please?

While there, I had a great time doing some photo shoots as well. I did two family photo sessions and a trash-the-dress session. The trash-the-dress session with Audrey and Curtis (you’ll remember their wedding from June) was done on the beach at sunset. Perfection. I can’t wait to show you more photos from this weekend, but these should hold you over for now.

More to come! A dozen weddings and a few engagement shoots to share with you from the last few months coming shortly.

I had a blast a few weeks back with Tiffany and Shawn in Pueblo at the Airplane Museum. Shawn’s a big airplane buff and they thought it might be fun to do their engagement session there. They are getting married in just a few short weeks so I thought I better get this posted before I was too far behind!

When we went out back there was this awesome vintage ORANGE truck… I could have taken photos there all day long.

See you two very soon!

Megan