Mary + Phillip (married) – Colorado Springs, Colorado

by Megan September 13, 2019 in Bridal Portraits, Portraits, Wedding Photography 0 comments tags: Colorado, Colorado Springs, Destination Weddings, Downtown, Hillside Gardens, Weddings
Mary & Phillip Married – September 7, 2019 Venue: Hillside Gardens and Events Wedding Coordinator: Erika Weeks with Hillside Gardens Dress: Etsy Flowers: Victoria Designs Cake: Costco Catering: AspenPointe Photographer: Megan with Megan Hardre Photography. There are some weddings I leave and I can’t stop smiling for 24 hours. I feel like I’m on cloud 9. A post wedding high. I met this amazing couple, Phillip and Mary, about 15 minutes before they were due to walk down the aisle and left their wedding feeling like I met new friends. They were so welcoming and so full of joy, that it felt like I was coming to the biggest and best celebration of the year; and indeed it was. There were so many memorable moments, but my favorite was during the ceremony. Phillip’s grandmother is deaf and during their vows, Mary signed her vows to Phillip. It was a surprise that she had learned it and so beautiful. The joy everyone had for Phillip and Mary was evident throughout the day as was the presence of God. I’m a huge fan of ceremonies that speak to my heart too. What you say during your ceremony matters — it matters to […]

Meg + Alex (wedding) – Black Forest, Colorado

by Megan June 11, 2019 in Bridal Portraits, Portraits, Wedding Photography 0 comments tags: Black Forest, Cherry Blossom Wedding, Colorado, Colorado Springs, Destination Weddings, Mountain wedding, Pink Weddings, Summer Colorado Wedding Photography, Weddings
Meg + Alex Black Forest, Colorado Ceremony: Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church Reception: Wedgewood Black Forest Photographers: Megan Hardre and Heather Bauers – Megan Hardre Photography Dress: Little White Dress Flowers: Wedgewood Black Forest DJ: Wedgewood Black Forest Cake: Wedgewood Black Forest

Bemni + Saron (wedding) – Kansas City (post 2 of 2)

by Megan September 26, 2018 in Bridal Portraits, Portraits, Wedding Photography 0 comments tags: Colorado, Colorado Springs, Destination Weddings, Ethiopian Wedding Kansas City, Ethiopian Wedding Photography, Kansas City Wedding, Kansas Wedding Photography, Travel
(Post 2 of 2) I didn’t know what to expect for that Sunday’s gathering (the day after the official wedding ceremony) for our Ethiopian wedding weekend. I’m glad I didn’t read too much up on it before this weekend because it was incredible to experience it all first hand and without “expectation” and to be told all about it by my newly married friends and to see the excitement in their eyes to share their culture with me. As you’ll see in the photos, the entire wedding party and guests were dressed in their traditional Ethiopian outfits called habesha kemis/libs. The kana is the black velvet cover the bride and groom wore. We took photos with just the bridal party downtown Kansas City to start off the afternoon, then we went to the dinner. Friends, I left in tears this night. Beyond being incredibly happy for my friend, experiencing these traditions and getting to know these close family members to my friend was such a gift. I was there to work, but I was given the gift of this experience and that’s priceless. Let me tell you what happens at this dinner. It’s not just a random gathering. On the […]

Bemni + Saron (wedding) – Kansas City – Post 1 of 2

by Megan September 24, 2018 in Bridal Portraits, Engagement Sessions, Portraits, Wedding Photography 0 comments tags: Colorado, Colorado Springs, Destination Weddings, Downtown, Ethiopian Kansas City, Ethiopian Wedding, Ethiopian Wedding Photographer, Kansas, Kansas City Wedding, Kansas Wedding Photography, Travel, Weddings
(Post 1 of 2) I was in Kansas City a few weekends ago photographing a wedding of my dear friend Bemni, who I know from our church in Colorado Springs. He met his bride, Saron, through a friend last year and the are both originally from Ethiopia. It was been 48 hours filled with new experiences and meeting some of the most friendly people I’ve ever had a chance to meet. Their hugs are so welcoming and immediately we’re friends. I’ve loved experiencing their culture and traditions — and of course, the 4 times I ate Ethiopian food. The best. There have been many moments that stood out to me this weekend but one of the Ethiopian traditions I particularly enjoyed was when the groom sees his bride for the first time (3 photos of it below). After the groom and bride get ready in different locations, the groom goes to the bride’s home. So many people came along – the cars just kept arriving and people kept coming in. The home was packed and no one cared. They were all there to celebrate. There was worship, singing and clapping and cheering. Then the groom arrives. The family tries to […]

Ali + Jake (wedding) – Grand Lake, Colorado

by Megan January 04, 2018 in Bridal Portraits, Portraits, Wedding Photography 0 comments tags: Colorado, Colorado Mountain Wedding, Colorado Springs, Destination Weddings, Grand Lake, Mountain Photographer, Mountain Weddings, The Grand Lake Lodge, Travel, Wedding Photography, Weddings
It’s no secret that I love to photograph weddings at the Grand Lake Lodge in Grand Lake, Colorado. I’m up there a few times every summer and fall, and it’s lovely each and every time. Ali and Jake’s wedding was no different and they were such a fun couple to work with! Classic cars greet guests as they arrive at the Grand Lake Lodge. Cheers to Ali and Jake!

Erin and Jeff (engagement)

by Megan February 15, 2013 in Engagement Sessions, Portraits, Wedding Photography 0 comments tags: Barn, Colorado, Colorado Springs, Destination Weddings, Grand Lake, Snow
I’ll be photographing Erin and Jeff’s wedding in Grand Lake, Colorado this coming June and when we started talking engagement photos, Erin knew she wanted something opposite from what her wedding photos would look like. She wanted snow. And as it would happen, we seem to be having the least amount of snow possible this year! We waited, and waited and finally we snagged an opportiunity to take some photos when there was a snow a night or two before. Thank you, Colorado, for your matchless blue skies during winter. It provide the perfect backdrop. They also wanted a barn and trees. Done and done. I think I delivered. And Erin and Jeff delivered on lots of fun and genuine laughter; just how it should be. We took off for the afternoon and headed west into the mountains and snow where I knew of this little secret spot with no one else around. Oh, and they brought their dog Fluffy. Cute boots and hats are always encouraged for engagement photos!   Thanks Erin and Jeff for the fun afternoon! Excited to photograph your wedding in June!