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Piney River Ranch, Vail, Gore Range, Colorado Elopement Photo Story Award

Colorado adventure weddings, elopements and engagement photography by Matt Wilson
Matt Wilson
Denver, Colorado

Are you searching for inexpensive White River National Forest elopement packages that will allow you to have your lakeside wedding covered in a way that is both thorough and honest? Colorado documentary elopement photographer Matt Wilson would love to hear from you if you are preparing to arrange a simple occasion that might be a micro, destination, intimate, outdoor, or another type of non-traditional wedding. The following small wedding took place just north of Vail Village, in the back country wilderness of the White River National Forest, but Matt is available for small events in or around all of Colorado. For more information about having this Gore Range photojournalistic photographer easily document your small wedding, contact Matt Wilson at your earliest convenience.

Wedding image from an outdoor adventure Wedding of the couple Heading back to the reception to close out the night

A peaceful couple is walking along a boat dock, taking in the stunning view of the lake in the sunset light with the majestic mountains in the background

Heading back to the reception to close out the night.

With the pandemic forcing lots of wedding changes, Melissa and Josh opted for an intimate wedding with their blended family and friends at their favorite vacation spot, Piney River Ranch in Vail, Colorado.  It takes a long, bumpy ride up a dusty mountain road, but the view of Piney Lake in front of the Gore Range is well worth the trip.  

After getting ready on-site, Melissa and Josh joined their small wedding group on a deck overlooking this spectacular view.  The ceremony was short and sweet followed by a casually elegant dinner in the open-air dining space Piney River Ranch offers.  Afterward, they took a stroll for some portraits followed by heading out onto the lake for a peaceful paddle in a canoe.  They headed back for some dances and cake and then closed out the night shortly after the sun went down.  

Gore Range, Piney River Wedding Photo of laughing during their ceremony

Gore Range, Piney River Wedding Photographer | laughing during their ceremony

Melissa laughing during their ceremony, with the bridesmaids along her side.

Piney River Ranch Wedding photo from Vail Colorado during A funny moment during the speeches

Piney River Ranch Wedding Pics - Vail Colorado | A funny moment during the speeches

A funny moment during the speeches where the best man handcuffed the newlyweds together.

Piney River Ranch of Vail, Colorado Wedding photo showing A look down the single reception table

Piney River Ranch of Vail, Colorado Wedding Pics | A look down the single reception table

A look down the single reception table with the bride and groom's closest family and friends.

Piney River Ranch Vail, CO Wedding Photo of a canoe ride after dinner during sunset

Piney River Ranch - Vail, CO Wedding Photography | a short canoe ride after dinner during sunset

Melissa and Josh took a short canoe ride after dinner during sunset on Piney Lake in front of a picturesque mountainscape.

Vail Wedding Image from Piney River Ranch, CO of A small group of young bridesmaids catching a bouquet

Vail Wedding Images from Piney River Ranch, CO | A small group of young bridesmaids

A small group of young bridesmaids made for a competitive bouquet toss!

Rustic Vail Wedding image of a Colorado couple in front of the freshly extinguished campfire

Rustic Vail Wedding Photos - Colorado Images | in front of the freshly extinguished campfire

A kiss at the end of the wedding in front of the freshly extinguished campfire.

WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.