Tim and Ashleigh's Estes Park Wedding * Della Terra Mountain Chateau
Della Terra Wedding
Estes Park Colorado
March 2018
Della Terra is a gorgeous wedding venue nestled in Estes Park, just outside the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. On my way to Tim and Ashleigh's wedding it was a gorgeous sunny day in Denver. By the time I arrived in Estes Park it was raining. This can be a brides worst nightmare while she is eagerly anticipating her fairytale outdoor wedding. As we started to document her hair and makeup the snow began to fall. Ashleigh looked hesitant but she was certain her wedding would be outside!
Ashleigh's dress hung beautifully in the floor to ceiling windows accompanied with her daughter's flower girl gown. With Ashleigh's dress there is a story. Her dress was purchased before her and Tim were officially engaged. In the summer of 2015 Ashleigh had to have a life saving surgery that landed her in the hospital for over a week. During this time Ashleigh's grandma had come to town to visit her during her recovery. Even though they weren't engaged Tim and Ashleigh had been talking marriage. That summer Ashleigh went to the bridal boutique with her mom, sisters, daughter and her grandmother. After trying on what she had envisioned was her perfect dress her grandmother commented; "That is perfect and you look like a princess, you don't need to try on anymore. This is your dress!" Unfortunately due to failing health her grandmother was not able to make it to her and Tim's wedding but we all know she was there in spirit with Ashleigh's beautiful dress!
Della Terra has a limited number of suites available but if you ever have the opportunity to visit this mountain chateau, the honeymoon suits are stunning. We opted to have Ashleigh put on her wedding gown in one of these beautiful rooms.
By the time Tim and Ashleigh were ready for their first look it had snowed and cleared at least 3-4 different times. Due to the ever evolving weather of snow/sun/snow again their outdoor first look was changed to this indoor impromptu fireplace location. It was still adorable even though we couldn't do it outside! Following their first look we opted to take advantage of another great location on the Della Terra property and continue with some more formal photos.
The timing was incredible and snow cleared just as it was time for Ashleigh to head down the isle. With this entrance she truly did get her fairytale wedding. She arrived at the bridge in her horse and carriage on her fathers arm. It was absolutely a show stopping moment!
Just as we were wrapping up the couples formal photos the snow rolled in AGAIN!! Not many can say that they have wedding photos with bright shining sun and a near blizzard all in the same album!
During the speeches I cry almost every time. They are always so heartfelt and filled with genuine emotion. When Ashleigh's father spoke it certainly tugged on my heart strings! As I mentioned earlier, Ashleigh needed a life saving surgery in 2015. During her fathers speech he gave special recognition to the person that saved his daughters life. It was her maid of honor and and also her sister, Maurisa.
Ashleigh needed to have a liver transplant due to a rare and incurable liver disease called Wilson's disease. In November of 2014 Ashleigh added her name to the National Organ Donation Registry. However, in February of 2015 they confirmed Maurisa was an exact match and she could donate a portion of her liver to her sister and save her life! Ashleigh was in the hospital for 8 days and Tim never left her side! Since her surgery they have remained huge advocates of organ donation. Ashleigh is even the United States Ambassador for the World Transplant Games Federation.
Happily Ever After!
