Jordan & Travis’s Vintage, Shabby-Chic Wedding in Squaw Valley

I am thrilled to share Jordan & Travis’s Wedding in Squaw Valley as my final wedding of 2015. Talk about ending the year with a bang! These two thought out every single detail down to the last second of the night. Flannel getting-ready gowns in the morning; a spiked hot cocoa bar & blankets for guests to keep warm before the ceremony; mismatched vintage tableware for dinner & an elaborate sweets station for dessert; a live band to keep the party going all night long; and, to end the night, a scrumptious fried potato bar. These were just a few of the amazing details! Their wedding day was truly the epitome of a vintage, shabby-chic wedding and I was in photography heaven. The icing on the cake was, of course, our beautiful setting: fresh snow on the ground and the cascading mountains, the entire Olympic Valley was our playground.

We started our morning photographing the ladies in their hotel room at The Village at Squaw Valley. All the ladies were dressed in their super cute flannels and were hard at work doing makeup for each other. Mother of the Bride and close friends were all in charge of hair and makeup. I always love to see matching getting ready outfits. Not only does it make for cute photos of all the girls together before they get into their dresses, it makes the entire hair and makeup process look that much more clean and organized.

It was time to get the guys ready and Jordan had a few surprises for her husband-to-be. One of them was a gift basket full of fun stuff: Hawaiian style socks, “In case your feet get cold”; a brand new watch, so “You wont be late”; a shot of Knob Creek bourbon “To calm the nerves.” This was seriously one of the cutest gifts ever! After spending some time with the guys, it was time to get Jordan into her gown. With a sweet surprise from her mom, a new pearl necklace, everyone was beginning to feel the nerves and tears started to flow.

Before heading to the Ceremony Site, The Olympic Village Lodge, Jordan had one last surprise for Travis. Earlier in the year, Jordan and I did a boudoir session for her to surprise Travis with a Little Black Book during a No Look picture session. It was so much fun to see his reaction and I know it made the moment when he finally saw her that much more meaningful.

As I said earlier, before the ceremony there was a spiked hot cocoa bar. I am so in love with this idea and plan on stealing it for a party someday. Multiple toppings and spices you can add as well as various alcohols. This was perfect for the cold weather. Plus, to make the guests even more comfortable, blankets were provided to wrap up in during the ceremony. The ceremony was both touching and humorous, thanks to Larry Leatherman, an old high school teacher of Jordan’s. One of the sweetest parts of the ceremony was the live vocals performed by their very close friend.

After family photos and bridal party photos, we loaded up into our cars and headed out for a romantic photo session. I have to say this was different than any other romantic session this year. With a gondola, snow cat and snowmobile, we had the winter wedding theme for sure. We barely beat the sun but as soon as it was down it was party time. The newlyweds were introduced as husband and wife and went into their first dance. Soon after the speeches were given, it was time for Decades, the live band, to start their first set. They were so upbeat and the dance floor was packed! What a celebration that was so much fun to capture. Congratulations Jordan and Travis thank you for having me and my team capture your beautiful wedding in Squaw Valley.