Caitlin and Gabe
Colorado State University Oval
Fort Collins, Colorado
August 2, 2008
Mike and I headed up to Fort Collins last weekend to photograph the wedding of adorable Caitlin and Gabe, at their alma mater of CSU. They got married on the Oval, which is a pretty, grassy area at the heart of the University. Afterward they had a fantastic party at the Rio Grande downtown. All day they were in a great mood, and as a result, the entire wedding was so much fun that I couldn’t stop grinning. Congratulations, Caitlin and Gabe!
They got ready at the Armstrong Hotel downtown.
Caitlin and all the bridesmaids had beautiful hairstyles with red flowers in their hair.
I love the moments when parents see the bride or groom before the ceremony. Here Caitlin’s mom greeted her with a tearful hug.
And here she is with Gabe.
Gabe was excited about the cufflinks he had made himself with supplies from Home Depot… cool!
I can’t decide which angle I prefer for the gown photos. What do you think?
I chuckle every time I see this one.
The pleats on her train were beautiful.
Mike captured this priceless and hilarious moment as Gabe waited nervously to see Caitlin.
I love the lines of the trees paired with the curves of her gown.
The lovely couple with their ringdog, Hank.
Hank wore a bowtie and a ring pillow around his neck. He was adorable and amazingly well-behaved.
Caitlin’s friend sang “At Last” as she walked down the aisle.
Everyone laughed and grabbed their cameras when Hank delivered the rings.
Look at his little eyes looking up at Gabe.
Now THAT is a great wedding kiss.
This was such a sweet moment. While Caitlin and Gabe hurried off to their getaway car, they didn’t notice that Hank had followed them from the ceremony and across the street, all by himself. His head was hanging low, seemingly sad that he had been left behind. Gabe opened a door for him, and he happily jumped in. Then the entire family rode off together.
The reception took place at the Rio Grande restaurant downtown.
During the cocktail hour, Gabe’s brother found a quiet spot to put the finishing touches on his best man speech.
During the toasts
With her sorority sisters
First dance
I caught this hilarious moment when Caitlin dropped her champagne glass. Look at her aunt’s reaction!
It was hot that day! I think it was 96 during the ceremony, and it remained warm throughout the evening.
Re: how do i book the oval?
Hi there! I’ve got the contact info for you, so please email me at [email protected] for the scoop. Thanks!
how do i book the oval?
lovely pictures!
i’m hoping you can help me with a question–my fiancee and i are alumni of CSU, and want to get married on the oval as well. i can’t find any info on the CSU website, and I’m having trouble getting in contact with the right department. do you know who this couple contacted?
anniversary
hi mike and charlotte just looked at your anniversary pics look like you had a good time hope you both well uncle phil and kathy
heehee, I love people with expressive faces. I’ve never been particularly articulate, but I make a lot of use of non verbal communication and connect with people who are that way, too.
oh man, those are great! i love the kiss! i love gabe’s face when he’s waiting for her, and her face when the dress is getting zipped. the dog is adorable. and i love the one of her back with the trees and the path, it’s stunning.
i like the second shot of the dress better.
Thanks for the input! Actually I did take other photos that show closer angles of her gown, but these particular photos are more about the gown in the setting of that mid-century chapel and its beautiful architecture and lighting.
It’s great to meet you!
Hank was really a wonderful dog! He even posed for the camera when I asked him to!
Yikes, thanks for letting me know! I swear I proof read these things. 😉
Thanks for the input, too. I love hearing what goes through people’s minds.
The Armstrong was really cool, and it’s a great location. It was our first time to Fort Collins, and we loved it right away.
I’m sure you are a sap for dogs today! A well deserved sap, may I add, since you’re a bit of a dog hero now. 🙂
Thanks, Tamera! Her veil was gorgeous, especially with the flower in her hair.
Re: ..
Me too… he’s amazing, really.
Very interesting perspective, thanks!
Me too! He dipped her so low that you can see the smiling officiant behind them!
Her dress was so pretty when she twirled around the dance floor.
That was the cutest moment. Of course there were lots of people at the ceremony to keep him company, but he really just wanted to be with his mom and dad.
I hope I can (when the time is right!)
Thanks! I love it, too. Actually I love the whole series I took then:
I was so excited when I was taking the photos of Caitlin and the back of her dress. I just knew I was going to love those pics, and I hope she does, too!
I love it when dogs are in weddings!
Re: From Heather – http://heathergarland.com
That’s great to hear! Thanks so much!
I preferred the second shot of the gown – if your goal is to show the gown itself, the angles on the first one (while certainly fun and interesting) make the details of the gown a little hard to see. If you want to dress the shot up a little more, maybe try a side angle, or a couple of different shots that show details of the dress that we might not see farther away?
In any case, beautiful photos, as always! I’ve been following this journal for awhile now, but this is the first time I’ve commented.
I preferred the second shot of the gown – if your goal is to show the gown itself, the angles on the first one (while certainly fun and interesting) make the details of the gown a little hard to see. If you want to dress the shot up a little more, maybe try a side angle, or a couple of different shots that show details of the dress that we might not see farther away?
In any case, beautiful photos, as always! I’ve been following this journal for awhile now, but this is the first time I’ve commented.
Love the photos… amazing as always! Hank as the ring dog was so precious. The story about him being “left behind” brought a tear. How sweet!
I like the second shot of the gown BTW.
Love the photos… amazing as always! Hank as the ring dog was so precious. The story about him being “left behind” brought a tear. How sweet!
I like the second shot of the gown BTW.
Oops!
That was from me!
Your intro-picture-paragraph says Caitlin and Cabe. 🙂 I had to check a few times whether it was Cabe or Gabe! haha What would you do without us?
Beautiful shots, as always. As for the angle of the dress, I like the horizontal shot for its lighting. Both shots have grat lighting, but I think the angle of the horizontal shot just has that extra sparkle. The vertical shot is a bit more dramatic though, given the lower angle…so yeah…this is a tough one!!!
PS…I love Hank!!!!!!!!! *pets*
Oops!
That was from me!
i like the second angle better of the dress.
bill and i stayed at the armstrong hotel for our fourth anniversary. i LOVED it.
the picture of hank following them to the car made me cry. haha. i must be a sap for dogs today.
as always, lovely!
These are so great! I think my fave is the veil and the rose in her hair. Beautiful! Tamera
..
I just love how Mike’s always there at the right place, at the right time 🙂
Jeffrey
http://jeffct.com
Re wedding dress angle: I like the one where you’re looking at the dress straight on. The picture from way below the dress makes me feel like I’m a small child or I’m at the wedding of a giant.
I love all the pictures in the tree-lined walkway, but I especially like the one where they have their backs to you and the one where you mentioned the lines of the trees/lines of her dress.
love love the wedding kiss!
Beautiful pictures! I love the bride dancing in the last picture.
And, I’d say I prefer the first angle of the wedding dress. 😀
I love Hank the ring dog! He’s awesome, and I love that he followed them away from the ceremony and hopped in the car with them. 🙂
Beautiful pictures! I love the bride dancing in the last picture.
And, I’d say I prefer the first angle of the wedding dress. 😀
Ditto. I think it’s much more compelling. And that shot in the trees with her dress. Oooh, I love it when all of the angles line up just for you!
beautiful! i think i prefer the first pic of the dress. and her dress is LOVELY!!!
i wish you could photograph MY wedding! 🙂 (when i have one, that is)
I love that picture of her gown’s curves with the trees! That’s such an awesome picture. If I were her, I’d totally have that one framed.
So many of these made me laugh! I love the ring dog… so much greater than using children!
I prefer the vertical dress shot. The angles are much more interesting.
From Heather – http://heathergarland.com
Ok your weddings are always beyond amazing but WOWWWW this is by far your best wedding EVER! I LOVE EVERY SINGLE IMAGE SOOO MUCH!!!
Cute couple!
So many of these made me laugh! I love the ring dog… so much greater than using children!
I prefer the vertical dress shot. The angles are much more interesting.