My family moved to Flagstaff, AZ from Moab, UT just over a month ago. Alexa and Jacob's wedding was exactly one week before our move date. While I will still be filming weddings in Moab, I was feeling extra sentimental at this wedding. Jacob and Alexa are Moab locals. Jacob coached one of my kids several years ago in toddler soccer. Alexa is so loving and has some of the most amazing parents. Their bridal party was made up of nearly 20 local young people, many of whom I'd had some association with, either through swim lessons, the local Pop shop, or church. And everyone was so polite, kind, cheerful, and excited.

And Jacob and Alexa- they are so in love. One of my favorite parts of the film is hearing Jacob talking to Alexa right after the ceremony. You should probably watch it, because it is so sweet.

The location of this wedding was an unbelievably gorgeous piece of private property at the base of the La Sal mountains. I could move there now and never need to leave. So yes- this wedding was about perfect. Lovely couple, beautiful venue, sweet guests, cheerful bridal party. And that cake cutting and feeding- watch it. Oh, and the choreographed first dance. Too bad licensing Beyonce and Ed Sheeran's Perfect would cost a good million dollars, because their dance to this song was pretty amazing, complete with a lift. Ok, I could write about this wedding forever.

The Million Dollar highway from Ouray to Silverton, CO, is one of the most incredible stretches of road in the country. Waterfalls cascade down every gully and there are too many peaks to count. Although paved, the highway has a few exhilarating/terrifying stretches where the white paint delineating the lanes practically hangs off a 500+ foot cliff. No room for guardrails. No texting and no Pokemon Go.

Moab bakes in the summer so it was a welcome relief to dig my puffy jacket out of the closet and head to the San Juan Mountains. So much green! So much water!

From Durango, Andrew and Amanda genuinely love these mountains. The day before their wedding they summited Engineer Peak. The wedding was held at the Eureka Lodge and the entire party stayed there for multiple nights. This secluded spot is past Silverton, CO, where the road turns to dirt and the Alpine Loop begins, basically the last ounce of civilization before steep 4x4 roads, abandoned mines, and the tree line. The Eureka Lodge is nestled in the pines at nearly 10,000 feet elevation, along the Animas river. It was built in the 1920's as a mining boarding hotel and has been wonderfully preserved. It was rustic and charming and full of history. I wanted to get myself a room and stay for a week to listen to the river and climb a few peaks.

This wedding was special. Watching Andrew commit himself to Amanda and her daughter, was something I will never forget. It was such a celebration. Their vows were genuine and bursting with love. Everything turned to magic in this remarkable location. Amanda's choreographed dance with her daughter was one of the sweetest things I've ever seen, and when they pulled Andrew in at the end, I had to really hold the tears back. But truly I felt immensely privileged to witness such beautiful and meaningful moments, and I'm so glad I could capture this day for them and that they have this film to relive and remember the day.

Nearby the lodge is a small campground where I happily stayed. I set up my tent by headlamp, dreamt all night that I was still filming, and then woke bright and early to hit a trail before my drive home. The trail, like all trails around there, was relentlessly steep but offered huge rewards. I ended just above tree line at a crystal clear blue lake. I then made the drive back to Moab to snuggle my children and squeeze my husband. Such a fulfilling weekend.

Venue: Eureka Lodge

Photography: Collected Light Photography

Alexa and Jacob Mountain Wedding Film {Sedona and Flagstaff wedding videographer}

Eureka Lodge, Silverton, Colorado Wedding