Daniel & Kaiya | A Salida, Colorado Wedding
Some wedding days stay with you long after the sun sets. Daniel and Kaiya’s wedding on June 21st, 2025 was one of those days, the kind you think about randomly and can’t help but smile. Set on Daniel’s family land in Salida CO, their wedding felt deeply personal from the very beginning. A wide open field stretched out beneath the towering Rocky Mountains of Colorado, blue skies overhead, and the kind of warm Colorado sun that makes everything glow just a little more golden. It was country formal in the best way, cowboy boots, floral dresses, cowboy hats, and a whole lot of heart.
It was so them. Carefree, meaningful, and full of joy.
First Looks, Happy Tears, & the Best Hype Crew
One of my favorite parts of the day was Kaiya’s first look with her bridesmaids. The excitement. The joy. The pure hype. These girls showed up for her in every way, and you could feel the love immediately. That moment was followed by Kaiya’s first look with her dad, quiet, emotional, and so incredibly sweet. One of those moments that reminds you why photographs matter so much. These are the memories you’ll want to hold onto forever. Her people were her safe place that day, and it showed.
A Ceremony Framed by Mountains & Meaning
The ceremony took place in a wide, open field with the mountains standing tall behind them, one of those backdrops you can’t help but pause and take in. The sun stayed with us all day, glowing warmly across green fields and trees, making every color pop. Kaiya’s bridesmaids wore soft pink dresses that stood out beautifully against the natural landscape. The contrast of pink, green, and blue skies felt like summer at its very best. It was simple, stunning, and incredibly intentional.
Homemade Cakes, Sweet Speeches, & A Whole Lot of Fun
The celebration continued into cocktail hour and a reception that was full of laughter, connection, and meaningful details. One of my absolute favorite touches? Homemade cakes baked by Kaiya herself, one at every table, like HELLO!? It was thoughtful, personal, and such a reflection of who she is. The speeches were beautiful and heartfelt, the conversations were easy, and the joy in the room was contagious. It was the kind of reception where everyone felt like family.
A Photographer’s Perspective (A Little Heartfelt Truth)
This is one of those days I find myself thinking back on more often than I expected.
The scenery was unreal. The colors were stunning. The creativity flowed effortlessly. I was completely in my element. The sun was hot (I left very sunburnt), but I wouldn’t change a single thing. More than anything, what made this day special was the PEOPLE. I had the best conversations, shared so many laughs, and left feeling like I gained more than just photographs. I truly felt like I walked away with a sweet friendship with Daniel and Kaiya, and that’s something I never take for granted. My clients mean so much to me, and the beauty of that day was how deeply they showed that I mattered to them too.
A Note for Future Brides Reading This <3
Your wedding day will be a day you remember for the rest of your life. My biggest advice? Slow down. Soak it in. Let yourself feel it. And when it comes to photography, invest in someone who values your people just as much as capturing the day itself. Someone who cares about the quiet moments, the hype crew, the in-between laughter, and the relationships that make the day what it is.
That’s what matters most to me. Always.
A Day I’ll Carry With Me Forever Throughout My Career
Daniel and Kaiya’s wedding was charming, unique, deeply personal, and full of so much love. It was a day I will never, ever forget—and one I feel incredibly honored to have documented. Thank you, Daniel and Kaiya, for trusting me with such a meaningful chapter of your story.
