Carolyn and Ben were all about the casual, low-stress mountain wedding vibe. Spending time with them and their friends during the wedding day, you'll quickly realize that couldn't be more apparent.

These two are as down-to-earth as they come, so the wedding video needed to match. Not powdered in saccharine sappiness, but genuine, unfiltered moments.

I had the best time playing with a few vintage film overlays, opting to keep the hand-held feel through several scenes. And I wanted to film some additional scenescapes of Longmont and the Boulder area and mountains and valleys west of their home in Fort Collins.

Rocky Mountain Wedding Vibes

When it comes to wedding videos, I love thinking beyond just the details of what's in the venue, but also — where the heck are you in time and space? What's it look like outside? Were the streets in Longmont hustling and bustling that day? For most destination weddings — you have family and friends flying in from all over, and if they couldn't make it — then the video is all the more telling about the vibe of the weekend, the geography, a real lay of the land.

Working alongside Annie of The St. Vrain, it was so awesome to take in all the details they put so much effort into creating the aesthetic and the feel of the venue.

The St. Vrain — The Coolest Rocky Mountain Wedding Venue: Taking an old automobile factory and transforming it into this chic, cute space.

The St. Vrain sports these little touches like gold-filled etching in the brickwork along the stairwell and the cocktail hour areas, perfectly curated sitting areas, incredible lighting (you know how I feel about my chandeliers... #obsessed ); it was way too hard for us to choose the few establishing venue shots in this film.

Soundscoring + Choosing The Songs Of This Boho Boulder Colorado Wedding Video

The music — now, many of you know how I feel about the music and sound scoring in a wedding video. It completely makes or BREAKS a wedding video! With Carolyn and Ben’s easy-going, REAL, down-to-earth vibe — the goofy meets transparent, I wanted something timeless, has a bit of a fun feel, and is a little nostalgic, playing up a bit of the mountain-wilderness energy. I also wanted songs that conveyed the sweetness and chemistry of their years together. I went with Lord Huron's western electric resonance of "Ain’t Dead Yet" and JOSEPH's dreamy "Green Eyes."

Ain't Dead Yet

After Tim, the officiant and one of Carolyn and Ben’s long time friends began telling us filmmakers some of the notorious moments of Ben and Carolyn's lives, it was obvious that humor, good times, and even better inside jokes (and blackmail) were woven throughout their path. Lord Huron's "Ain’t Dead Yet" reminds me of that friend we all have that comes ridin' in hot, maybe covered in a bit of dirt, always with a story to tell. That seemed all too fitting for Ben and Carolyn.

Green Eyes

And JOSEPH'S "Green Eyes" — Natalie Closner Schepman's voice wraps you into this drive-in movie theater nostalgia. The song is about looking into your lover's eyes and knowing - that face - those eyes — those are forever your green lights, your big freakin' "YES." — For Carolyn and Ben, I thought those words and that energy and the years they've shared together - couldn't be more true.

I wanted to keep a consistent outdoors-mountain boho feel, from the visuals to the color grading to the music to reflect this casual Colorado wedding.

The Infamous Table Number Six

I love a dang good story and a dang good prank. So here's the story of the infamous Table Six.

Ben is old college buddies with Meredith Tanton, the lead planner's husband, Dan. Ben attended their wedding years ago, and as he recalls it, he was placed not with a bunch of their buddies but rather at a table far, far away from anyone Ben knew.

Baby was indeed, put in a corner.

Ben has waived it over their heads for years that he was the proverbial ugly stepchild of their wedding attendees and seating chart. So for Ben’s wedding? It was time for Dan to feel the pain.

Meredith co-conspired with Ben "under the table" (yes, pun intended, of course) to create the infamous Table Number 6: A children's desk placed in an obsolete part of the seating arrangements, exclusive and isolated for Dan and Dan alone. So in the wedding video, you'll see a few nods in the seating directory and tablescape details to the infamous Table Number 6. Dan had no idea. It was fantastic.

Carolyn and Ben’s Bohemian Casual Wedding At The St. Vrain Boulder Colorado Wedding Venue, Longmont, CO

The Amazing Wedding Vendor Team Who Made This Magical Day Possible:

Venue // The St. Vrain

About The St. Vrain

The St. Vrain venue in Longmont, Colorado -- Located right in the middle of Colorado's beautiful Boulder County ( just a 30 minutes north of Denver wedding venues ). The St. Vrain is one of the coolest industrial vibe venues -- originally one of the earliest automobile showrooms in Colorado, it's surrounded by brick walls and Cafe Market Lights!

Wedding Planner // Meredith Tanton, Sweetgrass Social

About Sweetgrass Social

At Sweetgrass Social, we create extraordinary events that reflect our clients' vision, personality, & style. Our goal is to deliver an affair that guests will talk about for years to come. We do so by adding those personal touches that make the day memorable. We love making all life's events sweet!

Wedding Videography // Ruby Riot Creatives (us, of course!)

Officiant // Friends - Monica and Tom

Rentals // St. Vrain

About St. Brain’s rental options:

Searching for indoor wedding venues, Boulder wedding venues, Denver wedding venue? Look no further, friend! We feel ya! We think you’ll fall in love all over again when you see all of the beautiful LUXE inclusions The St Vrain offers for a wedding day that is beautiful AND full of ease! If you think things are looking good here, you should really join us for a tour and a beverage, because she looks even better in person! Cheers!

Catering // St. Vrain + Sugar Pine Catering

About St. Vrain’s Catering Partnership:

Here at The St. Vrain we believe life's gatherings and celebrations deserve not only the best surroundings and service but the best of cuisine and hospitality. To ensure your experience at The St Vrain leaves you able to think well, love well and sleep well, we have partnered with Sugar Pine Catering guaranteed to delight and surprise with their delectable culinary creations!

Sugar Pine does its best to source as much as they can locally on a seasonal basis. We are sure you will love their personal attention to details that make your day, your day!

About Sugar Pine Catering:

Sugar Pine Catering is located on the beautiful Front Range of Colorado. As one of the top full service boutique Colorado catering companies, our focus is to provide delicious food of the highest quality and impeccable, individualized service. Our commitment to quality ingredients is uncompromising. We source the freshest ingredients whenever possible that come from sustainable & organic Colorado farms. All of our menu offerings are proudly made from scratch. 

Sugar Pine caters rustic & fine weddings, casual & corporate events, cocktail & holiday parties, graduation parties & private dinners from Estes Park to Denver, Lyons to Greeley and Ft. Collins to Castle Rock. 

Alcohol // Wyatt's Wet Goods

Wyatt’s is a privately owned, family business priding ourselves in exceptional customer service and product selection. We have an expansive selection of wine, beer and spirits in Longmont, CO.

DJ + Ceremony Music // Trading Post Productions

About Trading Post Productions:

We staff in house musicians and are also deeply connected to a vast network of Colorado's finest local talent. We work hard to ensure that you are getting the best quality for your event.

Florist // AFlorae

About AFlorae:

Longmont Colorado Florist floral creators | design lovers | visionary day makers. Daily deliveries to Boulder County, Longmont, Berthoud, Eerie, Firestone, and more.

Hair + Makeup // Jaded Beauty

Jade Darrough is one of the leading stylists of wedding hair and makeup in Denver and surrounding areas.

Photographer // Redden Wood

Globe Trotting Wedding Photographer for the Genuine & Wild.

About Redden:

“HI, I'M REDDEN & I’m a total freaking hipster.

Really though, I probably spend more time making obscure movie quotes than I do wearing horizontal stripes and beanies. I'm a Chicago native, went to school in the south, then moved out to Colorado to take pictures of wonderful humans and their weddings.

Something I pride myself in, is that I approach every relationship in my life with the same genuine, goofy energy. Friend, Client, Boss, Coworker, Mail-man: I'm an open book and my biggest priority is to make you feel welcome, heard, loved and taken care of. 

I'm all about going above and beyond for my clients. I take every moment of your wedding day seriously, not just the pictures that will get me likes on instagram. I want you to see your grandma's face when she sees you say 'I do.' I want you to remember the details you worked and planned so hard to create. I want you to be able to relish in the moment where you chuckled during your ceremony and see the shear terror in your flower girl's eyes as she walks down the aisle. “

…we loved her, hard!

Cake // Sugar Pine Desserts

Wedding Dress // The Little White Dress Claire Pettibone

About The Little White Dress:

Little White Dress is an award-winning Denver bridal shop, and one of our favorite places to send our rocky mountain brides. They know our dresses inside and out, and we know you'll appreciate their expertise and kindness while helping you find your perfect dress.

Rehearsal Dinner Venue // The Terry House

About The Terry House:

AN INTIMATE GATHERING PLACE FOR MICRO-WEDDINGS, REHEARSAL DINNERS, COCKTAIL PARTIES, WEEKEND RETREATS….

THE TERRY is a LUXE homestay for the couple who dreams of celebrating with their closest friends and family

The Terry is located one block west of The St Vrain in historic old town Longmont. Couples who love the design aesthetic of The St Vrain have loved the option of a three night stay at The Terry with its LUXE accommodations for 12, a yard that includes a shady lawn, market lights, a water fountain along with space for a caterer, food truck, tables and chairs for 50.

Whether you are looking for a sophisticated boutique gathering space or a place to call home for your wedding weekend, The Terry promises to surprise and delight you and your guests with warm and welcoming sophistication!

Congratulations, Carolyn and Ben! We wish you and your families the absolute best!!

Ruby Riot Creatives | Destination Weddings + Events. We travel everywhere! If you have an upcoming wedding or event, we would LOVE to be a part of it. [Currently booking 2022 + 2023 in the Southeast as well as Colorado, Montana, Wyoming for our fall itinerary.]