Great Sand Dunes National Park Wedding | Featured!

I thought this day would never come!

Back in April, I collaborated with Michelle from Brindle + Oak to create a kick-ass styled shoot in a location that I had been dreaming about since I saw them from a distance two years ago:

Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Great Sand Dunes National Park wedding photo

How cool are they?? And to find these gigantic sand dunes right in the middle of a landlocked state is incredible.  As soon as I saw them I just knew I had to shoot there. So I started the dreaming and the planning and came up with two shoot ideas.  You can see my creative shoot in a historical costume on another post, but today I’m so excited to see our Great Sand Dunes National Park Wedding Shoot published over on Burnett’s Boards!  Make sure you click over to check out the feature, then find your way back here to see more awesomeness from this shoot!

bride and groom in Colorado sand dunes wedding photoGreat Sand Dunes National Park is somewhat isolated in the Southwestern part of Colorado, so we knew that we could create an intimate shoot that capitalized on the amazing, sweeping views of the dunes.  Together Michelle and I dreamed up a relaxed and organic shoot concept. We wanted colors that would pop against the neutrals of the sand so we took our color inspiration from the purple prickly pear cactus. Our paper artist, Meagan from Whimsy Design Studio, incorporated on-trend geometric patterns into the invitation set and we utilized the color and weight of gemstones on our escort cards to counter the wind.

We knew that it would be windy at the shoot, so we looked for ways that we could use the wind to our advantage. We chose a lightweight dress with a lot of movement from Emma and Grace Bridal Studio (designer Truvelle) and used heavy vases and geodes to anchor the tablescape. By placing the table directly on the sand and using pillows for seats, we played up the relaxed scene of the off the beaten path location (which required 4-wheel drive to get to).

As the sun set we added a burgundy blanket to the styling to emphasize intimacy and connection between our couple and took advantage of the soft light to capitalize on the scenery of the dunes.

Full vendor list below the pretty pictures!

geometric wedding invite photocascading wedding flowers with succulents photobride and groom explorking sand dunes wedding photointimate Colorado elopement photo
cascading wedding bouquet photodiamond ring in geode wedding ring photowedding table with cactus decoration photowedding flowers in the desert photocouple barefoot in sand dunes colorado wedding photoGreat Sand Dunes colorado wedding photobohemian couple at sunset colorado wedding photocolorful rock place cards photoinvitation with succulent in the desert photoGreat Sand Dunes National Park wedding photo intimate wedding table set up with pillows in middle of desert photogeode table numbers in desert photobowtie and boutonniere on groomsucculents and geodes centerpiece wedding table photointimate photo in the Colorado sand dunesflowy wedding dress in the colorado desert sunset photoGreat Sand Dunes National Park intimate couple wedding photo wedding dress blowing in wind colorado sand dunes photoGreat Sand Dunes National Park elopement photosunset wedding portrait in the colorado sand dunes photo

Photos above are a mixture of digital and medium format film.  Medium format film shots were taken with the Pentax645N on Fuji 400H and developed at Indie Film Lab
Planner – Brindle + Oak @brindleandoak
Photographer – Green Blossom Photography @greenblossompics
Second Shooter – Deziree Dufresne @dezireephotog
Dress – Emma and Grace @emmaandgracebridal
Bracelets and Headpiece – Vagabond Jewelry @katieb_andtherue
Necklace – Mapleton Drive @mapletondrive
Rings – Kristin Coffin Jewelry @kristincoffinjewelry
Hair/Makeup – April Franklin @apriljoy08
Models – Kylie and Adam Chilton – @kjtaylor473
Macaroons – Footers Catering – Executive Pastry Chef John Roccaforte @footerscatering
Table Décor (plates, flatware, vases, rug, blue pillows) – House of Yonder @yonder_house
Pillows – Designworks  @designworksevents
Florals – Olive and Poppy – @theoliveandpoppy
Napkins – Pear Tree Rentals @peartreerentals
Paper Goods – Whimsy Design Studio @whimsydesignstudio​

28 Comments

  1. Yeah, I’ve been waiting for your post with the full session as I’ve loved the photos I’ve seen roll out already from it. S T U N N I N G . I’m madly in love with the Dunes as well, and have never seen anyone do anything like THIS with this location. Every detail is perfect, and the photos are pure magic. Congratulations on this masterpiece!!

  2. I was there for this and the pictures still take my breath away every time I see them! You and Michelle put together such a perfect shoot!

  3. I think this is some of your best work! The light, the colors, the landscape, details, and of course that awesome couple!

  4. I can’t even with this session. OH my gosh….everyone I was like…oh thats her best shot…not this one…no the next. Haha. This is seriously epic. Gorgeous work, location, vendors to work with..I’m impressed. Beautiful

  5. Um yes. I love everything about this. Flowers, table, etc. Great job and super creative! I want to decorate my home with succulents now.

  6. OMG OMG OMG these are breathtaking. I’m just going to congratulate you now since this is obviously going in a magazine. Well done Jennie.

  7. Congrats on getting published! I love all the deails and her headpiece. How awesome to do pictures at the Great Sand Dunes. Do you know if you can actually hold a wedding there? That would be epic!

    1. I think you can! With a permit :) Though there are restrictions on where you can go. All of which we ran in to.

  8. Okay, so when I saw this I would have never guessed it was the same time as your other shoot. This screams summer to me and oh my god, you did an amazing job!!

  9. Oh my gosh. I absolutely love these, amazing! Every single image are gorgeous, details, backdrop and the lighting! Just perfect.

  10. Ahhh one of my favorite places in the world! Also, adore Brindle + Oak. Y’all made this shoot seriously rock!! :) I love that ring shot!

  11. I think these are stunning! And since my logo is an amethyst, I have to say that I LOVE the color choice as well and the ring shot…wow!

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