Traditional Native American Wedding Ceremony in Colorado

two brides in dresses at ceremony spot at the homestead at LGBT wedding by Colorado LGBT wedding photographer Jennie Crate

Ashley and Teresa reached out to me before they even had a wedding venue or date yet. But they knew finding a photographer that they connected with was the first thing they wanted to cross off their wedding planning list. After our first call, where we bonded over our love for Harry Potter (their cat is lovingly named Olivander), and dreamed about their wedding vision together, I think we all knew it was the perfect match.

Ashley and Teresa have known each other since high school, but didn’t start dating until Junior year of college. They knew pretty instantly that this relationship was special and really took their time to grow and connect before getting engaged in 2019.

When they discovered Deer Creek Valley Ranch, they knew that it was the perfect spot to host their intimate outdoor fall wedding.

At the core of their wedding celebration was a desire to honor their fathers (who are no longer with us), to celebrate in utter joy of their marriage with their family and friends, and to really capitalize on the beautiful surroundings of Colorado in Fall.

They chose the Pine Cathedral for their ceremony spot, which is my favorite ceremony spot on the Deer Creek Property because the light is just so beautiful.

They had decorated their ceremony arch with some amazing faux florals from Flintwood Floral and Teresa had crafted all of the favors and most of the other decor for the wedding.

For the ceremony itself, Ashley and Teresa incorporated components of a traditional Native American wedding ceremony to honor Ashley’s family heritage of the Tigua tribe of Ysleta del Sur.
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The ceremony was performed by Ashely’s uncle and family in a deeply meaningful way that blessed their union and life together, and remembered both their fathers who had passed away.
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Just before the ceremony started, a hawk started circling the ceremony site, and during their ceremony, a second hawk joined in. In case you aren’t familiar, in many Native American cultures, hawks are guardians and messengers from the ancestors. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind, that both Ashley and Teresa’s father’s stopped in to witness and bless their marriage. It was a truly incredible moment.

After the ceremony, we went off to romp through the trees for couple’s portraits. Then we joined the reception in the Deer Creek Valley barn, where music, family tributes, and good food were the recipe for the night.

In spite of the pandemic, Ashley and Teresa made the most of their wedding day and it was an absolute honor to get to know and celebrate with them over the course of the last year. <3

Want to see more of this awesome couple? Check out their engagement session in RMNP.

Considering Deer Creek Valley Ranch for your own wedding? I’ve got all the details in this guide to getting married at Deer Creek Valley Ranch.