The fifth week of a personal project to photography those little people from train sets!  As always… if  you suggest the title I pick for the photo, I will send you an 8×12 of that photo. Plus, I will add the title and your name to the blog post under the photo.

To see more of this series click here: Miniature Monday’s

When I got married 32 years ago, we were kind of limited to two choices – red roses or white roses. Add a couple branches of babies breath and some random greenery and your bouquet was finished. Sadly, due to the limited floral choices of the day, most weddings tended to have the same look to them. If you chose white roses you could make other color choices for what your wedding party wore. But those red roses… they really limited you. I (of course) picked red roses.

I think because of this I am always excited to see which colors our couples pick to represent their wedding day. When Amanda and AC were in the planning stages of their wedding there was a lot of conversation over what color “marigold” really was. Needless to say marigold didn’t make it into their color pallet! Today the color choices are limited only by your imagination. Flowers are available from around the world or grown in hot houses and shipped to your florist. Fabrics can be dyed to your specific color. No one should ever feel limited again. I’ve been looking at the colors our couples have used over the last couple years. It’s very rare we have couples using the exact same color scheme. While dark purple may be a common choice, one couple may have a purple that’s more red, while the other couple’s purple has more of a blue undertone. The accent colors vary giving everything a different feel. For a photographer it’s very exciting not to have the same thing every weekend!

As I’ve been going through past wedding I’ve been putting together “Inspiration Boards” to post here. I’ve put the Pantone color number on the color swatch so if you see a color you love you can identify it easily. Pantone allow designers to ‘color match’ specific colors when a design enters production stage—regardless of the equipment used to produce the color. This system has been widely adopted by graphic designers and reproduction and printing houses for a number of years now allowing for consistency. By the way the Pantone Color of 2012 is – Tangerine Tango. “Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.”

Ross and Lori had such a lovely fall wedding at the Villa Parker. I honestly have never seen a groom so excited to be getting married as Ross. He honestly was jumping with joy as time got closer to the ceremony. Lori however was as calm as we’ve ever seen a bride…. together they make a perfect pair. Through out the evening we heard stories from grandparents about the great breakup while they were dating and how they got back together. It was very sweet to listen to them go on about how much they adored their grandchildren.

Lori picked bright vibrant colors to match Colorado’s stunning yellow aspens and keeping the time of year in mind.

Pumpkins were used as decorations throughout the reception and at the ceremony.

Love the contrast of the purple shirts and ties with the orange of the flowers.

This little guy was very serious about making sure he did his “ring job” correctly.

Ross was so excited that he couldn’t even look at Lori when she first came down the aisle.

I think Lori like the ring!

Still admiring those wedding rings.

Lori’s mom and dad couldn’t have been happier for Ross and Lori.

Bouquet toss went off without a problem but when the garter was thrown it hit against the rough wood beam and stuck. Leaving all the unmarried guys looking at each other wondering who was going to be the brave one to get it down.

Chelly is an actress from New York City, you may have seen her in a local Taco Bell commercial. This fall when she was in Denver visiting relatives she decided it was time to update her portfolio with new head shots. Here’s a selection of what’s she’ll be presenting producers and directors!

We’ve known Jen since middle school so we were thrilled to be asked to photograph her wedding to Jonathan this spring in California. These two where very certain of what style of photos they wanted for the engagement session – Bright and colorful! I think we found that!

A poor unsuspecting grasshopper landed on Jonathan’s pants sending Jen flying!

Beth and Doug’s ceremony at Stonebrook Manor was lovely. The bride was so beautiful, her dress was perfect for her…. made her look like a princess. The groom was handsome, charming and excited to be getting married. Their ceremony when off without a single glitch…. and then the mosquitoes came out in full force. We were itching, the wedding party was swatting, and Beth was trying her best to keep them out of the tulle in her dress and veil. I’m quite sure we’ve never shot formals so quickly in order to get everyone inside as fast as we could! It’s amazing had well everyone cooperates when they are being eaten alive.

Lesson Learned: Don’t leave home without the bug spray!

We are LOVING this new trend of the bright colorful shoes. Adds a fun personal touch.

There was so much laughter that day – everyone was having such a great time!

The first bridesmaid on the left is Doug’s sister Caitlin, we shot her wedding in 2009. She’s about to become a new mommy.

Love this shot of the officiant looking at Doug first seeing Beth. The anticipation was killing him!

Beth had these lollipops at each place setting. I asked one of the older gentlemen if I could borrow his for photos and received an interrogation on where it was going and how soon I would be returning it to him. Having the rings is enough stress but worrying about losing his lollipop on top of that – way too much stress!

A slideshow of Beth and Doug growing up and dating played in the background while they had their first dance.

More photos of Beth played while Beth and her father were having their dance. She was so caught up in the photos there wasn’t much dancing going on.

The groom and grooms men sang (In perfect harmony I’d like to add!) a college song to Beth before Doug removed the garter. Totally caught her off guard.

We love being in on secrets – especially when they involve our favorite couples! AnaLisa had planned a romantic weekend for their first anniversary beginning with photos of the two of them to celebrate their first year together. We met David and AnaLisa at Red Rocks to surprise him with a photo session for the two of them and ended the day with the final shoot at the little B&B where they spent their honeymoon. Which was also the beginning of their romantic anniversary weekend.

Congratulations you two! We hope next year is just as wonderful and brings you much happiness.

Be sure to check out our web site at: http://www.kokorophotography.com/

Nothing says “marital bliss” quite like the story of a husband trying to murder his family with an axe, but when you get married at a haunted hotel it can be fun to embrace some of the creepiness. Mai and Michael went all out- Mai was even doing her hair and makeup while watching the original Kubrick film.

Natives and visitors alike know of a connection between The Stanley Hotel and Stephen King’s “The Shining,” but many are confused about what the connection is exactly. Even while watching the movie again to prepare for the silliness our bride and groom had planned, I thought the exterior shots would be of the Stanley- not so. Stephen King was inspired to write the story of creepy little girls in hallways while staying at the Estes Park hotel right before it was closing for an extended period of time. The Stanley claims several ghosts in residence; it’s a straight line from here to there. Apparently, some of the miniseries was filmed at the Stanley, but strangely the hotel’s grand moment on the silver screen is in “Dumb and Dumber.” Please, someone-  groomsmen in ruffled tuxedoes in burnt orange and baby blue launching themselves up the main Stanley staircase- I can see it now…

“Mai and Michael aren’t here any more Mrs. Torrance……”

The creepy rotting woman in the bathtub was the only part of the original movie that genuinely freaked me out. I think Mai looks much more attractive.

Our attempt at recreating the final picture of the movie.

There are many things that are consistent between weddings…. a big white dress, fancy shoes, a cake, flowers and the rings. One of the things we love the most about shooting weddings is that each couple puts their own personal spin on their day. Even though many of the items are the same…. each wedding is different. Over the last couple of years we’ve made it a game to find something personal to the wedding or the couple to use in photos of the couples rings. Sometimes the bride is so in love with her flowers or the flowers are so beautiful that putting the rings in the flowers is a natural choice but sometimes…. there are other details that scream out to have their photo taken with the rings.

My personal favorite so far is this gnome who made it’s way around the wedding with the bridal party. Apparent this was not his first wedding…. or his last I suspect!

Poor little guy had a broken finger!

A basket of delicious cherries was placed at every table. So of course, we used them for the photos too.

This couple had mead as their gift to their guest to coordinate with the custom designed bees on the bride’s ring.

On their vows.

The colorful Colorado aspens were a stunning beautiful backdrop for their ceremony.

The bride loved the lacing up the back of her dress, so we highlighted it by adding their rings.

Vintage cars were the theme of this wedding; they placed classic Hot Wheels on every table. This particular car is similar to the one the groom owns – only smaller.

Taken in Mexico, where the wedding was on the beach. Everyone was barefoot and loving the sand! You can’t do that in Colorado.

When you have a beach wedding there are so many things for us play with!

There were tiny daisies all over  the fields of this Winter Park wedding,  but using only one for the rings photo highlights the daisy and their rings.

An Easter wedding – the couple had little nests of candy at each of the guests place setting.

Taken with their invitation.

The bride’s henna feet.

A custom drawing with the rings added.

Tiny clothes pins once held the place cards for the guests table seating.

Darth Vader was on the groom’s cake so of course he needed to make an appearance with the rings!

It rained a lot this day! Of course the wedding was planned for outdoors at the Botanic Gardens. Putting the rings on a leaf with water droplets is a reminder that we waited the rain out and had a beautiful Colorado evening after all.

Everything at this wedding was vintage, including the cake topper.

Cupcakes have become very popular at wedding and sometimes they are so beautifully decorated.

Inside the table decorations – there were these beautiful bubbles!

Each guest was give a box of yummy chocolates at their place setting.

Sometimes just one flower is dramatic enough for the rings.

The reflection of the mirror with the gorgeous colors of the flowers in the background.

On the couples crystal champagne glasses – a gift from her family.

Beautiful fans were handed out to each guest as they were seated. They also made a lovely background for the rings.

On the door knob in the brides dressing room. Sometimes getting married in an old venue gives is elegant items to play with.

The groom’s wedding ring is made of wood (this is the first and only ring we’ve seen like this!) so it really needed something natural. Because the couple lives back east and specifically chose late September for the Colorado colors we chose the rock they stood on when they said their vows along with colorful leaves.

Guests’ favors with their wedding date.

Pears were the theme of the day! Linda and Kent ordered the carved trunk on Etsy as their table decoration.

Trying to figure this out? It’s a Japanese whisk used in tea ceremonies. The bride and her wedding party held a tea ceremony before the wedding.

When your ceremony is at the Jazz Hall of Fame – you get lots of vintage instruments!

Again….. on the guests’ thank you gift.

This couple made their guests think about where their table was!

A book of romantic love letters was in the library of this wedding.

The stem of the bride’s bouquet was such a beautiful color!

We’ve been so busy lately that I’ve been so behind getting post up on our blog. I guess that’s a good thing for us but I do feel badly for not staying on top of getting our fabulous wedding posted.

Kiva and Elizabeth were married at the Magnolia Hotel on 17th street in Denver. This lovely hotel has beautiful rooms and a huge ballroom across the street for receptions. With a ton a fun, and funky places for photography we are always excited to book a wedding there. Elizabeth and Kiva live in California, but Kiva grew in Denver so making Colorado their wedding location choice was easy. They wanted someplace as easy going and relaxed as they are.

Love the new trend of succulents in the bouquets.

Succulents and Bow Ties – a very modern combination

The Beatles had Abby Road…. We have 17th Street!

This group kept me on my toes! They had more ideas for silly photos than I could keep up with. But I LOVED that they wanted to make their guys shots be different than anyone else. Unique and Creative!

First look – Elizabeth and Kiva wanted to do a first look before the ceremony so we could get as many groups shot taken ahead of time as possible.

The girls also had fun ideas!

After the ceremony a bag piper walked the entire wedding party and guest around the block and into the reception across the street.

Dance lessons really paid off for these two! They had a beautifully choreographed first dance.

Cupcakes by Happy Cakes instead of a traditional wedding cake.

Sisters!

End of the evening photos….

A special thank you to Sidney Stopper at the Magnolia Hotel for doing such a fabulous job coordinating this wedding and Erin at Plum Sage for the great floral design!