It was a gorgeous, sunny June day in Granby, Colorado when MJ and Lydia got married on top of the world. Their family and friends had gathered from near and far to support them and join in their celebration, and every detail was perfectly placed. But what really made this day beautiful was the love that they shared as they vowed their commitment to one another, the love that surrounded them as they found quiet moments and danced the night away.
“When I clap, you clap.” MJ played quarterback at CSU, and many of his groomsmen were his teammates.
The girls! ♥ These girls were the best…BEST!!! Loved them all!
I just loved all of the details that went into MJ & Lydia’s wedding…and her jewelry did not disappoint!
Hi Kelly!
Wedding time!!!!
When I need a second shooter, my husband Cary is my go too, and he’s AMAZING to have on my team! This photo right here…this was Cary’s view, and I LOVE it!! I just love the perspective a second photographer gives.
♥ ♥ ♥
When I said these two got married on top of the world, I meant that quite literally! The ceremony took place on top of a mountain at Granby Ranch and the view was absolutely stunning!!
♥ MARRIED!!! ♥
Isn’t Lydia STUNNING!? And can you believe this view!? I kept pinching myself ALL day!!
Swoon!!
While I was setting up family portraits, Cary turned around and found the girls all picture perfect. Hi girls!!
In between moments like this are my favorite!
The FABULOUS wedding party!!
All together now!!
Hahaha!!!
We had to wait a few minutes for the right chair lift to make its way up the mountain, so we took a few quiet moments to grab pictures of MJ & Lydia, freshly Mr. & Mrs.
The sun on top of that mountain was BRIGHTTTT, but we still got several images that make my heart all fluttery!
Then they slowly headed down the mountain…
and were greeted by their wedding party.
The details at MJ & Lydia’s wedding were just gorgeous, and SO put together. I just LOVE this sign made on Lydia’s great-grandparents headboard…..I totally think they should hang it in their home. The framed print on the left served as their ceremony program. So smart!
The wildflowers that adorned the reception were truly gorgeous!
Once the reception was fully underway, and while the guests were finishing dinner, we snuck out to the the hillside and grabbed a few photos before sunset.
Left, my view. Right, Cary’s view. ♥
If you follow me on Facebook, you saw me mention that the photo on the left was our prize for nearly losing Cary to the mountain….well here’s the backstory: While we were taking these photos, I was standing on an old well covered with a pretty sketchy piece of plywood…whatever…it gave me the right angle. Understandably, this made Cary pretty nervous so he came to stand behind me in case the wood gave way. In the process he stepped into another hole that was hidden in the grass and sunk up to his thigh!! It was scary and hilarious…and being the awesome wife that I am, I squealed and laughed and snapped this picture before making sure he was okay! Ha!!!
Also…this image on the right…..oh my gosh, I love it SO MUCH!!!
And these pictures….well, MJ, who is regularly seen like this left image can flip a switch in a second and give you the MJ version on the right…Lydia…these are for you. You’re welcome.
And then we headed back to the reception.
Often times the images I love the most are ones like these that just happen on their own.
We were greeted by their sweetheart of a ring bearer!
Granby Ranch has the best patio, and it was a great place to be all evening!
These two cuties on the right…Hi Kelly & Tyler!!! They’ll be getting married in just one month’s time, and yours truly get’s to be their photographer!! Can’t wait!!
These girls grabbed me and asked if they could take more pictures together in the gorgeous sunset…told you they were the best!! And for good measure, Lydia grabbed her brothers. They didn’t complain!
The evening was quite the party
and these two love birds danced into the night.
Congratulations MJ & Lydia!!
Granby, Colorado
Venue | Granby Ranch
Florist | Alicia Hauer
DJ | Chaz Miles
Videographers | Pierce & Paris Tews
Bakery | Frost Bakery
Dress | The Bridal Collection
Hair | Hayley Thompson
Makeup | Lori Allred
Important Songs
First Dance | Mean To Me | Brett Eldredge
Father-Daughter Dance | It Won’t Be Like This For Long | Darius Rucker
Mother-Son Dance | My Wish | Rascal Flatts
Want to see more of MJ & Lydia’s incredible day? Click the image below for a slideshow!
MJ & Lydia | In their own words…
How did the two of you meet?
B: MJ and I met in college at Colorado State University. Although I knew him as the “K-State” football transfer for many years, I finally decided to take him out of the friend zone towards our last few years of college. The rest is history!
G: It’s kind of a long story. She’ll deny it but, we had class together her freshman year and my sophomore year at CSU. All the athletes sat in the same area of the lecture hall, and I was running late one day when she had to leave early. I caught her in the hall and tried to talk to her, planting the seed, but she wasn’t having any of it and we went on as acquaintances for the next 2 1/2 years. The spring semester of her junior year and my redshirt junior year, she and her roommate started coming over for ‘fire-pit’ Wednesday. So Lydia and I started to hang out and talk a little. Then we started doing a lot of things together as friends. As my friend, she persuaded me to participate in a Christian Athlete camp that summer and after that, we knew God brought us together for a reason.
What was your favorite memory from your wedding day?
B: Besides the breathtaking view at the ceremony site, I would have to say the speeches at the reception. They were so heartfelt and really made things special for us.
G: I don’t know if I have a favorite from the day because the whole day was pretty special. It went so great and flowed so flawlessly, it felt like, that I don’t know if I could say one part of the day was more memorable than the rest.
Funniest memory from your day?
B: When my brothers stole the dance floor twice to perform a choreographed dance for everyone. AND when we almost lost Cary Yocum down a giant mountain hole!
G: We got it on video! It wasn’t the nicest thing, but it was pretty funny and gave everyone a good laugh. Right when we got off the chairlift to come down for the reception, the bridesmaids and groomsmen all lined up and made a tunnel for Lydia and I to go through. As we ran through. I whipped my had up and caught my younger brother in the waist and basically dropped him to his knees. We all still have a good laugh about it today.
What was your favorite detail?
B: So hard to pick just one, but the flowers and decorations were incredible. So much thought went into everything and for that I will forever be appreciative.
G: My favorite detail was her dress. She looked beautiful and seeing her walk down the aisle, on what felt like the top of the world, was a feeling and emotion that I will never forget.
If you could do it all over, would you change anything?
B: Not a thing. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I married my best friend and we were surrounded by the most amazing family and friends in the entire world. What can get better than that?
G: No. Honestly, it went so great that I wouldn’t want to change a thing. From the groomsmen hanging out and golfing to the ceremony and our speaker to the reception, I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Any advice for future brides/grooms?
B: Relax. Everything always works out and there is no need to fret the little stuff on the wedding day. All of the preparation and planning finally comes together and it’s truly amazing. Just take in every single moment from getting ready with your bridesmaids/groomsmen to, to walking down the aisle, it all goes by in a blink!
G: Don’t worry too much. As long as you have the people you care about and that care about you around for your celebration, it’s going to be an unforgettable time. It’s not about the decorations or the gifts. It’s about a man and a woman becoming a new family and no matter what happens on that day, it’ll be something you look back on and smile about all the time.
Tell me about your honeymoon.
B: Vieques, Puerto Rico is a treasure! My favorite part was renting a jeep and exploring the private white sand beaches of the Caribbean, snorkeling with sea turtles and taking a kayak tour of the Bioluminescent Bay!
G: We went to Vieques Island which is just east of the mainland of Puerto Rico. Very beautiful and extremely friendly people all over. We spent a week and a half in paradise and had a blast. We got to snorkel, swim in the Caribbean and the Atlantic. We had the best Pina Colada’s ever and got to see some of the most beautiful, white sand beaches ever. The highlight was the Bio Bay. Gorgeous color and truly an amazing sight.
Alicia Hauerit was a pleasure meeting you the day of the wedding! Your photographs are stunning!
Melissa YocumYou as well, Alicia! I so hope I have the pleasure of working with you in the future!
Kristine BLOVE this setting! The bride’s dress and flowers are beautiful and that image on the lift is perfection! Such a lovely day, awesome images.
RachelWoah. This wedding is amazing!!! I can’t even choose a favorite – so much awesomeness! That ceremony location – Gah!
JennyThis looks like an unbelievably perfect wedding. Gorgeous photos, Melissa!
shannonstunning!! looks like they got married on top of the world!!
love all the group shots so much! and the one on the lift!! perfection!
ChrissyWhoa. Whoa. Whoa. Serious location envy going on over here. Holy moly!! Everything about this wedding is stunning! Beautiful images, Melissa!!
Megan DThe light! The color! The location! This couple! The emotion! The details! I could go on and on and on!!! You are sooooo good Melissa! This couple is so lucky to have you document their BEAUTY-full day! Awesome awesome job friend!! xoxo
LydiaObsessed. LOVE LOVE LOVE! Thank you so much Melissa & Cary!
EricaWhat an absolutely beautiful wedding! I love everything about it. The location, the bridesmaids dresses and boots, the gorgeous bride and groom. So pretty!
Jacquelyn Potteri love that they got ready in a yurt! and what a beautiful couple
ElizabethAhhh such a beautiful wedding! I love Grandby Ranch!!
Devorah RI love, love the location! It’s absolutely beautiful! I love the colors picked, such a beautiful wedding!
KarenOh My goodness! I loved this wedding. I can not get over the just married ski lift…. That pic would be a giant canvas in my house! Love Love love! I am digging all of the cute little details of the day, and the adorable bridesmaids -or brides mates! Great wedding!
WillyWow these are gorgeous shots. What a lovely wedding and venue. The shot of them on the ski lift – whoa. Nice work!
AbbeyNote to self: get married again, on top of a mountain. I mean these are STUNNING! ah! You rocked this wedding day – i would have such a hard time choosing which ones to print if I were them!
GisselleWow these are beautiful! Those mountains as a backdrop?? Perfection!!
Maike PulliamWell this wedding is spectacular! I LOVE their ceremony location [coolest location ever!!!], and that ‘special’ chair lift: YES!
AngieOh my gosh!!!! This venue, the beautiful couple and bridal party, the images you captured…everything is stunning! So so good!!
NatalieHOLY DREAMY BACKDROP!!! If I could have a “do over” for my own wedding venue, you better bet your bottom dollar I’d chose this exact spot. Those couple portraits are like a painting!! Fabulous job, Melissa!
BobbiAAAARE YOU KIDDDDDINNNNNG ME?! This is my DREAM wedding to photograph! But the ceremony images…. AHHHH!!!! YOU NAILED THIS ENTIRE WEDDING!!! PS. Lydia, you’re a dream boat!
Jeffery loves Kylie | Castle Rock Wedding Photographer » Melissa Yocum Photography[…] been excited all year for this wedding! I met Kylie and her mom, Alicia, last year at Lydia’s wedding. They’re friends of Lydia’s family and were doing the flowers for the wedding. My […]