I'm Michele

Bayleigh and Austin had one of the most beautiful wedding days ever at Spruce Mountain Ranch! What made it beautiful was the grace and joy they had throughout the day, even when things went a different direction than they had planned.

I’ll never forget texting Bayleigh on the morning of her wedding with “Happy wedding day!” Instead of the usual, excited reply, Bayleigh texted back that she was running a little late — “I’m at Urgent Care!”

You would never have known Bayleigh was sick though. She showed up to get ready only a few minutes late, and her amazing makeup artist, Poppy of Studio Poppy 303, did such a beautiful job that there wasn’t one moment during the day where Bayleigh looked sick. (These photos are un-retouched, people!!)

Once makeup and hair were done, Bayleigh spent a few minutes alone, reading the sweet letter and watching the slide show Austin put together for her. It was one of the best parts of the wedding day for Bayleigh.

At the last minute, the ceremony site was moved indoors because of crazy wind, but Bayleigh and Austin didn’t even blink. We took bridal party portraits — including popping the champagne — in a tiny little enclave that blocked the wind. And, in fact, Austin’s favorite part of the whole wedding, the moment he wants to remember forever, was watching Bayleigh walk down the aisle to the stone fireplace in the Spruce Room. Bayleigh was a little bit nervous at first, but “the second I saw Austin at the end of the aisle, I felt an overwhelming peace and relief come over me. It made me know that everything was going to be okay — that I get to marry my best friend.”

“I was nervous and a little anxious waiting for her,” said Austin. “But when I saw her, I felt that same relief and happiness that we were in this together. She looked beautiful.”

I’m pretty sure they’ll both also remember how he swooped her up after they were announced as husband and wife and carried her out the door and outside, right into that crazy wind!

There were a few fun, surprising moments at their wedding reception also:

Bayleigh: “We didn’t practice our first song and planned on just slow dancing to it. Austin told me two minutes before we were going to go dance that we are now two-stepping to the song that he practiced with his groomsman and that it will be great!”

Austin: “We enjoyed watching the flossing dance-off between my 13 year old brother Jackson and the rest of our friends.”

Another fun wedding surprise: They shared their First Scoop — Sweet Cow Ice Cream! (Now that’s my kind of wedding cake!!)

What’s up next for Bayleigh and Austin? They honeymooned in St. Lucia (honeymoon photographer, anyone?), then moved to Winter Park, Colorado, and bought their first home. They both love the small-town feel and getting to ski the beautiful Rocky Mountains every weekend! To which I say, cheers — here’s to a lifetime of adventuring together!

Venue: Spruce Mountain Ranch
Wedding Planning: Cheers Wedding Planning
Second Shooter: Jade
Florals: Nicole Reynolds
Wedding Gown: Ines Di Santo
Bridal Salon: anna bé bridal boutique
Menswear: Tom James Company
Hair: Karen Johnson
Makeup: Studio Poppy
DJ: Elite Entertainment
Catering: Buffalo Gals
First Scoop: Sweet Cow Ice Cream