Oh happy day! I am so excited to share this wedding! Jen is a longtime, dear friend of mine from high school tennis! What an honor to be a part of her wedding and get a first row seat to watch the whole day play out!

Getting to know Matt during this engagement season has warmed my heart. He is such a good fit for my dear friend. They are good fit for each other, and I am so so happy for them!

Their wedding day was six years in the making! Jen and Matt both live in Eastern Colorado. Their wedding was held in the same direction at Tex Ranch in Peyton, Colorado.

Jen grew up spending summers at her grandparents’ ranch in Kansas. While the adults were found at the house socializing, Jen could be found down at the barn with the horses. When Jen couldn’t get married at their ranch, and after finding out that they couldn’t make the trip to Colorado for the wedding, Tex Ranch took on a whole new special meaning. Getting married at their beautiful barn, and working with horses (see Part II!) holds a lot of meaning to this bride.

The day was perfection. So close to the longest day of the year, the light never seemed to end! These two had a beautiful ceremony, complete with their dog Daisy, and Jen making her grand entrance in a 1958 GMC truck! Matt restores old trucks and cars so this was an extra special touch. Their dinner, toasts, and cake inside the barn moved quickly as these two were anxious to get to the outdoor dance party! The end of the day held the most gorgeous sunset photos with two very sweet horses.

I have to get a huge shoutout to Jen… She planned so much of this wedding on her own, without the help of a coordinator, and I have to say, she put together THE MOST gorgeous day!! There wasn’t a detail that was missed. She was so thoughtful in taking care of her guests, making sure everyone felt loved. All the touches throughout her day carried meaning. I love that. I feel so lucky I got to photograph it all.

Matt & Jen, I sure do love you two. I hope you’re waking up in Belize right now smiling and reliving this day through these images. Congratulations!

With love & joy,
René

Venue: Tex Ranch
Dress: Something New Boutique
Hair: Stacy Whiteaker
Blooms: Flintwood Floral
Tan: 365 Glow Airbrush Tan
Music: DJ Joseph Madrid
Videography: Micah Lance Films
Photography: René Tate Photography

Jen made the invitations! And her something blue was this gorgeous set that was a gift from Matt.

Matt proposed with the heart right on the right, which Jen wore throughout their engagement. But on this day, she got a new diamond ring for her left hand. :-)

A pearl from her grandmother was sewn to her bouquet, and as she held her bouquet, she clutched a white hanky, belonging to her grandfather.

Jen got ready in what will become her and Matt’s home.

Jen pinned a cross to the inside of her dress.

Matt got ready with his buddys at his sister’s house.

And then it was first look time at the venue! First dad, and then Matt.

There were several occasions when I had to wipe away tears behind my camera. This was one of them: when Jen gave Matt a journal that she’d been writing in to her future husband — since 2005!

A very sweet first look with Jen’s mom right before the ceremony.

After all the wedding party made their entrance, I loved watching everyone look to the back of the aisle for Jen, only to be so surprised she came in from the side, driving through a beautiful green pasture, in a truck!

I love sharing a few “outtakes” from the formal family portrait time!

Matt’s grandparents have been married for 62 years!

Click here to view the second half of their day!