Aquarelle Romance: Woodland Lake Intimate Wedding in Colorado

An Intimate Colorado Mountain Wedding Inspired by Autumn, Water & Art

At the edge of the Rocky Mountain foothills, tucked among whispering willows and dreamy mountain lakes, these two beautiful souls found a new way to celebrate their love.

Their original wedding plans were supposed to take them to Austin, Texas. Then COVID changed everything.

Instead of letting the unexpected rewrite their love story, they chose something completely different: an intimate Colorado mountain micro wedding, surrounded by autumn foliage, golden evening light, quiet water, and the kind of mountain magic that makes you want to slow down and breathe it all in.

And honestly? It was breathtaking.

The golden sunset danced across the pond. Autumn foliage wrapped the landscape in warm, painterly tones. The willows moved softly in the mountain breeze. Every little detail felt like a brushstroke in a larger piece of art.

And that became the inspiration behind this beautiful collaboration.

Aquarelle Romance

There is something about watercolor that feels perfectly at home in the mountains.

Layer upon layer.
Brushstroke upon brushstroke.
Color bleeding softly into color.

The finished painting doesn’t simply recreate a photograph. It captures the feeling of a moment.

That is exactly what drew me to collaborating with watercolor artist Shalayne Mowry of DandeDay.

For years, I had dreamed of incorporating original watercolor artwork into the experience I create for my couples. Photographs preserve a moment in time, but a hand-painted piece transforms that memory into something entirely different—something tactile, artistic, and heirloom-worthy.

Imagine taking the feeling of your wedding day—the mountain air, the wildflowers, the movement of your dress, the landscape you chose, the way your person looked at you—and turning it into a piece of art you can hang in your home for generations.

That is Aquarelle Romance.

Your Wedding Day as a Work of Art

For couples who aren’t interested in a traditional wedding experience, your wedding day can be so much more than a ceremony and a reception.

It can be an adventure.

A sunrise hike.

A quiet moment beside an alpine lake.

A picnic beneath the aspens.

A sunset surrounded by the people you love.

And now, it can become a painting, too.

I am honored to offer watercolor artwork as an additional heirloom experience for couples who want their Colorado elopement or intimate wedding memories transformed into something completely unique.

Because your photographs shouldn’t just remind you what your wedding day looked like.

They should take you back to how it felt.

About the Watercolor Artist

Shalayne Mowry, owner and artist of DandeDay, is a professional artist from the Black Hills of South Dakota specializing in wedding portrait paintings.

Shalayne uses photographs from your elopement, wedding, or engagement session as inspiration for her artwork, recreating meaningful moments in watercolor and other artistic mediums.

She can also incorporate elements from your wedding day—including florals from your bouquet or details from the natural landscape—to create a truly personal piece of art.

Her work is energetic, emotional, and full of magic, making it a beautiful complement to an adventurous Colorado wedding experience.

Your Colorado Mountain Love Story

Whether you are dreaming of an intimate wedding beside a mountain lake, an adventurous Colorado elopement, or an all-day celebration exploring the Rockies together, I want your photographs to feel like you.

Unposed.
Emotional.
Wild.
Romantic.
A little bit imperfect.
Completely yours.

And if you want to turn one of those moments into a watercolor heirloom afterward, let’s make some art together.

Ready to dream up your Colorado mountain wedding?

Let’s chat about your day →