Maddie + Kyle Colorado Springs Wedding
Valentine's Day at Palmer Park & Cragmor Christian Reformation Church
Some couples pick a wedding date that's easy to remember. Maddie and Kyle went ahead and picked the most romantic one on the calendar. February 14th. Valentine's Day. And then they filled it with the things that matter most to them: their faith, their families, and a whole lot of laughter.
This Colorado Springs wedding moved through so many good moments. Quiet ones. Loud ones. Ones that caught me off guard in the best way. From Palmer Park portraits in the (surprisingly warm) February air to a beautiful ceremony at Cragmor Christian Reformation Church, the whole day had this warmth to it that just stuck with you.
Getting Ready with the Guys
I started the day with Kyle and his guys. There's something I really like about beginning with the groomsmen. The energy is loose. Ties get knotted wrong the first time. Someone always forgets their socks. It sets a good tone for the rest of the day.
Kyle was calm and ready. You could tell he just wanted to get to the part where he sees Maddie.
First Look at Palmer Park
We met up with Maddie and her girls at Palmer Park for the first look. If you haven't been, Palmer Park sits right in Colorado Springs with these big red rock formations and wide-open views of Pike’s Peak. Even in February, it has this quiet beauty to it. A little cold, a little wild. Perfect for portraits.
The first look was one of those hold-your-breath moments. Kyle turned around and just took her in before pulling her in close. No performance. Just two people who were really, really glad to see each other.
After that, we moved into bridal party portraits. And this is where her mom surprised her with a bouquet she had made by hand. Every single stem arranged and put together herself. Maddie didn't know it was coming. You could see it hit her the second she realized what she was holding. That kind of detail, the handmade, the personal, it tells you a lot about this family.
Family Portraits Before the Ceremony
From Palmer Park we headed to Cragmor Christian Reformation Church to knock out family portraits before the ceremony started. This is a move I always love when couples do it. Since Maddie and Kyle were skipping the cocktail hour doing family portraits before the ceremony meant they could go straight from "I do" into their reception without a long gap.
The Ceremony at Cragmor Christian Reformation Church
The ceremony was stunning. There's no other word for it. Light was pouring through the window above the altar, and it cast this dramatic glow over everything. The kind of light you can't plan for but always hope for.
There was beautiful music. There was communion. Their faith was woven through every piece of it. And when it came time to kiss, Maddie and Kyle didn't stop at one. They went back for seconds. And maybe thirds. They couldn't help it, and honestly, the whole room loved it.
A Reception That Felt Like Them
After the ceremony, the party kicked off with a first dance, a father-daughter dance, a mother-daughter dance, and a mother-son dance. Each one was its own little moment. Tender and real.
And then things took a turn. The fun kind.
Instead of the usual open dance floor, Maddie and Kyle set up trivia and a scavenger hunt. The trivia was all about them: their history, how they met, the little things only close friends and family would know. The scavenger hunt sent guests racing around looking for silly stuff like a business card or a phone with a cracked screen. People were laughing, digging through purses, and running between tables. Every single person in the room involved, whether they were participating or cheering others on. That's the thing about breaking with tradition on purpose. When you replace it with something that's actually you, it lands even better.
A Valentine's Day to Remember
Maddie and Kyle's wedding kept their faith at the center and their family close. It was romantic because it was real, not because of the date on the calendar. The handmade bouquet. The extra kisses. The trivia questions. All of it added up to a day that felt completely, totally theirs.
And now every Valentine's Day comes with a built-in anniversary. Not a bad move.
Planning a Colorado Springs Wedding?
I'd love to hear about your day. Whether it's a church ceremony, a Palmer Park portrait session,
or something completely different, let’s make your day uniquely your own.