The Ultimate Guide to Spring Wedding Photos

When spring sweeps over Colorado, a breathtaking transformation unfolds as nature awakens with vibrant colors and revitalized landscapes. This enchanting season offers a fleeting opportunity to immortalize your love story amidst nature's grandeur.

Follow the 8 steps below to ensure your spring wedding photos turn out just as perfect as the ones you’re envisioning.

1. Consider timing & lighting.

If you know anything about photography, you probably know photographers covet the magical "golden hour" – those ethereal moments just after sunrise and before sunset when the world is bathed in warm, flattering light.

During the spring in Colorado, this magical hour starts somewhere around 6-6:30 in the morning and 6:30-7:30 in the evening.

Hosting your ceremony outdoors? Consider booking your venue within this time frame. Or set aside some time in your wedding day schedule for an intimate golden hour couples shoot.

But don’t worry if you can’t secure a golden hour slot! A midday Colorado wedding makes for some bright, cheerful photos.

2. Embrace colorful florals.

With a canvas of lush greens and earthy tones, spring's vibrant blooms add an exquisite pop of color to your wedding portraits. Don’t be afraid to go bold with your bouquets, centerpieces, and wedding backdrop arrangements.

Although you can find an array of beautiful flowers and greenery all year round, spring-specific blooms are some of the best.

Some of our favorite seasonal spring flowers include:

• Tulips
• Lilies of the Valley
• Hellebores
• Daffodils
• Sweet Pea
• Forget-me-Nots

And this list is nowhere near complete. Find more spring flower arrangement ideas here.

3. Scout your venue for photo ops.

Before you book your venue, you should have an idea of its photo opportunities. Beyond that first tour of the property, try to get to your venue a little closer to the big day to identify spots across the venue you’d like to add to your photoshoot agenda. (And if your photographer has never been to the venue, invite them along, as well!)

No time to tour your venue ahead of time? Check out your venue’s social media and website to get a sense of the different shots you can get.

Consider both scenic and more intimate locations.

At Spruce Mountain Ranch, you can find it all: sprawling meadows, distant mountain backdrops, lush gardens, luxurious walkways, intimate hideaways, and cozy indoor spaces.

4. Plan shots ahead of time.

Been scouring Instagram and Pinterest for wedding photo poses and shots to recreate with your special someone? Several weeks before your big day, write down a list of shots you just HAVE to have in your wedding album. Then, give that list to your photographer!

Some of our favorite spring wedding photos include…

• Intimate moments shared against a beautiful Rocky Mountain backdrop 
• Playful dancing and laughing amid towering spruce trees
• Leisurely strolls hand-in-hand through a rolling wildflower-speckled prairie 
• Romantic first dances under glistening market lights

5. Incorporate fun seasonal props.

Don’t shy away from playful photos.

Rain or shine, grab an umbrella, hold your partner close, and let your photographer do their magic. Embrace florals and take those cute bridesmaid pictures with flower crowns. Is your man proud of his vintage car or bike? Bring it on out to the venue – you’ll love the creative shots your photographer comes up with.

6. Coordinate with your photographer.

As with just about anything else in life, clear communication is essential for successful spring wedding photos. Get on the same page with your photographer well before your big day. They need time to plan which shots they will take and when.

If possible, try to find a photographer who’s familiar with your venue. They’ll already know the ideal spots and times to capture the very best moments. Ask your venue for a list of photographer suggestions or head over to your venue’s social media pages to check for any photo credit information in the captions.

7. Choose your venue wisely.

The key to jaw-dropping spring wedding photos? A location that showcases the season’s beauty to its fullest. And in our (slightly biased) opinion, there’s nothing more gorgeous than Colorado springtime at Spruce Mountain Ranch.

On the ranch, you get…

• A magnificent mountain backdrop
• Expansive, sprawling meadows
• Grand towering spruces and pines
• Lush, manicured gardens
• Elegant, rustic pergolas, benches, and indoor venues

Photographers LOVE doing shoots here on the ranch. Why? There’s an overwhelming abundance of photo ops spread across the grounds.

And with 300 days a year of full, beaming sunshine here in Larkspur, Colorado, you can expect your spring wedding at Spruce Mountain Ranch to be bright and just warm enough for comfort.

8. Pick a location with a good rain plan.

Even when a rainout is unlikely, it’s still springtime! The occasional rain shower can happen. A strong rain plan is essential – no matter WHERE you are.

That’s why the smartest couples choose a venue with indoor spaces that are just as breathtaking (and feature just as many memorable photo opportunities) as their first-choice outdoor settings.

Spruce Mountain Ranch: Colorado’s Finest Spring Wedding Destination

Looking for a venue that showcases the splendor of Colorado in spring? You’re in the right place! With exquisite outdoor AND indoor spaces, Spruce Mountain Ranch offers all the Instagram-worthy photo ops you could hope for.

Ready to fall in love with our venue? Ready to fall in love with your venue? Schedule a tour or take a virtual tour of our breathtaking spaces.

Schedule a virtual or in-person tour or explore our venue spaces online.

Read more:

• Outdoor Spring Wedding Tips at Spruce Mountain
• Seasonal Floral Arrangements for Your Spring Wedding
• 10 Essential Tips For Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue
• 12 Exciting Wedding Trends for 2024