A Joyful Small Wedding at Halfway House in Boulder | Sam & Grace

Sam and Grace’s small wedding felt relaxed, joyful, and deeply connected from the start. After photographing Sam’s proposal to Grace at Lost Gulch Overlook a few months earlier, it meant a lot to be asked back to document their wedding day. With about 20 guests gathered in the foothills above Boulder, the day felt intimate without feeling quiet. There was laughter everywhere and a steady sense of excitement that never tipped into nerves.

Bride showing her wedding dress to her parents before the ceremony
Emotional reactions during a wedding dress reveal at Halfway House
Bride showing her wedding dress to her parents before the ceremony
Bride showing her wedding dress to her parents before the ceremony
Emotional reactions during a wedding dress reveal at Halfway House

Why Halfway House and a Cloudy May Afternoon Worked So Well

Halfway House off Flagstaff Road is one of those Boulder locations that feels tucked away while still being easy for guests to access. In May, the area is lush and green, and the partly cloudy afternoon gave us soft, even light that worked beautifully for both the ceremony and family photos. The clouds kept everyone comfortable and allowed us to move through the day without rushing to beat harsh sun.

Sam and Grace exchanging vows during their outdoor wedding in the Boulder mountains
Guests watching an intimate wedding ceremony along Flagstaff Road in Boulder
Sam and Grace exchanging vows during their outdoor wedding in the Boulder mountains

Styling and Planning Tips Inspired by This Wedding

For small weddings, simple and intentional choices go a long way. Sam and Grace kept things streamlined, which made transitions—from getting ready to the ceremony to formals—feel calm and unrushed. Neutral tones with subtle texture photographed especially well against the natural backdrop, and allowing extra time for family photos made those moments feel more like conversations than a checklist.

Small wedding ceremony with family gathered at Halfway House in Boulder, Colorado

A Meaningful Moment from the Day

One of my favorite parts of the day was Grace’s dress reveal. She shared it first with the dads—her dad, her stepdad, and Sam’s dad—and then again with the moms, including her mom, stepmom, and Sam’s mom. Each reveal was filled with huge smiles, happy tears, and genuine excitement. It set the tone for a day where it was clear how loved and supported Sam and Grace are by both families.

Sam and Grace smiling together during their intimate mountain wedding in Boulder
Newly married couple walking together at Halfway House on a cloudy May afternoon

Thinking About a Small Wedding in Boulder?

If you’re planning an intimate wedding or small celebration in Boulder or the surrounding mountains, I’d love to help you document it in a way that feels true to you. You can reach out anytime to start the conversation or ask questions—no pressure, just an easy place to begin.

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Lost Gulch Overlook Engagement Session in October | Ari & Andrew

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Fall Family Photos at South Mesa Trailhead in Boulder, CO | Joni & Blair