Intimate Wedding in Colorado Springs, CO

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Igor & Michelle

I know Heather is tough, but even I didn’t think she would be climbing through barbed-wire fencing at 30 weeks pregnant to get a shot. After reading that sentence--some may question how I allowed it to happen--but that just means you don’t know Heather and I well enough. Anyone that knows us knows that I would never tell my wife what she can and can’t do, especially when it comes to her body. That doesn’t mean I didn’t raise an eyebrow and say, “you sure?” before she bent down and climbed through the fence like a professional wrestler climbing through the ropes into the ring. I will always love her and Igor and Michelle for being up for an adventure.

We actually met Igor and Michelle in New York City where Heather did their engagement photos in Tribeca. Igor was the Executive Chef at The Standard Hotel at the time before Covid turned Manhattan into a shell of its culinary self. I’m happy that Igor’s confident that the bustling scene will come back in a few years. Michelle is his perfect powerful complement, and their son, Harrison, has a better palate than I do at five-years-old. They are actually in the process of uprooting to Arkansas for an amazing career opportunity and we can’t wait to visit them in an outdoorsy paradise that is increasing in popularity.

Michelle and Igor were supposed to get married in Los Angeles at one of Igor’s former spots, but pivoted to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Michelle grew up because of the pandemic. We started their day with a short photo session of the two of them at one of Michelle’s family friend’s ranches. It was so windy that I was legitimately worried that a branch was going to come down on our heads. Then Heather decided to climb through the fence. We never know what mother nature is going to give us on wedding days but we are always thankful when our couples like Igor and Michelle bring their A-game no matter what.

After that Igor and Michelle planned for some down time before the ceremony and reception. We love when our couples take the time to honor the pace of the day that is all too often scripted down to the minute. Igor said he took the time to play spades with one of his soon-to-be relatives. Michelle and the girls took the opportunity for some self-care with a luxurious, airy spa day at Blush - Dry Spa Bar. I always say that mental health is the most important thing and it has never been more true than in the year 2020.

Next year the plan is to go “back, back to Cali, Cali” (thanks Biggie) and finish the celebration in full swing. The intimate ceremony and reception this year at Prime25 set the stage for one hell of a party. Between Igor getting emotional waiting for Michelle at the first look, and the many toasts, some translated from Igor’s native Russian tongue, there is so much to look forward to. Sometimes we just have to throw caution to the wind, climb through some barbed wire, and have a day for ourselves--that’s what life’s all about!