Annie and Ryan’s wedding at Hotel Colorado was full of emotion—from tears during the ceremony to the excitement shared by their families throughout the day. The Carbondale couple celebrated on September 5, 2026, in nearby Glenwood Springs, celebrating close to home in the hotel’s historic setting.

In planning their wedding, they described wanting a balance of romantic portraits and candid photographs of their guests having fun. Their celebration made room for both: a heartfelt courtyard ceremony, time with family, portraits around the hotel, and a reception that grew into an energetic party.

Hotel Colorado’s twin towers and red roofs with Glenwood Springs and the surrounding mountains beyond

Getting ready at Hotel Colorado

The hotel’s architecture became part of the story before the ceremony began. Annie’s gown hung along a staircase, and the getting-ready photographs captured the finishing touches with loved ones nearby. White flowers and greenery complemented her gown and the wedding party’s black attire.

Annie’s wedding gown and veil displayed on a wooden staircase
A loved one fastens Annie’s necklace as she gets ready

Annie shared a first look with her father, a moment set against the mountains beyond the hotel’s balcony. Ryan and his groomsmen raised a toast together as they prepared for the afternoon. Those family moments led into a ceremony where the anticipation, excitement, and emotion were all close to the surface.

Annie and her father hold hands during their first look on the hotel balcony
Ryan and his groomsmen raise glasses together while getting ready

An emotional courtyard ceremony

Guests gathered in the courtyard beneath the trees, surrounded by the hotel’s warm brick and stone. With Jim Tarr officiating, Annie and Ryan exchanged personal vows and rings in front of their families and friends.

The ceremony was full of tears, smiles, and the visible excitement of the couple and their loved ones. Preserving those reactions mattered as much as photographing the formal parts of the ceremony: the people watching, the looks between Annie and Ryan, and the joy when they came back down the aisle together.

Annie walks into the courtyard ceremony beneath Hotel Colorado’s arched entrance
Annie and Ryan exchange rings with their officiant in the courtyard
Ryan dips Annie for a kiss during their courtyard wedding ceremony
Annie and Ryan celebrate with raised arms after their ceremony

Portraits, family, and Nana’s prayer

After the ceremony, family photographs and portraits kept the story close to the hotel. Courtyard paths, arches, and garden ironwork offered different settings without taking Annie and Ryan far from their guests. A few portraits beneath Annie’s veil brought a quieter feeling to this part of the day.

Annie smiles as she and Ryan embrace beneath her veil

Alta Otto, Hotel Colorado’s planner, did a fantastic job guiding the celebration. Her coordination helped bring together a day with family photographs, the ceremony, portraits, and a full evening of events.

One of the most impactful moments came before dinner, when Nana offered her prayer. Alongside the vows, it became an important part of the wedding’s story—a moment whose meaning lives in the words and voices as much as in the photographs.

White flowers, greenery, candles, and black napkins on a wedding reception table
A loved one speaks to the couple and their guests at the reception

A full dance floor, then one last dance together

The reception moved from a first dance, dinner, and family moments into an energetic dance floor. The photographs show the range of the celebration: embraces, laughter, guests dancing together, and Ryan lifted above the crowd.

Annie and Ryan share their first dance as wedding guests watch
Black-and-white photograph of Ryan lifted above a cheering wedding dance floor

At the end of the evening, Annie and Ryan had one final dance with the room entirely to themselves. After a day spent surrounded by loved ones, they had a few minutes together before stepping outside to join everyone again.

Annie and Ryan dance together in the reception room at the end of the evening

Their guests waited with sparklers, creating a glowing path through the courtyard. Annie and Ryan walked through hand in hand, ending their Hotel Colorado wedding with the same excitement that had carried through the day.

Annie and Ryan walk hand in hand through their guests’ sparklers at Hotel Colorado

Watch Annie and Ryan’s wedding highlight film.

Explore more wedding photography and films from Summit Photo & Film.

The wedding team