Photographing weddings in the midst of a global pandemic has been an interesting, and unique (and hopefully once-in-a-lifetime) experience. It seems like the news and information we have about Covid-19 changes on a near daily basis, and with it the way weddings are handled. Throughout this process things have been pushed back, forward, sideways and seemingly upside down as people try to roll with the punches.

Mandy and Ladi rolled gracefully with every one of those punches. Ladi originally planned on proposing to Mandy while hiking in Machu Picchu, Peru, but travel restrictions cancelled their plans and left him with a ring in his pocket and no stunning vistas on which to present it. Then as it became clear the virus wasn’t simply going to disappear they had to start thinking practically. Mandy is from Michigan and Ladi is Czech, so needing a marriage certificate got pushed to the front of the to-do list, while a wedding where they could celebrate with all their friends and family had to take a back seat.

There are a lot of images the word “wedding” conjures up- huge tents and dresses, ballrooms and flowers, rings, and hugging all the special people in one’s life. But at the heart of a marriage those are not the most important things. For Mandy and Ladi, there was no wedding dress, no flowers, no ring (to start off with), and none of the people they most wanted to share the moment with them could be there. But Ladi and Mandy did have the most important things- love for one another, a sense of adventure, and excitement to begin their lives together.

Since Peru was off the table, Mandy and Ladi decided to head to the mountains of Colorado for a secret elopement instead. After scouting a few of our favorite locations they hiked to the Bemrose Knob on Hoosier Ridge and Ladi formally proposed the morning of their ceremony. While the stonework of the lean-to might not live up to the Incan citadel in his plans, the mountains views were just as breathtaking (quite literally at over 11,500 ft of elevation!) There was just enough time to call their families and share the news before we headed back up the hill for their wedding ceremony. A four hour window from proposal to wedding ceremony is now officially our fastest “engagement”!

Ladi and Mandy met in an establishment devoted to Ernest Hemingway in Prague, and included the great author’s words in their ceremony- “I love you for all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you are yet to be.” And so with a clink of champagne glasses we celebrated the beginning of their married life together.

This has been one of our absolute favorite events of 2020, with all the “extras” that can come with a wedding stripped away, Mandy and Ladi were able to celebrate the most important thing: their love for each other. And we had the pleasure of getting to capture a beautiful couple, on a beautiful day, in a beautiful place, beginning their lives together!

Mandy and Ladi /// Married

:::DOUG & JACKIE:::