When Gina and Alex first reached out to us about getting married at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Denver, we were thrilled to have the chance to shoot in a newly renovated church. Fast forward to May 2019, and construction delays meant that getting married in the new space would be impossible.
But the church has another option, unique — as far as we know — to the Archdiocese of Denver. Outdoor Catholic weddings in the United States are extraordinarily rare because the Church generally requires weddings to take place in churches. As Catholic wedding photographers in Denver, we had never captured an outdoor nuptial Mass before.
But in Denver, a Catholic couple can be married outdoors — at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Grotto, a structure built by parishioners decades ago. The space is on the campus, and it includes a consecrated altar.
Gina and Alex took all the uncertainty in stride. They were relaxed and were joyful around each other, which made it easy to make beautiful photos. They chose not to see each other before the wedding, but they exchanged letters around the corner from one another near where the bride was getting ready. They celebrated a beautiful Catholic Mass in the Grotto, surrounded by family and friends.
Later, we drove to Mead, Colorado, where the couple set up a tent to host a backyard wedding next to a lake. After a long (and hot day), we ended with a radiant sunset. We were overjoyed to be a part of your day, Gina and Alex. Congratulations!
