Prairie Wedding at Sunset in Brighton: Ashlee + Anthony

The groom dips the bride in the prairie grass as the setting sun gives a soft lens flare to the scene.

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Prairie Grasses and Romance

In the west, mountains may rule the land, but the prairie grasses and gentle breezes of the plains capture your heart.

Such was the romantic setting for Ashlee & Anthony’s Brighton, Colorado prairie wedding.

Anthony’s parents, Robert and Libby, hosted the couple’s wedding on their beautiful acreage on the plains, inviting friends and family for a beautiful evening backyard wedding.

DIY Style

The couple produced a DIY-style wedding in the colors of burgundy and steel. The ceremony took place in the side yard with crisp white chairs and burgundy ribbons that fluttered in the cooling breeze.

A steel-gray-colored runner in burlap ran the length of the aisle and was strewn with burgundy-colored flower petals.

Two large posts at the front were wrapped in fabric and ribbons for an archway. Behind this, the couple created a securely rigged system of white gauzy fabric. This kept the street traffic out of view and made a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony.

A large white tent in the backyard gave plenty of shade to the guests from the setting sun. Later in the evening, everyone would assemble there for toasts, food, and dancing.

Ceremony Highlights

While holding true to tradition, Ashlee and Anthony’s ceremony had a bit of a personal twist at the end.

The groom decided to end the ceremony with a touch of humor. Prior to his kissing the bride, he turned to his best man for inspection. The best man adjusted Anthony’s jacket lapels and produced a bottle of minty breath spray.

Mission accomplished, the freshened-up groom wrapped his arms around Ashlee, dipped her toward the ground, and gave her a kiss.

He gently placed her upright and gave her another set of kisses to make sure of their promises to each other.

Before proceeding down the aisle, the couple asked everyone to stay in their chairs for an all-inclusive group photo. The couple wanted to capture the many relatives in attendance since the day felt like as much of a family reunion as it did a wedding.

Once the photo was taken, the immediate family moved on to sunset photos at the edge of the property.

Sunset Finish

At the request of Ashlee, Anthony’s father, Robert, had left the grasses on the property to grow naturally prior to the wedding. This made a picture-perfect area for sunset photos. The light slipped away quickly and the crescent moon set during photos of the family and wedding couple.

Check out selected photos of the changing evening light in the sneak peek gallery preview below.

Final Words

Congratulations Ashlee & Anthony!

May all your days be filled with light, family, and love.

Prairie Wedding Sneak Peek Gallery

  • A small white ring box inscribed with the name of the bride and groom, Anthony and Ashlee, printed on the top.
  • A ring box hinged open with the wedding rings nestled in a pine tree.
  • Close up of a jar containing string lights with a label that says "Love 100%"
  • The father of the groom talks to guests prior to the wedding ceremony.
  • A photo collage of special moments shared between the bride and groom before they were married.
  • A sign title "Bucket List" asks the guest to share ideas of place to go and things to do.
  • A charcuterie tray filled with crackers, cheese, nuts, olives, grapes and small pickles.
  • The mother of the bride sits in a chair and speaks to two other guests.
  • The daughter of the bride and groom in a white dress with burgundy sash sits patiently with her hands folded and waits for the delayed wedding to start.
  • The mother of the groom gives him a kiss on the check moments before he walks down the aisle.
  • The father of the groom gives his son a bear hug before the ceremony.
  • The groom walks down the aisle, escorted by his dad on the left and mom on the right.
  • The groom takes his mothers arm and looks heavenward as they both walk down the aisle.
  • The groom reaches the front of the aisle and looks intensely with emotion at his mother.
  • The groom and his father embrace in a hug at the front of the aisle.
  • The mother of the groom and the paternal grandmother sit at the front of the guests waiting for the ceremony to start.
  • The groom and the officiant talk quietly prior to the processional.
  • A young boy carries the rings up the wedding aisle in a box.
  • The groom kisses the cheek of his son.
  • The daughter of the bride and groom tosses burgundy color rose petals that match the sash around the waist of her white dress.
  • The groom kisses the forehead of his daughter after making her way down the aisle tossing rose petals.
  • The father of the groom proudly escorts the bride down the aisle.
  • The mother of the bride embraces her daughter as the beautiful warm sunlight illuminate them from behind.
  • A backside view of the bride and the father of the groom as he escorts her down the aisle. The groom smiles in the background.
  • Wide view of the wedding ceremony from the last row showing the guests raising their hands in agreement that they are happy the wedding is taking place.
  • View of the bride holding hands with the groom as the bridal party looks on.
  • Close up of the single dahlias and cluster of roses carried by the wedding attendants.
  • The officiant places his hand over his heart as the bride and groom hold hands during the ceremony.
  • The groom turns to the officiant and laughs while holding hands with his bride.
  • Close up of the hands of the bride holding a sheet of paper with her personally written vows.
  • The bride gazes at the groom and smiles softly during the vows.
  • The best man retrieves the wedding bands from the ring box.
  • Close up of the groom placing the rings on the finger of the bride.
  • The best man primps the groom before the first kiss by straightening his tie.
  • The groom opens his mouth to receive the aerosol breath spray from the groom before the first kiss.
  • The bride and groom share a much-anticipated first kiss.
  • Three panel black and white photograph showing the tender moments during the first kiss.
  • The bride and groom walk back down the aisle, facing the sunset.
  • Large group photo taken from a ladder showing everyone in attendance at this prairie wedding at sunset in Brighton.
  • The father and mother of the groom, along with the mother of the bride, pose with the wedded couple.
  • The six sisters of the bride and her mother, pose with the bride.
  • The bride carried a memento of her deceased father as a tribute.
  • Close up of a wedding bouquet of burgundy flowers with a medallion in remembrance of the father of the bride.
  • A family portrait of the recently married couple with their young daughter and son.
  • A sunset photo of the bride with the sun setting on the prairies behind her.
  • The groom dips the bride in the prairie grass as the setting sun gives a soft lens flare to the scene.
  • A prairie wedding closes with a silhouette of the bride and groom kissing as the crescent moon rises and the sun sets.

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Photographer

Anne Stephenson is a Denver, Colorado photographer who captures honest, unscripted moments rooted in connection and story—reflecting who you truly are at weddings, mitzvahs, and beyond.

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