Rocky Mountain Wedding Film | Jess + Joel

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Rocky Mountain Wedding Film | Jess + Joel

With so many stunning views to absorb in the Rockies, at Aflatis, we always jump at the opportunity to shoot a wedding up in the mountains. And when Jess and Joel contacted us about shooting their Rocky Mountain wedding film, we couldn’t wait to record their love story and celebrate at the breath-taking Camp Hale! Before we get to their big day, we must visit how the two first met and fell in love.

A Dangerous Date and Surprise Engagement

Jess and Joel initally connected when they were both living in New York City. They met through a dating app, and Joel quickly made quite the impression on Jess by taking her on a bike ride over the Brooklyn Bridge. Jess describes the bike ride as “mildly harrowing,” but thankfully Joel brought enough wine in his backpack to make up for it.

The couple only grew closer from there and dated two years before Joel decided to pop the question. Joel planned a day hike in the Hudson Valley but secretly packed overnight clothes for the two of them. Like most guys on the verge of proposing, Joel was acting pretty unusual during the hike.

But at the top of the mountain, Joel got down on one knee and asked Jess to be his bride. They shared a toast and a photographer Joel had covertly hired caught all the magic on film. Jess and Joel celebrated by staying overnight at Cold Spring, New York. Once they returned to the city, they shared the great news with Jess’s parents who had just flown in from Thailand!

A Wedding Like None Other

During their engagement, Jess and Joel moved to Colorado. So, it only seemed fitting they exchange vows in the stunning Rocky Mountains. Camp Hale, near Vail, Colorado, was their destination of choice.

There were so many details of the wedding day which made it exceptional, and personal to just Jess and Joel. As Colorado summer weather usually is, the wedding day weather was unpredictable. But Jess and Joel were able to steal a moment during a break in the clouds for their first look. It was one of the most treasured moments of the day, where they could feel grounded and anticipate what was about to take place.

The couple was thrilled to have Jess’s best friend Casey as the officiant. And it was imperative to Jess and Joel they write their own vows. They even spent time writing them at the Denver Botanical Gardens to gain inspiration.

And perhaps one of the most memorable happenings was the rain during the ceremony. At Camp Hale, wedding ceremonies take place on a little island, with a bridge connecting the island to the rest of the grounds. All of Jess and Joel’s friends and family gathered together, in the rain, on this fairy-tale island to be a part of their union. It honestly felt like a scene out of a movie—which, thankfully, we were able to create!

What Was It Like Having Adam Create Your Rocky Mountain Wedding Film?

When asked what it was like working with Adam and Aflatis, Jess shared, “Adam came to us through Claire Williams, our fantastic wedding planner. We would recommend him to other couples in a heartbeat. He was so relaxed and easy to work with—exactly the vibe we hoped for on what could have been a stressful day. It turned out not to be stressful at all, partly thanks to his energy and professionalism.”