Calluna Community: Cocktails With Brush Creek Ranch

Here at Calluna we are always looking for new ways to highlight and honor some of the amazing creative partners we get to work with. We feel incredibly fortunate to work with some seriously talented vendors in the industry, and we want to show them off to you in our new Calluna Community Series! We will sit down with some of the fabulous vendors of Colorado and get to know about them, their business and what life is like behind the scenes. Stay tuned for more!

This week for Calluna Community we caught up with Corinne of Brush Creek Ranch!

Cheers! Xo, Calluna

Describe what you do!

“I’m a Senior Sales Manager for the Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection, which includes the Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, the Magee Homestead, and French Creek Sportsman’s Club. All three properties are located within twenty minutes of each other in the beautiful Platte Valley in southern Wyoming.”

“We have a small but mighty sales team of three women here at the Ranch. We all sell both corporate and family groups, and I am lucky enough to be in charge of our wedding segment – which is my favorite part of the job”

What is your idea of a dream project?

“I love working with adventurous couples who choose the Ranch not only for its beauty but also for its amazing outdoor opportunities. The activities offered on our 30,000 acres are such a big part of who we are, and it’s a dream to watch couples take advantage of that. We had one bride who was a competitive horseback rider throughout her adolescence and college years – she went on long rides every single day she was on the Ranch. Another couple went fly fishing the morning of their wedding day as it was important to them to share that peaceful time in nature together before the rush of the wedding festivities.”

What has been your favorite wedding that you have worked, or attended?

“I have been able to see so many incredible weddings here at the Ranch, but I think the most memorable ones are when the bride and groom incorporate their family’s culture and history into the weekend. We had one groom with Nigerian roots who hosted a Nigerian-themed dinner for their rehearsal dinner, complete with authentic dress code, menu and music. Another favorite was an Indian wedding, who danced down a hillside to their ceremony, which was in a beautiful remote meadow. We had a bride from Canada who created a “Canadian Tuxedo” theme for their welcome dinner – which touched on her Canadian roots, and was also a perfect look for the Ranch!”

What does your morning routine look like?

“I travel so much that I don’t think I could call most mornings “routine!” One consistent thing is green tea consumption – no matter where I am, I start the day with green tea.”

What are some of your favorite trends that you are seeing?

“I’m biased, but our favorite wedding trend is the increase in destination weddings and non-traditional venues. Our clients come from all over the country, and want a long weekend affair that feels more like a vacation for their guests – the wedding is simply the cherry on top. At the Ranch, after two full days of amazing activities like riding, fishing and hiking, by the time the actual wedding rolls around, you’ve spent so much quality time with your guests that you don’t have to worry about a receiving line or anything like that, and can just enjoy the moment.”

What makes you excited to go to work in the morning?

“There’s obviously a major emotional component to weddings, and I thrive on that. I enjoy building relationships with our clients and getting to know their families. It’s rewarding to see how their personalities and hobbies are reflected in their wedding at the end of the process. Every wedding we’ve had here at the Ranch is truly so unique to the couple.”

What is your favorite cocktail, or what are you drinking tonight?

“I almost always drink beer – is it any surprise that I work on a ranch? I love a good IPA from Teton Brewing Company in Jackson or Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, CO. We’re actually building a brewery at the Ranch right now, so I’m excited for the moment when I can drink a beer that was brewed here on property!”

Follow Brush Creek Ranch on Instagram!

Check out some of the weddings Calluna planned at the beautiful Brush Creek Ranch below!

Erin + Ted

Vendor Love

Photography | James + Schulze
Venue | Brush Creek Ranch
Florals | Perfect Petal Denver

Karen + Jeff

Vendor Love

Photography | James & Schulze
Florals | Perfect Petal Denver
Venue | Brush Creek Ranch
Wedding Gown | JINZA Couture Bridal

Maddie + Phillip

Vendor Love

Photography | James + Schulze
Florals | Perfect Petal Denver⠀
Bridal Jumpsuit | CUSHNIE ET OCHS
Venue | Brush Creek Ranch

Jennie + Matt

Vendor Love

Photography | Janelle Rose Photography
Venue | Magee Homestead
Florals | Poppys With Love

Calluna Advice: How to Involve Family in the Planning Process

Congratulations, you are getting married! Once you decide to start tackling the wedding planning, you might find that a variety of people are eager to give their input, especially the parents! Mom and Dad mean well, but sometimes it can get difficult involving multiple parties in the journey of wedding planning, especially if the parents are contributing financially. We have compiled a list of tips on how to keep your family involved and included while staying true to you and your fiancés vision.

Enjoy! XO, Calluna

Have A Conversation: Putting everything on the table from the start is a great way to have an an honest conversation with parents or family members looking to give their input into your special day. Let your loved ones know what you want their help with and what aspects of the wedding you want to plan completely on your own. If other parties are contributing financially, make sure you know what is important to them before accepting their help.

Photo Credit: Alison Vagnini Photography

Want to see more from Jesse Lee & Lindsay’s wedding? Click here!

Assign Projects: Family members and friends often love to be involved in the planning process, so giving them special tasks will make them feel special and will help you get projects done! Let your dad pick a few song options for your father-daughter dance, or let your mother-in-law be in charge of arranging party favors for your guests. Even if the task is small, it’s a great way to make your loved ones feel appreciated and needed.

Photo Credit: Steve Stanton Photography

Want to see more from Mari-Katherine & Thomas’ Greek-Spanish bash? Click Here!

Bring Them With You: Throughout the planning process you will be going on multiple visits to vendors like the florist, baker, dress shop and more! Bringing family or friends on these visits could be a great time to bond if you do it right. If you know that you will be overwhelmed multiple opinions, stick to one or two family members per visit. If you want help ultimately deciding your dress, maybe pick out a few you love on your own and then ask advice when deciding the final pick!

Photo Credit: Jenna Walker Photography

Dying to see some more photos from Jamsey & Alex’s gorgeous nuptials? Click here!

Utilize Their Skills: Is your aunt an expert crafter? Ask her if she’ll help you out with a custom made guest book. Does your father-in-law have the biggest sweet tooth? Trust him with helping you decide cake flavors for the big day. By taking into consideration what all your relative guests are good at, you will get great opinions and will make them feel significant in the planning process.

Photo Credit: Jenna Walker Photography

Don’t miss out on amazing photos from Sarah & Johns St. Julien wedding! Click here!

Featured Image: Angie Wilson Photography

How to Pick A Wedding Photographer

Sadly your big day is only ONE day, but luckily there are some amazing wedding photographers out there that can capture all of the beautiful moments of laughter and happiness! Choosing a wedding photographer may seem like a daunting task but don’t be instantly overwhelmed. We have compiled a list of five tips & tricks on how to pick the best photographer for you and your future hubby.

Enjoy! xx, Calluna

1. Start The Search Early

It is often the case that wedding photographers have their schedules booked fairly early so we suggest starting your research in the beginning of the planning so you can score the perfect photographer for the big day. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t find the perfect fit right away, there are an endless amount of talented photographers out there!

Photography Credit: Kate Holstein Photography || Dawn Sparks Photography

2. Utilize Social Media

To get the full feel of your potential photographer utilize social media. While browsing the photographers website is most definitely useful, check out other platforms like Facebook to see past reviews from former clients. Most photography websites also include a testimonial section that will give you some useful info!

Photography Credit: Jenna Walker Photography

3. Decide on a style

Wedding photographers each have their own styles, ranging from photojournalism to fine art to portraiture. It is crucial to have an idea of how you want your photos to look before you start meeting with potential photographers. If you have specific photos that you want, make sure your photographer is willing to go that way.

Photography Credit: James Christianson || The Willinghams

4. Pay Attention to Personality

You and your photographer will be spending alot of time together. Don’t underestimate the importance of a great relationship, it will contribute largely to the day running smoothly. Setting up and interview to meet and get to know the photographer is a great way to see if your personalities mesh well together. Make sure that you trust the photographer to be assertive enough while also appealing to you and your guests.

Photography Credit: Alison Vagnini

5. Don’t Ignore the Fine Print

Pick a photographer that has a clear contract and make sure you discuss what will be included in your wedding package. Determine which parts of the wedding you would like photographed as well as hours and any additional staff joining the primary photographer. Clear communication about budget and logistics from the start will contribute to a hassle free planning process.

Photography Credit: Steve Stanton Photography

Featured image || Dawn Sparks

Advice from a Wedding Photographer

We asked the best of the best in the photography business for some advice. What should you (or shouldn’t you) do when hiring a wedding photographer?

What to do:

When choosing a wedding photographer, I believe one of the most important factors is feeling connected on a personal level. This, of course, comes after being attracted to their work. Is this someone that you could imagine happily spending your wedding day with? Do they make you feel calm and confident? Is it someone that you would want to be friends with? If you answer no to ANY of these questions- keep looking. The most important thing to remember is that how you feel will show up in photos. If you are irritated or annoyed with your photographer, it will show. If you are anxious and nervous, it will show. If you are calm, confident, and happy- that will be how you remember your day.
Tons of Research. There are so so many amazingly talented photographers out there. I think the first important step is to establish the style you want in your images and narrow down the options. Meeting in person, face-to-face, is a must and I believe the only way to really connect with someone. Hiring a photographer that makes you feel comfortable, confident and at ease is so important on your wedding day. This could take some time, so I would start early on looking for your photographer and enjoy the process!
Set up a Skype or in person meeting with your photographer candidates. Face to face is a great way to get to know your vendors, answer any questions you may have and see if it’s a personality match. I also ask potential clients to send inspiration boards to see if it’s a match stylistically as well. When you make that connection with your photographer, that is when the magic happens! And every bride wants the photos of their big day to evoke emotion and really capture who her and her fiancé are. You’ll know when you meet the right photographer! Just follow your instinct.
Trust the photographer’s timeline. It is inevitable that things run behind on a wedding day and a good photographer (and often the planner as well) will be building a timeline with buffer time in order to allow for smooth transitions and low-stress photo sessions. Allow them the time that they say they need for each section of the day to create the kinds of images you love in their portfolio without things being rushed and cut short.
Find the photographer that matches the type, style and location of your wedding. Even further, find photographers who share your passions! When photographers choose to only work with the specific couples and weddings they’re passionate about, couples are being incredibly well-served in the process. Couples around the country have found their perfect photographer and are absolutely loving this idea of specialism.

What NOT to do:

Don’t let your mom, your mother-in-law, your wedding planner, or a bridesmaid choose for you. It wonderful to get recommendations, but at the end of the day, you, the bride, need to feel comfortable and confident with the person you select. Get a sense of your photographers personality however you can and be sure that it’s a fit for both parties.
Don’t Hire Uncle Bob or a Friend. Yes, it is way cheaper and sometimes free to hire a friend or the infamous Uncle Bob to photograph your wedding. However, they are family to you and if something were to go wrong ( heaven forbid ) you don’t want that to ruin your relationship with them. You want your family and friends to have a fabulous time at your wedding and not have to worry about working. You really want to hire someone who is a professional and amazing at what they do – not just out of the convenience that they own a digital camera.
If you like the look of film and are looking for a film photographer for your wedding, don’t assume that all photographers who shoot film will shoot a majority of your wedding on film.
Don’t judge and book your photographer based solely on their online portfolio. Be sure to see all the delivered photos from full weddings and engagement sessions so you know exactly what to expect. You can do this by exploring their client proofing galleries, seeing if they post full sessions/weddings on a blog, or by asking them to show you. Sometimes photographers only place their best work on their portfolio website, and you don’t get to see everything from one wedding. It’s just one or two photos from a variety of weddings, session or styled shoots. So don’t hesitate to ask them. That way you are clear on what their aesthetic is, how they shoot, what kind of poses they do, what photos they tend to deliver, etc.

Thank you to our friends, Gina + Jason Photography, Frances Photography, Jessica Christie Photography, Ali Vagnini Photography, Sara Hasstedt Photography and Ashley Sawtelle Photography, for your great advice. We highly recommend looking into these talented artists!

Calluna Community: Cocktails With Brush Creek Ranch

Calluna Advice: How to Involve Family in the Planning Process

How to Pick A Wedding Photographer

Advice from a Wedding Photographer

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