Black Attire Destination Wedding at Lucky 8 Ranch in Steamboat

From Whiskey Tours to the Mountains

Some love stories are written in the little moments — playful banter, shared passions, and the places that just feel like “us.” For Samantha + Josh, that place is split between the rich scent of whiskey barrels at Stranahan’s Distillery in Denver and the sweeping hills of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

When we first met them for their engagement session at Stranahan’s, it was clear these two had something magnetic. The way they lit up with each other, the way they teased and laughed — and their shared love of whiskey — made the shoot feel more like a double date than a photo session. That energy carried straight into their wedding weekend in the mountains.

Why Steamboat Springs?

For Samantha, Steamboat Springs is where she first learned to ski. For Josh, it’s where he learned to fly fish. Together, it’s where they’ve built years of family memories. So when it came to choosing a wedding location, there was no contest — they’d invite 125 of their favorite people to one of their favorite places on earth.

The Wedding Weekend

The celebration kicked off with the Steamboat Pro Rodeo on Friday — the perfect way to welcome out-of-town guests to Colorado’s wild beauty and Western roots.

Saturday’s wedding day took place at Lucky 8 Ranch, a working buffalo ranch with sprawling views in every direction. Guests were asked to wear all black, setting the tone for an elevated-meets-rustic celebration that was as chic as it was personal.

The Ceremony

Under the wide-open Steamboat sky, Samantha + Josh exchanged vows surrounded by their big, loving families. In true Lucky 8 fashion, a few buffalo meandered nearby like they’d been invited, adding the most unforgettable touch of nature to the day.

The Reception

Their all-black dress code popped against the wild beauty of the mountains. The team from Aspen and Ivy Events worked behind the scenes like rockstars—shuttling guests to the ceremony site overlooking the mountains, then down to the valley for a tented reception. Walking into the cocktail hour and seeing the gallery of black-and-white portraits from their Stranahan’s engagement session was one of those “yep, this is why we do what we do” moments.

A chandelier-lit saloon-style tent greeted guests, blending mountain ranch vibes with moody black-tie romance. Cocktail hour was a showstopper — black and white engagement portraits lined the entryway, each a piece of their story and a nod to the people who had traveled far to celebrate with them.

Guests enjoyed a true farm-to-table feast from E Smalley Catering before dancing the night away to Hovey Entertainment, whose energy was as unstoppable as the laughter under that glowing tent.

As the sun set and blue hour painted the sky, we stepped back to take it all in—the twinkling lights, the joy radiating from their guests, and Samantha + Josh soaking in every second. It was the kind of day you don’t just photograph—you feel it, and you remember it.

Samantha’s surprise reception dress change was a jaw-dropper, and the glow-stick-filled dance floor kept the energy high until late into the night. The couple ended the night with a private last dance under the stars, before slipping away in the kind of mountain quiet that makes Steamboat Springs so magical.

Steamboat Springs Wedding Photography & Videography

Being their Steamboat Springs wedding photographer and videographer was an absolute honor. From the Pro Rodeo to the buffalo-filled ceremony backdrop, to the candid moments with friends and family, Samantha + Josh’s day had all the ingredients of an unforgettable destination wedding — beauty, joy, and a whole lot of heart.