“We had the most wonderful time with Abie Livesay during our elopement of two, and the photographs she took turned out wonderfully. I can't tell you how many people have told me they were the most beautiful wedding photos they had ever seen! We went on an adventure up the mountain with Abie and stopped at so many magical spots to take photos. In the moment, I knew I was having fun, but I didn't have any idea how gorgeous the shots would be. Thank you so much, Abie! Highly recommend!!!” -Claire
"Fantastic Would be a Huge Understatement" Abie Livesay Telluride Wedding Photographer
“We booked Abie for my daughter’s wedding this past September. To say she was fantastic would be a huge understatement, she is absolutely incredible! You will not regret having Abie capture your special moments. Don’t hesitate, book now!” — Mary Kay
"She Captured Our Palm Springs Story" Abie Livesay Telluride Wedding Photographer
“Abie Livesay traveled to Palm Springs for our wedding, and I am so happy she was able to! Not only is Abie easy and fun to work with, but it shows in her work, ie our wedding album :) She captures the story, the candid moments, and edits herself so that the perfectly imperfect photos (my favorite!) do not get thrown out. I am also a wedding planner, and so enjoy working with Abie as a professional in the industry. I know she will delivery an incredible experience and album to each client, thus I highly recommend working with her!” -Kristen
"A True Professional and Pleasure to Work With" Abie Livesay Telluride Wedding Photographer
“I am a caterer that has had the pleasure of working many weddings with Abie Livesay Photography. She is a natural. She has the ability to capture the most wonderful shots and moments. She is a true professional and a pleasure to work with.” -Chef Bud Thomas
"I hate taking pictures but Abie made it GREAT" Abie Livesay Telluride Photographer
“I absolutely HATE having my picture taken but Abie Livesay made it a GREAT experience! My wife and I celebrated our 25 year anniversary in Telluride and Abie helped document our time there. I highly recommend using Abie if you're in need of a photographer!” -Scott
"Perfect Photographer for Out-of-Towners" Abie Livesay Telluride Photographer
“Abie Livesay did a great job helping us out-of-towners coordinate the perfect extended-family photo shoot. She was very helpful and flexible with coordinating the location and time. We had a fun session with her and got priceless images we will forever cherish.” -Heidi
"Book Abie Livesay NOW!" Abie Livesay Telluride Wedding Photographer Review
“Book Abie Livesay NOW for all of your photography needs. She is a lovely human who understands the importance of your day, your relationship, and the feeling you are trying to capture in your special occasion. She made my husband and I feel like ROYALTY on our wedding day, and everything leading up to it. She is incredibly accommodative, professional, responsive, FUN, and that is all just the lead up. When we received our wedding photos - WOW. I was stunned. She made our day, and then captured it perfectly. I cannot recommend her highly enough. Work with Abie any chance you can get!” -Joy, Bride
"Abie is the Telluride Photographer You Need" Abie Livesay Telluride Wedding Photographer Review
“Working with Abie Livesay to create my Telluride memories was a fantastic experience. I found Abie on Instagram, and was immediately impressed by her work and attention to detail. Abie was responsive and super helpful in not only planning the portrait session, but also providing local recommendations for where and when to shoot. When I met Abie on portrait day, we instantly clicked and had a blast at all the photo locations she picked out. Abie is the fastest camera lens in the west! Before you know it, she's capturing moments both candid and planned. The photos and editing were excellent and I'm glad I went up a package level because I ended up getting so many great shots. If you're in Telluride and want an expert touch to capture your memories, then Abie is the photographer you need to coordinate and work with! Kudos Abie!” -Andrew
"Hands Down Best Photographer" Abie Livesay Telluride Wedding Photographer Review
“Truly wish I had something worth capturing more often so that I could work with Abie regularly. She has an uncanny ability to both put you at ease and make you relax and have fun while meticulously capturing each important moment along the way. Her warmth and joy are tangible while posing for pictures putting you at ease and making you feel comfortable before the camera. We were beyond happy with the quality and amount of photos we got back with all different backgrounds, lighting, angles, lens, and more. Hands down the best photographer I have worked with.” -Jordan
Over the moon wedding blog | Abie Livesay Photography | Soiree Telluride photographer
https://blog.overthemoon.com/weddings/how-hannah-keogh-and-teddy-gates-had-a-courthouse-wedding-in-telluride/
How Hannah Keogh and Teddy Gates Had a Courthouse Wedding in Telluride
By Shayna Seid | Photography by
July 16, 2020
Now that it’s crystal clear that hosting a big wedding at this time is just not possible due to the spread of COVID-19, we’re sharing the experiences of real couples navigating the re-scheduling, cancellation, and civil and commemorative wedding processes in an attempt to help others make informed decisions and to spread our support to all during this time.
Hannah Keogh, who postponed her June 13th wedding in Telluride, Colorado, is sharing how she and her husband, Edward “Teddy” Gates, made the final call and decided to have a courthouse wedding.
Hannah, who works in shopping at Google, and Teddy, who does real estate at CBRE, planned their wedding in the rocky mountain town, as the place means a lot to her family and provides the perfect refresh from their life in Chicago. While the two were quarantining at her family’s home in Scottsdale, it became clear that postponing their wedding was the best step forward.
Hannah’s sister lives in Berlin, and Teddy’s godfather is in Santiago, so it would be a big destination wedding for certain guests. “Despite the numerous challenging conversations with our families and our wedding planner, we felt nothing but relief after we made the decision,” the bride says. The couple has postponed their celebration to June 26th, 2021—the one year anniversary of their civil ceremony.
After sharing the news with guests, Hannah and Teddy still wanted to get married soon in Telluride, in a safe and responsible manner. They decided on a courthouse wedding, surrounded by only immediate family—the perfect complement to their ceremony next summer.
Many of the plans for the civil ceremony came together a week before, since regulations were ever-changing. Luckily, Hannah’s mother, Carol, and their “superhuman wedding planner,” Wendy Hampton of Soirée Telluride, were their boots on the ground in town and helped pull it all together.
The two got ready at her family’s home. The bride was instantly drawn to a Brock Collection dress to say, “I do” in, and Mansur Gavriel sandals, Mizuki pearl chain drop earrings, and a bouquet by New Leaf Design paired perfectly with the look. “The night before, my mother-in-law, Weezie, gifted me her late mother’s sixpence to wear in my shoe,” she says. Teddy wore a navy Brooks Brothers suit, and for the sunnier moments, they both opted for Ray-Bans.
Hand-in-hand, the couple walked to the courthouse together. Sean Murphy, former Telluride Mayor and dear family friend, married them in the historic San Miguel County Courthouse, and they surprised their families by writing their own vows. Upon their exit, they were greeted (in a socially distant fashion) by local friends, who were blowing bubbles and popping champagne.
The newlyweds rode up the gondola with their mothers, looking chic in Dolce & Gabbana and Carolina Herrera, to the San Sophia Overlook to pop more champagne. After taking some pictures and cheers-ing, they headed back down for a delicious dinner at 221 South Oak, topped off with a heavenly croquembouche. That night, they booked a room at the New Sheridan, a historic boutique hotel decorated in classic Victorian style.
“Aside from the ability to still have our dream wedding next summer, we’re tremendously grateful for our health, the support of our families and friends, and our love for each other,” Hannah says, looking back on everything. “With full hearts, we’ll never take our blissful civil ceremony in the mountains for granted.”
Review about Abie Livesay Telluride Wedding Photographer
“I contacted Abie Livesay to photograph my engagement after seeing/reading all of her exceptional reviews and I can say with confidence they do not do her justice. Abie did everything she could to make this moment between me and my fiancee as special as it could have been. She went above and beyond to make sure all the details were perfect. She set up multiple calls with me before we arrived in Telluride and she even met me on the mountain the day before to make sure everything for the day of went smoothly. The pictures Abie took were breathtaking and it will be something we will cherish for the rest of our lives. I can't express how thankful I am for everything Abie did for our day.” -Bryce
Bride Alexandra gives Abie Livesay Telluride Wedding Photographer a Five-Star Review
“Abie Livesay photographed our wedding in Pittsburgh and what resulted were the photos of our dreams. The candids, then formal portraits and the atmospheric shots were all great and had jewel-like properties to them. Abie was easy to work with and, to her credit, has a gift of capturing a moment without being in the moment. A smaller thing, but I’ve seen so many photographers who do not respectfully dress when attending a wedding. Abie and her assistant both came in professional attire. I would absolutely recommend working with Abie.” - Alexandra, Bride
Bride Carly Post gives Abie Livesay Wedding Photographer a Five Star Review
“Abie Livesay photographed our wedding in Telluride, CO. The pictures were nothing less than spectacular! Going through all the photos there were none that I didn't love, she truly captured the moment! She was so wonderful to work with and made everyone feel so comfortable during photos. I would highly recommend working with Abie and I hope to have the chance to work with her again in the future.” - Carly, Bride
Review about Abie Livesay Telluride Photopgrapher
Truly wish I had something worth capturing more often so that I could work with Abie regularly. She has an uncanny ability to both put you at ease and make you relax and have fun while meticulously capturing each important moment along the way. Her warmth and joy are tangible while posing for pictures putting you at ease and making you feel comfortable before the camera. We were beyond happy with the quality and amount of photos we got back with all different backgrounds, lighting, angles, lens, and more. Hands down the best photographer I have worked with.
Jordan Jones
Abie Livesay is a gosh darn photographer genius!
Words by: Jess Lackey
For many couples, engagement photos are the first in a long line of family photos and special moments to come. They are a snapshot of a moment in time, documented forever, accurately capturing the beautiful, authentic love and unique relationship between two people.
The photos themselves become mementos, revisited for years. The images are used in save the dates, sent to dear friends and family, shared on social media and displayed in homes.
Often, the engagement photo session is the first time the couple will take professional photos together. The session will also offer the couple a small a taste of what of the wedding day will be like, as they prepare to be the center of attention on their special day.
Now, that’s a lot of pressure to put on a photoshoot! And anyone who’s revisited high school photos knows (help us all) selecting on outfit that won’t cause a cringe reflex years down the line can be daunting.
Let’s alleviate some of that pressure and take a deep dive into some expert advice on what to wear, what to do and what to avoid for engagement photos.
How you feel inside is reflected on the outside, so when selecting an outfit, pick something that reflects your best, most confident, powerful, authentic self. “Your attire plays a BIG role in your overall confidence,” said Erin Busbee, fashion expert, influencer and owner of Busbee Style. “Clothes impact how you feel. How you feel will affect how you look in the photos,” Busbee inferred. “If you are wearing a sleeveless top and you are self-conscious about your arms, you won’t feel great and that will show. ONLY pick clothes you feel amazing wearing.”
Do you have a specific part of your body that you love? Then select clothing that accentuates the parts of yourself that you love most. Show it off! Strut your stuff and shine like the authentic beauty you are!
Being comfortable goes in hand in hand with feeling confident. “Ask yourself if the outfit is comfortable? You want to feel confident and be able to move freely in your clothing,” Busbee added.
Most importantly be yourself! If suits aren’t your thing, leave ’em! Go for a more causal, classic look. If you feel most like your true self when you glam it up, then go for formal. Or find a comfortable place in-between. You’ll never go wrong when you’re true to you.
Wearing matching clothing might be cute for holiday cards but when it comes to engagement photos, coordination is key. “You want to coordinate with your partner but not overly match,” said Abie Livesay, professional photographer and owner of Abie Livesay Photography. “You’ll want to complement each other, based on the style that you’re wearing,” Livesay advised.
Our experts recommend coordinating color schemes and the overall theme of your attire with your partner. “If the groom-to-be is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the bride-to-be may want to choose a long, soft blue dress,” suggested Lisa Marie Wright, professional photographer and owner of Lisa Marie Wright Photography. “It can also be a great idea to choose ‘color-families,’ such as pastels or jewel tones,” Wright suggested.
Overall, we say keep it in the color-scheme family and avoid matching too perfectly. Let your color-coordinating creativity fly!
There is a time and place for trendy patterns and generally speaking, that time is now, as in right now, as in probably not relevant (or flattering) 10 years down the line. Instead of incorporating a fun and funky pattern that will likely go out of style in a few seasons, shift your focus to layers and textures. “Patterns are too busy and perhaps too trendy,” said Kristin Holbrook, style expert and owner of Two Skirts contemporary boutique in Telluride. “Mixing denim, suedes, silks, cashmere and even faux fur in the winter says luxury and timelessness,” Holbrook explained.
When it comes to fall and winter textures, Busbee suggested incorporating things like a fuzzy Angora sweater with leather pants or a suede jacket. In the spring or summer, she said could play with eyelet, lace or pleats. “Textures photograph beautifully,” Busbee noted.
“Layering will also add dimension and interest, just keep in mind that you don’t want to add bulk to your body. Keep your layers slim and streamlined,” she advised.
While it may be tempting to don the latest and most edgy style trends, our experts recommend selecting attire that is timeless and classic. “These are the photos you will look at for decades to come and show your children and grandchildren. It’s very important to keep your looks timeless,” Busbee explained. “As tempting as it might be to bust out the giant puffy sleeve top, resist the urge and opt for something streamlined and classic instead.”
Keep it simple and uniquely you. “You don’t want to wear something really trendy that will look dated in a decade,” Busbee emphasized
The great outdoors offer exquisite, natural light, and in our case here in Telluride, it also provides breathtaking backdrops and larger-than-life landscapes.
Our experts suggested looking at the time of year, location and the natural features of the landscape to help guide you in your color selection, style and theme. “I really think it’s important to let nature’s color palette lead you,” Livesay offered, noting that couples should consider the colors present in nature at the time of the shoot. “If it is September and all of the aspen trees are blowing up yellow, obviously you’re not going to want to wear yellow, or even cream, or anything that is going to make you disappear into the background.”
Whether in the mountains, on the beach, playing in the snow, walking in the park or keeping it casual in your backyard, your backdrop will play a big part in establishing the mood and theme of your shoot. “Your scenery is like a third person in the photo,” Busbee noted. “It’s almost as important as the two of you.”
With these thoughts in mind, it is important to not only coordinate with your partner but with your landscape as well. “Don’t wear a daisy print dress on the dandelion filled valley floor,” Holbrook advised. “Wear clothes that complement the majestic surroundings, simple and solid.”
Words by: Jess Lackey
For many couples, engagement photos are the first in a long line of family photos and special moments to come. They are a snapshot of a moment in time, documented forever, accurately capturing the beautiful, authentic love and unique relationship between two people.
The photos themselves become mementos, revisited for years. The images are used in save the dates, sent to dear friends and family, shared on social media and displayed in homes.
Often, the engagement photo session is the first time the couple will take professional photos together. The session will also offer the couple a small a taste of what of the wedding day will be like, as they prepare to be the center of attention on their special day.
Now, that’s a lot of pressure to put on a photoshoot! And anyone who’s revisited high school photos knows (help us all) selecting on outfit that won’t cause a cringe reflex years down the line can be daunting.
Let’s alleviate some of that pressure and take a deep dive into some expert advice on what to wear, what to do and what to avoid for engagement photos.
Photo Credit: Abie Livesay Photography
Confidence and Comfort are Key
How you feel inside is reflected on the outside, so when selecting an outfit, pick something that reflects your best, most confident, powerful, authentic self. “Your attire plays a BIG role in your overall confidence,” said Erin Busbee, fashion expert, influencer and owner of Busbee Style. “Clothes impact how you feel. How you feel will affect how you look in the photos,” Busbee inferred. “If you are wearing a sleeveless top and you are self-conscious about your arms, you won’t feel great and that will show. ONLY pick clothes you feel amazing wearing.”
Do you have a specific part of your body that you love? Then select clothing that accentuates the parts of yourself that you love most. Show it off! Strut your stuff and shine like the authentic beauty you are!
Being comfortable goes in hand in hand with feeling confident. “Ask yourself if the outfit is comfortable? You want to feel confident and be able to move freely in your clothing,” Busbee added.
Most importantly be yourself! If suits aren’t your thing, leave ’em! Go for a more causal, classic look. If you feel most like your true self when you glam it up, then go for formal. Or find a comfortable place in-between. You’ll never go wrong when you’re true to you.
Photo Credit: Abie Livesay Photography
Compliment and Coordinate
Wearing matching clothing might be cute for holiday cards but when it comes to engagement photos, coordination is key. “You want to coordinate with your partner but not overly match,” said Abie Livesay, professional photographer and owner of Abie Livesay Photography. “You’ll want to complement each other, based on the style that you’re wearing,” Livesay advised.
Our experts recommend coordinating color schemes and the overall theme of your attire with your partner. “If the groom-to-be is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the bride-to-be may want to choose a long, soft blue dress,” suggested Lisa Marie Wright, professional photographer and owner of Lisa Marie Wright Photography. “It can also be a great idea to choose ‘color-families,’ such as pastels or jewel tones,” Wright suggested.
Overall, we say keep it in the color-scheme family and avoid matching too perfectly. Let your color-coordinating creativity fly!
Photo Credit: Abie Livesay Photography
Patterns, Textures and Layers
There is a time and place for trendy patterns and generally speaking, that time is now, as in right now, as in probably not relevant (or flattering) 10 years down the line. Instead of incorporating a fun and funky pattern that will likely go out of style in a few seasons, shift your focus to layers and textures. “Patterns are too busy and perhaps too trendy,” said Kristin Holbrook, style expert and owner of Two Skirts contemporary boutique in Telluride. “Mixing denim, suedes, silks, cashmere and even faux fur in the winter says luxury and timelessness,” Holbrook explained.
When it comes to fall and winter textures, Busbee suggested incorporating things like a fuzzy Angora sweater with leather pants or a suede jacket. In the spring or summer, she said could play with eyelet, lace or pleats. “Textures photograph beautifully,” Busbee noted.
“Layering will also add dimension and interest, just keep in mind that you don’t want to add bulk to your body. Keep your layers slim and streamlined,” she advised.
Timeless Style > Fast Fashion
While it may be tempting to don the latest and most edgy style trends, our experts recommend selecting attire that is timeless and classic. “These are the photos you will look at for decades to come and show your children and grandchildren. It’s very important to keep your looks timeless,” Busbee explained. “As tempting as it might be to bust out the giant puffy sleeve top, resist the urge and opt for something streamlined and classic instead.”
Keep it simple and uniquely you. “You don’t want to wear something really trendy that will look dated in a decade,” Busbee emphasized.
Lean into the Landscape
The great outdoors offer exquisite, natural light, and in our case here in Telluride, it also provides breathtaking backdrops and larger-than-life landscapes.
Our experts suggested looking at the time of year, location and the natural features of the landscape to help guide you in your color selection, style and theme. “I really think it’s important to let nature’s color palette lead you,” Livesay offered, noting that couples should consider the colors present in nature at the time of the shoot. “If it is September and all of the aspen trees are blowing up yellow, obviously you’re not going to want to wear yellow, or even cream, or anything that is going to make you disappear into the background.”
Whether in the mountains, on the beach, playing in the snow, walking in the park or keeping it casual in your backyard, your backdrop will play a big part in establishing the mood and theme of your shoot. “Your scenery is like a third person in the photo,” Busbee noted. “It’s almost as important as the two of you.”
With these thoughts in mind, it is important to not only coordinate with your partner but with your landscape as well. “Don’t wear a daisy print dress on the dandelion filled valley floor,” Holbrook advised. “Wear clothes that complement the majestic surroundings, simple and solid.”
Photo Credit: Abie Livesay Photography
Personal Passions and Activities
Couples who play together, stay together, and embracing a shared love for special interests and activities is a great way to showcase a couple’s unique relationship and special personalities.
“The [photoshoots] that I think are the most memorable, the ones that are my favorite images, are when people incorporate activities, so it becomes more than just pictures to them at the end,” Livesay shared. “It becomes more of an experience.”
If you and your partner share a love for activities like skiing, sailing, horseback riding, gardening, or even drinking fine wines and nibbling on cheeses, feel free to express yourselves and incorporate your passions in your photoshoot. The more you incorporate your own personal touches, the better!
Photo Credit: Abie Livesay Photography
Color Scheme
One thing all of our experts agreed on is keeping your color scheme simple, natural and timeless. “You may be tempted to wear bold colors or prints, but I suggest opting for neutral, solid colors instead,” Busbee recommended. For fall and winter seasons, Busbee suggested rich jewel tones like sapphire blue and emerald green, as well as brown, camel and chocolate tones. For a more muted palette, Busbee recommended sticking with beige, gray, navy blue or black. “You want your relationship and love for each be the highlight of the images, not your tropical print shirt,” she said.
In the spring and summer, Busbee suggested leaning toward lighter or pastel colors like white, beige, blush, pink or baby blue.
Wright also suggested sticking with neutral and natural color schemes. “When choosing colors, I recommend selecting lighter, neutral tones and more muted shades. Bright, bold or neon colors can tend to be distracting,” Wright explained. “You can never go wrong with colors like cream, taupe, camel or light gray,” she added. “The camera loves shades of soft pinks and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light-colored neutrals. A softer, more pastel-leaning color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments.”
Our pets are our family, and some couples may opt to include their beloved fur children in their engagement photos (pause in preparation for cuteness overload).
Anything that adds more personality to the shoot is a win but be sure to have very real expectations when working with your fuzzy BFF. “I think one important thing is to have realistic expectations,” Livesay advised. “Some dogs or pets will sit and they’ll listen to me if I make funny noises for them and others do not care and they want to chase down squirrels,” she explained. “Be realistic about what your dog is capable of.”
It is also important to have a plan for what your pet will do and where he or she will go when you’re ready for the focus to shift back to just the two of you.
We recommend coordinating with a friend (not furry) to bring your pet to the shoot, snap a few shots, then whisk them away for the remainder of the session. Also, be sure your friend (again, not furry) doesn’t stick around for the shoot, because, well, that could get awkward and it may be difficult for partners to act natural in front of a crowd.
Our experts agreed that two is the perfect number of outfit changes for your engagement shoot. “Getting into too many more actual outfit changes, you’ll end up eating up too much of your time changing, especially if you’re out in the elements or out in the wilderness,” Livesay explained.
Wright suggested that couples incorporate a more formal outfit and another that is more casual. “I recommend saving your favorite outfit for later in the session, when couples usually feel more comfortable in front of the camera,” she suggested.
As for shoes, we recommend that in addition to the shoes you’ll wear during the shoot, bring another more comfortable pair for walking around and commuting from place to place. Also consider and prepare for other elements like snow or rain.
Whether it’s a necklace, belt, bracelet, earrings, hat or scarf, Wright explained, pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can add great visual interest and bring some extra dimension to your images. “Choose one or two that don’t compete for attention when paired together,” she suggested.
As a rule, our experts advised to be yourself when it comes to your engagement shoot, so when thinking about accessories, consider what pieces will best reflect you and your personality. “If you are known for statement necklaces then wear them!” Holbrook affirmed. “If not, then stay classic and simple.”
If you are feeling adventurous, statement pieces can offer a pop of color and excitement to your images. If you’re sticking with very neutral colors, consider incorporating a bright pocket square or super fun heels to add some vibrancy and emotion to your photos.
“Statement necklaces, cute shoes and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits,” Wright noted.
Some people are planners and some people just close their eyes and jump right in. Whether you are a planner or a jumper, our experts suggested that you go into your engagement session with a pretty solid plan.
Livesay recommended that you and your partner sit, even for just 10 minutes, to discuss your expectations for the shoot and how you hope the photos will turn out. “Making sure the couple is on the same page is a great starting place,” Livesay said. “If one is wildly uncomfortable, doesn’t want to do things, doesn’t want to go anywhere and is not comfortable in high grass, it becomes an argument for the day and it distracts from the point of having fun and making images,” Livesay explained.
She also advised to stay off Instagram. “So many people focus on Instagram and wanting to recreate something they saw,” she said. “I really love authentic moments and not trying to recreate another couple or another photographer, another moment. I think, let’s try to create our own,” she expressed.
Photo Credit: Abie Livesay Photography
Special Thanks to our Experts
Abie Livesay is a Telluride-based documentary wedding photographer serving Telluride and abroad. She uses natural light and a minimally invasive approach to photograph real weddings of real people. With more than 14 years of photography experience she is focused on authentic connections with her clients to create and guide them through a relaxed and fun photography experience.