If you thought this Lyons Riverbend wedding couldn’t get any better, wait until you get to know Suzy and Sarah.
We actually met at one of my favorite neighborhood spots, El Camino, margaritas in hand — naturally. I knew immediately these were my kind of people.
Their engagement session was a blast, made even better by the addition of their dogs. Honestly, is there anything pups can’t improve?
Suzy and Sarah are warm, grounded, and genuinely thoughtful. They wanted a nontraditional celebration, and it only made the day feel more personal and intimate. A few of my favorite things about it:
- Two incredible locations. The ceremony at Riverbend in Lyons and the reception down the road at the Lyons Farmette are a dream pairing. You can stay in the tiny home village nearby, incorporate farm-fresh produce into your menu, enjoy flowers harvested straight from the property — which is exactly what Suzy and Sarah did — and feel good knowing the Farmette team composts and recycles throughout the venue. That last part matters a lot to me.
- Food trucks. When we say nontraditional, we mean it. Instead of a formal plated dinner with assigned seating, Suzy and Sarah brought in a food truck from Steuben’s. In their words, “We loved having a food truck and casual reception. No seating chart or served dinner. It made the evening more relaxed.” Hard to argue with that.
- All the Colorado beauty, none of the I-70 headache. The mountains are stunning, but let’s be real — the drive is a lot. Lyons Riverbend and the Farmette deliver that breathtaking Colorado setting without the traffic. Somebody please fast-track that mountain rail line.
- Alpacas. Yes, there are alpacas on the property. Yes, we took photos with them after the ceremony. No further explanation needed.
A laid-back couple, a wonderfully mixed bridal party, and an eco-conscious celebration — this is one I’ll be thinking about for a long time. Suzy and Sarah, thank you for letting me be part of your day. The next round of margaritas at El Camino is on me.
Lyons Riverbend wedding ceremony
Lyons Riverbend Wedding | Ashley Kidder Photo
Venue: Lyons Riverbend and Farmette | Dress: Watters | Floral: Farmette Flowers | Hair: Wedlocks Bridal Hair | Officiant: Friend of the couple | Food truck: Steuben’s | Dessert: Friend of the couple | Bridesmaids’ attire: Azazie | DJ: Elite DJ | Coordinator: Dahlia Events | Neckwear: The Tie Bar | Bartenders: Garnish Bartending | Tables: Harvest Tables |
Ashley Kidder is a Denver-based wedding and engagement photographer who shoots everything from mountain escapes to city streets. She specializes in couples who bring their own sense of style — whether that’s classic, quirky, or somewhere in between. When she’s not behind the camera, you’ll find her at Pearl Street Fitness or having deep conversations with her corgi, Sherman.
