East meets west at Blame Her Ranch

Annie and Sunny met at work and courted for 2 years before Sunny popped the question on New Year's Eve, right on the summit of Wheeler Peak. They wanted a fun and traditional wedding with beautiful views and a focus on the family. Annie's son, Atlas, was the proud ring bearer, while her grandfather presided over the ceremony.


To honor Sunny's Chinese heritage, the couple kicked off their wedding weekend with a traditional tea ceremony, and they incorporated elements from Chinese culture throughout their weekend. While editing, I knew I wanted to maintain the vibrant reds of the decorations and two of Annie's dresses. The iconic barn on the ranch's property worked beautifully with this theme, and I absolutely love the vibrancy of Annie and Sunny's final gallery. Congratulations, you two!

Groom in blue suit arranges traditional Chinese tea ceremony set on wooden tray.
Chinese tea ceremony set on wooden tray above red double happiness pillows.
Red Chinese lantern hanging in dimly lit room with string lights and window shadow.
Chinese wedding tea ceremony setup with red lantern, double happiness symbol, and ornate chairs.
Groom pouring tea during traditional Chinese tea ceremony at wooden table.
Traditional dark clay Chinese teapot on wooden gongfu tea tray with celadon cups.
Woman in red floral qipao gown standing in rustic wooden doorway smiling.
Woman in pink jacket watches as tea is poured during traditional Chinese tea ceremony.
Elegant woman in white jacket sips tea during traditional Chinese wedding tea ceremony.
Black and white photo of couple kneeling before elders at Chinese wedding tea ceremony.
Emotional family embrace during traditional Chinese wedding tea ceremony in barn venue.
Couple presents tea to elderly grandparents seated in chairs at Chinese wedding ceremony.
Black and white photo of woman in backless gown on wooden lodge porch.
Couple holding hands in field at golden hour, bride in red qipao dress.
Couple embracing near red barn, bride in red qipao with train smiling back.
Couple in red qipao and blue suit embrace by rustic red barn fence outdoors.

A wedding schedule that flows...

Since Annie and Sunny did not have a wedding planner, we worked together to create a schedule. I always recommend a first look, because it enables the photographer to tackle wedding party portraits before the ceremony. Another clutch decision in this process was moving the sunset portraits to the night before the wedding, which gave the couple more time for family portraits, Chinese door games, and showing off their amazing dance moves.

Young boy in navy blue suit with orange bow tie standing in a rustic room with toy shelves.
Red and gold Chinese wedding flat lay with invitation, shoes, rings, bow tie, and floral fan on wood.
Older woman helping young bride with earrings during wedding preparation at a vanity mirror.
Groom in navy blue suit adjusting his orange floral tie during wedding day preparations.
Young boy in navy suit and white sunglasses sitting among bridesmaids in rust robes at wedding prep.
Bride in white robe gets makeup applied by artist while bridesmaids prepare in dressing room.
Groom in navy suit and sunglasses leaning against a red barn wall with white windows outdoors.
Bride in white lace gown sits on rope swing wearing orange heels against rustic wood wall.
Groom in navy suit smiling at bride in white lace gown during first look outside rustic barn.
Smiling bride in lace halter wedding gown holding orange and peach bouquet in rustic barn venue.
Groom in navy three-piece suit with orange tie and boutonniere leaning against a wooden barn wall.
Groom in blue suit pops champagne bottle as groomsmen in gray suits laugh and react nearby.
Red and gold wedding welcome sign for Annie and Sunny, Ribera NM, June 1 2024, with floral design.
Bride in fitted white gown with flowing veil poses at adobe arch with orange floral bouquet.
Lush bridal bouquet of orange, coral, and peach roses with greenery held against white gown.
Bride and groom exchange vows under rustic branch arch with orange floral accents and mountain views.
Groom in blue suit embraces mother in floral dress as father stands nearby before wedding ceremony.
Black and white photo of bride in lace gown with flowing veil standing before arched adobe doorway.
Bride in lace gown walks with mother in gold sequin dress through garden path before ceremony.
Young ring bearer in blue suit and floral crown carries rings down aisle at outdoor wedding.
Close-up of bride holding red card while groom reads wedding vows during outdoor ceremony.
Bride and groom exchange vows under a rustic branch arch with stunning mountain views.
Emotional bride in lace gown reads vows as officiant and groom look on during wedding ceremony.
Close-up of bride and groom holding hands during outdoor wedding ring exchange ceremony.
Groom in blue suit places wedding ring on brides finger during outdoor ceremony.
Newlyweds walk back down aisle under branch arch as wedding party applauds at outdoor ceremony.
Bride and groom walk down outdoor wedding aisle surrounded by lush greenery and stone pathway.
Newlyweds celebrate by ringing a bell at a rustic adobe chapel with ornate wooden doors.
Groom rings chapel bell as bride smiles in white gown at rustic adobe wedding venue.
Bride and groom walk hand in hand toward a charming red barn wedding venue.
Bride and groom pose with young boy in matching blue suit at red barn venue.
Couple rings bell together at a sunlit adobe chapel with arched wooden doors.

One of my favorites from the day, Annie and Sunny ringing the iconic bell at Blame Her Ranch

Elegant outdoor wedding reception table with white runner, orange roses, champagne flutes, and candles near a pool.
Groom in blue suit holds bridal bouquet of orange roses while gazing out rustic window.
Bride in red floral dress walks toward groom on outdoor dance floor at golden hour.
Bride and groom signing wedding certificate at rustic indoor venue with officiant witnessing the ceremony.
Red silk embroidered pillow place setting with gold fork, knife, white plate, and thank you card on rustic wood table.
Young ring bearer in blue suit bounces on red ball at outdoor wedding reception.
Woman in red embroidered dress laughing and removing shoes at outdoor wedding reception on green lawn.
Groom in blue suit dances with mother in red floral gown at outdoor wedding reception.
Elegant wedding reception plates featuring sauteed greens, grilled chicken, and roasted vegetables.
Groomsmen in gray suits dance together on outdoor wedding reception dance floor.
Woman in floral red dress dancing low to the ground at lively outdoor wedding reception with string lights.
Groom in blue suit tastes wedding cake with chopsticks at Asian-inspired wedding reception.
Two-tier white wedding cake with gold stand, floral topper, and Chinese double happiness symbol.
Bride and groom in red and blue attire cut white wedding cake at rustic venue.
Red Chinese lanterns with double happiness symbols decorate outdoor wedding reception table.
Groom dipping bride in red dress under string lights with sparkler fountains at dramatic outdoor night wedding.