The Pines at Genesee Wedding

Shea McGrath Photograph | Colorado Wedding Photographer

HOW THEY MET

In November of 2012, Brenna and Burton spontaneously signed up to travel to a small community in Panama with a volunteer group through Colorado State University. After one of the very first meetings, they had a casual get-to-know-you conversation as they walked back to their cars. Little did Brenna know, Burton had parked on the opposite side of campus but fibbed about where he was parked so he could continue to walk and talk with me that day. They chatted at their monthly meetings until they left for their trip in March of 2013.

Panama was really a life-changing experience for both of them. They were surrounded by quality people and they experienced new things. They also just so happened to get to know their forever partner (though neither of them knew it at that time). Spending a week in a foreign country with no cell service, a lot of bugs, and no hot water, really led them to get to know each other. Leaving Panama was difficult. They both hoped that the trip would be the beginning of something but had come to terms with the fact that it was back to real life. However, Brenna is stubborn, so she wasn’t ready to go back to “normal”. She texted Burton the evening she got home from the trip. She wanted to express that she appreciated his friendship and hoped it would continue. Then BOOM, they started hanging out all the time! If they weren’t using up his meal swipes at the nearest dining hall, they were spending time with the group of friends they had made on the Panama trip.

THEIR FIRST DATE

After about a month of getting to know each other, Brenna asked Burton if he wanted to see a drive-in movie with her. Knowing that was a pretty date-like proposal, she insisted it was not a date, just a couple of friends hanging out. (It was totally a date.) Burton showed up in a tuxedo t-shirt with a single rose, because “formal wear and a dozen roses are reserved for real dates.” After their date/not-date, Burton showed up to Brenna’s intramural soccer game with a clear message. On a very windy day, he toted a flashy sign around that stated, “My goal is to score a date with 7.” It just so happened that their half-blind, male goalie wore number 7 that day as well. Ha! After clearing up the confusion, of course Brenna said yes. During their first ever conversation, Brenna had mentioned that she had never had sushi before, to which Burton responded, “Oh, we’ll have to change that.” On their first real date, Burton, with a dozen roses in hand, picked her up for sushi. Here they are five years later, lives full of laughter, adventure, family, friends, and so much love.

HOW HE PROPOSED

On a hike to Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland, Burton suggested they take photos in front of the beautiful view. Two of their best friends were taking photos when he started whispering the sweetest things in Brenna’s ear. She told him, “You are so sweet but please smile!” The next thing she knows, he is on his knee and she is completely shocked! It probably felt like an eternity to Burton while she jumped up and down asking if he was serious! Of course she said yes.

THEIR WEDDING – AUGUST 11, 2018

The Pines at Genesee Wedding — Brenna and Burton saw each other for the first time with an emotional first look on a path back by the meadow near the Nature Center at Lookout Mountain. After some fun bridal party photos, we headed over to The Pines at Genesee and stopped at the overlook on the bridge above I-70 for an epic photo! Their guests started showing up and they began getting ready for the ceremony! They had their ceremony outside under the lights and it was absolutely perfect. They chose peach and blue for their wedding colors which was perfect for their August summer wedding day. After the ceremony, we took a few more photos of the two of them, and then the party began! Their reception was SO fun. They had the most hilarious toasts from their family and friends; so much laughter filled the room. Then for the father daughter dance between Brenna and her dad, they stopped in the middle of their slow dance song and switched up the music! All of a sudden, her dad takes off his suit jacket and grabs Brenna’s mom and the three of them finish the dance strong with the most awesome dance routine!