The heart behind wren & elm
Hi, I'm Kayla
I’m a Western Colorado wedding and portrait photographer drawn to honest connection, beautiful light, and the unscripted moments that make a story entirely your own. The Journal is where I share recent celebrations, meaningful portrait stories, and a little inspiration for the season ahead. I’m so glad you’re here.
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Every bride has a unique story, and today I’m excited to introduce you to Madisyn, who recently celebrated her beautiful Storm King Mountain wedding in Montrose, Colorado, with her sweetheart, Gage. As a Colorado wedding photographer, getting to document couples like these two is one of the greatest joys of my job.

A Love Story Rooted in Faith
Madisyn is one of the sweetest women I have ever met. She radiates the love of Jesus through her kindness and joy. I knew from our very first call that we would make a great connection, and that proved true throughout our entire journey together leading up to her and Gage’s beautiful wedding day.
Madisyn and Gage met in June of 2024 while Madisyn was spending the summer with her cousin. These two were destined to be, mostly because their friends and family decided they absolutely had to meet. They were quickly introduced at their church, where their connection was instant and a simple introduction from friends quickly became something undeniably special.
On March 9, 2025, while ice fishing was on the agenda for the afternoon, Gage had been planning something truly sweet. During a walk through the trails, they stopped at a spot that sparked memories of the summer before, where they had spent time with friends jumping into the blue lakes of the Grand Mesa. They reminisced about the fun they had and then went on to enjoy some time ice fishing.
As they were preparing to head back to their car, Gage realized he had lost his wallet. After searching for a while, they decided it may have been left near the rock they had stopped at earlier. Madisyn went back to check while Gage continued searching. As she approached the rock, she spotted his wallet nestled into a crevice. When she turned around to head back toward Gage, she found him kneeling on one knee before her.
He said, “Ten months ago, you took a leap of faith with me off this rock. Will you take a leap of faith with me and marry me?”
Their story is one of intentionality, faith, and friendship, all qualities that would later shape their beautiful Colorado wedding day at Storm King Mountain.
Yep… I’ll give you a moment to dry your tears. How beautiful is that?
Everything about Madisyn and Gage’s relationship has been intentional. You can see it in their story, the way they look at each other, and the thoughtful way they planned their wedding day.



A Christ-Centered Storm King Mountain Wedding in Montrose, Colorado
As they planned their Storm King Mountain wedding in Montrose, Colorado, their vision centered around Christ, family, and creating a day that reflected the foundation of their relationship.
Nestled beneath the breathtaking San Juan Mountains, Storm King Mountain provided the perfect backdrop for this Western Colorado wedding. The venue itself served as a beautiful focal point, complemented by the natural tones of the building, the cross at the end of the aisle, and the stunning mountain views behind it. The soft green tones they chose for their wedding colors tied everything together beautifully.
One of the most meaningful details of the day was their altar. The cross standing at the ceremony site was built by Gage in the months leading up to the wedding using logs he had cut while working on a job the previous fall.
They also included a unity ceremony where they braided three strands together, symbolizing their desire to keep God at the center of their marriage, inspired by Ecclesiastes 4:12.
I asked this Colorado bride to share her biggest piece of wedding planning advice for newly engaged couples:
“Everything will come together! My advice to newly engaged couples is to focus on each other first and not let the stress of planning pull you apart. It’s easy to get caught up in details like table decorations or timelines, but try not to let those things create tension between you during this season. It can be a really busy and sometimes overwhelming time, but in the end it is so worth it. At the end of the day, it’s about preparing for a beautiful marriage, not just the wedding.”
Madisyn and Gage’s wedding was an incredible example of a marriage rooted in faith, intention, love, and the beginning of a beautiful legacy.
As a Colorado wedding photographer, this is exactly why I love what I do. Having the honor of witnessing and documenting such a meaningful beginning is something I never take for granted. It’s what inspires me to continually grow, serve my couples well, and preserve the moments that matter most.
From the breathtaking views of the San Juan Mountains to their Christ-centered ceremony, every part of this Storm King Mountain wedding was filled with purpose. The intentional details, the unwavering faith woven throughout the day, and the deep love shared between Madisyn and Gage made this Western Colorado wedding truly unforgettable.
Storm King Mountain is one of the most beautiful Montrose wedding venues, offering stunning views of the San Juan Mountains and a breathtaking backdrop for a Colorado wedding day. It’s the perfect setting for couples who want a wedding that feels both meaningful and intentional.
Madisyn and Gage, thank you for allowing me to be part of such a special season. It was a joy to celebrate alongside you and document the beginning of your marriage. I cannot wait to see all that God has in store for your future together.























