A Guide to Getting Married at The Pines at Genesee Wedding Venue near Evergreen, Colorado

the pines at Genesee wedding venue | near Evergreen, colorado

I have shot several weddings at The Pines at Genesee over the years. As s a photographer, I wanted to write this guide for any couple (or your photographer) who might be thinking of this venue for their wedding. This isn’t to bash or advertise this venue. I think it’s a lovely venue and has a great staff. I just don’t think it’s used to its fullest potential all the time, especially for photography, in my humble but hella professional opinion. It’s a fantastic and rather low-budget option but over the years I’ve seen couples do the same thing time and time again. I’m not sure if it is the venue coordinator who suggests this or just something couples choose thinking it is the best way. But I’m here to tell you the best way to have your wedding at the Pines at Genesee! So here are some tips if you’re hosting your event there from a wedding photographer who knows how to use a flash well.

The indoor ceremony space AND the reception are best documented when using an off-camera flash. This way you can expose the views and add a bit of depth and drama to the moments happening. Without a flash, it will be hard to see the views, which is the best part.

Tips for planning and photographing a wedding at The Pines at Genesee

1. Use flash indoors: there is plenty of light to not feel the need to use flash inside – except in the getting ready space. But you will want to use flash (I suggest off-camera flash) so that you can expose the window views.
2. The upper ceremony site is better than the lower ceremony site: just do a venue tour and you will see what I’m talking about. Or check out the images below from some of the past weddings I’ve photographed there.
3. Don’t do your first dances against the curtains: I know most couples want to sit in front of the windows with the views. And you should still do this. But work with the venue to figure out a way to also put your dance floor in front of the windows as well. The curtains that block the parking lot are not a cute backdrop for dancing. Reach out if you’d like my personal ideas for places to put your dance floor!
4. Get ready off-site: the getting ready space is small and not naturally lit. It works for just getting into your dress but you definitely want to do hair and makeup off-site.
5. First looks are best at the upper-ceremony site, the upper deck, or off-site at one of the nearby parks with mountain views.

the upper ceremony site is better than the lower

There, I said it. I’m not sure if they are the same fee or not. The upper ceremony site is more photogenic with the lights, log benches, and ceremony space lifted from your guests (and photographer’s) view. Photographers can scale the side of the hill for additional vantage points of the ceremony. Just looking up towards the large pines and having the string lights across makes for the perfect view. The lower ceremony space is shaped kind of funky and doesn’t work the best for a larger guest count. The chandelier is pretty but it doesn’t make up for the awkwardness of the space when trying to get creative. If you have too large of a wedding party one side kind of starts to get really tight.

I won’t say all of this without examples. Here are sample weddings at each of the ceremony and reception spaces.