Fort Collins Wedding Photographer | Boxcar Photography

Fort Collins Wedding Photographer

Fort Collins is one of Colorado’s most down-to-earth and quietly beautiful places to get married. Nestled between the foothills and the plains, it offers that perfect mix of charm, creativity, and comfort. As a Fort Collins wedding photographer, I love how the city blends natural light, laid-back energy, and thoughtful people who just want to be present on their wedding day.

Whether your day is unfolding at a riverside venue or inside a historic brick building downtown, my goal is to help you hold onto it — not just how it looked, but how it felt.

Why Get Married in Fort Collins?

Known for its creative spirit, beer culture, and mountain-meets-college-town vibe, Fort Collins is one of Colorado’s most accessible and flexible wedding destinations. It’s ideal for couples who want a beautiful setting without the traffic or altitude of more remote mountain towns.

Here’s why it’s special:

  • Accessible yet scenic (easier travel than higher-elevation destinations)
  • A vibrant downtown with murals, breweries, and brick-lined streets
  • A wide range of venues — industrial, rustic, elegant, modern
  • Great food and lodging options for guests

It’s a place where love feels easy, light flows well, and the wedding timeline never feels rushed.

My Approach as a Fort Collins Photographer

I’m Ben — the guy behind the lens at Boxcar Photography. I split my time between Colorado and the Midwest and have photographed weddings for over 15 years.

What I care about most is making space for real emotion. I help couples feel grounded, calm, and genuinely seen. I’ll guide you when needed, give you time when you need it, and capture what unfolds — whether it’s loud laughter or quiet connection.

What you get from me:

  • Candid, intuitive storytelling
  • A relaxed, supportive presence on your wedding day
  • Artistic portraits that don’t feel forced
  • Clean, timeless editing that lets the story speak

Fort Collins Wedding Venues I Love

Fort Collins is full of venues that are visually interesting and emotionally inviting.

The St. Vrain

Elegant, light-filled, and refined. This venue has gorgeous details, great indoor-outdoor flow, and works for both big and intimate celebrations.

Ginger and Baker

A Fort Collins favorite — rustic meets modern with a killer rooftop and cozy reception spaces.

Brookside Gardens

Lush and floral with lots of greenery. Great for outdoor ceremonies with soft, natural light.

Ellis Ranch

Classic Colorado ranch vibe with open skies and western charm.

See more options in our Colorado Wedding Venue Guide.

A Real Fort Collins Wedding Story

One of my favorite weddings happened at The St. Vrain. The couple had a private first look downtown, then walked through alleys hand-in-hand on the way to the venue. They stopped for coffee. Laughed a lot. And when they said their vows, you could hear a pin drop.

That’s the kind of rhythm Fort Collins encourages. Nothing felt rushed. The portraits didn’t feel staged. Just two people, connected, in their element.

When to Get Married in Fort Collins

Fort Collins weddings shine in:

  • Spring: Blooming trees and mild weather
  • Summer: Warm, long days, late sunsets
  • Fall: Soft color and golden backdrops
  • Winter: Cozy venues and moody skies

You don’t have to worry about high-elevation conditions here, making it easy for guests and less risky weather-wise.

Tips for Getting Married in Fort Collins

  • Downtown Traffic: It’s light compared to most Colorado cities, but build in extra time if your portrait locations or venues are across town.
  • Portrait Locations: River trails, murals, and foothill backdrops all within 10–20 minutes.
  • Venue Flexibility: Many venues offer indoor-outdoor options that work in all weather.
  • Guest Experience: The food, breweries, and walkability make it easy to host a wedding weekend everyone will enjoy.

Also Photographing Weddings In:

I travel throughout Colorado to capture weddings that feel true to the couple. If you’re still deciding on location, check out:

Let’s Connect

If you’re planning a wedding in Fort Collins, I’d love to hear about your plans. Whether it’s a laid-back brewery bash or a garden ceremony full of emotion, I’ll meet you where you are — and help you hold onto it.

Contact me here to check availability or get a custom quote.

Two women sit indoors; one in a robe reads a card while smiling, and the other in a dress sits beside her, both captured candidly by a Vail Wedding Photographer in this relaxed, joyful moment.
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A man in a green suit with brown shoes and tie stands smiling on a stone patio, with potted flowers and a tree in the background—captured perfectly by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A white lace wedding dress hangs on a hanger from an open window, with a stack of firewood and a wooden building in the background—captured perfectly by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A brown dog wearing a green bow tie and vest runs on grass near white chairs at an outdoor event, perfectly capturing the joy of the day through the lens of a Vail wedding photographer.
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A bride and groom kiss under a rustic arch at an outdoor ceremony, surrounded by their wedding party in orange and gray attire, as a Vail Wedding Photographer captures the moment with mountains and trees in the background.
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A bride and groom dance together at their wedding reception in a warmly lit venue, with guests seated at tables in the background, captured beautifully by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A bride and groom walk down an outdoor aisle with their dog on a leash, surrounded by wedding guests and breathtaking mountain scenery—perfectly captured by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A bride in a white dress holding a bouquet smiles as flower petals fall around her on a grassy lawn, beautifully captured by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A bride and groom in formal attire share a close, joyful embrace and dance indoors, with the groom kissing the bride's forehead—an unforgettable moment beautifully captured by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A woman wearing a tiara is surrounded by a large arrangement of colorful flowers, with several people holding the bouquet around her face—captured artfully by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A man in a suit and a woman in a dress embrace closely while dancing, both appearing emotional, in a dimly lit setting, beautifully captured by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A bride and groom walk down the aisle outdoors, smiling and holding hands as their dog trots beside them. Captured by a Vail Wedding Photographer, this festive moment is surrounded by joyful guests amid stunning mountain scenery.
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A woman in a white dress stands as another woman in a rust-colored dress helps adjust her outfit, bathed in natural light from a large window—captured beautifully by a Vail Wedding Photographer against rustic stone walls.
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A woman in a white dress holds a vibrant bouquet of flowers and smiles while looking down, beautifully captured by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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Two men in grey suits lift a man in a green suit and sunglasses, who points and sticks out his tongue, while a Vail Wedding Photographer captures the fun moment against a scenic backdrop of trees and mountains.
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Eight women in coordinated orange-toned dresses and one in a white gown, all holding bouquets, stand outdoors in a lush, wooded area—captured beautifully by a Vail wedding photographer.
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A man in a green vest and white shirt stands on a balcony, holding the railing and looking outward with a slight smile, captured beautifully by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A bride and groom stand under a floral wedding arch with bridesmaids, groomsmen, and their dog on a grassy outdoor setting surrounded by trees, beautifully captured by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A groom in a dark green suit stands before five groomsmen in light gray suits, posing on grass with trees behind them—captured by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A bride and groom stand holding hands under an outdoor arch as an officiant reads from a book during their wedding ceremony on a grassy field, beautifully captured by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A bride and groom stand facing each other at an outdoor ceremony, surrounded by bridesmaids in shades of orange, as a Vail Wedding Photographer captures every cherished moment.
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A woman in a white dress and tiara stands outdoors holding a large bouquet of colorful flowers, smiling at the camera with a background of greenery—captured beautifully by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A bride reads vows at an outdoor ceremony, making the groom in a green suit laugh; greenery and floral decorations abound—captured beautifully by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A man in a suit with a boutonniere stands outdoors, smiling slightly next to wooden branches arranged in an arch—captured beautifully by a Vail wedding photographer.
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A man in a green suit walks arm-in-arm with a woman in a teal dress down an outdoor aisle, as guests watch and lush greenery sets the scene—captured beautifully by a Vail wedding photographer.
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A Vail Wedding Photographer captures a person fastening the back of a woman’s dress as she stands with her back to the camera, her hair styled in loose waves. Black and white photo.
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A brown dress shoe, wooden wristwatch, bow tie, vest-shaped napkin, and a small key are arranged on a wooden table—stylishly detailed flatlay by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A bride in a white gown and veil stands beside a groom in a dark green suit on a grassy field, holding a bouquet, with trees and mountains behind them—captured beautifully by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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Bride and groom in wedding attire stand close together, smiling and holding a bouquet, with green grass, trees, and mountains in the distance—captured beautifully by a Vail Wedding Photographer.
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A bride and groom smiling and holding hands as they share their first dance at a wedding reception, beautifully captured by a Vail Wedding Photographer, with guests seated in the background.
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What’s the best time to get married in Fort Collins?

Spring and fall are ideal for soft light and comfortable temps. Summer is vibrant and energetic. Winter weddings are less common but offer cozy charm.

Where should we take portraits in Fort Collins?

Downtown murals, river trails, the foothills, and urban rooftops all make for great photo spots. I’ll help you build your timeline around the best light.

Do we need permits to shoot in public spaces?

Most public parks don’t require a permit for standard wedding portraits, but I’ll confirm for your specific location if needed.

What are the top venues in Fort Collins?

Some local favorites include:
The St. Vrain


Ginger and Baker


Brookside Gardens


Ellis Ranch

Is Fort Collins easy for guests to access?

Yes — it’s about 1–1.5 hours from Denver and offers plenty of lodging, food, and entertainment options within walking distance of downtown venues.

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