From the very beginning, Lars and Emily knew they wanted their celebration to feel intentional, elevated, and completely true to them and a Sonnenalp Hotel wedding in Vail was the perfect fit. When they first found me on Instagram, they told me they loved the way my work balances fashion-forward portraits with candid storytelling, and honestly, I knew right away we were going to be such a great match. They wanted a photographer who could hype them up when needed, but also bring a calm, grounding presence to the day. Someone who could step in with direction during portraits, then melt quietly into the background when the real moments started unfolding.
A huge part of their vision centered around the mountains. Vail is a place they’ve always loved. They wanted a wedding weekend that reflected their adventurous relationship, and the Sonnenalp offered that perfect mix of luxury and charm. With its European-inspired architecture, warm wood textures, and cozy stone details, the hotel feels like a refined little escape tucked into the Rockies.
And because their celebration wasn’t just one day, but a whole experience, we kicked things off with a welcome party that completely set the mood. This is one of the reasons I love full-weekend coverage—your story doesn’t start at the ceremony, and it definitely doesn’t end at the reception. By the time the wedding day arrived, their people were already settled in, connected, and fully present. This was the perfect start to a truly intentional celebration.
Sweet Moments at Their Sonnenalp Hotel Wedding
When the wedding day finally arrived, Vail blessed us with that perfect summer mountain light. One of my favorite parts of photographing their day was how effortlessly we moved between polished, fashion-forward portraits and those sweet, candid moments. Their first look at the balcony felt quiet and intimate. Later, their gondola ride up the mountain gave us some cinematic frames. And those mountaintop portraits were truly a dream.
But the ceremony is where the documentary magic really lived. And all of this was wrapped in the Sonnenalp’s signature luxury atmosphere. The warm wood, the stone textures, the European-inspired details… everything felt timeless and elevated. The space gave us so many layers to play with—refined backdrops, cozy corners, and the most gorgeous natural light streaming in all afternoon. Being trusted to move between these big, emotional moments and the quiet, artful ones is what I love most.
An Elegant Evening & Dance Party to Remember
After their nature-filled ceremony, we transitioned from open air and evergreens to candlelit tables. The reception design blended soft textures, thoughtful florals, and details that felt elevated. The dance floor was goals. If the ceremony was emotional and elegant, the reception was pure joy. Their friends and family brought the best energy, and Lars and Emily dove right into it.
Vail is the perfect setting for couples who crave adventure and natural beauty, and the Sonnenalp elevates that experience. It was an honor to document their story, and I’d relive this weekend with them a hundred times over.
In Their Own Words
“Ryland was absolutely amazing as our wedding photographer! She’s fun, easygoing, and made me feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. She captured every special moment beautifully, and the photos turned out even better than we could have imagined. We can’t recommend her enough to anyone looking for a talented photographer who makes your day feel effortless and unforgettable!” – Emily
Vendors
Photographer | Rylo Creative
DJ | Vail-DJs
Videography | Willow Layne Films
Florals | Bustle and Bloom
Venue | Sonnenalp Vail
HMUA | Bhava Beauty and Wellness
