Guide for Grooms

Your wedding day is one of the biggest moments of your life, and standing by your side will be the guys who’ve been there through it all—your groomsmen. Whether they’re childhood friends, college roommates, or family members, these are the people who’ve had your back long before you put a ring on it. And while the wedding is a huge milestone for you, it’s also a time to show appreciation for the people who’ve helped you get here.

Choosing the right gifts can feel like one more thing on an already overwhelming to-do list, but it doesn’t have to be. The best gifts aren’t just another item to check off your wedding planning list—they’re meaningful, memorable, and practical.

Here’s how to find the perfect groomsmen gifts without overthinking it.

Make the Gifts Personal

A great groomsman gift should feel like it was chosen specifically for the person receiving it. While you could go for something generic, a personalized touch makes all the difference.

Engraving initials, monograms, or even an inside joke from your friendship turns a simple gift into something they’ll actually want to keep.

A good place to start? Personalized accessories—things like engraved watches, custom wallets, or a sleek pocket knife with their name on it. These items are stylish, useful, and make your groomsmen feel like they’re getting something made just for them.

Make the Groomsmen Gifts Functional

A cool gift is great, but a cool gift that they’ll actually use? That’s the ticket.

Some of the most well-received groomsmen gifts are the ones that fit into their everyday lives seamlessly.

If your guys enjoy a good drink together, custom barware like an engraved groomsmen whiskey decanter is a solid choice. If they’re more into coffee, a high-quality, personalized tumbler or espresso set can be just as thoughtful.

Want to get them something that they can wear during the actual wedding? A personalized groomsmen cufflinks gift set may be a great option.

The key is to think about their lifestyle. What would make their day-to-day life a little better? Do you live somewhere where you’re constantly blinded by the sun? A sleek pair of groomsmen sunglasses for the whole wedding party are an affordable and simple choice.

And if none of those strike your fancy, there’s always the functional classic…personalized socks!

Go for Timeless Gifts

Trendy gifts come and go, but some things never go out of style. Classic, high-quality gifts that last beyond the wedding weekend are always a smart move. You do want them to actually use it, right?

A great example? Personalized groomsmen watches make for everyday utility, or something like a leather travel bag—practical, durable, and something they’ll appreciate every time they pack for a trip.

Keep it Cohesive

While each of your groomsmen is unique, you want your gifts to feel intentional and tied together. That doesn’t mean they all have to get the exact same thing, but they should all feel like they came from the same place.

For example, if you’re gifting personalized tumblers, you could pair them with their favorite coffee or a set of whiskey stones. If you’re giving engraved pocket knives, consider including a sleek keychain or multi-tool to match. This makes the gift feel complete and more thought-out.

Add a Thoughtful Note

No matter what you choose, the best way to make your gift meaningful is to pair it with a personal note. A short, handwritten message thanking each groomsman for being part of your wedding—and your life—makes the gift much more memorable. It doesn’t have to be long or poetic, just something that shows your appreciation.

You can also add more personalization to each gift with things like childhood photos, their favorite snacks, alcohol nips or anything that is ‘them’. There really are no rules, so don’t get too hung up on thinking there is some perfect way to do it. Just do what is for them.

When in Doubt, Keep It Simple

At the end of the day, the best gifts aren’t about spending the most money or finding the most unique item on the planet. They’re about showing appreciation in a way that feels personal and sincere.

If you’re looking for something that checks all the boxes—personalized, useful, and stylish— check out Groomschoice for a selection of high-quality groomsmen gifts that fit any style.

Your groomsmen have been there through thick and thin—it’s only right to send them off with a gift that says, “Thanks for being part of my story.”

Hosting a winter wedding in Colorado can always be a little tricky. Will the weather cooperate? Can you do any photos outside? How about venues? Lauren & Tony took it all in stride. They just wanted a beautiful Catholic wedding with all of their friends and family in Aurora, Colorado. We were there on that chilly day in February to document the event with both photography and video services. With all the love oozing out of this couple it was easy to forget about the cold! It was also the first wedding I’ve covered that had a heavy emphasis on karaoke as the entertainment. But because a lot of the guests were amazing entertainers it turned out to be a really awesome thing to incorporate in the couple’s reception.

Vendors who made this day possible:
Ceremony Site - St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church
Reception Site & Catering - Noonan’s Event Center
Photography & Video - Crystaline Photography & Video

I always like to do a review of what is trending in the wedding world and while our style of photography and video tends to shy away from trends. (We opt for a more classic true to life look) We still like to check out what new ideas are out there for incorporating into your wedding and sharing them with you!

1.) Hometown Weddings - While destination weddings have been a thing this past decade, especially after Covid and people being cooped up for so long the prohibitive costs for traveling somewhere for the guests are starting to take their toll. Couples are starting to focus on hosting an event where they live again. And doing what feels authentic to each and every couple is very much in style! Luckily, Colorado is an amazing place to get married at so if you're a local or this is your hometown planning an amazing event within the Rocky Mountains can still give you the destination vibes!

2.) Statement Fashion for both the Bride & the Groom! Wardrobe changes between the ceremony and the reception as well's putting your personal style stamp on your outfit are very hot right now. Couples are adding color to their own outfits and sometimes doing two or three different changes throughout the day! Make sure you consider how much time it takes to do an outfit change as any time doing that is less time you can spend with your guests enjoying your party!

3.) Private Vows - I saw this a few times last year. Couples wanting to share that intimate moment where they share the promises they make to each other privately. Most of the time this is done immediately following the first look and can be very emotional. During the actual ceremony an abbreviate quick "I Do" vow is typically still said in front of the guests. It still makes a wonderful moment to capture on photo and video!

4.) Restaurant Weddings - Finding a cool, chic restaurant with amazing food not only takes the guest work out of finding a caterer, but may even be more affordable since food is prepared there on the regular. The past couple years I've covered a few events where the couple chose to elope first either a year in advance or possibly just a few months earlier on a beach somewhere or someplace fun like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Then they came back to Colorado and had a very relaxed reception with close friends and family at a restaurant or chic venue. Some couples still incorporated some wedding traditions like cake and toasts, while others just wanted a laid back get together with none of the regular traditions.

5.) Changes in the Wedding Party - Couples have been restructuring wedding parties for a while. Gone are the days of just bridesmaids and groomsmen. Bride's are having their best male friend stand up beside them. Groom's are having their sister act as their "Best Man". Grandma is now the flower girl or maybe you chose some fun comedic guys to be "Flower Boys". For some couples who've already had the expense of being in someone else's wedding they are opting to not have a wedding party at all. This not only saves you and your friends money, but also can cut out a lot of drama associated with pleasing a bunch of other people! This doesn't mean you can't still have photos with your friends. It just means they don't have to buy expensive matching outfits or plan bridal showers and bachelor getaways.

6.) Drapery is making a comeback! Using fabric to cover up unsightly building flaws has been a magic tool for wedding planners for years, but using it purely for it's atheistic value is very much "in" right now. Some couples are using draping fabric for backdrops and others are into draping entire ceilings. The effects add an element of luxury to any event!

What is Definitely on It's Way Out......

1.) Neon Signs - What used to be a way to customize your wedding had its moment and is defiantly on the down trend.

2.) Bouquet & Garter Toss - This one has been disappearing for a while... couple are waiting to tie the knot until they are a bit more mature and singling out the few friends that are still not married seems a bit taboo.

3.) Bow embellishments.... Yes, this looked great on a runway, but I don't believe it ever really took off for the common wedding.

4.) Champagne Towers - Who wants to spend money and waste that much booze just for a photo! Think about a champagne wall instead or fun signature cocktails!

5.) Wedding hash tags.... they were only popular for a hot minute! Couples are now providing a QR code to scan and upload the photos the guests are taking with their phones. I recommend saving sharing your code at the reception so you can still have an unplugged ceremony. You'll want your guests truly engaged and then your photographer doesn't have to work around the people holding phones.

6.) Eliminating wedding favors. This is a great way to cut an expense as well. As a photographer who has been to many weddings I can tell you that most favors get left on the table at the end of the night unless it is food or something that can create a memory like a photo-booth print. Nobody wants an item engraved with the couple's name and wedding date on it to display in their home. So go ahead and cut these items from your budget! But if it's something you've dreamed of doing think about it from the guests experience and what they would want to take home.

We are wrapping up the last Saturday of Live Bunny Photos on the 19th! We do still have a few spots open so if you are interested in getting some adorable photos with the rabbits before they go home please give us a call to see where we can fit you in 303-432-2954. Pricing and samples of some photos taken already!

Hopefully we can make this a yearly adventure! Check back in February 2026 to see what we’re planning!

Bunny Session Packages

Hop A Long - 200.00
Includes the 45min session with the Bunnies
5 - Retouched High Resolution Digital Images
Online Gallery & A Free Thank You Gift

Cotton Tails - 350.00
Includes the 45min session with the Bunnies
12 - Retouched High Resolution Digital Images
4x4 Accordion Book with 14 Photos and a Photo Cover
Online Gallery & A Free Thank You Gift

Bunny Dreams - 450.00
Includes the 45min session with the Bunnies
20 - Retouched High Resolution Digital Images
4x4 Accordion Book with 14 Photos and a Photo Cover
1 - 11 x14 Canvas Print
Online Gallery & A USB of Your Photos

Looking for a wedding venue with a more industrial city vibe? Check out The Maven Hotel in Denver. This hotel is in the chic Dairy Block near Coors Stadium downtown. The Dairy Block is a group of warehouses that has been reimagined as neighborhood marketplace with cool boutiques offering one of a kind items and distinctive restaurants with food bountiful food options. it also has a lot of art installations that are constantly rotating that are fun to check out and also add to a very picturesque event!
We met Carrie & Marshall a year before as Carrie was a bridesmaid in one of her best friend's wedding that I was hired as the photographer and Mike their DJ. She liked us so much that we were both hired again to provide those services for their fun very urban wedding! Because we're in Colorado it's not often that we get to provide services in a more urban environment, but this wedding had plenty of awesome eye candy options to make for super creative photos. Check out some of my favorite photos from the day below.

Vendors Who Made This Day Possible:

Venue, Catering & Accommodations: The Maven Hotel
Entertainment & Lighting: Digital DJ
Photography: Crystaline Photography & Video

Matthew and Victoria tied the knot on a lovely early fall day at Ralston's Crossings Event Center in Arvada, Colorado. The event was celebrated by a multitude of friends and family. I was able to learn a little about their back story and how they met when I spent the afternoon at the college campus that they met in Ft. Collins doing a fun engagement shoot with them. With similar interests and career paths this dynamic couple will sure to have a lifetime of happiness ahead of them.
Check out their amazing wedding in the chapel on site with a garden reception that followed afterwards.

Vendors who made this day possible:

Venue: Ralston's Crossing Event Center
Wedding Planner: Angel in Disguise
Catering: Deshebrado Catering and Events
Disc Jockey: Digital DJ
Photography: Crystaline Photography and Video

Since we're entering the colder winter months close to the holidays I thought it would be a great time to share this late fall wedding that ended up having a much more winter theme then originally planned. Colorado can be hit or miss for snow in October and November, especially in the mountains, but if you are open to an adventure it can also be a great time of year to tie the knot. Michelle & Devin planned a complete destination wedding in Estes Park for close friends and family who were mostly traveling in from Kansas. The historic Stanley Hotel made the perfect venue for their ceremony and getting ready photos while they hosted a more budget friendly reception practically across the street at The Bristlecone Inn. The snow even worked out to their advantage because the venue allowed sparklers for their grand exit which is something most venues will not allow in the mountains due to fire dangers. Check out some of my favorite photos from their amazing event and the list of vendors that made this day possible below:

Vendors who made this day possible:
Ceremony & Hotel Accommodations: The Stanley Hotel
Reception Venue: Bristlecone Inn
Caterer: Jubilations Catering
DJ: Digital DJ
Photography: Crystaline Photography & Video

If you've just started planning your wedding you are probably feeling a little overwhelmed about all the options for every service available for weddings. How do you know who to trust? Who is going to show up and do a great job for you on your wedding and who is just a snake oil salesman? This is a valid question, especially when it comes to choosing a photographer and/or videographer for your event. There is no set of licensing that can tell you if a photographer is a professional or not and since anyone can purchase a camera and start selling themself as a photographer it can be hard to tell who is legit or not. But there will be signs, some not as obvious as others. Here is my list for vetting photographers for your wedding ~

1.) Is this company registered as a legitimate company in the state they are doing business in? The Secretary of State in every state keeps a meticulous record of those who have filed the correct paperwork to be in business and are paying taxes. The first step is to utilize their online features to check and see if the company you are considering using is registered with the state! Someone skirting the law about businesses practices should already be taken off your list.

2.) Pricing! Photography is usually going to be one of the higher ticket items for weddings. Usually if a company is advertising their service at way below the market price in the area there's a reason for it. Either they haven't been in business very long or they are booking quantity over quality. What I mean by quantity over quality is that they are booking more events then they can safely handle by themselves and thus sending others to cover the work under their business name which can mean you could be getting someone without a lot of experience covering your event. There have been quite a few horror stories lately in the news about couples having their photographer cancel last minute, not showing up at all or delivering subpar photos or none at all. Typically, someone charging closer to the going rate for the area is going to be in business for the long haul and know what it costs to stay in business and charges accordingly. They are also going to have more of a stake in providing an excellent product so they can continue staying in business.

3.) Online reviews and/or a client list that you can speak to. While we all know that online reviews can be faked a company with no reviews or very poor ones should defiantly be a red flag. A company with a lot of really great reviews or just a few bad ones are usually legit. Reviews can for sure make or break a business. If the company does have some bad ones it might not mean they are horrible, it just means that they are not able to please everyone 100% of the time. Look at how they respond to those bad ones. Do they offer up solutions or make excuses? Use how they handle bad reviews as another good judgement of character.

4.) Do you like the quality and style of their work? If you like the price, but haven't gone through sample images that they provide and you end up surprised when you get the images back about what they took or how they edited them, you can't be surprised if they look exactly like samples on the company's website. Most companies are going to post work that will be very similar to the quality they will provide. The exception would be someone starting out who steals images from another photographer, uses stock images etc. This unfortunately does happen! I'm a follower of a person that has a whole blog committed to exposing people who steal other photographer's work and try to pass it off as their own! One way to check if the images are the photographer's or not is to do a reverse image search on google. By doing this you can see other sites that the image is being used on the internet. Sometimes the photographer uses it on different sites for advertisement. A red flag would be if the images on the site are attributed to a photographer with a different name or business. Either their images are being stolen or the photographer is the one stealing them. A photographer using "watermarks" (their company logo) on the photos is usually doing this to ensure you know who created the images so that they get credit where it's due.

5.) Ask to see a full wedding gallery! Why is this important? Because photographers usually choose their best images to put on the portfolio pages of their website. The ones to draw you in. I guarantee even the worst photographer can come up with one or two images that are portfolio worthy for their website. The key is to make sure that they can still deliver amazing photos from an entire event. Now I'm not saying every photo is going to be awesome! But I am saying they shouldn't be afraid to show you an entire event so that you can get a really good sense on what types of images you would be receiving from a whole wedding. Bonus points if they have shot at your venue or a very similar one!

5.) Have a conversation with them! The last thing I would do is narrow down the top two or three choices in your budget and reach out to them to set up a consultation. An in person meeting is always the best, but next to that a zoom or phone call to discuss logistics and what you are looking for. Ask about equipment (do they mention that they have back-up gear) ask about plans for emergency coverage and anything else pertinent to the event. This is a really good idea on how to gage the photographer's personality and how they will handle things on the day of your event.
Red Flag answers:
- I only have one camera body and don't see the need for an additional one (translation: I don't have enough money or I haven't been in business long enough to invest in more)
-I'm a natural light photographer I don't ever need to use a flash (translation: I don't know how to use a flash which is always needed at some point for indoor and night time events)
-I don't like taking group photos so I spend as little time doing those as possible (translation: I'm only going to focus on the fun candid photos, I don't like to direct people so you probably won't get the important group photos you need)
- Or the opposite - The group photos are going to take 2+ hours (translation: I don't know how to do these quickly and efficiently and these photos are more important to me than you getting on to your party, there is a happy medium!)

Here is a list of questions that you may want to ask during your interview:

1.) Take me through a typical wedding day and your process. What does a full day of wedding coverage with you look like?
2.) How would you describe your photography style (e.g. traditional, photojournalistic, fine-art, moody)?
3.) If your style is mostly candid, will I still get formal, posed portraits (and vice versa)?
4.) Are you the photographer who will shoot my wedding? If so, will you have any assistants/second-shooters with you on that day?
5.) What type of equipment do you use? Do you have backup equipment?
6.) What about a backup plan if you are unable to shoot my wedding for some reason?
7.) How will you (and your assistants) be dressed?
8.) Is it okay if other people take photos while you're taking photos?
9.) If my event lasts longer than expected, will you stay? Is there an additional charge?
10.) Do you have liability insurance?
11.) What is your refund/cancellation policy?
12.) How long after the wedding will I get my images? Will they be viewable online?
13.) How many final images should I expect to receive?
14.) Do you help with creating an album? Can I see some album designs?
15.) May I have a list of references and/or a link to reviews?
16.) If I hire you, when will I receive a written contract? What information do you need from me before the wedding day?

Gut Check! Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Does your personality vibe with the photographer? This is the person you will spend most of the day with (even more time than your spouse) if you're not comfortable with them it will show in the photos.
- Do you feel a connection with their photos? Don't just book someone because they meet your budget.
- Are you comfortable with this person's communication style and level of customer service?
- Did the photographer listen well and address all of your concerns?

Our weekend holiday mini sessions are over for 2024 due to a fully booked weekend calendar! Check in with us again in September of 2025 to see what we’re planning for the next holiday season!

North Star Gatherings located in Idaho Springs just outside of Denver is one of the newest venues to host a dream mountain wedding. It's a magical location with just the right kind of Colorado vibe and spectacular mountain views! We met Lexie & Nick at a wedding we had shot the year before and because they loved our work they hired us for photography and my husband's DJ company, Digital DJ for their musical entertainment. It was a beautiful fall event planned to perfection! I don't think a nicer couple could have had a better day!
The venue includes an amazing bridal suite in the loft that overlooks the reception hall and an extra igloo that works perfectly for the groomsmen getting ready area. A high alpine area offers lots of photo opportunities with a wrap around deck around the venue for seating the guests with an awesome mountain backdrop for your ceremony. The modern barn feel with high ceilings helps to keep you connected to the outdoors during the reception.
Check out some of our favorite photos from this event! It was so hard to choose just 20! And probably one of the reasons it took me so long to blog about it! Enjoy!

Vendors Who Made This Day Possible:
Venue: North Star Gathering
Planner: Every Little Detail
Catering: Rocky Mountain Catering
DJ/Music: Digital DJ

I just love late summer weddings at Willow Ridge Manor! The weather is always amazing and the couples always have a great time celebrating with friends and family! This couple just exude love on every level. They opted to share private vows with just their close friends and family before the official ceremony in front of the mansion and then officially tied the knot down on the red rocks with all of their guests. This was a little different than how it's usually done, but never the less provided a lot of extra emotional photo opportunities. Enjoy some of my favorite photos from this lovely wedding in Morrison, Colorado!

Vendors who made this day possible:
Venue: Willow Ridge Manor
Caterer: Roots Catering
DJ/MC: Digital DJ
Beverages: Molly's Spirits
Photography: Crystaline Photography and Video

We're able to schedule one day of Fall Mini Sessions this year on October 19th. If you are not acquainted with mini sessions here's a little bit about how they work. Along with some information about the ones we are scheduling this year! Sessions will begin at 3pm with the last one starting at 6pm. If we fill up all of the late afternoon time slots we will consider adding on a morning session on the same day as well, so if the afternoon time won't work for you let us know and we'll keep you in mind if we open up the morning too! The session price is $200.00 and it includes 10 high resolution digital images from the photoshoot. Addtional digital images, prints and holiday cards will also be available to purchase in addition to the included digitals. You may also purchase all of the photos from the session after you view them for $250.00. This year the sessions will be taking place at Grasso Park– 100 E William St, Superior, CO 80027. We will be meeting in the parking lot right next to this small park so it's a pretty easy meet up. There will be no restrooms on site so please plan accordingly.

If you have never participated in a mini session before I want to share a little bit about the concept. Mini sessions were developed to give clients with stricter budgets a quick photo-shoot with their family in order to accommodate a large amount of groups in one day! This session is perfect for families with children with short attention spans looking to just capture the growth of their family for holiday cards, etc. These sessions are not intended for groups that may need a bit more time and care with their photos such as large extended family shoots, families with pets or families looking to pick and choose their location and that would like to spend more time getting lots of different poses, looks and or clothing changes. A grandparent or two can also tag along with one immediate family, but grandparents with multiple children that have families of their own need to look at purchasing at least two back to back session spots. We also will not allow pets to be included in these sessions because while we love pets, the sessions are just too short for us to have the time devoted to both getting the the attention of the animals and their family members. These sessions are also more suited for people that can be on time or early. We run a tight ship on mini session day and since sessions are booked back to back photos will start immediately at your contracted start time and end 20 minutes later. Late comers will only get the time-frame we have allotted for them, so once their time is up we’ll be moving on to the next group even if you show up late. All sessions are paid for in full to reserve your time-slot with no refunds unless we have a really bad weather day and have to reschedule. In cases like a bad weather forecast we will reach out to each family to see if there’s a weekday we can reschedule the session for as we're fully booked on the weekends now until November. If there isn’t a mutually agreeable weekday within the next 2 months we will refund your money.

Check out some family photos previously taken at this park:

Each session we will include a couple different full family poses, separate groupings such as individual parents with children, children alone, parents alone and individual shots with a few different background options. Grasso Park offers a lot of options in a tight small park. There are no hills or stairs to climb, but if anyone has any disabilities or needs special accommodations please let us know.

One thing we can not guarantee is how much the trees will have changed or the weather! I try to set these sessions around the peak of the fall foliage season with weekend dates that we still have open, but it always varies from year to year. Unfortunately, we only had this one Saturday become available for hosting the photos! I cross my fingers for a beautiful day with abundant color and leaves still on the trees! But be aware that nature is going to do what nature does and we’re just at it’s mercy! If the forecast calls for cloudy and overcast, but not torrential downpours we will still be doing photos! So please dress accordingly.

Our mini sessions can also be used for a special occasion, not just for a family portrait. We’ve had people utilize our mini sessions for quick engagement pics, maternity announcements, a 50th wedding anniversary, headshots and more! We’ve even accommodated a quick senior portrait session for a student that hated having his photo taken and was doing just the bare minimum photo for a yearbook submission and some pictures for his parents. We will be happy to let you utilize your 20 minutes for any quick small portrait session you may need. If you are needing something other than traditional family photos please let us know when you reach out for booking so we can make sure to focus on what’s important in your photoshoot.

If you are interested in booking a time for one of these sessions please email us – info@crystalinephoto.com
Please include your family’s name, contact numbers for any adult participating, names and ages of everyone and date and preferred time slot. Please include two times in case we book your first choice. All bookings are first come first serve are not guaranteed until a contract and full payment has been received. If you have a larger family and are not sure if you will need extra time or not please give us some details and we’ll let you know if we think you will need two time slots. Once you have reached out we will send over a contract for review and signing along with an invoice to pay. You will then have 24 hours to sign and pay the invoice. If the contract is not signed and the invoice is not paid for by the next day then we have the option to cancel both the contract and the invoice and offer your time slot to someone else if we need another open time slot. We will reach out via phone one last time to ask you to pay and sign with a definitive time when we will cancel the offer. Please reach out with any questions. We hope to see lots of smiling faces in October!

P.S. - If this date doesn't work for you then we will also be offering an indoor studio "Holiday Themed" mini session in November. Keep on our Email list to get more information about that shoot when we're ready to start booking sessions!