If you are looking for a wedding videographer in Monument, CO, the short answer is that Monument is one of the towns named in my no-travel-fee band, a short drive north of Colorado Springs, so the whole day goes to your film. I'm Andrew with Peak Wedding Films, based in Colorado Springs. Here is how I plan a Monument wedding so it looks and sounds like your day.
Monument is home turf
Travel is measured from Colorado Springs, and Monument sits well inside the band within about 90 minutes. It is listed right alongside Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, Castle Rock and Denver as a no-travel-fee town. A Monument date gets planned the same way as a wedding in my own town.
I film one wedding per day, so nobody is racing in from a morning ceremony somewhere else, and nothing is queued behind your day that weekend. If your date is open, all of it is yours.
Life up on the Palmer Divide
Monument sits north of Colorado Springs on the Palmer Divide, the high ridge between the Springs and Denver. It is higher than downtown Colorado Springs, with pines, open hillsides and views back toward the mountains. That height has two effects worth planning around.
- The weather can differ from the Springs. A clear morning in town does not always mean a clear afternoon up on the Divide. Watch the forecast for Monument itself, not just Colorado Springs.
- Shoulder seasons can turn quickly. Spring and fall dates up high can bring a cold snap or an early snow. Plan layers for the two of you and a warm spot for guests.
My gear is weather sealed, and if the timeline needs to shift, we shift with it and keep rolling. Some of the best footage happens under moody skies.
Light: the mountains still set the clock
The mountains sit to the west, so the sun drops behind them before the official sunset time. In fall, the low warm light shows up earlier in the evening than it does in summer.
Set aside time for the two of you in that last window of light. Twenty minutes in the right light is worth more than an hour in the wrong light, and it is one of the first things we look at on the pre-wedding call that comes with every booking.
Pines, meadows and shade
Many settings around Monument mix tall pines with open ground. Under the trees, light comes through in pieces, which can look patchy at noon and beautiful late in the day. Put the ceremony where the light falls evenly on both of your faces, often at the edge of the trees rather than deep under them.
Sound: the part a photo cannot keep
A film keeps your vows in your own voices, the toast that made the room laugh, and the music. Breezy hillsides carry voices away, so a little planning goes a long way:
- Keep the officiant and the two of you close together for the vows.
- Seat toasts where the speaker faces the guests.
- Tell me early who is speaking, so I know whose reactions to watch for.
The drone pull-out
Drone coverage is included in every package. One of my favorite shots starts tight on the two of you and slowly opens to reveal everyone who came, with the mountains behind them. Your venue has the final say on where the drone can fly, so ask about its rules and tell me if that shot matters to you.
Choosing your hours
Packages run 8, 10 or 12 hours, counted from the first moment you want filmed to the last. If you get ready in Colorado Springs and marry in Monument, build the drive into those hours. You can compare what each package includes, from coverage to crew to the full documentary cut.
FAQ
Is there a travel fee for a Monument wedding?
No. Monument is listed in the band within about 90 minutes of Colorado Springs, which carries no travel fee.
Is the weather in Monument really different from Colorado Springs?
It can be. Monument sits higher, up on the Palmer Divide, so check the forecast for Monument itself and plan a covered backup.
Can we get ready in Colorado Springs and marry in Monument?
Yes. The drive between them just needs to fit inside your coverage hours.
How far ahead should we book?
Peak season, June through October, tends to fill 12 to 18 months out. If your date is sooner, reach out anyway.
Is your Monument date open?
Tell me your date and your venue, and I will check it.