Artist Point Engagement Session in Boulder, Colorado | Toni and Chris

Three days before saying “I do” at their summer wedding at The Colorado Chautauqua Toni and Chris joined me for a golden hour engagement session at Artist Point in Boulder, Colorado and honestly, I can’t think of a more magical way to kick off wedding week.

Tucked into Boulder’s scenic foothills, this location offers wide-open meadows, mountain views, and a peaceful 0.1-mile stroll from the parking lot to some of the best overlooks in the area. (Pro tip for anyone visiting : arrive early on weekends, as the small lot fills quickly!) With the soft, flattering glow of the setting sun, Artist Point was the perfect backdrop for these two. Dogs are welcome here (on leash), so the occasional happy tail-wagger joined us in spirit as we wandered and laughed our way across the ridge.

How It All Began

Toni and Chris’s love story starts in the modern way- on Hinge. Chris messaged her about a photo on her profile, asking if the dog in it was hers… even though the caption clearly read “not my dog.” His first-date suggestion was a hike, but as Toni puts it, “the idea of getting in a stranger’s car to drive to a remote park didn’t seem like the best plan.”

Three days later, she texted him back with a safer (and let’s be honest, much cuter) alternative: a drink at Quickie Pickie, the local corner store. That same day, they met in person. Chris showed up with an oversized JanSport backpack, super short shorts, and broken glasses taped together, but the second he spoke, his deep voice caught Toni completely off guard. “I remember thinking, oh, this will work,” she laughs.

Instead of just drinks, they grabbed snacks and hopped on their bikes to Zilker Park, where they talked until the sun dipped behind the trees. Chris’s version? “What Toni said! We met at Quickie Pickie, rode bikes around, and it was a great first date.”

The Proposal with a Golden Twist

By the time Chris proposed, Toni had a pretty good idea it was coming. They’d been talking about marriage since February of that year, and she even helped pick out the ring. But Chris still managed to make it a moment she’ll never forget, on her 30th birthday, no less.

She had planned a huge gold-themed party: a gold party bus, a party barge, and a gigantic gold cake. “Right at the start of the party, he proposed on the dock,” Toni recalls. “It instantly turned into a birthday and engagement celebration. I secretly love being the center of attention, so it was perfect. I even stopped him mid-proposal to ask if everyone was watching!”

Chris had been plotting it for a while and admits he’s “not great at keeping surprises,” but the timing and the setting made for a day neither of them will forget.

The Things They Love Most

Spending just a little time with Toni and Chris, it’s clear how well they balance each other. Toni loves how playful, goofy, and clever Chris is, and the way he doesn’t follow the status quo. “It’s the exact opposite of me, so it challenges me in the best way,” she says. Chris smiles and adds that Toni keeps him grounded while still nudging him outside his comfort zone. “She’s an excellent partner… and a sexy one too.”

Looking Ahead to Their Boulder Wedding

With their wedding just days away, their excitement is contagious. Toni’s most looking forward to “having people we love from all chapters of our lives together in one place,” while Chris can’t wait to see “all of our friends and family in one spot.”

Their Artist Point engagement session felt like the perfect prelude to a wedding that’s going to be filled with laughter, joy, and plenty of golden light, both from the sunset and from the love these two share.

If you love mountain views, quick access, and golden hour magic, Artist Point in Boulder, Colorado is a dream location for engagement photos. I’d love to help you plan your own adventure session, whether it’s three days before your wedding or months ahead.

I love shooting photographing Colorado engagement sessions, especially ones in the mountains. Check out some more Colorado engagement sessions below!

xx,

Jennifer Lourie