Nikki & Zack’s Eloise Fall Wedding in Mount Horeb

We have a thing for October weddings, and Nikki and Zack’s Eloise fall wedding reminded us exactly why. The light that time of year does something you can’t replicate. It turns everything warm and hazy. Pair that with The Eloise and its bright white walls bouncing lantern glow into every corner, and you end up with a gallery that practically edits itself. Their daughter was woven into every part of this day. The energy the three of them created together was something special. Tender one minute, completely wild the next. Our kind of wedding.

Getting Ready with Heart

The prep suite at The Eloise has big, clean light. Nikki’s bridesmaids in rust-colored robes gave us this gorgeous warm palette right from the start. Their daughter was planted in the middle of everything, grinning like she owned the room. Honestly, she kind of did. One of the quietest moments we caught all morning was Nikki reading a card with her little girl tucked against her side. No posing needed. We just stayed close and let it happen.

Zack’s morning had a different rhythm. Calm, steady, intentional. He opened a gift box, fastened his cufflinks, and his mom pinned on his boutonniere with quiet focus. You could tell she’d been thinking about that moment for a while. The details were strong too: a white bridal hat embroidered with “Mrs. Colby,” jeweled heels resting on stone, burgundy and blush blooms spilling from the bouquet. A navy suit hung against the limestone wall. Every piece told us something about who these two are.

An Indoor Ceremony Full of Emotion

The ceremony space stopped us in our tracks. A wooden triangle arch draped in greenery and fall florals anchored the front. Gold lanterns and pumpkins in white and copper lined the aisle. Warm pendant lights hung from the vaulted ceiling and cast a soft, even glow. We could shoot from almost any angle and get beautiful light. If you’re considering The Eloise for a fall celebration, know that this room does the work for you. Modern bones, seasonal soul.

Zack was visibly emotional standing at that altar. We pulled in tight as Nikki walked toward him because that’s where the real story lives. The ring exchange was close and tender. Their daughter stood right there, clapping through the first kiss and beaming at both of them. That image of the three of them framed beneath the arch with lantern light overhead still gets us. Pure family, pure joy, no filter needed.

Portraits in the October Fields

After the ceremony, we took everyone outside into those rolling fields surrounding The Eloise. Bridesmaids in deep red, groomsmen in navy with red ties, fall foliage everywhere. The colors practically vibrated. We shot wide to take in as much of that landscape as we could. Late afternoon light in October is short but incredibly rich, so we moved fast and let the palette do the talking.

Then it was just Nikki, Zack, and their daughter in the tall grass. Watching the three of them chase each other and laugh was the best kind of chaos. Their daughter picked wildflowers while the two of them snuck a kiss overhead. Those in-between moments, the ones nobody plans, always end up being the favorites. Ours and theirs.

Golden hour brought soft, hazy light. Nikki pulled out her “Mrs. Colby” hat for a run of playful bridal portraits. She tipped the brim, laughed into Zack’s shoulder, and owned every single frame. That confidence is something you can’t manufacture, and it carried through the entire Eloise fall wedding portrait session. The tall prairie grass and muted autumn backdrop gave each image a rich, editorial quality that we love delivering.

A Reception Worth Celebrating

Back inside, The Eloise was a completely different room. Gold chiavari chairs, burgundy napkins, centerpieces bursting with dahlias and roses and eucalyptus. The head table sat beneath a wall of windows draped in a lush floral garland. Pink champagne flutes caught chandelier light in a way that made our detail shots practically glow. This is the kind of reception space where everything photographs beautifully because someone cared deeply about how it all came together.

The cake alone was a showstopper: white and gold marbled tiers topped with a “Mr & Mrs Colby” wire topper. Their daughter helped cut the first slice, which felt perfectly on-brand for these three. Once the dance floor opened, it opened fast. The black-and-white frames from the rest of the night tell the story best. Nikki and Zack spun under string lights. Their daughter danced with her mom. The two of them raised their arms in triumph outside the venue’s big picture windows. That shift from polished ceremony to late-night party energy is something we live for.

If you’re drawn to this kind of warm, modern celebration, we’d love to chat. Take a look at our wedding photography portfolio to see more stories like this one.