Wedding Photography and Videography at The Lodge at Cathedral Pines
Candid Studios has photographed a wedding at The Lodge at Cathedral Pines.
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First-Hand Experience
Shooting at The Lodge at Cathedral Pines
Updated July 2026
The Lodge at Cathedral Pines is a forest wedding in the truest sense, a property in the Black Forest just north of Colorado Springs where tall ponderosa pines close in around the day and set the whole mood.
That tree cover is the single biggest thing we plan around as photographers. The canopy filters and softens daylight, so even a midday summer ceremony stays gentle and even on faces, without the harsh squinting light an open field would bring. The trade is that wooded light is cooler and darker than open sun, so we shoot fast lenses, watch our shadows, and look for the pockets where light breaks through the pines for portraits.
The warmest, most flattering light here comes late in the day, near the clearings and along the edge of the tree line, so we like to hold a short window around sunset for couple portraits. The pines themselves are a timeless backdrop that does not date a photo, which is part of why a forest venue like this photographs beautifully in any season.
Colorado's Front Range weather is the other thing to plan for. Summer afternoon storms roll through quickly, mornings and evenings run cool at elevation, and the light can change fast, so we build a little flexibility into the timeline and always carry a plan for rain. In early fall the surrounding aspens turn, layering warm gold into the evergreens.
Beyond the tree cover, the 11-acre property has its own built-in portrait route: a pond, a footbridge, and a small waterfall tucked into the grounds, all within easy walking distance of the reception space. We like to work these into the day as a second portrait set beyond the pines, since moving water and a bridge railing give us a change of texture and a lower, more open sightline than the deep forest does. With a 125-guest indoor room and up to 175 across the full grounds, the property scales from an intimate ceremony to a full tented reception without losing the wooded backdrop that makes it distinctive.
For timeline planning, we treat the drive time seriously: the venue sits about 30 minutes from Colorado Springs Airport and roughly 75 minutes from Denver, so out-of-town family and vendors need a realistic call time built in, not a rushed one. Because the ceremony and reception both happen on the same 11 acres, we don't lose light to travel between locations the way we would at a split venue; that saved time usually goes straight into the sunset portrait window by the tree line.
Insider tips for The Lodge at Cathedral Pines
The Lodge at Cathedral Pines is in the Black Forest just north of Colorado Springs, Colorado, on a wooded property surrounded by ponderosa pines.
The pine canopy softens daytime light, which is flattering for portraits. The warmest light for couple photos is usually late in the day, near the clearings and the edge of the tree line.
Yes. Candid Studios has photographed a wedding at The Lodge at Cathedral Pines and provides both photography and videography for weddings there and across Colorado.
Plan a little extra time around sunset. In a wooded setting the light filtering through the trees is at its best late in the day, so a short golden-hour window produces the warmest portraits.
A forested venue photographs well year-round. Summer brings a full green canopy and long evenings, early fall layers gold from the surrounding aspens, and winter offers a quiet, snow-dusted look. Whatever the season, plan around Colorado's fast-changing Front Range light.
We always build a rain plan into the timeline. Colorado afternoon storms tend to pass quickly, so we stay flexible, watch the radar, and use covered spaces and the soft light that follows a storm to keep the day moving and the photos beautiful.
Yes. Candid Studios photographs and films weddings across Colorado and our other markets, including Colorado Springs and the Black Forest. Send us your date and we will confirm availability.
The Details
The Lodge at Cathedral Pines at a glance
- Location
- Black Forest, Colorado Springs, CO
- Setting
- Forested mountain property
- Region
- Colorado Front Range
- Style
- Rustic forest and mountain
- Capacity
- Up to 125 guests indoors, 175 across the grounds
Google Reviews
What Our Clients Say
- ★★★★★
Honestly still looking through the gallery from our wedding in Pinecrest and I’m just so grateful to Candid Studios!! These guys made everything feel so effortless even with the crazy heat on the day. Our photographer captured all the little candid moments we didn’t even notice happening and our videographer got the most perfect shots of the ceremony that honestly brought us both to tears. You get exactly what you pay for and then some. If anyone is looking for wedding photography and videography in Miami I couldn’t recommend them more!
Andro pmin the last week - ★★★★★
We keep going back to the gallery because our photographer captured every little moment perfectly. It was so easy to work with Candid Studios for our wedding in Florida and we highly recommend them to anyone looking for great photography in Fort Lauderdale. y'all crushed it!!
Erdawnin the last week - ★★★★★
We just got our engagement gallery back and honestly I am still scrolling through it every five minutes because they are absolutely stunning. Candid Studios made the whole process so easy from start to finish which was a huge relief since we were already stressed about planning everything else. The pre production questionnaire actually helped us so much with the vision for the day because it gave us clear guidelines on what to wear and where to go. Our photographer was incredible at blending into the background during our first look near the water at The Atlantic Hotel & Spa without being intrusive at all and then captured those quiet moments during our vows later in the evening with such care. We really wanted someone who understood engagement photography in Florida and how to capture that specific warm light which y'all totally nailed. The Atlantic is a gorgeous spot but also has tight spaces so it was impressive how you managed to find angles that made everything look spacious and romantic. Highly recommend these guys to anyone looking for photography in Fort Lauderdale because they just get it and we are already talking about booking them for the wedding.
Michael Jacksonin the last week - ★★★★★
Just wanted to say a huge thank you to the team at Candid Studios for everything. We honestly couldn't recommend them more. From the moment they arrived at our venue in Kendall they were so easy to work with and made the whole day feel stress free. The photos turned out exactly how we dreamed and the film captured every little emotion we didn't even notice happening. y'all really crushed it. If you are looking for wedding photography and videography in Miami you have to hire these guys. We keep going back to look at the gallery and still get so happy seeing it.
Jamesin the last week - ★★★★★
Candid Studios really knocked it out of the park for our portrait session in Pompano Beach. Our photographer was so easy to work with and totally put us at ease even though we were feeling a little awkward on set. We are still looking through the gallery and just keep laughing at how natural some of these photos turned out. If you are looking for great portrait photography in Fort Lauderdale do yourself a favor and book them because y’all made the whole day feel so easy!
Emmy Kein the last week - ★★★★★
My wife and I highly recommend Candid Studios for wedding photography and videography in Colorado! They were very communicative and took all of our opinions and preferences seriously. Our professional and friendly photographer and videographer captured every magical moment while seamlessly blending into the background of the wedding. The finished product went beyond our expectations, with expertly edited photos and an incredibly moving wedding video.
Hayden Kindschia month ago
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