Intimate Fall Elopement in Boulder, Colorado


There is something incredibly rewarding about hopping in my rental Jeep and driving up into the mountains at 4am from Boulder, Colorado. It just felt validating? Like everything I am doing is pointing me in the direction I want to take my life, and my business. 


Being able to say I get to travel the country, and now the globe to take photos and make art is crazy. It was an absolute honor to be able to join this couple for their sunrise elopement in the Rocky Mountains.


Location Scouting In The Mountains


For elopements and weddings where the environment is a huge piece of the story, I like to go and see the spot before the actual elopement or wedding day. Especially for something like this where it is a destination elopement. It is super helpful to see the location for a destination wedding with my actual eyes. I get to see how the light affects things at a specific time of day. Planning a little route for photos and ideas ahead of time is essential to making the day go as smoothly as possible.

The actual spot for this destination elopement in the Rocky Mountains is a mountain lake just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. I went up early, but not quite early enough to see the real alpenglow that we would witness on the wedding day. I learned a ton about moose on this trip and even saw several on my commute from Boulder, Colorado up into the mountains. 


It turns out that moose are scary as shit. 



We had some moose *repellent devices* with the group for the actual elopement. Especially since we had a beautiful pup with us and boy oh boy do moose hate dogs. Because one of their only predators is wolves, moose really don’t like them. Just something to note I guess.



The actual location for the elopement was incredible. Especially to this midwest boy. A mountain lake with golden light is an absolute dream scenario. One thing I was really excited about was this was peak fall colors in the region. But at the altitude we were at for the elopement there were no aspens, we were too high up. We did of course manage to find some for some full on fall destination wedding vibes.

Silhouette of pine trees against dark evening sky with faint sunset glow on the horizon.
A scenic mountain lake surrounded by dense pine forest and rocky outcrops under blue sky with scattered clouds.
Golden sunlight illuminates tall evergreen trees against a blue sky in a dense mountain forest landscape.
A large bull moose standing among birch trees and tall grass in autumn wilderness.
Someone stands on a rock overlooking a pristine mountain lake surrounded by evergreen forest and rocky peaks.
Scenic mountain landscape overlooking forested hills and valleys with evergreen trees in the foreground under cloudy skies.
Mountain landscape view through evergreen trees with distant peaks and valley visible in late day light.

The Destination Wedding In The Mountains


The day started for me at 3:30am. I had all my gear ready to go. My warm outfit laid out because while the temperature was going to hit 90+ degrees back down in Denver, at 6am in the mountains it was gonna be below freezing.


I grabbed my coffee, which was going to carry me through this destination wedding like it always does. And my breakfast to go.



I took my rental Jeep on my practiced route that I had taken to scout the location and arrived early. I always arrive at every wedding or at least in the area way before I need to. Just in case something silly happens. A flat tire in this case would have meant missing the alpenglow if you were trying to only arrive “on time”. I arrived in pitch black night, only under the moon and the stars.

After having some coffee and breakfast I explored just a little around the area and got some establishing photos of the mountains and stars. 


Just when the sun started to show its presence over the trees the couple arrived and we were off and rolling. 


We started with a first look and everything then happened in a blur. The elopement ceremony itself was brief. But one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen at so many levels. Over just minutes the sun started to work its way down the mountains behind them. Casting rays onto the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. 


Everything Happened So Fast


The location for the elopement was just outside the borders of Rocky Mountain National Park. But make no mistake. This elopement was in the mountains. There was snow visible on the peaks in the distance. 

In the morning the light changed so fast. The colors of the mountains started to evolve rapidly. We started with blues and magentas. Which when the sun started to reach the mountains quickly went from pink and red to a stunning golden beacon. It was one of the most beautiful ceremonies I have ever seen. 

The couple was what really sent everything over the top. These were some of the best humans I have ever had the honor of photographing. They asked me to keep their names and information private and I will honor that request. 


After the ceremony and a quick celebratory photo session. It was time to take a minute to warm up. 

I took this opportunity to not do that since I was wearing my parka and hat and things. I don’t need to look cute, I need to do my job.



I got some beautiful photos of the area and when the couple was ready we got to take full advantage of the beauty around us.


Before too long it was time to say goodbye. At least for the morning. They had an incredible reception later in the day with family and friends. But I am going to keep those moments private for them and their family.


Silhouette of pine trees against a twilight sky with vehicles parked in the foreground at dusk.
A silhouetted treeline of pine forest against a dark night sky with faint stars visible above.
A figure in a blue suit stands at the entrance of a rustic mountain lodge with stone walls and timber beams at dusk.
A groom in a blue suit with a brown tie and full beard wears glasses and a boutonniere at an outdoor wedding.
Silhouette of evergreen pine trees against a pastel pink and blue sunset sky.
A couple shares a wedding day moment at their outdoor venue with a rustic stone and wood structure in the background.
A couple shares a romantic moment at an outdoor wedding venue as sunshine filters through the trees.
A couple stands together at a mountain venue, with the bride in a lace gown and groom in navy suit against evergreen scenery.
Couple stands in front of rustic timber entrance of mountain lodge at dusk with full moon in blue sky.
Scenic mountain lake surrounded by evergreen forest with rocky peaks and purple dusk sky in the background.

Reflection


It is moments and experiences like this that remind me in a big way that I am living my dream. Every wedding is so special. Your wedding doesn’t have to be in the mountains. This couple didn’t do this for show. They did it because this place meant to much to them.


There are no rules for your wedding. Just do what you actually want to do and celebrate each other.


Finding the Aspens


Being peak fall colors, we did have to find a patch of Aspens for some amazing fall wedding portraits. There is nothing like peak fall colors. Even more so in the mountains for a destination elopement.


FINAL THOUGHTS:



As I bid farewell to this couple and their unforgettable mountain destination wedding, I'm reminded of the privilege it is to witness love in its purest form. If you're dreaming of your own mountain-inspired celebration amidst the rocky slope of Boulder, Colorado, I'd love to hear from you.


Let's embark on a journey together to capture your  story against this crazy backdrop.

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