Couple embracing during Elopement ceremony in the Rocky Mountains close to Rocky Mount national Park, Boulder, Colorado morning sun is illuminating the mountains behind the moon is in the sky

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 VERY soon 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.

Large moose stands in tall grass among trees looking at you through the camera large antlers, very dark fur, just outside of Boulder, Colorado

Moose neck to the road very large antlers and tall grass mountain road close to Boulder, Colorado

The sun rays are movable in the morning at sunrise over the silhouetted trees. The sky is Blue, the sun golden rays, being broken up by the mountains outside of Rocky Mount national park.

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.

First look at a Elopement in the mountains of Rocky mountain national park

Bride and maid of honor, with a dog walking through the forest in the morning of a destination wedding Elopement, just outside of Rocky Mountain national park. Lots of pine trees.

Dog with a flower collar at a Elopement in Rocky Mountain national park

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.

Sunrise Elopement ceremony in front of a mountain lake with mountains in the background just outside of Boulder, Colorado

Elopement ceremony in front of a mountain lake in Boulder Colorado close to Rocky Mountain national Park. A couple is holding hands together. Their dog is there. The sun is hitting the mountains behind them on the other side of the lake.

These photos are only minutes apart! Look at how much the color changes on the mountains behind them.

With the sun aluminating the mountains behind a couple getting married at an Elopement style ceremony. Sun is hitting the trees and mountains as it rises in Boulder, Colorado.

The groom wipes, his tears away during a wedding ceremony during the vows in the mountains of Rocky Mountain national Park

Looking at each other, smiling during Elopement wedding ceremony in Boulder, Colorado the sun is illuminating the mountains behind them

Couple Penning, their dog during their Elopement wedding ceremony in front of mountains in a lake in Boulder, Colorado

Always. Bring. Your. Dog.

Dog with a flower collar, black dog with white flowers

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.

Reflection of couple standing together after their wedding ceremony, and Elopement in the Rocky Mountains

Standing together in front of a mountain lake with mountains behind it the morning sun is illuminating everything behind them at Rocky Mountain national Park

Holding each other, touching their forehead together mountains, and a lake behind them, the warm morning sun, illuminating everything

Embracing kissing in front of mountains in a lake in Rocky mountain national park at sunrise

Reflection of mountains and trees in a lake close to Boulder, Colorado

Trees and mountains lit by the sun, just outside of Rocky Mount national Park

At sunrise, tall pine trees are lit by the rising sun

Pine trees are lit by the sun, just outside of Rocky Mountain national Park

Bernard Lake just outside of Boulder Colorado at sunrise large mountains in the distance lake reflection

Wedding portrait of a couple at their Elopement with the maid of honor investment, white dress with a fur scarf mountains behind them at Boulder, Colorado

Wedding groom, adjusting his chronograph, watch gray suit with a white boutonniere at Rocky Mountain national Park

Posing together at a mountain lake, just outside of Boulder, Colorado after their Elopement

Standing next to each other just in front of a lake in the mountains, just outside of Boulder, Colorado

Embracing, smiling, holding each other close after their destination wedding, Elopement

Couples and wedding rings after their elopement ceremony in the Rocky Mountains silver and black rings wedding bands

Couple walking and wedding attire after their Elopement ceremony and destination wedding through fall colors in Boulder, Colorado

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.

Peak fall colors around this wedding after their destination wedding Elopement they are both petting their dog. The dogs tongue is sticking out yellow aspen leaves around them.

Couple with their dogs, smiling looking at each other in front of fall colors aspen trees, and boulder Colorado

Looking at each other, smiling after their wedding, Elopement in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado, both smiling, looking at their dog, yellow aspen golden leaves around them

Leaning in petting their dog in the fall colors of Boulder, Colorado dog has a flower collar on

Groom, leaning, and kissing bride on the smiling Aspen golden peak, fall colors behind them

Leaning into each other after their wedding, Elopement in the Rocky Mountains, big fall colors behind them

Standing together in the prairie at the base of some mountains, just outside of Boulder, Colorado

Close view of wedding bands, black and silver among the golden leaves of Aspen trees

Black and silver wedding bands on a branch of a golden aspen tree in peak fall just outside of Boulder Colorado

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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Fall Elopement in Boulder, Colorado