Michelle and Ricky started their elopement day at a rented VRBO cabin near Lyons, Colorado where we captured getting ready photos as well as their “first touch” (kind of like a first look except you don’t see each other, you just talk to each other and can hold hands while hidden behind a wall!) I always recommend renting a VRBO near your ceremony site where you can capture those exciting pre-ceremony shots. Then we moved to Brainard Lake near Ward, Colorado which is one of my favorite mountain + water views that is easily accessible via a short 3-minute walk from the parking lot! The open rocky shore by the lake provides beautiful mountainous views and flat terrain to easily bring your loved ones with you.

Their ceremony was so touching with a few of their closest family and friends surrounding them. They even hired an officiant (which is actually optional in Colorado as we are a state where you can self-solemnize!) After the ceremony, Michelle, Ricky, and I sent their group back to their VRBO and started the 4.4mi round trip hike to Lake Isabelle which is truly one of the most stunning locations I have ever photographed an elopement in Colorado. We were truly blown away, just taking in the incredible scenery and completely ignoring the October mountaintop wind chill because the views were overwhelming all of our senses. I had M+R do plenty of snuggling and movement to keep each other warm, and we even saw a family of moose right before they read each other their private vows. During their private vows by the lake, they requested privacy to just share the moment between themselves, so I stepped way back and captured them nestled in the mountains from afar. We spent about 30 minutes taking some sunset couple portraits before hustling back down the mountain as we quickly lost sunlight. Not only was their elopement day absolutely gorgeous, but it was an intimate celebration of their relationship and the things that matter most to them. I love elopements because they really allow couples space to focus on each other and their feelings, and do what THEY want to do, like take a hike to a mountaintop! Their entire adventure elopement took about 5.5 hours, and their base timeline looked something like this (a little different from a normal 3 hour base elopement):

1-2:15pm Getting Ready, First Look with Dad, First Touch

2:15-2:45pm Drive to Brainard Lake

2:45-3:00 Ceremony

3:00-3:30 Guest Photos, Marriage License

3:30-4:30 Hike to Lake Isabelle from Long Lake Lot (Approx. 1 hour)

4:30-5:45 Couple Photos

5:45-6:30 Hike Back To Parking Lot

Hopefully, this gives you an idea of how your elopement day and timeline can look!