Rocky Mountain National Park Spring Elopement

This elopement is for all my adventurers!

Shelby and Jonathan came up from Texas for their Rocky Mountain National Park spring elopement. They love hiking, traveling, and backpacking, which brings them out to Colorado a lot. It feels like part of them at this point, so it only made sense they came to Rocky Mountain National Park to elope with their closest family and friends.

The Details

• They chose a spring elopement at Rocky Mountain National Park because they wanted to include a hike in their elopement day.
• The hike started off fine, but by the time we got higher in elevation the weather was ass and it was WAY too cold for Shelby to change into her gown.
• I took a few photos of them at the top, and then we went back down a little ways where the weather wasn’t quite as crazy. The blue skies came out, but Shelby was still way too cold to change, so we hiked all the way back down.
• They snacked on a charcuterie board in the car before we headed back to the Airbnb to get ready for the ceremony.
• Shelby’s getting ready photos are some of my favorites. They’re so honest and real. She was warm and comfortable, which is all that mattered! Peep the hiking boots.
• We headed out to Sprague Lake for their ceremony with family and a small wedding party. After “I do’s,” family and friends headed to dinner while I explored the park with Jonathan and Shelby.
• We did a mix of candid and editorial photos because that’s what they wanted. Everything can exist together, besties! What my couples want is what I deliver.
• Our biggest flex of the day was getting to dinner on time, despite all the crazy things the day threw at us. The Bristlecone Inn was the perfect intimate space for them to gather with friends and family to celebrate.

Must Knows

• A permit for their Rocky Mountain National Park spring elopement cost $300, which included the ceremony space at Sprague Lake. PSA: permits are super competitive! They open up a year in advance, so make sure you have your shit together if you want one.
• The weather can weather in Colorado. Shelby and Jonathan were SO go-with-the-flow, and it made the day as stress-free as it possibly could’ve been. We still did everything they wanted their day to include, it just looked a little different than we initially planned.
• These two booked me for seven hours, which allowed for plenty of time to hike, change locations, take family photos, and capture their intimate dinner.
• If you and bae want to hike on your elopement day, please make sure you’re packing your garments appropriately! Carrying them can be dangerous since your hands aren’t free and your balance is off, so I always recommend putting your elopement outfits in a backpack. I’m happy to help my couples get everything packed up perfectly!
• In the wedding world, there’s so much emphasis on planning every little detail. Your day turns into this over-produced thing, which, at least for many of my couples, doesn’t feel authentic to them. Don’t ever forget – your wedding day is all about the love between you and bae, not how perfect everything looks.

Vendors

• Dress – Serendipity Bridal
• Hair and Makeup – Maria Lozano
• Catering – Jubilations Catering
• Desserts – Cinnamon’s Bakery
• Dinner Venue – Bristlecone Inn
  

Want to hike for your elopement? Check out my tips.