I’ve written about Breckenridge before, and it’s one of my favorite spots to explore with my couples. The cute little mountain town is part of what I call the “Love Square” – made up of Keystone, Silverthorne, Frisco, and of course Breckenridge. It’s at the heart of the Continental Divide, which means you’ll have plenty of options if you want to elope in the mountains like Ally and Ryan.
Their elopement was exactly what THEY wanted it to be! They chose to elope at Pass Lake in June, which is only accessible in the summer. From her insane dress (I mean, can we all take a minute?), choosing to invite their closest friends and family, the unity “I do” shots, and the post-ceremony pics, this Breckenridge elopement was one to remember.
The Details
- Ally and Ryan are from Illinois and decided to turn their elopement into a road trip! They toured around Colorado with friends and family, stopping in Breckenridge for their special day.
- The details here are that this couple was SO detail oriented! Eloping doesn’t mean you have to give up what’s important to you. They went all out – their attire, special photo book, and shot choice (tequila and whiskey) were all super intentional.
- They chose not to do a first look. I know it may seem like a “non-negotiable,” but your elopement is YOUR day. Do what you want.
- Because the State of Colorado does not require witnesses or an officiant present, Ally asked her cousin Ben to officiate.
- Ally & Ryan chose to share a unity shot – family & guests included. They mixed their favorite liquor together, gin & whiskey. They said it’s surprisingly tolerable.
Must Knows for a Breckenridge Elopement
- Breckenridge is beautiful year-round! Knowing what kind of scenery you want will help your photographer find the perfect spot for you and bae
- If you choose to elope in the winter, please please please check the road conditions ahead of time. Your photographer should do this for you, but it never hurts to be extra prepared. Definitely rent an SUV if it’s going to be snowing while you’re here. The drive up from Denver is beautiful but can also be dangerous.
- Breckenridge is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, especially on the weekends. If you can make it work, a weekday elopement will save you some stress! If not, no worries boo. Just plan to head up to Breck at least a day in advance. Trust me when I say traffic on the weekends can feel like hell. Car snacks are a MUST.
Vendors:
- Floral: Buzzard Glory Farms
- Ally’s Attire: Cloud Nine Bridal
- Ryan’s Attire: Studio Suits
"Hiring McKenzie to photograph our wedding was single-handedly the best decision we made when planning our wedding. Wedding planning and vendor research was so stressful, and once we had Kenzie, she stepped in as support and helped us with narrowing down things that were important to us and to figure out what we really wanted. wish we could get married over and over again just to recreate these and work with Kenzie again! "
Nadia + Daniel
"You will not find another wedding photographer who has the McKenzie signature style- she can capture the absolute beauty of the area and people all at once. She can shoot in a variety of settings and lightings and the photos are all gorgeous. One of the main reasons we booked McKenzie was the fact that she showcases a diverse clientele and finds beauty in all beings- something not all photographers can say.As a plus size bride who was extremely worried about looking back at my wedding pictures with dread that I wouldn't look like those gorgeous girlies on Instagram- this meant so much to me. "
Sydnie + Nathan
"When we got engaged, we searched near and far for an elopement photographer - & we met with several different photographers but none felt right until we met McKenzie. My husband, my dog and I are avid hikers - we wanted a beautiful hike and view, but it was also very important that we could be our authentic selves and intimately celebrate our 10 years together in the way we wanted. I'll be honest, I was shy about wanting to elope (ya know, family opinions and such), but McKenzie made us feel so comfortable in our decision. She wholeheartedly welcomed us being.. us! We couldn't have asked for more."
