ELOPEMENT PLANNING SHOULDN'T BE OVERWHELMING
That's the whole point of an elopement - to remove the stress from the experience of getting married. Elopements have become increasingly popular in recent years for couples who don't want to plan, don't want to spend an immense amount of money, and most importantly, don't want to miss their big day because they were too busy. Eloping is meant to be an opportunity to slow down and focus just on yourselves as a couple.
I feel like eloping has had a negative reputation for a long time because it was so often associated with being a not-so-happy surprise for the couple's families who felt left out and blindsided by the couple's decision. From that perspective, it does feel like a selfish thing to do, but it's really about centering the couple and having their enjoyment be the primary goal of the day.
Ironically, as an elopement photographer, that center focus on the couple is my main role. Being an elopement photographer isn't just about hiking along and taking photos - I'm also your assistant planner, location scout, bridal attendant, and hiking guide. I'm your eyes on the ground if you aren't from the area, and your safety manager if you aren't used to hiking or being in the mountains. My job is to help make the planning process and the day of as stress free as possible.
understanding the vision
The most important thing I can do with a couple who is eloping is understand their vision. I want to know why. Why they're eloping, why they want the location they want, why they include specific elements in their day. There is a reason behind every decision and knowing the reasoning lets me feel the full weight of their day and capture is accordingly.
Maybe they chose a spot because it was where they got engaged. Maybe they want to have a picnic and recreate their first date. Maybe they had their rings engraved with the coordinates of the location. I want to know these things. I want to know the reasoning, the details, the story behind it all because that's what makes each elopement unique. Not the scenery. Not the vows. I could shoot a hundred elopements at Maroon Bells. The mountains won't change, but no two elopements will look the same because of the couple themselves.
One of the best ways for couples to make sure I have this information is for them to make a dedicated Pinterest board or mood board. If you can give me examples of what type of poses, angles, and lighting you're looking for, I can make that dream become a reality to the best of my abilities. Once we're on the same page about design, we can move on to execution.
choosing the perfect location
Now this right here- this is the most important thing you should consider when you're hiring your elopement photographer. Your photographer is your boots on the ground and your extra set of eyes, especially if you're not from the area. Your photographer should know the area you're eloping in well enough to find multiple locations that fit your criteria. You can always choose a spot beforehand and tell them that's where you want to elope, but honey, if you're posting in a Facebook group "I need location ideas for this area, my photographer didn't provide any!" two months before your elopement, then you've chosen the wrong photographer.
Colorado has thousands of beautiful places to elope. Some require permits. Some don't. Some are well known and well traveled. Some are in the absolute middle of nowhere. When a couple comes to me and asks for location recommendations, the questions I always ask are:
- What scenery fits your vision best? (mountains, lakes, forest, wildflowers, red rocks)
- How accessible do you want it to be? (Drive up and walk fifty feet or hike ten miles to somewhere remote)
- How private do you want your ceremony to be? (Are you okay with lots of people at a popular spot or do you not want to see another soul all day?)
- Have you spent time at high elevations before?
That last one is the absolute most important question I could ask. I've had couples inquire coming from sea level states asking if they would be able to climb a mountain for their ceremony. The answer is, unless you're regularly running marathons, probably not! High altitude is no joke, especially if you're coming from out of state and haven't been to the mountains before. This is the other advantage of a local photographer- they'll be able to guide you through surviving the altitude so you can enjoy your day without getting altitude sickness!
Timing and seasons
This section is not meant to make your decision about location harder, but you should be aware that along with Colorado's variety of landscapes, each of them look different depending on the season. Some places with green aspen stands and rocky peaks will turn to golden leaves and snow-dusted peaks after August. Those wildflower filled meadows will be brown during October-November and April-May. Working with a local photographer who knows what a spot will look like at any given time of the year is a priceless tool. Google isn't always reliable. AllTrails photos can be months old. Weather patterns change every year. Heading into Summer 2026, the aspen leaves popped out a whole month early! Part of the planning I include is advising couples on what their dream location will probably look like on their wedding date, as well as scouting the location in advance so there will be no surprises when it comes to terrain and lighting.
planning the logistics
travel
Once you're booked in for photography and you've got a location (or a general region) decided, it's time to start planning the rest. When it comes to travel, the most important thing to remember is that Denver International Airport is NOT in the mountains. It is in West Kansas. It is at least a two hour drive to the closest mountain towns from the airport. Plan your arrival accordingly.
lodging
Bougie hotel or rustic cabin? Michelin dining or backcountry camping? Every level of comfort is available in the mountains, depending on where you go. You want to make sure it suits you, while also being accessible to the area where you plan to get married. Everything is spread out up here; each of the mountain towns is at least an hour from the next, and if you want to stay at the Four Seasons in Vail and get married in Crested Butte, you're looking at a three and a half hour drive. Keeping your lodging and elopement plans in the same general vicinity of one town makes it significantly easier for you to plan a day that isn't rushed.
weather
The most unpredictable part of getting married in Colorado is the mountain weather. Afternoon thunderstorms roll in like clockwork in the summer, and winter storms can close highways and towns can become snowbound in a matter of hours. Weather delays are a common thing for weddings, but it's not something to worry about. We won't let it ruin your day. It is my opinion that severe clouds and rain make for some of the best photos, but just in case it's not safe for your adventure I guarantee the next day after your elopement as as weather backup. It is very rare that I've seen debilitating weather two days in a row- usually it changes just enough to make your plans possible.
legality
Colorado is one of the easiest states in the country to get married in. You don't need an officiant, and you don't need witnesses. Your elopement could literally be the two of you in the middle of nowhere, saying your vows with just each other (and me, your professional third wheel!) You can even have your dog sign your marriage license as a witness as long as your license didn't come from Denver or Colorado Springs, though I really recommend practicing that paw print a few dozen times before the real thing! Unfortunately, obtaining and filing a marriage license is something I can't help with beyond directing you to the proper websites for accurate information, but I will absolutely get adorable photos of your dog signing the paper!
outfits and accessories
Planning attire for an elopement can be a complicated thing, especially with the fluctuating weather and temperatures in the mountains. If you'd like more in-depth advice, I do have another blog post on how to choose a dress for your elopement.
attire
Outfits should be comfortable and flexible, especially if you're hiking, so you don't pass out halfway up a hike because your corset was tied too tight. It's also completely possible for longer hikes to pack your wedding clothes and wear ordinary hiking clothes headed up, then bring a popup tent to change when you reach your destination. You could also have multiple outfit changes throughout the day depending on what activities you have planned. There are literally no rules as long as you're comfortable and confident. I highly recommend testing your clothes out before the big day, such as wearing them around the house for a whole day while you do normal activities. This goes double for shoes- you can ALWAYS change your shoes for photos, but once you have a blister or a twisted ankle you're out of luck. Don't let your elopement day be the first time you wear your wedding shoes.
accessories
Accessories are a little easier to manage, since most of them can be can be taken off and stowed in a backpack at any point during the day. The biggest consideration is for veils and scarves- it can be windy up in the mountains, especially if you're having your ceremony in a place with no trees to block the wind. Test your veil beforehand, put it in your hair, anchor it with bobby pins, tug on it a few times. Make sure that thing isn't going anywhere. The wind WILL try to steal it and the chances of getting it back are not great.
personal touches
These are what makes your day unique. Vows are not the only things you can include, if you want something to fill the time. One of my favorites I've seen was opening and reading little love notes from friends and family who weren't present. Love letters to each other that are longer than vows are an option. It could even be something like a champagne or sparkling wine toast (though I do recommend plastic or metal glasses) or a full-on picnic in the middle of a sunny field. As long as you're being considerate about the noise level, a first dance with a bluetooth speaker is also a great option. This ceremony is about the two of you. It doesn't have to mirror a normal wedding ceremony, because you're not having a normal wedding. Make it fun, make it unique, but most importantly- if you just want to do simple vows, that's perfectly okay too.
your elopement team
Your team can be as big or as small as you want, but this is specifically about the vendors that you should consider for an elopement. Part of my planning process includes recommending vendors that are local to the area you're staying in, and if I haven't worked with them personally I always go through their reviews and get recommendations from other photographers with firsthand experience with the person.
photographer
I've already covered why an elopement photographer is important, but I'll say it again: the photos taken may be the only visual record of your day. There won't be tons of family with iPhones or hundreds of witnesses to you saying your vows. Just me and my camera. And yes, I'll probably cry at your vows but I'll do it while making sure you have something to share with your friends and family.
officiant
Like I said above, you don't legally need an officiant for your elopement. However, you can absolutely have one if you'd like. Some people like to be guided through the ceremony. If you are planning an adventure or hiking elopement, you do have to make sure your officiant is willing to travel to your ceremony location with you.
florist
Florists can be tricky. You want to make sure your flowers don't die before you get to your ceremony, but options for florists can be limited in the mountains. That said, there are some absolutely exceptional florists up here. The next best option is to get your flowers in Denver and hope for the best.
hair & makeup
This is the one I see most often where brides decide they'll just do it themselves. One reason is again, to avoid the travel fees, but it also costs more to have someone come do your hair and makeup at 4am before your sunrise hike. That's a choice that's left up to you and what you're comfortable with, based on your timeline and activities for the day.
timelines
If you have some or all of these vendors booked for your elopement, it's essential you go through your timeline well beforehand with your photographer so you have plenty of buffer time and aren't rushing through hair and makeup to meet your officiant at the trailhead. It is entirely possible to coordinate the whole thing in a smooth and efficient way that lets you sit back and enjoy as your wedding day unfolds.
creating a timeline
This, besides photos, is the single most important thing I help couples with. This takes into consideration your activities, the lighting, the weather, and every other factor of your day. This is how we end up with an elopement that allows you time to breathe and actually enjoy the little moments with your partner instead of being tied to a strict timeline with a transition to something new every fifteen minutes. We'll fill your day with several activities or locations with down time in between each. I like to think of these elopement days as a bunch of mini photo sessions spread out, rather than eight or twelve straight hours of taking photos. I promise, a full day elopement is not a full day of looking at the camera! There will be time for you to decompress and relax and enjoy Colorado in all its beauty with your partner.
For context, here's what a full day (12 hour) elopement timeline could potentially look like for a moderate activity Colorado adventure elopement in... let's say Crested Butte in July.
9:45 - Photographer arrives
10am - Getting ready pictures and detail shots at a rustic Airbnb.
10:30am - First look on the deck.
10:45am - Pack up the car and prepare to leave.
11am - Leave for Budd Trail (near Nordic Center)
11:30am - Arrive at trailhead and prepare for hike. Last round of getting ready shots at the car & trailhead.
11:45am - 1pm - Hike down Budd Trail. Photos with wildflowers, river, Mt. Crested Butte, & aspen stands.
1pm - Vows by the river. Elk Mountains in the background.
1:15pm - Champagne toast and first dance (with speaker).
1:30pm - Picnic lunch by the Slate River. Wildflower photos and reading love notes from friends and family. Detail shots with the rings.
2pm - Photos of couple wading in the river - good sunlight angle for water droplets.
2:30pm - Head back along Lower Loop Trail (less strenuous). Casual portraits.
3:30pm - Arrive back at trailhead. Depart for Lake Irwin.
4pm - Arrive at Lake Irwin.
4:15-5pm - Portraits around Lake Irwin (good for wildflowers).
5:15-6:30pm - Paddleboard/kayak on the lake. Some photos.
6:30-7pm - Pack up paddleboards and depart Lake Irwin.
7:30pm - Arrive at Lupine Trail (easy). Golden hour into sunset photos with wildflowers. Slow hike.
8:30pm - Sunset (best clouds). Hike back to car during blue hour. Lanterns optional.
9pm - Watch blue hour from car with lanterns. Dinner/charcouterie/snack. Wait for stars.
9:30-10pm - Astrophotography portraits.
10:15pm - Photographer departs. Couple returns to Airbnb.
This is a sample timeline of what a full day elopement could look like. Copying this timeline exactly for your elopement is very possible, but I want to stress that it is not the only option. There are so many other spots in Crested Butte alone, and other activities or hikes you and your partner may want to do. This timeline is to show that a full day elopement is not only possible, but can be as action-packed or as casual as you want. You do not need to be scheduled down to the minute, and every timeline has down time built in for you to enjoy your day.
how to make the day unique to you
The timeline above is a general example with popular hikes and traditional activities. If that's what you want, great! Let's do it. However, if tradition is not something you tend to follow or are overly concerned about, there are a million ways to customize it to something that fits you and your partner. Just because it's your wedding day does not mean you have to follow the wedding day script. Shake it up! Make it different! I want to make sure your elopement is 100% true to you, not following some cookie cutter timeline for every couple.
This could mean your ceremony is different. Maybe you have religious or symbolic rituals you'd like to incorporate, not just quick vows. Maybe you're doing a commitment ceremony instead of a legal marriage. Or a prayer or meditation together beforehand. Eloping does not mean you have to follow the same script as if you were having a big wedding. That's the great thing- it can be whatever you want.
For your activities, the same rule applies. Want to hike? Great, let's go. Want to post up at a campground and get cute campfire photos near a lake for sunset? Perfect. Want to do your vows in a hot air balloon, or horseback ride through massive aspen stands and have your ceremony in a meadow? I'm in. You could take a jeep tour to a scenic overlook. Or rent a boat and go sailing. Or stand under a waterfall. Literally anything you can dream, we can make it happen for your elopement.
So how do photos work in the middle of all this? First, we focus on connection rather than perfection. We're in the mountains. If you wanted perfectly styled Vogue photos, an outdoor wedding may not be for you. There might be motion blur. Your hair might get a little windswept. You might have smudged mascara from crying during your vows or a weird face from ugly laughing at your partner's jokes. That's the authenticity at work, and those are things I will not edit out of your photos. Sure, if there's trash in the background or you have a giant bug bite on your cheek I'll take care of that, but the line is whether the change removes something temporary and irrelevant vs. something authentic and meaningful.
Honestly, those little imperfections are part of your day. There's too much focus on making everything instagram perfect and worrying about what everyone else will think and not enough on remembering how hard you laughed when your dog ran through the river and splashed you both.
Every photographer says they'll capture how the day felt, not how it looked. This is what that actually means. If you want insta-perfect, AI edited wedding photos, then I am not the right photographer for you. People are messy. Life is messy. Your special day is more than just content for social media.
So, I capture what's there. This is why we fill a timeline with activities - you have something to do other than stare at the camera all day, and I get to capture your true, genuine connection.
so what happens after?
Once I leave at the end of your elopement, that's when my real work begins.
As soon as I get home, I download the hundreds of gorgeous photos I've taken over the course of the day and I sort through them by hand to choose the best, removing any duplicates or shots that are too blurry or not the best. No AI sorting and culling here. I won't gatekeep photos- you'll be getting every good photo I take, so before you ask for more be assured that the only photos I'm not giving you are the ones that truly didn't turn out well.
I also don't release my RAW photos under any circumstance. A lot of photographers don't. They are uncropped and unedited. The lighting may be something we have to fix in post-production. We as photographers don't want the unedited photos out there because they aren't a true reflection of our work, and if you were to take the RAWs and edit them, that wouldn't be our work either. It's important that you trust your photographer to take and edit the photos in a way you'll love, which is why it's crucial to go through a photographer's galleries and instagram beforehand and make absolutely sure you like their work before you book with them.
From the total amount of good photos, I'll choose the (at least) 20 best photos, usually at least one from each part of the day. I'll edit those first and deliver them within 48 hours so you have something to share with friends and family right away. After that, the rest will follow along within the number of weeks stated in your contract, which is usually one week per hour of coverage.
One of my strictest rules is that I will not post a thing about your elopement on my social media until you have had your sneak peak photos for at least a week. They will be visible in the gallery on my website, since that's how I deliver them to you, but they will not be posted on my Instagram until you've had more than enough time to share them yourselves. Even then, I'll only post sneak peaks or behind-the-scenes footage until you get your full gallery, and then the same rule applies.
Once you get your photos, they are yours to do with as you please. I highly recommend putting together a photo album so you have something physical to hold and look at- something you can give to family and friends to look through and to show your children and grandchildren (if you have them someday). I guarantee the safety of your photos backed up on both my computer and an external hard drive for a year after your wedding, in case something happens and you lose the photos you have.
My absolute favorite thing to recommend to couples is to treat receiving your full gallery as an event. Plan a date night, have a glass of champagne, put them up on the TV and set it to slideshow so you can relive your wedding day in real time.
This is what it means to elope in Colorado. This is what it means to have no rules or expectations, and to plan a day that is utterly and completely a reflection of you as a couple. Embrace it! Take this day and make it whatever you want it to be, traditional or not. Make it unconventional and gorgeous and silly and as authentic as possible. And remember, you don't have to do it alone. Eloping isn't meant to be stressful. This planning assistance is part of all my elopement packages, so if you have no idea where to start it's okay! Vibes and a season is enough. We can build it from there.
If you're ready to start planning your elopement, or even just want to see what's possible, send an inquiry to book your free consultation call! There's no pressure to book. We'll just get to know each other and chat about your vision and see where it goes.