Whimsical Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement
How To Plan Your Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement
This whimsical Rocky Mountain Park elopement was breathtaking, and we can’t stop thinking about it. The 8-hour shoot took us through Estes Park, Nederland, and Moraine Park. We enjoyed every ounce of helping Amy and Sean plan their day around things they love. Keep reading to see more from their day, including pizza and beer, and learn about summer elopements with wildflowers.
A Snapshot of this Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement
Have you ever been so afraid to try something new that it makes you uneasy? While we’re all about trying new things and taking leaps of faith, not everyone is up for it, but on your wedding day, it is important to be open to change! Especially when you are considering eloping outdoors. When we come across couples who are willing to take a leap with us, it always turns into an amazing experience.
Sean and Amy are a true testimony to trusting the process! They came to us without a clear visualization of what they wanted. They knew they wanted pizza and beer, self-solemnization, and beautiful views in the mountains of Colorado. Outside of that, they trusted us to lead the way and create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for their wedding day. They’re so glad they did!
After speaking with them initially, they chose Loveland Pass, and a beautiful rental property in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. As the wedding date approached, we had to reevaluate the location based on the weather. The beginning of June can bring lots of mud and snow melt, so we suggested Estes Park. Instead of focusing on the fact that things were changing, they reveled in the spontaneity of the circumstances and didn’t mind switching things up a little.
We started their whimsical Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement with “getting ready portraits” at the rental. They did their first look right outside the adorable cottage with the beautiful mountain peaks in the background. The area is nice and hilly, with pines and mountain views that take your breath away. We saw their love for one another in those first moments together. There’s something to be said about the rawness of a first look, and Sean and Amy got to experience it with mountain views just steps from their getting-ready location.
After their first look, we hopped in the car and headed to Nederland for pizza and beer at Crosscut. This is one of our favorite pizza spots, and we were honored to share it with them on their special day. They vocalized how much they love visiting breweries and new pizza places, so it was the perfect touch to their wedding day. While they sipped on beer and devoured delicious pizza, they reflected on their wedding day and the moment they were sitting in, and we captured it all behind the camera.
We also popped into some cute stores while in Nederland. It’s a raw, rough-around-the-edges mountain town just north of Denver in the foothills of Colorado. It’s a quaint area, perfect for pictures and exploring. We flipped through old records in a record shop and talked about music while snapping photos. Sean and Amy also bought a cute souvenir to commemorate their visit and elopement to Colorado. Exploring the town made for authentic smiles and fun as we captured their experience.
On the way to the ceremony, we drove along the Peak to Peak Highway, which had more pines and expansive views. Their ceremony was just outside Rocky Mountain National Park, in Estes Park. Once they said their vows, we took more photos inside the park! We shot at 3M Curve and in Moraine Park, a beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park valley. We spent lots of time in the valley and photographed them while the sun disappeared behind the mountains. The Big Thompson River runs through it, with lots of wildlife and wildflowers, making it perfect for summertime elopements.
Sean and Amy sat among nature, chatting, laughing, and enjoying the scenery as we snapped photos. Images like this become the most cherished photos because they capture authentic feelings and emotions. We enjoy capturing those pure emotions for our couples so they can remember everything they felt that day.
What Love, Lorraine Offers in an Elopement
Amy and Sean were real troopers as we navigated the changes in the day. Even though they originally booked a four-hour shoot, they were grateful we pivoted (insert Ross Geller) to an eight-hour day! Instead of cramming all the adventures into a shorter time, they realized how valuable it was to take our time, enjoy the scenery, and explore. By doing this, we could catch the authenticity of their relationship: no smoke and mirrors, all genuine smiles.
We appreciate this flexibility and love helping couples create their memorable wedding day from scratch. We love it when couples want ideas, and we can share our experiences. We genuinely take the time to get to know our couples so we can make the most out of their day. Taking our time, slowing down, and enjoying the day allows us to capture the couple in their natural state.
Even though Sean and Amy chose a four-hour elopement, the weather forced us to extend the day, and they couldn’t stop thanking us for capturing their love. Elopements like this hold a special place in our hearts because we form memories, make new friends, and explore places we love.
Eloping in Rocky Mountain National Park
When you choose to elope in Rocky Mountain National Park, consider where you are allowed to have your ceremony. You have to obtain permits to get married within the park boundaries. This permit comes from the NPS and sells out quickly, almost a year in advance. It’s always worth checking for cancellations. We’ve had a couple get one last minute, so you never know! To see what getting married in the park looks like, check out Randi and Patrick’s Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement.
Couples are allowed to take portraits inside the park without a permit. Keep an eye on the reservation system for timed entries. The timed entry system has two separate “areas.” Familiarize yourself with these to know when you can and cannot enter the park.
Something to note about Rocky Mountain National Park is that the weather is constantly changing. It’s highly unpredictable, especially up Trail Ridge Road (the pass to Grand Lake). Remember this as you plan your day, and be open to spontaneous changes if the weather doesn’t cooperate! Luckily, Colorado has an entourage of beautiful places, so if one spot doesn’t work, there’s bound to be one that does. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best elopement locations in Colorado, so you can’t go wrong!
5 Reasons to Elope in Colorado
Self-Solemnization: You have more flexibility with location and fewer accessibility concerns. You don’t have to rely on others for timing.
Beautiful Landscapes + Variety of Landscapes: In just one day, you can go to multiple settings, including deserts, mountains, red rocks, wildflowers, Alpine Lakes, and Sand Dunes.
Year-Round Wedding Season: Colorado offers a year-round wedding experience.
Fall: Foliage in Golden Aspen in late September and early October.
Spring: The weather isn’t as hot, and there are fewer crowds. You will also see lots of greenery.
Winter: You will most likely have some snow present and can explore ski and snowboarding resorts.
Summer: Wildflowers are growing, and there are plenty of sunny days. In the afternoon, you may experience a thunderstorm or two.
Dog-Friendly: Many hiking and adventuring spots, including outdoor patios and restaurants, are dog-friendly. Dogs are even allowed to sign your marriage license with their paw print.
Accessibility: The Denver Airport is centrally located, making flying in and out from across the country easy. Amy and Sean aren’t from CO but traveled out of state to elope. This could be you, too!
