When Holly contacted me this summer about photographing her elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park I initially thought it was a scam. Even after speaking to her over the phone I still wasn’t sure if her and Terry were real people. It was just too good to be true. They were a REALLY cool couple, that wanted to have their wedding day all to themselves in one of the most beautiful places in the country. It wasn’t until a deposit was sent over that I actually accepted this was actually happening. 

The very best part of elopements is that the couple gets to spend the entire day just hanging out and enjoying each other and the environment that they choose to be in. We started the day and their insane Airbnb in Boulder, Colorado. They had breakfast together, read the newspaper, and then helped one another get ready for the festivities. From there we drove into Rocky Mountain National Park to hike out to Dream Lake. As we were searching for the perfect location for them to exchange their vows the sun was slowly dipping behind the mountains. We found a private field at about 9,000 ft up with breathtaking views where Terry + Holly stood and committed their lives together. Myself, the videographer, and the Caribou as the only witnesses. 

Post hike, we ventured into a candy shop in downtown Estes Park. Next door to the candy store was an outdoor empty bar playing live music. The band was starting to pack up for the evening, but we told them that Terry + Holly had just eloped on top of the mountains, so they were kind enough to stick around for one more song, where the newlyweds could share their first dance. 

It was a dream come true, a perfect wedding day, with an amazing pair. Thank you Terry + Holly for thinking I was cool enough to be apart of it.

I had been looking forward to Jake + Lauren’s wedding day for months. I knew that it was going to be cool, but honestly, not this cool. These guys genuinely just wanted their guests to have fun. Tents and RV’s sprawled across the front lawn of Lauren’s Aunt’s northern Michigan home, where both the ceremony and reception would take place. The bar was open all day, and their was no shortage of vibrant and unique details. 

After the ceremony, as I pulled Jake + Lauren aside for couple portraits in the trees, Jake holds his hand out to me showing off his wedding ring. He said, “Do you like my ring?” I replied, “Ya, its awesome, what do you think?” He then held it out in front of his own face, admiring the new addition and says, “I love it. I can’t wait to show everyone.” That excitement poured into every aspect of this day. Jake + Lauren share such a beautiful connection and this celebration was a perfect reflection of them both and the love that they share. 

Congratulations you guys, thank you for such an amazing day.

Jordan + Julian have that timeless, effortless love. You can physically see them melt when in each other’s presence, so it was no surprise that their gallery is full of beautiful eye squinty smiles buried in one another’s faces. As a photographer, I had to provide minimal direction because they just wanted to be close. At one point I even caught them making out in the reception tent before guests had arrived. 

Jordan + Julian were married in the church that Jordan grew up in, her brother the officiant, and then celebrated the rest of the day in her parent’s backyard. It was simple and elegant, and the weather was perfect, ending the evening with an even golden light that provided stunning cloud reflection on the lake. 

Thankfully these guys were both adventurous and had no problem laying across the dock, dangerously close to goose poop, or running through the soggy fields at sunset. Congratulations to you both, thank you for sharing all of your smiles and laughs with me.