Colorful Colorado Wildflower Elopement

Emma and Victoria's Colorado Hiking Elopement

This couple was one of my favorites I've ever captured. This gorgeous young couple, Emma and Victoria, traveled from Oklahoma to Silverthorne, Colorado to exchange vows among the wildflowers and aspen trees.

LGBTQ+ brides hold hands and stand nose to nose between aspen trees in Colorado.

Intimate Elopement Details

Emma and Victoria chose to have no guests at their destination elopement - they'll have a larger wedding later on closer to home. This is a choice so many couples are making lately, and I definitely can't blame them! Having a tiny, intimate ceremony with only your person is even easier in Colorado, where you can self-solemnize or even have your dog be a witness!

Detail shot of "hers & hers" vow books and wedding rings sitting in between grass and wildflowers.

Detail shot of elopement announcement, envelope, rings, and gold rose necklace.

Elope in Summit County

This part of Colorado is breathtakingly beautiful and served as such a perfect backdrop for this magical wedding. The best part was how easy the hike was - the brides were able to change at the trailhead and hike up to these spots in their dresses! The photos below were taken on the dirt road right next to the small parking lot at the trailhead when we came back down for a bit - already a beautiful sight without any hiking required.

There are so many easily accessible, low traffic but still incredible spots like this around here! Jack and I would love to help you find the perfect spot for your elopement and tailor it to your needs & abilities :)

Closeup of two brides snuggling in close and looking directly at the camera in direct sunlight.

Two white brides embrace and kiss, standing on a gravel path atop a mountain in Colorado.

Bridals Between the Aspen Trees

We decided to stop on the trail for some bridal portraits of each of the brides. This part of the trail was full of aspen trees and it was so perfect with the sun shining through the trees.

Blonde, white bride stands facing away from the camera, showing off her bouquet and wedding gown with floral appliqués.

Two white brides embrace and stand nose to nose, their eyes closed and a beam of sunlight shining through between them.

White, red haired bride in a pale green dress holds her wildflower bouquet and stands between aspen trees.

Closeup of two brides holding each other's faces and looking at the camera.

LGBTQ+ brides stand in a meadow and hold hands, smiling at each other.

Non-traditional Wedding Dress

While we're here, I have to take a minute to acknowledge this gorgeous green dress that Emma wore. It suited her so perfectly and fit the location so well, as well as contrasting against Victoria's more classic white dress.

Combined with the backdrop and the bouquet, it gave such strong forest fairy vibes and I was a huge fan! I love the subtle pop of color it provides. I wish more brides would hop on the nontraditional dress train (pun intended)!

Bride in flowing white gown poses gracefully among birch trees in natural setting.

Ethereal portrait holding wildflower bouquet with sunflowers in golden sunset light.

Bridal portrait with sunflower bouquet amid autumn birch trees.

Exchanging Vows in the Mountains

Once we got to the top, Emma & Victoria exchanged private (not even I could hear them), handwritten vows. This is the whole reason to elope right here - it's the most magical, intimate moment with the person you love most, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

Two brides reading vows together outdoors with mountain vista in background.

Two brides in lace wedding dresses stand together in a mountain meadow at golden hour.

Two brides in elegant wedding dresses share a moment against mountain backdrop.

Two brides in lace wedding gowns embrace with mountains in background.

Two people in elegant wedding gowns share a joyful moment against a mountainous backdrop.

Two brides in white gowns share intimate moment with mountain landscape behind them.

Couples Portraits at Golden Hour

After their vows, we had plenty of time for portraits. Emma is also a photographer (which means Victoria is her muse, of course) so they were more than happy to get creative and just love on each other for some photos!

Two people in white wedding dresses embrace among birch trees in a rustic outdoor setting.

Two people in flowing wedding gowns stand together in mountain meadow during sunset.

Two people in white lace wedding dresses share an intimate moment among birch trees.

Two people in delicate lace wedding dresses sit together in wildflower meadow.

Two people in wedding dresses lay among wildflowers and sunflowers in intimate portrait.

Staying on the Mountain for Blue Hour

If I have one piece of advice for you, whether you're a photographer or a couple considering eloping in the mountains, it would be this: stay out for blue hour! These are some of mine and the brides' favorite photos from this day.

If you're not familiar with it, blue hour is the period of time after the sun goes down (as opposed to golden hour before sunset). In the mountains especially, after the sun goes over the horizon, it creates the perfect lighting scenario for evenly lit, moody portraits.

It's SO worth it to squeeze out that last little bit of sunlight before hiking back down!