3M Curve Elopement
Sabrina & Dylan eloped at 3M Curve in Rocky Mountain National Park on a crazy weather day.
Thanks to a wild and unexpected forecast, the couple's actual elopement timeline looked almost nothing like our original plan. But as a result, we got some epic star photos, a colorful sunrise, and bridal portraits at the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.
Hey there! I'm Sam, Your Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Photographer & Planner
I know and adore Rocky Mountain National Park, and I would be thrilled to help make your wedding or elopement just as amazing as Sabrina & Dylan's.
Unpredictable weather is kinda the norm in Colorado...
Our original plan for Sabrina and Dylan's 3M Curve elopement was to start with some getting ready coverage, have their ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park, break for a dinner reception, and then adventure around the park for sunset and star photos.
But in true Colorado style, the weather did a drastic 180 the day before the couple's elopement. The forecast predicted a torrential downpour, thunderstorms, and even some hail in the evening. Not only would the stars not be visible, it also would be downright dangerous to be at high elevation in that kind of weather.
So I quickly called Sabrina and Dylan, and suggested completely flip-flopping their elopement timeline. The weather that night and early the next morning was supposed to be beautiful, so I proposed that we start with star photos... in just a few hours!
Stars + Sunrise
I met up with Sabrina and Dylan at about 2 a.m. in Rocky Mountain National Park, and we drove to the top of a mountain for star photos. It was seriously SO stunning, and I got such epic photos of the couple standing in front of the entire Milky Way.
We had planned to watch the sunrise up there as well, but Dylan started experiencing some elevation sickness – which can truly happen to anyone at that crazy high altitude. So to be safe, we pivoted yet again and headed down to Sprague Lake for sunrise.
The colors were gorgeous, both in the sky and on the mountains, and there was some fog as we walked around the lake. A dream of a morning!
Portraits at the Stanley
After sunrise, we split for an 8 a.m. nap, and then I met back up with the couple for some getting ready photos at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, where they were staying.
After grabbing a few details shots, and Sabrina's mom zipping her into her dress, we took some bridal portraits on the hotel's main staircase. Then Dylan joined us for more couple's portraits outside the hotel.
Originally, we didn't have a lot of room in our timeline for photos at the Stanley. But because everything got flipped around, we were able to get some really cool portraits at this super historic and beautiful (and famously haunted) hotel.
Elopement at 3M Curve
We left the Stanley Hotel and headed back into Rocky Mountain National Park for Sabrina and Dylan's 3M Curve elopement ceremony. The ceremony space at 3M Curve is on a rocky outcropping with amazing views of Longs Peak, and it's a perfect spot for a private elopement or small microwedding.
In Sabrina and Dylan's case, they brought a few family members along for their ceremony – and we just managed to make it through their entire ceremony and group photos before the weather got bad!
The Art of Pivoting
After ceremony & family photos it started hailing – but I suggested we wait it out in our cars, because I knew about a spot just around the corner where we could get some cool mountain photos.
And sure enough, 15 minutes later we were able to venture out in the aftermath of the storm. We wrapped up the couple's 3M Curve elopement with some amazing photos of the clouds lingering over the mountains.
I like to tell my couples that I've "mastered the art of pivoting" – and it was so true for this elopement! It's just one of many reasons I highly recommend hiring a local photographer and planner for your Rocky Mountain National Park elopement. We know about all the best secret spots, what to do if the weather turns, and how to prepare for the unexpected.
Sabrina + Dylan's Review
Sam was amazing! We decided to change plans due to weather and it all turned out amazing. I was worried and she seriously handled it all like a pro! She was great at making us feel comfortable while posing and knowing all the perfect spots. Highly recommend!
- S + D
