Abby & Tanner’s magical, private Colorado off-roading elopement at the top of a mountain pass can be best summed up in one word: epic.
From the adventurous drive up, to Abby’s gorgeous colorful dress, to the reflection of the mountain peaks on perfectly still turquoise waters, to the glowing sunset and Milky Way photos . . . everything about this elopement felt larger-than-life and completely true to this incredibly fun-loving couple.
Planning An Epic Day
Abby & Tanner booked me 17 months out from their elopement date, which gave us plenty of time to craft the perfect day for them. From the very beginning, they were clear about their top priorities: getting way out into nature to find big mountain views, and finding privacy for their vows/dance/picnic.
Between wanting to find epic views + privacy, and hearing them talk about how much they love roadtripping + adventuring together… I knew off-roading up this mountain pass was going to be a great fit. As soon as they saw it in their location guide, they were stoked.
My Top Planning Tip
If you want to find privacy, I cannot stress how important it is to pick a weekday. We only saw a few other people all passing us, going the opposite direction. And we had 100% solitude at the lake. All of this even though it was one of the busiest weeks of the year in town.
We met up at the trailhead on the day of Abby and Tanner’s elopement, and I gave them a walkie talkie so we could communicate as we adventured. They had rented a Jeep in Denver and spent the weekend traveling through the mountains to reach the spot we’d chosen—and this drive would be the coolest way to cap off their journey.
We started up the trail, pausing to explore here and there. Right before we reached our ascent to the top of the pass, we stopped for them to change into their wedding attire.
Getting Ready & First Look
Once we reached our getting-ready spot, they changed into their wedding attire on opposite sides of the Jeep. I knew that he hadn’t seen her dress yet, and was struggling to keep my cool over how insanely cool it was!
Tanner had the best reaction, as predicted—like me, he couldn’t get over all the details on Abby’s beautiful dress, which was perfectly suited to their nature-focused elopement. After their first look we packed up and drove the rest of the pass!
Vows At The Lake
We drove as far as we could before getting out to hike the rest of the way, and our timing could not have been more ideal! The sun was going down at the perfect spot for incredible light.
Abby & Tanner decided they wanted to exchange their vows at the lake’s edge. There was not another soul in sight, and it was completely quiet, private, and peaceful—the only sound was the couple’s voices as they took turns sharing vows.
It felt like they were the only people in the world as they shared their intimate, unhurried, incredibly sweet ceremony on the lake shore—which is exactly how I want everyone to feel during their elopement day.
We hiked back up to the cars as the sun started going down and drove to the top of the pass to look down at the lake. It felt surreal to look back at the beautiful place that Abby and Tanner had just gotten married, under the shadow of the mountains we were now on top of.
Sunset Glow
The mountains were literally glowing at sunset, which made a truly stunning backdrop for portraits. We took the time to run around, have fun, and document the two of them on their wedding day.
Afterwards, Abby and Tanner set up their picnic while I took detail photos. Their rings against the backdrop of the Jeep splattered with mud from the day’s adventures felt like an incredible representation of the whole elopement: the commitment they made in the mountains, and the journey they took to get there.
They shared a picnic, feeding each other bites of several flavors of pies in lieu of a traditional wedding cake—just another cool way they shaped the day to incorporate different aspects of their relationship and personalities.
Ending The Night Under The Stars
Abby and Tanner had their first dance at the very top of the pass, and I captured their silhouettes as they danced, illuminated only by the headlights of the Jeep.
We warmed up in the cars and chatted while the Milky Way emerged . . . and out in the middle of nowhere, miles and miles from light pollution, the galaxy did not disappoint.
The whole Milky Way was visible to the naked eye, and I couldn’t help but reflect on how much I love sharing this kind of experience with couples, most of whom don’t often get the opportunity to see the stars like that, perfectly clear from high up on a mountain pass at midnight.
We spent about an hour taking photos under the stars, and we had so much fun talking about stars and astrophotography. Tanner had a super fun idea to stage this photo and have me edit a UFO in later!
Even once the elopement was “over,” we couldn’t stop talking about how incredible the day was and what a cool, once-in-a-lifetime experience we’d just had. Genuinely one of the best parts of my job is that by the end of a day-long elopement, I often find myself becoming friends with my couples. They’re the coolest people.
Abby & Tanner’s Review
I highly recommend Samantha as an adventure elopement photographer! From the moment we booked until our meeting at the trailhead, her communication was clear and reassuring. Samantha’s knowledge of the area was impressive, offering us multiple options for locations where we could hold our elopement. She also expertly advised us on the best times to capture stunning shots as the sun set.
One of the highlights was her willingness to take extra time for some mesmerizing nighttime star photos, which turned out absolutely amazing! We’ve hired other photographers for various occasions, but this experience with Samantha has been by far the best.
Thank you, Samantha, for making our special day even more unforgettable.
Reach out to me and let’s chat about planning an elopement that is perfectly you—your own completely unique adventure with your partner. A day you’ll never forget.
Hey there, the name’s Sam! I cannot wait to chat with you.
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