As a Colorado elopement photographer I’ve learned that every elopement looks different. Some people plan them months in advanced, others plan them days in advanced but one common theme runs true, which is that elopements are so centered around the true purpose of getting married: which is dedicating your life to the person you’re exchanging vows with and making the day completely unique and special to you and that specific individual. This is exactly what Samantha and Zach did and it couldn’t have been more perfect.
These two headed up to one of my most favorite places, Brainard Lake in Colorado, and scouted out the perfect place to have their little intimate ceremony. The day came and Zach eagerly awaited his beautiful bride. They had a beautiful first look with Brainard Lake and Roosevelt National Forest as their backdrop, then exchanged their sweet vows together before sharing their first kiss as husband and wife.
It’s hard to think, let alone write about such a special day without tearing up because the moments that followed will be close to my heart forever and I feel endlessly lucky that it’s my job to capture such intimate and personal moments between couples on their wedding day. After they cut their wedding cake (on a tree stump I might add – which was epic) we trekked over to the other side of the lake in the forest-y area. Samantha spread her grandmother’s ashes in the lake so that she could be a witness to their wedding day and then the two of them had their first dance in a little pocket of trees in the forest. They held on to each other so closely and both had tears streaming down their cheeks. It’s such a beautiful thing when couple’s are so emotionally vulnerable together and it was hard to even keep my own composure in that moment, but the moment to follow was something else…
Over a decade ago when Sam + Zach were getting to know each other as friends he had a passion for music, the same passion for music that he carries with him today. On their wedding day he pulled out his guitar and sang + played a song for Sam as the sun dipped behind the mountains and Colorado put on a stunning display of a colorful sunset for the two of them. It turns out, this song was the first one Zach had every played for Sam on his guitar the many years prior. In that moment the beautiful sky didn’t matter, the lake didn’t matter, the scenery didn’t matter, because these two only had eyes for each other and were so fully in that moment. It was everything.
How lucky am I that it is my job to document such incredible moments between couples? Seriously pinch me, because it is such a privilege.
This Brainard Lake Colorado Elopement is so perfect, the intimate setting gives you the feeling like no one else exists! It’s just them and there love for one another, beautifully captured!
I absolutely adore this Colorado elopement! I love that he played his guitar for her and that rainbow!
oh man, this Brainard Lake Colorado Elopement is gorgeous!! Elopements are just the best. I’m obsessed with the image where she’s tossing her dress with the mountains in the background!