Twin Lakes Elopement on Independence Pass near Aspen | Jamie + Derek

I have so many things to say about Jamie + Derek’s Twin Lakes Colorado Elopement on Independence Pass, but let’s just start about these two as people first, because they are honestly and truly some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. When Jamie inquired about their elopement it felt like serendipity. I had been booked on their elopement date for over a year, but the couple that had originally booked me ended up moving their wedding to 2019, so I had a last minute opening. Jamie inquired about she and Derek’s elopement just hours after the confirmed postponement of the other wedding. Fate, right? She shared with me that she, her fiance and each of their best friends as well as their 3 year old daughter would be the only ones attending their self-solemnizing elopement and that it would be in a perfect little spot in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains. Literally so dreamy that my heart skipped a beat.

Things just got better from there. As the day got closer and Jamie and I started chatting more I realized how much she truly valued her relationship, her little family, their home and their animals. She is the kind of person that is pure good through and through. She even invited my own son, Brayden, to attend their little intimate elopement and made the two of us feel like family before we had even met!

The day arrived and my dapper little human sidekick and I ventured up the mountain to meet Derek! You guys let me just share that I knew it was going to be pretty, but talk about goosebumps because pretty doesn’t even begin to describe how incredible this little corner of the mountains they discovered was. When we arrived we pulled off on an unsuspecting dirt shoulder of the road, but after walking down a little hill, crossing a river (twice), and venturing across some river rock we landed in the perfect spot – on a little island surrounded by water, trees and mountains (yes – in every single direction). At that point I’m pretty sure I blacked out, because it was just way too good. Minutes later, you just see this stunning red-headed goddess of a bride emerge from the forest in this beautiful tulle wedding gown and tevas! Yes, TEVAS! Woman after my own heart I tell you.

She made her way across the creeks and streams with her best friend and 3 year old daughter by her side and then had a first look with Derek. I swear to you guys, the way he looks at Jamie is like she puts the moon and the stars in the sky every night. It’s just the sweetest and I can’t handle it. Their ceremony was short and sweet, but so heart felt. They exchanged hand written vows, then rings and then their first kiss as husband and wife! Afterward, they did a champagne toast with their best friends Mark and Lauren and we ventured back across the water to explore Independence Pass until the sun went down. Here’s the thing, we were fully intending on finishing up portraits during sunset, but a Leadville bike race put a bit of a wrench in our plans and we started later than we had intended. So instead of doing their first dance during sunset, they did it in an even better way. We pulled their jeep off the shoulder of the road, put the headlights on and blared their favorite song from the speakers. They did their first dance by the light of the moon and the headlights of their jeep – literally. It was so magical on a whole other level. I still have goosebumps. Still.