YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Wedding | Rocky Mountain National Park

Kaley + Patrick’s wedding at YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park could not have been more amazing and, to be honest, I knew already going in to the day that it would be! You see, that’s the thing about Kaley and Patrick (and honestly about every single couple I have had the pleasure of photographing). The day isn’t determined by the weather forecast, or any other external factor for that matter. The mood of the day is determined by the fact that they’ll wake up that morning engaged and end the day as a married couple and that alone is the single most important thing and the biggest priority on the day of and that is exactly why with a mindset like that why wouldn’t the day be absolutely phenomenal?

Both the bride, Kaley, and the groom, Patrick, started their day off by getting ready in separate cabins at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. They chose to do a first look prior to their wedding ceremony, but in the meadow right next to where they would later exchange their vows and become Estes Park. I loaded Patrick up in my Subaru (I sound like a kidnapping artist here, but whatevs) and headed up to The Overlook ceremony site at YMCA of the Rockies. We were greeted along the way by some gorgeous elk and that just made it all the more special. After setting Patrick up in the meadow with a view of the Rocky Mountains in the background Kaley arrived just a few minutes after. They turned to see each other and were both overcome with such excitement and happy emotion. I absolutely love how both of their nerves just melted away and they held each other in their arms and just enjoyed the fact that this was their moment of peace and serenity together and that in just an hour they would be crossing the threshold of engagement and becoming a married couple!

Since June apparently doesn’t mean Summer in Colorado anymore it started snowing on Trail Ridge Road the afternoon of their ceremony. Thankfully, it made for a moody mountain backdrop for their beautiful wedding ceremony and it was unforgettable! We even had the opportunity to drive in to Rocky Mountain National Park after they were married for even more bride and groom photos. When we pulled up to our first location, Upper Beaver Meadow, it was filled with elk that had all moved down to the lower valleys because of the storm that was brewing at higher elevation. Weird weather is my absolute fav, and I was definitely geeking out over the fact that the sky was so dark and stormy behind them but they were soaked in full sun. It was such intense and dreamy lighting!

The newly married couple celebrated the night away by enjoying barbecue and dancing with their friends and family. It was perfect in every sense of the word!