Elegant, simple, and breathtaking–if I only had a few words to succinctly describe Madison and Bryce’s Colorado mountain wedding, that’s how I’d describe it.
Thankfully, though, I have room for a few more than that.
Madison and Bryce are an adventurous couple who knew they wanted to plan an elopement day that was intentional, meaningful, and solely for the two of them. Not only do they love to explore together, but they’re also down to experience new adventures together. Many of their days spent together involve hiking, fishing, or some sort of new adventure with them and their pups.
So, when I suggested tackling a short (somewhat challenging but worth the view) hike in a new spot where I’d never captured an elopement before, they were already on board.
Madison and Bryce had their elopement priorities set before I ever met them. They weren’t concerned with packing in a ton of locations in a single day. They weren’t overly concerned with how much they could see or do in the span of a few hours.
For them, it wasn’t about the rush of a challenging hike or seeing as many beautiful things as possible in a short amount of time.
What they wanted most was the ability to spend time together soaking in the magic of their wedding day–and a jaw-dropping view or two wouldn’t hurt.
On the day of their summer elopement near the 10-Mile Range, I met them both at the trailhead in the Breckenridge area. Equipped with their backpacks, bouquet, wedding cake, and hiking clothes, we started our trek up the mountain, anxiously anticipating a panorama of views we’d all heard was breathtaking.
About a mile and a half into their hike, Madison and Bryce stepped off the trail and separated.
She hung her dress up on a tree just off the trail and started getting ready. Bryce stepped aside, too, picking a spot where he could put on his wedding attire away from Madison.
There, on a silent trail in Colorado where it was just the two of the for miles, they had their first look. Bryce turned around in awe, embracing Madison. They held onto each other for a moment, absorbing the minutes of quiet solace they’d wanted and chased on their wedding day–something that every couple deserves, no matter how they choose to get married.
Madison and Bryce hiked the rest of the way in their wedding attire like adventurous champs. When we reached the peak–the spot I’d been dying to share with an eloping couple for a long time–they set up for their private elopement ceremony.
What I loved about Madison and Bryce is that they were the perfect example of how a simple, elegant elopement doesn’t mean a bare-bones elopement that lacks meaning or important details.
They brought their personal bibles, worn from use and equipped with two stickers of their beloved dogs on the inside cover. Though their pups couldn’t join us for their elopement ceremony physically, there’s no doubt they were there in spirit. They read meaningful scripture together before sharing their handwritten vows with one another.
Madison and Bryce exchanged rings, enthusiastically popped champagne, and devoured a delicious wedding cake as they looked at the beautiful Colorado vistas surrounding them. They snuggled in close under a blanket to fight the top-of-the-mountain wind chill.
What Madison and Bryce wanted most of all wasn’t a private or quiet day–they wanted one that felt comfortable and authentic. Madison and Bryce knew what made them happy–a beautiful hike, moments together, experiencing something new–and they prioritized those elements over everything.
They created a day filled with laughter, romance, and comfort–a day that was so authentically them that every moment felt perfect, pure, and right. In my opinion, there’s no such thing as one right way to have an adventure elopement, but I do think there’s a right attitude–one that’s focused on putting your love above all else.
Madison and Bryce came to me as experts in that–all I had to do was capture that love as authentically as possible.
