Every elopement day is unique because every couple is so different. The things that matter to them, the places they want to explore, even how they want to get married–all of these elements end up being a beautiful, meaningful mixture that’s wholly special to the two people sharing their love.
Hailey and Kevin were no exception to this whatsoever. These two were an adorable couple, head over heels in love with each other–a pair that had been together for nearly a decade and seemed so effortlessly at ease with each other. This fact alone is a little bit unique–it’s not every day you see a couple so smitten and so happy to be with each other (well, I do, but I’ve got a pretty remarkable job).
But there was something extra special and extra sentimental about their Garden of the Gods elopement. And personally, I think it had to do with how every detail of the day–from the smallest moment to the biggest gestures–was so thoughtfully planned out.
When I arrived at their Airbnb in Colorado Springs to capture some getting-ready moments and a few detail shots, Hailey and Kevin were separately preparing for the biggest day of their lives. They both wanted an adventure elopement so they could get married their way, but they also wanted to blend a little bit of tradition into a non-traditional way of getting married.
They both really wanted that “walk down the aisle” moment, even though they were getting married outdoors in the Garden of the Gods. They both wanted to invite the people they loved the most, including siblings, parents, and best friends. They both wanted some meaningful time together, just them, to soak in their day and enjoy their wedding, but they also wanted to spend important time with their people, too.
Elopements are unique and wonderful in that people like Hailey and Kevin–who want a beautiful blend of their own thing–can do that without question.
Hailey and Kevin went above and beyond to seamlessly include meaningful details into their wedding day. Her pair of white vans had her new last name and the date of the wedding stitched into the back, and her black leather jacket boasted her new last name on the back, too.
She had a sweet little handkerchief featuring photos of her three dogs and a cute note from them telling her that even though they couldn’t be there on her wedding day, they were still snuggled up close to her heart. I may or may not have teared up reading this little note–it was just too cute for words.
As for Kevin, his wedding attire hung on a personalized hanger sharing their wedding date, another thoughtful touch in the detail department.
But they weren’t the only ones with sentimental details for the wedding day. Hailey’s parents had a few beautiful details up their sleeves, too. They’d surprised Hailey with her “something blue”–a heart-shaped, blue note sharing their love for her handstitched into the inside of her dress.
Hailey’s mom helped her get ready while Kevin’s best friend (and best man) helped him. Though they chose not to do a first look moment before the ceremony (something they wanted to save for the wedding), Hailey did do a first look with her dad and her stepdad. When she saw them both, she gave them thank you letters and little gifts–small tokens of a much bigger sentimentality, reminders that she was grateful for them and loved them.
They’d chosen Garden of the Gods for their elopement ceremony, a stunning spot that blended jaw-dropping views and iconic Colorado landscape with accessibility and ease (something important for their wedding guests). We made our way to High Point, a gorgeous spot in the park, for their ceremony.
Because of where the spot was located, and the geography, Hailey and Kevin truly did get to have a “walk down the aisle” moment. As she made her way toward Kevin, he was overwhelmed by the moment. When he saw her, he was brought to happy tears.
As you might expect, their ceremony was filled with beautiful touches, too. Kevin’s sister officiated for them, and they shared personal vows from the heart. They had a unity ceremony, too, where they each blended colored sand into a jar, representing blending their lives and their love together.
At the end of the ceremony, a joyful champagne toast and the signing of the marriage license ended their family celebration together. Now, it was time for some meaningful moments just for Hailey and Kevin.
As soon as all the guests left, Hailey and Kevin shared something just for the two of them–a first dance.
Normally, this location in Garden of the Gods is busy, but Hailey and Kevin’s timing was perfect. They had the whole place totally to themselves to share this precious, once-in-a-lifetime moment.
When their ceremony ended and their time together began, the sun had already started setting. It was dusky and hazy and beautiful out–the mountains in the background were popping, the setting sun lit up Hailey’s dress, and there was a gorgeous glow surrounding them.
We explored around a little more, moving to a new location so they could take in the scenery together. As it got darker, it got colder and a little windier. The red dirt seemed to dance around them. The ends of her dress had shifted from a soft, creamy white to a reddish brown hue–the sign of an adventure elopement done right. Hailey slipped on her black leather jacket, her new last name illuminated by the Colorado sunset.
