Saying yes to the love of your life, surrounded by nature, soaking in a once-in-a-lifetime moment–it really can be that simple. Julia and Jacob don’t consider themselves high-maintenance. So when they chose to elope on a Spring day in Breckenridge, they were committed to keeping things as low-stress and simple as possible.

When they first filled out my inquiry form, they wrote something that I think is a true expression of wisdom. They’re words that stick with me when I talk to other couples or try to explain the intentionality behind an intimate adventure elopement. 

“At the heart of it all, we are already doing something we dreamed of doing – eloping in the mountains.” 

Because that’s what eloping with the love of your life is all about, anyway. Getting down to the heart of what you want, of what matters, and what it means to express your love. Julia and Jacob were one of those couples who already had all of that figured out–and it’s people like that, the ones who know what matters, that make my job so beautiful. 

From the moment these two got together, they said, they began applying a basic principle–things really can be that simple. And when it came to their wedding day, there was no doubt in their mind that they were going to chase after exactly what they wanted. Because it really can be that simple. 

They wanted privacy and intimacy, a day full of laughter, and zero pressure to do anything except what they felt in the moment. And it was truly a day peppered with a range of emotions. Joy, intimacy, silliness–they were able to feel everything and express everything exactly the way they wanted. 

I met Julia and Jacob at the trailhead a few hours before the sun would set on a bluebird day. The sun was bright and beautiful, the sky was clear, and the weather was crisp and perfect–it was a glorious Colorado Spring day. 

Julia, who wasn’t fully ready, stepped away so that she could tackle the finishing touches of her wedding day look. Jacob waited patiently, ready for his soon-to-be wife to join him for their first look. In a gorgeous snowy spot with jagged mountain peaks behind them, Julia tapped Jacob’s shoulder, turning him around for their first look. 

After their first look, we started our trek to their ceremony spot. Julia and Jacob had invited two friends to stand in for them as their maid of honor and best man during their ceremony. They picked a gorgeous spot by a frozen lake to read their handwritten vows to each other. Julia held a bouquet tied with lace from her mother’s wedding dress. After their vows, they had their first dance right there–with their loved ones and the mountain peaks as their witnesses. 

There’s something to be said about doing exactly what you want on your wedding day–especially when it comes to your vows. Julia and Jacob were free to say what they wanted to each other without pressure or nerves. They were able to read from their vow books, express pure emotion, and never have to worry about what anyone watching them might think. When they’d said their vows and finished their ceremony, they set out a delicious spread of champagne and Voodoo Donuts, a Colorado Staple. They basked in the beauty of the day, celebrating with their closest friends, and soaking in being husband and wife. 

After their champagne and donuts, we tried to explore the hiking trail more–but true to Colorado’s Spring season, the trail was still pretty snowy. After a few hiking attempts and more than a few stumbles in the snow, we left for another beautiful Breckenridge view. 

Julia and Jacob wanted their day to be focused on the two of them. It was incredibly important to them to keep the intention of the day about their love, their connection, and the beautiful commitment they were making. Part of that was spending some time alone on their day, just the two of them. As their friends explored around, Julia and Jacob spent intentional time together by the lake. I captured a few beautiful moments of them among the snow, laughing, holding each other close, and letting the emotions of the day flood through them. 

As the sun began to set, we brought out lanterns so Julia and Jacob could continue to explore the beautiful spot together. Colorado gave us a gorgeous show, and as the sun sank lower behind the mountains, these two signed their marriage license, soaking in the beauty of their elopement day in Breckenridge. in 

Julia and Jacob were chasing one thing–a genuine day that was nothing but a pure expression of their love. They wanted mountains, nature, and intimacy, and they weren’t afraid to go after that. Because, after all, things really can be that simple.