Estes Park, Colorado Elopement

March 21, 2021

2020 changed A LOT of plans, including Dan and Dace’s. With travels bans in place, Dace’s family was unable to travel in to be present at a wedding, so the two of them decided to elope among the gorgeous Colorado mountains. And I was lucky enough to be there to capture this Estes Park Colorado Elopement.

In 5 or 10 years when we all look back on the year 2020, I honestly wonder if we are going to remember what things were like before the “lost year”. As an elopement photographer here in Colorado, I’ve always loved those simple wedding ceremonies that centered around the couple and their marriage. No big party, nothing flashy or superficial. Just two people in love that want to spend the rest of their lives together.

Dan and Dace actually met at a bar halfway around the world and somehow ended up in Colorado to elope. Lucky for them, Colorado is a pretty rad place to elope. Their story may be a little untraditional but they embraced it and only felt right (especially with all the obstacles COVID threw their way in planning a wedding) to stick with all things untraditional and elope, just the two of them.

When they first stepped out of their car, I greeted them with a huge smile and I was immediately drawn to Dace’s wedding gown. Her puff sleeves were embroidered with the prettiest florals and she looked so simply gorgeous. They didn’t have many details but they did have the most perfect ring box with their initials (D&D) so I had to grab a quick capture of that before the ceremony started.

Although their ceremony was quick, it was not without great joy and a lot of laughs and smiles as we all took in the moments that had just happened. As they walked away from the very spot where they became one, Dan and Dace signed their marriage license and had to celebrate with a bottle of champagne, of course. I will NEVER say no to champagne!

Here are a handful of my favorite images from this sweet, sweet Estes Park Colorado elopement!