Everyone has their own timeline when planning their small wedding. Some couples start planning a year and a half in advance, others plan their small weddings in about six months. Janie and Austin planned their wedding in less than a week. You read that right. One week.

When Janie and Austin got in touch with us on a Monday for their wedding on Saturday, we thought they were crazy. The best kind of crazy. Originally, they planned on getting married next year, but with Austin starting residency, their lives were about to get busy. So with about one more weekend of nice weather and fall colors in the mountains, they decided to just go for it now. They called their friends and family and invited everyone to a celebration in the mountains.

With less than a week of notice, 26 of their friends and family traveled from all over the country to a small mountain town in Colorado for their wedding weekend. But when you get to know Janie and Austin, and the type of people they are, it makes total sense! These two just have a way of immediately making you feel comfortable, and we can see why their friends and family would do everything they can to support them, short notice and all.

On the morning of the wedding, some of their guests were still trickling into town. Austin spent the morning packing up backpacks with the supplies to carry to the top of the mountain, while Janie picked her friend up at the tiny nearby airport.

The ceremony was held on the top of a mountain about an hour outside of town. Janie and Austin chose to mountain bike to their ceremony with some of their guests, and everyone else (including us) took a steep hike through aspen trees. Once everyone arrived at the top, Janie changed into a second dress. Luckily, she was thinking ahead and bought two dresses. On the way to the ceremony, she crashed her bike and banged up her knee, elbow, and dress.

Janie and Austin’s ceremony was held at the edge of the mountain. Their close friend officiated and the rest of their guests gathered around. In their vows, Janie and Austin told stories of their relationship that had everyone in tears (from emotions and laughs). After the ceremony, everyone celebrated with hugs and more beer.

As the sun started to set, we all started the trek back to the trailhead. After freshening up from the hike, we met back up at a delicious taco restaurant in in town. There, they ate, drank, and told even more stories about Janie and Austin’s relationship.

It’s a common misconception that small weddings need to be meticulously planned. But Janie and Austin prove that all you need is a sense of adventure, your favorite people, and each other.

This elopement took place on Ute Land.

Photographs

Colorado Elopements

Destination Elopements