Madisyn and Grady first started dating when they were juniors in high school. Their relationship continued through college, even though they went to schools two hours apart. During this time, they developed a love for camping and backpacking, and it became their favorite way to spend weekends and school breaks. And that is what first brought them to Colorado. They backpacked together at the Maroon Bells outside of Aspen, and it was settled. They were going to move to Colorado once they graduated from college.

But first, they decided to make a trip to Australia to visit some of their friends. When they were in Port Douglas, which is a town located near the Great Barrier Reef, Grady proposed to Madisyn. They returned to Texas and started making plans to move to Colorado with their two pups, Iria and Rose. Not long after, they moved to Boulder, Colorado and quickly knew that it was the right decision.

For their wedding, they wanted to share “what Colorado is all about” with their friends and family. They wanted a wedding weekend filled with hiking, food, games, campfires, and lots of s’mores. They decided to get married at Piney River Ranch, which is located about an hour up a bumpy road from the ski town of Vail. And if we may say so ourselves, it has got to be one of the most stunning venues in the entire state! It’s one of those places that immediately makes your jaw drop when you see it.

Madisyn and Grady had their ceremony on the outdoor deck, with the lake behind them and surrounded by mountains in all directions. Grady’s father officiated their ceremony and their mothers each did a reading. It was one of the first really warm days of the summer but no one seemed phased. There were laughs and tears, and then an eruption of applause when Madisyn and Grady were finally pronounced husband and wife.

The rest of the evening was spent dancing (Madisyn and Grady had their own flashmob style first dance that had everyone rolling), mingling, eating s’mores, and watching the sunset across the lake.

This wedding took place on Ute Land.

Photographs

Colorado Elopements

Destination Elopements