After their big wedding plans had to be put aside due to safety, travel, and gathering limits surrounding COVID-19, SueAnn and Frankie decided to follow their hearts and elope. They had been entertaining the idea of eloping since they got engaged, but never thought it was possible. But with their big wedding plans canceled, they snuck away to the mountains of Colorado to elope in secret. Only a few people knew their plans and they planned to announce their elopement a few days later.

When we asked SueAnn and Frankie what was important for their wedding day, they told us that they wanted to be on the top of a mountain for sunset. In scouting the area, we came across this trail that's not very frequently used, and knew we had to use it for their ceremony. The winding trail creating a line toward the distant mountains really symbolizing what a trek it is to get there. We also knew it would be the perfect place to watch the sunset.

The wedding was planned for Tuesday evening, but on Sunday night at 11 PM we decided that the forecast just looked too dangerous on Tuesday (thunder and lightning storms expected for the entire afternoon and evening). So we moved it to Monday, and hurriedly packed our stuff up, and went to bed. The rain still came on Monday, but we somehow dodged it, only ever getting very lightly sprinkled on, despite dark clouds all around.

SueAnn’s maid of honor flew in from Florida to help with the getting ready process. For safety (and aesthetic reasons) we captured the tail end of the getting ready process out on the deck of their little cabin. Once in her dress, SueAnn practiced her twirls and showed off her very hiking-ready shoes.

We found a little path surrounded by forest behind their cabin and knew it would be perfect for their first look. Sure, there was a strange hole dug out of the ground that reminded Frankie of a grave, but we all tried to ignore that small detail. Frankie’s reaction to seeing SueAnn for the first time was one of our favorite moments of the entire day. Their excitement was so tangible!

Next, we hopped in our cars and drove down a bumpy dirt road to an alpine lake. SueAnn really put her hiking shoes to the test when they scaled a large boulder field to get to the lake. As we hiked along the edge of the lake, we kept an eye out for marmots, pikas, and even mountain goats. As always, it was windy at the alpine lake, but we weren’t complaining! The wind blew the tulle on SueAnn’s dress so perfectly.

Finally, it was time to officially start the hike to their mountaintop ceremony. We climbed up through a forest then into a clearing. Finally climbing up a steep hill to their ceremony site at 12,000 ft above sea level. We all caught our breath and admired the view before starting their elopement ceremony. Alex acted as their officiant and read a piece he wrote to help set the tone for their ceremony.

Being elopement photographers and videographers, we hear a lot of vows. It was so apparent how much thought and time SueAnn and Frankie each put into their vows. There were plenty of tears and finally their first kiss. They celebrated with champagne and a mountaintop first dance.

As the sun sunk below the mountains, we hiked back to the trailhead, seeing a pair of moose along the way! The process leading up to SueAnn and Frankie’s wedding was not a straightforward road. It was winding, steep, and full of uncertainty. But the journey was so worth it.

This elopement took place on Ute Land.

Location Disclaimer: The location with the alpine lakes no longer allows weddings or elopements. We no longer come to this location with our couples.

Photographs

Colorado Elopements

Destination Elopements