Winter Elopement at The Lodge at Breckenridge

Winter Elopement at the Lodge at Breckenridge

Doug + Shalee

Any time we plan a sunrise elopement with a couple we forewarn them that before the sun comes up, it can be quite chilly in the mountains. But never has that been more true than Shalee + Doug’s elopement. As we packed up our things to head over to their accommodation, our car’s temperature gauge read negative three degrees Fahrenheit. Welcome to spring in Colorado.

When we first arrived at their accommodation we were greeted by the two of them, and timidly by their adorable furbaby, Aero. As Shalee had the final touches of her makeup done, and Doug gathered their things for the day, Aero sleepily meandered between spots to lay down and wonder why we were all awake this early. So upon Shalee and Doug getting dressed together, we let Aero stay behind to get some more sleep while we went out for their private vow exchange.

It had warmed up since we last looked, to the grand temperature of 3 degrees. Bundled up in as many layers as we could realistically muster, we all made our way around the lake, which was hidden entirely under a blanket of ice and snow. As Shalee and Doug prepared for their vows, we left them bundled up until the very last second. Then, quite rudely, we stole their jackets and ran off with them. Despite the cold causing their breath to be visible throughout the next few minutes, they stood at the edge of the lake buried in a valley of the Rocky Mountains and delivered their vows with only a hint of a tremble to their voices. The cold couldn’t stop them from making the moment sweet.

But as soon as they had their moment we rushed their jackets back to them, certain that despite the jackets also being cold they would be a welcome respite from the wind. The sun still had yet to rise above the surrounding mountains, so we made the call to rush off to another location with better alignment to at least feel any warmth we could get. The views over Lake Dillon were worth it in their own right, and even with the temperatures in the single digits still, the bright sunlight was the real star of the show (pun intended). But having successfully given themselves some time alone to really begin their elopement day just the two of them, it was now time to join back up with their families.

Back at The Lodge at Breckenridge, we all found our way to the deck overlooking the ski slopes in the distance and began their formal ceremony. Aero was certain that he needed to search the perimeter of the deck for safety, but managed to settle in just before Shalee walked down the aisle with her father. One of our favorite officiants, Phil Gallagher, led their ceremony, and we noticed at least a few tears shed as these two officially committed themselves to one another.

The cold weather once again chased us all back inside afterward, where the cake was eaten, toasts were given, and we made quick trips back onto the deck for some family photos every so often. Aero was about sick of the cold and decided that the outside was safe enough to let the humans go out there on their own. So Shalee and Doug had their first dance just the two of them, while everyone else watched on through the ample windows.

But to end the day, we really had to get some mountaintop views. So after a quick pitstop to drop Aero back off at his favorite spot, the couch, we made our way up. As we arrived at the summit, intermittent snow was falling, and feet of snow lined either side of the road. We ran into snowboarders who were taking backcountry routes, and Shalee and Doug wrapped up for warmth along the edge of the mountain, overlooking the valleys below. Their entire day exemplified a truth about love and connection. That it really does overcome all. Even the freezing cold.

This elopement took place on Ute and Cheyenne Land.

Photographs

Elopement Location: Breckenridge, Colorado
Elopement Photographer: Vow of the Wild

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Hi There!

We're Lisa + Alex, the goofballs behind Vow of the Wild. We live in Colorado, but we’re passionate about exploring new places. Being elopement photographers + videographers is a dream for us and we can’t imagine doing anything else (other than being professional dog petters).