Intimate Estes Park Elopement : Lesbian Love Story in Rocky Mountain National Park
Thoughts from 5am.
iPhone alarm. I can see through the cabin window that only the most faint strip of light is visible over the mountains in the distance. I can’t yet tell if I’m the first one awake so I dim my phone light and double, triple check the weather predictions for the day. I used to hate waking up early and, here I am, lying in a bunk bed preparing for an experience I used to simply dream of. “Work,” yet I am so grateful.
Driving into Estes Park the day before, I could just tell this was going to be special. The aspens were golden and glowing, the sunshine was trailing ahead of me on the drive, the sky was the most the most perfectly curated shade of blue. We met Jada and Carter at their cozy little cabin tucked away in the mountains, and right from the start, it felt like we had been given this little slice of something special to enjoy and celebrate alongside them. They invited us to have a sleepover with them in the cabin the night before. A little slice of girlhood and nostalgia that I can’t quite describe. It was one of those moments where you realize you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be, with the people you’re supposed to be there with. One of those moments where I am so aware of how much of an impact these moments are leaving on me too. That night, we all hung out around our version of a campfire (IYKYK), laughing, and enjoying some treats from the Colorado Cherry Company. The air was filled with excitement, but it was also so calm and easy—much like Jada and Carter’s relationship and my experience of working with and becoming friends with them.
Elopement day.
Okay, back to it. The next morning, I woke up before everyone else. The cabin was still quiet, but I could hear the faint sounds of Jada and Carter starting to stir. I slipped outside to find a perfect mountain morning—the crisp October air, the sky starting to glow with soft hints of sunlight stretching over the Rockies. This is my office.
I decided to sneak out and grab coffee for everyone because what is your elopement day if not starting it with a little treat? Coffee On The Rocks, a little coffee shop and bakery nestled perfectly in the mountains of Estes was the perfect stop to start to our day. On the drive back, the mountains had just started to come alive and it was the first small glimpse into the Earth painting a perfect canvas for us that day.
As Jada and Carter start getting ready together in the cabin, we start documenting the little details—the way Carter’s dress caught the light, Jada’s boots, those small, unspoken moments between them. The little details they had selected to include with such intentional effort and choice. It felt like the day was writing itself, and I was just there to bear witness and capture the memories as they happened. A quiet rhythm of teamwork and trust that spoke volumes about the kind of love they share. Every detail was coming together, hinting that this was going to be a day full of magic.
Gaining elevation.
From there, we set out on an adventure to a little hidden overlook. Hiking up the mountain, surrounded by nothing but open blue sky, the pines, and the sound of crunching leaves under our boots-it felt like we were the only people in the world. When we finished the trek up to the overlook, it felt like time slowed down for us. The mountains were glowing with the colors of fall and a serene blue sky. They wrote their vows there, with each other and the wind gently adding life and movement to everything. Their words were raw, unpolished, and perfect. The wind matching the emphasis of their words and these moments, carrying them into the mountains. I found myself holding my breath at times, completely captivated by the view and reality of everything in front of me. It was the kind of moment you don’t just see with your eyes—you feel. With everything.
Welcome to Rocky Mountain National Park.
After vows were written and gifts were exchanged it was almost time for our reservation to enter the Bear Lake corridor. You could feel the excitement building along the drive. We navigated the winding roads through wide strands of golden aspens, a sea of tourists, and some passing wildlife. The cool, crisp air drifted in through our open windows, carrying that earthy, piney scent that only those special mountain mornings have.
Pulling into the parking area is always either an exciting start to the day OR… an exciting opportunity to take the shuttle. October is a particularly busy time in Rocky Mountain National Park and the parking lots were busier than ever so we grabbed our gear and hopped on the shuttle. If you’ve never driven through the Bear Lake Corridor-those shuttle drivers are the mountain MVPs.
This trail to forever.
We headed off along the trail. Elopement days on the trail are a special place. On a normal day, you’ll find yourself collecting small tokens of encouragement from strangers, but on an elopement day? It is a celebration. Strangers from all walks of life offer celebration in passing. Elopement days on the trail are some special type of magic that I can’t accurately describe in words.
It was sort of fitting that Dream Lake was the goal. The day felt like stepping into a world where love writes the rules and the universe conspires to make all of it happen. From the moment I met Jada and Carter, it was so clearly written that they were meant for each other. Now here I am, the visual author to THIS moment in their lives. There was no fumbling, no awkwardness, just a calm and sure connection that was undeniable. It made me believe that some people are just destined to find each other in this huge, unpredictable world and I felt the same way about being given the opportunity of meeting them.
Dream lakes and dream endings.
Jada and Carter’s elopement was a reminder of why I do what I do. The sunlight perfectly filtering through the trees like it was choreographed just for them, just for this day. It really did feel like a scene out of a fairytale—like nature itself was celebrating with us. The sun was starting to end its performance for the day, casting everything in the kind of golden light you only see in movies. It was the perfect grand finale to an already unforgettable day. Strangers had quietly gathered off to the side, drawn in by this intimate little ceremony that felt bigger than some of the largest weddings I have attended.
This is what real love does—it creates these pockets of warmth in the world, places where people feel safe and seen and reminded that love, in all its forms, is something worth celebrating. That scene and this moment are etched into my brain. When you look at your photos years from now, I want them to feel like time travel. I want them to pull you right back to the way your heart raced during your vows, the way the light danced on the water as you exchanged them, and the way you felt like the only two people in the universe. I guess that’s the heart of what I want to do. Not just stage picture-perfect shots for social feeds, but create an experience that acts like a time machine.
The beauty of elopements.
That’s the beauty of elopements. They strip away the pressure and expectations, leaving space for what truly counts. It’s intimate, it’s authentic, and it’s deeply, unapologetically you. Elopements are for lovers who crave something deeper than tradition. It’s not about centerpieces or guest lists or sticking to a timeline. It’s about waking up together, exploring the world hand in hand, and saying your vows in a place that feels sacred to your story. It’s for the couples who want to indulge in their love fully and unapologetically, who focus on the connection that brought them here, without the noise or expectations of outside influence.
The perfect ending to a perfect day.
After signing and making things official, we started back down the trail to catch the shuttle and head back into Estes. What better way to celebrate a perfect day, in a perfect location, with a perfect couple than together-with pizza and cake? Sitting there, watching Jada and Carter celebrate the start of their new life as wife and wife, I realized how lucky I was to witness it all and be present with them. These two humans, whose paths crossed mine at just the right moment, will stay with me long after the last slice, the last crumb of cake, and the last sip of crisp Dr. Pepper.
I am forever grateful for what I do because of who I get to do it with.
