Kelsey and Colton are the kind of people who turn a simple plan into an unforgettable experience. From the very start, their Estes Park adventure elopement felt less like a photoshoot and more like a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day. Big views. Early alarms. Zero hesitation.
This trip happened during my summer stay in Denver, where we packed in adventure elopement portraits, mountain boudoir, and downtown Denver moments that felt effortlessly cool. The energy never dipped. Every day had intention. Every moment felt lived in.
That’s exactly what eloping in Colorado should feel like.
When Full Circle Moments Turn Into Mountain Magic
Long before this Estes Park adventure elopement, Kelsey and I already had history. Her sister hired me back in 2018, then again for another family wedding in 2020. Over the years, I’ve photographed weddings, family sessions, and milestones for this crew. So when Kelsey reached out about a boudoir session, the answer was immediate.
Instead of her coming to Michigan, the plan flipped. Colorado became the destination. Sometimes you just follow the pull when it feels right.
Soon enough, we worked out a stay in their Denver apartment for five full days. Good vibes only. Incredible hosts. Endless laughter. The foundation for an unforgettable eloping in Colorado experience was set.
Baseball Games, Craft Store Bouquets, and Questionable Sleep Schedules
The first day was all about reconnecting and planning. Somewhere between conversations and city cruising, we realized there was a Colorado Rockies game happening that night. Tickets were cheap. Decisions were impulsive. We went.
However, we left early. Priorities mattered. A sunrise elopement was waiting, and we still needed to hit the craft store. Floral design is not my official title, but the handmade bouquet got the job done.
That night ended early. Alarms were set for 3 AM. No regrets.
A 3 AM Wake-Up Call and a Race Against the Sun
Some people hear “3 AM wake-up” and cringe. We heard opportunity.
Kelsey and Colton got ready in the dark, fueled by adrenaline and excitement. Then came the hour-long drive to the trailhead. Arrival time landed around 5 AM, which gave us just enough margin to beat the sunrise.
Without hesitation, we booked it up the trail. Fast steps. Heavy breathing. Headlamps cutting through the dark. At the top waited the kind of view that makes everything else fade away.
That moment sealed the magic of this Estes Park adventure elopement.
Why Eloping in Colorado Is Always a Yes
Standing on that mountain, watching the light spill over the peaks, it was obvious why eloping in Colorado hits differently. The freedom. The scale. The intimacy wrapped in something so vast.
This wasn’t about perfection. It was about experience. Movement mattered. Emotion led. Every image felt earned.
If you’re dreaming of a wedding day that trades timelines for trails and ballrooms for mountain air, an Estes Park adventure elopement might be calling your name. And if eloping in Colorado feels like the right kind of wild, trust that instinct.
Sometimes the best stories start before sunrise.
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We spent about 45 minutes at that spot before heading back down on the trail. It was really great to be going downhill, and being able to take our time. We stopped at a dozen spots I fell in love with before we got back to the car!
After about an hour or so, the sun rose high enough for me to play around with direct light.
The very next place we stopped at? Ned’s Restaurant! We were STARVING.
