SMALL WEDDINGS
AND ELOPEMENTS

About Colorado Elopements

If there’s a better place to elope than the Rocky Mountains, we’re not sure where is it. Whether you’re a Colorado Native or coming from elsewhere, Colorado is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places on the planet to tie the knot. We’ve included some of our all-time favorite Colorado elopements and small weddings below (and a few from other destinations as well).

There are countless reasons why couples love eloping in Colorado, but first and foremost, the Centennial State is absolutely chock-full of epic photo locations. Eloping allows you the time and flexibility to explore areas that you probably wouldn’t have the ability to travel to during a big wedding with a timeline and tons of guests. But when it’s just you and your “to-be” along with your weddings photographers you can take all the time you want to get to those really epic locations. Also, you can self-solemnize in Colorado, which means you don’t need an officiant to marry you.

Also, Colorado is super laid back and eloping is also super laid back. So when you combine the two, you’re in for one relaxing wedding day. Don’t get us wrong, we absolutely love big weddings, but they can be a bit hectic for the couple at times. If you’re looking for a more stress-free wedding experience, eloping but be just what the doctor ordered. You don’t need to stick to any sort of timeline and you don’t have to worry about keeping your family and guests entertained while you go off to take photos.

If we haven’t sold you on Colorado elopements yet, take some time to peruse our galleries below to get a sense of the types of photos you can expect to receive. And don’t worry, we handle all of the logistics and location scouting, so the only decision you’ll have to make is what to wear. Feel free to reach out anytime if you have questions for us. We can’t wait to hear from you!

portrait of bride and groom with fall foliage at Telluride elopement

Telluride Elopement

In October of 2022, Jesse and I were at home with a rare weekend off from weddings in what’s typically our busiest month of the season. I was doing what I’m currently doing now and catching up on writing blog posts. Jesse was sequestered in his editing cave. And we both got a notification on…
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bride and groom kissing at mountain lake

Colorado Adventure Elopement

I think the most common question I get during timeline consultations is, “Is it too late to elope?” This is typically asked in jest; the final weeks leading up to a wedding can get pretty overwhelming. But if you’re like Laura and Connor, you probably know right away that a big wedding isn’t for you….
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bride and groom under the stars in Colorado

Boulder Microwedding

One of my favorite things about being with couples on their wedding day is witnessing the community they’ve built around themselves.. The best communities don’t have to be big. They often aren’t showy or boisterous. They’re your ride-or-die people. Your emergency contacts. The people who would back you in a fistfight. They’re the people Katie and Paul had next to them at their Boulder microwedding.
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bride and groom under the stars during Brainard Lake elopement

Brainard Lake Elopement

No matter how big or small your wedding is, I can promise that at some point, you’re going to worry about the weather. Will it be too hot? Will it rain? Maybe your dream is for your ceremony to take place in a veritable snow globe. For Jackie and JJ’s Brainard Lake elopement, we checked…
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grand teton elopement in jackson hole

Grand Teton Elopement

As the last stop on our epic Mountain West Road Trip, after photo shoots in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Summit County, Jesse and I headed northward for Heather and John’s Grand Teton elopement. We already knew their wedding was going to be a good time. After all, not every couple will travel…
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unique colorado wedding photos | mountain elopement in vail

Vail Elopement

We seriously get all the best clients. Like Ashleigh and Tony, who proved that they’d not only follow us into a desert for their White Sands National Park Alt Session, they’d trek to the top of a mountain for their Vail elopement!
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intimate colorado elopement at couple's home

Intimate Colorado Elopement

It’s kind of an understatement to say that weddings have changed in the past few months. But in spite of a global pandemic, it’s so heartwarming to see couples finding unique ways to celebrate, like Madeline and Steve did with their intimate Colorado elopement. Originally, Madeline and Steve’s wedding was already going to be fairly…
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Unique Bride and Groom Portrait | Tapestry House Wedding | Fort Collins Wedding Photographer | J. La Plante Photo

Tapestry House Microwedding

There are so many things I love about Alli and Shawn and their Tapestry House wedding, I don’t even know where to begin. Maybe with the most obvious? They feel the same way we do about white dresses in that they’re not a requirement for a wedding. Alli actually told me about the dress she…
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Bride and Groom in Rocky Mountain National Park | Black Canyon Inn Wedding | Estes Park Wedding Photographer | J. La Plante Photo

Black Canyon Inn Elopement

I doubt it’s a surprise to anyone that my favorite thing about living in Colorado is all the amazing views of the mountains. There are far too many epic vistas to count. With each new wedding, however, we do our best to find a spot we’ve never photographed before. Jean Marie and Jamie’s Black Canyon…
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Bride and Groom Hiking in the Mountains | Lily Lake Wedding | Estes Park Wedding Photographer | J. La Plante Photo

Lily Lake Wedding

In the span of a week, Colorado went from snow to 90-degree weather. So Jesse and I were excited to escape the heat of the city for Jamie and Dane’s Lily Lake wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park last weekend. Lily Lake is one of our favorite spots in Estes Park. We first discovered it…
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Bride and Groom in Overwater Bungalo | St Lucia Wedding | Destination Wedding Photographer | J. La Plante Photo

St. Lucia Destination Wedding

Sometimes things go “wrong” at weddings. Most of the time, it’s little things, like the ring bearer refusing to walk down the aisle when it’s go-time. Other times, it’s bigger things, like an eye infection, a sister with a broken leg, and a rogue sea urchin. But the true test of a couple is how…
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