Imagine setting out before the sun comes up to promise forever to each other while the first light paints the mountains pink. That’s exactly what Jared and Brittany chose to do for their Colorado hiking elopement!

Getting Ready for their Colorado Hiking Elopement

Jared and Brittany met us at the trailhead at 5 am. One of their priorities was doing the first look, so they both got ready separately. In our opinion, the great outdoors makes the perfect vanity! Brittany used their car mirror to touch up her makeup and Jared tied his tie by headlamp.

After they put the final details on their wedding attire, we set them up for their first look. Jake and I weren’t the only ones witnessing their first look, two moose were right around the corner when Jared saw his bride-to-be for the first time! It was such an incredible experience!

 

Hiking to the Ceremony Site

After their sweet first look, we set off on our 2-mile hike to their ceremony spot. When we arrived at their ceremony spot, they had the entire alpine lake to themselves. It was an absolutely incredible moment to see this area completely empty because it is usually jam-packed with other adventure lovers.

Side note: This is definitely one benefit to eloping at sunrise on a weekday in Colorado. There are usually way fewer people which means a more private setting for your ceremony. Plus, that sunrise alpenglow is just *chef’s kiss*. We highly recommend our couples opt for a weekday elopement. Sunrise or sunset is totally dependent on the location and what time of year you choose to elope. Are you wondering what the best time to elope in Colorado is? If so, we wrote this blog just for you!

Back to Jared and Brittany’s sunrise elopement! After a little exploration, they found the perfect spot to exchange vows. They stood hand in hand, with the gorgeous Rocky Mountains as their backdrop, and promised forever to each other with the sweetest words. Brittany and Jared’s ceremony was filled with the happiest of tears. Brittany and Jared are HUGE music festival-goers and one of their favorite things to do at these festivals is join in on massive hammock hangs. So they celebrated their marriage with a post-ceremony hammock session! This moment allowed them the space to slow down and soak in those “just married” feelings.

 

A Perfect Ending to a Perfect Day

After Jared and Brittany’s hammock session, we packed up our things and started back down the trail. Before we got to our cars, we passed another alpine lake where they wanted to have the first dance. We found ourselves once again with complete and total privacy for their first dance! Following their first dance, we made our way back to the car where they made their marriage official by signing their marriage license. On a rock. In the great outdoors. A day, that honored their relationship. They road-tripped to Colorado, watched the sunrise, exchanged vows at their own private alpine lake, and had the best damn time doing it. Jared and Brittany are perfect examples of how to ditch the wedding rulebook and play by your own rules. They had the most incredible Colorado hiking elopement!

Are you wondering how to elope at Brainard Lake Recreation Area? We wrote this blog just for you!

Here’s What Brittany and Jared had to Say about Their Colorado Elopement

“We chose to elope because we wanted the focus to be solely on each other on our day. We love traveling and hiking together, so when we found out we could elope in the beautiful mountains of Colorado with just the two of us (+ our amazing photographer & videographer), we jumped at the opportunity. And I’m SO glad we did. Our day was beyond perfect. The two of us were completely free of stress and just engulfed in the nature surrounding us. Let me tell you, there’s nothing like saying your vows to the love of your life with the views we had after our sunrise hike, whew! And we got to see some moose’ for the first time ever as we did our first look! There’s nothing at all we’d change about our day and we’re so grateful for Bailee & Jake for capturing it so beautifully.”

Check Out Their Colorado Elopement Highlight Video

Ready for Your Greatest Adventure Yet?

We absolutely love when couples choose to get married in a way that totally reflects who they are. Here at Alpine Vows, we’re in the business of helping adventurous couples craft the elopement of their dreams. Eloping allows you to have a stress-free, fun, and intimate wedding experience. If that sounds right up your alley, contact us to start planning your wedding!

Happy adventuring,
Bailee & Jake