A Colorado Airbnb elopement is more than just a wedding day in the mountains. It is an intentional choice to slow down, savor your love story, and create space for the people and moments that matter most. That was exactly the heart behind Christie and Andy’s day, and being invited into it felt like being part of something deeply personal and full of joy. Their day had no rigid timelines, no massive guest lists, no crowded dance floors. Instead, it was about family, love, laughter, and the two of them building a wedding day that looked and felt like them from beginning to end.
Getting Ready at Their Colorado Airbnb
The cabin sat nestled among the pines, its wooden deck peeking out toward the mountains. The morning air was cool and fresh, carrying the scent of evergreens through the open windows. Inside, Christie and Andy spent the early hours of their wedding day in different spaces, each surrounded by the people who mattered most.
Christie’s mom was by her side as she slipped into her dress. There was something tender and grounding about watching her mother gently button the back, smoothing the fabric with care. It was not just about making sure the dress looked right, it was about all the history between them. Hands that had once zipped up prom dresses and pinned graduation gowns were now fastening the dress she would wear to promise forever. You could feel how much that meant in the quiet exchange of smiles between them.
The room carried a hum of anticipation. Christie’s makeup and hair had been carefully done, but her mom paused to brush a loose strand away from her face and told her how proud she was. There were tears, there was laughter, and there was this underlying feeling that the day was about so much more than a wedding. It was about the circle of love that had carried her to this moment.
Meanwhile, Andy was tucked into another room, slipping into his suit with steady hands. He tied his tie, laced up his boots, and looked out the window at the view, taking a quiet breath before the day really began. There was no chaos, no rush, just him settling into the weight and joy of what was ahead. Every few minutes, someone popped in to check on him, and he would crack a smile that gave away the excitement he was holding inside.
The beauty of a Colorado Airbnb elopement is how it gives space for these moments to breathe. You are not stuck in a hotel ballroom or a crowded bridal suite. Instead, you are in a place that feels lived in and personal, where laughter can echo through wooden beams and family can gather without distraction.
A First Look on the Deck
The deck stretched out into the mountain air, and it was there that Andy waited for Christie. He stood with Christie’s dad by his side, a figure of both support and anticipation. It was no small thing for him to not only be the one who’s supported and loved them both as a father but also to stand later that day as the one officiating.
The sliding glass door opened, and Christie stepped onto the deck. Her dress brushed against the wood as she walked forward, her mom watching from inside. Andy turned, and the look on his face said everything. Tears welled in his eyes before giving way to laughter, the kind that escapes when you have been waiting for this exact moment and it finally arrives. Christie’s smile grew as she stepped closer, and suddenly it was not just a first look. It was the release of everything they had been holding onto in anticipation.
Christie’s dad stood there, quiet and steady, a witness to the moment before he would step into the role of officiant. His presence made the moment feel bigger than just “a reveal.” It was layered with history, with family, and with the reminder that marriage is not just two people but also the families and communities that surround them.
Their Colorado Airbnb Elopement Ceremony
With everyone gathered on the deck, the ceremony began. The trees framed them, the mountains stood tall in the distance, and the air was cool but gentle. Christie’s dad spoke words that carried weight because they came from a place of love and familiarity. He did not need to impress anyone with flowery speeches. His words were honest, heartfelt, and woven with years of knowing his daughter and the man she chose to marry.
Then came one of the most joyful surprises of the day. Their dog, tail wagging furiously, bounded out with a carabiner tied around his collar. Attached were the rings. The laughter was immediate and genuine. This was not some Pinterest-perfect moment staged for photos. This was their life, their dog, their love for the outdoors, and their playful spirits, all tied into one simple and brilliant idea.
Christie and Andy slipped the rings onto each other’s fingers, their hands shaking slightly with emotion. There was no grand cathedral or elaborate stage, but the vows felt bigger than any backdrop could provide. They promised forever while the mountains held their words and their dog sat proudly between them.
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Celebrating With Champagne
The ceremony gave way to celebration in the best kind of way. Andy popped open a bottle of champagne, and the cork flew into the trees while the spray caught the light like glitter. Christie laughed and leaned into him as they raised their glasses. It was not just about the champagne, it was about pausing to mark the start of something new.
What made this celebration feel so right was its simplicity. There were no choreographed entrances and no rushed schedules. Just two people, a bottle of champagne, their family nearby, and their dogs circling their feet. The joy was tangible, spilling over in laughter and clinking glasses.
A Jeep Adventure Into the Mountains
One of the best parts of a Colorado Airbnb elopement is how it lets the day stretch into the outdoors. You are not confined to one space. You can start with vows on a deck and then head straight into the heart of the mountains. That is exactly what Christie and Andy did.
They piled into their Jeep with their dogs, who happily jumped into the back. The road wound higher into the mountains, each turn opening up a new view. The excitement built with every mile, not because they were headed to a grand destination but because they were together, still in their wedding clothes, still carrying the glow of just having promised forever.
When we reached the alpine lake, it felt like stepping into a postcard. The water reflected the peaks like glass, and the late afternoon sun painted everything in warm tones. Christie and Andy walked along the shoreline, their dogs running ahead, paws splashing in the shallow water. The sound of laughter carried across the lake, a mix of theirs and the excited barks of their pups.
Portraits in the Best Light
Golden hour in the mountains is unlike anything else. The light softens, stretches, and wraps itself around everything it touches. Photographing Christie and Andy in that moment felt less like directing and more like simply watching them be together. They walked hand in hand, stole kisses when they thought no one was looking, and laughed at the dogs rolling in the grass.
Every photograph told the story of who they are. Not just a couple who looks good in wedding attire, but two people who are grounded in each other and in the life they have built. This is why a Colorado Airbnb elopement works so beautifully. It gives you permission to slow down and let these moments unfold naturally instead of rushing through a checklist of events.
Ending the Day on Top of the Jeep
As the sun began to fade, they climbed onto the roof of the Jeep. Christie’s dress spread across the metal, Andy’s arm wrapped around her, and the mountains stretched endlessly behind them. Below, their dogs rested, tails wagging gently as if they too knew the day had been something special.
There was no audience and no one to clap or cheer. Just quiet. Just the two of them looking out into the horizon, married, content, and ready for whatever comes next. It was the kind of ending that felt exactly right, not dramatic or over the top, but peaceful and deeply theirs.
Planning Your Colorado Airbnb Elopement: A Practical Guide
Christie and Andy’s story shows the heart of what is possible when you choose an Airbnb for your elopement, but let’s talk about the practical side too. If you are dreaming about your own Colorado Airbnb elopement, here are a few helpful tips.
1. Choosing Your Airbnb
Look for cabins or homes with outdoor space and beautiful views. Decks, large windows, and proximity to trails or lakes can make all the difference. Many couples love spots that feel tucked away while still being accessible to towns for groceries and amenities.
2. Check with the Host
Not all Airbnbs allow events, even small ones. Always message the host to confirm before booking. Be honest about your plans, even if it is just you, your partner, and your dogs. Respecting the space ensures future couples can enjoy it, too.
3. Think About Light
Natural light matters for photos and atmosphere. Spaces with big windows or cabins that face west can make for the most beautiful golden hour portraits.
4. Dog Friendly Options
If your pups are part of the family, filter your Airbnb search for dog friendly stays. Remember to bring along things like collapsible bowls, leashes, and treats so they stay happy throughout the day.
5. Permits and Adventure Add Ons
If you plan to venture beyond the Airbnb for portraits or a ceremony in public land, you may need a permit. Popular spots like alpine lakes or national forests often require them. It is always worth checking ahead of time.
These small considerations can make a big difference in how seamless and stress free your elopement feels.
Your Own Colorado Airbnb Elopement
Every couple deserves a wedding day that feels like home, even if that home is a cabin in the Rockies for just one night. Whether you picture a quiet morning with your parents, vows on a deck, portraits by a lake, or champagne on the roof of your Jeep, your elopement can be shaped to fit the pieces of your life that matter most.
If a Colorado Airbnb elopement feels like the kind of day you want, I would love to be the one to help you bring it to life and capture every detail.
Ready to Plan Your Own Elopement?
If you are ready to create a day that feels true to you, let’s talk about what your Colorado Airbnb elopement could look like. I will help you dream, plan, and bring it all together in a way that feels easy and natural. Whether that means dogs carrying your rings, your mom fastening the last button on your dress, or ending the day on top of your Jeep, let’s make it yours.
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