As a Lake Isabelle elopement photographer and videographer, we get to see a lot of love stories unfold in some of the most jaw-dropping corners of Colorado. But every now and then, there’s a couple who completely redefines what a wedding day can look like. For Kirstyn and James, that day started before the sun came up over the Indian Peaks Wilderness and turned into something so full of meaning, laughter, and intention that it still feels a little bit like a dream.

It was just the two of them, surrounded by towering peaks, still water, and the kind of early-morning quiet that makes you feel like the world is holding its breath. They had no guests, no pressure, and no distractions. Just love, adventure, and an incredible sunrise over Lake Isabelle.

Throughout the day, they kept saying the same thing with wide smiles and teary eyes: eloping was the best decision they had ever made. And as their Lake Isabelle elopement photographer and videographer, Jake and I couldn’t agree more!

A Sunrise Start with Their Lake Isabelle Elopement Photographer and Videographer

The day began in the kind of stillness that only exists in the Colorado mountains before dawn. We met at the Long Lake Trailhead at 5:30 in the morning, when the air was cool and sharp, and the world was just starting to wake up. Kirstyn and James arrived bundled up and beaming, wearing their backpacks and wearing the biggest smiles.

There was something quietly electric about that early morning energy. We all packed up our gear and started hiking. The world was completely quiet except for our footsteps and the occasional crunch of frost underfoot.

The first light slowly painted the sky in streaks of orange and pink. Each turn of the trail offered a new view: pines dripping with dew, leftover patches of snow glowing in the shadows, and the faint shimmer of the peaks far ahead.

Halfway up, we paused at a clearing where the whole valley opened up below us. The air smelled like pine and earth and excitement. James turned to Kirstyn and said, “This is already perfect,” and she just laughed, squeezing his hand.

As a Lake Isabelle elopement photographer and videographer, I’ve witnessed hundreds of sunrises in the mountains, but this one felt different. There was no rush. No chaos. Just two people walking toward their wedding day, one step at a time, completely present for every second of it.

Getting Ready in the Forest

By the time we reached the lake, the sun had started to peek over the ridgeline, spilling soft gold light across the water and then the clouds rolled in, casting an even, diffused light over everything. The lake was so calm it looked like glass, perfectly mirroring the peaks behind it. The stillness made everything feel sacred.

Kirstyn and James decided to change right there among the trees. The forest became their dressing room, full of filtered sunlight and the sound of rustling branches. There’s something so simple and grounding about getting ready in nature. No mirrors, no stylists, no audience. Just two people, each preparing quietly in their own corner of the trees, taking it slow and steady.

Kirstyn slipped into her wedding dress while standing on a flat patch of earth covered in pine needles, slipping on her Blundstones and buttoning her wrist pearls to finish it off. James laughed as he tried to tie his tie without a mirror, relying entirely on her verbal instructions. Jake jumped in to help, so you could say we’re part photo/video team, part pack mule, part stylist and we’re so happy to wear all of the hats!

Their First Look at Lake Isabelle

The first look was pure magic. We had found a secluded spot tucked into the trees just off of the trail that overlooked Lake Isabelle. James stood at the edge, hands in his pockets, visibly trying to keep his composure. When Kirstyn tapped his shoulder and he turned around, his face said everything. His jaw dropped first, then his eyes filled with so much happiness.

Kirstyn couldn’t stop smiling. She shook her head and laughed through her own tears, whispering, “Hi,” like it was the only word that mattered. He walked straight to her, wrapped her up in a hug, and they just stood there for a while, swaying gently, taking it all in.

There was no script. No one telling them to pose. Just emotion, real and unfiltered.

As their Lake Isabelle elopement photographer and videographer, we stayed back to give them space, capturing every second quietly from afar. Those are the moments that tell the story better than anything staged ever could, the small touches, the laughter through tears, the kind of love that doesn’t need an audience.

When they finally pulled apart, Kirstyn brushed away a tear and said, “I can’t believe this is our wedding day.” James smiled and said, “It’s exactly what I hoped for.”

Private Vows Beside the Lake

They found a small spot near the shoreline, tucked between boulders and Lake Isabelle, where the mountains rose up perfectly from the water. This was where they would say their vows.

The wind was soft, just enough to make the water ripple. The birds had started to stir, their songs carrying through the air. Kirstyn and James each pulled out their handwritten vow books, edges crinkled from the hike.

Their words were honest, funny, and full of heart. They laughed and reminisced about all of the trips they’d taken and promised to always keep adventuring together. They cried when they talked about how they’d grown through life’s chaos. Between every line, there was this quiet rhythm of love; pause, breathe, smile, tear, laugh.

As a Lake Isabelle elopement photographer and videographer, these are the moments we live for. There’s no performance, no timeline, no audience. Just love in its purest, most unfiltered form.

When they finished, they both looked out over the water and stood in silence for a while. The peaks loomed large in front of them, the reflection shimmering at their feet. It was a scene that felt almost too beautiful to be real.

Portraits With Room to Breathe

After their vows, the day shifted into that beautiful in-between time when everything slows down. The nerves melted away, and what was left was laughter, lightness, and a deep sense of calm.

We wandered the shoreline, taking portraits as the morning light kept changing, soft and diffused one moment, golden and glowing the next. Kirstyn’s dress caught the light like silk; James’s hand never left hers. They didn’t need much direction. They simply existed together, and it was perfect.

Every few steps, they’d pause to point out something small, a wildflower poking through the rocks, a bird gliding across the lake, a ripple of light on the water. They were so present, so fully in the moment, that documenting their wedding experience felt effortless.

They shared quiet laughs, leaned their foreheads together, and sometimes just stood still, letting the silence wrap around them. Every frame told the story of who they are: warm, playful, and deeply connected.

As their Lake Isabelle elopement photographer and videographer, Jake and I wanted to capture not just what it looked like, but what it felt like. The peace. The joy. The sense that time had stopped just for them.

Champagne and a Moose at Brainard Lake

After soaking in every second at Lake Isabelle, we hiked back down to Brainard Lake to celebrate. The air had warmed up, and the sun was high enough to sparkle on the water. Kirstyn and James kicked off their hiking boots, pulled out a bottle of champagne, and started laughing again before they even popped the cork.

The bottle fizzed wildly, and they both cheered. Champagne sprayed into the air, catching the sunlight like glitter. They toasted to being officially married, to the adventure that brought them there, and to whatever was coming next.

And then, as if the mountains wanted to give them one final surprise, a moose appeared from the tree line.

At first, we all froze. He was massive, calm, and completely unbothered by us. He walked right down to the edge of the lake, dipped his head, and started drinking. The water rippled around his legs, sunlight bouncing off his fur.

It was one of those moments where you don’t even bother whispering because you’re too stunned to speak. After a minute, Kirstyn whispered, “I think this is the best wedding guest ever.” James grinned and said, “And he didn’t even need an invite.”

We stood there watching the moose splash and wander, totally mesmerized. It felt like the mountains had given them one last, wild nod, a perfectly unscripted ending to an already perfect day.

Ending the Day in the Most “Them” Way

Once the champagne was gone and the moose had wandered back into the forest, it was time to end the day exactly how Kirstyn and James always do after a big adventure: with food and beer.

They drove into Nederland, their favorite quirky little mountain town just down the road, still glowing from the morning. They found a barbecue spot they’d been to before, the kind with picnic tables, paper plates, and live music playing softly outside.

Still in their wedding clothes, they ordered a mountain of ribs, brisket, and fries, then clinked glasses of cold beer across the table. They laughed at how surreal the day felt. From hiking in the dark to saying vows at sunrise to celebrating with a moose, it was the kind of story they’d tell for the rest of their lives.

At one point, Kirstyn leaned back, took a sip, and said, “I wouldn’t change a single thing.” James smiled, nodded, and said, “Best day ever.”

A Lake Isabelle Elopement They’ll Never Forget

From that first step on the trail to the last sip of beer in Nederland, Kirstyn and James created a wedding day that felt exactly like them. It was heartfelt, spontaneous, emotional, and full of laughter. The perfect mix of wild and calm.

As their Lake Isabelle elopement photographer and videographer, it was an honor to capture every small, beautiful, fleeting moment that made their day unforgettable. They reminded me that the best weddings aren’t about the details or the guest count. They’re about connection, intention, and finding joy in the simple things.

If you’re dreaming of an elopement that feels authentic, intimate, and filled with adventure, Lake Isabelle is a place that never disappoints. Imagine saying your vows with mountain peaks towering above you, mist rolling off the lake, and the sound of nothing but wind and water.

That’s what Kirstyn and James did, and they’ll tell you the same thing they told us all day long: this was the best decision we ever made!

If you’re wondering how to elope at Lake Isabelle, this blog is for you!

Your Lake Isabelle Elopement Awaits!

Trading a crowded wedding hall for mountains, lakes, and maybe even a surprise moose might sound a little wild, but that’s exactly what makes a Lake Isabelle elopement so magical. Imagine hiking together in the quiet of dawn, saying your vows with the peaks as your witnesses, and laughing over champagne while the world wakes up around you.

As your Lake Isabelle elopement photographer and videographer, we’ll be there to capture every laugh, every tear, and every tiny moment that makes your day uniquely yours. We’ll plan the details together, make sure your adventure runs smoothly, and leave you with images and video that feel as real, raw, and joyful as the day itself.

Your elopement should be an experience, not just an event. So if you’re ready to trade the ordinary for something unforgettable, reach out today and let’s start planning your mountain adventure together!