When you picture a Loveland Pass, Colorado elopement, you probably dream up golden tones, crisp mountain air, and an atmosphere buzzing with love and adventure. Colleen and MJ’s elopement had all that and more — a little sparkle, a lot of hiking boots, and the kind of heartfelt celebration that reminds you why we call these “love stories.”

Getting Ready for Their Loveland Pass, Colorado Elopement in a Breckenridge Airbnb

Colleen and MJ kicked off their wedding day in true Colorado fashion — nestled in a picture-perfect Airbnb in Breckenridge with their families by their side. This wasn’t just any Airbnb either. We’re talking vaulted ceilings, rustic beams, and giant windows that let the morning light pour in while the aspens outside practically glowed gold. Fall was showing off.

There was a calm excitement in the air — the kind where coffee is flowing, laughter bounces down the hallway, and the buzz of curling irons and playlists sets the tone. Colleen and MJ each got ready separately with their people, surrounded by siblings and parents. It was intimate, real, and so full of warmth you could practically bottle it.

An Emotional First Look

One of the most emotional moments of the morning? Colleen shared a first look with both her dad and her stepdad at the same time. There were tears, hugs, and the kind of joy that sticks in your memory forever. It was a testament to how love expands — how family can grow in the most beautiful ways.

And then, it was time for Colleen and MJ’s first look — just the two of them, tucked away at the edge of the trees behind their Airbnb. As soon as they saw each other, all the nerves dissolved into laughter and soft kisses and “you look incredible” whispered over and over. Honestly, it felt like the moment time stood still.

MJ absolutely rocked her green suit, and Colleen glowed in her wedding gown. Their looks felt so true to who they are — effortlessly stylish, full of personality, and the perfect match for the golden mountains we were about to explore.

Why a Loveland Pass, Colorado Elopement Was Perfect for These Two

Colleen and MJ are two outdoorsy souls with big hearts and even bigger love for autumn. So it’s no surprise they picked the end of September for their Loveland Pass, Colorado elopement — prime time for catching the aspens in all their fiery glory.

And when I say they nailed the timing, I mean they NAILED IT.

The Colorado fall goddess blessed us with 100% golden aspen coverage and not a single cloud in the sky. Seriously. Not one. The blue of the sky was the kind that makes you stare up and forget what you were doing, and every aspen we passed was practically shimmering. If there was ever a perfect fall day, this was it.

They wanted a day that felt like them — wild, peaceful, deeply connected, and rooted in nature. Eloping at Loveland Pass offered that and then some. It’s the kind of place where you can feel the earth breathing beneath your boots and where the mountains cradle you in quiet majesty.

An Aspen-Lined Hike Before Their Loveland Pass, Colorado Elopement

Before we made our way up to Loveland Pass for their ceremony, the three of us laced up our boots and set off on a short hike near Breckenridge. I always encourage couples to carve out a bit of time before their ceremony — to explore, breathe, soak it in — and this trail was the perfect prelude to their elopement.

We wandered beneath a tunnel of golden aspens, their leaves fluttering like confetti in the breeze. The trail was quiet, serene, and gave Colleen and MJ space to simply be together. They laughed, they danced among the trees, and they held hands like they’d been doing it forever. Every photo from that hike practically glows.

A Private Vow Exchange During Their Loveland Pass, Colorado Elopement

After our yellow aspen filled hike, we made our way to the main event: Loveland Pass, Colorado elopement ceremony time.

Colleen and MJ wanted to exchange vows privately, just the two of them (and me, very discreetly snapping away in the background). They found a quiet spot overlooking Pass Lake, with views that stretched for miles in every direction — jagged peaks, sun-drenched slopes, and that lake glistening in the background.

There’s something so incredibly sacred about private vows. No distractions, no noise. Just two people promising each other forever. Their words were honest, vulnerable, full of laughter and a few tears (yes, mine included). They spoke about growing together, choosing each other every day, and how their love has deepened over time. It was tender and raw and one of those moments that makes you believe in all the good things.

Family Celebration After Their Ceremony

After their private ceremony, Colleen and MJ’s families joined us at Loveland Pass for celebratory hugs, laughter, and group portraits. The energy shifted — still full of love, but now bursting with joy and connection. And laughter. Tons of laughter!

Parents, siblings, and close friends gathered around, soaking in the sun and admiring the view. Everyone looked stunning, especially with the golden light as our backdrop. We took time for every combination of photos imaginable, from goofy sibling shots to tearful parent hugs, and of course — the iconic full group portrait with the Colorado mountains doing their thing in the background.

It was one of those golden afternoons where time feels both slow and fast. Moments to treasure, all unfolding in the glow of late September light.

Including Your Family in Your Loveland Pass, Colorado Elopement

One of the most beautiful parts of Colleen and MJ’s Loveland Pass, Colorado elopement was how seamlessly they wove in time with their families — without sacrificing the intimacy and intention of their day. If you’re looking for additional ways to include your family or friends into your elopement, I wrote this blog just for you!

Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean your people have to be left out. In fact, there are so many meaningful, flexible ways to include family in your elopement — and Colleen and MJ did it perfectly. Here’s how you can, too:

Get Ready Together

Start your day surrounded by the people who know you best. Whether it’s sipping mimosas with your siblings, having your mom help you into your dress, or sharing a laugh with your dad while tying your boots, getting ready together creates space for quiet connection and joyful moments.

First Looks with Loved Ones

One of the most emotional moments of the morning was when Colleen shared first looks with both her dad and her stepdad. It was a beautiful way to honor their relationships and let them feel deeply included in the day — without having to be present for every single part of it.

Private Vows, Followed by a Family Celebration

Eloping doesn’t have to mean choosing between private intimacy and celebration with loved ones — you can do both. Colleen and MJ exchanged vows in private, then brought their families in afterward for hugs, portraits, and a joyful group celebration. Everyone got to be part of the magic, but in a way that still honored their desire for quiet, intentional vows.

Plan a Shared Meal

After their ceremony and sunset portraits, Colleen and MJ returned to their Airbnb where a private chef had prepared dinner for the entire group. Whether it’s a catered dinner, a backyard barbecue, or a picnic-style meal, breaking bread together brings that feeling of togetherness and gives your people a chance to toast to your love.

Invite Loved Ones Into the Day in Creative Ways

Some other sweet ideas? Ask family members to write letters you read privately. Include heirloom items in your attire. Let someone perform a song, read a poem, or share a toast. Eloping gives you the freedom to shape your day however you want — so why not include the people you love most in a way that’s personal to you?

Elopements are about intention, not isolation. You get to choose the people, moments, and energy you invite into your day — and when it’s done thoughtfully, it creates something really, really special.

A Scrabble Picnic at Pass Lake

Once family made their way back down the pass, Colleen, MJ, and I stayed behind for a few sunset portraits and one very adorable picnic.

These two have a tradition that’s uniquely theirs — playing Scrabble together on meaningful days. So of course, they packed a travel Scrabble board, a picnic blanket, and some cozy snacks. While the sky turned soft pink and the sun tucked itself behind the peaks, they sprawled out on their blanket, stealing bites of cheese and berries between turns and teasing each other over word choices.

It was relaxed, silly, and so very them.

These are the moments that don’t often get planned but make the best memories. Just two humans wildly in love, basking in the glow of their wedding day, literally playing games under a golden sky.

Wrapping Up Their Elopement With Sunset Portraits

We wrapped up their Loveland Pass session as the sun dipped behind the peaks, painting everything in that dreamy, golden light. They wrapped each other up, leaned in close, and just… existed together for a bit. No rush, no posing—just quiet connection and a whole lot of love. These slow, intentional moments? They’re my absolute favorite. The kind where time feels like it pauses, and I get to step back, breathe, and watch something real unfold.

Dinner Back at the Airbnb: Cozy Vibes and a Private Chef

Once we returned to their Breckenridge Airbnb, the celebration continued — low-key, cozy, and full of flavor. Colleen and MJ hired a private chef to cook dinner for their families, and let me tell you, it smelled like heaven as soon as we opened the front door.

The dining table was set with everyone’s name in a Scrabble tile holder, flowers, and Scrabble tiles scattered all over the table. Over shared plates and clinking glasses, the stories started flowing — how they met, childhood memories, funny travel mishaps, and the occasional heartfelt toast that made everyone a little misty-eyed.

It was all laughter, all smiles, all love.

No big production, no rigid schedule. Just great food, incredible people, and a celebration that felt deeply authentic. The kind of night where you want to linger just a little longer.

Here’s What Colleen and MJ had to say About their decision to elope in Colorado

MJ’s Perspective:

“When I met Colleen, I knew very early on in our relationship that I was going to marry her. It was perhaps the simplest decision I ever made, because it felt like a fact. When I popped the question a year and a half into our relationship, I had no vision of our wedding other than her and me in our respective wedding dress and suit. Initially, I figured we would have a traditional ceremony and reception — mostly to appease my family and because that was the expectation I had grown up with.

Colleen and I had many conversations about what we wanted out of our wedding day, and whether it mattered that we fulfilled expectations simply because they had always been there. Ultimately, we decided on a hybrid of what we wanted for our wedding day and what was expected from family. We called it an elopement plus!

Our day was perfect. We piled our closest family members into a beautiful mountainside Airbnb for the weekend, hiked through the gorgeous aspen leaves, and exchanged our vows with 13,000-foot mountains in the background. We spent much of the day with just each other, but we were able to incorporate our families into certain aspects of the day to create memories with them. Our mothers helped us with the finishing touches to our wedding attire. My brothers walked me to see Colleen for our first look. Colleen’s dad and stepdad got a first look of their own at her in her dress. I cherish these moments and look back fondly on the pictures captured.

The true definition of elopement came into play when it was time for our vow exchange, and this is why I chose to elope. No one on the planet except for Colleen and I know what was said in our vows, which allowed me to feel safe enough to bare my heart fully to her. There was no performance aspect, nothing was censored because family and friends were present — I was my genuine self, and I promised that version of me to her for the rest of our lives.”

Colleen’s Perspective:

“MJ and I were very aligned on our decision to elope, and many of the reasons I chose to elope were covered in her perspective above. However, I do have one thing to add — I have always valued life experiences over material items. One of the things that drew me to MJ was this shared value and the desire to prioritize travel.

So, when the time came to plan our wedding, we initially looked into doing a traditional wedding with a ceremony and reception. It was important to both of us that we share this special day with those we cherish the most — our family. However, we quickly pivoted once we realized the cost of a wedding for the size we were envisioning.

When weighing this against our personal values, we couldn’t justify spending that sum on one night when we could use that money toward an epic honeymoon. Deciding to have an elopement with just our closest family was the best decision for us. Our wedding day was intimate, intentional, and meaningful in a way we could not have achieved with a traditional wedding ceremony and reception.

Plus, the money we saved was spent on a three-week honeymoon to Thailand — the best way we could think of to celebrate our love and commitment to each other.”

Why a Loveland Pass, Colorado Elopement Is Always a Good Idea

So why choose a Loveland Pass, Colorado elopement? Well, if Colleen and MJ’s day didn’t already convince you, here’s the tea:

• Breathtaking Views:
  At over 11,000 feet, you’re surrounded by some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the state — jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and sweeping valleys.
• Golden Aspens in Fall:
  Late September is peak aspen season. The color palette is otherworldly — think golds, ambers, and fiery oranges all under a cobalt sky. Breckenridge is especially beautiful in the fall!
• Accessibility:
  Loveland Pass is surprisingly easy to access by car while still offering that wild, remote feel. Perfect if you’re including a handful of your favorite people!
• Privacy Options:
  You can find quiet nooks for private vows and then join up with family after — the best of both worlds.
• Adventure Vibes:
  From hiking trails to picnic spots, there’s room for spontaneity, exploration, and intimate moments.

For couples who want a nontraditional, heartfelt celebration rooted in nature, Loveland Pass, Colorado delivers in spades.

Ready to Plan Your Own Loveland Pass, Colorado Elopement?

If Colleen and MJ’s day sparked something in your heart — whether it’s golden aspens, heartfelt vows in the mountains, or playing Scrabble on a blanket after saying “I do” — I’d love to help you bring your own elopement vision to life. Let’s capture your story — exactly as it is, wildly in love and beautifully yours.

Reach out here to start planning your Loveland Pass, Colorado elopement (or anywhere your heart takes you in Colorado). Let’s make magic in the mountains together!