Foggy Sunrise Elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park | Colorado Elopement PhotographY
It was an, intimate Elopement day surrounded by towering peaks, shifting clouds, and the wild beauty of nature! Jessica and Kevin’s Rocky Mountain National Park elopement was such an inspiring and BLAST of a day! These two and their closest friends were such a fun group- had me withins they lived here so we could be besties! As a Colorado elopement photographer, I get to witness a lot of really gorgeous sunsets and mountain peaks— but this was such a fun day for me to shoot the crazy Colorado weather- and come up with some really cool images that looked different from so many that I had done in the same locations!
A Destination Elopement from Salt Lake City to Colorado
Jess and Kevin traveled from Salt Lake City, they brought just a handful of their closest friends, choosing intimacy and experience over tradition — and Rocky Mountain National Park delivered in every way. Their day began with early morning rain, which added a moody, cinematic vibe to their sunrise timeline and set the tone for an epic day in the mountains.
First Look at Sheep Lakes
We started the day at Sheep Lakes, where they shared their first look- and luckily the rain held off- phew! The sky had a rally cool blue tint…and beacuwse it was sunrise— it was pretty peaceful, and not many other people around!
Into the Clouds on Trail Ridge Road
From Sheep Lakes, we climbed higher into the park, heading up the iconic Trail Ridge Road for big mountain views. We ventured onto one of my favorite trail areas up there, and managed to grab some great shots of them before the FULL FOG moved in and dramatically covered the landscape (and us!) These spontaneous, surreal moments are what make Rocky Mountain elopements so magical…and Colorado for that matter! On high mountain peaks, you just really don’t know what you are going to get— which is the fun of it for me! ;)
Ceremony at Hidden Valley
The couple exchanged vows at Hidden Valley, an intimate and forested spot tucked away from the crowds. Their closest friends formed a circle around them with a floral wreath circle on the ground, and the emotion was palpable. The ceremony was short, sweet, and full of joy — exactly what they had envisioned when they chose to elope in Colorado.
Post-Elopement Celebration
After the ceremony, the group shared food, drinks, and laughter under the canopy of evergreens. The celebration was funny (Jess is pretty hilarious herself!), heartwarming (same gift for each other!), and full of laughter and tears — just the way it should be. We ended the day with more portraits among the foggy ridgelines, soaking in every last bit of the wild, moody mountain magic.
Thanks to these two for an unforgettable day, and allowing me to be part of it!! Cheers!!
Planning Your Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement
Thinking about eloping in Colorado? Here are a few tips for planning your dream RMNP elopement:
Permits are required for ceremonies in RMNP — make sure to apply early (like a year+ in advance!), and there are only certain locations where ceremonies are allowed.
Sunrise or sunset timing is best for avoiding bigger crowds and getting that soft alpine light.
Be prepared for unpredictable weather — especially at high elevations like Trail Ridge Road. (TRR is only open part of the year!)
As a Colorado elopement photographer, I help couples craft intentional wedding days that reflect who they are — whether that means hiking at sunrise, sharing vows in the rain, or just finding the perfect quiet spot to say "I do."
If this story speaks to you, I’d love to help you plan your own unforgettable Colorado adventure elopement.
📷 Let’s connect !
