Colorado ELopement Photography
Adventure Elopement Style Wedding Photos at Dream Lake
Jordan and Blair have a deep love for the outdoors. They really wanted to include some beautiful Elopement style mountain photos for their wedding, but it just wasn’t going to happen on their wedding day….so we did a fun and relaxing photo session the day after their wedding (at Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park)! This is a great way to have an Elopement feel and some private time with each other surrounding your wedding, and still have a larger wedding with family and friends! Thus…why I labeled this as an Elopement Post!
We decided Dream Lake was a great spot, so we could get a little hike in…and gorgeous views, and still have time to hit another location too! Dream Lake is only about a 1 mile hike, so it is absolutely do-able! There were a few spots of snow and ice still…but definitely manageable (with hiking boots of course!). After grabbing sunset rays at the Lake and hanging a bit (the sun drops behind the mountain earlier than other areas of the park given how the Lake is situated), we headed back out and drove to another location on in the park for some differing views (Longs Peak)! I love being able to capture different backgrounds and location when in Rocky Mountain Natinal Park. There are so many areas (it is a massive National Park!), it is definitely worth the longer Session time to spend in the park for a variety of locaitons. You may even see Elk and Sheep! ;)
It was a beauiful evening and I was stoked to be a part of their adventure!! I will post their actual Estes Park wedding on a different post as well!
Interested in more info about Dream Lake? Scroll below for some tips!
Looking for more Dream Lake inspiration? Check THIS out!
A few tips for Photo sessions at Dream Lake location:
You will have to park at the Bear Lake Parking area (or Glacier Gorge…a bit longer hike). This is the most popular parking area and trails in the Park. If Dream Lake is on your list, the timing of this will be important. Do not attempt to find parking in Summer/Fall on a weekend during peak times. Try to go during sunrise or sunset, and on a weekday. Otherwise you risk having to use shuttle.
As of now, RMNP requires timed entry permits again for this coming summer/fall. In general you will not need one since we are doing a photo session, and I will have already obtained our Photo Permit….but if you are traveling there any other time you will need to ensure your timed entry permit includes the Bear Lake Corridor.
You cannot actually get Married/do your Vows at Dream Lake. There are a handful of designated “wedding” sites in the Park (you need to reserve ahead of time, and the permits are separate)…and those are technically the only places that you can do an actual ceremony. However, we can do your ceremony in an alternate location, and then go to the Lake for photos.
Due to the high altitude, the lake can be really cold and windy! Even if lower int hePark is fine, the Lake tends to generate wind. So be prepared! If it is not a very warm summer or Fall day, I would prepare for colder weather and wind.
Of course, you will be hiking, so you ned to have hiking shoes!
The look of this location is different depending on Sunrise or Sunset. Sunrise will give you that Pink Alpenglow on the mountains themselves (front light), where Sunset will be more of a dreamy backlit look. (this particular session was Sunset).
It is a busy trail and location. Again though, timing this best with day of week and time of day will help immensely.
Thinking of going to Rocky Mountain National Park, but interested in some other locations? Follow THIS LINK for more inspiration!
And as always, just reach out with any of your Colorado Elopement Location questions!