Relaxed and Intimate Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement
January 12, 2021
Colorado Elopement
The Couple
Austin + Schae
Austin and Schae have been together for about 7 years. They grew up together since they met around the age of 18 when Austin was moving to St. Louis and Schae decided to follow him while they both pursued degrees and careers. Throughout Austin’s life, he has been fond of the outdoors, camping, and going on adventures. Schae was the opposite, but she jumped right into that life with Austin and ended up being his number one adventure buddy. They decided to have their wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado because they made it a goal to visit all the national parks in America before venturing outside of the United States. They had been to Rocky Mountain National Park before, but what brought them back was the charm of Estes Park and that their favorite band Rainbow Kitten Surprise was playing in Red Rock the Sunday after their chosen date. That was all planned before COVID happened. Luckily for them, COVID didn’t put too much of a damper on their wedding plans, just that the concert they were going to after their wedding was canceled. Once the National Parks were open for reservations they both got their ducks in a row to make sure they could get a big cabin for all their guests and to make sure all reservations into the park were covered. COVID has made the national parks get strict on capacity, so for those wanting to go anytime soon, you have to make reservations for specific sites in advance. It only got in the way on the day of the wedding when the groomsmen did a spontaneous morning hike and we were turned away at our original hiking area because we didn’t have reservations, but it all worked out because we found another hiking trail that was closer to the lodge we were staying at that didn’t require reservations. I LOVED how relaxing the day was. It was so lovely to go on a 3-hour hike with the guys before coming back and taking naps. The girls slowly got ready, there was no rush or fuss at all.
The day before the wedding Austin, Schae, and I drove around the park to pick out a ceremony spot as well as a spot for portraits. Doing so made the wedding day a breeze since we knew exactly how the day was going to flow and where the light was going to be at a certain time. So when everyone was ready for the ceremony we all took our cars and got en route to the ceremony spot in the mountains where Austin and Schae had a really lovely 30-minute vow exchange with their closest family and friends surrounding them. During their ceremony, they decided to break tradition by taking unity shots and including their family and friends in taking a shot of their choice between KC locally made tequila and bourbon. It was a good break from all the tears that were shed during their vow exchange. After their “I Do’s” we got in the car with Austin’s brother who offered to chauffeur us up into the mountains for some photos at sunset. This day was so perfect and I wanted to focus on documenting it as authentically as possible. So as you look through this gallery I hope you get a sense of joy from all the smiles and laughs.
