NICK + ANDREA’S EMERALD LAKE ELOPEMENT | ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK WEDDING

When you elope in the mountains of Colorado, you better be making it a full-day adventure and starting at 3am. Just kidding… but not really. Andrea and Nick reached out to me wanting a Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement and make it a day they wouldn’t forget.

We planned to meet at their Estes Park Airbnb in the wee hours of the morning while Andrea was getting her hair and makeup done. When we arrived at the Bear Lake parking lot, we used our headlamps and iPhones to light the way on our hike. (SIDE NOTE: If you’re going to a location in the dark, be familiar with your surroundings. You’re in the wild, surrounded by darkness with different trailheads and unfamiliar terrain.) We munched on snacks while we waited for sunrise, and it was just perfectly cold and beautiful.

As it started to get light, they parted ways and got dressed while Nick went down to the lake to wait for the first look with Andrea. The sun started to warm us, and we were surrounded by little Uintah chipmunks that scurried across their vow books and our hiking boots. I’m pretty convinced one would have gladly slipped into my camera bag and let me take it home. These vows were overdue, sweet, and at the absolute perfect peaceful time.

After our hike back down from the lake, we got in the car and kept exploring. We drove up to Trail Ridge Road and caught all of the views, warming up in the sunshine. One of my favorites parts of elopements in the national park is driving to our next location and stopping along the way to whatever catches our eye.

Hope you enjoy!

THINKING OF A ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT? HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER….

CAR PASS: Rocky Mountain National Park is known for it’s high traffic and volume of people. The east side of the park also tends to be the most popular. You’ll find Bear Lake, Emerald, Dream, Glacier Gorge, the entrance to Trail Ridge Road. Starting in May, the park requires timed entry for cars. It gets cut throat in the fall, so you’ll need a pass here If you arrive before 5am, so pass is required. Lily Lake is still considered a part of the NP and a timed entry is still required. Yes… it’s still hard to get. These passes sell out in a matter of minutes in the summer/fall.

PERMIT: A few years ago RMNP no longer requires a photography permit, so you’ll no longer need a single use permit. However, if you’re having an intimate wedding, you’ll be required to get a wedding permit and use one of their designated sites here.

ROAD CLOSURES: Have backups! Trail Ridge is known for massive, high alpine views. Meaning, the road can get snow in early fall and temporarily close down. It’s safe to have a backup plan and get a pass to the Bear Lake Corridor, so you have access to the entire park.

PARKING LIMITATIONS: The park sees an average of 4.5 million visitors a year. If your plan is to do portraits anywhere on the East side of the park, I recommend getting a head start before timed entry starts, parking lots fill up and views are taken up by crowds.

Finding a photographer that knows their way around the park, best times, locations and bringing the right energy is so important. Reach out to set up a call and chat about your Rocky Mountain Wedding!