Colorado Adventure Elopement | Backpacking Elopement | Colorado Elopement Photographer
Lost Creek Wilderness Elopement in Colorado
Sarah Grace and Sam’s adventure elopement was TRULY a magical day that was filled with tears, laughter, and the most incredible Colorado views. When she first reached out to me, we talked about potential locations for their elopement. It was important to the two of them to be able to backpack and camp near their ceremony site. Colorado had a really rough winter, and even though their day wasn’t until mid-June, it was difficult to find a private location that wasn’t feet-deep buried in snow so they could camp nearby. Yup, that can happen at the higher elevation spots, even in the spring and summer here! Somehow, she found this gem of a location from North Carolina. The Lost Creek Wilderness area of Pike National Forest turned out better than I could have EVER imagined!
Location, location, location!
The location of your adventure elopement is SO important, and my favorite part of this incredible spot wasn’t just the gorgeous views. We spent half the day here, and didn’t see a single soul around. They were able to have complete privacy and simply run around having the time of their lives to take in that sweet wedding bliss. The Rocky Mountain views, the amazing and unique rock formations, and little wildflowers blooming all around were unreal. Sarah Grace had mentioned how much she was hoping for wildflowers, and it was the BEST surprise to see them everywhere in all different colors! If you’re willing to hike or go off the beaten path, I promise you’ll find magical spots and it will be SO worth it. I’m pretty confident that they were the first to ever get married here. How amazing is that?!
Sarah Grace’s uncle officiated their sweet ceremony, making her aunt, myself, and my husband the only witnesses. They included heirlooms from their family’s past including an old, beautiful rug for their ceremony, as well as a Bible. Sarah Grace is an artist and created their adorable ‘just eloped’ patches on their backpacks, and made her own bouquet and flower crown. I think we all cried right at the start of the ceremony, because how can you not when you’re witnessing two people in love commit their lives to each other?! They ate cake and popped champagne, and were ALL SMILES! It was the sweetest thing to witness and is the number one reason why I love elopements so much. Her energy was so contagious, and their love for one another was obvious in the best way possible.
Time for adventures 🙂
We adventured around this beautiful area, climbed a ton of rocks (she did barefoot while Sam lifted her up… so cute!), and just had the best day ever. The weather turned out beautiful, and the sunset was amazing. We even found bright green aspen trees blooming! The way the sunlight hit them was perfect and I honestly felt like I was part of a fairytale.
I absolutely LOVE that Sarah Grace and Sam wanted to camp where they got married. How cute is there little green tent? And what better way to start your marriage than under the stars in beautiful Colorado? This elopement is EXACTLY why I’m so passionate about them. Doing whatever the heck you want to do on your wedding day while still incorporating traditions that matter to you. Where the focus is on YOU, the couple, and that’s it. Making your day an adventure and simply being with one another. Seriously, that’s all that matters! It’s also pretty amazing to be surrounded by nature and epic views. 🙂
That’s enough story telling from me because honestly, the hundreds of photos below will do a much better job at telling the story of their adventure elopement. Their smiles, their laughter, their kisses – all one big adventure that I’m still incredibly grateful to have witnessed and captured in time, forever.
Photographer: Lauren Casino Photography
Bride’s Dress: BHLDN
The emotion in this day is so amazing! And I love a barefoot bride! A gorgeous gallery.
YES to the barefoot bride! I love that too; thank you so much!
This elopement looked perfect! Love the tent photos! 🙂
Thank you so much!!
You captured this day so beautifully! The emotion between the couple is lovely.
Thank you so much! That’s always my number one goal for an elopement! 🙂
Oh my gosh looks like such an epic and fun time!!
Thank you so much! It was the perfect Colorado elopement day!
These are SO AMAZING. Looks like such a fun, rad day.
Yay thank you so much!
Lauren, these are SO BEAUTIFUL! I love your edits and the whole vibe of the day is bright, vibrant and full of love!
Thank you SO much!! That’s always my goal! 🙂
Everything about this elopement is bringing me life right now. Love her dress, their jeep and the tenting action happening.
YES!! It was just perfect for them which makes me so happy!
I love the photos in the tent! so cute!
Thank you so much! Love that they camped where they got married!!
okay all the feels looking through this blog post! Their smiles are so beautiful and you can tell how happy they are! You did an amazing job!!
Thank you so much!! They were the most giddy, beautiful couple ever! 🙂
What a cute couple! Those pink flowers and that setting is amazing!
Thank you so much! The wildflowers were just beautiful!