Sprague Lake Elopement in RMNP

Picture this: you and your fiance, along with a few close family and friends, plan an intimate wedding in Colorado’s beautiful mountains. It’s a warm sunny day in July. You marry the love of your life in front of an alpine lake, adventure to gorgeous meadows and mountain tops, and have the most memorable elopement day ever! That’s what Emily and Sam did. 🙂 Read below to learn more about their Sprague Lake elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park!

Emily and Sam rented an adorable cabin in Estes Park along the riverfront. After getting ready, we drove into Rocky Mountain National Park right to Sprague Lake for their ceremony. We took the short path to their ceremony spot, where Sam and Emily saw each other for the first time in their wedding attire. These two were all smiles! They passed a book back and forth to read out loud to their guests, and then had each of their parents ‘officiate’ their elopement. Included in their elopement was a ring warming ceremony. This is a tradition that involves guests passing around the couple’s wedding rings where they can ‘warm’ them up with well wishes or a prayer. I absolutely loved this idea! This was a really special added element that made their ceremony feel even more memorable and unique.
Afterwards, they popped champagne and we walked to a nearby picnic table. They celebrated their marriage picnic by cutting a little cake and shared food with their loved ones in the forest.

Adventure into the Mountains

After leaving their guests, it was time to explore more of Rocky Mountain National Park! We adventured to my favorite mountain meadow for some more exploring and enjoyed the warm summer day. I love how Emily wore Chacos and dipped her feet in the river to cool off a bit. It was a dry summer, yet somehow some of the wildflowers were still holding on which was a wonderful sight!

Next, we drove up one of my favorite mountain passes: Trail Ridge Road. There are multiple pull-offs along the road that are beautiful and perfect for viewing the stunning mountain peaks. After being at lower altitude in the full sun, the colder mountain air and wind was well appreciated on a July day! We listened to the marmots and pikas squeaking away while I took their bride and groom portraits and explored.

We finished off the evening by watching the beautiful alpenglow on the mountain peaks. There’s nothing that beats seeing the mountains turn pink and purple. The light disappears fast, and it’s always a breath-taking sight! I would say it’s the best way to end your elopement day before heading back to your cabin to do more celebrating. 🙂

Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Permit

Rocky Mountain National Park requires a wedding permit to have your ceremony inside the park. There are designated locations you must have your ceremony, however you can take photos almost anywhere else within the park! You can read more information on eloping in Rocky Mountain National Park and how to get your wedding permit here. They are available to get one full year in advance, so be sure to get one as soon as you can!

There you have it! An undeniably beautiful Colorado elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park on a stunning summer day! Want to see a Sprague Lake elopement ceremony at sunrise? Check out Lauren and Johan’s elopement here.

Are you interested in eloping in Colorado’s wilderness? I’d love to help you plan and photograph your elopement day! Reach out to me here and let’s plan your best adventure yet. 🙂