Some weddings are about the grand gesture. Ted and Kathy’s elopement was about something quieter—about two people who knew exactly what mattered to them and weren’t interested in anything else.
They’re from here in the Grand Valley, but they chose Aspen’s John Denver Sanctuary for their October ceremony. Just the two of them, two friends to witness, and me to document it all. No fuss. No performance. Just a relaxed, joyful, quietly reflective day celebrating their commitment to each other.
After over 10 years photographing weddings, I can tell you: the couples who know themselves and what they want create the most genuine celebrations. Ted and Kathy are exactly that kind of couple.
Why the John Denver Sanctuary
The John Denver Sanctuary sits beside the Roaring Fork River in the heart of Aspen—a 4.5-acre garden created to honor John Denver’s love for Colorado’s natural beauty. Large boulders engraved with his lyrics dot the landscape. Water flows gently through the sanctuary. Aspen trees and wildflowers create pockets of peace throughout the space.
In early October, the sanctuary transforms. The aspens turn brilliant gold, creating that quintessential Colorado fall experience—golden leaves catching afternoon light, the sound of water over rocks, mountain air with just enough chill to remind you why you brought that fur shawl.
For Ted and Kathy, it was the perfect setting. They’re private, peaceful people. They wanted nature without spectacle, beauty without crowds (well, reasonable crowds—the sanctuary does stay busy even in fall), and a place that felt both special and serene.
The Iconic Bridge: Ted’s First Look
We started at the bridge—one of those picture-perfect Aspen moments where the creek flows beneath weathered wood and fall colors frame everything.
This is where Ted saw Kathy for the first time that day.
She wore a lovely fur shawl over her wedding attire, perfect for the October chill. The way he looked at her when she walked toward him—this is why I love photographing elopements. When it’s just the two of you (and a handful of people who love you), there’s nowhere to hide the emotion. It’s real. It’s present. It’s exactly what the moment is.
We took some time there on the bridge, capturing that first-look joy before moving toward their ceremony location.
The Walk: Love Letters by the Creek
On our walk through the sanctuary toward their ceremony spot, Ted and Kathy stopped. They’d each written love letters to one another, and this quiet moment beside the creek felt like the right time to read them.
They sat together, reading what they’d written—private words meant only for each other. As their photographer, I stepped back. Some moments deserve space. The tenderness of it, the way they’d each taken time to put their feelings into words, the fact that they chose to share this just between themselves before the ceremony—it all speaks to who they are as a couple.
Private. Intentional. Focused on what actually matters.
The Ceremony: Handfasting Beside the Creek
Their ceremony took place beneath fall trees with the creek flowing nearby. Just Ted, Kathy, their two friends, and their officiant.
They chose to include a handfasting ceremony—an ancient Celtic tradition where the couple’s hands are bound together with cords or ribbons, symbolizing their union. “Tying the knot,” quite literally.
The handfasting ritual is beautiful in its simplicity. Hands joined, cords wrapped around them, vows spoken while physically connected. For couples who value symbolism and meaningful ritual without religious requirements, it’s perfect.
Ted and Kathy’s officiant wrapped their hands while they stood beside the creek, golden aspen leaves all around them, the sound of water creating a natural soundtrack to their promises. The whole scene felt timeless—ancient ritual, autumn beauty, two people committing to each other in the most straightforward way possible.
What Makes the John Denver Sanctuary Special for Elopements
If you’re considering the sanctuary for your own elopement, here’s what you should know:
The Setting: It’s genuinely peaceful. Yes, the sanctuary is a public park and can be bustling (especially on beautiful fall days), but it has enough nooks and corners that you can find your own space. The garden design creates intimate pockets throughout—you’re never far from other visitors, but you also don’t feel like you’re getting married in the middle of a crowd.
The Permits: You’ll need to book through Theatre Aspen (theatreaspen.org/weddings). They manage the sanctuary and can help with permits and logistics.
The Parking: Limited. Plan accordingly. Aspen parking is always tight, and the sanctuary is no exception. Factor in extra time for finding a spot.
The Timing: Fall (late September through early October) gives you those golden aspen leaves. It’s spectacular. It can also be unpredictable—one day sunshine, the next day an early snow. Be mentally flexible.
The Vibe: Public but peaceful. You’re in the heart of Aspen, easily accessible, but the sanctuary’s design creates that sense of retreat. Perfect for couples who want natural beauty without a remote hike.
After the Ceremony: Portraits in the Park
After their ceremony, we spent time capturing portraits throughout the sanctuary. The variety of settings—the creek, the engraved boulders with John Denver’s lyrics, the aspen groves, the walking paths—gives you range without traveling anywhere.
The afternoon light in October is particularly beautiful. It’s softer than summer, more golden. Everything glows.
We wrapped up the portrait session, and Ted and Kathy headed to dinner. Simple. Perfect. Exactly what they wanted.
What Ted and Kathy Taught Me (Again) About Elopements
I’ve photographed elaborate weddings with 200 guests and detailed timelines. I’ve photographed remote backcountry elopements that required hiking in full wedding attire. Both can be beautiful.
But there’s something about couples like Ted and Kathy—older, settled in themselves, clear about their priorities—that reminds me what weddings are actually about.
They didn’t need to prove anything. They didn’t need their day to look like anyone else’s vision of what a wedding should be. They chose what felt right to them: a peaceful sanctuary, fall beauty, two friends to witness, meaningful ritual, and then dinner together.
In their words after the elopement:
“Amanda was simply amazing! From our initial contact, eventual meeting, and day of our elopement, she made things much easier (we loved her little hints, tips and reminders). Professional without being pushy, pleasant without being a pushover, she added to the joy of our day.”
That’s the thing about intimate celebrations—everyone present actually contributes to the experience. There’s no hiding in the crowd. Every person matters. Every moment lands differently when you’re not performing for 150 people.
Planning Your Own John Denver Sanctuary Elopement
If you’re drawn to this kind of celebration—intimate, nature-focused, meaningful without being elaborate—the John Denver Sanctuary is worth considering.
It works particularly well for:
- Couples who want Aspen’s beauty without a remote location
- Fall elopements with golden aspens
- Private, peaceful people who still want accessible logistics
- Those who appreciate John Denver’s legacy and Colorado’s natural beauty
- Celebrations that value simplicity and authenticity
You’ll need to plan for permits (Theatre Aspen handles this), limited parking (arrive early or have a plan), and the fact that it’s a public space (which most couples find adds to rather than detracts from the experience).
The sanctuary’s location in downtown Aspen means you’re close to restaurants for your post-ceremony dinner, hotels for out-of-town guests, and all the amenities you might want. You get nature and convenience in one place.
Planning an Aspen elopement or intimate celebration and want a photographer who understands that less can absolutely be more? I love documenting the kind of quiet, intentional celebrations that Ted and Kathy created—where every person and every moment matters because nothing is there just for show. Contact me to talk about your plans.
