Griffin & Bryn’s sunrise fall elopement near Crested Butte was a stunning morning if ever there was one!
Picture this: It’s dark, it’s early, and I’m trudging up a trail with the most adorable couple and their four-legged best friend. We’re on a mission to catch the sunrise at a pristine alpine lake, and let me tell you, the excitement in the air was thicker than morning mist!
As we reached the lake, the world was still wrapped in that magical first-light hush, the birds just beginning to awaken. Our intrepid couple had the entire place to themselves – talk about VIP treatment, courtesy of Mother Nature! With the first rays of sunlight painting the sky, these two exchanged vows and rings. Let me tell you, folks, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house (and by house, I mean wilderness lol.)
But wait, it gets better! While most of us can barely function without our morning coffee, these two came prepared. They brewed up some Jetboil coffee right there by the lakeside and enjoyed a picnic breakfast complete with pastries and bagels as the sun climbed higher, turning the lake into a mirror of golden light. It was like watching the world’s most romantic Folgers commercial, I kid you not!
Now, you might think that’s where the adventure ends, but oh no! We were just getting started. With their faithful pup leading the way, we hiked on to discover a waterfall that was luckily still running and two more lakes. It was like Mother Nature was trying to one-up herself at every turn!
At one of these picture-perfect lakes, the newlyweds shared their first dance. No fancy ballroom could compare to this natural dance floor, with mountains as their witnesses and the lake providing the most epic reflection pool for the fall foliage.
Finally, as all good adventures must, ours came to an end back at the trailhead. But not before one last bit of magic – signing their marriage certificate right there in the great outdoors. Talk about putting the “wild” in wilderness wedding!
This sunrise elopement was more than just a photo session – it was an epic adventure, a love story written in trail dust and alpine glow. It was a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful ceremonies don’t need fancy venues or big crowds. Sometimes, all you need is love, a sunrise, and a willing spirit to hike in the dark!
So here’s to the brave couples who choose to say “I do” at dawn, who aren’t afraid to get their wedding dress and shoes a little muddy, and who know that the best wedding reception is one where the cake is replaced by bagels and the champagne by campfire coffee. Check out some snippets from their sunrise fall elopement near Crested Butte:
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