Intimate Colorado Elopement with Sunrise Vows and Home-Cooked Dinner
Elisa (she/her) and Vic (she/they) always knew that a traditional wedding wasn’t for them. From their very first date, they talked about eloping and building a day that reflected their values: intentional, nature-filled, and completely on their own terms. After moving to Colorado with their dog and three cats, they planned a sunrise ceremony at Rocky Mountain National Park’s 3M Curve, surrounded only by a handful of their closest friends. What followed was a day filled with private vows, chosen family, vinyl records, and a home-cooked feast that felt entirely their own.
Tell us about your love story!
Vic and I first met on Tinder after college and went on a few dates before losing touch. A year later, we ran into each other at a concert in Tampa. I tried to “casually” bump into her to start a conversation, but Vic is so polite she didn’t even react, so I had to just say hi. We spent the rest of the night together, and from there things moved fast. Within two weeks we were basically living together, and within a month we were already saying I love you. Before long the proposal jokes started. Somehow we managed to wait almost three years before making it official. We’ve since moved to Colorado, where we share life with our dog and three cats.
What influenced your decision to elope?
We knew from the very beginning that we wanted to elope. Honestly, I think it came up on our first date. The idea of shaping our day however we wanted, on our own timeline, by our own rules, and surrounded by nature, just felt right for us.
Tell us about finding your elopement outfits. What was the experience like?
One of the most special parts was getting to join each other for our outfit appointments.
Vic had a custom suit made at Indochino, which was an affirming and exciting experience. I originally bought a dress from Anthropologie/BLHDN but ended up pivoting to an off-the-rack gown from Brilliant Bridal that fit perfectly. I added a sheer topper with vintage pearls and wore vintage flower earrings we picked up on a trip to Manhattan, where we also bought our wedding bands from Pippin Vintage.
Vic had originally planned to wear vintage Chanel sapphire and diamond earrings but ended up borrowing a pair from our friend Caroline instead. I’ve always loved the idea of wearing things with a history, and those details made the day feel even more meaningful.
Alterations were done at Bella Tailor, who helped everything come together just right.
Walk us through the elopement day. What were some of your favorite moments?
We woke everyone up at 3:30 am to get ready for our sunrise ceremony. Elisa is Mrs. Mornings, and to our surprise, everyone else was just as awake and excited. We all did our own hair and makeup (Elisa even did Vic’s) before heading into Rocky Mountain National Park, 3M Curve at 6 am. The weather was calm and clear, and we shared our private vows through plenty of tears before bringing in our friends for traditional vows and a kiss, which turned out to be one of our favorite parts.
Our day included just four of our closest friends. Robin, Elisa’s best friend from high school, was her maid of honor, with Caroline as her bridesmaid. Vic’s maid of honor, An, flew in from Florida, and Liza, who lives in Colorado, was her bridesmaid. Having them with us made the day feel complete.
After photos, we stopped at the visitor center to stamp our vow book, while our friends napped in the car. Back at our Airbnb, we spent the evening cooking a five-course meal together, drinking wine, spinning records, and dancing. We ended the night with a first dance to Pastels by The Brook and The Bluff. And yes, dessert included a cake from Gateau Bakery.
How did you go about finding the key vendors for your elopement?
The only vendor we truly cared about was our photographer. Elisa did a ton of research and talked to so many people, but we knew Jamie Tobin Photography was the one as soon as we met her on Zoom. She was the most expensive option we considered, but worth every penny and more. We ended up building the rest of our budget and plans around her, and it was the best decision we made.
Did you share vows?
We shared private vows overlooking the mountains before our friends joined us. It was brutal because we’re both criers, and it was so much harder than we expected. Honestly, I just wanted to get through mine quickly because I was a blubbering mess and didn’t want to ruin my makeup. The traditional vows we added afterward ended up grounding the whole moment. Saying “I do” with our people there made it feel real.
What was the process around the legalities of your elopement?
We actually got legally married eight months before the wedding, on June 13, 2024. We picked up our license from Boulder County and hiked to Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park at sunrise to sign it. We even snapped our own photos on a film camera. Being able to self-solemnize was perfect, if we’d needed an officiant, it would have taken something away. Taking care of the legal part early saved a lot of stress too, especially since we accidentally left the license at home on the actual wedding day.
Do you have any advice for other couples planning an elopement?
If you’re considering it, do it. A wedding should reflect the couple it’s celebrating, not outdated norms or traditions.
Photography by Jamie Tobin Photography
Alterations Bella Tailor
Bakery Gateau Bakery
Bridal Boutique Brilliant Bridal
Jewelry Pippin Vintage, NYC
Suit Indochino
Venue Rocky Mountain National Park, 3M Curve
