They first found me on Google — one of those random little internet moments that somehow led to something really special. On our first call, Alison and I instantly clicked. She was warm, funny, and already had this clear vision for their fall elopement in Breckenridge. You know when a conversation just flows? That was us. It felt like chatting with an old friend instead of a new client.
The only curveball came from Ryan. He was set on having a film-only photographer for the day. Totally fair. I get it. Film has a certain magic that’s hard to beat. But instead of trying to convince him otherwise, I came ready to meet them in the middle. I packed both my Super 8 and my film camera so they could get the full nostalgic experience without giving up anything. That decision ended up setting the tone for everything that followed—creative, flexible, and full of trust. We had this easy balance of laughter, intention, and excitement. I couldn’t wait to be a part of their day.
Love That Moves Fast
Alison and Ryan’s story goes back to 2017, when they met while working at a local restaurant. Like most good love stories, theirs started slow. Lots of late nights, shared laughs, and “just one more drink” after closing with their coworkers. Then came New Year’s Eve, a few too many drinks, and a very honest confession from Ryan that changed everything. They’ve been together ever since.
Fast forward to this year. When Ryan’s dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, they decided to plan their wedding in just one week so that he could not only be there but also officiate their ceremony. I still get chills thinking about it. It wasn’t about the perfect timeline or all the “shoulds” of a wedding day. It was about love, family, and soaking up every second together. It reminded me that the most meaningful stories often come together in the simplest, most human way.
Their Fall Elopement Day in Breckenridge
Their fall elopement in Breckenridge was beautiful. The mountains were dressed in their best autumn colors, and the air was crisp and clear.
Right before the ceremony, Ryan stood next to his dad, who also happened to be their officiant, and there was this quiet moment between them that said everything words couldn’t. You could feel the weight of love, gratitude, and time standing still. The ceremony was beautifully imperfect in the best way possible. A little rain decided to join us, so they grabbed an umbrella and kept right on exchanging vows with the biggest smiles on their faces. The sky eventually broke open, the sun peeked through, and a rainbow showed up!
They described themselves as “weirdos that fit in,” and it couldn’t be more true. They were calm, quirky, and completely themselves. This is a love story I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
Flowers by Double Dutch Floral
From the Bride & Groom
“You brought so much joy and artistry to our day, Stefanie. I wouldn’t have wanted to share it with anyone else 🥹” “Thank you so so so much for being a part of our special day and capturing our dream in real time. You made us feel comfortable with being ourselves around you from our very first phone call, and the day could not have been as special and fun without someone we trust by our side. We always say we are not photogenic people, but after showing our friends your photos, no one believes us!”
For more like this, see this adventurous San Juan Mountains elopement!
