Adam and Eileen’s Aspen, Colorado elopement involved a lot of driving, chasing the best light, and stopping whenever we found somewhere too pretty to pass up. We started the morning at Hotel Jerome in downtown Aspen and spent the rest of the day exploring the mountains, eventually making our way to Twin Lakes for their vows and Independence Pass for sunset. They wanted to experience as much as possible, and I was more than happy to come along for the ride. Give me a full day in the mountains with a couple who’s down for anything, and I’m one happy photographer!
From Hotel Jerome to the Mountains: The Start of Their Aspen, Colorado Elopement
One of my favorite little details about Adam and Eileen’s story is that they originally found me on Google! They reached out about their elopement; we did their engagement photos together, and then came the wedding day. I love getting to spend that extra time with my couples before their wedding. By the time we were all running around Colorado together, it was like hanging out with friends.
We started the morning at Hotel Jerome, right in the heart of Aspen. It’s such a beautiful historic hotel, and I loved the contrast between its classic interiors and all the mountain scenery we had planned for later.
Eileen’s mom and dad were there to help them get ready, which made the morning even sweeter. Her mom helped with her dress, they shared a little champagne, and her dad got to be part of one of my favorite moments of the day. Instead of doing a traditional first look, Eileen had her dad walk her over to Adam. I thought that was such a thoughtful way to include him without having a traditional wedding ceremony. It was really sweet. After a few photos around Hotel Jerome, we were off to the mountains!
Pine Creek Cookhouse, Ashcroft Ghost Town & a Whole Lot of Exploring
When I tell you we covered some ground on this elopement day, I mean it. Adam and Eileen weren’t interested in spending hours standing in one spot taking photos. They wanted to explore, see new places, and enjoy everything Colorado had to offer.
Our first stops took us to Pine Creek Cookhouse and Ashcroft Ghost Town, where we traded Aspen streets for open valleys, mountain views, and those beautiful early fall colors. We had the BEST sunny fall day for it, too. The mountains were showing off, the leaves were starting to change, and everywhere we turned there was another spot worth pulling over for. Naturally, we took full advantage.
I loved how much variety we fit into their photos. Between historic buildings in Aspen, mountain valleys near Ashcroft, and the wide-open landscapes along the way, every stop felt a little different. And that’s something I love about planning a full-day elopement. You don’t have to choose between getting married somewhere beautiful and actually getting out to enjoy it. We had plenty of time to explore, take photos, and make the drive itself part of the experience.
Eventually, we made our way toward Twin Lakes, which was easily the most meaningful stop of the entire day.
A Full-Circle Ceremony at Twin Lakes & Sunset on Independence Pass
Before their elopement, Adam and Eileen told me about a day they’d spent together at Twin Lakes about a year earlier. They’d gone hiking during peak fall colors, spent the day outside, and returned to warm drinks in Eileen’s teardrop camper. When I asked about places that were special to them, they kept coming back to this memory. They both felt like it was one of those days when they really fell in love. So, almost exactly a year later, they returned to Twin Lakes to get married. I mean, COME ON. How sweet is that?!
With the lake behind them and the mountains stretching across the horizon, they exchanged vows in a quiet ceremony that felt personal to their relationship. It was special knowing they’d already made such a meaningful memory in that exact area, and now they were adding another one.
In their questionnaire, they mentioned that Aspen itself hadn’t necessarily been a special place to them before this trip, but they knew it would be afterward. I loved that perspective. Sometimes a place becomes important because of what happens while you’re there.
And because we apparently hadn’t seen enough mountains for one day (as if that’s possible), we headed up to Independence Pass for our final photos. We spent the last bit of daylight running around, watching the sun dip behind the mountains, and squeezing every last minute out of that golden evening light. It was the perfect way to wrap up a day full of movement from the very beginning.
We really did chase the light all day long, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Planning Your Own Aspen, Colorado Elopement?
If you’re dreaming of an elopement involving a little road-tripping, a lot of exploring, and getting married somewhere that means something to you, I’d love to help make it happen!
Whether you want to spend the day visiting your favorite mountain spots or head somewhere completely new, there’s so much freedom in planning a wedding day around what you two genuinely enjoy doing together.
And if that means driving all over Colorado to catch the best light? Trust me, I’m in. Let’s plan your Colorado elopement together! And check out this intimate family elopement in Breckenridge!
