Wildflower Elopement near Breckenridge, Colorado
When Tanner and Kate reached out to me to share their dreams of a private elopement, I was immediately all in. As an out-of-state couple, they were still in the early planning stages but had a few must-haves: they knew they wanted to elope with just their 8-year-old dog, Winnie, surrounded by Colorado’s breathtaking scenery. Having visited Colorado during their time in Nebraska, they valued the chance to celebrate their love in a more intimate setting that was personal to them, and free from traditional wedding norms. Their plan was simple: exchange vows over morning coffee, followed by a cozy night at an AirBnb filled with games, beer, and wine. (A dream come true, right?)
As much as I appreciate a grand wedding celebration, there’s undeniably something beautiful about a private elopement. Kate and Tanner loved bringing an unstructured vibe to their day, and they didn’t hesitate to drive up in the pitch black of night in my pickup truck to catch the best views at a most inconvenient hour. We had all of Mayflower Gulch to ourselves, and were completely immersed in wildflowers. They read their vows from greeting cards (“We’re card people,” they told me) just as the sun was rising. I love witnessing how beautiful a private vow exchange can be, bringing out emotions in the most unexpected and intense ways. Afterward, Winnie promptly stamped the marriage certificate with her paw, and we continued the celebration in downtown Breckenridge with delicious donuts.
It was a day I will never forget. They walked through fields of wildflowers, read their vows, indulged in delicious donuts, and watched Winnie have the time of her life running around. They laughed, they cried, but most importantly, they chose each other that day and every day moving forward. The day was entirely at their pace, and I couldn’t love their universe (or wedding photos) more.
Vendor Love
Dress: Lillian West from Couture Bridal of Maryland
Engagement Ring: Brilliant Earth
Wedding Bands: JP Jewelers and Ridge
Florals: Jo Kulesza Weddings
Dessert: Daylight Donuts
