Nicole & Jacob’s Loveland Pass Elopement

Nicole and Jacob had originally planned a traditional wedding, but the further they got into planning, the less it felt like the experience they actually wanted. There were vendors to coordinate, expectations from other people, and eventually they decided they wanted something completely different. Something simpler that gave them more space to focus on their experience together. Colorado was already special to Nicole, Jacob, and their daughter, Rylee. They traveled out from the Midwest for their elopement, returning to a state that had become meaningful to them after a previous family trip. When we started narrowing down what they wanted from their wedding day, the list was pretty straightforward: mountains, water, alpine lakes, and somewhere they could enjoy without needing an extensive hike. Loveland Pass gave us plenty of options to work with.

Rylee was the only other person joining them, and they wanted her to be part of the experience. Accessibility mattered when choosing where we would explore, so we looked for places that gave them the mountain views they wanted while still being approachable for an adventurous six-year-old. They spent the day exploring around Loveland Pass together, with time for family photos and their ceremony before Nicole and Jacob headed farther into the mountains for portraits later in the evening.

There wasn’t much interest in filling the day with things simply because they were expected at a wedding. Nicole and Jacob wanted something casual and organic, with enough flexibility to enjoy where they were without following a strict timeline. After their experience planning a traditional wedding, simplicity had become one of the most important parts of what they wanted from the day. Their wedding day brought them back to a place that already held memories for their family, this time with the chance to slow down, explore Loveland Pass together, and celebrate with Rylee alongside them.