Danielle Tolson Photography

This is what it looks like when you plan a wedding day around what actually matters to you.

For E + J, that meant a peaceful morning with their families, a private first look and vow reading at the edge of an alpine lake - just the two of them - before their ceremony with their parents. Afterward, they celebrated by making margaritas in custom glasses (10/10 recommend) and eating cake.

No big venue. No stressful and jam-packed timeline. Just meaningful moments, 360° mountain views, and a whole lot of intention.

This is your sign to build a day around your own priorities. Whether that’s hiking to the perfect ceremony spot or slinging margaritas for your guests in a suit jacket, I promise: ditching expectations and planning a day that fully encapsulates everything YOU want to do will always be worth it☺️

Sneaks from A + B’s elopement yesterday—I just couldn’t wait to share a few! They had their day at a beautiful rental home in Bailey, Colorado, surrounded by their closest people, and it was the perfect blend of laid-back and meaningful.

A lot of couples come to me wanting epic mountain views *and* their favorite people there to celebrate with them. But the reality? Many of those remote locations only allow 10 guests or fewer. Which can feel pretty disheartening when you can’t imagine your wedding day without your closest friends and family.

On the other hand, if you’re bringing more than 10 guests, most outdoor ceremony sites that offer views like this require advance reservations (that go *fast*) and are often in fairly public areas—so you may have strangers passing through, or even hanging out during your ceremony. 🫠

If that sounds familiar, don’t sleep on using a VRBO for your elopement or micro-wedding! There are so many gorgeous rental homes in the mountains that allow events—places where you can get ready on-site, exchange vows with a front row seat to the peaks, and step inside to an intimate catered dinner all without worrying about permits, guest limits, long drive times, or where you’ll pivot if the weather rolls in.

If you’re curious about options, I’ve got an ever-growing list of incredible properties all across Colorado that are perfect for elopements and micro-weddings like this one☺️

So if you’re thinking a mountain rental elopement might be your vibe, reach out and let’s make it happen.

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