We loved our time as Hailey & Nicole’s Colorado elopement photographers! Helping this incredible couple plan their Maroon Bells elopement and documenting all of the joyful tears and smiles was a highlight of our 2023 elopement season! 

The adventure started nice and early at 7:15 in the morning. A thick fog blocked the sun and snow began to fall as we set foot off of the shuttle bus at the Maroon Bells Amphitheater (one of the best places to elope in Colorado, in our opinion!). It was a perfect, beautiful fall morning! You could just see the jagged mountain towering above the mix of fog of snow!

Hailey and Nicole picked Maroon Bells Amphitheater for their Aspen Colorado elopement for two reasons: They had fallen in love with the iconic view on a previous trip and the amphitheater offered seating for their closest family members who made the journey from Idaho and Guatemala to celebrate their union! 

Nerves and emotions were high before their first look. Their reactions were so sweet when they turned to see one another! They took a moment to embrace and admire one another. Then turned to their families and began their ceremony holding hands and thanking them for being there. Their families warmed their rings, and Nicole’s brother stepped up, embraced Nicole, and handed them their rings. 

During their exchanging of rings, the snow and fog began to clear just in time for Nicole and Hailey to self-solemnize and sign their marriage license with the help of their sweet pup, Loki! After the license was signed, they sealed the deal with their first kiss as a married couple as their families cheered them on – IT WAS OFFICIAL!

After a brief celebration and family portraits, we split ways with their family and took off on a trail toward Crater Lake which would lead us to the foot of Maroon Peak! The 3-mile trail led us up a ridge that overlooked Maroon Lake – the views were stunning! 

Along the way, we spotted a grove of trees a little ways off of the trail. The trees provided shelter from the sleet that was now starting to fall, and Maroon Peak loomed above us. Here, Nicole and Hailey read their private vows to one another – they were so intimate, personal, and sweet! 

Once they finished their vows, we hiked for about another 20 minutes until we reached the base of the mountain! We all stood in awe as we looked up at the mountain, but shortly after the weather took a turn and snow began to fall hard. The snow and fog quickly swallowed up the view, but despite this, the fog and snow felt ethereal and beautiful in its own way! We stayed for some couples portraits then packed up and made our way back to the trailhead so we could hop in the car for our next stop!

After a 45-minute drive along a bendy mountain pass with incredible views of the surrounding mountains, we reached our second destination! Here we spent some time exploring the area and soaking in the epic view of the mountains before us. In just 30 minutes, the weather shifted from clear and sunny, to windy and rainy, then just chilly and snowy – it was quite the experience! 

Their families meet up with us at the overlook where they set up a table and their wedding! Nicole’s brother’s wife made a beautiful wooden knife and ladle with their names and elopement date engraved in it! They cut their cake and enjoyed it together before we cleaned up, hopped back into the cars, and headed down the mountain before more winter weather settled in. 

All in all, what an amazing adventure and experience this was! Hailey and Nicole’s love for one another is infectious, and it was an absolute honor that they chose us to be their Colorado elopement photographers and to allow us to help them plan their Maroon Bells elopement!

This day will forever hold a special place in our hearts! 

Ready to elope in Colorado? 

You deserve an intentional and intimate elopement experience that you can cherish for a life-long marriage! And we would love to help you seamlessly plan your elopement! We invite you to click here to learn more about us and to see if we are the perfect fit for you. If so, click here to get in touch today and start your adventure!

Searching for some Maroon Bells elopement tips? 

We’ve got you covered! Here are three of our top-rated planning resources available: 

How to Elope at The Maroon Bells.

The Best Time of Year to Elope in Colorado.

Self-Solemnizing in Colorado – Everything You Need to Know.