Jess and Brooks’ elopement at King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s Field of Vision Festival in Buena Vista was a once-in-a-lifetime blend of love, music, and art. From a low-sun ceremony at Meadow Creek to portraits by Jason Galea’s surreal TV installation, their day wove together Colorado’s wild beauty and the festival’s psychedelic spirit. This post dives into their story, and why Field of Vision is one of the most unique places to elope in Colorado.

In downtown Littleton, we traded sweeping mountain views for colorful walls, bold textures, and the energy of the city. For this editorial-inspired styled session, Angela and Errol stepped into the roles of bride and groom, with Angela wearing a stunning AW Bridal gown that photographed like a dream.

This session was all about contrast, elegance against grit, softness set inside city lines. From quiet laughter tucked between alleyways to dramatic portraits framed by architecture, the result was a gallery that proves love can be art anywhere, mountains or city streets.

Barbara and Garrett’s summer elopement at Garden of the Gods was a celebration of love, family, and the Colorado landscape. With their blended family of kids and loved ones gathered close, they created a ceremony that was both accessible and deeply meaningful.

Officiated by the talented Candace Woods, their vows unfolded under the red rocks and wide Colorado sky. In this post, I share their story, tips for eloping at Garden of the Gods, and why this location is one of the best places for family-centered elopements in Colorado Springs.

Autumn and Skylar’s Garden of the Gods elopement wasn’t just about two people, it was about a whole family. With five daughters, a cousin officiant, and the Colorado sky putting on a show, their day was full of love, flexibility, and intention. They came from out of state with hearts wide open, and together we created something sacred and unforgettable.

This post is for families planning to elope with their kids, couples navigating weather and logistics from afar, and anyone wondering who will truly guide them through a Garden of the Gods elopement. Come see how we made magic in the red rocks, and how you can, too.

Zoie and Alex traveled from Missouri to elope at Crystal Creek Reservoir on Pikes Peak. The day brought rain, hail, and unexpected pivots, but also deep connection, incredible light, and a grounded ceremony by the water. With tattoos, custom Chucks, and a close group of friends, their celebration was joyful and heartfelt from beginning to end.

From weather challenges to intimate moments (like Zoie’s locket holding her father’s ashes), this elopement was rich in emotion, meaning, and the kind of trust that makes beautiful photos possible, no matter what the forecast says.

Brooke and James chose to have their ultra-private Elopement ceremony with each other in Twin Lakes, Colorado. I am filled with gratitude I was able to tag along and photograph their first looks, exchanging of vows, and all the other moments that make an elopement one for the heart. These two put thoughtful effort into the details of their special time together. From their vow books to James’ custom leather suspenders, they really did create magic in the mountains with me.

This was the second elopement that I had photographed in Twin Lakes but this location was new and the previous elopement was at sunrise, though the same time of year. New for me equals excitement and renewed creative spirit! I was in it for everything I had and I do think it shows. The colors of fall were showing off and the day was unusually warm and ended with the most amazing sunset the couple had seen since they arrived in Colorado a few days earlier. They had come to Colorado on a special trip to get married and were staying near Como at a beautiful Airbnb in the cliffs.

Emily and Chase reached out to me shortly before they began their cross-country van trip from the east coast. They had decided they wanted to forgo the big wedding idea and elope during their time in Colorado while on the trip. When they had first reached out, they were interested in eloping at Garden of the Gods, which is a beautiful place! It is close to me and I visit there often. Emily and I had our video call shortly after she reached out and I could tell they wanted this elopement to be something epic (duh, as you SHOULD!). I suggested that she look at some other locations I have listed in my Location Catalog and she fell in love with Brainard Lake.

I had shot at Brainard Lake several times last year and I loved the space so much, I was excited to be going back again. Emily and Chase needed a sunrise elopement because they had plans that evening and it would work better for their schedule. I had never shot at sunrise at Brainard Lake but damn, I was down for it. From my side, this elopement coverage required some special planning. The location is about 3 hours from my home and sunrise was at 5:30 am that day, you do the math. Sleepover! I turned this sunrise elopement into a travel date with my kids and we had the best time visiting RMNP and sleeping someplace new. Best thing about it? I didn’t have to get up extra early and worry about fighting traffic or missing sunrise because I was less than an hour away in Estes Park. I won that day. For sure.

These high school sweethearts (and their pup, Penny) adventured with me near Rocky Mountain National Park for their private elopement ceremony. Sav and Casey wanted their raw, emotional, and tearful moments to be something they could look back on in the future. They knew that these moments, the ones where they express their lifelong devotion to each other could not be something that they could document on their own. Enter me. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve shared what I have been creating over here at Wild Prairie Photography and this elopement really ticked all my “dream session” boxes so I figured what better way to break back into the habit than with this.

This sweet couple and their friends and family traveled in from all over to witness their union during their Micro Wedding at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I live in Colorado Springs so I visit Garden of the Gods almost weekly. You know what that means? I have the best inside scoop on where the less crowded spots are in the park, that’s right, no fighting those crowds when I help you plan your evening at the Garden.

Can you believe that I spent my first 5 years in Colorado NEVER shooting at Garden of the Gods unless it was a sunrise session? I don’t do crowds when I shoot. You can’t get that authenticity that you can from being alone with the one you love. Waiting to take turns at “hot spots” around the park, trying to find parking, battling with tourists and allll the people. Nope. not in to it.

Kenzie and Kody chose me to be their elopement photographer after we had a lunch date at a local restaurant. They were in town checking out The Pinery at the Hill and wanted to meet with me to see how we fit. I loved them right from the start. Kenzie has the sweetest, kindest personality and it really showed.

I had never shot an elopement at The Pinery at the Hill (I had, however, covered a few non-wedding events there) and I was excited to be able to use the space. Their patio, where Kenzie and Kody exchanged vows, has the perfect afternoon sunset mountain light. Check out the images below to see what I mean.

Kenzie and Kody still wanted to showcase those Colorado mountains a bit more so after their ceremony, I swept them away with me for some intimate couples photos over at Garden of the Gods. We were short on time so we visited a location that is generally too crowded for me. I must have had all my karma coming back to me at once because when we got there, parking was a breeze and everyone just seemed to disappear from wherever we roamed on the rocks. Perfect evening.

Planning your out-of-state elopement can feel a bit scary and uncertain, that’s where I come in! Jes and I planned her intimate elopement to Ken at Garden of the Gods and it couldn’t have been more authentic or lovely. It was just Jes, Ken, and myself during their elopement. It was full of happy tears, tender moments, soulful love and I am thankful I got to take part.

When you book an elopement photographer, you want to make sure that you feel comfortable being your authentic self with them. Find someone who shares your heart for the things you are passionate about. Allow yourself to connect with them on a deeper level. It should be more than, “Hello, I am your photographer, now let’s take your photo”. Your elopement photographer should listen to you and take interest in your life. Someone who can feel you and your love and radiate back to you through a gallery of images that authentically show the love you and your partner share.

The Fountain Creek Ranch is a historic wedding venue located just south of Colorado Springs. They are a new venue that launched during one of the hardest years we have had in a long time. They are still here though and I wanted to share their lovely space with you!

Alex, Daniel, their kiddos + I explored the house and grounds at the Fountain Creek Ranch on a fall day. The house was built as the Frost Family home and was lived and worked in by the Frost Family for some time. The ranch has decided to open its doors and land to host authentic Colorado weddings, lucky you!

I enjoyed the time I spent watching and hearing the kids play in the rooms and hallways. Each room holds different vibes and possibilities. The grounds of the ranch has its own flower garden which, when in full bloom, takes your breath away. The land is on the Fountain Creek as well so there are chanced to explore the creek area along with the large cottonwood trees that inhabit the land.

Elopements were the word for 2020 and 2021 is looking to be just as elopement heavy. So many couples have opted to elope instead of having a large wedding due to all of the reasons you could think of for 2020. Personally, I only take on elopements are smaller/less formal weddings as a rule of thumb. I love hanging out with my couples and document their love in an authentic and natural way.

Jennifer + Jay eloped with me in Colorado Springs at the end of 2020. They drove down from their home in Woodland Park with her in the backseat with a blanket between them so he couldn’t see her! It was pretty much the cutest thing ever. He pulled up and I was like, “where is Jennifer?”, I could hear her from behind the blanket saying hello to me. I die. hahaha

Madison and Brandon are high school sweethearts. Madison reached out to me because they had a dream of eloping in the Rocky Mountains. They wanted to proclaim their love to one another in our beautiful Colorado landscape and I had just the spot for their private ceremony together.

I met this lovely couple at one of my favorite locations, in fact, I also eloped here. Each time I go here, I relive my own time with my sweet husband and it revives the romantic parts of me. It’s almost like a gift to myself to take these beautiful couples to this spot of mine. To have them laugh and love in the same space that I gave my forever love to Daniel.

We traveled through trees, across makeshift stick bridges over mud and muck, across what is to be known as “The Sound of Music” area and then scrambled over boulders. We made it, when we climbed over the hill my heart raced, it was the most beautiful pond I have ever seen. Surrounded by snowy mountains and solitude. It was perfect.

James and Alex got changed into their wedding clothes in the great outdoors while I worked some magic with their wedding details. It was time. I followed them down to the most lovely space for them to exchange their vows, rings, and heart. Their authentic love. Right before me. It was moving and something I won’t ever forget.

The choice to elope versus having a traditional wedding is a personal one. Maybe it’s for financial reasons, maybe you want to just have a smaller crowd, maybe you want to exchange vows in an area where having a large ceremony just isn’t feasible. Maybe it’s none of those reasons. Maybe it’s all of them.

I am proud of these images. I am so happy to be delivering this gallery of love. A gallery that incorporates things important to them. Namely, Grandma and Grandpas tokens of love. A way for them to be present during these intimate moments. A broach and a hankie. Perfect for the day. Megan and Dylan also read letters they wrote to one another while sitting in the rain. It was magnificent and so genuine.