Shaye and Zach’s fall micro wedding in Colorado

Shaye and Zach were our first Colorado elopement of the fall season! The leaves had just started to change, and the fall colors were looking gorgeous! We had been really anticipating this elopement, because we were off-roading with them to a secret location where we had never taken another couple! The day started out with their first look, when she walked up behind him, tapped him on the shoulder, and he turned around to see her for the first time. Like most grooms, he was in awe of her beauty at that emotional moment.

After the first look, Zach walked Shaye over to her dad so her dad could see her for the first time in her wedding dress… and man was that ever a moment to see! His eyes welled up with tears at the thoughts of what a father would have going through his head, on his daughter’s wedding day. He was about to give her away, to a man who he trusted wholeheartedly to take over the job of taking care of her. With family by their side, Shaye and Zach said their vows surrounded by Aspen trees with a huge mountain range behind them. Scenes like this can only be experienced in western Colorado and with someone like Elope Telluride to guide you along the way.

The ceremony’s “Grand Finale” was when their dog of honor, Cardi V, helped sign their marriage license by putting her paw print on it. Yes, your dog can be your witness in Colorado!

After taking some more amazing photos at their ceremony site, we started a hike into the mountains where Shaye and Zach could finally be alone to soak in the feelings of actually, finally being married. We hiked about a mile, crossing a stream and climbing a steep mountainside to an amazing vista for some creative and intimate photos with just the two of them. Let me give you an idea of how they felt... Here they are, just married, holding each other, and looking at one of the grandest mountain landscapes in Colorado. There's no one else around except me taking pictures and I'm keeping a distance so they can have their moment. They hold each other, then dance with each other, they laugh with each other and they have a good time embracing and being silly among the aspen trees.

Zach and Shaye's wedding is what Elope Telluride is all about. It's about getting out into the back country, being with friends and family, and the presence of mountains and Aspen trees that you can only find at a high altitude. There's no worry about venues or any of the other stresses that come along with the wedding. It's a simple affair with your closest loved ones there, as you say the most important words you will ever say.

Congratulations to Zach and Shaye on eloping in western Colorado with us here at Elope Telluride.

Florals: China Rose Florist

Bride’s hair: Linda Peterson www.instagram.com/telluridesanywherehair