The bride and groom stand next to each other in front of a perfectly still alpine lake for their small mountain wedding in Colorado. The mountains are reflected back in the lake in front of the wedding couple.

Emma & Brad’s Small Mountain Wedding in Breckenridge, Colorado

Ceremony location is easily accessible
7 Hours of Photography Coverage
September Afternoon: 3:00PM – 10:00PM

When Emma and Brad first reached out to me, they only knew one thing for certain: They wanted a small mountain wedding in Colorado. They had no idea where to go, how the day should flow, or what to even pack for an outdoor celebration. They didn’t even know what town they wanted to get married in! As their elopement photographer, this is my favorite kind of blank canvas. I worked with them to build a totally custom, zero-pressure experience in Breckenridge: From scouting the perfect hidden alpine lake, to building their timeline, to literally hauling a picnic table up the trail for them.

Here is a look at how we brought their laid-back small mountain wedding in Breckenridge to life.

A Secluded Alpine Ceremony with Guests

One of the biggest myths about having a tiny mountain wedding is that you can’t invite anyone. Emma and Brad proved you can totally have the best of both worlds!

We headed out to a stunning alpine lake near Breckenridge with zero cell service. They kept the guest list super intentional, with just their Maid of Honor, Best Man, and closest friends standing with them. Instead of a traditional unity candle (which the mountain wind would just blow out anyway!), they poured a warm cup of coffee to sip together. Right after their first kiss, they signed their marriage license on the spot and popped some champagne to toast with their crew.

Hiking to Private Vows and a Sunset Picnic

After knocking out formal family portraits, we said goodbye to the guests and the real adventure started. We hiked about 30 minutes deeper into the valley (this is exactly why I tell all my couples to pack warm, waterproof boots!).

We reached a totally private, secluded spot right as the soft alpenglow started hitting the peaks. Emma and Brad read their private vows to each other completely alone and took in a quiet moment to soak in the reality that they were finally married.

While they were having that incredible moment, I played camp host. I set up a romantic picnic where they could enjoy their baked goods. Complete with a table and tablecloths that I hiked out in my pack! They got to sit back, eat some amazing snacks, and watch the sun dip behind the mountains. As the light faded, we turned on our lanterns for the hike back down, grabbing some epic, moody “blue hour” photos along the water.

An Epic Airbnb Pizza Party

You definitely don’t need a massive, stressful banquet hall to have an unforgettable reception. For their small mountain wedding in Colorado, Emma and Brad just rented a gorgeous local Airbnb with a badass firepit.

When we got back from the trail, their guests were waiting. They cut their cake, ordered a massive stack of pizzas, and spent the rest of the night just relaxing and laughing around the fire. Before I packed up my cameras for the night, we snuck away from the firelight to capture a few breathtaking star photos by Dillon Reservoir to close out the perfect day.

Looking for pricing details for your own Colorado elopement or small wedding? Check out my Colorado elopement packages at this link!

  • Landscape photo that shows Clinton Gulch reservoir and the mountains behind them in September.
  • Wedding couple and their guests talk in the parking lot at Clinton Gulch before walking down to their intimate wedding location
  • The bride and groom walk down the hiking path at Clinton Gulch reservoir in Breckenridge Colorado.
  • Two wedding guests walk down the hiking trail at Clinton Gulch reservoir in Breckenridge with the bride and groom not too far in front of them.
  • The best man reads a speech to the bride and groom from his cell phone. The mountains and trees stand tall behind all of them for this small wedding in Breckenridge.
  • Closer photo of the best man reading his speech with the bride and groom holding each other in the foreground.
  • The bride and groom smile as the best man reads his speech. The best man is in the foreground and the wedding couple is photographed in front of him. Clinton gulch reservoir shines brightly behind them.
  • Close up photo to show the grooms reaction during his best man's speech during their small mountain wedding in Breckenridge, Colorado.
  • The groom tears up as his best man reads a speech to the bride and groom before their ceremony.
  • The bride is tearing up and the groom has a huge smile on his face as the best man reads his speech.
  • Both the bride and groom are laughing at the best man's speech.
  • Wide photo to show the best man giving a speech to the bride and groom.
  • Emotional photo of the groom hugging his best man after the speech.
  • Closeup black and white photo of the groom hugging the best man after his emotional speech.
  • Fun photo to show the bride and grooms shoes for their small mountain wedding in Colorado. She has on blundstones while her future husband has dress shoes on.
  • The bride, groom and guests hike down a steep hiking trail to get to the spot for the small mountain wedding.
  • Wide photo of the small mountain wedding in Colorado. Clinton Gulch reservoir looks bright blue behind them and the mountains and trees look sharp and colorful.
  • The bride is bending over laughing hard at a joke one of the guests told before the ceremony started.
  • The bride is holding her hand over her heart as she thanks her guests for coming all the way out to Colorado for their small mountain wedding in Breckenridge.
  • The 4 guests are shown with smiling faces as they watch the bride and groom get married.
  • Closeup phot of the bride pouring coffee into metal coffee cups for their unity ceremony.
  • Bride and groom toast their coffee cups together in celebration of their small mountain wedding near Breckenridge. Their guests are in the background behind them and are smiling as they watch.
  • Bride and groom drink from their coffee cups for their unity ceremony as the guests watch in the background.
  • Bride and groom share a first kiss for their small mountain wedding in Breckenridge, Colorado with their 4 guests watching.
  • The bride celebrates by throwing her bouquet up in the air right after their ceremony.
  • Closeup photo showing the smiling faces of two guests at the wedding.
  • Groom pops open a bottle of champagne to celebrate with their guests at their small intimate wedding near Breckenridge.
  • Bride holds up her champagne glass in celebration as the groom pops open the champagne.
  • Bride and groom toast to their guests with champagne.
  • Bride and groom toast to their guests with champagne. The mountains are in the background.
  • Artistic photo of the groom smiling as he looks at his new bride.
  • Artistic photo of the bride resting her hand on her groom's shoulder as they drink champagne.
  • Two of the wedding guests smile and laugh as they hold a glass of champagne.
  • The bride's sister signs the marriage license with the bride and groom in the background.
  • Closeup photo of the marriage license. The groom has his hand flat on the marriage license which shows off his wedding ring. He signs to make it official!
  • Black and white photo showing the bride signing the marriage license for her Colorado elopement.
  • Bride and groom shown posing for a photo at Clinton Gulch in Breckenridge for their Colorado elopement.
  • Bride and groom share a kiss while their 4 guests celebrate around them.
  • Bride and groom walking down a hiking trail for their adventurous elopement in Breckenridge, Colorado.
  • Landscape photo of Clinton Gulch reservoir near Breckenridge, Colorado.
  • Bride and groom sit on a large rock next to Clinton Gulch reservoir in Colorado and share a kiss at sunset.
  • Bride and groom look off in the distance as they sit on a rock together next to an alpine lake.
  • Bride and groom sitting on a large rock together at Clinton Gulch reservoir near Breckenridge and Copper mountain in Colorado.
  • Landscape photo of Clinton Gulch reservoir that shows the mid September foliage at 11,000 feet.
  • Bride and groom hiking on a rocky hiking trail with a large alpine lake in Colorado behind them. The foliage is yellow since it's mid-September.
  • Bride lifts up the bottom of her dress as she holds her bouquet and walks along a hiking trail. Her groom is directly behind her with a smile on his face.
  • Bride laughs and smiles as she holds her dress and bouquet and hikes down a trail at Clinton Gulch reservoir in Colorado.
  • Closeup photo of a pine tree in front of Clinton Gulch reservoir in Colorado.
  • The bride and the groom hike down a hiking trail further into the gulch at Clinton Reservoir. The bright yellow bushes are just as tall as they are.
  • Bride stands on rocks in an alpine lake in Colorado as she gets ready to jump across the water to her groom.
  • Bride and groom stand on a rock in an alpine lake at their small wedding in Colorado and share a kiss.
  • Wide photo of the end of Clinton Gulch reservoir hike that shows the bride and groom standing on a large rock in the water.
  • Bride and groom share a quiet moment holding each other as they stand on a rock in an alpine lake near Breckenridge, Colorado.
  • Bride holds the groom's lapel and pulls him in for a kiss as they stand by an alpine lake near Breckenridge, Colorado.
  • Bride fans out her dress as she kisses her groom while standing on a rock in an alpine lake for their small mountain wedding in Colorado. The water around them is so still that you can see their reflection.
  • Groom hops from 1 rock to another rock that are completely surrounded by water. The bride is right behind him about to jump. Their reflections are cast in the alpine lake in front of them.
  • Bride jumps from one rock to another to her groom. They are surrounded by water and their reflections show in the alpine lake.
  • Bride and groom stand on a rock in an alpine lake in Colorado and share a kiss during their small mountain wedding in Colorado. Their reflections are cast back in the water in front of them.
  • Bride and groom walk along the rocks in the water at sunset. Their reflections and the mountains are reflected back in the water in front of them.
  • Detail photo shows the bride and grooms reflection in the alpine lake as they walk across the rocks.
  • Wide landscape photo of Clinton Gulch reservoir in Colorado at sunset in September.
  • Bride and groom stand together in the foreground. They are admiring the sunset alpenglow on the mountains.
  • Bride and groom walking hand in hand towards the camera as they smile at each other. The mountains behind them are lit up with alpenglow from sunset.
  • The groom poses for a photo in a navy blue suit for his small mountain wedding in Colorado. The mountains and fall foliage are vivid behind him.
  • Closeup photo of the grooms blue suit and green tie. He holds onto the lapel to show off his wedding ring.
  • Wide photo shows the alpenglow on the mountains outside of Clinton Gulch.
  • Bride poses for a solo portrait with her bridal train cast out behind her. The train has dirt on it from her adventures.
  • Bride holds up the end of her dirty wedding dress and throws up the 'rock on' symbol with her other hand for her small mountain wedding in Colorado.
  • Closeup of a bride's muddy wedding dress, which got dirty from hiking on her adventurous elopement in Colorado.
  • Bride and groom start reading their vows for their small mountain wedding in Colorado. The alpenglow is vivid on the mountains behind them.
  • The bride has a huge smile on her face as her groom reads his vows to her and holds her hand.
  • Bride wipes her tears away during emotional vow reading in the mountains of Colorado.
  • Newlyweds share another first kiss after their private vows at sunset near Breckenridge Colorado. The cut out of their dog's head is stuck in the ground near them.
  • Bride and groom pause during their vow reading and look out over the vast mountains near Breckenridge for their small mountain wedding in Colorado.
  • Wide photo that shows a reflective creek that runs through the alpine basin. The alpenglow shines bright on the mountains behind the river.
  • The newlyweds look tiny as they walk along a ridge at sunset. The alpenglow is vivid and orange on the mountains behind them for their small mountain wedding in Colorado.
  • Closeup photo of a bride showing off her Blundstones with her wedding dress and bouquet.
  • The bride and groom look tiny as they have a sunset picnic next to an alpine lake in Colorado.
  • Newlyweds toast with croissants during their romantic sunset picnic by a lake near Breckenridge, Colorado.
  • Dramatic photo that shows the vast landscape near an alpine lake by Breckenridge, Colorado. The bride and groom are having a romantic picnic next to the water as the sun sets.
  • The bride smiles at her groom as they sit next to each other during their romantic sunset picnic. The lake is calm behind them and the white lantern shines brightly in the frame.
  • Wide photo that shows the dramatic sunset during a small mountain wedding in Colorado. The bride and groom are sitting next to an alpine lake having a picnic. The mountains are bright orange as they are lit up by alpenglow and reflecting back in the lake.
  • Wide photo that shows sunset at Clinton Gulch reservoir in Colorado. The alpenglow is so bright and vivid that it reflects back in the flowing river in the frame.
  • Closeup detail of a bridal bouquet sitting next to a white lantern that shines brightly.
  • Landscape photo that shows how reflective the lake was and the fall foliage reflecting back in the lake.
  • Closeup photo of a bride and groom's wedding ring in an octagon shaped green ring box.
  • Detail photo of a bride and grooms wedding ring sitting in an Octagon shaped ring box next to a white lantern and dark vow books with the couple's initials.
  • Detail photo shows two dark green vow books with the bride and grooms initials and their wedding date. The vow books sit next to the bride and grooms rings, bouquet and a white lantern.
  • The red, green and white bridal bouquet sits on a romantic picnic set up.
  • A bride and a groom sit on an boho blanket during their romantic sunset picnic at sunset during their Colorado elopement.
  • Bride and groom both pose and look into the camera as they sit at their romantic sunset picnic in the Colorado mountains.
  • Black and white photo of the groom resting his hand on his new bride's leg during their romantic sunset picnic.
  • The bride and groom go in for a kiss during their small mountain wedding in Colorado. The groom has a backpack with flowers in it and there is an artistic lens flare at the bottom of the image.
  • The artistic image shows a lens flare across both sides of the image and the bride and groom laughing together.
  • Wide landscape photo that shows Clinton Gulch reservoir at dusk in mid September near Breckenridge, Colorado.
  • Wide landscape photo that shows the mountains behind Clinton Gulch reservoir at dusk.
  • Wide photo where the bride and groom look tiny as they hike along a trail at dusk during their small mountain wedding in Colorado.
  • The bride and groom walk along the shores of a perfectly still alpine lake. The foliage is reflected in the still lake behind them.
  • The bride and groom stand next to each other in front of a perfectly still alpine lake for their small mountain wedding in Colorado. The mountains are reflected back in the lake in front of the wedding couple.
  • The groom poses for a photo with his backpack and a lantern in front of a still alpine lake near Breckenridge, Colorado, just after sunset.
  • The bride holds her dress up as her groom walks in front of her holding a lantern and lighting the hiking trail.
  • Bride and groom hike at dusk with bright lanterns along a hiking trail.
  • A dramatic photo of a bride and groom walking in front of an alpine lake in Colorado after dark. You can only see their silhouettes.
  • Wide photo shows the modern AirBNB kitchen where the bride and groom held their post-ceremony celebration for their mountain wedding near Breckenridge.
  • Shown is a giant pepperoni pizza, the perfect celebration for a small mountain wedding in Colorado.
  • Bride laughs and has a huge smile on her face as she cuts the wedding cake with her new groom.
  • Bride and groom smile at each other just after the celebration cake cutting.
  • Bride serves cake to her groom for their celebration at an AirBNB after their small mountain wedding in Colorado.
  • Guests gather around a propane firepit during the celebration portion of a small mountain wedding in Colorado.
  • Detail photo that shows the flames roaring from a propane firepit.
  • Wide photo that shows the bride and groom sitting by the propane campfire pit for their small mountain wedding in Colorado celebration.
  • Groom sits in an Adirondack chair by the campfire. The bride is in the background.
  • Closeup phot of the chair the bride is sitting in that's made out of skis and ski mounts.
  • Groom smiles at his new bride with his face being lit up by the campfire.
  • Closeup of bride and groom carrying 2 lanterns as they walk along a path in the dark.
  • Bride and groom walk in the dark on a hiking trail near Dillon Reservoir by Breckenridge, Colorado. They are on their way to take star photos.
  • Newlyweds take star photos next to Dillon Reservoir in Breckenridge, Colorado. They are only lit by 2 small lanterns. The city lights reflect in the alpine lake in the background.

Need Help Planning Your Small Mountain Wedding in Breckenridge, Colorado?

You want the epic mountain peaks and the zero stress timeline, but you do not want a second full time job trying to plan it all. That is exactly what I am here for. Tell me a little bit about your vision in the form below, and I’ll send over my full pricing guide for elopements and small mountain weddings!

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