Destination Colorado Wedding in Estes Park

I loved this destination Colorado wedding so much. Courtney, who’s my hairstylist, mentioned that she and Matthew had a courthouse elopement but always dreamed of a destination wedding celebration! So – we made it happen! They were traveling to Colorado for a concert at Red Rocks, and afterwards, they drove up to Estes Park to the historic Stanley Hotel. Being huge fans of The Shining and Stephen King, it was the perfect spot for them! We had a blast adventuring into Rocky Mountain National Park, but not before getting that classic room photo at the Stanley.

The Stanley Hotel is such a cool spot with a fascinating history. Opened in 1909, it’s famous for its stunning architecture and amazing views of the Rockies. But what really made it famous was Stephen King’s stay in Room 217, which inspired The Shining. Its spooky charm and vintage vibe make it an unforgettable spot for any adventurous couple!

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lift and kiss pose for bride and groom in the mountains

Perfect Weather for a Perfect Wedding

I met Courtney and Matthew at The Stanley Hotel first. We got the classy photos all around the hotel, enjoyed a drink at the bar, and Courtney wore her first dress that was so gorgeous! After we were done, they changed into different outfits for going into the mountains! This was mid April, so it was still snowy but it wasn’t freezing which was so perfect! This time of year, you don’t need a timed entry for Rocky Mountain National Park so it was so nice and not crowded at all! April can be a little bit unpredictable for weather, but it turned out perfect for us. I had location scouted for a few days before they got there so I had two specific spots I was bringing them to!

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bride looking out window at the mountains getting ready wedding photos

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colorado mountain wedding photos with bride and groom during golden hour

bride and groom private vows in the mountains

Breathtaking Mountain Views

First stop was this gorgeous valley with a stream that was just so perfect. We galavanted around this whole little strip of land that was so beautiful and so relaxing. We then went to this stunning lake that was half frozen! There was a perfect spot for them to stand surrounded by the lake where they exchanged their vows. Courtney and Matthew are such intentional and special people, it was truly an honor to have been able to document this genuine moment for them.

Courtney is vegan, so we found the PERFECT vegan bakery for her. They got the cutest little cake for a sunset picnic! We walked around the lake and found the prettiest hill to sit on. The mountains made the most beautiful backdrop and all of us living in Florida, we truly appreciated just sitting and looking out at the gorgeous scenery. They enjoyed their picnic with their delish chocolate cake and we adventured back to the hotel. They had reservations for dinner, and lucky me – they sent me home with their extra cake (;

And yes, it was as good as it looked.

destination colorado wedding portraits in the mountains

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Ready to Experience the Destination Colorado Wedding of your Dreams?

I’m so in! I go the extra mile to ensure everything goes smoothly for your destination Colorado wedding! I arrive two days before you do to scout locations and find the best spots for your photos, so we don’t waste a moment when you arrive. As for travel fees, they’re custom-tailored to your needs and wrapped into the final pricing to keep things simple and stress-free. On average, couples can expect to pay around $6-7k for US destination weddings, but always inquire for a specific quote as it depends on factors like time of year and flight pricing.

Here at Clark Photo and Film, we are a documentary style elopement and wedding photographer and videographer team who love to create unposed, candid, and romantic imagery! We love to romanticize life and feel others should too whenever you get the chance to. This life is beautiful. So what better way to celebrate that than create memories with the love of your life through the artful bliss of photography + video. Learn all about the team here! If you think we’d be the perfect fit for your destination Colorado wedding, then let’s chat! We can’t wait to make your dream destination wedding a reality! In the meantime, head on over to the blog for wedding planing tips and elopement inspiration to have an effortless, unforgettable destination wedding experience!