Winter Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement
Sometimes the best elopements are the most simple.
Theresa and Sheldon wanted a day that was uncomplicated. One that celebrated the things they love…van life, climbing, the mountains, eachother.
Nothing more, nothing less
We woke up early to catch sunrise at Rocky Mountain National Park where they had snagged an off-season permit for their nuptials at the stunning 3M curve just inside the Estes Park entrance.
Theresa changed into her dress in their van and donned a veil that her and her MIL handmade
T + S decided to self solemnize. Something that few states permit. This means they were able to “officiant” and “witness” their own wedding.
They chose to exchanged vows, deciding who would go first with a game of rock, paper, scissors
You couldn’t ask for a better day.
Although the temperature read in the 20s the sun shone brightly through the trees casting a warmth and glow upon them as they exchanged sweet sentiments of their story, their strength together and their love story based on a strong friendship
When self solemnizing sometimes couples question what they “should or shouldn’t” do for the ring exchange so it doesnt feel awkward or contrived.
But the thing is—there are no rules.
I always advise that you take turns saying what the ring means to each other, placing it on their partners finger, pausing a moment to look in their eyes, before sliding it full to its final place.
What Theresa said is something that will always stick with me
“…I will always be carrying a piece of you with me, no matter where I am…”
Post ceremony was spent making coffee, hiking around the park, attempting to boulder despite the snow drifts that swallowed the boulders for what would be a simple, beautiful and quintessential Colorado elopement day.
