Summer Elopement at Echo Lake

Over the years of our friendship, Owen and Kaitlyn have been nothing but a hoot and a half to be around. Middle school summer camp sweethearts, they find ways to make any outing feel like an adventure. When they asked if I would photograph their elopement, I was starstruck with honor, and couldn’t wait to see what adventure they’d planned for themselves.

They said they wanted it to feel easy. Effortless. Something to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of a long and happy marriage. In lieu of vows, they read conversation cards to each other and laughed their way through exchanging rings. We wandered around Echo Lake, just outside of Idaho Springs, Colorado, where ducks waddled up to us and the late summer light filtered down through the trees.

After a quick drive up the road, Owen and Kaitlyn signed their marriage license (cue the “Just Married” dance party) and had their first dance at the top of the pass. The sun was nearly behind the mountains, so we headed back into town for burgers at Tommyknocker Brewing.