A Snowy Spring Elopement in the Colorado Mountains

In May, the Colorado mountains move at their own pace. Snow lingers longer at elevation, weather shifts quickly, and spring arrives unevenly across the landscape. For Larz and Louie, this rhythm shaped an elopement day that unfolded slowly, intentionally, and without pressure to perform or rush.

Their day began tucked away in the mountains near Leadville, Colorado, where they focused on presence rather than production. With no guests and no rigid timeline, the day flowed through shared preparation, private vows, time outdoors, and a simple celebration that reflected what mattered most to them.

Every part of the day was chosen with care. From getting ready together in a 70s A-frame cabin to self-solemnizing near home before flying to Japan for their honeymoon, the experience was rooted in practicality, meaning, and the freedom they found through eloping.

Elopement Photography by Alpine Vows

Larz and Louie are a couple who approached their wedding day with clarity about their values and boundaries. They wanted a celebration that felt authentic, financially responsible, and emotionally supportive rather than one shaped by expectation or tradition. Eloping gave them the space to prioritize their relationship without the pressures they felt when planning a traditional wedding.

In their relationship, they have navigated financial hardship, periods of instability, medical challenges, grief, and family estrangement. Those experiences informed how they thought about marriage and what kind of wedding day felt possible and respectful to their reality. For them, investing heavily in a single event did not align with the life they had worked hard to build together.

“Larz and Louie are the kind of couple who make you feel at ease the moment you meet them,” their photographers, Bailee and Jake, describes them. “They are warm, funny, and so deeply connected that you can see it in every glance they share. From the very start, it was clear they cared so much about creating a wedding day that felt true to who they are rather than following anyone else’s expectations.”

As a queer couple, they also felt disconnected from the heteronormative structure of traditional weddings. While they initially tried to plan a small wedding, the emotional weight and logistical challenges made it difficult to envision a day that honored their circumstances without added stress. When medical care became a priority for Larz, their perspective shifted fully toward the importance of marriage itself rather than the format of the celebration.

Eloping allowed them to create a day that was private, flexible, and entirely their own. It gave them the freedom to self-solemnize, focus on each other, and shape a wedding experience that reflected their journey rather than anyone else’s expectations.

Their Vision & Planning Process

From the beginning, Larz and Louie worked closely with Bailee and Jake of Alpine Vows, who were deeply involved throughout the planning process. Their support extended well beyond photography, offering guidance from the initial booking through the months leading up to the elopement and beyond.

Alpine Vows created customized location guides based on the couple’s vision, seasonal considerations, and accessibility needs. This helped Larz and Louie choose a ceremony spot that balanced mountain views with realistic conditions for May in Colorado. Timeline support was also provided to ensure the day felt relaxed while still allowing space to experience each part fully.

They also guided the couple through marriage license requirements, Leave No Trace principles, and packing considerations specific to Colorado elopements. Ongoing communication allowed Larz and Louie to ask questions, explore ideas, and adjust plans as needed without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Beyond logistics, the relationship itself became an important part of the experience. Meeting for coffee before the elopement helped establish trust and familiarity, which carried through into the day itself and allowed the couple to feel comfortable and present throughout.

Not sure where you want to elope? Browse our curated list of top elopement destinations

Larz and Louie chose to elope near Leadville, Colorado, close to where they live and in the mountains they already loved. Being near home allowed the day to feel grounded and accessible, without the added stress of extensive travel or unfamiliar logistics. It also made sense practically, as Colorado allows couples to self-solemnize.

They initially hoped to be near water, but in May the lake they had envisioned was still frozen. Rather than seeing this as a setback, they embraced the landscape as it was. The frozen lake and remaining snow created a quiet, white backdrop that ultimately became one of the defining visual elements of the day.

The location offered privacy, mountain views, and accessibility during a transitional season when many areas are still difficult to reach. It allowed them to focus on their vows and time together, without distractions, crowds, or pressure to adjust the day to external factors.

Between Spring and Snow

The day began in Alma, Colorado, at a 70s A-frame cabin surrounded by snow-covered forest. The cabin’s large windows let in soft morning light, creating a calm, private environment. Larz and Louie chose to get ready together, helping each other with final details and sharing the quiet of the morning without any sense of urgency.

The space was personalized with fresh florals and a Scrabble game set out on the table, reflecting something they enjoy doing together. They had also made their own boutonnieres, adding another layer of intention to the morning.

“Working with them was an absolute joy! We laughed together over coffee before the big day, and by the time we arrived at their cabin, it felt like we were documenting an elopement for some old friends.” Bailee and Jake recalls.

Writing Vows Side by Side

Rather than separating to write vows, Larz and Louie sat together in the cabin and worked on them side by side. This choice aligned with their desire for intimacy and honesty, allowing the process to feel collaborative rather than performative.

Writing their vows together set the tone for the rest of the day. There was no need to hide or surprise. Instead, the focus stayed on connection and shared experience.

Their ceremony took place in a private mountain location surrounded by spring snow and open views. With no guests present, they self-solemnized and exchanged heartfelt vows focused on their journey, their challenges, and their commitment to one another.

Just before the ceremony, a red fox appeared near the site, surprising them with how close it came. Later, another fox appeared near their Airbnb. The timing stood out to them, especially after learning during their honeymoon in Japan that foxes are considered sacred messengers associated with love and marriage.

With no distractions and only the sound of the breeze through the pine trees, they stood together and exchanged heartfelt vows.

“They spoke about their journey, their love, and their promises for the future, both of them moved to tears. The setting was stunning, but it was their connection that made the moment unforgettable.”

Wondering where to start your elopement planning journey? Our elopement resources has everything you need to get started!

Picnic & Family Letters

After exchanging vows, they spent time exploring the area for portraits. The snow, mountains, and open space provided a simple backdrop while allowing their interactions to remain natural and unforced.

There was no pressure to move quickly. The pacing allowed them to stay present and grounded, moving through the landscape without interruption.

To celebrate, they headed to Frisco for a picnic. Blankets and pillows were laid out alongside a charcuterie board, cheesecake, and champagne. During this time, they read letters from their families, which brought both laughter and tears.

Although they eloped privately, the letters helped them feel connected to the people who mattered most, even from a distance.

The picnic also marked the moment they signed their marriage license, officially completing the legal part of their marriage. This quiet task fit naturally into the flow of the afternoon rather than feeling separate or formal.

Only hours after their vows, Larz and Louie boarded a plane to Japan, beginning a ten day honeymoon they had long considered a dream. The elopement marked not an ending, but the starting point of a much larger adventure together.

Larz and Louie encourage couples to make their elopement entirely their own. They recommend thinking about experiences you have always wanted to share together and finding ways to incorporate them into your wedding day.

They also stress the importance of letting go of expectations and focusing on what feels right for you as a couple. Trying to make everyone else happy can add unnecessary stress, especially when working within a budget. A meaningful, relaxing experience often matters far more than perfect execution.

Elopement Photography by Alpine Vows

Larz and Louie’s elopement was shaped by honesty, practicality, and a deep understanding of what mattered most to them. Rather than forcing their story into a traditional mold, they created space for a wedding day that reflected their journey and values.

By choosing to elope, they found freedom from financial pressure, emotional strain, and expectations that did not serve them. The mountains near Leadville offered a setting that felt familiar and grounding, allowing the day to unfold without distraction.

Their celebration was not about spectacle. It was about commitment, presence, and beginning a marriage in a way that honored both where they had been and where they were going next.