A Windy Loveland Pass Elopement During Kylie’s Third Trimester

Kylie and Calvin originally planned a large wedding in the fall, but when they found out they were expecting, they opted for an intimate elopement during Kylie’s third trimester. Although their sweet baby wasn’t the focus of the day, the moments shared between the three of them were incredibly special from getting ready together in their cozy AirBnB cabin to a windswept ceremony at Loveland Pass and a lakeside picnic. Their day was filled with love and adventure. Get all the details below.

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About This Elopement

Photography by Katrina S. Joseph Photography

“The couple decided to help each other get ready in their cabin AirBnB. We then drove to Loveland Pass for their ceremony. It was super windy, so halfway through the ceremony, Calvin helped Kylie take off her veil. We then took a short break on the way to Officer’s Gulch for Kylie to rest and have some snacks. At Officer’s Gulch, they set up a picnic, had their first dance, read letters written to them by loved ones, and popped a bottle of sparkling water.

Kylie and Calvin were initially planning to have a larger wedding but decided to elope instead as they prepared to welcome their baby. Loveland Pass is a high-altitude location, so the couple checked with their doctor first to make sure their elopement plans were safe. We picked Loveland Pass for the ceremony and Officer’s Gulch for the lakeside picnic reception since both locations are easily accessible.” [Katrina, the photographer]

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Permits and LNT

“Loveland Pass is an alpine tundra ecosystem, which means it’s a fragile ecosystem that is easily impacted by repeated off-trail use. It’s super important to stay on the trails at Loveland Pass for this reason. It’s estimated that just a few seasons of off-trail human activity can take hundreds or even thousands of years to regenerate.” [Katrina, the photographer]

Some tips for preserving this gorgeous area from the photographer:

• Stay on the trail – There are lots of trails throughout Loveland Pass that allow you to get incredible views without needing to damage the tundra.
• Keep the arches, chairs, and non-biodegradable decorations at home – The national forest allows for ceremonies of up to 10 people at Loveland Pass as long as there are no arches, altars, decor, or furniture of any kind. Plus, you definitely won’t need any of those with the natural beauty of this place!
• Pack it In, Pack it Out – Make sure you take with you anything you bring with you! Never leave any remnants of food or dessert, drinks, or even your pup’s poop or poop bags. And speaking of dogs, make sure your dog stays on a leash for your adventure!

Learn more about leaving no trace during your elopement.

Top Tips When Eloping at Loveland Pass

“Loveland Pass is gorgeous any time of day. The alpine glow at sunrise is stunning, and the sunset is equally gorgeous! This location is also one of the Colorado mountain passes that doesn’t close in the winter. So be sure to do plenty of research and preparation for the weather depending on what time of year you choose to elope here. Also, be prepared for high winds and cold temps even in the summer! Bring your heavy jackets and hand warmers – it can get pretty chilly at sunrise after the sun sets and on cloudy days.” [Katrina, the photographer]

Details We’re Loving

“Kylie and Calvin had their family and friends write letters for them to read together. For part of their ‘reception’, the couple sat down on a picnic blanket next to a lake and took turns reading these letters out loud. There were plenty of tears and laughs, and it was such a unique and memorable moment they got to experience together. It was the perfect way for them to include their loved ones in their elopement while still having the day to themselves.” [Katrina, the photographer]

Memorable Moments From This Elopement

From the photographer:

“I love that Kylie and Calvin chose to help each other get ready. It led to a lot of cute moments as Calvin helped Kylie tie the back of her dress and put on her shoes. The Airbnb was small, so they were able to keep talking to each other even when they were in separate rooms.

The elopement ceremony also stood out to me because of how natural it was. They settled into a spot next to a beautiful lake, took out their vow books, and let their ceremony unfold without any specific structure – they just did what felt right. There were many tears and laughs as they shared their vows. They were just in their own little bubble and enjoying every moment without thinking about what they were “supposed” to do next. “

Final Words of Advice

“It’s always best to approach your elopement with an ‘whatever happens, it’ll be great’ kind of attitude. Of course, we’ll stick to a plan, but if the weather forces you to pivot or you suddenly feel like deviating from the plan – the day can still be absolutely incredible! Kylie was in her 3rd trimester of pregnancy during their elopement, so we built their timeline with the flexibility for her to take snack and rest breaks whenever needed. Eloping gives you that flexibility to make the day entirely yours. Want to ditch the timeline? You absolutely can! It’s your day.” [Katrina, the photographer]

Learn how to elope here.

Vendors

Photography | Katrina S. Joseph Photography

Rings | Brilliant Earth

Kylie and Calvin made the bouquet and most of the details themselves

Photos From This Elopement