Hiking Into the Sunrise for Carly and Bret’s Intimate Crested Butte Elopement

Before the sun rose over the mountains outside Crested Butte, Colorado, Carly and Bret met their photographer in a quiet trailhead parking lot. It was still dark when they packed their gear, checked their water and snacks, and began hiking up the mountain together with their two dogs.

The early start meant the trail was empty and the mountains felt completely still. As they climbed toward their ceremony location, the sky slowly began to change colors. By the time they reached the top, the horizon was preparing for sunrise and the landscape stretched wide around them.

Their elopement unfolded simply and intentionally. A first look, a handwritten poem from Carly’s mother, sunrise vows, and a few portraits before heading back down the mountain. Just as they envisioned, the morning remained short, peaceful, and centered on the two of them.

Elopement Photography by In Love and Adventure – Elopement Photography

Carly and Bret had been together for ten years before planning their wedding day. After getting engaged, they began searching for a way to celebrate that felt natural to them and reflected the life they already shared together.

They both enjoy spending time outdoors. Hiking and mountain biking are part of their everyday lives, so choosing an elopement that included a mountain hike felt like a natural extension of who they are as a couple.

Their two dogs are also an important part of their lives. One of their main requests when planning their elopement was finding a location where their dogs could join them for the experience. Bringing them along made the day feel even more personal.

When they connected with photographer Kelly Shoul of In Love and Adventure, they had only about two and a half months before their planned date. Despite the shorter timeline, the planning process came together smoothly.

Their Vision & Planning Process

Kelly Shoul plays a significant role in the planning process for couples who choose to elope with her. The process begins with a questionnaire designed to understand what each couple envisions for their wedding day.

Based on their responses, she suggests potential locations that match their preferences. Once a location is selected, she helps coordinate the logistics needed to make the day run smoothly.

Timeline planning is also an important part of the experience. Sunrise and sunset lighting are carefully planned so couples can reach the right locations at the right times. Kelly creates detailed timelines that help guide when couples should meet, when they should begin hiking, and when key moments like the ceremony should happen.

She also assists couples with practical details such as wardrobe guidance, footwear for hiking, and connecting them with vendors who are experienced with elopements. For Carly and Bret, this included coordinating hair and makeup with Graykin Hair and Makeup and florals from Rocky Mountain Rose Florist.

Kelly also offers couples the option to borrow gear items she brings along for elopement days. These can include backpacks, picnic blankets, speakers, champagne flutes, or signing materials for the marriage license. This helps couples traveling from out of state avoid packing extra items.

Another element of her planning approach is flexibility. When couples book with her, she reserves a three day window so the elopement can shift slightly if weather conditions change. This allows couples to pursue the best possible experience in the mountains.

Crested Butte was already familiar to Carly and Bret. It is one of their favorite mountain towns in Colorado, making it a place that already held meaning for them.

Once they decided on the town, the next step was choosing a location for their ceremony. They knew they wanted a sunrise elopement and hoped to find a viewpoint that would photograph beautifully in the early morning light.

The hike they ultimately chose offered exactly what they were looking for. It was a little over a mile with some elevation gain but still accessible enough that the morning could stay relaxed rather than overly strenuous.

Eloping in areas around Crested Butte often involves public land, which means couples should always check local regulations before planning their ceremony. Permit requirements can vary depending on the specific location and whether photography or a ceremony is involved. It is important to contact local park or land management offices to confirm what permits may be required before the elopement day.

Protecting the landscape is also an essential part of celebrating here. Crested Butte is widely known as the wildflower capital of Colorado, especially during the summer months when the hillsides fill with color. Because of this, staying on established trails and walking on rock or dirt surfaces helps prevent damage to delicate wildflowers and alpine vegetation.

Wildlife is also common in the area. Giving animals plenty of space and observing them from a distance helps keep both visitors and wildlife safe. Respecting these natural boundaries ensures the landscape remains protected for future couples and visitors.

For couples considering an elopement in Crested Butte, sunrise can be one of the best times to explore the mountains. Early mornings tend to be quieter, especially during the busy summer season when visitors arrive to see the wildflowers. It can also be helpful to avoid the annual wildflower festival if privacy is important.

Another practical tip is transportation. Some mountain roads in the area require a four wheel drive vehicle, especially when accessing trailheads. Working with a Colorado based photographer who knows the land and has experience hiking these routes can make planning significantly easier.

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

A 4 AM Start and a Surprise on the Trail

Carly and Bret’s wedding day began in the dark at a trailhead parking lot outside Crested Butte. At 4 AM they met Kelly, packed their gear, and prepared for the hike ahead. Before leaving, they made sure they had everything they needed for the climb, including water, electrolytes, snacks, dog bowls, their vows, rings, and their wedding clothing.

Once everything was ready, the group began hiking up the mountain together. Partway up the trail, something unexpected appeared in the darkness. Kelly noticed a pair of eyes shining ahead, sitting high enough off the ground to suggest it could be a moose.

Knowing how dangerous moose can be, they paused and took several steps back while assessing the situation. After watching carefully, they realized the animal was actually a cow, and the moment quickly shifted from tension to relief before continuing the hike.

Changing Into Their Wedding Clothes

After reaching the top of the mountain, Carly and Bret changed into their wedding attire.

One photograph from this moment became a favorite image from the day. It captured Carly applying her makeup in silhouette while the sky behind her slowly began to change colors.

The quiet preparation gave them a chance to settle into the moment before seeing each other.

Their First Look and a Poem from Carly’s Mother

Once they were ready, Carly and Bret shared their first look on the mountain. Seeing each other dressed for the ceremony marked the transition from the early morning hike into the wedding itself. With the horizon beginning to glow, they walked together toward the spot where they would exchange vows.

Their ceremony began with something deeply personal. Carly’s mother had written a poem for the couple, and they read it together before beginning their vows. The moment brought a meaningful connection to family, adding an emotional layer to their otherwise intimate ceremony.

Sunrise Vows Above the Mountains

The ceremony was carefully timed so the vows would happen just as the sun rose above the horizon.

That morning the sky formed a wide ombre of pink, purple, yellow, and blue. With no clouds overhead, the colors spread evenly across the sky.

The mountains around them reflected the early alpenglow as Carly and Bret exchanged vows.

Portraits and the Hike Back Down

After the ceremony, Carly and Bret spent time taking portraits as the morning light continued to shift across the mountains. The early glow created a calm setting, and the trail remained quiet with no other hikers or bikers passing through. For much of that time, it felt like the mountains belonged only to them.

After about two hours on the mountain, they began the hike back down. The descent gave them a chance to take in the landscape again in full daylight, passing more cows grazing in the distance along the way. Once they reached the trailhead parking lot, they signed their marriage license before saying goodbye and heading their separate ways.

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Several meaningful details connected the ceremony to Carly’s family.

Her mother wrote a poem specifically for the couple, which they read at the start of their ceremony. The words helped bring family presence into an otherwise private mountain moment.

Carly also wore jewelry passed down from her grandmother. Wearing heirloom pieces allowed her to carry a small part of family history with her during the ceremony.

Bret’s contribution came through a handmade detail from Carly’s father. He created a wooden ring box for the couple to hold their rings.

Carly and Bret’s wedding day was intentionally simple.

They started before sunrise, hiked together with their dogs, exchanged vows on a quiet mountain, and returned to the trailhead a few hours later.

The entire experience lasted only a few hours, yet it included everything they hoped their elopement would be.

A meaningful ceremony, family connections through thoughtful details, and a peaceful morning in one of their favorite mountain towns.

Sometimes the most memorable wedding days are the ones that stay focused on exactly what the couple wanted from the start.

Elopement Photography by In Love and Adventure – Elopement Photography