A Breathtaking Two-Part Elopement Above the Clouds and Beneath the Stars

While some couples choose to elope in a place they’ve always dreamed of, Irmina and Brian chose to say goodbye to the place they called home. Their elopement became a love letter to Colorado—a final, heartfelt farewell to the mountains and memories that shaped their relationship.

With a cross-country move just ahead, they wanted to mark the transition with intention: starting their day floating above Boulder in a hot air balloon at sunrise, and ending it with vows beside a secluded alpine lake, tucked deep in the Rockies.

Captured by the incredibly talented Matlai Photography, their two-part elopement was equal parts adventure and reflection—a day rooted in love, gratitude, and the beauty of letting go.

Meet Irmina and Brian

Photography by Matlai Photography 

It all started with a joke. One day, Irmina teased Brian, that the only way she’d marry him is if he proposed in a hot air balloon. She never imagined he’d actually take her seriously.

There was never a grand proposal moment, just a quiet, mutual knowing that they were meant to spend their lives together. But Brian never forgot that offhand comment. So when it came time to plan their elopement, he made her wildest, most ridiculous dream come true.

The couple had spent years building a life together in Colorado, climbing mountains, creating memories, falling deeper in love with each other and this place. But as they prepared to move across the country, they knew they didn’t want to just pack up and leave. They wanted to say goodbye properly.

While their elopement marked the moment they officially became husband and wife, it was also a tribute—a celebration of the place that shaped them and a meaningful farewell to the chapter they were leaving behind.

Thinking about eloping in Colorado? Here’s what you need to know: How to elope in Colorado

Their Vision & Planning Process

Photography by Matlai Photography

Here’s the thing about Irmina and Brian—they had exactly one month to pull this whole thing together. But instead of panicking (like most of us would), they did something smart: they got ruthlessly clear on what actually mattered to them.

Their non-negotiables? Nature, meaning, and keeping things simple. They didn’t want to spend their wedding day watching the clock or following some rigid timeline. They wanted an adventure that felt completely, authentically them.

So they designed their day around two perfect moments: floating over the mountains at sunrise, then saying their vows by an alpine lake as the sun set. Their photographer Rose became their planning lifeline, helping them figure out the logistics and create a timeline that actually worked.

The lesson here? A short timeline doesn’t have to mean settling for less. When you know what you want and have the right people in your corner, you can create something incredible in no time.

Ready to plan your own Colorado adventure? Check out our elopement directory  to find vendors who specialize in making the seemingly impossible happen.

Floating Over Boulder at Sunrise

Photography by Matlai Photography

Picture this: it’s still dark outside, and you’re quietly getting dressed in your wedding clothes, but instead of heading to a church or venue, you’re climbing into the basket of a hot air balloon. That’s exactly how Irmina and Brian started their elopement day, and honestly, we can’t think of a more magical beginning.

Their captain, Ed, greeted them in the pre-dawn darkness with the kind of genuine warmth that immediately put them at ease. You could tell this was someone who absolutely loves what he does, and in the cozy confines of their four-person basket, his relaxed energy made all the difference for the 90-minute journey ahead.

As their balloon lifted into the Colorado sky, floating up to nearly 3,000 feet, the sun began to rise, painting the Front Range in golden light. Everything felt suspended in time—that rare kind of moment where the world seems to pause just for you. The quiet up there was unlike anything else. They blew bubbles that drifted into the clouds and watched the world below slowly wake up, as if all of Boulder was joining their celebration.

“The experience itself was unforgettable. It felt like the perfect match for something as special as a wedding day,” their photographer shared.

And that’s the thing about incorporating experiences like this into your elopement, it’s not just about doing something fun or Instagram-worthy. When you choose something that genuinely lights you up, something that feels intentional and full of wonder, it sets the tone for everything that follows. You start your marriage from a place of pure joy and presence, which is exactly the energy you want at the beginning of something new.

Looking for ways to make your day feel just as special? Don’t miss this guide: Unique Elopement Ideas for Adventurous Couples 

Sunset Vows at a Secluded Alpine Lake

Photography by Matlai Photography

After taking a breather mid-day (because honestly, starting before sunrise is exhausting), they loaded up the 4×4 and headed deep into the mountains for the main event. Their destination was a hidden alpine lake at 12,000 feet—the kind of place you can only reach if you’re willing to bounce along a rocky mountain road for what feels like forever.

When they finally arrived, it was pure magic.

As the sun started its descent behind the peaks, Irmina and Brian stood at the water’s edge and exchanged the vows they’d written for each other. No audience except the mountains. No music except the wind. Just two people who’d found their person, in a place that felt like the edge of the world.

Afterward, they spread out a picnic blanket and shared wedding cake and cider as the first stars appeared. Then they made their way back down the mountain, headlights cutting through the darkness, probably still buzzing from the whole surreal beauty of it all.

Here’s what we love about this: remote doesn’t have to mean impossible. With the right vehicle, a little research, and good timing, you can find yourself in places that feel completely untouched by the rest of the world.

Permits & Leave No Trace

Photography by Matlai Photography

When your elopement spans both private and public land like theirs did, being a responsible adventurer becomes part of the planning process.

For the sunrise balloon ride, they went with Aero-Cruise Balloon Adventures, a local Boulder company with serious experience. Hot air ballooning doesn’t typically require permits, but having a seasoned pilot like Captain Ed means someone else is handling all the airspace regulations and safety protocols—one less thing for you to worry about.

The evening ceremony was a different story. They drove their 4×4 deep into Colorado’s high country to reach that alpine lake, which sits on National Forest land. The good news is no special permits were needed.

But with that freedom comes responsibility. They took Leave No Trace principles seriously—bringing nothing that would leave a mark, skipping any decorations or setup that might disturb the area, and packing out absolutely everything they brought in.

The bottom line for any public land ceremony: always double-check the local regulations before you go, be mindful of the space your exploring, and pack a trash bag even if you’re convinced you won’t need it.

The mountains have given us so much, the least we can do is leave them exactly as we found them.

Want to plan your own eco-conscious elopement? Check out our guide to following Leave No Trace principles.

Advice for Other Couples

Photography by Matlai Photography

Rose had some thoughtful advice for couples inspired by Irmina and Brian’s adventure:

• Trust your gut and move quickly. You don’t need a year to plan a meaningful day.

• Hot air balloons are best for the experience, not the vows. Save the emotional stuff for when you have room to breathe.

• Prepare for fleeting temperatures: 

  “Sunrise can feel chilly at first, but once you’re up in the balloon, it warms up quickly—especially with that open flame above you. It gets toasty fast!”

• Ask your photographer for location tips. They often know hidden gems that don’t require permits or long hikes.

Final Reflection

Photography by Matlai Photography

What strikes us most about Irmina and Brian’s day is how perfectly it captured who they are as a couple. The playful nod to an old joke, the quiet moments at 12,000 feet, the way they turned their goodbye to Colorado into something beautiful—it all felt so authentically them.

There’s no template for the perfect elopement because there’s no template for the perfect couple. Some people need the hot air balloon and the alpine lake. Others need the courthouse and the dive bar afterward. What matters isn’t the altitude or the location, it’s that your day feels like your story.

Their send-off from Colorado was equal parts celebration and closure, honoring both where they’d been and where they were headed. And maybe that’s what the best elopements do: they don’t just mark the beginning of your marriage, they celebrate the whole journey that brought you to that moment.

Vendor Team

Photography | Matlai Photography

Hot Air Balloon | Aero-Cruise Balloon Adventures

Dress | Anthropologie Weddings

Florals | Rich Root Flower Co.

Photos From This Elopement