R and D first met in New York City, where over the course of a few dates they started to fall for one another. On their first date, over drinks and Taiwanese food, D charmingly (but not very successfully) struggled to hide his low tolerance for spicy food. And on their second date, R described herself as “outdoorsy”, but she had yet to spend a day backpacking. Fast forward several months, and D can now (almost) match R’s spice resilience, and R is quickly becoming a proficient hiker.

When Covid effectively shuttered NYC, R and D took off on a roadtrip to the American West, namely Colorado and Utah, to hunker down with friends and explore the unparalleled beauty of those two states. After falling in love with Colorado, the two decided to relocate there. Although they missed family and friends in the east, they both quickly embraced their new happy lives– spending a lot of their free time hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, paddling, and downhill and crosscountry skiing… Much of it with their adorable and exuberant little Australian Shepherd, Odie.

After D proposed on a ski trip in Salt Lake City, R and D started discussing what type of wedding they really wanted. They knew they didn’t want to do anything that revolved around the “performance of getting married”-- and all of the stress that can entail. Instead, they wanted to be able to genuinely celebrate with their closest friends and family.

After traveling to Crested Butte one winter and really resonating with it, R and D decided it was just the place for their multi-day, friend- and family-filled micro wedding. They booked a spectacular, sprawling house, with jaw-dropping mountain views, tucked away in an aspen grove, and invited twelve of their nearest and dearest to join them for five days of celebratory fun.

On Friday, R and D slipped away for an intimate morning of first looks, portraits, vows and champagne toasts (for which D performed an impressive ‘sabering’). The two radiated pure love and joy, which seemed to reflect off the alpine lake along which they playfully embraced and danced. A moose even graced us with its presence– maybe a harbinger for another creature that was to appear later! R and D changed into their traditional Chinese wedding attire at the top of a pass, before decamping for family and friends photographs at the house, featuring adorable Odie, and a dinner out in town.

The next day dawned bright and sunny. R and D were able to enjoy a leisurely morning of breakfasting and getting ready amongst their friends and family. Planners were on site to design and execute the whole day. We set up a lovely flower arch, framed by golden aspens and the stunning Elk Mountains. Once the moment arrived, D’s brother played the piano as R walked with her father down the aisle– both beaming the happiest smiles of joy. Best friend M officiated beautifully, and many tears were shed during the heartfelt ceremony.

Storm clouds eventually rolled in and the entire happy crew ventured indoors for more toasts and relaxing. During a family photograph, a wily red fox sauntered by outside. It seemed like pure magic– orchestrated serendipitously just for this moment and these people.

That evening, we created a gorgeous tablescape, replete with candles and flowers and fairylights– the perfect backdrop for private chef Tim Egelhoff's delectable dinner. The intimate night, with everyone cozied up around the table as night began to fall, was filled with more teary-eyed toasts and abundant laughter.

As the cake cutting was wrapping up, remarkably, snow began to descend in fluffy tufts outside. Whimsically, R and D whisked out into the night with lanterns aglow, and danced their first dance under the myriad stars above.

What a truly magical wedding week! Congratulations to R and D!

Check out my recommended vendors, venues, and BnB’s in my complete

Crested Butte Elopement Guide

…and be sure to see how this venue totally transforms in different seasons:

K+L’s Mid-July Wildflower Micro Wedding

Day 1

During their sunrise first look at a mirror-like lake with mountains rising to each side from the middle, the groom awaits his bride to the right of the lake as she approaches and taps her grooms shoulder.

The groom's reaction to seeing his fiance in her wedding dress for the first time. The mountains behind them have pops of red, yellow, and green as the foliage turns for fall.

With the image of the mountains & blue sky clearly reflecting off of the lake behind them, the bride reads her vows and the grooms listens intently, with a soft smile on his face.

The bride and groom hold hands while spinning in a circle, her dress flying in the wind behind her, both smiling joyously during this beautiful sunrise moment.

This image is focused on the mountains and lake's reflection, with the smiling couples blurred out in the foreground. The background pops with shades of green and yellow, the perfect contrast against the dark color of the lake's shore and rocks.

A blurry bride smiling in the foreground, as the photo focuses on the large, brown moose in the background. Behind the moose is a sea of evergreen trees.

A black and white image of the two holding hands while walking down a trail to their next destination. The two are sporting wide, infectious smiles while looking at each other.

The next stop of this day of wedding portraits, the pair are at another still lake the reflects their image as the groom dips his partner in a romantic kiss.

In their traditional chinese outfits, the groom holds his bride's hand and kisses it as she smiles sweetly at him. Their red outfits have beautifully embroidered flowers, birds, dragons, and other intricate details.

Day 2

Congratulations, R + D!

Dress: Flora Bridal from Dress Theory Seattle

HMUA: Wild Brides Backcountry (Crystal Gillis)

Planning + Coordination: Andrea Enger Photography & team

Florist: Fin+ally Floral

Catering: Tim Egelhoff

Cake: Cake Me Away

Rentals: Lucky Penny Events & Rentals

Flatware: Colorado Party Rentals

Let’s Chat!

This Colorado elopement was also featured on Wandering Weddings.

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Ready to Celebrate Your Day Your Way?

Elopement Photographer Andrea Enger (Portrait by Realm Studios)

If you’re ready to get the ball rolling to secure your photographer, let’s do it!

You can do that by filling out the form below, emailing me directly at andrea@andreaengerphotography.com, or by calling or texting me at (720) 739-0784. I look forward to hearing from you!

If you’re still in the research phase, I hear ya! Here are some more resources that my couples have found helpful. I hope you do, too!