A Summer Elopement Near Georgetown, Colorado
dogs at the lake, cake and pbr, vows in the fog
Guanella Pass near Georgetown, Colorado is legit one of my favorite places to go with couples. It’s close to Denver (about a 45 minute drive as long as you avoid weekend traffic), it’s got incredible high alpine mountain views, and it has so many secret pulloffs and places to go that can get you away from people. But also, I’m usually there with couples at sunrise or sunset so we usually have the area to ourselves anyways!
If you’re in the “sounds amazing but HOW do you actually elope in Colorado” phase, I’ve got a full guide breaking that down right here → How to Elope in Colorado.
Mitch and Lily didn’t love the idea of a traditional wedding and wanted something with just the two of them, and possibly their dogs (we made that happen). After I sent them their custom location guide that had everything they were looking for, they ended up booking a cabin outside of Georgetown and decided Guanella Pass was the perfect spot for what they were looking for in their Colorado elopement!
We started our time together with some photos of Mitch helping Lily get into her dress at their cabin, before we took the dogs to the local Georgetown Lake for some more formal portraits with them. It’s always fun getting pups to participate in photos and these two were no exception! Luckily they had treats on hand and we got the shot!
After dropping the pups back off, we headed up Guanella Pass where they shared a cake and some PBR before saying private vows to each other as foggy clouds rolled in. Mitch and Lilys day was the perfect example of how indecisive Colorado can be. It was forcasted to be like a 99% chance of rain - so we prepared! What we got was incredibly gorgeous sunny weather..until it was time to say vows later in the evening.
In the 5 minute walk it took to get to where they wanted to say their vows, the lowest, foggiest, moodiest clouds rolled in and we had to keep an eye out for any storm clouds. BUT the storms and rain held off and we got some of my favorite classic Colorado moody weather.
What Their Timeline Looked Like
3:30 PM - Meet at Georgetown Airbnb
Lily finishes putting on her dress with Mitch helping her zip it up!
3:45 PM - Head to Georgetown Lake with the pups
Photos with Reggie and Gus!
Drop them back off at airbnb
4:15 PM - Head to Clear Lake (20 minute drive)
4:45 PM - Arrive at Clear Lake
Picnic and photos around Clear Lake
6:00 PM - Head to Square Top Lake/Guanella Pass Summit
About 20 minute drive
Thunderstorms most likely around 6
6:20 PM - Arrive at Summit
Wait out any rain!
Ceremony!
Thinking about your own Colorado elopement and want something private, flexible, and not exhausting? Start here → How to elope in Colorado
Want to see pricing and what's included? → Colorado elopement pricing
Hi, I'm Kimberly!
I'm a Colorado elopement photographer based in Denver, but I'm usually somewhere in the mountains with a camera and way too many things in my backpack "just in case."
I've been photographing elopements out here for 10 years and 100+ couples, and I eloped in Colorado too, so most of what I write about here comes from actually doing it.
You can learn more about me, or if you're planning your own elopement, start with my pricing & experience page.
More elopement inspiration
A two part elopement day that started with vows at Lost Gulch Overlook in Boulder and ended with a hike to a still snowy Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.