Kenosha Pass, Mountain Meadow, Colorado Elopement Photo Story Award

The newlyweds sneak a kiss while walking back through the forest to their car after saying goodbye to their few guests. Afton hand-made her knit shawl.

Afton and Andrew had originally planned on a larger wedding in Colorado but changed their plans dramatically due to guest and county restrictions. They decided to keep things simple and intimate and elope on their original date. So on one early October morning, they met up in an aspen meadow high on Kenosha Pass with just their closest family and friends as witnesses. Their intimate ceremony included anecdotes of how they met and fell in love, and produced belly laughs from the couple. Andrew became emotional as they each shared personal vows with each other. In the sunshine, they made their marriage official with a kiss. Champagne was another central element to their elopement, and it flowed freely after the ceremony. Apple juice was substituted for the youngest guests, who enjoyed it just as much as the adults! After their ceremony, the guests formed an impromptu love tunnel and tossed fallen yellow aspen leaves over the couple. Laughter and joy reigned and despite all the difficulty of rescheduling, the couple had the time of their lives and ended up married in the mountains! 

Andrew's emotions come to the surface as he finally gets to marry Afton in their mountain elopement ceremony.

Afton roars with laughter as Andrew recites his vows to her at their outdoor elopement ceremony.

All the couple's friends and family members scooped up fallen aspen leaves and tossed them over the just-married couple. A natural alleyway in the trees made the perfect aisle for their memorable recessional.

The four flower girls gather together on a log to enjoy apple juice in champagne flutes. They drained their glasses in seconds!