Trout Lake, Telluride, Colorado Elopement Photo Story Award

The bride blows a kiss to her husband as he paddles them across the beautiful mountain lake in Telluride.

Julie and Sebastien chose Trout Lake in Telluride, Colorado for their intimate elopement. Usually, Colorado would be showing off-peak fall colors on this late September date, but the 2023 fall colors were late. The aspen trees were just starting to turn their signature yellow, but don't think for a moment that these two were bummed at all. Nothing but grins all day, Julie and Sebastien celebrated their elopement with their kids and immediate family members surrounded by green leaves and stunning mountains.

They all got ready in a mountain house and celebrated after the ceremony with champagne and cake. On our very first call, Julie mentioned that she wasn't totally sure she wanted to elope. She had planned to get married at a beautiful church that had a pond and a canoe for newlyweds to use. They were really looking forward to that! I quickly eased her mind that we could incorporate a canoe in her Trout Lake elopement plan. After the call ended, I went about securing a canoe rental, only to find that there were no longer any available in all of western Colorado. A good samaritan answered my social media plea, and thanks to Patricia, we made their canoe dreams come true! When I met Sebastien in person, I had to bend from the waist to meet his eye. And I'm a tall woman! Sebastien is a whopping 6'10" and Julie is 5'1" of statuesque babe. But it was never difficult to photograph them. Mostly because they kept each other laughing all day.

A young boy watches the bride pose from inside the window.

One flower girl holds sheet music while Julie's daughter plays the violin as her mom walks in to the ceremony.

Julie throws her head back laughing as Sebastien jokes over the ring he's about to place on her finger.

Sebastien, who is 6'10", easily scoops up his 5'1" bride and carries her towards the lake - but he didn't throw her in!