Tiny Lake Wedding in Colorado

Intimate Lakeside Elopement

lakeside wedding in Colorado

Hans + Aspen's Tiny Lake Wedding In Colorado | Private Lakeside Elopement

I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. If you’re looking to have a lake wedding, Colorado is pretty much the best state for it. Sure, we’re certainly biased, being based in Colorado and all, but honestly the lakes we have out here make for the most epic locations for tiny lake weddings. You get some of the most dramatic mountain views the US has to offer, along with cooler temps in the summer months, which makes that July lake wedding actually comfortable, unlike many of the lakes on the east coast.

So when Aspen and Hans reached out to us about wanting to elope in Colorado, we knew that this spot would be perfect for their tiny lake wedding. It’s one of our favorite locations because of its accessibility to some of the best mountain towns in Colorado, and it’s also a hidden gem that so many people have no idea about. Which ultimately means having your tiny lake wedding here will give you much more privacy than one of the more popular trails in the area.

Aspen and Hans knew they wanted a mix of a foresty, woodsy vibe along with the expansive mountain views and alpine lakes that Colorado is known for. And this location checked all those boxes. They chose to elope at sunrise (my favorite time of day!), since that would allow them the most privacy when saying their vows. And holy cow, this lake wedding location did not disappoint. We started their day at blue hour, before the sun had come up over the mountains, headlamps and lanterns in tow. And as the sun began to rise, we noticed that the entire lake was covered in a crazy cool layer of fog and steam due to the drastic temperature change that happens at high elevation between sunset and sunrise.

It had rained earlier that morning before we arrived, and the humidity coated the nearby plants with a gorgeous dew as well. Honestly, I’ve never seen this spot look prettier than it did for this small lake wedding.

micro lake wedding in Colorado at dawn
couple hiking to their micro lake wedding in Colorado at dawn
couple hiking to their micro lake wedding in Colorado at dawn
couple hiking to their micro lake wedding in Colorado at dawn
couple hiking to their micro lake wedding in Colorado at dawn
couple hiking to their micro lake wedding in Colorado at dawn
couple hiking to their micro lake wedding in Colorado at dawn
couple hiking to their micro lake wedding in Colorado at dawn
couple admiring a steaming alpine lake before they begin their lake wedding ceremony at sunrise
couple admiring a steaming alpine lake before they begin their lake wedding ceremony at sunrise
couple admiring a steaming alpine lake before they begin their lake wedding ceremony at sunrise
couple admiring a steaming alpine lake before they begin their lake wedding ceremony at sunrise
couple admiring a steaming alpine lake before they begin their lake wedding ceremony at sunrise
hiking shoes for a lake wedding in Colorado

Tiny Lake Wedding Ceremony In The Mountains

After taking some photos at blue hour, Aspen and Hans began their small lake wedding ceremony, with Aspen’s dad as the officiant. These two said their vows on a grassy section beside the trail, right alongside the water. As they shared their story, the sun rose up and displayed the most lovely alpenglow on the mountains behind them.

steaming alpine lake at sunrise
unique wedding rings for a lakeside elopement wedding
unique wedding rings for a lakeside elopement wedding
view of the mountains by an alpine lake in Colorado
lakeside wildflowers on the trail during a lake elopement
lakeside wildflowers on the trail during a lake elopement
lakeside wedding ceremony
lakeside wedding ceremony
lakeside wedding ceremony
lakeside wedding ceremony
lakeside wedding ceremony
lakeside wedding ceremony
lakeside wedding ceremony
eloping couple reading their vows during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
eloping couple reading their vows during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
eloping couple reading their vows during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
eloping couple reading their vows during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
eloping couple reading their vows during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
eloping couple reading their vows during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
eloping couple reading their vows during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
eloping couple reading their vows during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
eloping couple reading their vows during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
eloping couple reading their vows during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
vow reading during a tiny lake wedding Ceremony
small lake wedding ceremony
small lake wedding ceremony
small lake wedding ceremony
small lake wedding ceremony
small lake wedding ceremony
small lake wedding ceremony
lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
couple having their first kiss during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
couple having their first kiss during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
couple having their first kiss during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
couple having their first kiss during their lake wedding ceremony in Colorado
lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado

Post-Lake Wedding Ceremony Sunrise Photos

We gave these two some time to soak in the fact they they just got married and enjoy some time hanging around their lakeside ceremony site before continuing on our adventure.

lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado
lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado
lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado
lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado
lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado
lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado
lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado
lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado
lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado
lake wedding photos of a couple in the summertime in Colorado

Wandering Down The Lakeside Trail

Once they wrapped up their lake wedding ceremony, we wandered down the trail alongside the lake, where we came across the most lovely little spots on the route to stop by. From a fallen log to a rock that looked out onto the surrounding mountains, there were no shortage of epic views.

eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
bride in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple in the woods after their small lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
eloping couple adventuring on a trail in the mountains during their lake wedding in Colorado
couple gazing out at the water during their lake wedding in Colorado
couple gazing out at the water during their lake wedding in Colorado
couple gazing out at the water during their lake wedding in Colorado
couple gazing out at the water during their lake wedding in Colorado
alpine wildflowers

Adventuring Into The Water After Their Lake Wedding

Y’all Colorado lakes are COLD. Even in the summer months, and especially at this elevation. But these two troopers were so dang excited to get into the water after their lake wedding…I mean, it isn’t a true lake wedding until you go for a dip, right?!

couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
couple wading into the water after their lake wedding ceremony
lakeside wedding photos
lakeside wedding photos

Exploring The Nearby Forest

After walking into the lake for a dip, Aspen and Hans decided to leave their shoes by the shore and wander barefoot down the trail and into the woods. One of the things I love about this specific lake wedding location is the diversity of landscapes on a single trail. You can have both expansive mountain views, water, and a lush green forest too. And man, did this forest show off for these two.

eloping couple hiking through the forest after their wedding
groom lifting the bride for a kiss in the forest after their elopement wedding
groom lifting the bride for a kiss in the forest after their elopement wedding
groom lifting the bride for a kiss in the forest after their elopement wedding
groom lifting the bride for a kiss in the forest after their elopement wedding
groom lifting the bride for a kiss in the forest after their elopement wedding
groom lifting the bride for a kiss in the forest after their elopement wedding
groom lifting the bride for a kiss in the forest after their elopement wedding
groom lifting the bride for a kiss in the forest after their elopement wedding
bride sitting on groom's shoulder while hiking in the forest after their elopement ceremony
bride sitting on groom's shoulder while hiking in the forest after their elopement ceremony
bride sitting on groom's shoulder while hiking in the forest after their elopement ceremony
bride sitting on groom's shoulder while hiking in the forest after their elopement ceremony
bride sitting on groom's shoulder while hiking in the forest after their elopement ceremony
bride sitting on groom's shoulder while hiking in the forest after their elopement ceremony
bride sitting on groom's shoulder while hiking in the forest after their elopement ceremony
bride sitting on groom's shoulder while hiking in the forest after their elopement ceremony
eloping couple dancing in the forest
eloping couple dancing in the forest
eloping couple hiking through the forest after their wedding
eloping couple hiking through the forest after their wedding
eloping couple hiking through the forest after their wedding
eloping couple hiking through the forest after their wedding
eloping couple hiking through the forest after their wedding
eloping couple hiking through the forest after their wedding
eloping couple hiking through the forest after their wedding
eloping couple hiking through the forest after their wedding

P.S. As an elopement photographer, I specialize in adventurous weddings like this lake wedding. I’m a firm believer that your wedding day should be an adventure, and not dictated by the strict rules of the wedding industry…it should be a day where you get to have fun together and make the day your own. Just like Aspen and Hans did. If that sounds like your vibe, I’d love to chat with you about your dream lake wedding.

Planning Your Adventure Wedding Or National Park Elopement?

Check out some of our favorite elopement and adventure wedding planning resources:

Sheena Shahangian Photography LLC

Empowering You To Have Your Adventure Elopement, Your Way

Colorado Elopement Photographers + Adventure Wedding Photographers

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved. Sheena Shahangian Photography LLC.