A Denver Elopement at Byron White Courthouse

Denver Elopement Inspiration With a Personal Twist

One of the things I love most about documenting intimate weddings is how each couple brings their own personality into the experience. Lance and Gigi’s downtown Denver bridal portrait session was no exception. While this wasn’t a full Denver elopement at the Byron White Courthouse, their vision was deeply personal and incredibly fun. It’s proof that a portrait session can feel just as meaningful as the wedding itself.

This adventurous duo travels the country with their sports car and trailer in tow, and they wanted their portraits to reflect the life they’ve built together. Naturally, their car made a cameo in the photos, parked right in the heart of downtown Denver.

From quiet courthouse columns to bold flash photography, their session blended timeless elegance with unapologetic personality. If you’re dreaming up your own Denver elopement or bridal session, keep reading to see how it all came together.

Are These Bridal Portraits the Same as a Denver Elopement? Here’s What You Should Know

Bridal portraits focus on capturing styled, meaningful photos of you and your partner, often separate from the ceremony itself. An elopement in Denver or elsewhere is the intimate wedding day experience where you exchange vows and celebrate your commitment.

Let’s talk about the real meaning behind bridal portraits. Traditionally, these sessions focused solely on the bride, but that definition has evolved. The term itself feels outdated and too gendered for what many couples are looking for today. More often than not, modern bridal portraits feature both partners, celebrating their connection in a more authentic and inclusive way.

Lance and Gigi embraced this shift by choosing to do their session together. It was a decision that reflected their values and personalities. It also proves that a Denver elopement or portrait session can be tailored to you and your story. Whether you’re planning a courthouse wedding or simply want a creative way to honor your love, a session like this captures what matters most.

Why a Bridal Portrait Session? Can Be the Perfect Trial Run

Scheduling a separate bridal portrait session before your Denver elopement or wedding day comes with a lot of perks. Notably, it gives you the chance to test out your full look, from hair and makeup to wardrobe and accessories, without any pressure or time crunch.

If you’re already planning hair and makeup trials, consider aligning them with your session. It’s a great way to see how everything photographs while giving yourself the space to make any adjustments before the big day. Think of it as a relaxed, no-stress dress rehearsal that’s exclusively for you!

Unrushed Portraits + Smoother Wedding Day

Scheduling bridal portraits also helps you avoid stress on your actual wedding or elopement day, as you won’t have to worry about squeezing in time for portraits amidst all the other wedding day tasks. By minimizing that time slot on the big day, you free up more opportunities to capture other meaningful, unforgettable, and candid moments. Yet, rest assured that you’ll still receive a complete bridal portrait gallery filled with bold, cinematic images. 

During the session, you can simply relax, have fun, and enjoy the experience without the hustle and bustle or the need to accommodate any other people. It allows you and your photographer to create timeless memories in a relaxed setting, making your wedding or elopement day timeline less cramped and more enjoyable.

Build Confidence Before Your Denver Elopement

Speaking of making memories with your photographer, having a separate bridal portrait session and getting comfortable in front of the camera, is an excellent way to ease those pre-wedding jitters. As someone who has both elopedin Denver and stood in front of the camera myself, I understand how vulnerable you can feel in front of the camera. That’s why, from the moment you book with me, I prioritize creating a comfortable and genuine connection with you. By getting to know each other throughout the process, you’ll feel at ease when it’s time for your bridal portrait session.

During the shoot, I’ll provide you with fun prompts and helpful advice to bring out your authentic expressions and emotions. At times, I’ll even step back and give you space to capture candid moments. This experience allows you to see firsthand how I work as a photographer, further building your confidence in front of the camera. By the time your wedding or elopement day arrives, you’ll feel like a pro, effortlessly embracing the camera and creating stunning, natural images that reflect your true selves.

Lance + Gigi Personalized Their Denver Elopement Bridal Portraits

Using bridal portraits as an opportunity to incorporate fun and personal activities is yet another creative advantage that Lance and Gigi embraced wholeheartedly. Sometimes, there are activities or ideas you wish to include in your wedding experience that may not seamlessly fit into the timeline of the actual wedding or elopement day. That’s where a separate bridal portrait session becomes a perfect solution, allowing you to explore these unique elements without any constraints.

Choosing a bridal portrait session grants you the rare luxury of time, enabling you to engage in activities that hold sentimental value or symbolize your journey together. By exploring unique activities during your bridal portrait session, whether it’s including a shared hobby, visiting a significant location, or engaging in a special ritual, these elements add layers of intimacy and authenticity to your photos. 

Lance and Gigi brilliantly executed this concept by incorporating their cherished sports car into the bridal portrait session. Having traveled around the country together in the car, they understood its significance in their journey, and the resulting photos were nothing short of extraordinary, perfectly capturing the magic of their bond.

Incorporating such activities during a separate session also allows you to be fully present and focused on each other during your actual wedding or elopement day. Instead of worrying about squeezing in extra moments for those portraits or activities, you can be fully immersed in the celebration and the love you share, creating a day that feels relaxed, genuine, and truly unforgettable.

For a full list of ideas to personalize your bridal portraits or Denver elopement experience, check out my guide.

Location Flexibility

Undoubtedly, the benefits of a separate bridal portrait session are numerous, and I have yet another one for you. A very big advantage is the flexibility to plan these sessions in different locations, offering a fabulous variety to your bridal portraits alongside the wedding day photos. It provides a chance to venture to other places you might have considered or debated on for your elopement or wedding but didn’t make it to the final plan. 

Moreover, if you prefer to spend your wedding day in one location, bridal portraits offer an ideal stress-free opportunity to create stunning memories without any rush or pressure in a variety of landscapes. The possibilities are absolutely endless, and it’s all about curating an experience that resonates with your unique love story.

Revving Up the Romance for Their Denver Elopement Bridal Portraits

The locations Lance and Gigi selected for their bridal portrait session truly captured my photographer’s heart. Since they had a clear vision of incorporating their beloved sports car into the session, a parking garage seemed like the perfect setting to achieve the exact vibe and atmosphere they desired. Fully embracing this idea, we embarked on our journey, beginning with the parking garage, where we created some breathtaking and bold wedding portraits amidst downtown Denver.

The choice of a parking garage as a location for the bridal portrait session added a fun and distinctive element to the shoot. Despite the heavy rain, Lance and Gigi’s enthusiasm was contagious, and we embraced the challenge with excitement. 

Starting inside the garage allowed me to explore the creative possibilities of off-camera flash, resulting in some truly stunning images. Incorporating off-camera flash in portraits adds a playful and dynamic lighting technique that beautifully captures moments like these, especially in dark settings and night portraits

Off-Camera Flash Wedding Photography

As you consider the ideal locations for your bridal portraits, wedding, or Denver elopement, don’t overlook the unique possibilities for night portraits. Embrace the abundance of fun and creative opportunities that come with creative lighting. With a skilled photographer who knows how to work with these lighting techniques, the resulting gallery is nothing short of one-of-a-kind. 

My past experience working in a photography studio has been incredibly valuable in my photography journey. It has allowed me to explore and experiment with various lighting setups and off-camera flash techniques, which I love to incorporate into photo sessions, just like I did with Gigi and Lance. 

This versatility enables me to adapt to any location you desire, no matter how dimly lit or creatively challenging it may be, such as the inside of a parking garage. So, if you have a unique and adventurous idea for your bridal portraits, rest assured that I’m fully equipped to bring your vision to life and create mesmerizing images that reflect your wild-hearted spirit.

To get a full scope of locations you could choose, make sure to head to my in-depth Colorado location guide resource.

Byron White Courthouse Bridal Portraits

After our fun bridal portrait session in and on top of the parking garage, we ventured to one of my all-time favorite locations for Denver elopements, the Byron White Courthouse. This architectural gem, dating back to 1916, boasts a neo-classical design that leaves a lasting impression in the historic heart of downtown Denver. The grandeur of its sixteen majestic, three-story marble columns has earned it the nickname, “a poem in marble.” 

 I absolutely adored how timeless and elegant Lance and Gigi looked as they gracefully posed on the steps and ran playfully through the grand columns. The rich history of the building seemed to embrace their love story with open arms. The combination of the exquisite historic setting and this delightfully fun couple made for a cinematic and blissful bridal portrait session 

What makes this place even more extraordinary is that the very same marble used to construct this courthouse was also employed in the revered Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the iconic Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. It is undeniable that the Byron White Courthouse serves as an exceptionally special and epic backdrop for bridal portraits that radiate timeless elegance and significance.

Not only does the Byron White Courthouse offer an exquisite setting for bridal portraits, but it also serves as a captivating venue for intimate weddings or elopements, evoking a sense of being plucked straight out of a romantic movie. However, eloping at this majestic courthouse requires a bit of preparation, as you’ll need permission from the US Marshals, Federal Protective Service, and the US Courts. But fear not, I have established valuable contacts at the Byron White Courthouse to assist with the necessary permissions.

So, if you’re considering this chic venue for your session, I’ve got the hook-up and can seamlessly handle all the logistics for you!

Other Downtown Denver Elopement / Bridal Portrait Locations

Byron White Courthouse is undeniably breathtaking, but let me share with you a few other jaw-dropping elopement locations in downtown Denver that I highly recommend for bridal portraits.

THE RAMBLE HOTEL

Downtown Denver offers a plethora of options to match your desired historic or sleek vibe. One such place is the Ramble Hotel, nestled in the artistic River North Art District, also known as RiNo. Drawing inspiration from Madame Rambouillet’s French Salons of the 17th century, this beautiful hotel exudes elegance and charm, making it a fantastic choice for captivating bridal portraits.

You can see a real micro wedding day at this venue in my other blog post.

DENVER’S UNION STATION

Another spot that will make you feel like the protagonist in a romantic movie is Denver’s Union Station. A historic train station built in 1881, it boasts several fun and unique settings for your bridal portraits both inside the building and outside. Not only that, Union Station serves as a great homebase for further exploration of other areas in downtown Denver.

DENVER CLOCK TOWER

While the city offers numerous remarkable spots for your Denver elopement or bridal portrait sessions, I also have to mention the Denver Clock Tower. This remarkable Italian Renaissance-style building, erected in 1911, presents a rare opportunity to have your bridal portraits taken behind the iconic clock tower. 

Beyond that, it features five distinct floors with amazing photo opportunities and two balconies offering magnificent views of the Denver skyline, all encompassed by an undeniably sleek atmosphere. The Denver Clock Tower guarantees an extraordinary backdrop for your bridal portraits, ensuring a gallery filled with sleek and timeless images to match.

So, Are Your Ready for Your Denver Elopement or Bridal Portraits?

All in all, integrating a separate bridal portrait session into your wedding or elopement planning offers an array of advantages. Lance and Gigi’s experience perfectly illustrates how this thoughtful approach allowed them to capture a complete bridal portrait gallery without interfering with their wedding day in the slightest.

From a preview of your hair and makeup to time-saving benefits, and the chance to get comfortable in front of the camera or explore multiple locations, bridal portraits offer a stress-free and extraordinary experience. The possibilities for these sessions are truly limitless, empowering you to curate your wedding or elopement exactly as your heart desires.

Whether you dream of exploring multiple locations or desire an intimate session in a specific setting, I am here to bring your vision to life. Your wedding or elopement deserves to be celebrated in all its beauty and uniqueness, and I would be truly honored to be a part of this joyous chapter in your lives