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Chris and Melissa’s Garden of the Gods elopement in Colorado Springs was nothing short of timeless. With a tune of joy and excitement, their special day of celebration began set against the dramatic red rocks and stunning natural beauty of the park. A mix of unexpected weather and their unwavering positivity made the experience even more memorable.
Keep reading for the heartfelt moments and sweet details that made their elopement and first look at Garden of the Gods feel truly one-of-a-kind.
Melissa chose the Blush Dry Bar Salon in Colorado Springs as her wedding day starting gate. The absolutely phenomenal staff at Blush pampered her and her wedding party, ensuring that they felt radiant for the big day. The salon itself was the perfect setting for Melissa and her wedding party, with the white and gold details adding a feeling of elegance.
One of Melissa’s bridesmaids described her as a Disney Princess, and oh my goodness, was she ever. I fell in love with her charming details like the butterfly hairpiece, the lavender shoes adorned with precious flowers and butterflies, and the pink getting-ready accessories. Not only did she exhibit the physical essence of a princess, but it also showed through her personality. She was effortlessly positive and it was abundantly clear that she brings an air of joy to everything she touches in life.
The salon’s exceptional service and attention to detail make it a perfect choice for any to-be-wed in Colorado Springs seeking a memorable preparation experience, and I would recommend them 100 times over. Meanwhile, Chris preferred a private setting for his preparations, adding an element of anticipation for the day.
When planning your wedding day, don’t forget to have your wedding or elopement photographer capture those genuine pre-wedding memories filled with thoughtful details and uninterrupted time with your besties.
After a relaxed morning of getting ready at Blush Dry Bar Salon, we headed into downtown Colorado Springs for some lighthearted portraits of Melissa and her wedding party. Part of my role as a Wedding Photographer is to help you every step of the way, including finding those perfect locations for photos where you feel comfortable and like your truest self.
Diving into my role, I scouted out a few possible locations in downtown Colorado Springs where I felt that Melissa’s personality could shine. With its murals, textured brick, and eclectic architecture, downtown Colorado Springs offers no shortage of creative backdrops. Melissa decided that a cool brick alleyway in the heart of downtown was the ideal spot for her and her wedding party to showcase their sincere pre-wedding excitement.
Once we captured those sweet moments, it was time for the next chapter of the day: their first look at Garden of the Gods.
Garden of the Gods is the most photographed spot in all of Colorado Springs and is a highly popular venue for elopements, intimate ceremonies, and portraits. Its exceptional appeal lies in its blend of unique natural beauty and proximity to downtown Colorado Springs. Whether you crave fiery red rock formations or mountain views, Garden of the Gods has it all.
The park allows intimate wedding ceremonies on a first-come, first-served basis. While you can’t have any decorations, the natural beauty of this location more than makes up for it. Although no permit is required to hold your wedding or elopement ceremony at Garden of the Gods, keep in mind that it can get quite busy, especially during the summer months. To beat the crowds, I always recommend planning a weekday or sunrise ceremony. This location’s beauty is accessible year round, with summer offering vibrant greenery and winter showcasing the contrast of the rock formations against the white snow.
Instead of the typical first look at the venue, Chris and Melissa opted to do things their own way with an intimate first look at a separate location that was chosen with intention. They wanted to savor this rare moment, in a place that connected them with the gorgeous nature that Colorado has to offer.
At the High Point Overlook in Garden of the Gods, Chris eagerly awaited the first glimpse of his soulmate on their wedding day. As they laid eyes on each other, the bold rock formations and the softness of the sky provided that unique setting that the couple had hoped for.
As you can tell from the wedding photos, the sky was still a little smoky from the Canadian wildfires. Though it decreased the visibility of the mountains slightly, the smoke and the weather of that day brought a special moodiness to their photos. The atmosphere that it carried was a juxtaposition that was dramatic and unparalleled.
Being a Colorado elopement photographer, I know that sometimes things like wildfire smoke can be an unexpected guest. However, with all my years of photographing weddings and elopements in Colorado, I have learned to work with the weather and smoke. You can see from these pictures that the smoke can actually assist and make for very flattering wedding portraits.
Don’t worry, we will always discuss things like this when planning your adventure elopement or wedding.
It began drizzling during their Garden of the Gods elopement portraits, and being the camera-wielding sidekick that I am, I had these handy clear umbrellas to save the day. I always keep these with me and am thrilled when couples are adventurous enough to carry on with their wedding photos through whatever comes their way. Plus, there’s an undeniable charm in how adorable they look together under those umbrellas.
Surrounded by their nearest and dearest, Chris and Melissa’s wedding ceremony was graced by approximately 70 guests at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Melissa’s two bridesmaids, her lifelong friends, added an extra touch of love and support. Chris also had some special guests who flew all the way from Korea to celebrate this soulful union.
The couple was overflowing with positivity, and the wedding was no different. The coming together of friends and family created an atmosphere filled with love, laughter, and shared memories.
Although the ceremony took place inside due to unpredictable weather, Chris and Melissa easily rolled with the punches for a stress-free day. During the breaks in the rain, we were luckily able to steal a few moments away on the golf course to sneak in family photos and sunset portraits in their planned ceremony location.
One of my favorite parts of being an intimate wedding photographer is the opportunity to capture real and raw emotions from my amazing couples. You can see Chris and Melissa display a love and playfulness that still leaves me with a smile and goosebumps looking at the photos now. Stepping away to the golf course, I was able to capture their moment to slow down, breathe, and enjoy their wedding day sunset together.
I loved how playful Melissa and Chris were during their wedding portraits after the ceremony. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in how you think you should be posing, but when you choose me for your wedding photographer, I make it as smooth and comfortable as possible. I will give you ideas to run, dance, whisper silly secrets…whatever it takes for those genuine interactions and real laughs to start flowing.
After wrapping up their wedding portraits on the golf course, Chris and Melissa headed back inside to celebrate with their favorite people. The reception was full of joy, support, and so much laughter. A photo booth kept the fun going all night, while hugs, cheers, and heartfelt moments made the celebration feel warm and unforgettable. One of the most touching parts of the evening was watching the two of them share a quiet dance on the overlook, with soft skies stretching out behind them.
Looking back on this Garden of the Gods elopement, it’s the little moments that made the day feel so original. The team at Blush Dry Bar brought Melissa’s vision to life with soft, radiant hair and makeup. The haze over the red rocks added an atmospheric glow to their portraits. The golden hour on the golf course gave us the perfect light for capturing emotion-filled images. And yes, even my second shooter and I couldn’t resist sneaking into the photo booth before saying goodnight.
Your wedding day deserves to be remembered for exactly how it felt, joyful, emotional, and unapologetically you. As the years go by, your photos will bring you back to every belly laugh, teary-eyed hug, and quiet moment that mattered most. If you’re planning a Garden of the Gods elopement, I’d be honored to help you document it with honesty and heart. Let’s co-create a wedding day experience that feels just right for you and your partner, and capture every moment as it naturally unfolds.
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