LAKE MARIE ELOPEMENT | Kelli & Branden

When Kelli first contacted Rick and I about photographing her Lake Marie elopement, we wanted to immediately say yes! Our family absolutely loves going hiking and fishing in that area and it’s even more amazing to photograph weddings there. We photograph so often in the Snowies, and one of the things that we love most when photographing a Lake Marie elopement is taking our couples back down the mountain and photographing at all of our our FAVORITE locations!

Kelli and Branden were amazing and the four of us hit it off immediately. They both have a great sense of humor and the jokes began right after the ceremony and continued throughout the rest of the day. Rick has always been passionate about helping our clients to relax and feel comfortable in front of the camera; he uses humor and Branden is exactly the same!

After a quick but beautiful ceremony in which one of Branden’s best friends was the officiant, we took a few family photos and stole Kelli and Branden for a few hours for their bridal portraits. As I said, we took them to some of our favorite spots on the mountain and allowed their bright personalities to shine though in the photos. So, here are some of our favorite images from Kelli and Branden’s Lake Marie elopement:

A custom made arch and an amazing day where two families ultimately would become one.

A Lake Marie elopement (and any elopement, really) is great because of the laid back approach to the day. Our couples arrive when they’d like, they get married when they want and the day is typically very flexible and smooth.

Kelli and Branden tied the know in front of their parents, children and Branden’s best friend. We love every wedding as all are individually unique, but the intimacy of an elopement is so incredible.

We mentioned it earlier, but one of Branden’s best friends was the officiant for the day. He drove all the way to Wyoming from Arizona to marry them of their special day.

The weather can sometimes be unpredictable for a Lake Marie elopement (since we are LITERALLY on top of the mountain) but we were blessed as the weather for Kelli and Branden’s wedding day was absolutely perfect.

Rick likes to photograph closeup shots from the wedding ceremony. Capturing the emotions and the special looks that a bride and groom give one another is fantastic. Who wouldn’t want to have their bride (or groom) looking at them like this?

Kelli and Branden’s wedding ceremony was short and sweet and packed full of emotion.

Making it official. For the first time as husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride.

We love getting to capture these stolen looks and other little moments that occur throughout the day. Kelli sneaking a quick glance at Branden as they exit the aisle is one of those moments.

What a stylish and good looking family! These guys made it SO easy for us to photograph and we had such a great time with them all! (You can’t even tell by looking at them that they spent the whole morning on the golf course, right?)

This was a shot that Kelli specifically asked for and we are so glad that she did…it was a great idea capturing all the boots of she and Branden and their kiddos! This rustic Lake Marie elopement was so much fun!

And of course we had to take the obligatory bride and groom mask shot during the pandemic. In this case we absolutely loved the Wyoming Cowboys masks that Kelli and Branden brought with them!

THIS is the view of Lake Marie, Medicine Peak and this amazing waterfall that these two had for their big day! THIS is why many of our clients choose to go with a Lake Marie elopement!

Kelli not only had amazing posture but had an uncanny ability to stare down the camera in the most confident way. She certainly made our job easier.

Branden on the other hand…LOL, just kidding! Remember when I talked about how much fun these two are and how Rick and Branden spent so much time joking and laughing? This is the outcome!

Kelli was such a stunning bride and was absolutely glowing on her wedding day!

This is one of my favorite wedding photos that we have taken in quite some time. If you are lucky enough you can catch the wildflowers at the just right time for your Lake Marie elopement!

Branden and Kelli not only had amazing wildflowers for some of their bridal portraits, we were also able to include some snow and scenic mountains for them as well.

We had to include a few more shots of the amazing waterfall at Lake Marie as well as the scenic Snowy Range mountains.

Something happens when you pose a newly married husband and wife together and give them some space. Letting Kelli and Branden have a private moment together…

…allowed Rick and I to capture some really authentic and beautiful images. You could tell how much these two loved one another.

Are you starting to see a pattern here? If we take a stylish rustic wedding, add an amazing couple and take them around to some of the most beautiful scenery in this area it is a really good recipe for making breathtaking photos.

It really was a blessing and so much fun getting to take these two around to most of our favorite places in the Snowy Range. Rick and I get to photograph so often here and we never get tired of how gorgeous it is!

We were even blessed with interesting clouds and skies throughout the day. I honestly don’t think things could have gone much better.

Kelli and Branden, we absolutely mean it when we say you are the best! Rick and I had so much fun with you both and appreciate you more than you know for choosing us to document your Lake Marie elopement. We wish you both all the best in you journey together!

Are you a fan of mountain elopements? Be sure to check out this gorgeous Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement as well!