Getting Maried in the Mountains: Things to consider

Eloping in the mountains

is far and any my happy place to photograph- the ‘who knows’ of the weather, the solitude, the smells and sounds, and yes, obviously, the views. Its such an easy choice for so many couples to choose the mountains as their venue. They inspire adventure and romance, and are endlessly opportunistic for an intimate wedding.  

There are a few considerations to make when you decide to get married in the mountains however, not least of which is the element of predictability. 

Things to know: 

1- Alcohol will feel different up here. It’s no secret that anything above about 7,500 ft and you may start to feel light headed, dizzy and short of breath. The higher you go, the more dramatic these symptoms can feel and you should be prepared for what that entails.  Booze is no exception. The alcohol will hit you harder, so don’t assume that what you can drink on Bourbon Street will ring true at elevation. Think- less is more! 

2- The weather is both predictable, and it totally isn’t. Be aware that while the Weather app may read sunny and clear skies, the potential for that to shift rapidly is high. So bring layers, and consider backup plans.  Especially in the summer months, afternoon rain storms are extremely common at elevation and while they do not tend to exceed an hour, they can get ugly. Don’t get caught unprepared! 

3- The people. Mountain people are, far and away, some of the chillest and most down to earth people I have ever known. They tend to value slower paces, true connection and excellent service. If you’re looking to incorporate these elements into your wedding day- think locally! Pictured above is non other than the magical Florista Spells floral team and Stellar and Sage planning and design. Check em out!

The most recent episode of this was at a shoot at Freight in Leadville, Colorado. America’s highest city and without a doubt one of the most welcoming, legitimate and charming venues for an intimate wedding I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.