Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding: Rachel + Josh

Rocky Mountain wedding

Seriously guys, GWS brides + grooms make us proud. We’re in constant amazement about all the ways you choose to make your day your own + plan a celebration that’s perfect for you. Rachel + Josh, captured perfectly by Tyler Branch, are a great example of  just what we mean. They exchanged their vows amongst the gorgeous scenery of Colorado’s rocky mountains in an early morning reading, just the two of them. Later in the day, they celebrated with their nearest + dearest in a sweet, intimate wedding ceremony followed by a super laid-back reception. Rachel says, We both loved the idea of an elopement but at the same time wanted to share the beauty of those mountains with our family and friends. We got both! 

Josh proposed to me in the Rocky Mountains while we were on vacation and from the moment I said yes we started planning our wedding. The contrast of a vast mountain range and a cozy, intimate wedding would be perfect for us.

Rocky Mountain wedding

Rocky Mountain wedding

Mountain vow reading

The day of our wedding we took an early morning hike to a small outcropping of boulders and exchanged vows. It was incredibly personal. Just us and our words. We were really able to absorb the beauty of the moment and allow it to make a lasting impression on us both. Later that day we had a small ceremony surrounded by the mountains followed by a really casual reception. To have our families and closest friends there made the day absolutely perfect.

Mountain vow reading

Mountain vow reading

Mountain vow reading

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Rachel: I have two: The intimacy of our vow exchange in the morning was an amazing feeling. There were elk roaming in the valley below us and the sun was bathing us in warmth. It was moving. I also loved being able to recite vows to our 6-month-old son. To be able to take him in our arms and make promises to him as well as each other was beautiful.

Josh: Our photographer took us up to what felt like the top of the world after the wedding. You could see these huge grey clouds rolling in and we knew we only had moments to get a good shot. We ended up running back to our car in a hail storm. It was quite an adventure.

Mountain vow reading

Mountain vow reading

Mountain vow reading

Mountain vow reading

Free People wedding dress

bridal boots

We’re all about Rachel’s wedding look. A bohemian Free People dress paired rugged boots was just right for the setting.

Free People wedding dress

rocky mountain wedding

rocky mountain wedding

Mountain first look

Mountain first look

Mountain first look

Mountain first look

Mountain first look

Free People wedding dress

Free People wedding dress

Free People wedding dress

first look with dad

rocky mountain park wedding

rocky mountain park wedding

rocky mountain park wedding

rocky mountain park wedding

How sweet that they got to share an additional ceremony with their close family + friends. The best of both worlds!

rocky mountain park wedding

rocky mountain park wedding

rocky mountain park wedding

rocky mountain park wedding

rocky mountain park wedding

rocky mountain park wedding

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

I am a perfectionist. I want everything to be a certain way and it’s hard for me to let others take charge. However, on my wedding day, I had to let it all go. I didn’t worry that half the handmade reception decorations couldn’t be used because of gusty winds or that the wedding started almost an hour late or that it was much colder than we thought it would be and Josh and I were shivering during the ceremony. You have to go with the flow. So keep it simple. The more details you add to your day equals more opportunity for things to go awry.

photography: Tyler Branch // venue name: ceremony -- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, reception -- Hermit Park Open Space in Larimer County, Colorado // florals: The Enchanted Florist // wedding dress: Free People // hairpiece: made by the bride // catering: Savory Cuisines // officiant: our dear friend and pastor Tony Bourque

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