Untraditional Fall Wedding in RMNP – Allison & Robert

The Best Kind of Wedding.

There are weddings that feel like work (yep, it happens). And then there are weddings like Allison and Robert’s—where you’re basically just tagging along with your hilarious new best friends while they happen to get married in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

These two are pure joy. From the moment I met them, I knew their day was going to be something special—equal parts emotional, ridiculous (in the best way), and absolutely unforgettable.

That Dress. That View. That Vibe.

Let’s start with Allison, because wow. She rocked a burnt orange dress like she was born to be a walking embodiment of autumn. It flowed perfectly with the wind, popped against the golden aspen leaves, and matched her fiery, joyful energy. She was stunning—but more than that, she was herself. And Robert? He looked at her like she was the only person in the world (with a smirk, of course, because he was probably trying not to cry and also make her laugh at the same time).

They kicked the day off with some alone time before the ceremony, which I highly recommend if you want a breather and some real moments together. We wandered through the trees, soaked up the views at 3M curve, and even got to hang out with their vintage camper van—which honestly deserves its own photoshoot. Think cozy, romantic, road-trip vibes meets mountain elopement aesthetic. They danced in the wind, laughed until they cried, and made goofy faces at each other in between smooches. Classic Allison and Robert.

Coffee, Burritos, and the Best Kind of Chaos

Down by the picnic tables near Sprague Lake, they had a full-blown coffee and burrito station set up for their people. Like… yes please?? There was hot coffee, warm breakfast burritos, and so much laughter echoing through the trees I thought we might wake the entire park. Their guests—equally fun and slightly chaotic in the most lovable way—were handing out blankets, sipping on fresh coffee from verb coffee roasters and making jokes like they were at the best family reunion ever.

It wasn’t fancy. It was better. It was them.

Sprague Lake Ceremony: Short, Sweet, and Sentimental (with a Side of Giggles)

The ceremony itself was held overlooking the water at Sprague Lake, surrounded by their closest family and friends. The sun peeked through the clouds, the wind whistled through the trees, and there were happy tears and uncontrollable giggles—because of course there were. Robert nearly lost it halfway through his vows (both emotionally and because Allison whispered something hilarious under her breath—I saw it happen).

They held hands, kissed with the mountains as their witness, and just glowed. It was sweet, genuine, and beautifully imperfect in all the best ways.

Final Thoughts from a Photographer Who Kinda Wants to Be in Their Friend Group Now

I’ve photographed a lot of weddings. But this one? It reminded me why I love what I do. It wasn’t about the dress (though that dress was fire), or the flowers, or even the location (though the views in Rocky Mountain National Park are straight-up unreal). It was about the people.

Allison and Robert are the kind of people who don’t take life too seriously. They laugh big, love even bigger, and bring everyone around them into that joy. Their wedding felt less like an event and more like a celebration of life, love, and breakfast burritos.

So if you’re dreaming of a day that’s full of laughter, love, and epic mountain views—ditch the stress, pack the burritos, bring your weirdest and most wonderful friends, and do it your way. And please, please invite me along for the ride.

---

Ready to plan your own adventure wedding with a side of coffee and chaos? Hit me up—I’ll bring my camera and my best flannel. 😄📸🌄