The Power of Permission

Sometimes the people who help others dream big need permission to dream big themselves.

When an elopement photographer plans her own wedding, you know it’s going to be something special. But what happened when Anna and Caleb said “I do” in the snowy mountains of Estes Park, Colorado, went beyond special – it became a masterclass in authentic celebration and a giant permission slip for every couple who’s ever wondered if their wedding dreams were “too much” or “too different.”

This is the story of two Florida adventurers who proved that getting married can look exactly like your wildest dreams – no matter how far from home that takes you.

When the Expert Becomes the Bride

Anna spends her days helping couples create authentic, adventurous celebrations that reflect their true selves. She’s photographed elopements on mountaintops, in forests, by waterfalls – always encouraging her couples to choose authenticity over tradition.

But when it came to her own wedding, even she needed a reminder that all the permission she gives her couples applies to her too.

Anna and Caleb are the kind of outdoorsy Florida couple who spend weekends hunting, fishing, hiking with their dog, and planning their next adventure. They’re equally at home in a deer blind at dawn as they are around a campfire under the stars. So when they decided to elope, they knew it had to honor that adventurous spirit that defines them.

Here’s what’s beautiful: they could have chosen anywhere in Florida for their intimate ceremony – gorgeous beaches, magical springs, endless wild spaces. But they looked at a map of possibilities and chose the complete opposite of their home state. They chose Estes Park, Colorado – a place where snow-capped mountains meet endless sky, where adventure isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable.

This choice says everything about what’s possible for couples today. Your dream elopement location doesn’t have to be convenient or expected. It just has to be right for your story.

The Morning That Proved Love Moves Mountains

Here’s the thing about mountain elopements in winter: nature doesn’t always cooperate with your timeline. The morning of Anna and Caleb’s ceremony, they woke up to discover that fresh snow had made their chosen ceremony spot completely inaccessible – at least without snowshoes.

But Caleb? He wasn’t about to let a little snow stop their perfect day.

While Anna was getting ready, Caleb quietly grabbed a shovel and headed up the mountain. For over an hour, he dug out a path through knee-deep snow, making sure their family members could safely make it to witness their vows.

When I think about acts of love, this is what comes to mind. Not the grand gestures you see in movies, but the practical, behind-the-scenes ways we take care of each other. Caleb didn’t make a big deal about it or expect recognition. He just saw what needed to be done for their day to be perfect and did it.

Adventure Elopement Done Right

What struck me most about filming Anna and Caleb’s day was how effortlessly they moved between moments of profound intimacy and pure joy. One minute they’re exchanging vows with tears in their eyes, the next they’re blasting champagne and shotgunning beers like they just won the Super Bowl.

This is what authentic celebration looks like – honoring both the sacred and the celebratory aspects of getting married.

Their ceremony happened surrounded by family in that hand-shoveled clearing, with the Rocky Mountains as their witness. But the real magic happened afterward, as we moved from one stunning backdrop to another. Anna and Caleb laughed, they played, they celebrated exactly as themselves – no performance, no trying to fit into wedding traditions that didn’t serve them.

The Power of Permission

During their film, Anna and Caleb shared their own story in their own words, talking about their journey to this moment and what marriage meant to them. But what they created went beyond personal storytelling – they essentially wrote a giant permission slip for every couple watching.

Permission to celebrate outdoors if that’s where you feel most alive. Permission to include your dog as your witness.
Permission to shotgun beers after saying “I do” if that’s you. Permission to dig through snow or climb mountains or do whatever it takes to marry each other in the place that feels most like home. Permission to choose a destination that’s the complete opposite of where you live, just because it calls to your souls.

As an elopement photographer herself, Anna knows how many couples feel constrained by what they think weddings are “supposed” to look like. Their day became living proof that your wedding can look exactly like your wildest dreams – whether that’s in your backyard or on the other side of the country.

Why Mountain Elopements Create Magic

There’s something about mountains that strips away everything unnecessary and leaves you with what truly matters. Maybe it’s the physical effort required to get there. Maybe it’s the way the landscape puts everything into perspective. Maybe it’s just that when you’re surrounded by that kind of natural beauty, pretense becomes impossible.

Anna and Caleb’s Colorado elopement worked because:

The setting matched their spirits – These are people who come alive in wild places The contrast energized them – Going from Florida’s flat landscapes to Colorado’s peaks felt like a true adventure The challenges became part of the story – That hand-shoveled path became a symbol of their commitment
The celebration felt genuine – Champagne and beer because that’s actually how they celebrate The adventure continued all day – Moving from location to location kept the energy alive Family could witness what mattered – The ceremony itself, in a place that honored the couple’s true selves

And here’s what I love: Anna and Caleb’s choice to travel across the country for their elopement shows couples everywhere that the sky truly is the limit. Your dream location doesn’t have to be practical or convenient. It just has to be right for your story. As their Sacred Story Keeper, I was honored to travel wherever their vision led us – because authentic love stories deserve to be captured wherever they unfold.

Practical Magic: How They Made It Happen

Planning an adventure elopement in winter mountains requires more than just booking a photographer. Here’s what made their day successful:

They prepared for weather – Backup plans and appropriate gear for everyone They considered their guests – The groom’s early morning shovel work ensured elderly family members could participate safely They chose authentic celebration – Champagne and beer because that’s genuinely how they party They embraced the adventure – When conditions changed, they adapted and found joy in the challenge They trusted their vendors – Working with people who understood their vision and could roll with mountain conditions

The Florida Couple’s Guide to Mountain Elopements

As a non-native Floridian from Tennessee, I know how different mountain conditions can be from what we’re used to. But that’s exactly what made their elopement so magical – they weren’t trying to recreate a beach wedding in the mountains. They were embracing an entirely different kind of beauty and energy.

For couples considering their own mountain adventure:

Embrace the unfamiliar – Let the mountains teach you something new about celebrating Prepare practically – Mountain weather requires gear and backup plans Include your people thoughtfully – Consider what your chosen location requires of your guests Celebrate authentically – Your mountain celebration should still feel like you Trust the process – Some of the best moments come from adapting to unexpected conditions

When the Professional Needs Permission Too

What I found so beautiful about working with Anna, a fellow wedding professional, was watching her give herself permission to want what she wanted. She spends her career encouraging couples to dream big and choose authentically, but when it came to her own day, she needed that same encouragement.

It’s a good reminder that we all need permission sometimes – even those of us who spend our time giving permission to others.

Anna’s willingness to be authentic about her own desires – including choosing a destination that was the complete opposite of her Florida home – created a day that didn’t just serve her and Caleb, but also became inspiration for every couple who sees their film.

The Ripple Effect of Authentic Celebration

Anna and Caleb’s Colorado elopement created something beyond beautiful memories and gorgeous footage. It became proof that:

Adventure elopements aren’t just for Instagram – they’re for couples who genuinely come alive in wild places Winter weddings can be magical, not just challenging Your celebration can include whatever elements bring you joy – from private vows to shotgunned beers Sometimes the obstacles (like knee-deep snow) become the most meaningful parts of your story Geographic boundaries don’t limit your wedding dreams – Florida couples can find magic in Colorado mountains The right Sacred Story Keeper will travel anywhere to capture your authentic celebration

The Film That Captured It All

Watching Anna and Caleb’s finished film, what strikes me most is how present they were for their own experience. This wasn’t a performance or a photo shoot – it was two people genuinely celebrating the biggest commitment of their lives in a way that honored everything they love most.

Their laughter is real. Their tears are real. Their joy in shotgunning beer while Anna wore her wedding dress is absolutely real.

That authenticity translates through the screen and gives every couple watching permission to celebrate exactly as themselves – whether that’s in their hometown or on the other side of the country.

For Adventure-Loving Couples

If you’re reading this and feeling that pull toward mountains, toward adventure, toward celebrating in wild places – trust that instinct. Your love story deserves to be celebrated in whatever setting makes you feel most alive.

Whether that’s Florida wetlands or Colorado peaks, desert landscapes or forest clearings, the right place is wherever you can be most authentically yourselves.

And if you need someone to witness and capture that authentic celebration – someone who understands that adventure elopements are about so much more than pretty backdrops – I’d love to talk with you about your vision.

Because every couple deserves to have their wildest wedding dreams come true.

Planning your own adventure elopement? Let’s talk about creating a day that honors both your love story and your adventurous spirits – wherever that might take us.

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Ready to plan your own authentic adventure elopement? Whether it’s mountain peaks or hidden beaches, let’s explore how to create a celebration that feels as wild and wonderful as your love story.