Hermit Park Elopement in Estes Park, CO

A Hermit Park Elopement

For those of you looking for a gorgeous park to say I-do in with some pretty epic mountain views. Hermit Park is one of my top choices for gorgeous locations in Estes Park. It’s good for both large and small weddings as they have a pavilion that can be rented with a gorgeous designated ceremony location. Although you don’t need to reserve the pavilion for smaller este’s park elopements. You can get more info on weddings in Hermit park HERE. 

For Holly and Ryan’s elopement we started out at their rental house where we did their first look. Then we headed across town for their Hermit Park Elopement. When we got there, we took a walk down a hiking trail and found the perfect location for them to exchange vows. The views from Hermit park are incredible.  Their kids, Holly’s sister, and Ryans Parents were able to be present for their day as well.

After their Estes park elopement vow exchange Holly, Ryan and myself headed up one of the hiking trails in the park to an overlook I found when location scouting a few days prior. One of the best things I can do for my clients is go in person to different locations and find the most epic spots for their portraits. I pride myself on learning the ins and outs of all the locations I work at. This Hermit Park Elopement was no different. It required me to find a perfect and accessible spot for the whole family to be present with nice views for their ceremony. But also find a cool spot with a moderately easy hike that could be done in a wedding dress no problem.

And you guys… this trail I found was the PERFECT spot. We could see down onto all of Estes park and see Rocky Mountain National Park in the background. The views were stunning.
Speaking of Rocky Mountain National Park.. You can see my most recent RMNP session HERE.

Making Their Estes Park Elopement Personal

There were so many amazing details to this wedding. Their paper florals had sections that were created out of maps of Estes Park. If you look closely in the photo of Ryan’s horizontal boutonnière you can see it on the map. Holly had a custom painted leather jacket that said “Til Death” on the back. It also had the date in roman numerals and “Mrs. McDonald” on the sleeve. They even had their tattoo artist draw on all of their converses to make them custom to their Hermit Park Elopement. It’s the little things like this that can make your day so incredibly personal and special.

Custom painted jacket

Bride in custom painted leather jacket in estes park
Paper boutonnière made with a map of estes park
Grooms custom cufflinks
Paper boutonnière made with a map of estes park
Paper boutonnière made with a map of estes park
Paper flowers made with a map of estes park
First look in estes park at rental airbnb
First look in estes park at rental airbnb


Excited groom gets to see his bride for the first time at their first look before their hermit park elopement
Excited groom gets to see his bride for the first time at their first look before their hermit park elopement
Excited groom gets to see his bride for the first time at their first look before their hermit park elopement
Bride and groom kiss before their estes park elopement
Bride and groom kiss before their estes park elopement at their first look
Bride and groom hang out and show off babys custom converse before their estes park elopement
Bride and groom pop champagne bottle to celebrate them getting married in hermit Park
Bride and groom pop champagne bottle to celebrate them getting married in hermit Park
Bride and groom pop champagne bottle to celebrate them getting married in hermit Park
Family prepares for an estes park wedding
family gets ready to leave for their estes park elopement

unpacking the car to hike for their estes park elopement
Gorgeous wedding ceremony at hermit park in estes park colorado
Gorgeous wedding ceremony at hermit park in estes park colorado
Gorgeous wedding ceremony at hermit park in estes park colorado
Bride and groom laugh at their hermit park elopement
Family watches couple get married in hermit park
Bride and groom at their hermit park elopement
Bride and groom at their hermit park elopement
romantic wedding ceremony at hermit park elopement

Bride reads vows to groom at their hermit park elopement
Son gives rings to mom and dad at their hermit park elopement
Son gives rings to mom and dad at their hermit park elopement
Son gives rings to mom and dad at their hermit park elopement
Ring exchange in the mountains at estes park elopement
Ring exchange in the mountains at estes park elopement
Ring exchange in the mountains at estes park elopement
Ring exchange in the mountains at estes park elopement
Ring exchange in the mountains at estes park elopement
Bride and grooms first kiss at their estes park elopement in hermit park Bride and grooms first kiss at their estes park elopement in hermit park
Bride and groom sign their marriage license at their hermit park elopement
Bride and groom sign their marriage license at their hermit park elopement
Bride and groom sign their marriage license at their hermit park elopement
Bride and groom sign their marriage license at their hermit park elopement
Mother hugs her Daughter in law

Bride and groom holds "we eloped" sign at their wedding ceremony spot in hermit park

Custom painted converse with wedding date and "til death"

Bride and groom holds "we eloped" sign at their wedding ceremony spot in hermit park
Bride spins in her dress
Romantic bride and groom portraits in the mountains in estes park
Estes park elopement at Hermit Park in Colorado
Romantic bride and groom portraits in the mountains in estes park
Bride and groom on a hike on their wedding day in estes park
Romantic bride and groom portraits in the mountains in Hermit park
Estes park elopement at Hermit Park in Colorado
Wedding portraits done on Kruger rock trail in hermit park
Fall colors on kruger rock trail
estes park colorado wedding portraits

Wedding portraits done on Kruger rock trail in hermit park
Wedding couple hikes kruger rock trail
View of the 2020 wildfires near estes park colorado
Bride and groom get ready to take photos on Kruger Rock Overlook in Estes Park, Colorado
Bride and groom get ready to take photos on Kruger Rock Overlook in Estes Park, Colorado
Golden Hour Wedding Portraits on Kruger Rock Overlook in Estes Park, Colorado
Golden Hour Wedding Portraits on Kruger Rock Overlook in Estes Park, Colorado
Hermit Park Elopement Romantic Golden Hour Wedding Portraits Estes Park
Hermit Park Elopement Romantic Golden Hour Wedding Portraits Estes Park
Hermit Park Elopement Romantic Golden Hour Wedding Portraits Estes Park
Hermit Park Elopement Romantic Golden Hour Wedding Portraits Estes Park
Hermit Park Elopement Bride and Groom Golden Hour Wedding Portraits Estes Park
Bride and groom look down on the town of estes park from Kruger Rock Trail
Hiking bride and groom on kruger rock trail
Groom helps bride climb across boulders at their estes park elopement
Bride on the edge of a mountain in estes park colorado
Bride Poses for photo on the edge of a mountain at her hermit park elopement
Bride Poses for photo on the edge of a mountain at her hermit park elopement
Bridal portraits in hermit park estes park colorado

Bride and groom start to hike back down the mountain together
Estes park romantic sunset wedding portraits
Bride and groom on a trail in hermit park after their estes park elopement
Bride and groom on a trail in hermit park after their estes park elopement
Bride and groom pose after their hermit park elopement at the estes park sign

8 Responses

  1. Hermit Park is such a cute location and I am dying over the bride’s leather jacket. She is literally so cool! Love this whole session!

  2. Beautiful photos of a beautiful couple! Love the details like her leather jacket and the paper flowers made out of the map of the park! Makes everything a little more special when everything means something!

  3. THAT JACKET. Dying. Also the light throughout the entire elopement is so stunning, you really nailed that! What a badass couple, I really got a feel for their vibe through your photos.

  4. Absolutely love how you captured their day! Her jacket is amazing, and those little details are everything. Gorgeous work!

  5. oh man well arent they just the coolest couple ever. this is so cute! i love their jackets and those rad paper flowers. They seem like so much fun and you totally nailed this wedding.

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