Danielle Tolson Photography

10/15/2025

Erin and Jordan wanted the mountains, dressing up together, and the whole Colorado vibe for their elopement—but they also wanted to actually enjoy it.

No 100+ person guest list to stress about. No timeline that required waking up at 4 am. Just the two of them, killer views, and a day that felt true to who they are as a couple.

You don’t have to choose between “epic location” and “comfortable to get to.” You can have waterfalls in the background AND be back at your Airbnb eating takeout by 7 pm. Both things can be true.

That’s what eloping in Colorado gets you—real adventure, whatever that means to you. You don’t have to hike miles to get views like this. If that’s your thing, awesome, you already know I’m in—but if not? That’s great too! I know spots where you can literally drive up and walk 50 feet, and you’re there.

That’s the benefit of working with someone who actually knows these spots. I’ve got locations for every comfort level 🤎

09/04/2025

It’s here!🎉 My brand new website just launched, and I couldn’t be happier 🥹

A huge thank you to my girl Kris for designing a site that feels so aligned with who I am now as a photographer. Fun fact: she also designed my site back in 2021, and when it was time for a refresh (and when I finally admitted DIY’ing wasn’t cutting it anymore), I knew I had to bring her back in. And thank you to the incredibly talented for the branding photos you see here 🤎.

Most of all, thank you to every couple who has trusted me to document their day, to the clients turned friends who have sent referrals my way, and to everyone who has followed along and supported this little business of mine. Owning and running a business isn’t easy, but the connections I’ve made and the love stories I’ve witnessed are more than I ever dreamed, and I’m forever grateful I get to call this my job.

Helping couples craft wedding days that feel like a true reflection of who they are is the best part of what I do. So, if you’re planning your own celebration, I’d LOVE to help you do the same.

The site is officially live - link in bio. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Make sure to swipe to the end of the carousel for a little peek at the homepage, and if you’re dreaming about a 2026 elopement or micro wedding, fill out that contact form! My 2026 calendar is officially open! ✨

09/03/2025

The last few months have flown by, with days filled with elopements, camping trips, connection, exploring new corners of Colorado, and a little behind-the-scenes plotting for what’s next. Honestly, it’s been one of those “wow, this is the life I dreamed of” kind of summers 🥹

And now I finally get to share some of it with you, starting with Alayna + Tydus’s July elopement. They did it their way: first look tucked away in the woods by a waterfall, vows with family on top of a mountain, and a sweet cake + champagne celebration to close out the day🍾.

My heart is still so full from this one 🤎 congrats again Alayna and TyDus!

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06/11/2025

Carved out some time during the chaos of busy season to create alongside some incredibly talented people in Leadville. Huge thanks to for putting together such an intentional and inspiring content day! Grateful for the space to slow down, experiment, and get creative 🤎✨

Host -
HMUA/Stylist -
Cake - .emily.bakery
Florals -
Vow books -
Couple - +

05/05/2025

I’m honored (and honestly still a little in shock) to share that one of my images from Alexa and Andy’s elopement just received an Elopement Legends Award! Not just one, but TWO of my photos were selected in this round. 🥹🤎

This photo from their summer elopement in Boulder was one of the winners (1st photo in the carousel) — a day that felt as intentional and meaningful as it looks. They were joined by their closest family members and their dog (aka the ring bearer, flower girl, and most enthusiastic witness of the day).

Wildflowers were blooming everywhere, the weather was perfect, and everything about it felt like a perfect reminder that your elopement can be full of both joy *and* deep presence.

The other winning image is from Nell and Patrick’s elopement day (if you’re curious, it’s the sixth photo in the carousel of my last post 😉).

The Legends Awards focus on authentic, storytelling images that show who a couple really is — and that’s what I always hope to capture. A photo that lets you feel it, not just see it.

Thank you for creating space to celebrate this kind of work. And thank you to Alexa + Andy for choosing and entrusting me to document such a special day. Capturing stories like this never gets old — and days like this are exactly why🥰

04/18/2025

Colorado really said “surprise!” After a few solid days of sunshine and pretending we were done with winter, the snow rolled right back in — so it feels like the perfect time to share this April elopement from a few years back that laughed in the face of any forecast.

Nell’s dress got muddy. Patrick’s vows got emotional. They brought their dogs to be their witnesses (10/10 always recommend). We had teary eyes, wind-blown hair, actual flurries, and a whole lot of laughter echoing off the mountains.

These two had zero interest in a backup weather plan, and honestly, I love the roll with the punches attitude. Just two people fully in it, saying yes in the kind of moment that feels too good to stage anyway.

Give me all of the messy weather, meaningful vows, and boots under the dress any day. It’s what my elopement dreams are made of 🥾🏔️🥹

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Keywords: Colorado elopement photographer, Mountain wedding, Adventure elopement photographer, Elopement inspiration, Dog-friendly elopement, Eloping in Colorado, Rocky Mountain elopement

04/07/2025

This is what it looks like when you plan a wedding day around what actually matters to you.

For E + J, that meant a peaceful morning with their families, a private first look and vow reading at the edge of an alpine lake - just the two of them - before their ceremony with their parents. Afterward, they celebrated by making margaritas in custom glasses (10/10 recommend) and eating cake.

No big venue. No stressful and jam-packed timeline. Just meaningful moments, 360° mountain views, and a whole lot of intention.

This is your sign to build a day around your own priorities. Whether that’s hiking to the perfect ceremony spot or slinging margaritas for your guests in a suit jacket, I promise: ditching expectations and planning a day that fully encapsulates everything YOU want to do will always be worth it☺️

03/20/2025

Sneaks from A + B’s elopement yesterday—I just couldn’t wait to share a few! They had their day at a beautiful rental home in Bailey, Colorado, surrounded by their closest people, and it was the perfect blend of laid-back and meaningful.

A lot of couples come to me wanting epic mountain views *and* their favorite people there to celebrate with them. But the reality? Many of those remote locations only allow 10 guests or fewer. Which can feel pretty disheartening when you can’t imagine your wedding day without your closest friends and family.

On the other hand, if you’re bringing more than 10 guests, most outdoor ceremony sites that offer views like this require advance reservations (that go *fast*) and are often in fairly public areas—so you may have strangers passing through, or even hanging out during your ceremony. 🫠

If that sounds familiar, don’t sleep on using a VRBO for your elopement or micro-wedding! There are so many gorgeous rental homes in the mountains that allow events—places where you can get ready on-site, exchange vows with a front row seat to the peaks, and step inside to an intimate catered dinner all without worrying about permits, guest limits, long drive times, or where you’ll pivot if the weather rolls in.

If you’re curious about options, I’ve got an ever-growing list of incredible properties all across Colorado that are perfect for elopements and micro-weddings like this one☺️

So if you’re thinking a mountain rental elopement might be your vibe, reach out and let’s make it happen.

Planning: .weddings
Make up:
Hair:

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Colorado elopement photographer | VRBO wedding Colorado | Colorado micro-wedding ideas | Bailey Colorado elopement | Colorado mountain elopement venues | Small wedding photographer Colorado

03/18/2025

🎶With you by my side, I can do without the world🎶

A throwback to this couples session with Taylor and Ben, two of the kindest humans I know. We’re from the same place in Southern Florida, so getting to run around the Colorado mountains together felt like bringing a little piece of home into this life I’ve built out here over the past five years. It was one of those slow, simple, golden evenings that sticks with you—bare feet, wildflowers, and a whole lot of laughter🥹

If you’re dreaming of photos that feel natural, playful, and laid-back—I’d love to capture that for you. Reach out through the link in my bio and let’s make it happen☺️🤎

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Colorado couples photographer | couples session | Colorado adventure session | Denver couples photographer | Colorado mountain photographer | Colorado engagement photographer

08/27/2024

04/16/2024

Throwback to Holly and Shaman’s super sweet Woodland Park microwedding ⛰️🤎 I can’t believe I never shared these!
Shoutout to all of the incredible vendors that helped make this day happen:
Planning:
Officiant:
Florals: