10/14/2025
An elopement that makes waking up before dawn feel like the best idea you’ve ever had. 🌄🥰
Claire and Shawn planned a two-part fall elopement at Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Their day unfolded slowly, intentionally, and beautifully. Their adventure began while the rest of the world was still asleep. With only the glow of their headlamps to light the way, they hiked beneath a sky full of stars to the spot where they would exchange their private vows.
By the time we arrived, the sun had just started to rise, spilling soft golden light across the lake. After a quiet moment to soak it all in, they changed into their wedding attire and shared a first look as the basin lit up in warm hues. Shawn turned to see Claire, grinning and radiant, and the world fell perfectly still. 💛
There is something so special about that kind of intimacy, when the only sounds are the soft wind and the first birdsong, and all that exists is the person standing in front of you. They read their vows by the still alpine water, honest, vulnerable, and completely their own. Surrounded by stillness and light, they began their marriage in the most peaceful way possible.
Later that morning, after a cup of coffee made mountainside, part two of their celebration began. Surrounded by family and friends, they held an intimate ceremony overlooking the lake. Flower girls blew bubbles, friendship bracelets were shared, and every detail, from Claire’s bouquet ribbon to their patterned socks, carried a story.
Their day was unforgettable for so many reasons.
The quiet sunrise, the laughter, and the way they moved through each moment with presence and gratitude. It was the kind of day that reminds you what really matters: love, connection, and the courage to do things your own way.
