Lake Isabelle Colorado Wedding

A very favorite Colorado hiking elopement location

Lake Isabelle in Colorado is one of my absolute favorite wedding destinations for small groups! The trail is gentle and begins near Brainard Lake (another incredibly scenic location). It winds through a peaceful pine forest. Along the way, you cross over a cascading waterfall before. And then, you arrive at the stunning Lake Isabelle—a true gem that feels like a scene straight out of a postcard. (Which means your wedding photos are going to look like that too).

And hey, if you’re lucky, you may even spot some moose that frequent the area.

But it doesn’t stop there. One of the best parts about choosing Lake Isabelle for your Colorado wedding is how easy it is to get to. Just a short drive from Denver International Airport, it’s convenient for couples flying in, making your adventure as seamless as it is unforgettable.

On this July day, this couple and I meandered our way up to Lake Isabelle under a starry night sky. Perfectly fitting for a couple that works at NASA together, am I right?

Wedding day first looks

When a couple saves their wedding attire as a surprise, they often choose to share in a first look.

As your photographer, I believe in letting this moment unfold naturally, without too much interference. I’ll provide a bit of guidance on where to be, and then I step back to let you fully embrace the experience. My goal is always for you to savor every second, without worrying about the camera. I’ll be as far away as possible, beautifully capturing the moment, while you stay completely immersed in the moment.

If I’m being honest, the first look L & E shared here at the lakeshore brought tears to my eyes.

My advice to everyone: find yourself a partner who looks at you the way they look at each other.

Wedding ceremony & couples photos

Another best part of the day—because, let’s be honest, isn’t the entire elopement day the best part?!

After a bit of wandering, these two found the perfect spot that felt just right for exchanging vows. Again, I gave them space to just be. To speak their wedding vows to one another, completely uninterrupted.

Lake Isabelle parking reservation

A few very important things to note about Lake Isabelle.

• A parking reservation is required from mid-June through mid-October.
• Reservations are released on a rolling 15 day window at 8:00 am MT, so be sure to set your reminders and log into recreation.gov first thing!
• The closest parking lot to Lake Isabelle is at the Long Lake trailhead which opens July 1st (conditions permitting).
• The road to Brainard Lake does close during the winter months. During this time you can hike up, but just be sure to plan for the extra mileage.

Top secret spot

Back at the trailhead, we had one final surprise adventure lined up. We drove to a nearby *top secret hidden gem location*, where a charming forest area awaited. Here, they could relax by the river, dip their feet in the cool water, and enjoy a game of Uno—just like they did on their very first date years prior.

Your Colorado elopement photographer

If you’re searching for a Colorado wedding or elopement photographer who’s as excited about your one-of-a-kind plans as you are, let’s connect!