October Wedding in Estes Park

October 7th is the wedding date Amber & Shaun chose for their small wedding in Estes Park, Colorado. Here in the mountains, October is a beautiful time to have a wedding if you’re looking for the ultimate Fall vibes. The weather is often quite crisp, and sometimes even moody or snowy! Rocky Mountain National Park is beginning to slow down for the season, and the elk are in rut — a truly wild experience to witness in person.

On this October day, the surrounding mountains were covered in a dense fog that moved in and out. The aspen leaves were still yellow, and scattered amongst the green pine trees. The fog skirted along the mountains throughout the entire day, sometimes dispersing a light drizzle. It was certainly a vibe. I remember thinking while we driving how much it reminded me of the PNW.

Amber & Shaun began their wedding day with some getting ready portraits at the Rockmount Cottages in Estes Park. These beautiful rustic cabins are right along the river, and a lovely place to stay right outside of the National Park. It’s common to see wildlife here too, right there on the property! Amber & Shaun got ready for their wedding day surrounded by family. Each in their separate cabins to avoid seeing each other until they were ready. Soon they were dressed to the nines, the shared a private first look along the river.

Then it was time to adventure

We drove into the National Park, along Trail Ridge Road and into Endovalley. These are two incredibly photogenic locations for portraits. In these places you can see some beautiful fall foliage, and it’s also a common spot to see wildlife too! After exploring for a few hours, it was time to rejoin their family at 3M Curve for a small wedding ceremony.

3M Curve is one of my favorite wedding ceremony sites in Rocky Mountain National Park! It offers sweeping views of Upper Beaver Meadows, and towering mountains in the distance. To learn more about all the ceremony locations, check out this blog post here. And see photos of 3M when it’s not covered in a thick fog. 😉

Lastly, after a heartfelt wedding ceremony (with all of the happy tears), it was time for celebrations. Once the ceremony portion was concluded, everyone took off to the Dunraven. The Dunraven is a delicious Italian restaurant in Estes Park, and a wedding venue as well! It’s the perfect place to share a meal together and celebrate a nice occasion such as a wedding or anniversary.

Dessert was served back at the Rockmount Cottages while they shared a first dance in front of the fireplace. It was incredibly romantic, intimate, and an all around beautiful October day for a wedding. I love that their lodging was such an important location for their day. Now, when they come back to Estes Park for their anniversary, they’ll be able to stay in the same cabin where they shared a first dance.

Finally, here’s a look into Amber & Shaun’s moody October wedding day…

Can you see yourself planning an October Wedding in Estes Park?

I’d love to help! I’m an Estes Park local and know the ins and outs for having an unforgettable wedding day here. If you think we might be a good fit, fill out the contact form and let’s talk more!