Fall wedding in Estes Park, Colorado

Sep 5, 2023

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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.

Wedding rings sitting on top of yellow leaves

Wedding dress hanging from the cabin roof

Mens wedding shoes on an Adirondack chair

Groom receiving a surprise gift from his bride before his October wedding day in Estes Park, Colorado

Bride putting final touches on her hair in the mirror

Couple sharing a wedding day first look with October fall foliage

Couple sharing a first look along the river

Couple standing in front of the Rockmount Cottages on their wedding day in Estes Park

Bride and groom on porch of cabin in Estes Park Colorado on their October wedding day

Couple snuggled up in a blanket on the porch of their cabin

Couple laughing on the porch of their cabin

Rocky Mountain National Park wedding photos

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.

Couple cuddled in a moody and foggy forest

Bride kissing groom on the forehead in a beautiful fur jacket

Bride and groom in front of yellow trees during their October wedding in Estes Park, Colorado

Couple in the forest full of fall colors

Couple looking at each other in a foggy forest

View of meadows and mountains in Estes Park Colorado with Autumn foliage

Hillside in Rocky Mountain National Park, full of yellow aspen trees

Couple in the aspen grove in Estes Park Colorado in October

Couple smiling at each other in the meadow

Bride playing with flowing dress as they walk through a yellow meadow

Yellow aspen grove in Rocky Mountain National Park

Couple kissing in an aspen grove in Estes Park Colorado during October fall foliage

Couple smiling and walking through an aspen grove

Hugging bride and groom during their October wedding day in Estes Park

Bride twirling in a meadow in her wedding dress

Groom smiling and looking toward his bride

Couple looking at each other in the mountains of Colorado

Bride and groom with Autumn foliage in October

Yellow aspen trees in Rocky Mountain National Park

Couple along the river with yellow aspen trees in the background

Couple in Endovalley of Rocky Mountain National Park

3M Curve wedding ceremony

Couple getting married at 3M Curve in Rocky Mountain National Park in the fog

Black and white photo of couple under umbrellas exchanging vows

Couple getting married at 3M Curve as it drizzles rain

First kiss at couples Estes Park wedding in October

Couple happy and laughing after saying I do

Estes Park wedding celebrations

Lastly, after a heartfelt wedding ceremony (with all of the happy tears), it was time for celebrations.

Picture eating desert in a mountain cabin, then having a spontaneous first dance in front of the fireplace. Always the best feeling after being out in the crisp fall air all day.

Stapling a dollar bill to the wall of Dunraven restaurant

Couple having a first dance in Estes Park cabin in front of the fireplace

Couples first dance with family clapping in the background

Couples silhouette in the window of their Estes Park cabin at the end of their wedding day

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.

Estes Park, Colorado elopement & wedding photographer

Hey, I’m Amber! Local Estes Park photographer and big fan of this place. I’d love to help you design an intimate wedding or elopement here in the Rocky Mountains. If you think we might be a good fit, fill out the contact form and let’s talk more!

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