This Twin Lakes, Colorado elopement was one of my favorites of the entire year. It’s not every day that you get to marry the love of your life, but Sam and Alex did it twice.

We’d been planning their big wedding event for over a year, when about 30 days out, Sam reached out to me and said… “What if we elope first?” Say less. I was so excited that they had chosen to celebrate just the two of them ahead of their big event, and we planned an intimate ceremony for the actual date of their ten year anniversary, June 22nd. Just the two of them, feet in the sand at an alpine beach at Twin Lakes, Colorado, and as their Colorado Elopement Photographer, we created some of my favorite images of the year. It was so intentional… so perfectly, them.

Sam bought a two piece outfit to specifically wear on this day to be casual and fun, and brought a cathedral length veil to bring the drama. Pro tip? Bring the veil, even just for photos.

We celebrated afterwards with tequila shots and rolling around in the sand, watching the sunset on their ten-year anniversary, reflecting on everything–including the long distance–that finally got them to this day.

A month later, we celebrated their big wedding and they said their vows again in front of family and friends about a month later, and you can find that full gallery over on the blog under “weddings”! Enjoy these sneaks from their epic day in the mountains:

Want to see their full gallery? Click here!