A Stormy and Beautiful Brainard Lake Elopement in Colorado | Eveline & Jedidiah
Some love stories are meant to be written in the mountains.
When Eveline and Jedidiah first reached out about getting married at Brainard Lake in Colorado, we knew this wasn't going to be an ordinary wedding day. Their vision was simple: exchange vows surrounded by towering peaks, alpine lakes, and the kind of scenery that makes you feel small in the best possible way.
This adventure had been months in the making.
Our videographer, Brian, and I spent countless hours planning with the couple. Because a winter elopement in Colorado comes with its own set of challenges, we wanted to be prepared for every possibility. We bought snowshoes and, one month before the wedding, Brian and I hiked the exact same trail the couple would be taking on their wedding day. We wanted to know every turn, every incline, and exactly how difficult the hike would be so we could help make their experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
The wedding weekend was split into two unforgettable days.
Day One was all about adventure. We would hike to Brainard Lake where Eveline and Jedidiah would exchange their vows at 10,300 feet in elevation, surrounded by the dramatic beauty of the Colorado Rockies.
Day Two would be spent celebrating with their closest friends and family at a beautiful Airbnb in Lyons, Colorado—a chance to slow down, relive the memories from the day before, and share their joy with the people they love most.
Then, the morning of the elopement arrived.
We couldn't have been more excited.
But there was one problem.
A massive storm was moving in.
The forecast called for a huge thunderstorm, and everyone told us not to do it. Friends expressed concern, weather apps painted a gloomy picture, and even when we arrived at the trailhead, a forest ranger warned us about the incoming storm and encouraged us to turn around.
Most people would have changed their plans.
Not Eveline and Jedidiah.
They looked at each other and simply said, "Screw it. Let's do it."
So we put on our packs, grabbed our snowshoes, and started hiking.
As we made our way toward the lake, dark, thick clouds rolled over the mountains. The sky grew moodier with every step, creating an eerie and dramatic atmosphere unlike anything we had ever experienced. The anticipation of the storm seemed to follow us, and yet there was also a strange sense of peace.
We kept going.
When we finally reached the lake, the couple stood hand in hand, surrounded by the silence of the mountains. At 10,300 feet above sea level, they promised forever to one another.
And then something incredible happened.
Not a single raindrop fell.
Instead, as they finished exchanging their vows, the skies began to open.
The thick clouds slowly parted, revealing the most breathtaking views of the mountains behind the lake. The dramatic weather that had threatened to cancel everything became the very thing that made their ceremony unforgettable. The dark skies gave way to brilliant light, and suddenly the entire landscape seemed to glow.
It felt like the mountains were rewarding us for trusting the adventure.
Moments like these are why we love elopements.
They're unpredictable. They're wild. They remind us that the best moments in life don't always go according to plan. Sometimes, the most beautiful experiences happen when you take a leap of faith, embrace the uncertainty, and say, "Let's do it anyway."
Eveline and Jedidiah's Brainard Lake elopement was more than a wedding day. It was an adventure, a testament to their love, and a reminder that sometimes the most incredible stories begin with a storm warning.
And honestly… we wouldn't have changed a thing.
