Lake Isabelle Elopement Photographer | Ginesa and Brad | Brainard Lake » Colorado Mountain Elopement and Wedding Photographer

Ginesa and Brad | Lake Isabelle Elopement

Savannah Chandler Photography | Colorado Elopement Photographer | Brainard Recreation Area Hiking Elopement

Lake Isabelle is a little gem located just outside of Boulder, Colorado. The lake is accessible year round – but late spring through the first large snow is the best time to hike up to this stunning lake. The summer route is only 4 miles round trip with minimal elevation gain – making it the PERFECT spot for a sunrise elopement.

When Ginesa and Brad told me about their plans to hike to Lake Isabelle for sunrise, then join their families down at Brainard Lake for an intimate elopement – I was incredibly excited to say the least! Those pink mountains reflecting on the lake early in the morning with a couple is definitely my kind of way to celebrate a marriage!

We started our morning hiking under the stars for the 2 miles to the lake. I always aim to be about 10-15 minutes before the light hits the peaks to ensure we don’t miss that 7-10 minutes of glorious light. Once we arrived up at Lake Isabelle, Brad and Ginesa changed into their wedding attire lakeside. A great way to hike with a wedding gown is to either attach the bag to the outside of your bag with carabiners, or the good ol’ roll method.

After their emotional first look, we adventured around the lake gazing at Navajo, Apache, and Shoshoni Peaks booming in the background. On this late August day, they had just begun to drain the lake (a yearly happening) – which made it possible for us to walk right up to where the water met the rocks and sand.

As we headed down the trail back towards Long Lake, we were greeted by the many hikers beginning their morning up the trail. Nothing will get you more compliments than wearing a wedding dress on a hike <3.

For their ceremony, we headed to Brainard Lake with their loved ones, including Ginesa’s two children. Instead of a traditional “sand ceremony” or “unity candle”, Ginesa and Brad celebrated by making their own trail mix! Each member of the newly joined family placed an ingredient into the trail mix – which I thought was an awesome way to express the joining of two families.

Thank you for adventuring with me for your amazing Colorado elopement, Ginesa and Brad! It was such a fun morning.

Cheers –