SkyView at Fall River Village Wedding | Rene and Eric | Estes Park Wedding » Colorado Mountain Elopement and Wedding Photographer

Rene and Eric | SkyView at Fall River Village Wedding

Savannah Chandler Photography | Estes Park Wedding Photographer

Rene and Eric’s SkyView at Fall River Village Wedding

Rene and Eric chose one of my very favorite wedding venues, SkyView at Fall River Village in Estes Park, Colorado to host their wedding. Ever since this stunning wedding venue opened, I’ve had the pleasure to photograph multiple weddings a year at SkyView. The views of Longs Peak from the wedding deck are quintessential Colorado. The reception area has the most amazing floor to ceiling windows looking out over the Rocky Mountains. What more could you ask for in a wedding venue?! Perhaps some helpful people to run the space – which you’ll find there are none more amazing than Wendy and Tripp.

To kick off their wedding day, Rene and Eric got ready on property with their respective wedding parties and family members. Eric got ready in the on-site townhouses, while Rene got pampered and prepped in the Bridal Suite inside the venue.

Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Portraits

Rocky Mountain National Park’s proximity to SkyView makes it incredibly easy to head into the park for couple’s portraits. I had asked Rene and Eric the question I ask most summer couples when the roads are all open – did they want to make multiple stops down low or head up to the higher alpine fields and spend our time in that one area. They both agreed that heading up to the Ute Trail up top was the vision they wanted for their wedding portraits.

We made the drive up Trail Ridge Road in multiple vehicles so the two could have their first look with Mt. Ida booming in the background. After an emotional glimpse at one another, we ventured around the area jumping from rock formation to rock formation before we had to head back for pre-ceremony touch ups.

Permitting and RMNP General Information:
– I carry a Commercial Permit, which serves as our Timed-Entry during peak season (May – October). No need to get a timed entry pass!
– Each car still needs to pay an entry fee. I do also carry a yearly national parks pass, which typically gets my vehicle into the park if we’re riding together. Be prepared with a card (or parks pass) for any additional cars.
– Portraits are allowed in the park with just my Commercial Permit
– Trial Ridge Road is seasonal. Typically, it opens late May – Early June, and closes Mid-October.
– Leave No Trace. Be sure to pack everything we bring with us out, and try to walk on sustainable surfaces.
– The line to get into the park can be long on weekends. Plan on a little extra time just incase there is a line.

Ceremony and Reception

Rene and Eric had private vows that they had said to one another – making their ceremony at SkyView with loved ones present on the more traditional (and quicker) side. This is a great way to have the privacy to say what you’d like to your significant other without having to worry about being the “center of attention”. I’ve found couples who prefer privacy really enjoy having “just the two of us” vows with one another before heading to commit themselves in front of a large group of people.

Once the I Do’s were done, the party got started.

The reception consisted of light sticks, large cut outs of their puppers flying through the air, the limbo, and all the other shenanigans one can think of. I certainly got down and crazy with the music (as I typically do at receptions). I typically tell at least one guest a night – my job would REALLY suck if I didn’t enjoy dancing and parties.

Congratulations again, Rene and Eric!

Cheers-