Unique traditions and genuine love were defining aspects of this breathtaking Sun Valley Elopement.
In August, I had the opportunity to capture Andrew and Vivien’s gorgeous Sun Valley elopement. I left this elopement inspired by the beautiful Sun Valley sunsets and a warm heart from this couple’s family-focused elopement ceremony.
Personalized Traditions
Andrew and Vivien had chosen a ceremony location for their Sun Valley elopement that provided an incredible view of the dynamic Boulder Mountains. Family was an important part of this elopement celebration. Andrew’s 92-year-old grandma made the trek to attend their ceremony and acted as a witness on their marriage licence. The couple also included their dog Bolt, who looked and acted exactly like the cartoon character from the movie Bolt.
When it came time for their ceremony, Vivien’s mother and father walked her down the aisle, followed by Andrew, arm in arm with his parents. Both mothers officiated the wedding and told stories about the couple in a beautiful display of combining two families into one.
The couple included a ring warming ceremony in their celebration, an Irish tradition where wedding rings are passed around to those in attendance, so each individual can put their warm wishes directly into the rings. Then, the rings were exchanged, along with handwritten vows.
A Leave No Trace Sun Valley Elopement
The ceremony ended with a champagne toast – and rose petals were thrown to celebrate the new couple. As an elopement photographer that gets to experience some of the most awesome outdoor locations, Leave No Trace (LNT) principles are an important part of my job. To leave the ceremony location exactly how we found it, we picked up the rose petals before leaving the site, and continued to keep LNT principles at the forefront of our outdoor elopement adventure.
After the ceremony, Andrew, Vivien, and I loaded up the car and drove twenty minutes down the mountain to an open meadow with a fresh view. We spent sunset taking photos that featured the warm alpenglow the Boulder Mountains get just before sunset.
Authentic Love at a Sun Valley Elopement
One of my favorite things about photographing elopements is having the opportunity to learn more about the couple, how they met, and the bond they share. I have all of my couples fill out a questionnaire before their elopement day. The stories and sweet moments each couple shares on the questionnaire become conversation starters that I use to help them connect on a deeper level during their photos.
Andrew and Vivien’s photos in the meadow are examples of a genuine and authentic connection captured on film. As we snapped photos with the epic mountain backdrop and sinking sun, we talked about places they had been and their engagement story. The joy and closeness they shared created intimate moments that fit beautifully into the sunset-warmed mountains. Images and moments like these are why I believe elopements are the most authentic way to get married.