This Lake Isabelle Colorado elopement was a dream! Let’s look at why this is my new FAVORITE location for eloping! I talked through Caitlyn and Brian’s vision for their elopement several times before we found this perfect spot for their elopement. It was close to their Airbnb in Boulder, Colorado, the hike was not too long, but long enough to make it a fun half day adventure! And the views were STUNNING at the end. I had actually done this hike twice just for fun when I recommended this spot. I had been dying to take a couple here and these two were brave enough to be my first! So luckily I had experience in the area before bringing my couple here and I knew exactly where to go.

A Lake Isabelle Colorado Elopement

I met the couple at their Airbnb where all their close friends and family were there to help them get ready. They celebrated their send off to say their vows and get married privately in the mountains. It was SO sweet to see all their friends and family celebrate with them but also let them go have their own adventure. It’s such a perfect mix of including your closest people, but escaping to have your own intimate moment.

After their family send off, we headed out and began the 2 mile hike to Lake Isabelle. We stopped close to our final destination so they could change into their wedding clothes to finish the hike. That’s where we got some of the cutest photos of Caitlyn’s dress all tucked into her backpack so she could hike easier. But also so we could capture the rest of the hike in their wedding clothes! Watching the joy on their faces as we got closer was priceless.

We got to the lake and found a secluded spot right in the middle of the lake. We got away from any people and they read their vows to each other as the sun was beginning to set behind the mountain peaks. The wind blowing through Caitlyn’s dress made the whole scene look so magical. I gave them a few moments after their vows to just sit and soak in the views with no photos.

After reading their vows, we ran around the sandy beach of the lake, scrambled over all the rocks and boulders, and ended our time together in the pine trees. The sun light streamed between mountain peaks for only a few short moments before we were engulfed in the shadows. Their photos suddenly turned into a beautiful moody scene.

More about this location for your elopement:

Easily Accessible

This location is PERFECT for your Colorado elopement. One of the best parts is that it’s not too far from Denver! If you want to stay up in the mountains to be closer to the location, or stay closer to Denver for the city life, it would be easy to do either! This location is located in Brainard Lake Recreational Area which is easily accessible in the summer and early fall months. During the winter season, they close the gates and it’s no longer accessible by car. This means winter elopements would take snowshoeing 10+ miles to access this area.

Must Get Parking Permits

When the park is open in the summer, you HAVE to get parking reservations. There’s 3 parking lots to choose from and the best one for this location is the Long Lake Parking. But a good alternative would be the Brainard Day Use Parking Area.

About the Trail

From Long Lake Parking, the hike is only a little over 4 miles round trip. The hike itself starts in an elevation above 8,000 feet so just be careful if you’re traveling to Colorado for the first time. The altitude can definitely hit you! Drinking lots of water and going slow on the trails will help with the elevation. But luckily, the whole hike is very flat and an easy trail with just a short section at the very end that’s a little bit of a climb to the lake. I would recommend this trail even if you have little to no hiking experience! So if you’re thinking that you can’t do it, I promise you can!

Aiming for a weekday elopement at a location like this is highly recommended. You will avoid too many hikers and crowds around the lakes. The fewer people we see the better! In my experience, doing a weekday elopement at sunset really gives you more of a sense that you are out in the wilderness. Trying to go to a really popular location like Lake Isabelle in Colorado for your elopement on a weekend can be a nightmare. It might even ruin the experience if there’s too many people around. We did see a handful of people on the trail, but it didn’t feel packed. It was a very calm and chill experience for all of us!

With flexibility, all the right planning, and my guidance, we can have the perfect adventure to this STUNNING location with so much to explore! Who’s in?!

Reach out to book your Lake Isabelle Colorado Adventure?

If you want epic, majestic, and jaw dropping mountain views for your elopement mixed with the perfect amount of alpine lakes, pine trees, meadows, and plenty of boulders to climb around, this location has all the variety! I’ve got all the tea, tips, and advice on how to plan your elopement here. So don’t wait! Plan your Lake Isabelle Colorado Elopement with me! Reach out and let’s get started.