A Breckenridge Colorado Hiking Elopement

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Fiona and Brian’s hiking elopement in Breckenridge Colorado was a magical morning. We all stayed in an AirBNB in Breckenridge together, and got up around 3am to start the day. We drove down a dirt road for a few miles before getting to the trailhead and hiking up in the dark with headlamps. Fiona finished having her hair and makeup done by headlamp, with her dog Torrey in her lap. Just as the sun started to rise, Fiona and Brian had a first look, which was photo bombed by the cutest mama mountain goat and baby! They exchanged their vows as their best friends watched and the sun began to rise over the mountains. Fiona’s dog, Torrey, never left their side (you’ll notice her photo bombing most of the photos). The day was fun, stress free, and gorgeous!

Now for some Q&A from the gorgeous Fiona…

How did you and Brian first meet?

We met at work. We worked together for three years before Brian asked me out He used to stare at me across the cubicles so much that my friends would make fun of him saying ‘Brian’s staring at you again.’ He finally asked me out to coffee one time and the rest is history.

Tell me your proposal story!

I wasn’t sure if I wanted a ring or not (I threw all convention to the wind). Im all for equality and it felt like an unequal tradition to me. After a lot of discussion about doing what we wanted versus what society expects, I decided during the middle of a hike that I didn’t want one and told Brian definitely not to get me on. When we got to the alpine lake he wandered off as I ate a granola bar. 15 minutes later he came running back with a ring made out of a purple alpine daisy and proposed. He said he had just been waiting for me to decide what I wanted, but he had known for a while he wanted to marry me.

What are your favorite things to do together?

We love to hike (with Torrey of course), snowboard, dance, learn new things/share ideas, bbq with friends, play board games and frisbee golf.

Why did you decide to elope?

We both felt it was a day that should be about us and our love. We had heard from many people that their weddings were spent trying to meet the needs of others and it led to a lot of unnecessary stress. Also, the cost of the average wedding has gotten out of control. Neither of us wanted to perpetuate that elaborate phenomenon.

What was your favorite thing about your elopement day?

Brian says ‘my bride!’

But if we have to choose something else it would be the mystique and excitement of hiking in the dark, the mountain goats that joined the sunrise and having it be completely stress free.

What advice do you have for other couples that are thinking about eloping?

There may not be someone who is guiding you through what to do and when, as there is in a normal ceremony, so think through how you want vows or anything else to work in advance. Megan helped with this a lot! Roll with the punches and remember you did this to relieve stress and just be together!

Fiona and Brian’s Breckenridge Colorado hiking elopement vendors:

Hair and Makeup: A Vow to Artistry

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