Josh & Amanda | Garden of the Gods Elopement
colorado springs, co
So. I get an email from Amanda saying she and her husband would be visiting Colorado from Tennessee and wondering if I had availability to take photos of them at Garden of the Gods. I said yes, of course — fully assuming this would be a pretty straightforward couples session. In my head I was already quietly hoping she’d show up in something flowy so we could play with the wind during the shoot.
Fast forward to me meeting them at Garden of the Gods, chatting as we walk toward the rocks… and then it casually comes out that they got MARRIED at the courthouse in Colorado Springs the day before (I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying)!!
Not only were Josh and Amanda already married, but they had exchanged personal vows together that day in Garden of the Gods. Which means I wasn’t photographing a couples session at all — I was taking their very first photos as husband and wife. Casual. Just my heart exploding a little.
This quickly became one of my favorite sessions thus far, and it was also my first chance to photograph an elopement.
Why Colorado Springs Is Perfect for Elopements
Colorado Springs is such a dreamy place to elope, especially if you’re coming in from out of state. You can get legally married at the courthouse, drive 15-20 minutes, and suddenly you’re standing in front of massive red rock formations or one of the most iconic mountains in the country. No strict timelines or usual wedding day chaos.
Garden of the Gods, in particular, is such a solid choice for an elopement or post-ceremony photos. The scale of the rocks feels epic, but the location itself is designed to be really accessible. You don’t need to hike for miles or plan an all-day adventure if that’s not your thing. You can show up, drive until you find a spot you like, say your vows, and then celebrate being HUSBAND AND WIFE.
The wind, the dress, and a photographer's dream
This evening was wildly windy. SO windy. But instead of fighting it, we leaned all the way into it. Amanda showed up wearing the most incredible red, flowy dress — truly perfection — and between the wind and her hair and that dress moving nonstop, the photos truly came alive. They laughed. They held each other. They danced. And that’s the beauty of elopement photography in Colorado Springs: the stunning landscape does so much of the work for you.
When you’re surrounded by scenery like this, you don’t have to overthink anything. You just show up and have fun.
Why eloping can be so meaningful
Josh and Amanda’s day was simple, intentional, and intimate. I just love that they decided to come all the way to Colorado to get married, and they didn't bring anyone with them. They just wanted to celebrate as a couple.
Elopements aren’t about skipping something — they’re about choosing what matters most to you as a unique couple. Whether that’s privacy, adventure, ease, or just freedom from a giant to-do list, eloping gives you space to focus on what you value most.
As a Colorado Springs wedding & elopement photographer, these days are some of my very favorite to document.
A First Chapter Worth Remembering
Taking Josh and Amanda’s first photos as husband and wife — especially in a place as stunning as Garden of the Gods — was such a gift. Their joy was contagious.. It’s sessions like these that remind me why I adore photography. You never quite know what you’re walking into, and sometimes it ends up being so much more special than you think.
Josh and Amanda, congratulations on your marriage. Thank you for trusting me to capture such a meaningful, windy, joy-filled chapter of your story. Blessings to you as husband and wife!!
