Dylan and Leacy’s intimate wedding at Dao House in Estes Park, Colorado was the kind of morning that feels borrowed from a dream. Held at sunrise in early October, their ceremony unfolded on a forested hillside surrounded by golden aspens, with Longs Peak glowing red in the distance as the sun crested the horizon. Thoughtfully planned, deeply emotional, and rooted in the beauty of Colorado’s fall season, their day was quiet, intentional, and unforgettable.

leacy-dylan-dao-house-estes-park-colorado-elopement.jpg

Why They Chose an Intimate Wedding at Dao House

Dylan and Leacy chose to host their intimate wedding at the Dao House in Estes Park because it offered the rare combination of stunning mountain scenery and a welcoming, intimate place for their guests to stay together on-site. With friends and family traveling from out of town, Dao House allowed everyone to fully settle into the experience rather than rush through it.

Nestled near Rocky Mountain National Park, the property provided everything they were looking for: peaceful forest surroundings, dramatic mountain views, and the flexibility to design a wedding day that felt personal rather than performative.

A Sunrise Ceremony Among Golden Aspens

The day began early, well before sunrise. Dylan and Leacy got ready separately in cabins at Dao House as the first hints of dawn began to glow over the horizon. Once dressed, everyone loaded into the Dao House shuttles and traveled up the rocky hillside road to the ceremony site tucked along the edge of a pine forest with the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in the distance.

The setting felt straight out of a fairytale. Golden aspens surrounded the hillside at peak fall color, while boho-inspired florals and textures were woven seamlessly into the forest. A long rug aisle led past vintage wooden benches toward the ceremony space, where Longs Peak rose in the distance, slowly lighting up with alpenglow as the sun emerged.

Despite the crisp mountain air, the morning felt warm and ripe with anticipation.

A Moment That Stopped Time

As Leacy walked down the aisle with her father, Dylan couldn’t hold back his emotion. Tears flowed freely as he saw his bride approach through the glowing aspens and soft morning light. Their outfits and florals were beautifully coordinated with fall tones—burnt orange, brown, and warm neutrals—that echoed the surrounding landscape.

Under the gaze of Longs Peak, Dylan and Leacy read handwritten vows, committing their lives to one another in front of their closest people. The ceremony was heartfelt, intimate, and deeply present—one of those moments where everything else fades away.

Portraits at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

After the ceremony, Dylan and Leacy slipped away for portraits at Lily Lake, located within Rocky Mountain National Park. Even though the sun had climbed higher into the sky, the lake remained calm and reflective, mirroring the surrounding peaks and forest.

We wandered to the back side of the lake where expansive mountain views opened up, creating a quiet and peaceful space for portraits. Ducks glided across the water, and the stillness of the morning lingered offering a perfect contrast to the emotional intensity of the ceremony.

An Evening Celebration Back at Dao House

Later that day, I returned to Dao House for their reception, and the attention to detail was immediately apparent. The space was layered with florals, textures, and personal touches that reflected Dylan and Leacy’s story and style. Fall vibes filled the room, and no corner was left untouched.

Dinner flowed into cake cutting, which then gave way to an unforgettable dance party. Multicolored DJ lights bounced across the room, bubble guns filled the air, and laughter echoed late into the evening. It was joyful, uninhibited, and the perfect way to close such a meaningful weekend.

Documenting an Intimate Wedding in Estes Park

Having previously scouted Lily Lake earlier in the year, I knew it would offer Dylan and Leacy a beautiful contrast to their ceremony location while keeping the day relaxed and unrushed and offering them some quiet solitude to take in the immensity of the moments they just experienced. The between planning and flexibility is essential for intimate weddings like this.

From sunrise ceremonies to relaxed portrait sessions and lively evening celebrations, my approach is always rooted in presence, storytelling, and letting the day unfold naturally and authentically to the couple.

Kind Words from Dylan & Leacy

“From start to finish, the process of working with Caleb for our wedding was smooth and detail oriented. Seeing a sample of pictures from the event we could not be more thrilled with the way he captures real emotion. He was easy to communicate with, extremely kind to our guests, and yet a fly on the wall waiting to capture the meaningful moments.”

L + D // 10.4.2025

Planning an Intimate Wedding in Estes Park or Rocky Mountain National Park?

Estes Park and the surrounding areas of Rocky Mountain National Park offer some of the most beautiful settings in Colorado for intimate weddings, elopements, and micro celebrations especially in the fall when the aspens turn gold.

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels grounded, scenic, and deeply personal, I’d love to help you make your dream become reality.

Contact Us