BY JADE
Vanessa + Braydon’s Colorado Elopement
Vanessa Hill and Braydon Bissell didn’t just get married on December 13, 2025. And I had the honor of documenting every windswept, laughter-filled second of it.
The Beauty of Choosing Your Own Path
There’s something magnetic about an elopement. No rigid timelines. No pressure to perform. Just two people choosing each other, fully and freely. Vanessa and Braydon embraced that in the best way. Their day was intentionally fluid, built around light, scenery, and the simple idea of what feels right in the moment. With just seven guests and two dogs, it felt less like an event and more like an experience… one you could breathe in. They chose to self-solemnize, which gave us the freedom to chase the day rather than race it. And that’s exactly what we did.
A Day of Movement, Mountains, and Meaning
Instead of staying in one place, we turned their elopement into an adventure. I had scouted several locations ahead of time, each one offering its own personality. Jagged peaks, soft snow-covered slopes, overlooks that made you stop mid-sentence. We drove from spot to spot, letting the landscape guide us.
The Slip That Became a Memory
At one point, while chasing a view that was absolutely worth it, Vanessa slipped on a snowy slope. And honestly? It became one of those moments. The kind you don’t plan, can’t recreate, and end up laughing about forever. Because that’s the truth about days like this. They aren’t about perfection. They’re about presence. About embracing whatever unfolds and turning it into part of the story. Later, Vanessa said she was so happy they eloped.
Why Elopements Will Always Have My Heart
As a photographer, these kinda of days make my heart so happy adventure and love two of my favorites combined! No two are ever the same, and that’s the magic. You’re not just documenting a wedding day… you’re documenting a feeling, a choice, a beginning. Vanessa and Braydon didn’t follow a template. They created a day that reflected them. And in doing so, they created something unforgettable.
Life is an adventure. Marriage is an adventure. And this day felt like the perfect merging of both. From mountain views to spontaneous moments, from quiet vows to laughter in the snow… this was more than a wedding. It was a beginning written in movement, intention, and love. Vanessa + Braydon, thank you for letting me chase this story with you.
