This morning, I woke up to a blast from the past — an email from a client I worked with back in 2015!

It was just after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex weddings that Christie + Lauren reached out (through Yelp of all places, talk about a throwback) to plan a secret elopement with just the three of us.  The elopement ceremony itself was held at the Cheesman Park Pavilion, one of my favorite Denver locations for photos.  Afterwards, we rolled through Union Station and the Tattered Cover bookstore inside the terminal.

These have long been some of my favorite Denver elopement photos for so many reasons.  Christie + Lauren’s elopement was the first same-sex marriage I ever documented!  I’m so excited to relive a few today here on the blog.

Take a peek at a handful of images from Christie + Lauren’s private, intentional, and memorable downtown Denver elopement below.  Stay tuned for Christie’s kind words after the jump!

x Ash

Downtown Denver Elopement Photos | Ashley Kidder Photo

A note from one of the brides: 

“Ashley,

I am cleaning out my email box and came across this email that I found.  You shot Lauren’s and my “secret” wedding super last minute the weekend the Supreme Court [legalized same-sex marriage].  You met us at Cheesman and then we went to Union Station. It was the MOST MAGICAL day!

Here’s the email I found…

“AMAZING experience, BEAUTIFUL photographs!!!

There aren’t enough words to describe the gratitude and joy my heart has for Ashley!!!  Have you ever tried planning a wedding in under 48 hours?  Well, that’s what my wife and I did when the Supreme Court ruling was sent down on June 26th, 2015.

I scoured Yelp and every other place I could think of hoping I’d find someone who would document our fabulous day.  I knew it was a long shot but the universe was looking out for me and I spotted Ashley.  I was hoping she would be available on the Monday following the SCOTUS decision — she was, and WOW we were thrilled.

Ashley has a calming air about her and did everything possible to make sure our day went off without a hitch.  Since we had so little time to plan it was pretty much her and I doing the planning.  She met us at our venue and then followed us to Union Station where we were staying for our “honeymoon,” all the while coming up with unique, creative shots that would last a lifetime.

We never once felt “on stage.”  It was like she was just one of our friends hanging out taking photos.  It was all very natural, an important component to my wife and I.  From our casual conversations she picked up on subtle details of our personalities and made sure she found the perfect shot to showcase them.

The experience itself was marvelous.  We truly felt like the only two people in the world and she was focused completely on us!  Ashley is a tender, kind, and thoughtful woman who knows her shit!

Now, I know you want to hear about the photos themselves….GORGEOUS!!!!!  Every angle imaginable, the perfect moments all frozen, she even captured my wife’s super squinty, “I’m ridiculously happy” grin.  All of our photos were edited beautifully and were sent to us in color and black and white.  She has even offered to help us with getting prints!”

Thank you Ashley!  We are forever grateful that the Yelp universe threw you in our path!  Much success to you! Cocktails soon ;-)”

If you are thinking about skipping the big wedding and heading straight to the courthouse, I already adore your energy.  Courthouse elopements are some of my absolute favorite celebrations to photograph.  They are intimate, low stress, meaningful, and packed with the kind of genuine moments that remind you exactly why you chose this.  And if you are looking for a Denver courthouse elopement photographer, I am 100% your girl.

Here is the truth about courthouse weddings.  From the outside, they look simple.  But once you are there, the day becomes its own little adventure.  You have the buzz of downtown Denver around you.  You might be waiting in line with other couples.  Then suddenly you are standing in front of a judge, saying yes to your person.  It is quiet and quick, but also emotional in the best way.  These are moments you will want photographed with intention, not just snapped on a phone.

What I love most about photographing Denver courthouse elopements is the freedom.  After the ceremony, you are not locked into a strict timeline.  We can wander around Civic Center Park together.  We create photos that feel effortless, romantic, playful, or whatever your version of love looks like.  I help guide you through posing when you want it and step back when the candid magic is happening all on its own.

Your Denver courthouse elopement is a celebration that deserves more than grainy phone photos or quick selfies.  You deserve images that capture the joy and the realness of the moment.  If this is the wedding experience you are planning, I would love to work together.  Take a peek at the images from a recent Denver courthouse elopement below.  We only had fifteen minutes together for photos but we certainly snagged some winners!

Denver Courthouse Elopement Photographer | Ashley Kidder

I’d love to chat more with you if you’re looking to book courthouse elopement photos!  I love city weddings and would love to chat.  Please contact me here.  Looking forward to connecting!

-Ash