Emily May Photography

Oh Sedona, you’ve got my heart 💛

This session was a literal DREAMMMMM, like it’s got me reeeeaaallly wanting to book more work in the desert this winter 👀 who’s down???

Gorgeous California beaches, a vow renewal of a wonderful past-couple-turned-friends, AND wildflowers / golden hour sea spray??? BE STILL MY GD HEART.

So pumped to start my season off with a bang with this GORGEOUS vow renewal in Cali!

Couples who are already married: YES, YOU CAN HAVE A VOW RENEWAL WHENEVER YOU WANT. These two celebrated a vow renewal on their 3rd wedding anniversary! There’s no rules on how long you wait for a vow renewal. There are some couples that do them every couple of years, especially couples that travel to new fun places and want a fun intimate experience!

What do you think? Would you ever consider a vow renewal?

Where I've seen the best wildflowers in Colorado ⬇️

Wanting to know the hot spots to hit up this summer during wildflower season? I got you.

Here are my favorite areas in CO that have the best wildflowers!

🌸 Crested Butte
🌸 Telluride
🌸 Aspen
🌸 Rocky Mountain National Park
🌸 Breckenridge
🌸 The foothills

All of these areas are bursting with color come the summer months. What area are you adding to your list this summer?

What is the best time of year to elope in Colorado? 🌸🌻🍁❄️

Let's take a look into all the seasons in Colorado, and which would be the best time to elope there!

🌻 Summer 🌻
Summer is by far my favorite time of year in Colorado. The warm air, wildflowers, vibrant greens of wilderness, turquoise alpine lakes, waterfalls, and sunshine all hit different this time of year. Summer elopements in Colorado are best from late June to late August. August and July are my favorite months for elopements. In other parts of the US, you can expect 90+ degree weather, but in high-altitude mountain towns, you can expect lovely 65-75 degree days.

🍁 Fall 🍁
Crested Butte is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Colorado to view the changing aspens. The vibrant yellows and oranges are incredible to witness. Fall elopements in Colorado are best from mid September to early October. Be aware that winter conditions are unpredictable, and snow may come earlier. Keep that in mind when selecting your fall date.

❄️ Winter ❄️
Winter is by far the most unpredictable time of year anywhere in the Colorado mountains. I have learned to love the unpredictability of it over the years, so if you are adventurous and love the winter chill, winter is for you. Winter conditions in the mountains are from roughly mid-October to late May, March being the snowiest month statistically. Christmas time in snow mountain towns are spectacular, so don’t miss the opportunity for a sleigh ride in fresh pow.

🌸 Spring 🌸
Following close behind in the unpredictability scale is spring. Spring happens at all different times depending on the altitude. In Denver, spring comes in April with some random freezes here and there. However, the mountains are a completely different story. As a rule of thumb, mid June is when you can expect most winter conditions to be melted away, but still prepare for seeing snow well into June. Spring elopements are essentially mud, snow melt, and brown vegetation. Proceed with caution!

What season would YOU elope in? Tell me below! ⬇️

🏔 Why should I elope in Crested Butte? 🏔

I like to consider myself a bit of an expert when it comes to Crested Butte. A large majority of my couples have eloped here, and I even eloped here myself in 2021!

Anyone who has been to Crested Butte knows how magical it truly is. While a lot of Colorado is beautiful, Crested Butte has a certain charm that keeps people coming back time and time again.

Being the wildflower capitol of Colorado, the summertimes when the wildflowers are blooming is one of the most amazing backdrops. Don’t pick the wildflowers though, as it’s against the law. That’s right! Law protects these gorgeous blooms so they can come back year after year.

One thing to note is the small-town feel, as well as the sense of community. There are NO chain restaurants. Everything you see is small business owned, from the coffee shops, to the restaurants, to the gas stations. You have to drive 30+ minutes to the nearest Starbucks or McDonalds, which is pretty damn cool. But don’t worry, there are TONS of businesses to choose from, whatever you’re looking for.

And of course, above all, the mountains in this area are just next level. Being nestled in the Elk Mountain Range within the Rocky Mountains, with cattle ranches and dense wilderness surrounding the area, makes this sweet mountain town a sweet quiet destination.

Want to learn more about eloping in Crested Butte? Head to the link in my bio to read the entire guide!

Howdy, y’all 🤘

It’s been a minute since I’ve told ya a little bit about myself, so here goes ⬇️

🎨 I’m a hobby collector. I mainly read, garden, play volleyball, paint & hike, but I’ve tried just about everything. I have a “hobby graveyard” where my collection of hobby materials are stored (sorry resin casting, you’re not for me).

🥁 I play the drums! I was a music major in college, and don’t use my degree anymore but it taught me how to be a forever musician. I like picking up new instruments and giving them a try for fun, and right now it’s drums! My brother is a professional drummer so I’ve always wanted to be cool like him.

🐱 I have FOUR cats. We adopted 2 girls in 2019, and rescued 2 boys this last fall that were living on the streets in our neighborhood. We scooped them up with tuna as bait, and they’re living the life now.

🏕️ I’ve been to 15 National Parks, and won’t stop til I’ve seen them all! My favorites so far have been Grand Tetons, Yosemite, and Zion. Genuinely have cried at the views of these 🥹

Do we have anything in common? Let’s be friends pls 🥹 tell me below!

💐 2024 WILDFLOWER SEASON 💐

Are you wanting to be surrounded by gorgeous colorful blooms on your elopement day? Here’s some tricks to getting the timing right so you can experience the super bloom this year!

BEST TIME OF YEAR:
The wildflowers out here in Colorado bloom from the end of June to mid August. Lower elevation locations bloom sooner than higher elevation locations. Also, different flower varieties bloom at different points in the summer cycle, so what you see at the end of June most likely won’t be what you see at the beginning of August!

BEST LOCATIONS:
The absolute besssssttttt places to view the wildflowers is along the western slope. This includes Aspen, Crested Butte, Telluride, Ouray, etc. CB is the wildflower capital of the country, so if you want to see some really special fields of blooms, CB will be your best bet!

FOLLOW THE LAW:
All over Colorado, there are laws and regulations put in place to protect the natural landscape, including the precious wildflowers. In Colorado, it is ILLEGAL to pick wildflowers. Look, but don’t touch.

BEST PRACTICES:
Stay on the trail. If you think staying on the trail affects the photos you’re able to get, think again! With a little creative angling, you can look like you’re in the middle of a field, but still on trail. Like all these photos! Don’t trample or pick the wildflowers. Always practice Leave No Trace and leave it as you found it.

MY 2024 WILDFLOWER AVAILABILITY:
June - 24-28
July - 1-3, 12, 13, 15-19
August - 1, 2, 4-7, 9

Are you dreaming of a wildflower elopement? I have plenty of secret locations for the best wildflowers up my sleeve 😘

Happy 420 to all who celebrate 🍃💨

Where to elope: DESERT EDITION 🏜

Have you been wracking your brain for where you’d like to elope, but you know you want red rocks, desert vibes, and sunshine?

Oh boo I GOTCHU! Here are a couple of my fav desert elopement locations!

📍 Zion National Park UT - I love Observation Point and the Overlook!
📍 Moab, UT - Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, oh my!
📍 Great Sand Dunes National Park CO - literally looks like the Sahara desert!
📍 Bonneville Salt Flats UT - deserted for sure. Miles of salt flats all to yourself!
📍 Horseshoe Bend AZ - one of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in the US
📍 Sedona, AZ - lots of amazing trails to explore

There are SO many beautiful desert locations, so let’s get out there friend 🏜

If you eloped in the desert, where would you choose?

In 2 weeks my brother is marrying the coolest lady around, making them basically the coolest married couple. And guess what? They’re having a micro-wedding 🥹 my job here is done, proud sister moment for them doing whatever the f**k they wanna do on their wedding day!

T-minus 2 weeks until Eddie + Harley officially tie the knot! Can’t wait to get spooky in NoLa 👻

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of my couples past, present, & future, but an especially big HVD to my love 💖

“We have guests so it’s not like a TRUE elopement…”

‼️🚨 WRONG WRONG WRONG 🚨‼️

Did you know that you CAN have guests at your elopement?

YEAH DUDE! Everyone defines “elopement” differently, but this is the definition that I’ve settled on as an elopement specialist:

“An elopement is an intimate, intentional, and meaningful wedding day that truly focuses on the couple. In other words, elopements are solely focused on the love + connection of the couple. We leave the fluff by the way side, and curate an intentional day with little to no guests present. Only those closest to the couple are involved in an elopement, usually 15 or less people.”

So YEAH of course you can have guests! Guess what? Even I had guests at my elopement!

My husband and I invited 15 of our closest family and friends, and we still consider our wedding day and elopement.

If you feel like you can’t elope because you want your closest people by your side on your day, good news. You can have the best of both worlds, without having to sacrifice the things that mean the most to you and your significant other.

Enjoy some elopements I’ve photographed that included guests and still fit perfectly into the true definition of an elopement 🫶

Howdy, y’all 🤘

It’s been a minute since I’ve told ya a little bit about myself, so here goes ⬇️

🎨 I’m a hobby collector. I mainly read, garden, play volleyball, paint & hike, but I’ve tried just about everything. I have a “hobby graveyard” where my collection of hobby materials are stored (sorry resin casting, you’re not for me).

🥁 I play the drums! I was a music major in college, and don’t use it anymore but it taught me how to be a forever musician. I like picking up new instruments and giving them a try for fun, and right now it’s drums! My brother is a professional drummer so I’ve always wanted to be cool like him.

🐱 I have FOUR cats. We adopted 2 girls in 2019, and rescued 2 boys this last fall that were living on the streets in our neighborhood. We scooped them up with tuna as bait, and they’re living the life now.

🏕️ I’ve been to 15 National Parks, and won’t stop til I’ve seen them all! My favorites so far have been Grand Tetons, Yosemite, and Zion. Genuinely have cried at the views of these 🥹

Do we have anything in common? Let’s be friends pls 🥹 tell me below!

Step by step how to make your elopement day Taylor Swift coded:

🫶 love each other for at least “3 summers now, honey, but I want them all”—extra credit if you get married in the summer
🫶 elope at sunset, and “look now, the sky is gold”
🫶 when it gets chilly, put on your evermore jacket
🫶 and of course, marry a swifty

The wildflowers, the sunset, the mountains? 10/10 chefs kiss 🤌

To all my swifties out there, how would you make your wedding day Swiftie Coded?

Happy holidays y’all 💛

XO,
Emily, Ian, Rhea, Kora, Binx, & Gandalf

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you…

Midwest fall on the water 😭

Don’t get me wrong, I loooooove fall in Colorado and all the pretty aspen colors, buuuuttt, Midwestern falls are something pretty special.

All the leaves held on for these two, and my godddddd look at the result. Everything about this day was simply gorgeous, but this little slice of time to themselves to canoe around on a pond and then look at the fall leaves over the river was so special.

I love love. I love my couples. I love fall. The end. 💛

Photographer:

Dress:
Florals:
Venue:
Boots:
Hair: Main Attraction Salon, Nickey Gayan
Makeup:

That feel when you get married in one of the most beautiful national parks in the country 💖

Taylor is also a suuuuper talented jewelry maker ( go follow her immediately 😍) and actually MADE HER OWN RINGS for her and Brock’s wedding day, as well as necklaces for all her bridesmaids! Scroll to see her GORGEOUS rings, I’ve been drooling about it since their day 😍

Such a beautiful day with lovely people. I have the best job in the world y’all 🥹

Sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park is truly something to behold ✨

Hey! It’s been a second since I’ve posted over here! I have lots of work to post and can’t wait to share all the dope weddings and elopements I’ve been photographing 🥰

Starting with this sunrise elopement from last week! These two got married in Illinois but still wanted the adventurous elopement day to look back on. So, we woke up at the crack of dawn, hiked in the dark, and got to witness this BEAUTIFUL morning alpen glow 😍

I just love my couples y’all 🥹

It’s been fall in my mind for at least 2 months, but this is the first week it actually FELT like fall 🍂

M+D had the most AMAZING fall colors for their all day elopement. And also some snow ❄️ more on that in another post!

If these colors could last more than 2 weeks, I’d be so appreciative thx nature 🥹

You know that little lump you get in your throat when you’re trying to hold back tears?

Yup, I felt that all elopement day for these two.

Their sweet son burst into tears seeing his parents in their wedding clothes, their amazing friends and family were SO unbelievably excited for them, and I could have felt the love of everyone involved from MILES away.

So glad these two had the perfect sunset ceremony to start the rest of their lives together 💖

National park signs are my love language, as well as dogs, pretty mountains, and funny dad jokes.

And guess what? This elopement day had all of that and more 🥹

Scroll to the end for the funniest dad joke of them all (idea courtesy of lol)

Imagine this: jeeping around in the San Juan mountain range all day, adventuring to alpine lakes a 13er peaks in your wedding attire, and then stopping along the road at sunset to sign your marriage license ✨

Sound magical? That’s because it is 😍

HIIII! It’s me! It has been a VERY long time since I’ve posted about the lady behind the camera, so here’s my face 😍

This is me enjoy one of my favorite things in the world: being outside! For me that can look like a really difficult hike that makes me question my life choices, or simply sitting on my deck listening to birds chirping. Sometimes I’m “outdoorsy” and sometimes I’m “outsidey”, but as long as I’m outside, I’m a happy lady!

Here are some other fun facts to know about me:

I am a napper. I nap almost every day. I LOVE napping. Taking a little 30 minute siesta almost everyday, and it’s a form of self care at this point. Some think it’s weird or they can’t nap, but I couldn’t survive without them. I’ll probably nap after I post this.

I love allllll things spooky, and my favorite holiday is Halloween 🎃 so yes, I’ve already started decorating for the season. Ghosts, skeletons, bats, and ravens, ALL YEAR ROUND. Some of my favorite home decor I got from the Halloween section 🦇

I’ve become somewhat of a book worm over the last 2 years! I’ve read almost 30 books so far this year, with a TBR that is never ending. Yes, I’ve read all of SJMs books, and yes, I want to talk about it.

Do we have any fun things in common? Tell me below 🥰

Do you even board bro?

Knocked off a wish list elopement yesterday—paddle boarding! When we had our consult call, I brought up some ideas of how some couples choose to celebrate on their day, and I mentioned SUPs, and the way their faces lit up 😍 they instantly were like “oh we are definitely paddle boarding!”

Enjoy this little sneak peek! More from this elopement day to come!

Just your regular reminder that you can get your dress dirty on your wedding day ✨

You can also hike in it, get it wet, jump over downed tree trunks, sit on the ground in it, and you’ll still look absolutely fabulous, I promise 💖

Let’s go get that dress dirty!!!

You belong among the wildflowers 🌸🪻

I’ll give you a second to pick your jaw up off the ground…

Okay… WHAT IN THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!

Look at these WILDFLOWERS.
Look at this COUPLE.
Look at this SUNSET.

My god I have the coolest job ever. Can’t wait for these two’s wedding here next year 🥹

The San Juan mountains have my heart 💖

Sooooo obsessed with this elopement in the mountains surrounding Telluride. The wildflowers were crazy, the views amazing, and the pup was dapper! Just swipe to see his handsome outfit 🥹

That “married at 13,000 ft” feeling ✨

I have been slaaaaacking on posting my work online lately.

The reason? I’m traveling, shooting, editing, repeat. I’m trying to give my couples the best experience possible. And sometimes that means letting one of the plates drop (aka, social media).

I’m not upset about it either. Taking this little social media break was so lovely for my mental health. I had time to:

Play pickleball with my husband.
Read some fantastic books.
Cuddle with my kitties.
Do some home projects.
Tend to my flower bed and herb garden.
And most importantly, live in the moment.

When the clock strikes 5, I am DONE with work. I turn off my computer, put my email on silent, and enjoy my life. Because what is the point of all of this if I work myself to death?

Nah, that hustle culture bu****it ain’t for me. I have my “work time” and “play time”, and you should too ✨

No matter how much you love your job, you deserve to live life outside of your job. You are NOT your job 💖

Anyway here’s a STUNNING elopement from last week that I’m still dreaming about 🥹 MUCH more work coming soon!

Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly awaaaaay 🎶🛩️

For Nicole + Aaron’s elopement day, I did something that was a first for me… a PLANE TOUR!

And honestly? It was probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever done!

Our pilot was the bessstttt and gave us a beautiful smooth flight with tons of information about the area. We flew over Crested Butte and got to see the town they got married in from above. And wow, it was just SO COOL!

I’ll let the photos speak for themselves 💖