Melissa and Luke wanted something different out of their wedding; something that produced less stress and more time to enjoy every moment. They’d both been married before and had the traditional big wedding, so an inmate wedding (especially on a mountaintop) felt more authentic to them.

“We also wanted a vacation out of the deal,” the couple says. “We chose Colorado because we had never been, and it has always been somewhere we wanted to go. Colorado is gorgeous in every aspect!”

The couple’s family and friends were supportive of their decision, and five of their closest friends expressed their desire to go stand beside the couple when they said: “I do.”

Melissa and Luke quickly went to work on the details, doing extensive research online to find their vendors and desired ceremony location. They fell in love with a specific spot in Rocky Mountain National Park 3.5 miles from Beaver Meadows Visitor Center where a large rock outcrop overlooks mountains, meadows, and moraines, fittingly called “3M Curve.”

“When looking at locations the pictures just spoke to us,” the couple says.

A few weeks before the wedding a storm dumped snow all over the park, leaving the couple wondering whether they would even be able to reach the 3M Curve. Luckily, by the time the wedding weekend arrived, the snow had melted, presenting no issue.

With little to stress about (and a wonderful team of hand-picked vendors to help), Melissa and Luke got to soak in every second of their mountaintop wedding. Plus, they had extra cash saved from keeping the celebration small which they put towards booking mountaintop adventures in the Rockies.

Having made their day everything they’d dreamt of and more, the couple wishes the exact same for those in the wedding planning process, reminding couples not to ‘put on’ a wedding for anyone but you.

“It’s not every day you get to stand on a mountaintop and say the most meaningful vows to your best friend,” the bride says.

Vendors: Photography: Melissa Shelton Photography; Ceremony Site: 3M Curve in Rocky Mountain National Park; Florist: Margaret’s Garden; Stationery: Zazzle; Cake: Safeway; Hair & Makeup: Heather Dunning of Indigo Salon; Gown Designer: Essense of Australia; Bridal Shop: White Traditions Bridal House; Groom’s Clothing Designer: Bonobos; Bride’s Earrings: Uncommon James; Bride’s Shoes: Chinese Laundry; Groom’s Tie & Socks: Tie Bar; Rings: Sam’s Fine Jewelry