Some love stories don’t follow a straight path — they take the scenic route. And sometimes, that path leads you to an abandoned ghost town in the Rockies with a bottle of bubbly, snow in your boots, and stars overhead.
Kristin and Gary didn’t just elope — they rewrote the rules. No stress, no timelines, no seating charts. Just the two of them (plus me, lucky photographer), bundled up in love, ready to say “I do” on their own terms.
A Ghost Town with Heart
Ashcroft Ghost Town might sound spooky, but on this day, it was pure magic. Kristin slipped into her dress in the old hotel — the kind of place that feels frozen in time, filled with weathered wood, creaky floorboards, and stories whispered into the rafters. Gary waited nearby, straightening his tie and probably wondering how he got so lucky.
We wandered through the remnants of the past — rusted equipment, faded cabins, echoes of a different era — while capturing moments that felt timeless in all the best ways.
Vows in the Meadow
Eventually, we left the ghosts behind and followed the road to a mountain meadow where Kristin and Gary exchanged vows. No crowd. No distractions. Just wind in the trees and mountains standing witness.
It wasn’t loud, but it was powerful. You could feel every word.
This wasn’t just a wedding — it was a celebration of finding the one, when you’ve lived enough to know what really matters. A love that says, We’ve seen some things. We’ve been through it. And now we’re here — together.
Champagne, Car Heat & Constellations
After the vows, we toasted with champagne — because even low-key elopements deserve a little sparkle. Then came a quick car warm-up (true love is letting your partner hog the seat heater), and just when we thought the day couldn’t get more magical, the stars came out.
And we took photos under the Milky Way.
Let me just say: romance looks very good in starlight. This is Kristin and Gary’s story in photographs.
Elopement Photography | EJ DILLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
