Garden of the Gods LGBTQ Elopement | Jim & Bryant
- Bobak Radbin
- Nov 24, 2023
- 4 min read
Jim and Bryant’s garden of the gods lgbtq elopement was one of those wedding days that felt emotional, relaxed, and deeply intentional from beginning to end.
Their ceremony took place near the iconic Three Graces rock formation at Garden of the Gods surrounded by close family, dramatic red rock scenery, and some unbelievably beautiful Colorado light. Afterward, everyone headed to The Broadmoor Hotel for dinner and a few portraits around the property to celebrate the evening together.
It was the perfect balance between adventurous Colorado scenery and a more refined, intimate celebration afterward.
If you’re dreaming about planning something similar, my Colorado Elopement Guide walks through locations, timelines, permits, and everything couples should know before planning an intimate wedding day in Colorado.
A Relaxed Ceremony at Three Graces in Garden of the Gods
For their ceremony, Jim and Bryant chose the Three Graces area inside Garden of the Gods, which is one of the most recognizable and scenic locations in the entire park.
The atmosphere felt incredibly personal and grounded. Nothing felt rushed or overproduced. Just the people closest to them, the sound of the wind moving through the park, and the red rock formations surrounding everything.
One of my favorite parts of photographing smaller elopements is how much space there is for real emotion to happen naturally. There’s time to breathe, laugh, hug family members, and actually experience the day instead of constantly moving from one event to another.
If you’re considering this area for your own ceremony, I also recommend reading my Garden of the Gods Elopement Guide where I break down ceremony locations, accessibility, permits, and the best times of day for photos.
Celebrating at The Broadmoor Hotel After the Ceremony
After the ceremony at Garden of the Gods, everyone headed over to The Broadmoor Hotel for dinner and a few relaxed portraits around the property afterward.
The Broadmoor adds a completely different atmosphere compared to the red rock scenery earlier in the day. The architecture, lake views, landscaping, and classic Colorado style create a more refined and elegant feeling that pairs beautifully with the natural landscapes nearby.
A lot of couples love combining Garden of the Gods with dinner or overnight stays at The Broadmoor because it gives them both experiences in one day:
adventurous Colorado scenery
luxury accommodations and dining
a more relaxed evening celebration afterward
It’s honestly a really beautiful combination.
Important Photography Policies at The Broadmoor Hotel
One thing that’s important for couples to know is that The Broadmoor has very specific photography policies.
At the time of this wedding, I was still early in my photography career and didn’t fully understand how strict resort photography and wedding policies could be. Since then, I’ve learned a lot and always want to make sure couples have accurate information before planning anything there.
Currently, The Broadmoor only allows:
approved portrait sessions for registered overnight guests with a photo pass
engagement sessions with approval
proposals with approval
Wedding, elopement, and vow renewal photography must be coordinated directly through The Broadmoor Wedding Team as part of an official wedding booking with the resort.
You can read their current photography policies and apply for a portrait photo pass directly through The Broadmoor here: The Broadmoor Public Photo Request Information
I think transparency around this stuff is really important because the last thing couples want is unnecessary stress or confusion on their wedding day.
Why Garden of the Gods Works So Well for LGBTQ Elopements
Garden of the Gods continues to be one of my favorite places in Colorado for intimate weddings and elopements because it feels both accessible and visually dramatic at the same time.
You get:
massive red rock formations
mountain views
easy access for guests
incredible sunset light
multiple ceremony options throughout the park
For LGBTQ couples especially, I think the experience matters just as much as the scenery. Feeling safe, supported, relaxed, and fully yourselves on your wedding day matters tremendously.
Jim and Bryant brought so much warmth, emotion, and authenticity into the day, and everyone around them could feel it immediately.
A Beautiful Reminder About What Elopements Can Be
What I loved most about Jim and Bryant’s day was how true it felt to them.
There wasn’t pressure to perform. There wasn’t pressure to turn the day into a giant production. It simply felt intentional, emotional, and meaningful from beginning to end.
The ceremony at Garden of the Gods gave them the adventurous Colorado scenery they dreamed about, while dinner afterward at The Broadmoor allowed everyone to slow down and celebrate together in a more intimate setting.
Honestly, it was a really beautiful reminder that wedding days do not need to follow one specific formula to be meaningful.
Planning Your Own Garden of the Gods LGBTQ Elopement?
If you’re planning your own garden of the gods lgbtq elopement, I’d genuinely love to help you create something relaxed, intentional, and true to who you are as a couple.
You can explore my Colorado Elopement Packages, browse my Wedding Planning Guide, or reach out to me here to start planning together.
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