An Intimate Mountain Elopement at Piney River Ranch in Vail, Colorado

Intimate and modest defines Ayantu Omer (26 and a relocation coordinator) and Jake Wirtz’s (27 and a project manager) elopement among the autumn flowers. Getting married in the mountains was a “no-brainer” for the Colorado couple. After visiting Piney River Ranch in the fall, they knew they’d found their venue: “Our jaws pretty much dropped seeing the gorgeous views from the ranch,” Ayantu says. “You will probably attend many weddings in your lifetime, but yours is the one you will remember. Make it what you want.” Colorado is one of the few states where you can wed without an officiant. “We wrote our own vows and did our own ceremony,” Ayantu says of the private wedding. She looked to complement the natural surroundings with burgundy, blush and white blooms in the arrangements.