Long Lake Engagement Session in Boulder, Co | Carrie and Eran
2020 came with its share of challenges, but it also gave me the chance to know Carrie and Eran even better before their Mount Princeton Hot Springs wedding. With some of Eran’s family traveling internationally, they decided to postpone their celebration until the following year. The upside? They now get to enjoy an entire weekend of festivities with all their loved ones together in one place.
How Carrie & Eran First Met
These two have one of those “right place, right time” stories that just feels meant to be. They first met in 2014 at a housewarming party in Washington, DC. Carrie had just moved into a group house, and Eran was friends with one of her new roommates. At the time, Eran was in between jobs and happened to be eyeing the same company where Carrie had just been hired. He got the job, and what started as a deep friendship slowly evolved.
For the next year and a half, they were friends, dating on and off, before making it official in September 2015. Working together gave them the chance to really get to know each other’s friends, families, and lives without pressure. Over time, their worlds blended naturally.
A Scenic and Dog-Friendly Engagement at Brainard Lake Recreation Area
When it came time for their Colorado mountain engagement session, we considered several locations. But Brainard Lake Recreation Area, with its sweeping views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, alpine lakes, and dense pine forests, was the clear winner. This spot is one of my personal favorites for engagement photos, it’s peaceful, photogenic, and even dog-friendly (leashes required), making it perfect for couples who want to bring along their furry family members.
Carrie and Eran brought their adopted pup, Murphy, for the adventure. He kept me company in the backseat during the drive up, and the moment we arrived, the sun began to dip behind the peaks, casting the lake in the most magical soft light. Between the serene setting, the crisp mountain air, and the way Carrie and Eran fit so effortlessly together, the whole afternoon felt special.
The Mount Princeton Hot Springs Proposal Story
While I loved photographing their Brainard Lake engagement session, their Mount Princeton Hot Springs proposal might be one of my favorite stories to tell. Eran’s birthday is December 7th and Carrie’s is December 9th, so they planned a joint “birthday getaway” to Mount Princeton. But the trip didn’t go exactly as planned, first a snowstorm, then a flat tire in Fairplay. All the while, Eran had the engagement ring in his pocket! The garage mechanics fixing the tire even knew he was trying to propose.
By the time they arrived at the resort, they were ready to relax. They popped into the gift shop, and Eran casually asked Carrie what she thought about the rings in the display case. “They’re pretty,” she said, “but I don’t think they were engagement rings or anything.” Moments later, as they reached their room, Carrie turned around to see Eran down on one knee, asking, “How about this one?” She immediately said yes, and spent the next 45 minutes joyfully freaking out while telling Eran exactly how she felt.
Looking Ahead to Their Colorado Mountain Wedding
After relocating from Washington, DC to Colorado, Carrie and Eran intentionally took their time before diving into wedding planning. As Carrie shared, “We’ve taken our time to really allow ourselves the time and space to come together spiritually and romantically.” Every couple’s journey is unique, and I feel lucky to witness theirs behind the lens.
Their Mount Princeton Hot Springs wedding in Nathrop, Colorado is going to be extra special, not only because it’s surrounded by mountain views and natural hot springs, but because it’s also the very place they got engaged. I can already picture their weekend-long celebration filled with family, friends, and the kind of joy that comes when a love story comes full circle.
When my couples bring along a dog to an engagement session, it is literally my favorite thing ever! Check out more sessions below with some included fur-children or if you’re dreaming of an engagement session in Colorado’s alpine wilderness? Let’s plan something unforgettable.
xx,
Jennifer Lourie
