A Unique Breckenridge Troll Elopement in The Snow | Maria & Thomas

When we were finalizing Maria and Thomas’ elopement plans, I casually asked if they’d be interested in finding the Breckenridge Troll on their elopement day. Without hesitation, Maria lit up and told me she had always wanted to take a road trip just to see all the trolls by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. That was all the encouragement we needed. We added a little adventure to their day and made sure Isak Heartstone—the beloved wooden troll of Breckenridge—was part of it. And let me tell you, Isak made for some pretty fun and unique photos!

Maria and Thomas’ story goes back further than most people would expect. Technically, they met in high school during Spanish class—Maria was in 10th grade, and Thomas was a senior. They never really talked back then, just two students sitting in the same classroom without realizing their futures would be intertwined. Fast forward a couple of years, and fate had other plans. They reconnected on Tinder, which led to their first official (but kind of unofficial) date. They went to see a 10 p.m. screening of Deadpool 2 at the theater where Thomas worked.

The only problem? Neither of them was sure if it was actually a date. They spent the night laughing, conversation flowed effortlessly, and there was definitely a spark. But at the end of the night, there were no grand gestures or defining moments that clarified what was happening between them. The next day, Thomas decided to just ask. He texted Maria: So… was that a date? She didn’t hesitate—she said she’d love for it to be. And from that moment on, everything just fell into place.

Fast forward to now, and these two have built a life together that has taken them across the world. Thomas is stationed in Italy with the military, and Maria joined him there, embracing the adventure of living abroad. But when it came time to celebrate their marriage, they knew they wanted to return to Colorado to be with their family. And what better way to celebrate than with an intimate elopement in the mountains?

On a crisp December afternoon, we met in Breckenridge to start their elopement adventure. The air had that perfect winter chill—not too cold, just enough to make everything feel fresh and magical. Snow crunched under our boots as we made our way toward Isak Heartstone, the massive wooden troll tucked away in the forest. He’s become an iconic stop for visitors, and for good reason—his towering frame and intricate details make him feel almost alive. Maria and Thomas stood in front of him, laughing as they took in his expression, and we captured some of the most unique wedding portraits I’ve ever taken. There’s just something about getting married and having a giant wooden troll as part of your wedding album that feels perfectly fitting for these two.

After hanging out with Isak, we wandered through downtown Breckenridge. The holiday lights were still up, casting a warm glow over the streets. The town was alive with skiers coming off the mountain, locals gathering for après drinks, and a general buzz of winter excitement. Maria and Thomas took it all in, stopping for a few quiet moments together as they held hands and embraced the festive atmosphere. It was one of those in-between moments that often get overlooked but carry so much weight—just the two of them, soaking in the experience before their ceremony.

As the sun dipped below the mountains, we made our way to the Breckenridge Nordic Center. The golden light faded into soft twilight, creating the perfect setting for their intimate ceremony. With snow-covered pines all around and the quiet stillness of the mountains, Maria and Thomas exchanged vows. There were no distractions—just their words, their love, and the people who mattered most.

Afterward, they celebrated in the best way possible—by simply being present in the moment. There was no big reception, no overwhelming itinerary—just time spent together, taking in the beauty of the mountains and the weight of what they had just promised to each other. Their day was a reminder that elopements aren’t about skipping out on the experience of a wedding. They’re about making it entirely your own, cutting out the expectations, and keeping only the things that matter.

Maria and Thomas’ elopement was a beautiful mix of adventure, sentiment, and pure joy. From reuniting with family in Colorado to finding Isak Heartstone to saying “I do” in the snow-covered forest, every piece of their day felt intentional and true to who they are. And honestly, what more could you ask for?

Right from the beginning We, The Light Photography was amazing! Larissa’s response time is unmatched and she answered every single question the first time! We quickly knew we wanted to hire her because of her overwhelmingly positive attitude, the fact that she was able to make us laugh and joke around naturally, and because we really enjoyed her photography style in general. On the days leading up to the ceremony Larissa was very helpful and always offered a helping hand/advise in any department she could. The day of the ceremony, while taking pictures, she had the best pose prompts that created the most natural pictures we have ever had taken of us! Following the ceremony she had a quick turnaround with not only the sneak peak but also the complete set of pictures, additionally she sent a little surprise that really brightened our day! We loved our experience with We, The Light Photography and highly recommend them to any and everyone!!

Maria + Thomas

NEED A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR BRECKENRIDGE TROLL ELOPEMENT?

Meet Larissa + Bailey! As two born and raised Coloradans who have photographed 200+ couples in 100+ locations across Colorado, we specialize in creating a different kind of wedding day that is just as adventurous as you are. We use our experience and knowledge to craft a different kind of wedding day that feels completely authentic to you. Want to hike to a high alpine lake? We can give you trail options for that! Want to canoe along the banks of a mountain lake? We can tell you the best lakes to do it on! Want to watch the sunset from the top of the world? We’ll lead you to our favorite spots for sunset! Book your Breckenridge elopement photographer today!

In the meantime, be sure to check out our list of Best Places to Elope in Colorado, and our guide for How to Plan a Colorado Elopement!