Planning a proposal can feel overwhelming, especially when you want it to be as breathtaking as your love story. If you’re considering Sapphire Point near Breckenridge, Colorado you’re in luck! This stunning viewpoint outside offers panoramic views of the ten mile and gore range with views of Dillon Reservoir.
The Proposal Story: Sapphire Point Overlook
Eric and I had been planning his proposal for a few months. He first reached out through the contact form on my website, letting me know he wanted to pop the question at Sapphire Point. He and Chelsea were planning a trip to Breckenridge, so it was the perfect spot—just a short drive from downtown and surrounded by those stunning mountain views.
We came up with a plan to get Chelsea to the overlook without raising any red flags. Eric told her he had made a reservation at a nice restaurant, but before dinner, he wanted to swing by the famous Sapphire Point to catch the sunset. It was the perfect excuse to get her dressed up without making her too suspicious.
When the day finally arrived, I was a bundle of nerves—thunderstorms were in the forecast all day. But since Eric and Chelsea were only in town for a short visit, we had to make it work no matter what. It rained the entire drive from Denver to Sapphire Point, and at that point, I had fully accepted that we’d be shooting in the rain. I arrived early to scout the area and make sure the snow had atleast been cleared away. The main path to the overlook was still pretty icy (that’s what being at a 9500 ft. elevation will do to a place), but the spot where Eric planned to propose was clear, which felt like a small but much-needed win!
**Pro-Tip: If you are planning to photograph anything between the months of October-May in Colorado make sure to check out the conditions of the location you plan to be at. Many of the locations in Colorado sit at high elevations making most places pretty snowy/icy until mid to late June.
Since I had some extra time I decided to grab a bite to eat at a local pub (Cala Pub)! It was super convenient since it sits right off Swan Road (the road you take to get to Sapphire Point). It was so good and I will be recommending to all of my clients in the future. Make sure to get the Guinness stew!
After finishing my meal, I headed back up Swan Mountain Road and made my way out to the overlook at Sapphire Point—it’s about a 75-yard walk from the parking lot. The dirt path has a gentle decline on the way there, which means a slight incline on the way back. If you have older guests with you, be sure to offer them a steady arm for the return trip.
Once I made it out to the overlook, I was pleasantly surprised to find it completely empty—which is rare, considering how popular this spot is due to its easy access right off the road. Even better, the rain had stopped and the clouds were beginning to clear, revealing those stunning mountain views. I tucked myself behind a tree to stay hidden so Chelsea wouldn’t spot me right away.
About fifteen minutes later, a huge family arrived and settled right at the overlook, blocking the view. I knew Eric and Chelsea were just minutes away, so I let the family enjoy the scenery and take a few photos before kindly asking if they’d mind shifting to the side to make room for a proposal that was about to happen.
This is a good reminder to always arrive early when shooting at a public location. Situations like this can come up unexpectedly, and since it’s public land, you can’t ask people to leave or be rude about it. A polite explanation usually goes a long way—most people are happy to step aside once they know what’s happening. Just keep in mind that when you’re shooting in public, there’s always a chance others will be around and make sure to explain this to your clients.
Chelsea and Eric finally arrived and paused to take in the views. As Chelsea turned away to admire the scenery, Eric dropped to one knee. When she turned back around, she was completely stunned! She didn’t even notice I was there photographing the moment. Once the surprise was revealed, I introduced myself—Chelsea was so sweet, fun, and absolutely glowing with excitement.
We spent the next half hour getting to know each other and capturing photos around the overlook. Afterward, we headed to one of my favorite nearby spots with more of a meadow vibe to catch the sunset. After a day full of rain, getting that golden hour glow felt like such a gift.
Eric & Chelsea’s Love Story
It’s true—I have the best job in the world. What makes it so special is getting to meet so many amazing couples in love. Hearing each couple’s unique story of how they met, fell in love, and got engaged never gets old. It’s an incredible honor to be part of their journey to marriage. I’m constantly inspired by how people from all over the world find their own path to love, each one so different and meaningful. Learning what makes each couple unique is one of the best parts of what I do.
I reached out to Chelsea and Eric to see if they would be willing to share their story and their experience of working with me. Chelseas kindly obliged, so without further ado – Chelsea & Erics Story!
How did you two meet, and what initially drew you to each other?
We met at a party in grad school. Our mutual friends were dating, so we connected that way. Eric walked into the party, and I knew immediately that I wanted to talk to him. Eric says that I took his breath away when I walked into the party.
When did you realize this relationship was something special?
The day after we met, we knew that we would, at the very least, be best friends for the rest of our lives, but we both hoped it would be something more than that.
What did you think you were coming into town for? What did you guys do on your trip to Colorado?
Eric and I initially went to Colorado to attend a wedding in Colorado Springs. We decided to make a week-long vacation out of our visit and did a huge road trip to visit all the national parks in Colorado, starting at Great Sand Dunes, then Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and ending at Rocky Mountain National Park. We had many stops along the way, Durango, Ouray, Telluride, and Pagosa Springs, to name a few. But obviously, the most magical stop for us was Breckenridge!
Tell me about the moment you realized a proposal was coming—did you have any idea it would happen that day?
I didn’t know the proposal was coming, but I was HOPING it would happen on our trip. I didn’t know it would happen that day. I thought if it was going to happen, it might’ve been in Denver at the very end of our trip or in Ouray, which is where we were the night before Breckenridge.
What went through your mind the moment they got down on one knee?
I was so excited, I kind of blacked out. I don’t think I had any thoughts other than YES!
Why did you choose to propose (or be proposed to) at Sapphire Point Overlook? What made it meaningful to you?
I wanted to take advantage of the scenery in Colorado, but Chelsea and I are not big hikers, so I was looking for a location that would maximize views while in a convenient location where I could convince her to dress up for an occasion – she thought we were heading to dinner.
Was there anything unexpected, funny, or memorable about the day?
A family was feeding chipmunks right where I wanted to propose, so I was panicking for a split second, but Brenna helped to get the family to shift over for us while Chelsea and I walked in a different direction, which allowed the moment to still be memorable, but that was unexpected! – Eric
When we got to Breckenridge, our hotel room had a washer and dryer unit, which we were taking advantage of. I was STARVING by the time we finished getting ready, and I was trying to convince Eric we should leave early for our “dinner reservation.” He was insisting we wait until all of the laundry was done AND FOLDED before we left. It was driving me crazy, and I was getting hangry, but now I know he needed to stall us LOL
How did you feel seeing the proposal photos for the first time?
The photos immediately took our breath away. The scenery, the storytelling, the magic, it was all unreal. We loved every minute of our time spent working with Brenna, so it was incredible seeing the day as she saw it unfold.
What are you most looking forward to as you plan your wedding or next chapter together?
We are looking forward to celebrating our love with all of our friends and family. Our friends and family are pretty spread out across the country, so we can’t wait to have everyone together.
Do you have a favorite image from the session? If so, why is it your favorite?
My favorite photo is the one of me down on one knee and Chelsea looking surprised. It’s exactly the shot I was hoping could be captured. All of the planning was worth it to see her surprised and excited. – Eric
It is incredibly hard for me to pick a favorite, but today I think my favorites are the champagne pop photos. I love the joy and excitement captured in those photos. – Chelsea
Client Testimonial
“My fiance hired Brenna for our engagement and we could not be more thrilled with how the photos turned out!! We were visiting Colorado and she captured not only our happiness and love but breathtaking views of Breckenridge as well! I cannot recommend her enough!”
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