There's magic in eloping. Magic that you thought was only found in fairytales and epic fantasy novels.
magic. wild. free.
It’s the kind of adventure that levels you up for life.
Because when you elope in the wild, you’re stepping into a moment that feels bigger than the both of you, like crossing into another realm.
The mountains tower over you, the wind rushes past, and suddenly, the world feels massive and full of wonder. It’s one of those holy-sh*t-we’re-alive kind of moments.
You're wanderers. Explorers. Legends-in-the-making.
You don’t need any guests.
You don’t need a plan yet, either.
You need
wild
Because the San Juan Mountains are home to the most fantasy-worthy, wild landscapes in Colorado. Perfect for truly wild, magical elopements!
Remote & rugged mountains that look straight out of the Alps, wildflowers blanketing every inch of the mountainside, big open skies that make you feel tiny in the best way, and alpine lakes that are honestly bluer-than-blue (seriously we need a new name for the color!)
Oh and yeah, miles and miles of jeeping trails leading to places tourists will never find. Hikes that spiral through valleys and meadows and honestly? You'll stumble into a portal. (We can't prove they're NOT portals. Lauren's convinced it's happened. Blake says we just got turned around.)
So why elope in the San Juan mountains?
But figuring out where to elope in the San Juan Mountains?
How to start the adventure of a lifetime?
Yeah, that part can feel like trying to pick a favorite snack at a gas station at 2am - overwhelming, kinda chaotic, and weirdly high-stakes.
You don’t have to do it alone.
You just need the right team by your side
Every epic quest needs a guide - we’re your Merry & Pippin duo. We have zero shame about being total goofballs, and years of experience planning elopements in wild, untamed places - from Ouray’s secret spots to volcanic islands halfway across the world.
We’re the type of team who gets genuinely excited about your elopement ideas, your stories of adventure, your random questions at 11pm - all of it. That support doesn’t just make planning easier… it makes the whole thing more fun.
Two guides, one quest: Blake keeps every detail on track (permits, back-up plans, and the kind of organization that would impress a wizard's guild), and Lauren's the quest-designer who finds hidden locations and transforms planning into an actual adventure.
With two sets of eyes on all the logistics, you know nothing is getting missed.
Our couples say it best: “It was like having two friends by our side the whole day.”
We're Lauren & Blake
Your husband and wife San Juan Mountains elopement photographers
And with a husband and wife team, it’s not just double the fun, but double the expertise too!
"They captured our elopement so beautifully and knew the perfect spots to take us for photos, as we were unfamiliar with the area. I loved how they got to know us prior through a questionnaire to get a sense of who we are and what we enjoy & made sure to incorporate our preferences into the day. Our photos are so unique & beautiful and we can’t wait to display them in our home!"
- Madison & Austin
Not giving yourself the whole day (or two) to travel, adventure and experience things is kind of like walking out in the middle of LOTR…
So if you want a truly wild San Juan Mountains elopement experience:
GO HORSEBACK RIDING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS
OFF-ROAD TO PLACES GOOGLE MAPS DOESN'T KNOW
BRING YOUR DOG (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
JUMP IN A WATERFALL & laugh about how cold it is
go kayaking or canoeing on a peaceful alpine lake
backpack or hike into the remote wilderness
paddleboard on an alpine lake so green its unreal
CAMP UNDER A SKY FULL OF STARS
fish at sunrise before your vows
The san juan mountains are made for bucket list adventures.
Spontaneous detours.
Epic quests. Give yourself the whole day, or two.
" "Lauren & Blake made our elopement a dream come true!! It was truly more beautiful than we could have ever imagined."
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a flexible elopement experience for adventure & spontaneity
We help you figure out where and when to elope based on what kind of scenery makes you go "holy sh*t, yes!!" Full days are up to 12 hours because spontaneous adventures are literally the point.
How we're different from other elopement photographers
You don't need a date or location to book with us.
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wild & unique elopement locations
You get two local Colorado experts who've planned dozens of wild elopements and a full quest map: vendor recommendations, lodging, activity ideas, step-by-step planning help. All of it. And yeah, you also end up with two new friends. (Our couples say that part's a bonus.)
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You get two new friends and an epic team!
who will support every step of the way.
Included in every San Juan Mountains Elopement package:
Wild & unique elopement location ideas
Exclusive 90 page Elopement planning guide: all the steps you need to start planning your dream elopement
Personalized vendor, lodging and activity recommendations
Customized planning & travel expertise
Constant support
A personalized online gallery full of colorful meaningful photos & scenery from your day
Customized timeline & elopement day itinerary
A flexible elopement experience for exploration & spontaneity
We know when planning an elopement, it can feel overwhelming and it can feel lonely. That’s why we want you to know that we are there for you every step of the way. You’re not just another couple, we treat you like friends. We’ll cheer you on, laugh along with you, and help you create memories that will last a lifetime.
Filled with activity ideas, best places to get your attire, travel tips and so much more.
We capture the real moments, the laughter, the feeling of running around in the meadows, the sheer grandness of the earth around you. You can also order prints & albums straight from your online gallery.
Your elopement day is all about adventure, so on the day we always build in extra time for spontaneous adventures or exploration. It also means your whole experience is flexible: the day before and the day after are yours if you need a backup date, and we always have a few backup locations (either just in case or if you just wanted to change scenery!)
Help planning out your Colorado trip. We'll give recommendations on what to do, where to eat, how to get there, what to pack, and much more!
72 hour sneak peaks
Polaroids of your adventure!
Nothing can compare to holding a physical memory of the most important day of your life! Plus, when we say goodbye, we want you to have something physical that you can put up on your wall as soon as you get home!
No travel fees, no hidden fees
A husband & wife team - 2 photographers, 2 elopement experts
Two photographers, two elopement experts, two perspectives on your day. Blake handles logistics (permits, weather plans, all the details). Lauren designs the adventure (locations, magic, making it feel like a quest). Together, you get double the expertise and double the fun! (We're married. We roast each other. You'll love it.)
Permit assistance
Every quest has paperwork, lucky for you, we speak fluent “land management office.” (yeah, we swear it's a language.) We’ll show you which permit you need, where it goes, and exactly how to fill it out.
Officiant & witnesses
We’re both ordained, which means your elopement comes with a built-in choose-your-own-adventure perk: one of us can officiate your ceremony, or we can sign as your two witnesses.
Pricing starts at $6400 for 6 hours
Next steps on this adventure
01
reach out
Fill out the contact form below and you'll hear from us shortly (within 24 hours). This is where the hype starts!
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schedule a free planning call
Let's chat ALL about your day - you're including your dogs - let's meet them! No idea where to elope, we'll give you some great ideas from the get go. No pressure, no commitment.
the planning starts
Aka the most exciting part. With our expert guidance, your elopement dreams become reality!
"Lauren & Blake made our elopement a dream come true!! It was truly more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. When we decided to elope, we didn’t know where to start. We weren’t even sure what we wanted our day to look like. We just hoped we could do quickly (in about a month and a half) and were worried such a short timeline may not even be possible.
Then we met Lauren and Blake!! They reassured us they’d make it happen, helped us imagine our perfect day, found hikes that would work with the unpredictable weather, helped with lodging, all the logistics and overall, just helped us create the most perfect day and stay in Colorado. There was no stress, no worry, just pure joy and excitement. Our elopement went perfectly and having Lauren and Blake there was like having two friends tag along. It couldn’t have been any better.
Then we got to relive the beautiful day when we received our gallery. Everyone who we shared it with said that the pictures made them feel like they were there and really told the story of the whole day. That was exactly what we were hoping for, since we eloped alone. They captured the most beautiful details and such intimate moments. Months later and I still look at them every day! We cannot say enough amazing things about Lauren and Blake. :) "
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Brooke & Felix
"We had an incredible experience working with Lauren and Blake for our elopement in Crested Butte. From the start, their planning process was thoughtful, detailed, and honest. We had a few locations in mind, but their expertise helped us confidently choose Emerald Lake.
Leading up to the day, we were concerned about accessibility and weather, but they gave us great recommendations—like renting a Jeep or SUV, bringing comfortable shoes, and packing aesthetic umbrellas—so we felt completely prepared. On the day of our wedding, they made us feel at ease, helping us relax and enjoy the moment while capturing our natural personalities and smiles.
Their creativity was evident in their composition, use of depth of field, in-camera effects like prisms, and even props. While they are undoubtedly talented photographers, what sets them apart is their holistic approach. They don’t just take beautiful photos—they guide you through the entire process, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Kirstin & Matt | Crested Butte, Colorado Elopement
"Showing up for our big day had a whirlwind of nerves, but being photographed by Lauren and Blake was such a relieving point. When we took our elopement photos with them, they both had us really enjoy being in the biggest moment of our lives, while also laughing with them and becoming friends, which is not something I knew we were signing up for, but was a HUGE bonus!!!
They're seriously so special and I really genuinely don’t say that lightly. Our pictures came out better than perfect and we both feel that they really captured our relationship in the most special way possible. Booking with them is the smartest decision anyone can make. They are truly talented, wonderful people."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Anna & Cameron | Blue Ridge Mts, North Carolina Elopement
your full name and partner's name
phone number
do you have a date/month in mind?
Will this be a just-the-two-of-you adventure, or will others be joining you?
where do you want to get married?
how did you hear about us?
what's your favorite adventure together?
what do you envision your elopement day to look like?
your wildest adventure starts here
frequently asked questions about eloping in colorado
When should we elope in Colorado?
Do we need witnesses & an officiant?
Can we invite our friends and family?
How many hours do we need for our elopement?
Do we have to hike on our elopement day?
What happens if it rains or there is bad weather?
Colorado is magical no matter what time of year you choose to elope!
If you're wanting alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and slightly snow-capped rocky peaks, we recommend summer! Summer in the mountains is typically June to August. Spring is still very very snowy, in fact March is one of our snowiest months here and can be great for snow-boarding and skiing.
Our personal favorite seasons are summer for the wildflowers and waterfalls and fall for the changing leaves!
Colorado's weather can be unpredictable, even in Summer, so make sure to create a back-up plan (we'll help with this) and make sure you're prepared for any type of weather!
When should we elope in Colorado?
Do we need witnesses & an officiant?
Can we invite our friends and family?
How many hours do we need for our elopement?
Do we have to hike on our elopement day?
What happens if it rains or there is bad weather?
In Colorado, you can self-solemnize. This means you do not need an officiant or any witnesses! Some of our couples self-solemnize and some choose to have an officiant present for their ceremony.
In some counties, you can also have your pet sign your marriage license with their paw print! (so cute!)
When should we elope in Colorado?
Do we need witnesses & an officiant?
Can we invite our friends and family?
How many hours do we need for our elopement?
Do we have to hike on our elopement day?
What happens if it rains or there is bad weather?
Absolutely!! If you're eloping in Colorado, since you don't need an officiant or witnesses, it can just be you two. But it's totally up to you if you want to bring family and friends along! You can also opt for a two-day elopement: one day with family/friends and one day just you two!
Some National Parks, National Forests and BLM land do have specific guest limits, so just keep that in mind. Typically, we recommend under 15 guests in under to adhere to Leave No Trace and keep these lands beautiful for years to come. If you want more people, there are some smaller venues and locations that are able to hold larger guest sizes: Maroon Bells Amphitheater is one great example!
When should we elope in Colorado?
Do we need witnesses & an officiant?
Can we invite our friends and family?
How many hours do we need for our elopement?
Do we have to hike on our elopement day?
What happens if it rains or there is bad weather?
It depends! How many hours you want/need depends on what activities you want to include in your day, if you're having guests, if you want to visit multiple locations or the travel time between locations is big, and what kind of experience you want. We absolutely recommend booking a full day elopement (12 hours) so you can include all the activities you want and not feel rushed at all on your wedding day!
Typically couples book for us from 6-12 hours in their elopement day and couples who want to spend a day with family/friends and a day just the two of them, book us for a two day elopement!
We'd love to chat with you about what experience you're looking for and one of the reasons why we offer complimentary initial planning calls is so we can help you figure out just how many hours you want/need.
When should we elope in Colorado?
Do we need witnesses & an officiant?
Can we invite our friends and family?
How many hours do we need for our elopement?
Do we have to hike on our elopement day?
What happens if it rains or there is bad weather?
Not at all! While some couples decide to hike on their elopement day, not all do and it's completely up to the two of you and what you want to do on your day.
You can get to so many epic locations by off-roading, kayaking, rock-climbing, hot-air balloon, and driving! Some of our favorite locations in the San Juan Mountains are best viewed by jeeping to them (no hike necessary!)
We work with each & every couple to help you find activities you enjoy and experiences that fit how you want your day to look and your comfort level. Some hikes can be 1 mile with hardly any elevation gain and some can be 6 miles with 2000ft elevation gain, so there's definitely a variety in Colorado for any couple that wants to hike.
When should we elope in Colorado?
Do we need witnesses & an officiant?
Can we invite our friends and family?
How many hours do we need for our elopement?
Do we have to hike on our elopement day?
What happens if it rains or there is bad weather?
Colorado's weather is unpredicatable. It can snow in June or be 80 degrees and sunny! So our biggest tip is always come prepared and ready to roll with the weather.
But bad weather can happen. If it's an unsafe weather condition (wildfire, hurricane, blizzard, etc), we'll either move locations, move times (to morning instead of afternoon) or move date to a back-up date. This is where back-up plans, especially locations, come in super handy and why it's part of our planning process. As locals, we know some great back-up locations no matter where we are in Colorado.
We also suggest just embracing the weather! So what if it rains, dance around and play in the puddles. If it snow: create a snowman or cuddle up by the fire! Some of the most memorable elopements we've captured happened in "bad" weather with rain & snow, but they were such amazing experiences for the couple.
How to elope:
explore:
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Colorado elopement photographers
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