Alpine Loop Elopement Outside of Silverton Colorado
Valencia + Collin
Silverton, Colorado
When Valencia and Collin asked me to be their elopement photographer, they had a good idea of how they wanted their wedding day to play out. They imagined a day outdoors, submerged among rugged nature, and said they wanted a carefree day without a wedding timeline. They gave me the honor of choosing the general location for their elopement, and from there, the three of us made suggestions along the way regarding how the day would unfold. For the elopement of Valencia and Collin, I choose Colorado's stunning San Juan Mountains. Keep reading to see how beautiful an adventure elopement in the wilds of Colorado can be.
We met in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado. It was a gorgeous, sunny day in early October, and the morning temperature was brisk. Valencia and Collin got right to business and started the day off with their wedding ceremony. They solidified their commitments to each other with personalized wedding vows they wrote themselves. Sitting at each of their feet were their two beloved dogs.
For those of you who are free-spirited, it may be of interest that couples can legally marry themselves in Colorado – no wedding officiant is required. You are also not required to have a witness present during your wedding ceremony. Colorado will even allow your pet to sign as your witness on your marriage license, so don't forget to bring your ink pad so your furry, feathered, or reptilian friend can sign.
Valencia and Collin had a heartfelt wedding ceremony nestled among the splendors of nature. Since we started the day off bright and early, we had the entire area to ourselves, which made for an intimate elopement in the western San Juan Mountains. The wedding vows Valencia and Collin crafted made their ceremony even more special. They were grinning from ear to ear as they made lifelong promises and proclaimed their love to each other.
With the sun now high above us, we found a suitable place to have a drink and toast the marriage of Valencia and Collin. For this, they packed chilled champagne and orange juice. I must say, mimosas were an excellent choice to toast an early morning elopement. Then came the tough decision of deciding which dog would sign their marriage license.
As Valencia and Collin's elopement photographer, it was my job to make them feel completely comfortable while I captured the moments and emotions that filled their day. I believe my connection with my clients is as important as my ability to take great photographs. This connection begins from the first moment we interact and builds upon itself as the wedding date approaches. It can be difficult for people to act natural when there's nobody in attendance but me. Helping my couples feel safe in front of my camera begins with me being my genuine self with them.
Elopement photography is so much more than capturing epic shots. I'm often the first point of contact for many of my clients. I not only take wedding photographs, but I also help couples choose their elopement locations, lead their adventures, and plan their day if needed. Since many couples elope alone, I know members of their closest friends and family will be waiting to see their wedding pictures when they return home. Nothing brings me more joy than helping make my couple's elopement dreams a reality and giving them gorgeous keepsake wedding portraits to cherish and share.
Many adventure elopement couples I've worked with have opted to rent an ATV, allowing more freedom to explore in a short amount of time. Valencia and Collin had the ATV ready. So after the wedding ceremony, champagne toasts, newlywed photos, and lots of kisses, we hopped in and headed to our next spot; Lake Como, Colorado. To make the journey to Lake Como, an ATV is required.
The road to Lake Como is one of Colorado's highest and roughest roads. The road is unpaved and suitable for vehicles with high clearance only. It's a challenging drive not for the faint of heart, with loose boulders and a maximum of 26% gradient on some climbs and descents. Depending on the weather, sometimes the road is impassable from October through July.
This October day, we made it to our destination without a hitch. Upon arrival at Lake Como, Valencia removed her jacket with the warm sun reflecting off the lake. Valencia and Collin decided this was the perfect spot to enjoy their first dance as husband and wife. I played their favorite song on my phone and let the magic unfold as I captured these beautiful photos. It was such a lovely moment.
We hung out at Lake Como for a while and savored the moments without feeling rushed. After some time, we decided to continue our journey and piled back into the ATV. Our final destination of the day would be Animas Forks, a historic ghost town that dates back to 1873. To get there, we took the Alpine Loop and marveled at the surreal landscape of the San Juan Mountains.
Valencia and Collin had the whole place to themselves. After exploring this curious area, they settled upon the front porch of an old log cabin. They had fun telling me stories, and I enjoyed listening to them. We laughed and drank champagne as we took in the scenery at Animas Forks. Before we left, I suggested they do a champagne shower.
There's something magical about adventure elopements. Hiking through the wilderness and exploring new territory on your wedding day adds to the excitement and makes your wedding more memorable. If this sounds like an ideal way to get married, I'd love to help you pick a spot, lead your adventure, and be your elopement photographer. Click the button below to get the conversation started.
Review From the Heart
“We realize this was a special day that our closest friends and family wouldn’t want to miss. We wanted everyone to feel as though they were with us and this is why our wedding photography meant SO much to us. Kayleigh captured every moment perfectly so we could share this experience with our families through pictures.”
— Valencia
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