San Juan Mountains Elopement

Cathy Jo + Clint │ Silverton, Colorado │ 08.07.2020

We were seven months into COVID when Cathy Jo and Clint contacted me. Like many others, they had to postpone the original date of their 2020 wedding because of the Coronavirus. Not wanting to wait any longer to get married, they decided to elope. After perusing my website, they reached out to me in the hopes that I could help them plan the perfect elopement and join them as their adventure elopement photographer. They gave me free rein to suggest any elopement locations with only one stipulation – it had to have impressive mountain views.

When I hear the words impressive mountain views, the first place that comes to mind is the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado. This section of the Rocky Mountains has the most beautiful and varied landscape in the entire U.S. It has volcanic summits that reach as high as 14,000 feet, majestic waterfalls, lush forests, fertile valleys, tranquil lakes, and historic abandoned mining settlements. The San Juan Mountains seemed the perfect place to recommend to Cathy Jo and Clint. They trusted my suggestion, and off to Colorado we went.

Cathy Jo and Clint booked an Airbnb in charismatic Ridgeway, Colorado. Founded in 1890, the picturesque town of Ridgeway was once a prominent silver and gold mining settlement. The area surrounding Ridgeway boasts year-round outdoor recreation options, and the downtown area is a hub for arts, entertainment, and a lively "foodie" culture, which makes Ridgeway a nice place to honeymoon after the wedding. If you're into historic towns with loads of charm and scenic outdoor adventures, Ridgeway is the place for you.

From Ridgeway, we rented a Jeep and headed toward Silverton, known to many outdoor enthusiasts as a recreational paradise. From there, we hopped onto the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, which consists of seventy-five breathtaking miles carved through the San Juan Mountains. I took them to Lake Como to recite their wedding vows. They had a heartfelt ceremony followed by post-wedding bliss. The view from Lake Como was most impressive – Just as Cathy Jo and Clint requested.

We rounded out the day with a drive to Corkscrew Pass, a scenic road that cuts through a historic mining settlement and is roughly 12,000 feet above sea level. The views were jaw-dropping as we rounded each curve along this winding mountain road. Nestled in the Uncompahgre National Forest, I found the perfect spot to stop so Cathy Jo and Clint could enjoy a romantic post-wedding celebratory picnic. Despite the magnificent beauty surrounding us on this gorgeous summer day, we had the entire area to ourselves.

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Though Cathy Jo and Clint originally wanted a traditional wedding with all the bells and whistles, they realized their adventure elopement was much more fulfilling on many levels. Their lives as husband and wife began with a fun-filled adventure through the San Juan Mountains. The rest, as they say, is history. Ready to plan your adventure elopement? I'd love to help you and join in on the fun as your adventure elopement photographer. Let's talk!

Let's talk!