20 Reasons to Elope in Western Colorado (Part 1)
Another bride wrote me yesterday and told me her wedding was cancelled. Not because she wasn’t getting married, but because the entire thing became too stressful and they have decided to elope.
After 13 years of shooting weddings, I can tell you that they can get out of control…with planning and on the day of. This is why I moved to the western slope of Colorado and only photograph adventure elopements now. I understand her frustration. It’s hard to please everyone, especially if there are multiple families involved, but this a moment in her life that needs to be special for her and her fiance.
Since she is another bride who has asked me how and where couples elope, I thought I would share why I believe eloping in Ouray, Telluride or Ridgway is the best choice you can make!
The mountains are breathtaking!
Being in the mountains is one of the most amazing experiences you will ever witness.
When you think of the Rocky Mountains, you think of Denver and all the mountains that are over in that area, but the most beautiful part of the Rocky Mountains is on the western side of Colorado. (Our little area is called the San Juan Mountains.) This region is called the “Western Slope” and it is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes you will ever see, including Telluride, Ridgway and Ouray. It’s also known as the adventure capital of North America. With so many things to do and see, not to mention some of the best small towns in America, the western slope is an amazing place to say your vows while having an adventure at the same time!
2. 4 wheel driving
The western slope of Colorado the place you go if you love off-roading and 4 wheeling! Not only do we have the famous Alpine Loop in Ouray, where you can drive all day and see nothing but epic views around each corner, but we have some of the best challenging routes for 4 wheel drive experts! Taking a Jeep to the top of a mountain to say your vows, is an experience you will never forget! We strongly recommend renting a Jeep for your time here.
3. Amazing hikes if you want a physical challenge
If you love hiking, you will love western Colorado! People travel from all over the world to hike these mountains, because they have some of the most rewarding views you can imagine! Being a local here, you get to know all the special hikes that no one else can find. There are many that aren’t even listed on All Trails and we like to keep it that way. That means, when you get married in some of these secret locations, you will get pictures that other couples will only be able to dream about!
4. Blue glacial lakes that don’t even look real.
When you hear that the high alpine lakes in western Colorado are blue, it’s true! The water is so clear and some of the lakes don’t even look real, because you just don’t see color like that usually. Most of the hikes to these lakes are long, but if you love the idea of saying “I Do” beside of one of these lakes, it’s worth the hike. Along the way down, there are so many places to take more pictures along the trail, so there really isn’t any wasted time. We recommend eloping in Ridgway if you want to hike to turquoise lakes.
5. Built in honeymoon
If your idea of romance on your honeymoon is looking out your window and seeing the mountains, then you are in the right place! All of the small towns in this area, including Telluride & Ouray, are surrounded by mountains and it’s wonderful! You can relax in the hot springs, snow ski in winter, or go on a hike together! There is shopping, dining, outdoor adventures and so much more. Even if you decide to do nothing and stay in your hotel the entire time, you will have mountain views to keep you company.
6. Local airport - easy for you to get here!
The Montrose Airport is the one of the busiest airports in Colorado, because it’s the easiest way to get to the western slope! Flights are not too expensive and United Airlines flies straight here from some of the most popular places in America. The drive from Montrose to just about anywhere is breathtaking! In about an hour, you can be in Telluride, Ouray, Ridgway, or Silverton. These are all amazing towns with mountains all around them. However, don’t forget Montrose… it’s in the center of so many amazing landscapes and if you love want to see the mountains and some of the nearby national parks, Montrose is a wonderful place to stay! There is also a small airport in Telluride, which connects flights to Denver and beyond.
7. Solitude
There is no better place to be alone while eloping, than in Western Colorado. Everyone knows about the Rockies over by Denver and that’s why so many people elope over there, but here on the Western Slope it’s not as busy. Yes, we are considered the adventure capital of the United States, but it’s amazing to me how many people you don’t see while hiking. Combine that solitude with epic views and you feel like you are the only two people in the world experiencing this intimate moment… and you are! I’ll be there taking your pictures, but you will hardly even notice me once you start saying your vows. I believe in the both of you having moments that you will never forget, and I am not going to distract you from that moment. Enjoy it for as long as you want and enjoy the pictures for the rest of your lives!
8. Adventure activities to experience as much as possible
Let me name all of the things you can do on your honeymoon here: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Hot springs, Snow Skiing, Trail Running, Snowshoeing, Fly fishing, Mountain Biking, landscape photography, waterfalls, 4 wheel driving, boating, snowmobiling, shopping, trying local food & craft beer, ice climbing, camping, hunting, visiting National Parks, guided tours, seeing fall colors, visiting old mining towns & ghost towns, see where True Grit was filmed… the list goes on! There is so much to do here! (Be sure to check out the Telluride Via Ferrata and the Ouray Via Ferrata.)
9. Mountain Towns
Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Ridgway, Lake City, Durango. They all have their own personalities! Ouray, for example, is called “The Switzerland of America” and you can see why from this picture! These towns are all surrounded by stunning mountain peaks, and within minutes you can be out in those mountains! Each town has a rich history too, with many old abandoned mines and ghost towns that history buffs will love. So many elopement locations are among these hills & valleys like waterfalls, canyons, red rocks, or of course, on top of a 14er.
10. Talented local vendors
We have amazing vendors in Western Colorado! Imagine people who are great at what they do, and they all made the decision to live in a place that brings them the most happiness! That pretty much sums it up. I Joe Hendricks (owner of Elope Telluride), personally moved here to get away from big weddings and concentrate on nothing but elopements. It’s been the best decision I have ever made! Many other vendors, like florists, hair and make-up stylists, officiants, transportation, videographers, and so much more are available here. When you hire local, you hire people who love this place, and nothing can replace a local’s knowledge and expertise. All of our packages include our exclusive recommended vendor list, so you don’t have to weed through dozens of pages on Google!
See “Part 2” of this blog by clicking here!
If a Colorado elopement sounds like something you might be interested in, contact us to check availability or ask questions.