Photos by Authentic Collective
San Juan Mountains, Colorado — Laura and Thomas knew early on that a San Juan Mountains elopement was the right choice for them. They wanted something quiet, intentional, and focused on just the two of them and their dogs. A traditional wedding never felt like a good fit. Letting go of expectations gave them the freedom to create a day that felt simple and true to their relationship.
They chose to elope in the mountains they love most, surrounded by the landscape that already meant so much to them. Their day started with a sunrise first look at an alpine lake in the San Juan Mountains. Soft morning light came over the peaks as their three dogs wandered nearby. They read handwritten vows together, taking their time and staying fully in the moment. Afterward, they kept things relaxed with a small picnic and cake.
In the afternoon, they went horseback riding in their wedding attire, which ended up being one of their favorite parts of the day. Later, they took off in a vehicle to explore more of the area, off-roading their way to a quiet overlook for sunset. As the light faded, the mountains around them turned warm and golden.
It was a day built around everything they love: their dogs, the San Juan Mountains, intentional moments, and the freedom to celebrate their marriage in a way that felt authentically ‘them’.
See more adventure elopement tips:
• How To Include Family In Your Elopement Without Losing Intimacy
• Sacred Pause: Why Ceremony Still Matters In Adventure Elopements
Deciding between a traditional wedding and an elopement really comes down to what kind of experience you want your wedding day to be.
Traditional weddings are often more centered around hosting guests and planning an event, while elopements tend to be much more focused on the two of you. When couples elope, the day is designed around their story and what actually feels meaningful to them – whether that’s exploring somewhere beautiful together, trying something new, or building a day filled with activities they already love.
Our biggest piece of advice is to focus less on what you feel like you should do and more on what you actually want your day to feel like. People will always have opinions, but at the end of the day this is your wedding. Choose the option that feels the most true to you as a couple and the experience you want to have together!
You have the ability to include things you already love doing, such as exploring the mountains of Colorado via Jeep or horseback riding, while also being able to create new memories that will last a lifetime. For this elopement, they were able to include their dogs, which have been a huge part of their relationship, letting them be themselves while privately saying their vows to one another. Choosing to elope gives you the freedom to build a day around your relationship, filling it with what you love and letting go of anything that doesn’t feel true to you.
The San Juans contain the most dramatic peaks in Colorado while also being an incredibly diverse area with everything from hidden waterfalls to summit vistas. And the best part, if you aren’t into hiking, you can plan a day just like what Laura and Thomas did with nothing more than a short walk from your vehicle. With that said, the best way to see everything the San Juans have to offer is via off-roading. If you are scared of heights, this area may not be your cup of tea. The good thing is that there are plenty of professional off-road tour companies that you can hire if you aren’t comfortable driving yourself.
And if you are a hiker, the San Juans have some of the most epic and beautiful hikes in North America. From epic alpine lakes to iron stained striped mountains, to 14’er peaks, this area has it all!
The best time of year to elope in the San Juans is July – October. During this time, the snow has finally released its grip on the higher elevation roads, ensuring you can easily visit everything the San Juans have to offer. The winter can also be incredibly stunning if you are willing to brave the cold!
See this wedding and more inside Adventure Wed Magazine!
Photography + Videography + Planning: Authentic Collective
Hair + Makeup: Sunshine Beauty & Bridal
Floral Design: Flowers By Ella Telluride
Dress: Galia Lahav
Suit: Suit Supply
Horseback Riding: San Juan Sky Outfitters
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