Durango, Colorado, is commonly regarded as the "gateway to the San Juans" with good reason (although Ouray could also be the gateway if you are traveling from the North). As soon as you head North out of town on Highway 550 you drive straight into the San Juan Mountains, and the views continually get better until, all of a sudden, you exit the Juans on the North side of the town of Ouray. About 50 miles North the highway passes the town of Silverton, and this is where the opportunities for Colorado elopement photographers really start to proliferate. Durango photographers have an incredibly diverse canvas of mountains, streams, waterfalls, pines, aspens, wildflower meadows, and vistas to work with when choosing where to take couples for their Colorado elopement packages, and the San Juan Mountains never disappoint!
www.visitouray.com/million-dollar-highway

As with all adventure elopements, Ryan and Liz's was unique and spectacular. After a private, intimate wedding at Vallecito Reservoir (approximately 25 miles Northeast of Durango), Ryan and Liz wanted to go somewhere more majestic, mountainous, and intimate to exchange vows and get some one on one mountain elopement time.

One of the more difficult aspects of being a Colorado elopement photographer is the challenge of finding the right spot for the right couple. After hearing what Ryan and Liz were looking for I decided that we would actually go to two different spots, which turned out better than we could have imagined. We decided that it would be worth it to do some 4-wheeling outside of Silverton, and it certainly was.

As a Durango wedding photographer I am always excited when a couple contacts me in regards to doing some Colorado elopement photography! As soon as I spoke with Ryan+Liz about their wedding plans I knew this would be an amazing day. These two have lived all over the West for the past decade, but they knew deep down that they were meant to elope in Colorado, and I'm so glad that they did!

If you are looking for somewhere to elope in Colorado, Utah, or the Southwest feel free to reach out and discuss your idea with me! Contact
If you are debating where your perfect elopement location would be, you can't really go wrong in Southwest Colorado. For more ideas check out my gallery here: Wedding / Elopement Gallery

From Durango to Purgatory Ski Area to Silverton to Ouray the beautiful backgrounds for your special day are endless! For more information regarding the region check out the following links.
www.colorado.com/
​https://www.colorado.com/colo-road-trips/southwest-colorado-san-juan-skyway

Bryan and Merve's Turkish wedding was absolutely stunning and encompassed two nights of celebration. The first night was a tradition Turkish wedding reception party complete with lots of dancing, smiling, hugging, and henna palm-marking to honor the couple. This was slightly outside of my typical Durango wedding photography wheelhouse, but it was absolutely fantastic to photograph!

Sobriety was encouraged (drinks were not necessary during night one of this wild rumpus and this historical Turkish ceremony is strict about its rules), the women wore red garments, and the dancing was prolific.

The ceremony was on Bryan's family's wedding venue and was tucked into the woods with a large field, pool, reception area, creek, and lodging all within the grounds.

The following day was the official wedding ceremony. Several friends and family helped decorate the venue bright and early. Everyone was feeling excellent from the previous evening's sober festivities and the day was delightful. Durango wedding photographers couldn't ask for a better venue or better weather for a celebration like this.

It was time for the wedding / party to begin in earnest!

The people looked good, the dogs looked great, and the wedding was one for the books.

To find the perfect place in Colorado for your wedding or elopement check out this link:
www.colorado.com
​​For more photos from me click here: Wedding / Elopement Gallery
If you are looking for the perfect Colorado elopement package you can get more information regarding mine here: Elopement