Gateway Elopement Photographer
Elopements & weddings in Gateway
moab vibes in colorado
Elopements in Gateway are becoming ever more popular as the word about the area is getting out. If you're looking for Moab vibes here in Colorado, Gateway is the place for you! It actually sits only 30 some miles from Moab as the crow flies, but only off-road routes exist between the two. By paved roads it's about a 2 hour drive. Gateway, being so nearby, has all the red rock views and adventures of Moab with none of the crowds. Gateway is also in Colorado, allowing you to self-solemnize your elopement if you wish!
Gateway elopements are wonderful because of our longer season here west of the Rockies. Outdoor weddings can be held most of the year with relatively uneventful weather and warmer winters. While July and August are extremely hot and less recommended, the light does last well into the evening, allowing some of those golden hour celebrations after the heat of the day has gone down. The colors the canyons change as the sun sets is one of the prettiest things in the world.
gateway elopement officiants
gateway FLORISTS
gateway WEDDING CAKES
Kathi - Wine Country Ceremonies
Carolyn - Heart Centered Weddings
Country Elegance Florist
Be Sweet Bakeshop
Blue Sky Baking
Garvey's Gardens
What's it like to Work with me?
Here's What People are Saying...
"Made us feel comfortable"
"Put us at ease"
"Incredibly organized & helpful"
"Made everything run really smoothly"
"Went above and beyond"
"The best decision we made"
"We never had to stress about photos"
"An effortless and fun experience"
"Made us feel so natural and relaxed"
Location Scouting
So you can stop googling, posting to forums, and wasting your time trying to find the perfect spot. I've spent countless hours driving the back roads or with my nose in a map (you should see how many spots I've flagged) to help you narrow down and find the best spot for you to spend your day.
Timeline Planning
So we're in the best places at the best times - cuz this is probably your first elopement, right? Whether you’re planning activities for your elopement or just need help with timing the perfect sunset ceremony, I love to help my couples with creating the perfect timeline for the day. I’ll create an agenda, with as much specific or general timing as we want, and what spots and activities we’ll be doing there.
Permit Guidance
Eloping in the west means navigating permits and other legal requirements. OOF right? You can rest easy, though. I know alllll the requirements and what we need to do.
Activity Ideas
From helping you brainstorm ideas you’ve never considered, to helping you with the logistics of making those ideas happen, consider me your go-to person to bounce things off of so you can craft the most amazing day you can imagine!
Vendor Recommendations
Small mountain and desert towns can be hard to find vendors at all, let alone ones who show up in an online search. Having helped couples elope in these areas for over nine years now, I’ve gotten to know all the pros to recommend to help bring your visions to life.
Group Photo List Creation
If you’re having guests along for the day, I will help create a formals list so that we have a list of groups to make sure we’re not missing any combos on the day-of.
Elopement Guide
You’ll receive access to my 124 page elopement guide full of everything you could ever have questions about for how to elope! From marriage license navigation, to emergency kit checklists, to advice for what to wear, to choosing your lodging, and so much more – this guide is your new best friend
Location Expertise
So you can stop googling, posting to forums, and wasting your time trying to find the perfect spot. I've spent countless hours driving the back roads or with my nose in a map (you should see how many spots I've flagged) to help you narrow down and find the best spot for you to spend your day.
Timeline Planning
From sunrise ceremonies to multi-location days, I'll create a timeline that gets you to the best spots at the best times—with buffer room so you're never rushing. I’ll create an agenda, with as much specific or general timing as we want, and what spots and activities we’ll be doing there.
Permit Navigation
Eloping in the west means navigating permits and other legal requirements. OOF right? You can rest easy, though. I know alllll the requirements and will walk you through every step.
Activity Ideas
Whether you want a picnic, a hot springs soak, a vineyard toast, or just stunning photos with minimal hiking—I'll help you design a day that feels authentically you.
Vendor Recommendations
Small mountain and desert towns can be hard to find vendors at all, let alone ones who show up in an online search. Having helped couples elope in these areas for over nine years now, I’ve gotten to know all the pros to recommend to help bring your visions to life.
Group Photo List Creation
If you’re having guests along for the day, I will help create a formals list so that we have a list of groups to make sure we’re not missing any combos on the day-of.
Elopement Guide
You’ll receive access to my 124 page elopement guide full of everything you could ever have questions about for how to elope! From marriage license navigation, to emergency kit checklists, to advice for what to wear, to choosing your lodging, and so much more – this guide is your new best friend
Elopement Planning Services
These planning services are included in all my elopement photography packages—AND are now available as standalone services for couples who've already hired a photographer or prefer to book planning separately.
COMPREHENSIVE ELOPEMENT SUPPORT
Because Your Day Should Feel As Good As It Looks
Where to Elope in gateway
Gateway Canyons Resort - This exquisite resort campus is host to a spa, vintage car museum, luxury lodging, and helicopter tours. Famously owned by the man who owns Discovery Channel, its campus is the main attraction in town. Conde Nast rated Gateways Canyons Resort #10 Top Resort in U.S. and is an attraction all its own.
BLM Land – Much of the Gateway area is located on or near BLM land and public areas. Leaving no trace is important on these lands. They offer a free option for venue, with red rock canyons and creeks to explore.
Gateway Glamping - Another newer addition to the venue space in Gateway is this glamping campground with luxurious tents to rent out, and beautiful desert views! It is a smaller "venue" and best serves 2-person elopements.
Thimble Rock Pointe - This A-Frame cabin vacation rental is a great space for getting ready and home-base for your elopement if you don't want to stay at the resort or glamp. It is located up the canyon on the way into the Gateway area, only about a 10 minute drive into town.
Gateway Canyons Air Tours (Helicopter Tour) - If you're looking for more wild adventure, you can consider the Gateway Canyons Air Tour helicopter tour for part of your elopement day. They can customize a flight for your dream backdrop or just give you a tour of the beautiful spaces you're staying near.
Gateway Elopement Photography INspiration
-Allison & Ethan
Amanda is the perfect wedding photographer. The photos perfectly captured the whole day and I feel like I can easily relive it just by looking back at the photos. I highly recommend Amanda.
"The Perfect Wedding Photographer"
-Megan & Jordan
Amanda was the best decision we made for our wedding day! The photos are exceptional and perfectly capture the scenery and vibe we were going for, but that’s only a portion of what Amanda provided. She helped give us planning guidance, organization, and reassurance throughout, which alleviated all the worries we had about eloping in a place we’d never been before.
"the best decision we made"
-Beth & Dustin
We used Amanda for our wedding and she is the BEST! Our photos turned out amazing and she captured the feel of our night perfectly. She’s also really fun to hang with. We didn’t want her to leave at the end of the night!
"She captured the feel of our night perfectly."
- Kylie & Murat
Amanda did an amazing job on our elopement photos! She was incredibly organized during all the planning and sent incredibly helpful tips and ideas in the months leading up.
"Incredibly organized & helpful"
katrina & frank: A-frame elopement
Recent gateway elopements & adventures
austin & ayana: micro wedding
Nancy & Dereck's Elopement
Since starting my business in 2012 and moving here in 2015, I've been helping couples navigate the beautiful chaos of planning and photographing elopements across Colorado's Western Slope, San Juan Mountains, and Moab, Utah.
I believe your wedding day should feel as beautiful as it looks—which means comfortable, stress-free, and entirely true to who you are.
Whether you need comprehensive planning support, photography that captures the story and scenery of your day, or both—I'm here to make sure the experience is exactly what you hoped for.
When I'm not helping couples, you can find me with a chai latte, binge-watching Gilmore Girls & Grey's Anatomy - again.
Hey there, I'm Amanda
she/her
Western Colorado & Moab elopement specialist
Couples I've worked with
350+
States I've visited
27
(and counting!)
Moose I've seen
8
Episodes of Gilmore Girls binged
100%
Gateway elopement packages range from $4-10k.
Elopement Pricing
No matter the package, you always get:
Access to my Locations Database - see the best spots I've accumulated over the years, in a personalized guide to fit your needs
Timeline & Group Photo List collaboration - you probably haven't made dozens of these per year like I have, so let me help you with that!
The final digital files in an online gallery, unlimited downloads, and online access for at least 1 year. Plus free websize downloads for loved ones!
My travel included - I work in the places I know best, and I'll meet you there!
Award-winning & Hand Retouched Photography - As a recognized artist in the industry, I strive to deliver beautiful artwork from your day, hand edited by me.
We're in... what now?
03
The big day & after
The day is here and you're surprised you're nervous after all this time. I will capture your day in a way that tells the story for you to relive forever. You'll have sneak peaks within 24-48 hours and a full gallery of the whole day within a month or so.
01
Let's Meet
We'll hop on the phone or Google Meet (or grab coffee!) to get to know each other and talk all about your dreams and ideas for the big day, and how I can help make your life easier. When you're ready to book you'll put $1k down as a retainer and I'll get to work!
Planning journey
From there I'll send you my 124 page Elopement Guide and help with location ideas, scouting, emergency kit info, permits, activity suggestions, vendor recommendations, timeline creation, group photo lists, and so so much more. I will help you craft the most incredible day, with backup plans because life is life. You'll feel like you've never been so excited or prepared for anything before.
02
Ready to save your date?
Let's do this
Thank you!
I'll be in touch within 24-48 hours.
If you don’t hear from me soon, I’m probably in the mountains or desert capturing an adventurous couple.
Please feel free to reach out to me directly:
info@amandamatildaphotography.com
