We started the day early to beat the off-road and hiking crowds — an essential part of finding privacy for your Ouray elopement, and exactly what made this day work. I met Michelle, Josh, and Michelle’s maid of honor that morning, and the four of us rode out to Yankee Boy Basin ahead of everyone else, so Michelle and Josh could share private vows and get their newlywed photos done before their guests arrived with the officiant.
Morning Elopements are a Must in Ouray
If you want any amount of privacy for your Ouray elopement, you gotta go with morning. Sunrise, if possible! Not only do you beat the Jeep traffic that is heavy in the summer and fall (making the drive even easier too) you also miss the afternoon rainstorms that summer in Colorado is known for.
A Ceremony with Guests
Once their guests made it up, they had a second, more traditional ceremony — this one for their people to actually witness. Two ceremonies, one day: private vows for them, a guest ceremony for everyone else.
After that, we got the whole group together for photos with the mountains behind them. Then Michelle and Josh signed their marriage certificate on Josh’s brother’s back, because that’s what was available up there, and it turned into one of the best parts of the day.
One Last Adventure
While the guests rode back down to town, the three of us hiked to a nearby waterfall for a few more photos before it was time to wrap up so Michelle and Josh could join everyone for brunch.
If a day like this sounds like your kind of Ouray elopement — early start, private vows, a ceremony with your people, the mountain views doing most of the work — I’d love to help you plan and document it! Click here to shoot me a message and get the ball rolling.
