California Pass Elopement in Silverton, Colorado
all day and never rushed, vows at 12,000 feet, a bartender's wildflower tip
When I think of elopement days that celebrate a couple and exactly what they want to do, I think of Sam and Prestons day. I met them around 8 am at their airbnb off of Main Street that runs through Ouray to start our day together. We had all day and nothing ever felt rushed, a feeling a lot of wedding photographers don't get a lot. It allowed me to really slow down and get creative with how I approached photographing them and their details (Sam made her own bouquet, check it out below it is INCREDIBLE), and having time makes such a difference.
We spent the afternoon driving up to one of the most gorgeous passes outside of Ouray for them to read their vows at over 12,000 feet. One of the things I stress the most with couples eloping is picking a day that not only means something to you, but picking a week day! Monday through Thursday are going to be the best days if you're looking for any bit of privacy on your elopement day, and thats just what these two got.
We spent the rest of their wedding day driving around looking for wildflower fields, finding one that one of the local bartenders told them about. It turned out to be an incredibly easy 4x4 road with no one around, that topped off at mountain views.
By the time we made it back in town, it was dinner time so we snacked on the homemade charcuterie boards Sam made, cake, and champagne before they headed to their dinner at the Western Hotel.
Vendors
Photographer: Kimberly Crist
Hair: Salon Ouray
Dress: Allure
Suit: Custom from Suit Supply
Rings: Ken & Dana Designs
Cake: Jacques Sweet Treats
Flowers: Handmade
A two part elopement day that started with vows at Lost Gulch Overlook in Boulder and ended with a hike to a still snowy Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.