A VERY GOOD DaY TO ELOPE

Ouray Colorado Elopement | Top of the Pines Wedding Photographer


Last year, I photographed Sarah + Ronnie’s engagement session in Florida. Two weeks ago, I got to meet them again in Ouray, Colorado, this time for their elopement.

It was just the two of them, their kids, and a whole day to turn into an adventure.

They got married at Top of the Pines, surrounded by the San Juan Mountains. After the ceremony, we headed back into Ouray, dropped the boys off, and hit the Million Dollar Highway.


From there, there wasn’t really a plan.


We pulled over when we saw something worth stopping for, wandered around, explored, and eventually found ourselves in these incredible open fields with those giant red mountains behind them.


And that was the beauty of it. The wedding didn’t need to be complicated. They didn’t need a packed timeline or a million different things happening. They got married, got in the car, and went exploring with their kids.


Sometimes that’s the whole damn wedding day.

And honestly? So… we eloped to Colorado feels pretty accurate

Silhouette of a person wearing a cowboy hat standing in a dimly lit corridor with warm glowing wall lights.
Bride in white gown and groom in blue suit walking past a large concrete wall in an urban setting.
A scenic mountain highway cuts through rocky cliffs under overcast skies in Colorado.
Double exposure photo of a bride in a white gown and veil, standing in a mountain meadow under cloudy skies.
Outdoor mountain wedding ceremony with couple exchanging vows, two boys in blue suits, stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop.
Bride and groom sharing romantic kiss among white aspen trees in lush green forest setting.
Two hikers walk across a vast mountain meadow under dramatic cloudy skies with rocky peaks in the distance.
A bride and groom exchange rings outdoors in a rustic mountain setting, groom wearing a cowboy hat and blue suit.
A bride and groom in wedding attire walk through a dramatic tunnel with a photographer nearby.
Bride in white wedding dress pulling on blue cowboy boots while seated in chair near clawfoot bathtub.
Western-style bride in mini dress and blue boots holds bouquet while gazing at groom outdoors.
Bride and groom in cowboy hat share intimate moment on rocky mountain overlook under cloudy sky.
Black and white photo of bride and groom walking through an open field with pine trees under a cloudy sky.
Western Hotel 1891 elopement congratulations letter with a ring and leather journal on a wooden table.
Bride in cowboy hat embraces groom while sitting in green mountain meadow near a stream.
Bride and groom walk hand-in-hand toward a mountain tunnel in a black and white photo.
A young boy in a blue suit with a boutonniere holds a vintage camera outdoors in a field under a cloudy sky.
Black and white photo of a bride in a white gown and cowboy boots sitting on a table edge.
Taxidermy bison head mount with dark brown fur and curved horns displayed against a dark background.
Bride and groom standing hand in hand before a dramatic rocky cliff face with rich red and gold tones.
A groom in a cowboy hat lifts his bride in a romantic embrace on a mountain road in black and white.
Dimly lit hotel staircase with warm wall sconce, carpeted steps, and directional signs for rooms 201-208.
Laughing bride in cowboy hat walks in white gown along rocky mountain road in black and white.
A couple in cowboy hats embraces in a dreamy double-exposure wedding photo blending sky and landscape.
Bride and groom walking hand in hand through mountain meadow surrounded by pine trees on wedding day.
Bride and groom share a romantic kiss in an open desert field with dramatic mountain backdrop.
Bride and groom pose among tall evergreen trees with rugged mountain peaks in the background.
Elegant white bridal gown hanging on a gold oval mirror against blue damask wallpaper in a vintage-styled room.
Bride and groom sit together in a wildflower meadow wearing cowboy hats during outdoor mountain wedding.
Young groom in suit adjusts tie while older man in cowboy hat looks on during wedding preparations.
Two white fluffy hotel bathrobes hanging on black hooks against a textured wall in a cozy room.
Bride and groom walking through pine forest with wedding veil flowing in wind.
Groom in blue suit and white cowboy hat stands on rustic wooden stairs below mounted bear pelt.
A small intimate outdoor wedding ceremony in a mountain meadow with dramatic cloudy skies backdrop.
Dramatic stormy clouds roll over a lush mountain valley with winding road visible below.
Smiling bride and groom in matching cowboy hats hold hands in a mountain meadow setting.
A framed Hermes scarf print hanging on a distressed wall above a boho-style sofa.
A groomsman lifts a bride's veil over her head in a playful black and white wedding portrait.
Rustic restaurant interior with mounted deer antlers, leather booths, white tablecloths, and warm amber curtains framing large windows.
A bear skin rug mounted on a white wall above a staircase with a skylight above.
Bride and groom sitting in grass sharing a romantic embrace after wedding.
Couple in cowboy hats walk together in blue suit and white wedding dress with mountain backdrop.
Bride and groom walking hand in hand through mountain meadow, stunning Rocky Mountain peaks visible in background.
Bride and groom walking hand in hand through a mountain meadow, bride holding white bouquet, groom wearing blue suit and cowboy hat.
A bride and groom embrace on a rocky mountain trail surrounded by lush green hills and a clear blue sky.
Black and white outdoor wedding ceremony with couple and officiant wearing cowboy hat, mountain landscape backdrop.
Bride and groom hold hands walking through mountain meadow, bride in white gown, groom in navy suit and cowboy hat.
Wedding party member pinning boutonniere on groom wearing a cowboy hat.
A couple embraces in wedding attire beside a calm reflective lake surrounded by green mountains.
Bride and groom walk hand-in-hand down a mountain highway in cowboy hats in black and white photo.
A bride prepares in a luxurious hotel bathroom with a clawfoot tub and white robes hanging nearby.
Staircase leading to stained glass doors with
Groom in black suit holding a floral boutonniere before wedding ceremony.
Woman in white cowboy hat lying among wildflowers in a dreamy, softly lit field at dusk.
Woman in white dress and hat stands in mountain meadow with arms outstretched, black and white photography.
Bride in elegant white gown standing in rustic room with vintage art, wooden table, and champagne bottle.
Bride and groom in cowboy hats walk arm-in-arm along a mountain valley path in black and white.
Couple sitting together in a grassy mountain meadow at dusk, sharing a romantic moment with scenic peaks in the background.
Outdoor mountain wedding ceremony with bride, groom in cowboy hat, and two ring bearers under cloudy skies.
Three people stand in a vast mountain meadow under dramatic storm clouds in a black and white photo.
White cowboy hat, vintage camera, leather journal on fluffy rug with Southwestern blanket, rustic western wedding flat lay.
Wedding couple holds hands on an empty mountain road with scenic peaks in black and white.
Groom getting ready in a dimly lit room with wedding party helping him prepare.