Ouray Elopement and Jeep Adventure - Rylee & Ryan

When Ryan & Rylee set out from Illinois with a white Jeep and dreams of exploring Colorado’s rugged beauty, they were ready for an adventure like no other. With the hopes of making it to Blue Lakes in Ouray, these two set across the country with their close friends and adorable golden, Chloe.

Blue Lakes, known for its vibrant waters and stunning alpine views, is one of the most stunning elopement locations in the San Juan mountains, but it is not for the faint of heart! As we climbed higher, those winding 4WD trails proved to be a bit too nerve-wracking for the mid-westerners—no surprise there! We made the smart decision to stop, and boy, are we glad we did.

We found ourselves in a magical field of wildflowers, surrounded by towering alpine hills with a distant waterfall adding to the soundtrack of their love story. This was the perfect spot for their first look. The joy and emotion on Ryan & Rylee’s faces as they saw each other for the first time was pure magic. We stayed there for a while, soaking in the beauty, hiking, exploring, and just living in the moment.

As the day went on, we made our way back down the road to a serene pull-off where pine trees framed the scene, and the sun began its descent behind the mountains. It was here, in this peaceful setting, that Ryan & Rylee exchanged their vows. The quiet beauty of the surroundings made their words even more powerful, a moment they’ll cherish forever.

To celebrate, I had the pleasure of making their cut cake—golden spice with cream cheese buttercream frosting—topped with their elopement date. It was a sweet ending to a day that was filled with so much love, adventure, and the kind of beauty that only Colorado can offer. And let’s not forget Rylee’s gorgeous bouquet, crafted by a talented local florist in Montrose, which added the perfect touch of color and elegance.

Ryan & Rylee’s elopement was a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that don’t go exactly as planned. It was perfectly imperfect in every way, and I’m so grateful to have been part of their incredible day and to capture such incredible photos and video for them!

Looking to for an adventure elopement like this one?? Reach out and let’s get to planning!!!