Ouray Colorado Elopement Photographer
SMALL WEDDINGS, ELOPEMENTS & ADVENTURE SESSIONS IN OURAY, COLORADO
LET'S ADVENTURE
The Ouray Colorado elopement you've been dreaming of.
Want to elope in an epic, remote location in the mountains of Colorado? Ouray is the perfect place for you then. With hundreds of miles of Jeeping trails, it's easy to access spectacular scenery, and find lots of seclusion.
Not only is Ouray a stunning place to say your vows, but there is also SO much to do. It's the perfect place to start your lives together with an adventure. A few of my favorite local activities include the Ouray Hot Springs, the Via Ferrata, world class hiking, the local breweries, and taking day trips to explore Telluride and Silverton. You really could never get bored in Ouray!
I want that
Hey, I'm Carissa! Ouray Elopement Photographer
I’m so excited that you are dreaming up an elopement in Ouray, Colorado. I grew up spending my summers exploring the San Juan mountains, covered in dirt, chasing chipmunks, and Jeeping up into the mountains discovering hidden waterfalls, alpine lakes, and meadows full of wildflowers. Now I get to bring my eloping couples to those same secret spots I was discovering 20 years ago, and it's the best thing ever.
With hundreds of miles of off-roading trails, epic mountains, and tons of adventure, I firmly believe that the San Juan mountains are one of the best places in the world to elope. Weddings here are just special.
Reach Out Now
I work with couples that want something a little deeper than the traditional.
Couples who would rather follow hiking trails than trends, and would rather have a wedding day full of adventure, than a wedding day full of “stuff.” I’m guessing you probably feel the same way, that’s why you’re here.
You want to do things differently.
I’m here to help make that happen. Every couple that reaches out to me is at the very beginning of the planning process, just like you. I take them from feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to begin, to a fully planned, unique elopement day.
I provide customized assistance tailored to your unique elopement vision, from scouting the most incredible secret spot where you will say your vows, to helping you book the private Jeeping tour that will get you there.
I want that
01
I'll help you find the perfect location
I have lists on lists of incredible spots that I have scouted over the years, that would be perfect for an elopement. Whether you want a sweeping valley covered in wildflowers, a secluded alpine lake, or a remote mountain peak, I've got a spot in mind. My standards are high, and almost all of my favorite spots are usually empty, so rest assured you'll get some incredible recommendations from me.
02
Plan out all of the details + logistics
Beyond location scouting, I'm here to help with every step of the planning process. I love hopping on Zoom with my couples to drink beers and plan together. I'll also send you amazing local vendor recommendations, help you find unique accommodations, and work with you to plan a timeline for the day. My goal is always to help you plan an intentional experience that reflects YOU.
03
I'll help you find the perfect location
My work is timeless, emotional and inspired by adventure. I take a unique approach to every wedding day, and while you might even forget the camera is there, you can rest assured I'll be creating art out of your adventure. My goal is to craft a gallery of images that tells your story, so you can look back on these photos 20 years from now, and feel all of the emotions of your adventure all over again.
Contact me
"Her raw talent is unreal, and we would choose her a million times over without hesitation."
"After seeing only one certain picture Carissa had taken, we instantly knew she was the one.
From the moment we inquired to the moment we had to say goodbye, Carissa made this process an actual dream. Wedding planning can be overwhelming, but Carissa was on board every step going out of her way answering questions, providing advice and recommendations, and meeting with us to ensure all our of our needs and wants were met.
The time spent with Carissa were truly life changing, and not only will that day and the astonishing pictures be forever ingrained in our hearts, but the intentionality and charisma Carissa adds was the cherry on top."
Sadie + Dani
"The minute I discovered Carissa on Instagram I knew right then and there I wanted to elope and have her as my photographer. I fell in love with her pictures and the way she captured everyone's special day.
I felt something every time I saw her post.
She was so detailed and professional along the way but felt like a friend at the same time. She was more than accommodating to even changing the planned out locations at the very last minute for me. That I will forever be grateful for. She made me feel so comfortable and the process was just so perfect. When we got the pictures we couldn't stop staring. I finally had what I dreamed of and more all because of her."
Tara + Cody
"The minute I discovered Carissa on Instagram I knew right then and there I wanted to elope and have her as my photographer."
"We searched the internet for weeks and came across Carissa’s page and knew instantly we wanted her as our wedding photographer.
From the entire planning process, to zoom calls, to our actual wedding day was a breeze and it wouldn’t have been without her. Carissa had so much expertise on so many different locations that helped us make our decision, including everything we wanted in our day.
We will forever cherish our wedding photos because of her and we wouldn’t change a single detail if we had to do it all over again! Almost 6 months later and we are still in awe of our photos and I tear up every-time I go through them. We could never thank you enough Carissa."
Hailey + Cameron
"My husband and I had already decided we wanted to elope in Kauai before finding Carissa, but we had no idea how we really wanted our elopement day to go.
From our first conversation with Carissa, she immediately helped ease our nerves about the whole planning process and helped us plan the most magical day. She listened to the things that were most important to us and made sure the day went exactly as we hoped.
The photos from our day are stunning! We have gotten so many compliments and are truly blown away with the photos she was able to capture for us. We feel so lucky to have gotten to work with her and be able to have these photos to look back on and show our kids one day!"
Allie + andrew
"Carissa's magical work both inspired our wedding dreams, and brought those dreams to reality on our elopement adventure together."
"I came across Carissa on Instagram, and I am so unbelievably happy & grateful that she was the first one to catch my eye!
Her photos are absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, you don’t need a review to tell you that. What I will tell you is that her friendly personality, professionalism, and undeniable passion for what she does is the absolute game changer and is what sets her apart from others in this industry.
You’re choosing a partner in the planning process, a passionate photographer that will help bring out the wedding day image that lives in your head, & as a major bonus, you’ll walk away from your wedding day with a new amazingly talented friend."
Jamie + Blake
"Early on in our engagement, my wife introduced me to Carissa's photography through one of her friend's elopement photos. Those photos took me to another world, through her surreal capture of environments and intimate moments which called to my soul.
I knew Carissa's photography abilities would bring forth the best of any landscape, but what I didn't expect was how much her support and presence would enhance our wedding day. Carissa's expertise, commitment and genuine kindness guided my wife and I to the perfect sites to celebrate our union."
Carissa took what was a fun adventure and turned it into a fairy-tail, which we have the privilege of reliving through her work, every day."
Hannah + Max
Planning your ouray elopement
Where to elope in Ouray
If you thought it was hard to choose a season to elope in Ouray, just wait until you have to choose a location! There are seriously so many incredible spots, it is so hard to pick! Here are a few of my favorite options to help you get started:
Yankee Boy Basin:
Yankee Boy Basin is a jeeping trail, located just outside of Ouray! It's one of the easiest trails in the area, and also one of the most beautiful! During the summer months, the meadows are filled to the brim with spectacular wildflowers. There are multiple waterfalls to explore, and gorgeous views in all directions.
Governor's Basin:
Governor's Basin is another jeeping trail in the area. This trail reaches a much higher altitude than Yankee Boy Basin, and provides some pretty drastically different scenery. Governor's Basin is known for epic views looking down the valley, and the jagged mountain peaks all around.
Best time of year to elope in Ouray
Now this is a tough one, because Ouray has some absolutely incredible seasons - it's so hard to choose a favorite.
Mid July - Mid August is the absolute best part of summer to explore the San Juans! This is peak wildflower season, meaning that you will find meadows full of wildflowers that are waist high (not kidding!). Everything will be lush and green this time of year, and you'll find waterfalls speckling the mountainside.
The end of September is the best time of year to see the peak fall colors. The weather will be a little chilly this time of year, and the aspen trees will be vibrant yellow. The mountains might even be dusted in snow, which is always a treat.
January - March is an excellent time of year to enjoy the snow in Ouray! Although it's winter, the sun is still typically shining! This makes Ouray the perfect location for a winter elopement.
Best places to stay for your Ouray elopement
Ouray might be a small little mountain town, but there are still some great lodging options in the area. Here are a few of my favorite options:
Ouray Elopement Stories
My photography style is artistic, and honest, with a mix of candid and curated moments, and a focus on the little details that tell the larger story. My work is inspired by the magic that happen when significant, intimate moments meet vast, wild landscapes.
To get an idea of the kind of gallery and experience you'll walk away with when you hire me as your Ouray elopement photographer, check out some recent Ouray elopement stories on the blog.
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Where to Elope in the San Juan Mountains
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How to Elope in Telluride
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Ouray Elopement Planning Resources
How to Plan a Meaningful Elopement in Colorado
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Check out a few guides I have written for some in depth tips and practical advice on planning your Ouray Elopement.
LET'S DO THIS
Ouray Elopement Packages
My packages are structured to accommodate the spontaneous, relaxed nature of elopement days, and to document the full story of the day, so packages start at 8 hours of coverage, and range up to immersive, multi day experiences. All packages include my custom planning services, and photography documentation. My pricing is all inclusive, so there are no hidden fees or additional travel costs.
Sunset Package
Custom location scouting
+ Timeline creation
+ Permit assistance
+ Vendor recommendations
+ Online gallery of high resolution images
Up to 8 hours of photography coverage - a day full of adventure and exploring multiple locations. This package gives you the chance to have your full wedding day documented from start to finish.
$7,800
Sunrise + Sunset Package
Custom location scouting
+ Timeline creation
+ Permit assistance
+ Vendor recommendations
+ Online gallery of high resolution images
Up to 10 hours of photography coverage - everything that's included with the Sunset Package, plus an additional morning session - this allows for even more imagery, more of your story told, and more flexibility in your schedule
$9,500
Get in touch for my full pricing guides + to schedule a free elopement consultation with me, so we can start dreaming up some ideas together.
Book with me
Ready to start planning your OUray elopement?
Just fill out the form below, and I'll get back to you within 48 hours. I’ll send you a detailed guide that includes all of my elopement packages, then we can set up a time to chat over the phone to discuss all the possibilities for your day.
