Telluride Elopement Photographer
SMALL WEDDINGS, ELOPEMENTS & ADVENTURE SESSIONS IN Telluride
LET'S ADVENTURE
The Telluride elopement you've been dreaming of.
Are you dreaming of an elopement in the remote Colorado mountains? I can't recommend a better place to elope than Telluride. Telluride is located in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, home to hundreds of Jeeping trails, and the most beautiful landscapes in the state (and possibly the country). This area of Colorado is remote, rugged and wild, and it's so easy to find privacy and seclusion, making it a perfect place to say your vows.
Beyond just your elopement, there are so many fun activities to do out in Telluride, like Jeeping into the mountains, hiking to iconic alpine lakes, trying out the Via Ferrata, and eating at the best local spots!
I want that
Hey, I'm Carissa! Telluride Elopement Photographer
I’m so excited that you are dreaming up an elopement in Telluride. Telluride is one of the best places in the country for an elopement. The mountains are rugged, and vast, with Jeeping trails that stretch miles into the remote backcountry. The landscape is diverse, with fields of wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, high alpine terrain, and snow-capped mountain peaks. There is so much opportunity to find adventure and solitude as you commit your lives to one another.
I've been lucky enough to call Telluride a home for over 20 years, and there is nothing I love for than helping my couples plan intentional elopement experiences in these mountains I love so much. Think of me as your guide - I’ll help you find the incredible secret spot to say your vows, awesome local vendors to bring your dreams to life, and provide assistance with all the logistics and details that go into planning an unforgettable experience.
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
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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
Eloping in Telluride
Planning a Telluride Elopement
Telluride is known as the Jeeping capitol of the country, with hundreds of trails that allow you to access some of the most remote, wild landscapes you've ever seen. This makes for the perfect elopement activity, because you can find complete solitude, and beautiful locations without having to hike 8 miles into the mountains.
Beyond just Jeeping though, Telluride offers so much more to do on your elopement day - from canyoneering, to riding the gondola, to relaxing in the natural hot springs. There are also tons of awesome Airbnbs, boutique hotels, and off the grid cabins that can make your elopement experience incredible.
Getting married in Telluride is also incredibly easy. Colorado allows you to self-solemnize meaning that you can marry yourselves without the need for an officiant or witness. All you will need is a marriage license which can be picked up at the county clerk's office!
Check out this in-depth guide on how to elope in Telluride.
Where to elope in Telluride
Telluride has so many different incredible elopement locations, whether you want to elope at the base of a waterfall, at the top of a mountain or on the shores of an alpine lake. Having trouble deciding? The good news is that you don't have to choose just one type of location! Most of my couples end up planning a full day elopement experience, and get to explore 2-3 locations on their elopement day.
Here are a few of my favorite spots:
- Trout Lake
- Last Dollar Road
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Alta Lakes
- Blue Lakes
- San Sophia Overlook
- Aspen groves
When to elope in Telluride
Choosing which season you want to elope in Telluride might be one of the hardest decisions you make throughout this entire process.
During the summer months the landscape becomes lush, blanketed with fields of wildflowers that sometimes grow waist-high (seriously!). This is the time of year that the mountains will be most accessible, meaning there will be lots of opportunities for outdoor adventures!
During the fall, the landscape becomes vibrant with the colors of fall! Telluride is home to many groves of aspen trees, so it's one of the best places for fall colors in all of Colorado. The mountain peaks becomes dusted with snow, and the air becomes chilly this time of year, making it perfect for a cozy elopement in the mountains.
Winter elopements often get a bad rep, but winter in Telluride is magical. Most days the temperatures are mild, and the skies are bright and sunny! When it does snow, the landscape is blanketed with white powder, and it's absolutely breathtaking. You might not be able to Jeep or hike at this time of year, but there are still plenty of awesome outdoor activities like sledding, snow-mobiling, snow-shoeing, and ice skating on frozen lakes!
Best places to stay for your Telluride elopement
Telluride has some incredible places to stay for an elopement! I always really encourage my couples to invest in their accommodations, because the place you stay truly has so much of an impact on your elopement experience. Whether you want something more luxurious, or something rustic, and off the grid, Telluride has options for everything!
Here are a few of my top recommendations:
Telluride Elopement Stories
I believe wedding photography is an art form, and when documenting an elopement experience, I aim to capture the full story of the day in an honest, yet artistic way.
To get an idea of the kind of gallery and experience you'll walk away with when you hire me as your Telluride elopement photographer, check out some recent Telluride 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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Telluride 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 Telluride Elopement.
LET'S DO THIS
Telluride 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 Telluride 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.
