Colorado Elopement Photography & Planning
We plan it all.
You just show up.
Permits, florals, timeline, vendors, cake pick up. We are your full planning partner and photographer.
Your elopement should feel effortless.
Most elopement photographers show up on your day ready to go. We show up months before: learning your vision, sourcing the permits, coordinating every vendor, building the timeline, walking the location before you arrive, all so that on the day itself you have nothing to think about except being present with each other.
Some couples want a courthouse and a candle lit dinner. Others want a multi-day adventure exploring the backcountry in wedding clothes, setting up camp at altitude, saying their vows somewhere that takes effort to reach.
Both are elopements. Both deserve to be captured.
We don't have a template for what an elopement is supposed to look like, we help you build your day from the ground up and we commit to capturing it as it happens. We strive to make your day effortless so that you can live in the moment and feel all the emotions of the day without being bogged down by logistics. Our goal isn’t just to make beautiful photos, our goal is to capture the very essence of the day; from the small details and beautiful scenery that sets the stage, to the heartfelt moments and interactions that are uniquely you.
Thinking about Eloping in Estes Park or Rocky Mountain National Park? Check out our full guide for everything you need to know!
What type of elopement are you looking for?
Here’s whats always included
Location Guide
Give me your vision, whether that be high alpine views, desert rocks, or glistening lakes, and I’ll curate a list of locations that fit perfectly
Area Guide
Part of the joy of eloping is getting to experience the place you’re in. So I provide you a curated lists of lodging, dinning, and activity options for your location.
Personalized Timeline
I consider factors like weather, lighting, crowds, and access when creating your timeline so that your experience can be as effortless and enjoyable as possible.
Full Planning Support
I am your partner in planning. You’ll have direct access to me through email or text for any questions you may have. You can also schedule a planning call or coffee meet up with me whenever you need.
Unlimited Planning Consultations
I work with you to keep you on track in your planning. All decisions will be yours in the end and I’ll keep working with you until we’ve created your dream day.
Vendor Recommendations & Sourcing
If you’re looking for any vendors, from florists and bakers to 4×4 drivers and backcountry guides, I’ll help you source and vet them so you have the perfect team assembled for your day.
Expert Advice on Permitting, Safety, and Leave-No-Trace
I will handle all the research needed around permitting for your location and cover any photography permits required. At all times I carry emergency supplies such as a first aid kit, a satellite communication device, and extra layers to make sure we remain safe. Leave-no-trace is also part of my ethos so I make sure we have everything we need to pack out what we pack in.
Packing Checklists
Since elopements can take us far from civilization, I provide customized packing lists so that you can rest assured that you have everything you need day-of.
Personalized Elopement Planning Assistance
Stunning Digital & Film Elopement Photography
Guided Photography Experience
I plan ahead so I know where the light is, how long a trail might take to hike, and what weather we might encounter. I do this not just so that you can have the best possible photos, but so that the day doesn’t have to feel rushed.
Gentle Posing & Direction
I feel that the best “posing” comes from prompting and letting your personalities show through. I might ask you to frolic in a field and that will look different for each couple, but that’s what makes your photos uniquely yours.
Full Gallery of Hand Edited Images
The art of photography doesn’t all happen in camera. That’s why I personally hand edit all of my own images, ensuring that every photo fits my style and is meticulously crafted to highlight your day.
High-Resolution Film Scans
All film images will be delivered as minimally retouched high-resolution scans. That means they will be true-to-color and imperfect in the beautiful way that only film can be.
Day-Of Parting Gifts
As a thank you for working with me I deliver a parting gift day-of to help you hold close the memories of the day while you await your full gallery.
A love note from Shelby + Sam
“Using Jillian and Ethan for our elopement was one of the best decisions we made! When planning our elopement, making sure to pick the right photographer was one of the most important things to us. It has only been about a month and a half but we have already looked through our pictures more times than I can count.
Before the big day, they made sure they got to know our relationship, what was important to us, and who we are as people. They even found us our perfect elopement spot! Having 2 photographers shooting different angles, and even with different styles, left us with SO many beautiful and unique pictures that we will cherish forever. They guided us into poses and helped us get past our awkwardness of being in front of a camera. They have found the perfect balance of guiding their couples while still remaining 'in the background' so your special moment is between the two of you.
Jillian and Ethan truly captured something so special to us in a way that felt authentic and actually reflects *us*. They absolutely killed it- we cannot thank them enough!”
From first inquiry to last frame.
01 You reach out. We listen.
Tell us the place, the season, the people. Tell us if you want wildflowers or snow. Tell us if you've always imagined hiking in your dress or taking in city lights. We’ll take notes.
02 We research and permit.
We handle every permit application — National Parks, National Forest, State Parks, wherever you want to be. We file everything, confirm everything, follow up on everything.
03 We coordinate your vendors.
Florist, officiant, hair + makeup, cake. We have relationships with Colorado wedding vendors who understand elopements. Or we find exactly who you need.
04 We build your timeline.
Golden hour, location access, hiking time, weather windows, permit windows, vendor arrivals. A real timeline built around how the day actually works.
05 You arrive. We take it from here.
You show up in the dress. We have already been there. We know where the light hits at what time. We carry what needs carrying and we photograph everything.
06 You leave with something tangible.
We send you sneak peeks within 24 hours and leave you with a parting gift on the day itself. Your full gallery will be ready to relive within 6-8 weeks.
How it Works
This collection is for couples who want a real elopement experience without turning it into an all-day production. It gives you enough time for a beautiful location, a ceremony that doesn't feel rushed, portraits with beautiful light, and the in-between moments that make the day feel like yours. We help you build the timeline, sort the permit, find the vendors you need, and have a backup plan ready if the weather turns.
The Adventure
$2400
What you can expect:
1 photographer
4 hours of coverage
35mm film included throughout
sneak peeks in 24 hours
full gallery in 4–6 weeks
travel within Colorado included
Perfect for you if…
your ideal location is accessible
you want the day to feel simple and relaxed
you want thoughtful planning support without needing a full-scale production
you want the rest of the afternoon for yourselves or the people you brought along
The Full Story
This is the package for couples who want their day to actually unfold instead of being squeezed into a tight timeline. With eight hours of coverage there’s plenty of room for multiple locations, a slower pace, splitting time between family celebrations and personal vows, and coverage that captures the full arc of the day rather than just the highlights.
$3600
What you can expect:
1 photographer
8 hours of coverage (option to split coverage between sunrise and sunset)
35mm film included throughout
sneak peeks in 24 hours
full gallery in 4–6 weeks
travel within Colorado included
Perfect for you if…
you want your day documented from beginning to end, not just the ceremony and portraits
you want a more relaxed timeline with room to breathe
you want multiple locations or a more layered experience
you want your day to feel like an experience, not a photoshoot with a ceremony squeezed in
The Summit
Some couples want the wedding to be the adventure itself. A backpacking route, a jeep trail into the backcountry, a sunrise hike and evening of stargazing, a full-day experience that needs time, planning, and the right team behind it. This collection is built for that.
You can use the time straight through or split it across two consecutive days. This is the collection for the couples who want the biggest version of the day and want it documented properly. With an additional photographer and the extra time, we are able to add in medium format film and drone photography to better capture your day.
$5400
What you can expect:
2 photographers
12 hours of coverage (option to split coverage across 2 consecutive days)
35mm & medium format film included throughout
sneak peeks in 24 hours
full gallery in 4–6 weeks
$400 print or album credit
travel within Colorado and bordering states included
Perfect for you if...
the adventure is the wedding
your day includes real travel, effort, or changing conditions
you want room for a sunrise, sunset, or split-day experience
you want the most complete coverage possible
The Courthouse
A weekday courthouse wedding does not need to become a production. This collection is built for couples who want the legal part documented beautifully, with enough time for the ceremony and a set of portraits after. Honest, unfussy, and built for the couple who just want to focus on each other.
*Limited to weekdays Monday-Thursday in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collings, Colorado Springs, and Summit County.
$850
What you can expect:
1 photographer
1.5 hours of coverage
35mm film included throughout
sneak peeks in 24 hours
full gallery in 2–4 weeks
Perfect for you if…
staying in the city is more your vibe
you want the moment documented without turning it into an all-day event
you are not looking for a long timeline or a multi-stop plan
you want something simple, relaxed, and well done
Colorado Elopement Locations
Wherever you want to say "I do.”
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Boulder
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Rocky Mountain NP
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Ward
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![A newlywed couple in wedding attire standing on snow-covered ground in front of mountains with snow and trees, holding snowboarding gear, smiling at each other.]()
Summit County
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Downtown Denver
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![A bride and groom sharing a kiss on a rocky hillside with desert landscape and trees in the background.]()
Morrison
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Crested Butte
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![Loveland Pass]()
Loveland Pass
Things couples are asking about eloping
Do we need permits to elope in Colorado?
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The short answer is: it depends. Rocky Mountain NP has a cap on how many ceremony permits they’ll issue and require reservations months out, while smaller parks require less notice and less stress. But don’t fret, this is all part of our job.
Can we have friends or family at our elopement?
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Yes. Elopements exist on a full spectrum — fully private (just the two of you) to intimate (a small circle of your closest people). Both are beautiful. The key is deciding intentionally. We'll help you think through the logistics regardless.
What is the best time of year to elope in Colorado?
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Every season has something magical and seasons change by elevation. The right season is the one that matches what you want the day to feel like. Spring has a stunning mix of snow and new growth, while summer has abundant wildflowers and long golden hours, fall has an eruption of color in the aspen, and winter has solitude, snow-loaded forests, and stillness.
What if the weather is bad?
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We always have a backup plan. We are meticulous about checking the forecast so we can be prepared for whatever Colorado may throw at us. We also build timeline buffers and alternate locations into every elopement plan incase things go sideways. That being said, we've photographed in rain, snow, fog, and hail and while it may be unpleasant, sometimes moody weather yields the most amazing photos.
A love note from Christy + Will
“Jillian is more than an excellent photographer. She's got a real eye for the details you didn't even notice, and she has a wonderful way of helping you relax and show yourself in every image.
We hired her for our engagement photos as well as our wedding photography, and i'm so glad we did. During the engagement shoot, she discussed and demonstrated various poses as well as relaxed us enough for some really cute spontaneous images. It was a great way to practice things and get to know each other, as well as talk about what we wanted and liked. On the big day, she was able to capture some truly magical shots far beyond what we expected; laughter amongst our guests, silly candid moments, intimate glances, stunning venue details, every little thing you *want* to remember.
We just celebrated 8 years of marriage this November, so I can only imagine her skills have improved even more since then. If you hire her, you will not be disappointed. Thank you, Jillian, from the bottom of our hearts.”
Ready to take the first step?
Tell us your vision, your season, your mountain. We take it from there.
Check out our Elopement Resources
