Two-Day Telluride & Ouray Elopement with Jeep Adventure
Elissa and Andrew came out to Colorado from Kentucky to create something that felt really intentional and true to them. After being together for over 10 years, they didn’t want a big traditional wedding. They wanted something small, meaningful, and centered around the things they love most: being outside, exploring, and spending time with their close family and their dog, Kiwi.
They originally reached out thinking Telluride or Ouray, and pretty quickly it became clear that both would be perfect for what they were envisioning. They wanted a quiet ceremony with their immediate family in a beautiful, secluded spot, but also time to actually experience the landscape. Hiking to waterfalls, exploring backroads, and finding those unreal mountain views you just can’t get anywhere else.
Instead of trying to fit everything into one rushed day, they chose to spread it out over two days, which gave them the space to slow down and really be present for all of it.
DAY 1: CEREMONY + WATERFALL + LAST DOLLAR ROAD
Elissa and Andrew started their first day with a small ceremony surrounded by their immediate family in a quiet, remote location just outside of Telluride. It felt really relaxed and intentional—nothing rushed, just everyone being present and soaking it in together (with Kiwi right there, of course).
After the ceremony, we headed out for a short hike to a waterfall. This part of the day felt like a shift—less about the structure of a wedding and more about just being together and exploring. It gave them space to breathe a bit and actually experience where they were instead of jumping from one thing to the next.
We ended the day driving along Last Dollar Road at sunset, stopping whenever the light was too good to pass up. This area is one of my favorites around Telluride—it has that open, rugged feel with mountain views that just keep going. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t need much—just good light and a little time to take it in.
DAY 2: JEEP ADVENTURE IN OURAY
For their second day, we leaned fully into the adventure side of things and headed out to Ouray for a jeep day. I organized a private jeep tour with a local 4x4 company: Alpine scenic 4x4 tours, which made it really easy to access some of the higher alpine areas without having to worry about driving.
We spent the day exploring places like Yankee Boy Basin and Governor’s Basin, stopping at different pull-offs, waterfalls, and viewpoints along the way. These areas are absolutely unreal, but most of them aren’t easily accessible without a high-clearance vehicle—so having a jeep completely opens up what’s possible.
It also meant we could cover a lot of ground without feeling rushed. We could stop when we wanted, take our time, and just follow the light and the weather throughout the day.
WHY PLAN A 2-DAY ELOPEMENT IN TELLURIDE / OURAY
One of the best things about Elissa and Andrew’s day was that it didn’t feel rushed.
By spreading everything out over two days, they were able to:
have a meaningful ceremony with family and still have time for just the two of them
explore multiple locations without feeling like they had to squeeze everything in
actually enjoy the experience instead of moving from one timeline event to the next
It also gives you more flexibility with light and weather, which can make a huge difference in the mountains.
BEST LOCATIONS FOR A TELLURIDE / OURAY ELOPEMENT
There are so many incredible spots in this area, but a few that stand out (and that we explored during this elopement) are:
Last Dollar Road – amazing for sunset, wide open views, and easy access
Yankee Boy Basin – alpine wildflowers, waterfalls, and big mountain scenery
Governor’s Basin – a little more tucked away, but just as beautiful
Various waterfall hikes around Telluride and Ouray
What I love about this area is how much variety you can get without having to travel far.
DO YOU NEED A 4X4 FOR YOUR ELOPEMENT?
Short answer—for a lot of the best locations, yes.
Many of the alpine areas around Ouray and Telluride require high-clearance 4WD to access safely. You can rent a vehicle yourself, but I’m happy to organize a private jeep tour with a trusted local company for you.
That’s what Elissa and Andrew did, and it made the day feel a lot more relaxed. They didn’t have to worry about navigating or driving difficult roads, and we could just focus on the experience.
TIPS FOR PLANNING A TELLURIDE ELOPEMENT
A few things to keep in mind if you’re considering this area:
Time of year matters – summer and early fall are the most accessible for higher elevation locations
Weather can change quickly – especially in the mountains, so flexibility is key
Permits – some areas may require them depending on location and group size
Build in extra time – things always take a little longer in the mountains (and you’ll want time to actually enjoy it)
If you’re dreaming of your own Telluride or Ouray elopement and want something that feels both meaningful and a little adventurous, I’d love to help you plan and document it in a way that actually feels like you.