Off-Road Elopement and Jeep Adventure: A Romantic Getaway in Ouray, Colorado
Katie & Caroline’s off-road elopement in Ouray, Colorado was pure exhilaration! We had the honor of hanging out with them from their first look at sunrise through our Jeep adventure beyond sunset. It was a perfect way for Katie and Caroline to experience something new, connect to the landscape and wildlife, and be fully alive with one another! It was also a perfect way for all of us to bond and connect on a deeper level.
This part of Colorado is absolutely adorable because there are such a wide variety of gorgeous landscapes and radiant, vibrant colors. We navigated multiple trails, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and mountains (among other places). Please enjoy some of the sweetest moments from this wildly romantic elopement adventure!
Two-Part Elopement Ceremony
The first part of Katie and Caroline’s Ouray elopement ceremony began at dawn. We met up with them just before the sun began to rise and helped them coordinate a first look at the shoreline. Shortly thereafter, Kevin officiated their ceremony where Katie and Caroline exchanged rings and celebrated with their friends and family.
The second part of their elopement ceremony happened near sunset after our off-road elopement adventure! It was a tough drive to reach the apex of the mountain so we collectively paused for a few moments to catch our breaths and recalibrate. It was also nice to peek around the mountaintop and take a few more portraits while the sun was just getting tucked beneath the horizon. When the time felt right, Katie and Caroline exchanged their handwritten, personal vows with one another.
What to Expect During Your Off-Road Elopement
If you have experience driving some sort of SUV, truck, or Jeep on extremely uneven terrain, then you probably have a pretty good idea of what to expect. If you have never driven in this type of environment, we don’t recommend trying it for the first time during your elopement. Of course, everyone’s experience may vary, but it can certainly be quite stressful. Even when you have an adequate vehicle, it requires continual effort and consistent focus to navigate extremely rugged and rocky terrain.
On Yankee Boy Basin, the path toward the summit is subject to incredibly harsh winds throughout the year. Remember that conditions of high-elevation roads like Yankee Boy Basin are ever-changing. Be extremely careful if you attempt to traverse questionable circumstances. Also, remember that coming down in some areas can actually be more difficult than going up.
Tips for Driving Yankee Boy Basin
Some guides rate Yankee Boy Basin as easy to moderate. In our experience, it isn’t too challenging for much of the first half. Beyond that, it becomes increasingly more difficult. There are a few very tricky areas that require an experienced driver to navigate. Overall, we do not recommend Yankee Boy Basin to first-time off-road drivers.
It’s also always a good idea to travel with a satellite phone and first aid kit in case of emergency. Never park your vehicle on loose gravel or anything that isn’t a durable surface. Bring plenty of water and snacks just in case you get stuck.
Hiring a professional driver is a great way to enjoy an off-road elopement without the stress of driving. You may also consider renting a UTV (utility task vehicle). UTVs are small, compact, and somewhat easier to handle than larger vehicles.
Love & Adrenaline
Love and adrenaline are extremely powerful – we bonded hard with Katie & Caroline! Exploring the varying terrain and seeing so much wildlife with these ladies was truly exhilarating! It was also wildly refreshing to see the vast patches of colorful wildflowers and the pollinating hummingbird Hawk-moths! These creatures are exactly what they sound like – they’re a combination of a hummingbird and a moth. They also have unexpectedly long and curly tongues! We even saw four male bucks grazing together, which is incredibly rare.
Hire us as your 4×4 Off-Road Elopement Photographer Team
Would you like help planning your 4×4 off-road elopement? We’ve got you covered and can help you with all of the details! Please reach out and tell us all about your dream elopement!
Client Love
“My wife and I cannot say enough positive things about Meg & Kevin. From the first phone call over a year ago, throughout the entire wedding/elopement planning process (recommendations, timeline, jeep rentals, etc.), and especially our wedding day, Meg & Kevin were completely amazing humans. They listened to everything we said, and “ran wild with it”. We ended up having truly the most magical experience, and we have these two incredible, creative, kind, hilarious and beautiful humans to thank for it!
Despite only knowing each other through Instagram, emails and phone calls, when we met them at 6am for our ceremony, we were immediately at ease. Meg & Kevin have this way about them that make you feel like you’ve been friends for the longest time and we feel lucky we were able to share so much with them. Also – there couldn’t have been a better person to officiate our ceremony than Kevin, because just the sound of his voice makes you feel calm and happy.
My wife and I were a little nervous about the actual photography aspect of our day because we had never had professional photos like this done before, and neither of us typically enjoy a lot of attention; however, Meg and Kevin are PURE MAGIC. Not once did we feel like we were put on the spot or even getting our photos taken for that matter – everything was so easy and natural. We honestly felt like we were just having a fun time with friends enjoying the beauty around us (in fancy clothes). Usually people will say “the photos don’t do it justice” but in this case, when we look at our photos, we are immediately transported back to the best day ever.” – Caroline + Katie
Vendors:
Jeep Rental: Colorado West
Dress: Lovely Bride, Rochester, NY
Tailoring/alterations: Mary Ellen Hill
Suit: ONE Custom Clothier, Rochester, NY
Earrings: Bespoke Designs by Mary Ellen Hill
Rings – Brilliant Earth & Charisma Jewelers, Rochester, NY,
Shoes: Betsy Johnson
Hair & Make-up Artist – Crystal Gillis: Wild Brides Backcountry
