A Moody Mountain Elopement at Alta Lakes in Telluride, Colorado — Katie & Zach
Katie and Zach traveled from Chicago to Colorado for the first time to elope in the San Juan Mountains, trusting us to choose a location that felt intimate, wild, and unforgettable. Their September elopement at Alta Lakes near Telluride unfolded through unexpected storms, misty mountain fog, reflective alpine lakes, and quiet moments shared with their two dogs. It was an emotional and magical evening that perfectly embodied the kind of intentional and cinematic mountain elopements we love documenting in Colorado.
Why They Chose to Elope in Telluride
Katie and Zach knew they didn’t want a traditional wedding. They wanted something smaller, quieter, and deeply meaningful — an experience that felt like them. Coming from Chicago and having never been to Colorado before, they chose to elope somewhere entirely new, placing a lot of trust in us to help shape their day.
Telluride immediately felt right. Tucked deep into the San Juan Mountains, it offers a sense of remoteness and scale that’s hard to find elsewhere in Colorado(It made my list of Top 5 Places to Elope in Colorado). Alta Lakes, in particular, is one of those rare places that feels cinematic from every angle — serene and reflective alpine water, rugged peaks and ridges, and an atmosphere that shifts dramatically with the weather.
When the Mountains Changed the Plan
The plan was simple: meet in the afternoon, head up to Alta Lakes, and time the ceremony with sunset. But Colorado had other ideas.
That afternoon, an unexpected storm rolled through the area — bringing heavy rain, lightning, and even hail. We met Katie and Zach at their hotel in Telluride while rain hammered the windows and uncertainty filled the room. Instead of rushing, we slowed everything down.
They each got ready separately alongside their two Australian Shepherds, Zephyr and Apollo, before sharing a quiet first look on the covered hotel balcony. Rain still falling, but spirits high.
An Intimate Ceremony at Alta Lakes
Eventually, we made the call to go for it. We loaded up and made our way up the rocky 4×4 road toward Alta Lakes, rain still falling as we hiked toward the second lake with umbrellas in hand and muddy paw prints trailing behind us.
And then — almost suddenly — the storm lifted.
With no one else around, we found a serene spot along the shoreline, backed by a towering, mist-covered ridgeline. Katie and Zach stood beside the water with their dogs at their feet and read handwritten vows to each other.
A Moment of Laughter in the Middle of It All
In the middle of their vows, one of their dogs began joyfully rolling in the mud, sending everyone into laughter. It was unscripted and hilarious — a reminder that this day wasn’t about perfection, but presence and moments.
Fog, Reflection, and Last Light
After the ceremony, fog began to rise slowly behind them, wrapping the mountains in soft, moody layers — a rare and fleeting scene in Colorado’s usually dry and sunny climate.
As the sun dipped lower, we made our way down to the lower lake. Sparse clouds filtered the last light of the day, creating soft, even tones that felt calm and grounded.
Signing the License & Quiet Celebration
Katie and Zach signed their marriage license on a rock, then danced together at the water’s edge, sharing private moments as the day came to a close.
Documenting an Elopement in Telluride, Colorado
As their Telluride elopement photographer and filmmaker, our role went far beyond documenting images. We helped plan the flow of the day, adjusted timelines around weather, navigated logistics, and created space for moments to unfold naturally.
From photography and film to drone footage capturing the scale of the San Juan Mountains, our goal was to preserve not just how the day looked — but how it felt.
Their Experience:
“5 stars is not enough! Caleb and Amy did an incredible job with our shoot. Me and my wife eloped to Telluride with our pups. They were very easy to communicate with, flexible, and patient with our pups. Before our big day, they communicated often, asked many questions, and really did their homework in order to create the type of atmosphere we wanted. We were brand new to Telluride, and in a way they acted as our wedding planners- planning every step, with a detailed itinerary that helped give us a gameplan for the day. Once we got to our shoot at Alta Lakes, they were very professional, creative- and the best way to describe their craft is EPIC. They captured every detail of the mountains, the reflection in the water, the dissipating clouds in the distance. My wife and I now have memories of our amazing day with our two pups that we can cherish forever. I would recommend Caleb and Amy to ANYONE. We are so glad to have met them and that they were a part of our day.”
- K + Z // 9.5.25
Considering an Elopement in Telluride or the San Juan Mountains?
Alta Lakes is one of the most magical places to elope in Colorado, especially for couples who value intimacy, dramatic landscapes, and an experience shaped by nature rather than schedules.
If you’re dreaming of an intentional mountain elopement in Telluride or anywhere in Colorado, we’d love to help you craft a day that feels true to you.
Learn more about our Destination Elopement Photography & Videography
Planning a larger celebration instead? Check out our Wedding Photography & Videography Info Here.
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