Aeda + Sam, Telluride; Photos by Kimberly Crist.

Some couples don’t want the traditional 200-person guest list, multi-course reception, four-tier cake or elaborate floral arrangements. Some couples just want to share their vows on a 14er at sunrise while their Golden Retriever — and no one else — looks on.

That’s where Kimberly Crist steps in. The Denver-based elopement photographer clicks with those who prefer to be barefoot, couples who plunge into backcountry swimming holes for fun and want their day to be sweet and simple.

“I was never an outdoorsy person growing up. But I feel like I’ve really found myself in Colorado,” says Crist. The Ohio native has spent the last 11 years exploring every corner of Colorado and says having the opportunity to connect couples with Colorado’s beauty on such a significant day holds a special place in her heart.

“Working with couples is something I love and something I’m really good at,” says Crist, who left her bartending job in 2018 to pursue wedding photography full time. Thinking back to the first wedding she shot, she remembers a Midwestern couple who reached out on a Tuesday, saying they wanted to get married that Saturday. Crist pulled together the winter “shotgun elopement,” guiding the couple to the Million Dollar Highway near Ouray for gorgeous, snowy wedding photos. They shared their vows on an overlook in the Ouray Ice Park. It was unforgettably beautiful, Crist recalls.

Crist and her husband hiked to an alpine lake with their rescue pup to sign their marriage license. “We just wanted that intentional time spent together,” she says. “The privacy of sharing our vows just between the two of us was really important to us. That’s the perk of eloping — you can do whatever you want.”

Her job has taken her to Telluride waterfalls, Crested Butte wildflower meadows, Lake City overlooks and beyond. When it comes to Western Colorado backdrops, Crist says there’s no shortage of intimate areas perfect for adventurous couples who love sweeping mountain views and pristine lakes.

There are also copious no-hike options for couples who want to remain sweat-free and stress-free. Photographers like Crist who specialize in elopements can provide detailed planning assistance covering everything from site scouting to helping obtain marriage licenses to booking accommodations and connecting couples with vendors.

Here, the professional photographer shares her top Western Colorado elopement spots:

Colorado National Monument

This striking collection of red desert mountains and cliffs is surprisingly underrated, Crist says. She and her partner lived in Grand Junction from 2018 to 2023. One elopement in particular stands out: A mom and dad said their vows during a Book Cliffs sunrise ceremony, with their two children as witnesses.

Don’t forget about Grand Junction’s winery scene. Crist has shot tearful first looks among vineyard rows that will stick with her forever.

The Grand Mesa

Another hidden gem Crist really loves, the Grand Mesa is the world’s largest flat-top mountain and has lots to offer by way of easy trail access, colorful wildflowers, abundant privacy and some of the tallest trees in Colorado.

Gateway

Incredibly diverse and vast, Colorado’s canyon country is a unique spot to elope while capturing rugged red rock settings. Crist recalls one couple’s striking horseback elopement at Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa.

Lake City

Off-the-charts gorgeous in the autumn, this tucked away haven is not only postcard perfect, but it’s chock full of accessible mountainsides, cliffs and overlooks that don’t require strenuous hikes or 4WD.

California Pass

This historic four-wheel-drive road near Silverton was once used to transport gold. Today, it’s an off-roader’s paradise and a mountain top elopement stunner.

Emerald Lake

Just a short drive from Crested Butte up Gothic Road, these emerald-hued waters sit in a quintessential Colorado basin wrapped in pine and wildflowers. Bonus: A community canoe is always available for couples to take a picturesque spin around the lake.

Originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of Spoke+Blossom.

This Is Where To Elope In Western Colorado