The Sunrise Elopement We’re Swooning Over & Tips to Plan Yours

This sunrise elopement was particularly special because we got to create and celebrate alongside our dear friends, Allison and Ryan. Their elopement day was completely immersed in nature, allowing them to be fully present in their love and the landscape around them.

Alli and Ryan reached out to us right after they got engaged. We were over the moon with joy and excitement to help these two buddies plan the perfect day! From the very beginning, they wove intention and connection into each aspect of the planning process.

Because this day wasn’t just about stunning photos and mind-blowing landscapes. It was about starting this chapter of their lives intentionally and authentically. Experience over everything is the motto to keep in mind as you’re planning your day.

In our opinion, beautiful photos are where creative documentation and intentional planning meet. We know that our couples would agree.

We’ve known these two incredible folks for ages. Allison being a close friend since our college years, and meeting Ryan at the very beginning of their relationship.

It’s challenging to put into words how incredible it is to witness a relationship begin and then document the day where a new chapter of it begins.

Helping them create the most stunning day that was so meaningful was the deepest honor as adventure elopement photographers.

Allison and Ryan knew they wanted a spring elopement. They were both drawn to water features and gorgeous mountains, but wanted to avoid snow.

Spring can, of course, be tricky in this regard. After our initial planning call, we were able to narrow their general location to Colorado.

This felt like the perfect spot to lean into as Allison spent her childhood there, and it was a corner of the U.S. Ryan hadn’t explored.

We decided to narrow our location research even more to avoid late snow and trail closures. We knew that the San Juans would have everything they were hoping for.

Location Scouting for their sunrise elopement

When we scout out locations, we do a deep dive. Thorough research about how the landscape will look when you’re there, accessibility, and what the light will most likely look like are some of the most important pieces.

Another big piece of location scouting that we help our couples with is researching any necessary permits, Leave No Trace specifications for the area, and local places to check out while you’re in the area.

For Allison and Ryan’s sunrise elopement, we focused on crafting a timeline that allowed for plenty of spontaneity and also gave them the opportunity to make the most of the GORGEOUS morning light.

Check out our elopement packages to see everything we help our couples with.

We met in the parking lot of their ceremony location for their sunrise elopement. We arrived a few days early in Telluride to scout out locations for their day, and to add a few to our own personal log.

There were a few different ways to access the falls, we opted to all pile into our subie and drive up the rugged road to make the most of the morning.

Another reason we love sunrise elopements is that there’s a better chance for spotting wildlife, and Allison and Ryan’s day was no exception.

From the parking lot, we spotted a small herd of elk and caught glimpses of the cutest lil’ marmot on our way up to the falls.

There are a few pullouts on the road to the falls that have some STUNNING views. Of course, we took a few to soak in the soft morning light and beautiful mountain views.

You could hear the falls before you could see them. The force of the falls was so powerful it created gusts of wind and a thick mist. Both of these elements honestly made everything sooo gorgeous and dynamic. Full disclosure though, it was V cold and wet.

Sam served as the officiant during their sunrise elopement ceremony, which included a sweet hand fasting from cords they made together.

Choosing sunrise for their elopement ceremony meant that even in this mega popular spot, they had it all to themselves. The falls provided another layer of privacy, as they thundered during their ceremony.

Allison and Ryan put so much thought into their ceremony and the details for their day. We absolutely LOVE when our couples infuse their day with meaningful touches that make their story so unique.

After their sunrise ceremony, we took some time to explore the area and chase a cute lil’ rainbow in the mist.

This entire morning felt so magical and peaceful. Truly, it felt like a dream watching these two explore the landscape and soak in the early morning light.

After exploring, Allison and Ryan decided to head to location #2, grabbing some coffee + breakfast from one of our fave spots in Telluride, The Butcher & The Baker.

After their sunrise elopement, Ryan and Allison wanted to chill by a beautiful lake, sip coffee, eat breakfast, and connect. We knew just the place! A quick 15 minute drive took us to the most stunning lake surrounded by snowy mountains.

We found a picturesque spot for them on the shore of the lake where they could warm up in the sun and read letters from their friends and family.

We spent the afternoon exploring, birdwatching, and waving at paddle-boarders shouting congrats from the lake.

As adventure elopement photographers, we’ve signed a lot of marriage licenses, but signing for our long-time pals felt extra meaningful.

There are many elopements where we serve as the only witnesses to our couples vows. The honor and responsibility of being the only folks witnessing these sacred moments between our couples is never lost on us.

We’ll never forget the joy of planning this day with Ryan and Allison. The excitement and anticipation as we hopped on calls, finalized timelines, and wrote their ceremony together made us fall even more in love with what we do.

Allison and Ryan recently celebrated their first marriage ceremony! We can say without a doubt that this day was a bucket list experience. Watching two friends commit their lives to each other in the most beautiful location was a dream. Love these two and their beautiful story.

“Sam and Kyle are not just photographers. They really help construct a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

They created a day for us that was beyond magical. It was a day of intention, thoughtfulness, presence and all good energy and that was 100% because of them and their planning and preparation.

They put a lot of work into understanding who me and my partner were to ensure a day that was right for us and what we wanted.

They were extremely easy going and made us feel so comfortable when it came to our concerns, questions and even last minute change requests.

Additionally, Sam helped me feel my best and most beautiful throughout the day. And Kyle went out of his way to make sure they were capturing the most creative shots for us.

Since showing some of our photos to friends and family we have been inundated with messages about how they are hands down the most beautiful photos they have ever seen.

They’ll be in the history books of our story and I’m certain they’ll always receive the same response of being blown away with their beauty.

Knowing that we have breathtaking photos to show forever is my favorite part of this whole experience. Other than the new beginnings with my husband thing.

If adventure elopement is what you’re thinking for your day, I promise you these are the professionals to go with.” – A

See what other couples are saying about working with us, here.

For more sunrise elopement and adventure elopement inspo, check out these resources:

How to Elope in Washington State: Washington State is home to some of the most stunning stunning mountain sunrise elopement locations.

Olympic National Park Wedding: Beautiful rainforest and old growth forests perfect for exploring after your sunrise elopement. Olympic is so diverse that you can also pair mountains, beaches and stunning lakes into your sunrise elopement.

Mount Rainier Elopement: A guide to eloping in one of the most iconic mountains in Washington. It is also home to a temperate rainforest, gushing falls, and old-growth forests. An incredible spot for a sunrise elopement.

Oregon Coast Elopement Guide: Home to some of the most beautiful coastal rainforests, and the southern coast is *right* next to some of the most incredible Redwood groves you’ll ever see. Perfect for a sunrise elopement!

N+ N Forest Wedding

A+S Coastal Elopement

A+T Hiking Elopement

Stunning Ruby Beach Elopement

J+C Backpacking Wedding

Olympic National Park Elopement Guide

Mount Rainier Elopement Guide

How to Elope in Washington State

North Cascades Elopement Guide

Best Places to Elope in Washington

Oregon Coast Elopement Guide