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When you book with me, you’re not just booking a photographer. I’m your location scout, timeline planner, and day-of guide. Here’s what a typical Silverton elopement looks like.
Morning light. Most of my elopements start early — we’re often at a location before 8am to catch golden hour light before the day gets busy and before summer storms have a chance to build. The light on the San Juan peaks in the morning is something I’ll never get tired of photographing.
Your ceremony, on your terms. I help you find a location that fits your vision and your physical comfort level. You don’t have to summit a 14er to have a stunning elopement in Silverton — some of the most beautiful places here are accessible by 4WD road. We’ll find your place.
Move through the day. The best elopements I photograph don’t feel like a photoshoot — they feel like a day lived. We hike, we explore, we find good light, we let the day breathe. I step back when you need space and step in when the moment is right.
The golden hour. If we’ve planned a full day, we end with the light. Sunset on the San Juan peaks is not a small thing. We stay for it.
Astrophotography (full-day packages). If the sky cooperates, we end the night under the Milky Way. Silverton’s darkness makes this possible in a way that most locations can’t offer.
What to Expect on Your Elopement Day:
San Juan Mountains Edition
From a photographer who actually lives here
Practical Things to Know
Altitude. Silverton sits at 9,318 feet. If you’re flying in from sea level, plan to arrive a day or two early to acclimate. Headaches, fatigue, and breathlessness are normal in the first 24 hours. Drink a lot of water and electrolytes. Take it slow.
Getting here. The closest airports are Montrose Regional (MTJ, about 60 miles north) and Durango-La Plata County (DRO, about 50 miles south). You’ll need a car — ideally something with clearance if you want to access backcountry roads. The drive in on Highway 550 from either direction is spectacular and part of the experience.
The train. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad runs a 3.5-hour scenic journey between Durango and Silverton. It’s a genuinely special way to arrive for your elopement.
Weather. Mountain weather changes fast. I watch forecasts obsessively in the days before every elopement and communicate with you if we need to adjust timing. Flexibility is your friend in the mountains — and the backup plan is usually just as beautiful as the original.
What to wear. Dress for the adventure, but don’t sacrifice comfort for aesthetics. Layers are essential at elevation. I help every couple think through what to wear for their specific locations and weather forecast. A flowing dress in the wildflowers is magical; it’s also cold at 12,000 feet before the sun’s fully up. We’ll figure it out together.
Ready to Elope in Silverton?
The couples who find their way to Silverton are a specific kind of people. They’re not looking for perfect. They’re looking for real. They want a day that moves — that has wind in it, and light, and the particular feeling of being somewhere that asks something of you.
If that’s you, I’d love to help you plan it.
Milky Way and Mountains is a Silverton, Colorado adventure elopement photography business serving the San Juan Mountains, including Ouray, Telluride, Durango, and beyond. Based in Silverton — not visiting it.