Okay, when it comes to the funnest adventure elopements we’ve ever been on, this Telluride elopement and jeeping adventure definitely is at the top of the list! We spent a full-value day off-roading with these two over epic mountain passes and through old abandoned gold mines, capping it off with a dramatic sunset on top of the world.
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How to have an epic telluride elopement: rent a jeep!
Talk about an epic way to get married! When you travel to Telluride or Ouray, renting a Jeep should be the first thing you do. There are soooo many fun 4×4 roads to explore these beautiful mountains on and a Jeep is your ticket to get there easily. The amount of adventure and scenic vistas we packed into this elopement in a single day is gonna be hard to top.
We met Emily and Matt at their hotel in downtown Telluride to kick off the day. After they were finished getting ready, we piled into our Jeeps (shout out to Colorado 145 for the badass jeep rental) and hit the road to the beginning of the jeep trailhead up our first mountain pass.
The agenda was for the day was ambitious to say the least: Travel from Telluride to Ouray by rugged 4×4 roads, climbing over mountain passes and visiting multiple alpine basins before finally ending with a high elevation hike for sunset. In the end, we managed to squeeze it all in for one of the most epic elopements ever!
Our first stop was the summit of a mountain pass with an elevation of over 13,000 feet, where we planned to do the first look. The drive up got us giddy for our off-roading adventure. Navigating the rugged terrain in a Jeep is more fun than we ever imagined and the views just kept getting better and better the higher we climbed.Â
Love the Colorado mountains? Check out our “Best Places to Elope in Washington” for more dreamy mountains
A First Look Surprise high above Telluride
During the first look, Emily surprised Matt with his grandfather’s watch and it was such a special moment. Bringing a little surprise gift or letter to your first look is a great idea and always makes for some beautiful memories.
Related: Read our Unique Eloping Ideas post for more elopement inspo
We wandered around a bit on the summit of the pass, checking out the views in every direction. Then we hopped back into the Jeeps and carried on to the ceremony location we had scouted out – a serene turquoise alpine lake in a beautiful basin.
A Serene Elopement Ceremony in an Alpine Basin
When we pulled up to the basin for their ceremony, we all took a moment to just gaze in wonder at the surrounding area. Jagged mountain peaks, a perfect aqua alpine lake, wildflower meadows, the faint whistling of marmots scampering around the hillsides…this is easily one of the most enchanting areas in all of Colorado. Matt and Emily brought their dog Rufus along (never leave the dog behind!) as their elopement guest of honor, so we spent a while just hanging out and throwing frisbees for him.Â
Then it was ceremony time. We had the whole basin to ourselves, so these two got to say their vows to each other surrounded by nothing but the raw beauty of this Colorado wonderland.
As the final hurrah of this epic Colorado jeeping elopement, we hopped in the Jeeps once more and booked it to the top of yet another magical basin. We parked at the trailhead a little before sunset and started the mile long hike up. That sounds easy, but since the trail starts at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level we all definitely felt the elevation! We paused halfway for a little picnic, then romped up to the summit of the pass just in time for a sunset first dance. Talk about a magical way to end one epic day. We are officially hooked on Colorado Jeeping elopements and can’t wait to go back for more off road adventures!Â
Planning an Elopement of your own? Check out these elopement planning resources:
Unique Eloping Ideas while you plan your dream day
Elopement Essentials: 3 Things Every Elopement Needs
Elopement Dress Style Guide for Adventure
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What is an Adventure Elopement? A Breakdown of the Day
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