Rugged Off-Road Adventure Wedding in Ouray, Colorado

Stunning Two-Day Colorado Off-Road Adventure Wedding

This off-road adventure wedding is unlike anything we’ve ever captured before! It was such an incredible adventure, starting with Colorado engagement photos the day before L + E’s elopement. We did some off-road adventuring around Yankee Boy Basin for couples photos, and to get to know the two of them even better!

Then, for day two, we explored an epic alpine lake with their closest family members. Everyone had an absolute blast wheeling on this trail! It was the perfect balance of being easy enough for their guests, and also challenging enough to enjoy the drive up to the lake. We also had the most incredible weather for an early October elopement! It was chilly, but also super sunny. I don’t think the day could have been more perfect if we tried! Keep scrolling to hear more about the adventure and to check out the full gallery at the end 🥰

Day One: 4×4 Colorado Engagement Photos in Yankee Boy Basin

For day one, we planned an engagement session adventure in Yankee Boy Basin! We originally wanted to try a trail that split off from Yankee Boy Basin, called Government Basin. The trail started to become more challenging, but we were all having a good time! Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it to the lake because there was snow and ice that hadn’t melted from the shade of the trees. It was going to be too dangerous to continue, so we headed back down and decided to continue on Yankee Boy Basin.

We explored a waterfall, several overlooks of the basin, and ended up at a little lake! Once we got to the lake, it was completely in shade, so we were super cold. But L + E toughed it out, and we all had a great time hanging out while the sun went down. Getting to take some couple’s photos prior to your wedding day is an awesome way to beat the nerves of being in front of a camera. It’s also a great way to get to know your photo and video team, and for us to learn how to best pose you! It was the perfect start to their epic Colorado elopement adventure.

Tips For Driving Yankee Boy Basin

• Take it slow. This is a one lane road with a few pullouts along the way. There are a lot of blind corners and the last thing you want is to end up in a fender bender on the trail! 
• Don’t do more than what your vehicle is capable of. It can be easy to think that you can tackle anything in your rig, but it’s important to understand your vehicles limits. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
• Make sure to go with someone. It can be extremely helpful to have an extra person to help spot your line and give second opinions on what the best course of action might be. L + E had this DOWN! They were amazing at helping each other navigate this 4×4 road.

Day Two: Alpine Lake Micro-Wedding Adventure in Ouray, Colorado

When L + E initially told us that they wanted to elope, they didn’t really have a plan of where or what they wanted to do. So, we got to know them both a bit better over zoom and the questionnaires we send all of our couples, and one of their favorite things to do is off-road! We suggested they incorporate that into their day, and they were immediately down for the adventure. So, we researched a ton of off-road trails all throughout southwestern Colorado and compiled a detailed list for them to choose from.

When we put together location guides, we do a lot of online research, as well as in-person scouting. For off-road trails, we check out multiple websites, recent reviews, photos, Google Earth, etc. to make sure that it’s a good trail for a small wedding. Then, we try to get down there prior to the couple’s day to do the trail ourselves. We always have backup trails in mind because you never know what circumstances might take place that prevent you from going with Plan A.

We were so excited when L + E chose this trail because it was the perfect combination of beautiful and adventurous, without being too long or difficult for their family members to navigate.

Getting Ready At A Cute Cabin

For the start of their micro-wedding day, we all met at an Airbnb in Ouray. Everyone was getting ready and packing all of the things they needed for an epic off-road adventure! The Airbnb that L + E chose was perfect because it could house all of their guests (as well as their pups), and it was close to a beautiful grove of trees that we designated as a backup location.

Off-Road Adventure!

After we packed up, we all drove to the trailhead for the start of L + E’s 4×4 adventure. We drove first so that we could stop the caravan whenever we saw a good photo/video opportunity! Since we had done this trail prior to L + E’s day, we had all of our stops planned out already. Their family was super excited about the process, and everyone had a blast on the road! It wasn’t super challenging, but there were a few fun boulders to climb over and puddles to drive through.

If you’re interested in planning an off-road adventure wedding, and you’re inviting guests, we have a few recommendations:

1. Hire professional drivers for any guests that don’t have prior off-roading experience. We often recommend hiring a professional anyway just for an easy and safe experience!
2. You’re going to need more time in your timeline. Driving on forest service road and 4×4 trails takes a lot longer than you’d expect, so it’s important to always add plenty of time into your day! This is especially the case if you’re trying to make a sunrise or sunset time (which we were for this day).
3. Always have recovery gear with you! Always, always, always.

Beautiful First Look

L + E wanted to have a private first look moment, so we scouted out this spot along the alpine lake. Their family members finished getting ready for the ceremony while we helped set them up for their special moment. It was so sweet to see their reactions, and capture all of the little moments between them ❤️

Alpine Lake Wedding Ceremony

Since L + E had already legally gotten married, they didn’t want to hire an officiant. But they asked if one of us would be willing to facilitate the wedding ceremony! So, Adam got ordained and wrote a short ceremony script for them. Laurel’s parents walked her down the “aisle” while Eric waited in front of the lake for her. It was a beautiful ceremony with the most incredible backdrop EVER. Afterwards, we took some family and couple’s portraits to celebrate before the sun dropped below the mountains!

Post-Wedding Celebration!

The post-ceremony celebration consisted of hot cocoa in customized mugs that L + E gifted everyone. We keep the cute mugs in our camping gear now! And they had a yummy charcuterie display in front of their rigs that we all got to enjoy. Oh, and we can’t forget about the dog cupcakes that Laurel had for their 3 pups!

Alpine Lake + Off-Road Wedding Portraits

We finished up their Ouray adventure wedding with some afternoon portraits at the lake and along the 4×4 trail on our way out. This was one of our favorite adventures that we’ve been able to document! L + E are amazing people, and we feel so honored to have been able to capture their wedding. I don’t think we’ll ever get over this day!

Ouray Micro-Wedding Gallery

Here’s the curated final gallery for this incredible off-road 4×4 elopement in Ouray, Colorado! Check it out below, and reach out to us to book your Colorado adventure wedding!