Reflecting on Our Elopement in Crested Butte
As our wedding anniversary approaches, Soraya and I have been reminiscing about our storybook elopement in Crested Butte, Colorado. It was an adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes, little moments of joy, and the start of our life together in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Looking back now, it feels like the perfect beginning to the journey we’re still on—capturing love stories in wild, natural places.
Flying into Denver
Our adventure began with a flight into Denver. In hindsight, we should have given ourselves a night or two to acclimate before heading straight into the mountains. Altitude hits fast—and while we had patches to help with the adjustment, even our videographer needed a little backup! Thankfully, our first stop was In-N-Out, which (for Soraya) was a glorious first-time burger experience that immediately lifted spirits.
With full bellies, we picked up our SUV rental, stocked up at Whole Foods on picnic essentials—salami, olives, a baguette, grapes, and a few bottles of wine for celebrating—and then set off toward Crested Butte.
The Drive to Crested Butte
The road itself was an adventure. Snow still lingered in the high country, even in July. We passed fly fishers along the Taylor River and couldn’t resist stopping at a little lodge called Harmels on the Taylor for coffee with the sound of rushing water beside us.
As the miles passed, the landscape transformed into rolling meadows bursting with wildflowers—brilliant yellows and purples blanketing the mountainsides. When we finally pulled into Crested Butte, the cool 60° mountain air greeted us like a refreshing embrace after Denver’s heat.
Wedding Preparations
The morning of our wedding was a mix of small-town charm and simple joys. We drove into Gunnison to pick up our marriage license and our lemon-raspberry mini wedding cake. We grabbed breakfast burritos and coffee at a local spot called Mochas, feeling the warmth of the community woven into every step of the day.
Back in Crested Butte, Soraya’s bouquet was waiting—wild and colorful, as though it had just been gathered from a summer field. With flowers in hand, she slipped into hair and makeup while I readied myself for what was to come.
The Elopement
Our photographer and her dad (who expertly handled the mountain jeep roads) led us up toward Emerald Lake. Rain greeted us on the drive, but the skies cleared just as we found our spot, and golden light spilled across the fields.
At a quiet little campsite, Soraya changed into her wedding dress while we wrote our vows in leather notebooks. Surrounded by wildflowers, we spoke promises to one another with laughter, tears, and the biggest smiles. When I saw Soraya in her dress, I couldn’t help but giggle—I was overwhelmed by how beautiful she looked.
We continued up the mountain to Emerald Lake, where Soraya hugged an evergreen tree before we settled in by the emerald waters for a picnic of cake and wine. We kicked off our boots, meditated by the shoreline, and let the vast stillness of the mountains sink in.
As the evening closed, we found a ridge overlooking a winding river and shared our first dance. Our photographer popped champagne, laughter filled the mountain air, and the day ended in pure magic—simple, joyful, and completely us.
Looking Back
That day in Crested Butte was more than just our wedding—it set the tone for how we live and how we photograph. It was intimate, adventurous, and deeply connected to nature.
Now, as Cannon Beach photographers, we carry those same values into every session. Just like our elopement, we want the couples we work with to feel the freedom of slowing down, savoring the beauty around them, and creating memories that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.