Dreamy Ouray Elopement

CJ + Karmyn: A Dreamy Ouray Elopement at Crystal Lake

CJ and Karmyn made the trip from Dallas, Texas, just for their Dreamy Ouray Elopement at Crystal Lake on Red Mountain Pass in Ouray. Let me tell you, the day was nothing short of amazing. I’m totally obsessed with the photos we got—the location was stunning, and the couple’s vibe made everything so special.

There had been some talk by Ouray County about draining the lake because of dam issues, but thank God, it wasn’t fully drained and didn’t take away from the beauty. CJ and Karmyn were so excited about this location! There was still plenty of gorgeous water to work with and the drain was really not a huge issue. The reflection of those red mountains in the lake when the sun started to set was just incredible.

CJ rocked a gold suit, which was such a unique and fun choice, and Karmyn looked absolutely stunning in her lace dress, seriously breathtaking. My friend tagged along (definitely not because I hate driving red mountain by myself), who’s obsessed with wildflowers, couldn’t help herself and gathered some blooms from around us to make Karmyn a beautiful bouquet. It was such a sweet, personal touch. Side note: my friend is also an amazing photographer, and we love shooting together. We always laugh and have the best time! She’s a gem.

Honestly, I loved that we had three whole hours to shoot all the photos. It gave us the freedom to be super creative and really enjoy the process. No rush, no set schedule—just wandering around, capturing moments, and soaking in the scenery. So, after their sweet first look and vows, we did a little impromptu first dance! So fun! I played Elvis’s “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” on my iPhone, and they danced as the sun set. It was such a perfect moment, and we kept joking that no one has ever had a more immaculate back drop then theirs for their first dance.

Signing the marriage certificate and getting to be a witness again was a blast, seriously- how special is that! Elopements have such a unique and intimate feel, and this one was no exception. Karmyn also brought a special lantern from her grammy, and using it as the sun went down was absolutely epic and some of my very favorite images of the day. The combination of the lantern, the setting, and the couple made for some unforgettable shots.

As the day wrapped up, we celebrated with a champagne pop, which was such so fun! We found a spot where the sunset reflected off the sky, creating a magical display of colors between the mountains. It almost looked unreal with the way the sky changed from vibrant hues to soft pastels.

This Crystal Lake Elopement was a beautiful reminder of why I love these intimate moments. Can’t wait for the next adventure! Oh, and bring on all the elopements!

Check out some more of my favorites from this Dreamy Ouray Crystal Lake Elopement!