When it comes to elopement ideas, the best ones aren’t about stiff poses or standing in front of a mountain wondering what to do with your hands; they’re about creating an experience together. As a Colorado elopement photographer, I love helping couples plan days that feel more like an adventure than a photoshoot. Adding something fun or meaningful, whether that’s hiking to an alpine lake, grabbing tacos after your ceremony, or bringing your dog along, shifts the focus away from the camera and back onto each other. That’s when the magic happens. A Colorado elopement should feel like a story unfolding, not a checklist, and the right activities make it easy to relax, be yourselves, and walk away with photos that feel alive and real.

Why Add an Activity to Your Elopement?

When couples ask me for elopement ideas and activities, I always start with this: What do you two actually love doing together? Because when you weave an activity into your day, it takes the pressure off the whole “what do I do with my hands?” thing. Instead of feeling like you’re in front of a camera, you’re sipping coffee at sunrise, laying out a picnic, or paddling across an alpine lake.

That’s the beauty of an adventure elopement: the focus isn’t on posing, it’s on being present. The photos that come out of it don’t feel staged, they feel like you two, in your element, soaking in the moment. And honestly, that’s what makes them come alive.

After your elopement, the adventure doesn’t have to end with “I do.” One of my favorite things about Colorado is how many ways there are to keep celebrating once the vows are said. You could grab a cozy cabin or boutique hotel and unwind with a glass of wine by the fire, or head into town for craft beer and good food. If you’re up for more adventure, take a post-ceremony hike, rent a Jeep to explore alpine passes, or hop on the gondola in Telluride just to see the mountains light up at sunset. Whether you want laid-back or all-out adventurous, Colorado makes it easy to turn your elopement into a whole experience rather than just a few hours.

Posing Made Easy

Most couples tell me the same thing before their session: “We’re so awkward in photos.” And honestly, of course you feel that way; it’s not exactly normal to have a camera on you while you’re trying to be natural. That’s where adding an activity changes everything.

Instead of me asking you to stand still and smile, you’re caught up in doing something together. Maybe it’s wandering down a trail, clinking champagne glasses at an overlook, skipping rocks in the river, or reading vows by a campfire. Suddenly, it doesn’t feel like posing anymore; it feels like the two of you just living out a memory. And when you’re wrapped up in the moment, your connection comes through naturally, no stiff smiles required.

Activities Turn Photos Into a Date

Here’s something I always tell my couples: your session should feel like time together, not like checking off a to-do list. Some of the best elopement ideas come from thinking of the day like a date. This includes hiking to a lake, grabbing ice cream downtown, or letting your dog “sign” the marriage license with a paw print. Those are the moments I get most excited about because they make your Colorado elopement feel super personal. And honestly, those are the photos you’ll love the most, the ones that remind you how the day actually felt, not just how it looked.

Ideas for Colorado Elopements

As a Colorado elopement photographer, I’ve seen couples bring some pretty incredible ideas to life. Those extra touches always make the day feel even more memorable. Here are a few favorites:

• Canoeing across an alpine lake: Imagine paddling side by side in the early morning when the water is glassy and calm, mountains reflecting back at you. It’s quiet, grounding, and gives you time to soak it all in before the rush of the day.
• Horseback riding in the mountains: This one feels straight out of a Colorado daydream. Riding through meadows or along pine-lined trails adds a lot of adventure to your day! A nod to Colorado’s ranching roots, and a whole new way to take in the scenery together.

• Hot springs soak: There’s something ridiculously romantic about ending your elopement day in a natural hot spring. Buena Vista, Glenwood Springs, and Steamboat all have some amazing options! The best place to relax, watch the steam rise, and relive the day in the most Colorado way possible.
• Star-gazing after dark: Just because the sun sets doesn’t mean the day has to end. Colorado’s dark skies make for jaw-dropping stargazing. Sprawl out on a blanket, sip something warm, point out constellations, and I’ll capture the calm, cozy vibe as it happens.
• Take a gondola into the mountains: Telluride and Aspen both have gondolas that feel like their own mini adventure. You climb high above town, and by the time you reach the top, it feels like you’re standing on top of the world. It’s simple, but it’s unforgettable.

Every couple is different, which is exactly why there’s no one-size-fits-all list of elopement ideas. The best ones come from who you are and what you love to do, because when the day feels true to you, the photos will too.

Why Activities Add Variety to Your Gallery

Another perk of adding an activity? Your photos won’t all blend together. Instead of a gallery full of the same pose in front of the same backdrop, you’ll end up with a collection that actually feels like a story unfolding. One minute you might be laughing mid-hike, the next you’re pouring champagne, or wrapped up in a quiet moment. You’ll get the big sweeping landscapes and the little in-between details. Whether it’s the way you look at each other, the movement of your dress, even the messy hair from the wind. All of that comes together to give your gallery layers: candids, details, wide shots, and moments you didn’t even realize were happening until you see them later. It makes the whole experience (and the photos) feel more like reliving a day together than flipping through a staged shoot.

Slowing Down and Being Present

At the end of the day, adding an activity is really about slowing things down. Elopements and sessions can fly by, and it’s easy to feel like you’re racing from one thing to the next. Building in little pauses, whether that’s making coffee on the trail, reading letters from family, or just exploring a brand new place, gives you space to breathe and actually enjoy the moment. It doesn’t have to be fancy; it just has to feel authentic. And when you’re relaxed and present, that ease always sneaks into the photos in the best way.

Let’s Plan Your Colorado Elopement Together!

When we plan your Colorado elopement, I’m not just thinking about light and locations (though don’t worry, I’ll handle all of that too). I’m thinking about the experience. What’s going to make you both feel comfortable? What’s going to tell your story best?

From scouting locations to brainstorming activities, my job as your elopement photographer is to help you create a day that feels real, intentional, and fun. So when we dream up your elopement, let’s go beyond the backdrop. Let’s plan something that feels like your kind of adventure. Because at the end of the day, the best elopement ideas aren’t just about the photos. They’re about the memories you’ll keep long after.

If you’re dreaming up your own Colorado adventure and looking for a Colorado elopement photographer who’ll help you plan something that feels authentic. Let’s create a day full of experiences that feel like you, and photos that bring it all back, every time you look at them. Reach out here to start planning!

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If you’re planning a Colorado elopement, check out my blogs: The 6 Best Colorado Elopement Locations, How to Plan Your Engagement Photoshoot in Buena Vista, CO, Plan Your Mountain Wedding: How to Elope in Rocky Mountain National Park!