LGBTQ Elopement in the San Juan Mountains | Shannen and Millie — Colorado Wedding and Elopement Photographer

San Sophia ski station in the San Juan Mountains.

The fall of 2023 was a BUSY time of the year for me, filled with some of my favorite weddings and elopements of the year! One such elopement is of course Shannen and Millie’s, which I am SO pumped to share with you! Their LGBTQ elopement in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado was incredibly special to document. Between the stunning views of Telluride, and the personal touches these two fit into their day, there is just so much to love about their elopement as you’re about to see!!

A scenic view of the San Juan Mountains in autumn from the top a ski life.

Shannen and Millie’s LGBTQ Elopement in the San Juan Mountains

High above the town of Telluride is where Shannen and Millie’s elopement day began. Using the town’s free gondola ride to our advantage, we were able to start their day with some portraits in the mountains taking in ALL of the fall colors! Shannen and Millie’s pup Georgia was also in attendance, which was so sweet for their day!! After a quick gondola ride back into town for some ice cream it was time to head to the clearing near Mt Sneffels for their ceremony. With Georgia as their witness, Shannen and Millie read their vows to one another, surrounded by the breathtaking landscape surrounding us! I’ve talked at length before about the beauty of the San Juan Mountains, but that beauty really was on full display for their LGBTQ elopement this past fall!!

After sharing their vows, and shedding a few tears of joy between the two, Shannen and Millie were officially newlyweds which meant it was time to celebrate!! With Mt Sneffels still looming in the distance, Shannen and Millie had a small reception of sorts. They popped champagne, shared some cake with Georgia, and shared their first dance together all as the sun began to set on the mountains! It was a truly magical experience, and one I’m SO glad I was able to document!!

Bride in a earthy green suit kisses bride in a lace dress in the San Juan Mountains in the background covered in yellow trees.

Brides sit in Telluride Ski Lift as they go down the mountain overlooking autumn trees on the San Juan Mountains during their wedding elopement photos.

Bride in lace dress kisses her bride in a green suit while riding a ski lift overlooking the San Juan Mountains during their intimate LGBTQ Elopement.

Bride in a green suit kisses a bride in a lace dress in the middle of the street in San Juan Mountain Village.

Brides feed their dog an ice cream cone from a small ice cream cart on the street.

brown and black dog on a green leash eats a vanilla ice cream cone.

Dog stands in front of their brides with it's tongue out in excitement surrounded by autumn leaves.

Bride in a green suit reads vows to bride in a lace wedding dress surrounded by San Juan Mountains covered in autumn trees during LGBTQ Elopement Ceremony.

Bride in a green suit reads vows to tearing up bride in a lace wedding dress surrounded by San Juan Mountains covered in autumn trees during LGBTQ Elopement Ceremony.

Bride in a lace dress reads vows to bride in a green suit surrounded by San Juan Mountains covered in autumn trees during LGBTQ Elopement Ceremony.

Bride wipes away her tears away as they complete the Elopement ceremony while standing in yellow grassy plains.

Brides giggle as they complete their elopement ceremony in the grass fields overlooking San Juan Mountains Colorado.

Bride in green suit puts wedding ring onto a bride in a lace wedding dress as their dog stairs off into the distance. They are surrounded by the San Juan Mountains covered in golden trees.

Colorado Elopement Photographer captures a bride in a lace dress slipping a wedding ring onto her bride in a green wool suit after their wedding elopement ceremony in San Juan Colorado.

Bride in a green suit wipes away her joyful tears at the completion of their LGBTQ Elopement Ceremony surrounded by autumn trees in the San Juan Mountains.

Making Your Elopement Feel Like YOU

As incredible as Shannen and Millie’s LGBTQ elopement in the San Juan Mountains was, there was a fair bit of planning that went into making the day feel true to them! For starters, having Georgia at their side throughout the day was a must. She even “signed” as their witness, something I love that parts of Colorado allow since self solemnization is legal here!! Making your elopement feel true to you can take a lot of different shapes though. Whether it’s smaller moments like stopping for ice cream in Telluride, or making sure we got photos of these two gals riding together in the Gondola, finding ways to make your elopement experience unique to you is something I always recommend!

Brides kiss while standing in grassy plains with autumn trees and the San Juan mountains as the backdrop during their San Juan Elopement Ceremony in Colorado.

Brides lead their dogs paw onto a table to stamp as the witness to their elopement wedding ceremony. The table has a beautiful embroidered tablecloth with bubbly and glasses on it.

Brides kiss with champagne flutes in their hands in front of a table with a piece of cake that says "Just Married" with the San Juan Mountains in the background.

Bride in a green suit shakes a bottle of bubbly into the air while the bride in a lace dress holds her in surprise. In the background is autumn trees and the San Juan Mountains.

On a lace covered table sits a beautiful gold etched plate holding a piece of cake that says Just Married and a gold knife! Just beside it is a a bottle of bubbly rose and champagne flutes.

Brides toast with champagne flutes to their elopement next to a lace covered table. In the background are autumn trees and the San Juan Mountains.

Bride in a green suit tastes vanilla cake as other bride in lace dress giggles and their dog looks up to them. They are surrounded by trees celebrating their elopement.

Brides lean over a lace covered table looking over their wedding certification after their elopement ceremony.

Brides stamp their dog's paw onto the wedding certificate as the witness to their LGBTQ Elopement Ceremony with the San Juan Mountains in the background.

Bride's beautiful light pink gem wedding ring sits on top of Bride's gold wedding band.

Bride in a furry jacket overtop her lace wedding dress looks into the eyes of her bride in a green three piece suit as they walk along an autumn tree line.

Beautiful scenic photo of San Juan snowy top Mountains surrounded by golden autumn trees and golden grassy plains.

Bride in a furry jacket overtop her lace wedding dress looks into the eyes of her bride in a green three piece suit as they dance with golden trees and the San Juan Mountains in the background..

Bride in a furry jacket overtop her lace wedding dress looks into the eyes of her bride in a green three piece suit as they dance in golden grassy plains with the San Juan Mountains in the background.

Bride in a green three piece suit twirls her bride in a lace wedding as they dance in golden grassy plains with the San Juan Mountains in the background.

Detailed shot of the inside of Bride's suit embroidery reading Shannen Loves Millie 2023 in white thread.

Bride in lace wedding dress rests her head on her partner's shoulder who's wearing a green three piece suit. They stand in golden grassy plains with golden trees and the San Juan Mountains in the background.

Brides press their foreheads together as they stand in golden grassy plains with golden trees and the San Juan Mountains in the backdrop during Elopement portraits.

Bride in V-cut lace wedding dress poses with her autumn flower bouquet while standing in golden grassy plains with the San Juan Mountains in the background.

Brides kiss with their dog standing next to them with autumn trees and the San Juan Mountains in the background during their elopement photoshoot in Colorado.

Brides kiss with their back towards the camera while they face the San Juan Mountains in Colorado for their LGBTQ Elopement ceremony in Colorado.

Brides are out of focus in the camera as the San Juan Mountains and autumn trees are in focus.

Shannen and Millie’s LGBTQ elopement in the San Juan Mountains was a literal dream come true to document! I simply adore these two and the incredible love they share with one another, and I’m so glad they chose me to be a part of their day!! For tips on planning your own elopement in the San Juan Mountains be sure to check out my guide, and to book me as your photographer be sure to send me an inquiry through my contact page!