Melissa & Jonathan’s Dog-Friendly Southwest Colorado Elopement

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Melissa & Jonathan wanted their dream fall elopement, and I’m so glad we were able to make it happen! From perfectly on-peak foliage to alpenglow on the mountaintops, I’m not sure there was a better pick for them than Southwest Colorado.

Why They Eloped

Melissa & Jonathan eloped after realizing that they’d been to a lot of weddings over the years and always loved attending… but the couple getting married always seemed stressed out, overwhelmed, and worried about how much everything cost. They’re in their 30’s and were seeking something intentional, something only about them that allowed them to enjoy each other and their day.

“Over the past several years, we have had the pleasure of being invited to many weddings. Over the course of time we have found a common theme, after conversations with the bride/groom we noticed they always expressed how stressful it was, the cost of it all, and it always felt that they weren’t able to enjoy it fully, it was something that we both knew we wanted to avoid.”

They decided early on that they wanted the process to be as stress-free as possible, so they turned to eloping! They knew that a traditional wedding could never truly represent who they are as individuals—and knew that their family and friends would wholeheartedly agree. They also really wanted something that would let them include their beloved pup, Yoshi, in their entire day, which is a huge perk of eloping that was super important to them!

A couple sits on a patterned blanket by a calm lake, with the woman in a white lace dress reading from a notebook. A brown dog with a bandana lies beside them, gazing peacefully. Tall trees frame the serene, natural setting.

What They Wanted – Their Vision

The vibe for the day was an intimate and fun adventure that let them be 100% their authentic selves in a dog-friendly location that had 360-mountain views and a great body of water.

It was super important to them that, even though they love a good hike, they pick something shorter and doable for their dog, who was playing the role of Best Man and Official Witness. That meant looking for spots that had those top-of-the-world feelings without the 10 mile hikes to get there.

Unique Elopement Idea: Road Trip

Melissa & Jonathan purposefully built their elopement in to be the culmination of an epic multi-state road trip from the East Coast. I love this idea. Not only does this give you time to relax and decompress and have fun on either side of your wedding day, it also makes the whole event super memorable. I always say your elopement should feel like you’re on vacation… this idea nails it.

They wanted to spend their day hiking, eating, exploring, and laughing, and mentioned they would prefer sunrise to sunset. They also wanted to do a first-look and wanted their ceremony to include touches like handwritten vows and a champagne pop!

A majestic mountain landscape at sunset, with rugged cliffs and rocky peaks bathed in warm light. Pine trees dot the foreground, adding contrast to the rocky terrain under a partly cloudy sky.

How I Designed Their Experience

When Melissa & Jonathan first reached out to me about a fall elopement in Southwest Colorado, I was pumped. Fall here is absolutely stunning, and I had so many great locations in mind that I knew would deliver on those big big views that they wanted while still being super dog-accessible for Yoshi!

After our initial chat, I drafted them up two sample timelines for different coverage options so that they could get an idea of what was possible and then make the best choice for them. I also pitched the possibility of a 4X4 road for their day to let us connect to some serious peaks without lengthy hikes, which they totally loved.

When I sent over the location list, I highlighted two areas in particular that stood out to me as the best fits for everything that they were looking for. When they got back to me, they picked the very first option, saying, “We believe these locations are perfect and exactly what we had envisioned for our day.” As a Coloradan by birth, this is exactly the reaction that I pride myself on when it comes to picking out great spots here!

I gave them a bunch of information on the 4X4 roads in this area, including maps and the pros and cons of driving yourself versus hiring someone to navigate for you, including some of my favorite vendors in the area and what questions they should ask if they reached out. At the same time, I passed along my list of recommended vendors in Colorado that I’ve had great experiences with before so that they wouldn’t have to go over the hurdle of vetting people from a different state.

A couple dances in an autumn forest. The woman wears a white lace dress and floral headband, while the man wears a dark suit. Yellow leaves adorn the trees, and a rocky hillside is visible in the background.

I knew that it would get pretty cold at the elevations we were going to and warned them that you lose about 5 degrees for every 1000 ft in elevation that you gain—so they should prepare for a 20+ degree drop by packing lots of layers. As a mountain-loving gal, I was able to give them specific pointers to my favorite skin-tone warm tights for underneath dresses, hand warmers, and more.

I kept a very close eye on the weather and sent them an updated list to bring a couple days before their elopement to make sure that they were well prepped for the weather in the mountains and were all set to enjoy their day to the fullest!

A newlywed couple stands on a rocky path surrounded by mountains, with their arms raised in celebration. The bride holds a bouquet, and a red Jeep is parked nearby. A dog is sniffing the ground in the foreground. Dense forest covers the hillside.

Their Elopement Story

The morning of their elopement, Melissa & Jonathan hopped in their rented Jeep and headed out on the first 4X4 road of the day to a basin before sunrise. They got out on opposite sides of the car, getting ready separately so that they could have a first-look before their ceremony.

A red SUV with headlights on is parked on a dirt road at dusk, with its doors open. A person is partially visible beside it. Rugged mountains loom in the background under a dim evening sky, and a small lantern glows nearby.

A woman in a white lace dress stands next to an open door of a red Jeep Rubicon. She touches her hair, with a mountainous landscape in the background and a lantern on the ground. The scene is rustic and serene.

A brown dog wearing a black bow tie stands in the open door of a red vehicle, looking attentively to the side. The interior of the vehicle is dark, with a blanket or fabric visible inside.

A bride in a white dress stands by an open red Jeep with mountains in the background. The groom, in a suit, stands nearby. The scene is set during twilight with a lantern on the ground, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere.

They stood out on a plateau as the sky started to turn pink, reaching behind themselves to lock hands before turning around to see each other. The tears and joy were so immediate, and you could feel how excited they were to be there together. They took a second to huddle up together and take a deep breath, looking around at the incredible alpenglow starting to hit the tops of the Rockies around them.

Couple in formal attire stands by a red Jeep in a rocky mountain landscape at dusk. Candles are placed around the vehicle, creating a romantic atmosphere.

A bride and groom stand on a grassy hill, holding hands and looking at the sky. They are surrounded by majestic mountains and a dramatic, colorful sunset with scattered clouds. The scene exudes romance and natural beauty.

A couple wearing formal attire and hiking boots share a joyful moment on a grassy mountain slope. The woman, in a white dress, holds the man's hand as they smile at each other. A rugged mountain landscape forms the backdrop under a cloudy sky.

A couple stands facing each other, holding hands in an outdoor setting with mountains in the background. The man wears a suit, and the woman wears a lace dress and floral headband, both smiling against the scenic landscape.

A couple stands with arms outstretched, facing a rugged mountain landscape at sunset. The sky is partly cloudy, and trees are scattered across the hills. The scene captures a sense of freedom and natural beauty.

After hopping back into the Jeep and venturing a little lower to a lake just as sunrise was reaching its peak, they played rock paper scissors to see who got to read their handwritten vows first. Melissa went first—with Yoshi watching dutifully in a dog vest that was printed like a tuxedo. After Jonathan’s vows they exchanged rings and each planted a kiss on the other’s ring finger. It was so heartfelt and I think every single one of was at least a little teary.

A bride and groom share a joyful moment by a serene lake surrounded by evergreen trees. The bride wears a white dress with long sleeves, and the groom is in a dark suit. The lake reflects the trees and sky, creating a picturesque background.

A bride and groom stand on a forested cliff overlooking a serene mountain lake. The bride is wearing a white dress, and the groom is in a dark suit. Tall evergreen trees and rugged mountains surround the reflective, greenish water.

A couple is having an outdoor wedding ceremony by a serene lake. The groom, in a dark suit, reads vows to the bride, who wears a white dress with long sleeves. Her bouquet rests on the ground, and evergreen trees reflect in the water.

A couple stands near a serene lake surrounded by tall pine trees and mountains. The bride in a white dress wipes her eyes, while the groom reads from a paper. A bouquet lies nearby. The scene is peaceful with reflections in the water.

A couple in wedding attire embraces while overlooking a serene green lake surrounded by pine trees and rocky mountains. The sky is overcast, adding a moody atmosphere to the scenic landscape. A bouquet is placed on the ground nearby.

A couple in wedding attire embraces by a serene mountain lake, surrounded by tall evergreen trees. The rocky peaks and a partly cloudy sky create a picturesque backdrop, capturing a moment of romance and natural beauty.

A couple in wedding attire stands by a tranquil, forest-surrounded lake, holding hands and raising their arms in joy. Tall evergreen trees and rugged mountains frame the serene scene, reflecting in the calm water.

A couple celebrates outdoors by a lake surrounded by trees and mountains. The man is spraying a bottle of champagne, and the woman holds a bouquet, both smiling joyfully. They're dressed in a suit and a wedding gown.

A bride in a lace dress joyfully raises her bouquet while a groom in a dark suit drinks from a champagne bottle. They stand on a grassy ledge overlooking a calm lake, surrounded by evergreen trees.

A couple embraces happily near a tranquil lake, surrounded by nature. The man, dressed in a maroon suit, kisses the woman's hand, who wears a white lace dress and a floral crown. Their joyful moment is captured in a serene outdoor setting.

A couple in wedding attire stands near a lake. The woman in a white lace dress holds a dog's leash. The dog wears a black tuxedo. The man in a dark suit holds a bouquet of yellow and white flowers, kneeling on the ground.

A dog in a tuxedo stands next to a person in a white lace dress and sneakers. The dog appears to be on a leash and is looking up at the person. They are outdoors on a dirt path with some greenery in the background.

They did a champagne pop to celebrate and then their little family had a picnic breakfast by the lake—a charcuterie spread for Melissa & Jonathan and kibble for Yoshi. They did a celebratory shot from a custom ski-shot board, which brought the aprés ski style in strong to their alpine wedding!

A couple dressed in formal attire holds a wooden board inscribed with "Mr. + Mrs. Mejia." They are outdoors in front of a blurred background featuring green water and trees. The woman wears a floral headband and a lace dress. The man is in a dark suit.

A couple in wedding attire playfully drinks from a long wooden pipe near a small lake surrounded by pine trees and mountains. They are standing on a colorful blanket with a basket and flowers beside them, under a clear blue sky.

A man in a white shirt and suspenders kneels on a wooded path, affectionately kissing a brown dog wearing a black vest. The scene is outdoors with trees and a dirt trail in the background.

A couple in wedding attire sits on a blanket having a picnic near a serene lake surrounded by tall pine trees and rocky mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

A couple is seated outdoors. The woman, wearing a floral headpiece, lovingly touches the man's face. The man wears a white shirt, black bow tie, and suspenders. The mood is romantic and intimate.

A woman in a white lace dress playfully feeds grapes to a smiling man dressed in a white shirt with a bow tie and suspenders. They are sitting outdoors near a lake with trees in the background.

A picnic setup on a striped blanket by a riverside. A wicker basket, a bouquet of yellow flowers, a bottle of Champagne, a small notebook, and a wooden sign reading "Mr. + Mrs. Mejia" are displayed. Trees and water are visible in the background.

A brown dog wearing a black and white tuxedo sits on a multi-colored striped blanket outdoors. There are trees and a blurred background of nature behind the dog.

A wicker basket holds a bouquet of sunflowers and yellow flowers alongside a leather-bound book embossed with text. Two silver rings and a diamond engagement ring rest on the book, creating an elegant composition.

Melissa & Jonathan took some rainy portraits under clear umbrellas during a super brief drizzle and then loaded everyone back into the Jeep. They had decided to drive their own 4X4 because Jonathan had previous experience driving off-road vehicles, and he navigated them to the next spots perfectly. There was a brief stop at another lake and then it was onto a tucked away waterfall!

A couple kisses under a clear umbrella on a rainy day. The woman has flowers in her hair, and both are dressed formally. The umbrella is covered with raindrops, adding a romantic touch to the scene.

A couple in wedding attire stands under a transparent umbrella on a grassy cliff by a lake. Pine trees and a rocky mountain create a misty, romantic backdrop, suggesting a serene and intimate moment.

A red Jeep on a rugged dirt trail surrounded by tall evergreen trees and overcast skies, suggesting an adventurous off-road journey in a forested, mountainous area. The ground is wet, hinting at recent rain.

A woman in a white dress leans in to kiss a brown and white dog sitting in the back of a red vehicle. The dog is licking its lips, and the woman wears a floral headband. The scene appears cheerful and playful.

Hand-in-hand, they did the short trek to the fall, staring up the slab of granite and spreading their arms out in the mist from the water. They found a nearby spot to settle and spread out a blanket to read letters from loved ones who had sent them with well-wishes for their wedding day.

A couple stands at the base of a waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff. The surrounding area is lush and green, creating a serene and natural backdrop for the scene.

A couple in wedding attire walks hand in hand near a waterfall. The groom holds a bouquet of sunflowers, and the bride wears a lace dress and boots. They are surrounded by lush greenery and rocky cliffs.

A person in a white lace dress and hiking boots dances joyfully, holding a bouquet, in front of a cascading waterfall. The scene conveys a sense of adventure and celebration.

A man in a maroon suit stands on rocky terrain in front of a cascading waterfall. The rock face is covered in patches of moss, and the water flows gently down in streams. The setting is natural and lush.

A couple embraces near a rocky background. The man, in a burgundy suit, holds the woman from behind as she wears a white lace dress. The setting appears to be outdoors, with a natural, earthy atmosphere.

Then it was onto the final stop of the day, with Jonathan expertly getting through some water on the road to get them to some iconic yellow aspens. These were in peak season and the bright foliage matched Melissa’s bouquet so ridiculously well. It was the perfect scene for them—exactly what you picture when you think of Colorado in the fall.

A couple in wedding attire stands on a grassy mountainside as the groom offers a bright red toy to a dog wearing a floral collar. The bride bends down beside them against a backdrop of majestic peaks and a partially cloudy sky.

A couple joyfully runs hand in hand through a grassy field. The woman wears a white dress, and the man is in a dark suit. Behind them, trees display vibrant fall colors of yellow and orange, set against a rocky hillside.

A couple in formal attire stands in a forest with a brown dog. The trees are tall with yellow autumn leaves, and the ground is covered with fallen leaves. The couple is looking back towards the camera, creating a serene and natural scene.

A couple walks hand in hand through a forest with tall yellow trees and mountains in the background. The scene gives a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.

A set of wedding rings featuring a diamond solitaire is placed on a bed of yellow and brown autumn leaves.

They made their own “just married” sign on the back of the Jeep with window paint, spent time exploring the forest and leaves, and then bundled up before it was time to head out.

A woman in a white lace dress writes "Just Married" on the rear window of a red vehicle. She wears a flower crown, and mountainous scenery is visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A dog sits in the open back of a red Jeep. The rear window is decorated with "Just Married 9.22.22" written in white. A blanket is draped over the dog. The background shows a scenic view of trees and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Melissa & Jonathan’s Reflections – In Their Own Words

“We are so emotional all over again. You captured our essence so perfectly, we’ll never get over how magical our special day truly was. Reliving our day through these pictures reassures us even more that we made the BEST decision. Thank you again for making us feel so comfortably ourselves. We already can’t wait to be back in Colorado to explore some more.”

Hey there!

I’m Maddie Mae

Your Elopement Photographer, Experience Designer & Planning Consultant  

For the last 14 years I’ve traveled to 40 countries, all 7 continents, and planned & photographed over 300 elopements all over the world.

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She wears a black blazer, a black top, and a pendant necklace. The background is a plain light gray wall.

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