Colorado Elopement Photographer
& Planner for Couples who want their day to feel like a hell of an adventure (not an all day photoshoot)
elopement photography + planning in colorado | Moab | throughout the wild west
Welcome to the wilder side of weddings
Let me guess, a big wedding day never felt quite right to you.
You don’t want your day to feel like a performative event put on for everyone else. You want to celebrate your love with your person in a way that prioritizes the things you love – beautiful places, each other, and maybe a dog or two.
You’re in the right place!
Kick off your boots, pour yourself a drink (I’ll have an IPA) and get ready for your best adventure yet.
meet your colorado elopement photographer
Hey! I’m Jen Dz!
Your wild-place-obsessed, dog-loving, adventure-planning elopement sidekick
I’m a Colorado elopement photographer and planner who has spent nearly 20 years exploring these mountains and nearby deserts — and the last decade helping couples get married in them.
I’ve photographed and planned hundreds of weddings and elopements, so I know how to find beautiful places that actually fit you, navigate permits and logistics, build a day that doesn’t feel rushed, and pivot when the weather has other ideas.
I’m also a pretty stereotypical Coloradan. When I’m not working, I’m usually outside with my dogs — mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking, camping out of my van, or wandering around the mountains and deserts I call home.
So when I’m on your team, you’re getting more than pretty pictures. You’re getting ten years of experience, deep local knowledge, and someone who cares just as much about how your day feels as how it looks.
What i bring to your wild elopement
deep local experience
Nearly 20 years of living in Colorado means I know which places are worth the hype, which hidden gems have somehow flown under the radar, where the crowds are (and, more importantly, where they aren’t!), and how to pivot when weather, road closures, or wildfires throw a wrench in the plan.
Planning + photography in one
I’m not just showing up with a camera and leaving you to figure out the rest. I’ll help you decide where to go, what permits you need, which vendors to bring on board, and how to plan a day that actually feels like a fun adventure — not just a photo shoot.
fun, Supportive, zero-judgment energy
You don’t need to be outdoorsy, comfortable in front of the camera, wildly adventurous, or know what the hell you’re doing. Come exactly as you are. I’ll meet you there, help you feel comfortable, and make sure your day feels like you — not some version of you that belongs on Pinterest.
some places i especially recommend for elopements:
(I’m pretty opinionated about this)
These aren’t just places I’ve shot — they’re places I genuinely believe work exceptionally well for elopements.
After nearly 20 years of exploring Colorado and the West and a decade of planning elopements, I have some pretty strong opinions about which places are worth the effort, which ones look better on Instagram than they feel in real life, and which ones actually make for an incredible wedding day.
These are some of my favorites.
Telluride + the san Juans, colorado
The San Juan Mountains are the most beautiful part of Colorado. Period.
They are a pain to get to but if you’re up for the journey you will be rewarded with sparkling rivers, bright blue lakes, waterfalls, and Colorado’s wildest mountains. The San Juans aren’t for the faint of heart – but they are worth all the effort.
crested butte, colorado
Love wildflowers? Love adorable mountain towns? Up for an adventure? Welcome to Crested Butte.
“CB”, as it’s called by the locals, is one of Colorado’s absolute gems. In the summer it has the most beautiful wildflowers in the state, activities like mountain biking and hiking, and a laid-back mountain-casual vibe, making it a perfect place to elope.
Twin Lakes, colorado
Twin Lakes is one of the absolute best locations for couples who want big mountain views, and a diversity of scenery without driving all the way across the Rockies. It’s just 2.5 hours from Denver but feels a WORLD away.
Twin Lakes is very much a choose-your-own-level-of-adventure type destination – with options for beautiful spots that are accessed by hiking, and many that require no hiking at all!
Moab, Utah
Moab is my favorite place in the entire world and truly one of the best places to elope, especially if you love the desert.
This little town gives you access to thousands of acres of wild, untamed desert that feels like it’s straight off of another planet. Sure, the National Parks there are famous, but I believe the true magic of this place is way beyond the park boundaries. Honestly? Moab is perfect.
olympic National Park, washington
No, it’s not in Colorado but it’s on this list because it is truly one of the best places in the U.S. to elope (and a place I’m always stoked to HELP you elope!). The combination of rainforests, moody beaches, sparkling lakes, and mountains – and the lack of people at certain times of year – make it an absolutely IDEAL elopement location.
I’m obsessed with ONP elopements and I think you will be too.
Breckenridge, colorado
Breckenridge is a really good place for couples who want to elope in the Colorado mountains with lots of access to nature AND lots of access to mountain town amenities. Breck is a bustling tourist town with loads of lodging, restaurants, shops, etc. It’s an especially good place for couples who are bringing family or guests to their elopement who want to make sure their people are plenty entertained while they are there!
“Where do I even begin to describe the incredible experience we had with Jen in Colorado?”
Hannah + Jvon
Beyond Colorado …
Moab Elopements
There’s an old saying that goes something like “You know it’s spring in Utah when all the license plates turn green” (the color of the Colorado plates). And, well, I’m thrilled to be part of this phenomenon.
Moab might be in Utah but it’s close to home and one of my absolute favorite places on the planet – and it’s a place I spend as much time as possible (which it turns out, is a lot of time)!
Moab is the absolute perfect spot for couples who want to elope somewhere wild in the spring and late fall, when Colorado weather is snowy and unpredictable and the best spots are hard to access.
I’m obsessed with these red rock deserts, deep canyons, and all the critters that call this place home.
I’m thrilled to offer elopements in my favorite place on Earth!
how it works
planning your elopement (without the overwhelm)
01.
Reach out and dream big
You tell me what you’re imagining—and what you’re absolutely not about. We’ll brainstorm together and come up with ideas that are a perfect fit for YOU.
02.
locations logistics and timelines
I help with locations, permits, timelines, and backup plans and recommend local, LGBTQ-friendly vendors (like hair and makeup) who “get” elopements and are here to help!
03.
Enjoy the hell out of your day!
You show up relaxed, ready, and fully present; I handle the logistics, document it all, and make sure you have the time and space to really soak it all in.
04.
Relive it forever
Your photos tell the story of one of your best adventure ever. It’s not just a few awkwardly posed portraits – it’s full documentation of a day well lived, in stunning detail – so that you can spend the rest of forever reliving it all!
“We will be talking about our wonderful experience with Jen forever! She made our adventure elopement wedding dreams come to life!”
– Maura + Brad
