Amanda Matilda Photography

10/18/2026

Here's what planning a Grand Junction elopement on your own looks like:

📍 Googling locations (but which ones are best for your vibe?)
📋 Researching permit requirements (wait, do we need one?)
🗓️ Figuring out timing (is April too windy? How hot is July?)
🏨 Finding lodging (which area should we stay in?)
🍷 Booking restaurants (which ones take reservations?)
🌤️ Monitoring weather (when's blossom season again?)
❓ Second-guessing everything

Here's what it looks like working with me:

✅ I help you choose the perfect location for your priorities
✅ I tell you exactly what permits you need and how to get them
✅ I create your timeline based on season, weather, and your activities
✅ I recommend lodging based on your style and budget
✅ I connect you with my trusted local vendors
✅ I give you my 124-page elopement guidebook
✅ I track conditions and keep you updated
✅ You feel confident and prepared instead of overwhelmed

I've been doing this for 12+ years as my full-time job. This is literally what I do all day, every day.

You don't have to figure it out alone.

Ready to start planning your Grand Junction elopement with an expert guide by your side?

Link in bio or comment "GUIDE" below! 🌵

10/15/2026

Vows in Yankee Boy Basin. Reception in a 19th-century hotel courtyard. Ouray does it differently — and I'm here for every version of it. Swipe to see how this day actually comes together. →

10/14/2026

Rain on your wedding day? For Cynthia & Max, it was pure magic. 🌧️✨

These two brought a small crew of their favorite people to Ouray for a mountain elopement that felt equal parts intimate and epic. As the clouds rolled in, the cliffs around us came alive with *waterfalls everywhere* — like the mountains decided to show up as surprise guests. 🏔️💦

They shared vows surrounded by misty peaks, passing around umbrellas and shawls, laughing through the sprinkles and happy tears. Instead of stressing about the forecast, they leaned all the way in — and the photos are so full of movement, texture, and feeling because of it. 🤍

Afterward, everyone dried off, warmed up, and celebrated at The Venue at CSB with good food, heartfelt toasts, and that cozy “we just did the thing” glow. 🍾

If you’ve been dreaming of a non-traditional, come-what-may kind of wedding day… let this be your sign that a little rain can make it unforgettable. 🌙

10/13/2026

Heading to the county clerk's office to get your Colorado marriage license? Here's your checklist 📋

**MUST BRING:**
💵 $30 (CASH is required in most counties—check ahead!)
🪪 Valid government-issued ID for both of you

- Driver's license
- State ID
- Passport
- Military ID
🔢 Social Security number for both of you (if you have one)

**LEAVE AT HOME:**
❌ Birth certificates (not needed!)
❌ Blood test results (not required in CO)
❌ Divorce decrees (unless specifically requested by that county)
❌ Witnesses (not required to apply)

**PROCESS:**
You'll fill out basic information—names, addresses, parents' names, previous marriages, etc. The whole thing takes about 10-15 minutes if there's no line.

Some counties require appointments, so call ahead or check their website!

**PRO TIPS:**

- Bring a pen
- Allow extra time for parking/finding the office
- If you're applying online, factor in mail time
- Double-check if your county is appointment-only post-2020

That's literally it. The hardest part is remembering to hit the ATM for that $30 cash!

Questions about the application process? Ask away! 👇

10/11/2026

Much like their wedding day five years ago, G&B's adventure photos in Moab were decorated with rain clouds - filling the air with that petrichor scent of fresh drops in the desert.

We couldn't settle on one epic view for their photos so we went with two sites and two outfits: their original wedding attire and then a more casual look. Both beautifully accentuated the desert in their own way.

More from this day soon!

10/06/2026

The planning process should feel as intentional as the wedding day itself.

That's why my elopement photography packages include comprehensive support—not as an upsell, but as the foundation. Location intelligence. Custom timelines. Vetted vendors. Permit guidance. Ongoing expertise.

Everything you need to make confident decisions and actually enjoy this process.

Because when you work with someone who's navigated these locations hundreds of times, planning stops feeling overwhelming and starts feeling... easy.

Swipe to see what's included →

09/29/2026

Dreaming of a “just us” Colorado elopement where you marry yourselves, but not sure what to *actually* say during the ceremony? 🏔💍

If you’re self-solemnizing, you might be wondering how to make it feel real, meaningful, and complete without an officiant there to guide you. The good news: your ceremony can be deeply personal, intentional, and unforgettable – and you don’t need a stranger’s script to get there.

I created a free Self-Solemnized Ceremony Script Template to help you build a ceremony that feels like *you*:
✨ A complete flow from opening words to your first kiss
✨ Fill-in-the-blank sections you can customize
✨ Options for different vibes – traditional, casual, or adventurous
✨ Simple, heartfelt ring exchange wording
✨ Tips for practicing and staying present in the moment

It’s ready to print, pack in your backpack, and bring along to the spot where you’ll say your vows – just the two of you. 💫

Ready to plan your ceremony your way?

https://amanda-matilda.myflodesk.com/self-solemnizing-ceremony-script

09/28/2026

09/24/2026

I will never get tired of photographing historic buildings framed by aspen trees 🍂

The symmetry, the textures, the layers of history—there's something about ghost towns that makes my photographer heart so happy. Add in peak fall colors and a couple genuinely stoked to be getting married? Chef's kiss

Ashcroft is one of those special locations that feels frozen in time. It's a protected historical site that maintains trails and infrastructure to help visitors explore responsibly, making it an ideal elopement spot for couples who care about preserving wild places.

A&M brought intentional details they'd carefully planned (that flower arch! the burlap aisle!), exchanged personal vows with their closest friends watching, then explored the ghost town together as newlyweds before heading to dinner in town.

This is what I mean when I say elopements can be both meaningful AND beautiful.