Yankee Boy Basin Elopement Off-Road Adventure
Some love stories are built on adventure—and Shannon and Dan’s is the perfect example. These two met during the COVID lockdowns, united by their shared love for off-road vehicles. Shannon, living in Nova Scotia, spent her time modifying her GXOR (the Lexus version of a 4Runner). Dan, an off-road expert, stepped in to help her with tutorials and advice on everything from her snorkal installation to mod recommendations. Their bond grew from hours of calls and video chats into a deep friendship.
Before they even met in person, Dan was already smitten. He reached out to me to start planning their dream elopement in Colorado, confident that Shannon was “the one.” Fast forward a few months, Shannon visited Dan in Georgia, and their in-person connection sealed the deal.
When their big day finally arrived, it was everything they’d dreamed of—adventurous, heartfelt, and deeply personal. Shannon and Dan spent the day exploring the mountain trails around Ouray in their fully built-out GXORs, embracing the passion that had brought them together. Shannon’s white with bright pink details- or as she would call them, offensively pink. Dan’s tan with black.
We kicked off the day at a breathtaking, secret off-road spot Dan had discovered—a place so remote with narrow, hair-raising shelf roads to get there. At the summit, with the entire valley stretching out below them, they got ready out of the back of their rigs and had a first look in with one of the most insane views I’ve ever seen. Then we drove down into the basin where they exchanged vows under a floral arch Dan had gotten special permission to set up. Shannon jokingly called it “saying nice things to me,” but the love in their words was undeniable.
Afterward, we headed down to Yankee Boy Basin, a local favorite with cascading waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and lush greenery. Shannon and Dan soaked it all in, walking through icy mountain streams, sitting on their vehicles, and letting the wildflowers surround them.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect—mild with blue skies and fluffy white clouds. Every detail of their day was rooted in their shared love for off-roading, adventure, and each other. This wasn’t just an elopement—it was the beginning of a lifetime of exploring together.
Hello! I’m Shannon Durazo
and I would love to be your Wedding Photographer!
I specialize in outdoor-centric weddings of all sizes—from two-person elopements to 150+ guest garden celebrations. If you are a nature lover and want to embrace that through your wedding story, I would love to help capture your day!
