Katy and Justin’s Elopement With Their Children in The Jemez Mountains

Katy and Justin traveled to New Mexico to elope with their three children, creating an intimate celebration in the scenic Jemez Mountains. The day began at their rental cabin with a touching first look, followed by a ceremony nestled among trees and a creek, capturing portraits by the red rocks nearby. Get all the details below.

Are you ready to elope? Check out our New Mexico Elopement Packages.

About This Elopement

Photography by Crystal Cousin Photo

“Katy and Justin came from out of town wanting to elope in New Mexico. Katy has two sons and Justin has a daughter. They were the only guests that the couple brought with them. We started with getting ready at their rental cabin and had a first look in the yard. We headed up to the top of the Jemez Mountains, where we met the officiant and had their ceremony surrounded by trees next to a creek. We took portraits there too along with some by the red rocks where they were staying.

They really wanted to end the day with their drink of choice together. There was a perfect little creek in the back of their cabin to enjoy that drink together and think about what an amazing day and trip they had.” [Crystal, the photographer]

Learn how to elope here.

Permits & Top Tips

“Jemez Springs has a lot of beautiful outdoor spaces including red rocks, waterfalls, creeks, and hot springs. The Walatowa Red Rock area in Jemez Pueblo requires a $350 permit to have a wedding and photography there. Though this elopement was just outside of that specific area.

Be aware that these are open spaces and visitors can come and go. Expect more people there in the summertime or on weekends versus weekdays. The one week out of the year I would avoid eloping in the area would be the week of the International Balloon Fiesta, which gets packed. The week of Thanksgiving can also bring in a lot of people.

There is virtually no service so drive in prepared to not be able to contact your photographer once you are in the town. Have a game plan of exactly where to go and let each other know what your cars look like.” [Crystal, the photographer]

Deciding to Elope

“My husband and I had both been married before. It was kind of a been there, done that, weren’t fans of traditional weddings. I wanted a wedding that was exactly what I wanted without worrying about if some decision we were making would offend someone’s aunt or having to invite someone we didn’t really want because they’re important to Mom. Justin didn’t just want a day, he wanted a week of us and our kids celebrating and exploring somewhere new together.

We started our location search in Colorado. I wanted an outside wedding because I was set on getting married barefoot. Justin wanted water and mountains and plenty to go around the area. I figured out pretty quickly in our search that an elopement photographer is a lifeline when planning to elope, and my searches led me to Crystal Cousins. Her photography style immediately struck me, and when I found the album of a wedding she had done in Jemez Springs and we were immediately sold on that being the place for us.” [The couple]

Explore more places to elope.

Planning Your Elopement

“I can’t stress enough to future eloping couples to find that photographer first! She set us in motion completely. She had location options, vendor lists for people in the area, and everything we needed for a smooth process for people who had never been to that area before.

Next was booking an AirBnB (we lucked out on finding the most beautiful place), booking an officiant and makeup artist, finding a dress, deciding on color schemes and what everyone was wearing. After that, we basically planned a vacation. River rafting, city and site visits, etc. That was really all we did before we left. We got engaged in December, started the planning process in February, and got married in June.”

Estimate Cost Breakdown

Photography: $5,500

Airbnb for 5 days: $1,500

Dresses/Outfits: $2000

Hair & Makeup for 2: $500

Flowers/Supplies: $100

Cupcakes: $50

Officiant & License: $125

Vacationing with 5: ~ $1000.

Total ~10,875

Memorable Moments From The Elopement

From the photographer:

“They wanted to include their children in their elopement. Katy has 2 sons and Justin has a daughter. The kids helped their parents get ready and they were the only guests there with them. A lot of my couples will leave everyone behind to elope, including the kids, so it was sweet seeing them included.”

From the couple:

“We got to spend quality time as a family that didn’t include ridiculous amounts of stress and running around. Justin got his mountains and water, and I got to get married barefoot. I had a whiskey and coke and Justin had a beer sitting by the creek, and at the end of the night, we ordered pizza and had smores by the fire. Everything about our ‘elopement vacation’ was absolutely perfect, and we wouldn’t change a thing about it. Even the drive out gave us great memories as a family. The kids ask all the time when we’re going back because it was such a great trip.”

Vendors 

Photo | Crystal Cousin Photo
HMUA | Genica Lee HMUA
Cupcakes | Cake Fetish ABQ
Officiant | Duke City Ceremonies 

Photos From This Elopement