Illuminarts specializes in capturing beautiful, photojournalism-style photos in Southwest Colorado, and beyond! We offer a distinctive blend of fine-art storytelling and a sensitive and unobtrusive style of shooting, while being devoted to outstanding customer care. Working with us is a dynamic, fun, and collaborative experience that begins well before your wedding day arrives.
Drew is awesome! He is very talented and one of the kindest people around. - Kelsey & Chris
I loved working with IlluminArts. They were very detail-oriented, made sure that I got all the images I wanted and were very thorough. They were completely unobtrusive during the ceremony and reception and we got along with them great! - Amanda & Jesse
Enough cannot be said about how terrific it was to work with Drew and Amy. They are one of the reasons our destination wedding was successful. Their photography is beautiful and they kept on task throughout the day. - Lisa & Matt
These guys work hard! I was amazed at how they were able to work a huge crowd, keep everyone smiling, and the pictures are wonderful! They also were extremely helpful in the planning of the actual day. - Caitland & Dave
Drew Semel was FANTASTIC. His photographs are all over our new home, and he was lovely to have around on the day of. - Jodi & Josh
Drew is an incredible photographer, and a seasoned warrior with wedding photography. We appreciated his experience and calm commanding presence within the buzz of our wedding day. He was patient and professional with our changing schedule and ideas. And he took beautiful photos on our wedding day. All our guests have continued to rave about how awesome Drew was, and what pictures he took! I highly recommend IlluminArts. - Emily & John
Featured Weddings
A Fall Equinox Wedding at Ridgewood
An outdoor destination wedding with a laidback vibe and a little bit of rustic charm at Ridgewood Event Center in Durango, Colorado with photography by Illuminarts, florals by Adela Floral, and hair & makeup by Hair Fusion.
An Earthy & Simple Wedding Day
A natural & relaxed wedding day with an earthy vibe at Ridgewood Event Center. Photographed by illuminarts with food from Durangourmet and attire from Occasions Bridal.
A Mountain Adventure Wedding
The mountain wedding that graces the 2019 magazine cover. An intimate ceremony at 11,400 feet in the San Juan Mountains followed by a tent reception in Silverton.
A Texas Style Wedding at River Bend Ranch
A ceremony under a willow tree with hay bale seating followed by an outdoor reception under the stars at River Bend Ranch in Durango, Colorado.
A Mad Hatter Tea Party Meets Carnivale Wedding
A fun and whimsical Durango wedding with vibrant colors, balloons, square dancing, and disco balls. Guests wore bright colors and fancy hats.
An Outdoor Autumn Wedding in Mancos
An outdoor ceremony in the fall surrounded by cottonwoods and mountains with a champagne, blush and grey color palette. The tent reception was held in a large field with a dance party under the stars.
All Aboard on the Durango Love Train
An adventure destination wedding on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train. Nell & Nick started dating in the mountains, fell in love in the mountains, and got married in the mountains of Durango, Colorado.
A Fun Backyard Wedding in Durango
A simple and elegant wedding in the Animas Valley with ivory and natural wood colors. A sunset ceremony on the lawn followed by a tent reception under the stars.
Spring Snows & Sunshine Wedding
A spring destination wedding at Silverpick Lodge with an outdoor ceremony surrounded by snowcapped mountains. The reception included pie, a fire pit, s’mores, and hot chocolate.
A Starry Night Wedding in Pagosa
A rustic bohemian backyard wedding under the stars in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
A Chic Engagement Shoot in the San Juan Mountains
Surrounded by the beauty of the San Juan Mountains on a warm autumn day, this stylish engagement shoot was filled with fun, laughter, and romance.
A Fall Wedding at Ridgewood Event Center
I was very nervous the day of our wedding because it was raining all morning. We really wanted to get married outdoors but it rained right up until we were about to start taking pictures. I don’t know what or how, but the clouds opened up and gave us an absolutely perfect fall day. We were able to hold our ceremony outside facing the stunning La Plata Mountains.
A Glamour Meets Rustic Wedding on Durango Mountain
A couple came into my work in Phoenix, AZ who recently got married at Dante’s Peak in Durango. They showed me pictures of them standing at the altar and I, having recently gotten engaged, said, “I want to get married RIGHT there”.
An Earthy Wedding on Durango Mountain
A destination wedding in Durango with majestic mountain views and earthy decor.
A Bohemian Festival Themed Wedding in Durango
A Durango Wedfest. A Bohemian Festival Themed Wedding in the Rocky Mountains of southwest Colorado.
A Summer Destination Wedding in Silverton
A casual destination wedding in Silverton, Colorado with a laid-back vibe that included dogs and tents.
A Pretty in Pink Wedding
A winter wedding filled with handmade pink details at Ridgewood Event Center in Durango, Colorado.
A Homegrown Wedding in Mancos
From the bride, Emily: Our meeting was love at first sight 6 years ago, in the very spot we got married! We wanted to do things ourselves and keep the wedding in tune with who we are. Simple became our catch-phrase when deciding things. We grew all the flowers ourselves, all 160 napkins were…
Two Engineers Unite in Durango
This pair of engineers from Chicago self described as nerdy hippies who love the outdoors and any engine with moving parts chose Durango for their destination wedding. Rather than plan a traditional wedding they decided to build their wedding from scratch with their own meanings and goals representing their partnership. They approached planning their…
A Valentine’s Day Wedding
It was love at first sight when this couple met on the slopes of Purgatory Resort so, they decided to tie the knot in the spot they initially met, and on the day they got engaged, Valentine’s Day.
A Sci Fi Wedding
From the couple, Ou & Lance: We chose Durango for our destination wedding because the area is very beautiful and mountainous, and it was important to us to hold the wedding outside and to incorporate the environment as a backdrop. We composed the ceremony script ourselves, with the wording inspired by Ancient Greek ritual, Vulcan…
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DURANGO WEDDINGS MAGAZINE
The wedding planning guide for Durango-Southwest Colorado highlighting LOCAL venues + vendors.
Durango Weddings Magazine is a curated event planning resource guide, print magazine, wedding blog, and producer of the annual Durango Wedding Expo.