Tips for Planning Your Colorado Summer Elopement
Elope Telluride plans & photographs adventure elopements in western Colorado.
The rumors are true. Colorado is the perfect place to elope in the summer. When most people think of Colorado, they’re familiar with Denver and it’s surrounding areas like Colorado Springs, Boulder, Vail, and Rocky Mountain National Park. These places are no doubt pretty, but they are also BUSY. Our little nook in western Colorado is called the San Juan Mountains; it’s a smaller range within the giant Rocky Mountain range. If you love outdoor activities together, I encourage you to do a little research about this area for your adventure elopement. You might find our blog “20 Reasons to Elope in Western Colorado” to have some helpful info.
The primary spots for winter skiing and summer adventuring are Telluride, Ouray and Ridgway. Life is more relaxed out here, and also less busy. Plus, no one from the Denver area will confess….but our mountains are way, way prettier. The San Juan’s have the highest concentration of 14ers (peaks above 14,000 feet) in the state. Every direction you look is epic views, perfect for your destination elopement.
And the summer….ohhhhh the SUMMER. I could go on for days about how amazing summer is in western Colorado. Let me count the ways…
Cooler temperatures first of all (having spent the rest of our lives in the South, this was a big reason we moved here).
Wildflower season. During the peak in July and August, the hillsides are blanketed in vivid colors.
Waterfalls. They are everywhere, as the snow melts and creates beautiful streams running down the side of just about any mountain you see during peak time. Plus, the tallest waterfall in CO (Bridal Veil Falls) is right here in Telluride.
High alpine hikes & turquoise glacial lakes. By summer, the snow has melted and the roads & trails to the 14,000 peaks are open. (You’ll need 4x4 transportation to drive up.) Plus, the snow runoff sustains the turquoise alpine lakes that you can elope at!
4x4 Off Roading. The mountain town of Ouray, Colorado is known as the “adventure capital of the world” AND “the Switzerland of America.” One of the reasons is because of the world famous Alpine Loop, an all-day drive of 65 miles through 12,000 foot elevation with views of 13ers and 14ers. It’s an adventurer’s dream! The views are endless and provide a breathtaking elopement backdrop! A 4x4 Jeep is needed, but we can help arrange your rental and send you some route recommendations too.
As I said, it’s the perfect place to elope in the mountains. You may be considering an elopement, but you don’t know where to start. Our team at Elope Telluride can help you choose a location for your ceremony, capture amazing photos, and also book all of your vendors for you - so you can be 100% stress free. Isn’t “no stress” what eloping is all about anyway? We plan & photograph elopements in Telluride, Ouray, Ridgway and anywhere in western CO.
Here are some FAQ’s about having a Colorado adventure elopement:
Do we have to hike to reach an epic ceremony spot? Only if you want to. There are some truly remarkable locations that require a few miles of hiking, but you can also drive right up to some amazing viewpoints during summer (like the photo above). We also strongly recommend renting a Jeep for your trip, not only to access a ceremony site for your elopement, but also to go on adventures yourself on the other days. This area is a Jeeping and off-roading mecca.
How do I decide where to exchange vows? We’ll recommend locations based on exactly what you envision for your mountain elopement, whether that be in front of a waterfall, next to a blue lake, or in a wildflower field with sweeping mountain views.
When is the best month to elope in western CO? June, July and August provide the most variety because the snow is usually melted and more places are accessible. Some roads are still closed in May, and September can bring snow in the highest elevations. That said….our absolute favorite time here is the 2-week window when the fall colors are at peak…but that’s another blog post!
What should I wear if I want to hike? If you plan to have a hiking elopement, we may need to start before sunrise. Wearing a base layer under your dress is advised as it’s still cold in the summer nights. Bring a change of shoes if you prefer…or rock your hiking boots during your ceremony! Wearing layers you can shed is key. If your dress is long, we have some tricks to get it off the ground for your hike!
How much does it cost to elope? Less than a wedding, that’s for sure! Our Mini Elopement package is our most affordable, and our premium “all inclusive” package includes us scheduling on our behalf hair styling, makeup, bouquet and more. Eloping is an affordable way to get married, considering the average wedding is $35,000, plus you’ve got a built in Colorado honeymoon! Click here to see all our elopement packages.
Is it true we can “self-solemnize” our vows? Yes! Colorado is one of only 4 places in the US where you don’t need an officiant for your ceremony. You can take your time, read your handwritten vows, embrace the sights & sounds of the moment, and marry yourselves. Colorado also doesn’t require witnesses, although it’s a fact that your dog can place their paw print as your witness! There is also no waiting period after obtaining your marriage license; we can help with this as well.
How many hours of photography do we need? The best answer is…it depends. If you choose to hike or 4x4 off road to your ceremony spot, a few hours of the day will be dedicated to doing just that. Of course, we will take fun photos all along the way. If you chose an easy “drive to” ceremony location and just want a couple hours of epic pictures, then our Mini Elopement Package would be best for you. We prefer to customize your day to be an adventure, not just an hour of photos during the ceremony. We’ll choose a variety of locations to take pictures at, and we encourage couples to choose an activity together to make their day special. That might be off-roading, exploring a waterfall, climbing or simply having a mountaintop picnic, craft beers and a first dance. Imagine your ideal day together doing the things you truly love….the very best day you could ever possibly have together. Let us create that for you.
Of course, we are here to answer any other questions that you have about eloping in western Colorado in summer, fall or winter. Contact us today to inquire about our available dates. We would love to create a Colorado adventure elopement just for you!