If you’re dreaming of an intimate elopement experience surrounded by natural beauty, Telluride is the perfect destination. In this Telluride elopement guide, I’m going to share the best locations along with other helpful tips, like when to elope and elopement packages.
As an adventure elopement photographer, I love working with couples in western Colorado locations surrounded by the San Juan Mountains. It’s hard to find a more stunning area with countless ceremony venues to fit almost any couple’s style!
Why Elope in Telluride?
Telluride is easily one of the best places to elope. This quaint, peaceful mountain town is surrounded by the massive San Juan Mountains, dotted with alpine lakes, and boasts some of the most gorgeous scenery in western Colorado.
In fact, Travel + Leisure named Telluride one of the best small towns and the most idyllic ski town in the United States. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy breathtaking views everywhere you turn, Telluride is the place for you!
Not only is Telluride picture-perfect, but couples who enjoy activities especially appreciate how many there are in this exciting mountain town. While Telluride is most known for its skiing opportunities, there’s so much more to enjoy. You and your love can chase cascading waterfalls, hike or bike incredible mountain trails, go off-roading, shop, dine, and so much more.
Not only does Telluride offer exciting and gorgeous elopement ceremony locations, but it’s also easy to hang around and have an unforgettable honeymoon together.
Getting a marriage license in Colorado is also incredibly easy. You can even get married without an officiant or any witnesses.
You might also be interested in reading: Why Have a San Juan Mountains Elopement + The Best Locations
How to Get to Telluride
Telluride is somewhat of a remote town, so figuring out travel can be tricky. With that said, getting to Telluride is totally doable with some planning and getting around town is relatively easy.
If you’re flying into Telluride, there’s a local, regional airport. It’s a small airport, so there aren’t many flights, and they can be pricey.
Telluride’s primary airport, The Montrose Regional Airport, is about an hour and a half away. It offers many direct flights from other large airports. The 65-mile drive to Telluride from here is absolutely beautiful, so many couples are happy to choose this option!
Once you’re in Telluride (or if you’re driving), it’s easy to get around. The town is easily walkable, and a free shuttle service will also take you to and from. Telluride has also started recently offering rideshare services via Lyft if you prefer that option.
When to Elope in Telluride
While summer and fall are the most popular times to elope in Telluride, there’s something to appreciate any time of year.
Winter
Winter in Telluride is gorgeous! It looks and feels like a winter wonderland. With that said, you can’t access the mountain peaks during winter due to snow. Keep in mind that since Telluride is a famous ski resort, this time of year is busy and more expensive.
Spring
If you’re looking for cool weather without all the snow and fewer crowds, Spring is the perfect time for a Telluride elopement. This is considered the off-season, so there aren’t many people. However, some restaurants and sites are closed during this time.
Summer
Summers in Telluride are incredible, and the elopement backdrops and activities are unmatched. Many couples love Telluride summers for its glistening blue lakes and blooming wildflowers.
Fall
If you’re dreaming of fall foliage and crisp weather for your elopement experience, fall is the ideal time to elope in Telluride. This time of year is quieter and offers an intimate, peaceful vibe.
The Best Telluride Elopement Locations
From the largest waterfall in Colorado to a gorgeous elopement destination with room for loved ones to attend, Telluride has the perfect elopement location for any couple. No matter what kind of experience you’re looking for, this magical mountain town can probably offer it!
Here’s a quick overview of the best Telluride elopement locations (I’ll share all the fun details below!):
- Bridal Veil Falls: a stunning waterfall venue
- Alta Lakes Observatory: seclusion, accommodations, & activities
- San Sophia Overlook: beautiful views & space for guests
- Mountain passes: an adventurous elopement experience
- Vacation rental: accessibility & privacy
Related read: Colorado Elopement: When & Where to Elope (Everything You Need to Know)
Bridal Veil Falls: A Stunning Waterfall Venue
Bridal Veil Falls is one of Telluride’s most popular sites for a reason! It’s Colorado’s largest waterfall, and it’s stunning. You can hike or drive a 4WD to the base of the falls or hike about 5 miles (roundtrip) to the top for your elopement ceremony.
Tip: Although Bridal Veil Falls is beautiful during any season, elope during fall for jaw-dropping scenery!
Alta Lakes Observatory: Seclusion, Accommodations, & Activities
The Observatory at Alta Lakes is a private cabin situated in Telluride backcountry below 13,000-foot mountain peaks. This is the perfect Telluride elopement destination for couples who want to spend the night at their venue. There’s even space for up to 45 family members and friends if you plan to invite guests.
Couples love so many things about eloping at Alta Lakes Observatory – seclusion, blooming wildflowers, and feeling like you’re on top of the world. There are also endless activities to enjoy before and after your elopement, including almost every outdoor activity imaginable, dining, and shopping.
San Sophia Overlook: Beautiful Views & Space for Guests
Another stunning wedding venue in Telluride is the San Sophia Overlook. This overlook deck is owned by and located at the popular Telluride Ski Resort. It overlooks the town of Telluride and Wilson Peak, offering incredible views.
This is the perfect Telluride elopement destination for couples who want to have guests. You can have up to 200 people join you for your ceremony at San Sophia Overlook.
Mountain Passes: An Adventurous Elopement Experience
Mountain passes around Telluride offer unmatched views of the San Juan Mountains. If you and your love are dreaming of an adventurous elopement, we can make it happen with an off-roading mountain pass experience. There are also paved mountain passes that offer a more relaxed adventure with picture-perfect surroundings!
Vacation Rental: Accessibility & Privacy
Couples often overlook a vacation rental as their elopement ceremony location, but it’s one of the best options! Vacation rentals can be great for accessibility and privacy, and many of them are just as beautiful as other locations. Many couples bringing pets and possibly other loved ones especially appreciate booking a vacation rental for their elopement.
There are several intimate and idyllic cabins, condos, and hotels on Airbnb and VRBO if you’re interested in going this route. Having your elopement at a vacation rental can also make it easy to get ready and allow you to save time and money for your ultimate elopement experience.
Interested in brainstorming other elopement locations in Telluride? Contact Among the Pines Photography!
Telluride Elopement Packages
Are you ready to make your dream elopement a reality? I’d love to help you!
Among the Pines (that’s me!) is a Colorado-based elopement photographer who travels to work with couples who are adventurous dreamers. Not only do my Telluride elopement packages cover taking photos of all those special moments, but I also help you bring your vision to life. Oh, and I can even officiate your wedding!
“Brooke is hands down the most talented photographer I have ever met in my entire life. I gave her my inspiration and she took it and made it into something entirely unique and beautiful. Brooke was able to work with my budget and offer me options. Along with all of this, she was always there to communicate with me from ideas to concerns. The day of never goes as planned, she was thrown curveball after curveball and dodged them all with ease. The photos we received memorialized the best day of our lives and we are forever grateful for the beautiful artwork she created.”
Emily & Nick
Among the Pines Elopement Packages include:
- Phone consultation
- Location scouting
- Timeline planning
- Vendor recommendations
- Elopement planning resources
- Sneak peek photos
- Custom online gallery (with all edited high-resolution images)
- Rights to printing
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
