Telluride, Colorado is the perfect destination if you’re dreaming of an intimate elopement experience surrounded by natural beauty. In this Telluride elopement guide, I’ll share the best locations, helpful planning tips, and elopement packages.
As a Telluride elopement photographer, I love photographing weddings and elopement surrounded by the magical 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 the ideal mountain elopement location. It’s beautiful, you can self-solemnize your wedding, and there are many places to tie the knot.
- Easy marriage license process – Getting married in Colorado is incredibly easy. Apply online, then go to any Colorado County Clerk’s Office to pay for and get your license. You’ll get married within 35 days of receiving your license, and you don’t need an officiant or any witnesses.
- Tranquil environment – Telluride is a quaint, peaceful mountain town. It’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a romantic getaway.
- Natural beauty – Telluride is surrounded by the massive San Juan Mountains, dotted with alpine lakes, and boasts some of the most gorgeous scenery in western Colorado. There truly are breathtaking views everywhere you turn!
- Fun activities – There is no shortage of fun things to do in Telluride. While it’s most known for skiing, you can also chase waterfalls, hike, bike, dine, and more.
The Best Telluride Elopement Locations
Telluride is one of the best places in Colorado to elope because of its many locations. Get married at the largest waterfall in Colorado, a mountain overlook with space for guests, or a mountain pass for a fun adventure. I’ll share some of my favorite spots below, but no matter what kind of experience you’re looking for, you can probably find it in Telluride.
Bridal Veil Falls
Cost: A permit may be required if you’re having a ceremony with guests
Best for: A fun adventure and beautiful setting
Bridal Veil Falls is one of Telluride’s most popular sites for a reason. At 365 feet, it’s Colorado’s largest waterfall, and it’s absolutely stunning. While Bridal Veil Falls is gorgeous during any season, I love the breathtaking scenery in fall!
If you’re up for a fun elopement adventure, you can hike or drive a 4WD to the base of the falls or hike about 5 miles roundtrip to the top.
Alta Lakes Observatory
Cost: $2000 per night for up to 12 guests, including ceremony ($2500 per night in March & July)
Best for: Seclusion and convenient accommodation
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
Cost: Varies by season and guest count; contact for pricing information
Best for: Beautiful views and a space for guests
The San Sophia Overlook is a mountain top wedding venue owned by and located at the popular Telluride Ski Resort. It overlooks the town of Telluride and Wilson Peak, offering incredible 360-degree views.
This is one of the best Telluride elopement locations for couples who want loved ones to join. The venue is available June through October and December through March, and you can invite up to 250 guests.
Mountain Passes
Cost: Most locations are free
Best for: An adventurous elopement experience
Mountain passes around Telluride offer an affordable elopement and unmatched views of the San Juan Mountains. There are many location options, including Imogene Pass, Ophir Pass Road, and Black Bear Pass. I’d love to help you find the perfect one!
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
Cost: Varies by accommodation
Best for: Accessibility and privacy
A vacation rental is ideal for accessibility and privacy, and there are many romantic options in Telluride. This is also ideal for a pet-friendly elopement.
There are several intimate and idyllic cabins, condos, and hotels on Airbnb and VRBO if you’re interested in going this route. Exchanging your vows at your vacation rental can also allow you to fully enjoy your day if you prefer a low-key experience.
How much does it cost to get married in Telluride?
It cost between $36,408 and $44,498 to get married in Telluride with 100-150 guests. However, an elopement can cost much less — anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. While it’s easy to splurge or stick to a budget, exact elopement cost depends on the exact location, guest count, and vendors.
How to Get to Telluride
Telluride is somewhat of a remote town, so figuring out travel can be tricky. That said, getting to Telluride is totally doable with some planning. Once you’re there, 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 also offers 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. That said, you can’t access the mountain peaks during winter due to snow. This is also Telluride’s busy season, so winter can be a more expensive time of year.
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, this is the ideal time to elope in Telluride. This time of year is quieter and offers an intimate, peaceful vibe, making it one of the best times for an intimate elopement.
Telluride Elopement Packages
Are you ready to make your dream elopement day a reality? I’d love to help you!
As a Colorado-based elopement photographer, I enjoy traveling 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 with the planning process. We can work together to bring your vision to life, whether you’re planning a just-us or micro 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
Telluride 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."
