an expert’s guide to planning your san juan mountains and telluride elopement
how to plan a telluride elopement
If there is one specific location I get asked about the most as an elopement photographer, it’s Telluride. While many people have never heard of it, those who have know that it’s something special. Telluride, Colorado, and it’s surrounding mountains are wild, remote, and ripe for adventure. They’re also the perfect place for your elopement.
As a Telluride elopement photographer, I put together this guide to help couples just like you plan their best day ever in one of the most beautiful places in Colorado.
Ready to learn about eloping in Telluride? Let’s go!
Table of Contents
A quick note before we get started:
In this guide I use the term “Telluride” because it is the mot well-known town in the area – but this article applies to all of the San Juan Mountains. This includes beautiful spots in and around Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Durango, and Ridgway.
telluride elopement locations
the best places to elope in the san juan mountains
San Sophia Overlook
Want to get married on top of a mountain without even leaving town? This is for you! San Sophia is on top of the mountain and accessed by the gondola. It features STUNNING views of the town of Telluride and Bridal Veil Falls. It’s also an excellent spot for a wedding with guests. This overlook is owned by the Telluride Ski Resort and can be used by reservation or permission from the resort.
Alta Lakes Observatory
Alta Lakes Observatory is ICONIC. This stunning, luxury lodge is located an hour up a bumpy road from Telluride (4wd recommended but not required). This is an ideal location where you can have your own little slice of paradise to stay (and get married at) that is all your own. It’s also a great jumping off point for exploring other parts of Telluride and the San Juans! If you’re lucky you’ll get a clear dark night and unforgettable view of the Milky Way streaming across the sky. Reserve Alta Lakes Observatory here.
At an alpine lake
Telluride and the San Juan Mountains are RICH in beautiful, often jewel colored, alpine lakes. These lakes can be reached either by 2wd car (although easy access means more uninvited guests), Jeep road, or hike. The farther you get from civilization – the fewer people you’ll see! If you are a couple who loves water, wildflowers, and tunning mountain views – this is for you!
deep in the mountains up a jeep road
For couples who want to get away from the crowds, are looking for an adventure, and don’t want to do a long hike, the San Juan Mountains are one of the BEST places for Jeep elopements. From mild to wild, there are Jeep trails to take you to some of the most beautiful places in the San Juans. Bring your own 4wd vehicle or rent one from any of the plentiful Jeep rental companies in the area.
Note: Some of these Jeep road are gnarly. This is a situation where you definitely want to work with someone who knows this area and these road well! (It’s me, hi!).
next to a waterfall
For waterfall lovers, the Telluride and the San Juan have a LOT to offer! From towering falls (including the largest freestanding waterfall in Colorado) to smaller, bluer ones, this area is FULL of beautiful spots to explore!
in a backcountry basin
Some of the BEST places to elope in Telluride are off the beaten path and accessed only by hike, Jeep, or ATV. These spots offer wildflowers, waterfalls, views for miles, and very few people!
ok but ….
With so many beautiful place to elope in telluride and the san juans- how do you choose?!
The beauty of eloping in the San Juans is that there are SO many gorgeous elopement locations … but it can also make it hard to pick.
The good news is that you don’t have to pick just one! This is an area where it really pay off to have a lot of time to go visit multiple places. It’s not at all uncommon for my couples to say their vows up a Jeep Road in one part of the mountains and then go explore a waterfall in another. This is also where it’s super useful to work with someone who knows the area well and can help you put together a day that gives you the best experience possible!
how to plan a telluride elopement
1. find a telluride elopement photographer
I ALWAYS suggest choosing your photographer first (even if it’s not me – although I hope it is!). A good photographer will be able to help you find the best elopement locations, choose the right time of year, lock in any vendors, and come up with a timeline. The whole process is so much easier when you bring in the professional help early on!
2. choose your elopement ceremony location
Figuring out where you will have your ceremony early will help figure out the rest of the day and how it will all go down. Every photographer is different but for me, this is always where I start with my couples! We’ll run through a bunch of options and choose a location that fits the scenery and level of adventure you want!
3. book lodging and any other vendors
Once you have a general idea of the areas you will be exploring or where you want to get married, it’s time to book other vendors! While you definitely DON’T need to hire other folks, many people choose to invest in flowers, hair and makeup, catering, cake, and/or Jeep or ATV rentals.
For an awesome list of lodging options, click here!
4. take a deep breath and enjoy every moment
This day is going to FLY by – make sure to slow down and enjoy every moment of it!! It’s not about pictures or pressure or stress or everyone’s expectations. It’s about the two of you getting married, maybe with some family and friends (or just your favorite dog) in one of the most beautiful places on Earth!
How much does it cost to elope in Telluride?
The cost of your Telluride elopement or intimate wedding will depend largely on where you base your elopement and the type of activities you do during the day!
A simple San Juan Mountain elopement based out of an affordable AirB BNB in Ouray, Silverton, or Ridgway will be relatively inexpensive while a more involved
An elopement based out of a resort in Telluride will be far more expensive. While Telluride itself isn’t the cheapest part of Colorado, there are definitely options for every budget!
Adding things like hair and makeup, florals, officiants, Jeep rentals, etc CAN drive the cost up but you don’t really need any of those things. It’s ALL up to you!
best places to stay in telluride for your eloement
The Telluride area has everything from quaint mountain cabins to upscale resorts. Deciding where to stay for your Telluride elopement will depend on the vibe that you want and your budget. Being a ski resort town, Telluride can be expensive. If you start looking for places to stay in Telluride and your credit card starts screaming at you, I recommend checking out Ridgway, Ouray, and Silverton as well. Any of these places will give you access to the same beautiful mountain scenery and they’re often combined in the same elopement day!
Best places to stay in Telluride
Telluride is the biggest and (by far!) the fanciest of the towns on this list. If you are looking for an upscale, resort-style town (that still has tons of local character), Telluride is where it’s at. Telluride has two main areas – the town of Telluride itself and Mountain Village, which is part of the resort. These two areas are connected by a free (and dog-friendly) gondola! You’ll find most in-town lodging is actually in Mountain Village
- Mountain Lodge – Upscale resort in Mountain Village
- The Madeline – Luxury hotel in Mountain Village
- Alta Lakes Observatory – Remote mountain lodge
- Riverside Condos – Close to town
Best places to stay in silverton
If I had to choose ONE town in the San Juans as my favorite, Silverton would be it. This place is an old mining town, surrounded by some of the must rugged peaks in the state. It has tons of cool lodging, some really great restaurants, and a town-that-time-forgot kind of vibe. I LOVE Silverton and I think you will too!
- The Wyman – Midcentury modern charm in an old mining town. I’m OBSESSED with this place!
- Elevated Mountain Retreat – Large luxury home with beautiful views neaer Silverton
- Artist Cabin on Red Mountain Pass – Beautiful rustic cabin in the mountains
- Addie’s Cabin on Red Mountain Pass – Another gorgeous cabin
Best places to stay in ouray and ridgway
Ouray and Ridgway are tiny and adorable mountain towns, just 15 minutes apart. They both have a super laid-back, outdoorsy vibe. One of the best things about both of these towns is that it is centrally located between Telluride and Silverton, making it easy(ish) to access both during your stay!
- Hotel Ouray – beautiful boutique hotel right in Ouray (adults only)
- Canon Creek Cabin – cabin with beautiful views in Ridgway
- Mount Hayden Backcountry Lodge – stunning backcountry lodge, 4wd required
How to get a marriage license in Telluride
As with everywhere in Colorado, getting legally married in Telluride is incredibly easy. Simply go to a county clerk’s office bring your paperwork, and be ready to raise your hand and promise you’re not related to each other by blood (weird, right?!).
Because Colorado is a self solemnizing state you do not need an officiant or witnesses to get married here, and yes, your dog can sign your marriage license with their paw print!
Marriage licenses can be picked up at the San Miguel County courthouse in Telluride or any other county clerk’s office in Colorado.
check out some telluride + SAN JUAN MOUNTAIN elopements
San Juan Mountain Elopement Inspiration
I’m here to make planning your telluride elopement easy and your day itself an adventure beyond your wildest dreams.
want SOME HELP PLANNING YOUR TELLURIDE ELOPEMENT?
You’re in the right place!
I’m a Colorado based elopement photographer and planner who has been helping couples elope in the San Juan mountains for almost a decade now. Over the years I’ve learned a thing or two about the art of planning stress free, beyond-your-wildest-dreams elopement days!
But I’m so much more than a photographer. I also give you:
Custom off-the-beaten-path location suggestions
local vendor recommendations
elopement day timelines to maximize both the good light for photos and more importantly your experience of your day
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and so much more …
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