How to Plan Your Adventurous San Juan Mountains Elopement
The San Juan Mountains are a lesser-known area in southwestern Colorado, boasting epic scenery (some of which you don’t even have to hike for!) that makes for the perfect Colorado elopement backdrop. As a San Juan Mountains elopement photographer, I find that many of my couples come to me looking for an adventurous wedding day without too much intensity; I always recommend Colorado in the summer as the perfect place to find absolutely beautiful views that are still easily accessible. Besides the natural beauty of the San Juan Mountains, the surrounding areas offer fun activities, delicious food, and comfortable lodging options–so you can turn your intimate Colorado elopement into a weekend experience filled with both adventure and refined details.
If you’re ready to dream up your perfect Colorado mountain elopement in the San Juan mountains, read on! If you’re looking for a different option in Colorado that offers wildflowers check out this guide for Crested Butte.
How to Plan Your Adventurous San Juan Mountains Elopement
The Legal Stuff: Location Permits, Witnesses, & Marriage License
One of my favorite facts to share with couples planning their San Juan Mountains elopement: your dog can sign your marriage license! I always recommend practicing this with your furry family members leading up to the big day so that it goes a bit more smoothly; alternatively, I’ve even seen one of my couples order a custom stamp of their dog’s paw print from Etsy to use for “signing” when their dog couldn’t attend!
Colorado is one of the very few states that does not require an officiant or witness to legalize your union, so your options are open when it comes to decision-making around whether you’d like to bring your closest friends and family members along to your intimate San Juan Mountain wedding or keep things simple with just the two of you.
Unlike a lot of other locations, many areas of the San Juan Mountains do not require special permits in order to elope there. This is location-specific, however, and can always change, so be sure to do your research as you’re narrowing down your favorite spots. As a Colorado mountain elopement photographer, I’m happy to offer my planning support and expertise as we figure out the perfect place for your ceremony.
Locations, Activities, and Lodging
Jeeping is a hugely popular option for San Juan Mountain elopements because you can reach epic locations without any of the hard work. Unless you have extensive 4x4 experience in Colorado, however, you’ll want to simplify things by using a Jeep rental company who can guide you through a safe adventure! I personally recommend https://soajeep.com/ and https://tellurideoutside.com/. Because of Colorado’s varying snow melt every year, road accessibility can be questionable, and driving the 4x4 dirt roads with no experience can be dangerous; guides will have the necessary inside information, figure out logistics, be your driver, and overall take the stress out of your adventurous San Juan Mountains elopement day! There are even large Jeep options that can hold a number of guests if you have your friends and family along for your adventure elopement. If you don’t plan to jeep on your wedding day, I still highly recommend this as an activity before or after–it is such a cool and unique way to see the area, and can also serve as a great opportunity to take more couples portraits in another location!
I highly recommend making a trip out of your Colorado mountain elopement, and would, of course, love to come along to document all of the fun in the days leading up to–and after–the ceremony! The areas surrounding the San Juan Mountains are full of exciting outdoor activities, so there’s no shortage of options to create your weekend wedding adventure itinerary.
Where to Get Married in the San Juan Mountains
Telluride
Nestled in a beautiful box valley, Telluride–a self-proclaimed “mountain village”-is quaint yet upscale spot to spend your San Juan Mountain elopement weekend adventuring, dining, and lodging, especially in the summer and early fall. From gondola rides to custom cowboy hats to mountain-view restaurants and refined western-themed hotel rooms, Telluride is the perfect spot for the adventurous couple who also prioritizes comfort and the finer things in life during their San Juan Mountains wedding trip.
Telluride Lodging:
https://aubergeresorts.com/madeline/
https://www.hotelpalomino.com/
Telluride Activities:
Gondola: https://www.telluride.com/activity/gondola/
Custom Hats: https://campbirdtelluride.com/
Guided Adventures: https://tellurideoutside.com/
Ouray
Smaller than Telluride–and leaning into more classic Western vibes–Ouray is a high alpine community offering adventurous activities like guided climbing and horseback riding.
Ouray Lodging:
https://www.thewesternouray.com/
Ouray Activities:
Horseback Riding: https://horsebackadventures.com/goldmountain/
Guided Adventures: https://ourayviaferrata.org/guiding-services/
Silverton
Silverton is a self-proclaimed "basecamp for adventure” and National Historic Landmark nestled in the San Juan Skyway, offering guided adventures and train tours.
Silverton Lodging:
Silverton Activities:
Train Ride: https://www.durangotrain.com/excursions/round-trip-silverton-train-tour/
Guided Adventures: https://sanjuanexpeditions.com/summer/
Things to Keep in Mind While Planning Your Beautiful San Juan Mountains Elopement
Hire a Planner.
Colorado wedding planners with expertise in the San Juan Mountains area can be wildly helpful in creating a stress-free elopement experience. In addition to all of the amazing things wedding planners do–from helping you to bring your vision to life, to guiding your guests on the day-of, to coordinating your vendors–their knowledge of the surrounding areas can also be the key to finding venue locations, expert vendors, and an answer to all your planning questions (plus some you haven't even thought about yet). Here are two Colorado wedding planners I recommend to start your search:
https://www.outwesteventsco.com
https://mountainesqueweddings.com
Consider Altitude Changes.
Something that comes as a surprise to some of my intimate Colorado elopement couples is the significant altitude change compared to the Midwest and East Coast. While everybody has different sensitivities to this–and some may not be bothered by it at all!--it’s important to be aware of potential altitude sickness and give yourself time to acclimate so you can fully enjoy your San Juan Mountains wedding day!
Consider the Weather.
Like I mentioned before, snow melt varies year by year and affects road accessibility even into the early summer. If you’re dreaming up a beautiful Colorado mountain elopement with wildflowers scattered throughout the background, you’ll want to plan for their peak season, which is typically early July; likewise, the Aspens begin to change color in late September/early October. My absolute favorite time to document a San Juan Mountains elopement is in the summer and early fall!
Consider Your Guest List.
An adventurous San Juan Mountains elopement can be perfect for intimate celebrations with your closest friends and family–they’ll love getting in on the jeeping experience and all of the exciting activities you plan throughout your wedding week! Alternatively, however, if you’re looking to host a larger celebration nearby, check out my blog post linked here on my favorite Southwest Colorado wedding venues!