Breckenridge Elopement Photographers
After photographing dozens of elopements in Breckenridge, we’ve finally given ourselves the title, Breckenridge Elopement Photographers. If you’re not familiar, Breckenridge is a little mountain town located right off I-70 that attracts skiers, snowboarders, adventurers, and couples just like you every single year. We don’t know about you, but when we hear the name “Breckenridge”, our ears perk up and the sense of wonder overcomes us. When we think of Breckenridge, we think of open fields of blooming wildflowers, mountain views in every direction, endless possibilities of hikes, alpine lakes, and huge, like really freakin’ huge mountains. There is something for every level and type of adventure you’re looking for in Breckenridge. You don’t have to hike miles into the backcountry to have an elopement in Breckenridge. There are plenty of easily accessible, drive right up to ceremony locations with gorgeous mountain backdrops. Working and playing in Breckenridge has really expanded our knowledge of the area, and provided us with the expertise needed to lead our couples on their elopement days.
We made this resource as a free guide for all of our couples eloping in Breckenridge. Don’t feel like you need to absorb it all right now, it’ll be here for you whenever you want to refer back to! Read through it, look at all of our work, imagine yourself in Breckenridge on your big day, and get ready to feel super inspired. This is our guide to eloping in Breckenridge, written by your Breckenridge Elopement Photographers, Alex & Kelly.
Breckenridge Elopement Locations
Let’s get right to it, Breckenridge elopement locations. You’re choosing to elope in this magical place for its scenery. You want to be surrounded by nature, and feel in awe when you look around. We got you. This is our database of all of our favorite locations to elope at in Breckenridge.
Breckenridge Elopement Locations – Lakes
Imagine this: You’re walking on a hiking trail in a dense evergreen forest, hand in hand with your partner. The forest opens up and reveals a 14,000 ft mountain, and at the base is an alpine lake surrounded by wildflowers. This is where you get married. Below we list some of the more popular locations that offer lakes, but if you’re wanting to view our hidden gem list, click here.
Sapphire Point Overlook
Technically not in Breckenridge, but it’s located just north of Breckenridge! Sapphire Point is an overlook in Dillon, CO. It offers views of the Dillon Reservoir right below it, with sweeping mountain views off in the distance. This location is perfect for couples who are planning on having guests at their ceremony as it offers an area specifically for your wedding ceremony that’s big enough for up to 35 people total (including the couple, photographer, guests, etc.)
Permits for Sapphire Point Overlook
There is a process put in place for obtaining a permit for Sapphire Point. You can get a permit and reserve a two-hour time slot by going to Recreation.Gov. The permit costs ~$120. In the winter months they limit the permits to 3 per day for 8 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm, but starting in May they offer permits for 6 am, 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm, and 8 pm. If you know the date and time you’re wanting, don’t hesitate. These spots can book up quickly.
Getting to Sapphire Point Overlook for your Breckenridge Elopement
The drive to Sapphire Point Overlook is easy, and the overlook is accessible with a two-wheel-drive vehicle. It’s right off of I-70, and ~2 hour drive from the airport. If you’re flying into CO, you’ll want to try and fly into DIA.
What to expect when eloping at Sapphire Point Overlook
Sapphire Point Overlook is a beautiful location that allows guests. In our opinion, if you’re looking for a more traditional feel for your ceremony with a stunning backdrop, this location works. But, if you’re willing to get a bit adventurous, there are far more better options for your Breckenridge elopement. Why do we think this? Well, the park doesn’t close off the overlook to visitors when the wedding , so it’s possible to have random people around or even walk up to your ceremony. The views can’t be beaten though!
Blue Lakes
Sitting right between Quandary Peak (a 14,000 ft mountain!! 🏔) and North Star Mountain (a 13,000 ft mountain!!) lies Blue Lakes. Blue Lakes is such a solid choice for any couple. Whether you’re eloping just the two of you, or you’re inviting guests along, Blue Lakes can accommodate for either. It also has as little, or as much adventure as you’re looking for. Rocks to climb on, even a waterfall to explore.
Permits for Blue Lakes
The permit process for Blue Lakes can change frequently. It’s something you’ll want to talk with your photographer about to just make sure you are not skipping over any important steps. In our experience, getting the proper approval to hold a wedding ceremony here and photograph it is relatively easy.
Getting to Blue Lakes for your Breckenridge Elopement
The drive to Blue Lakes is an easy one. It’s right off of Rt 9. Rt 9 is the connecting route for I-70 and Hwy 285, which travels North to South. The road leading to the lake is accessible with a two-wheel-drive vehicle (depending on the time of year, if you’re wanting a winter elopement, you might need 4×4). If you’re flying into Colorado, you’ll want to try and fly into Denver International Airport. The drive from Denver International to Breckenridge is about 2 hours. If you’re not wanting to stay in the town of Breckenridge, but still want to elope at Blue Lakes, consider heading south on Rt 9 and staying in Alma, or Fairplay, which is just a little further south of Alma.
What to expect when eloping at Blue Lakes in Breckenridge
Eloping at Blue Lakes mid-week vs. weekend
We always suggest our couples choose a mid-week elopement wedding date. The main reason for this is to avoid crowds of people. Blue Lakes is super accessible and has amazing views, which always guarantees there will be other people there, and sometimes lots of people. Coming during a weekday will help with this a ton!
Winter Breckenridge Elopement at Blue Lakes
Winters here can be cold, windy, and snowy! They also close off the road at the bottom, so bring your yak tracks (possibly even snowshoes!) and be prepared for a bit of a hike. The hike is steep, and if you’re not used to the elevation you’ll want to give yourselves lots of time to get up to the lakes. Plan to take it nice and slow, and take plenty of breaks! It’s possible you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle to make it to the parking area at Blue Lakes in the winter.
Spring Breckenridge Elopement at Blue Lakes
Here in Breckenridge, snow is still falling well into April, some years even well into May or June. On average, the most snow falls in March and April. But even after it stops snowing, all of the snow that did fall has to melt, leaving some areas super muddy and wet. Keep this in mind when planning your springtime Breckenridge elopement at Blue Lakes, as the gate opens up at different times each year, depending on snowfall.
Summer Breckenridge Elopement at Blue Lakes
Our absolute favorite! Nothing beats the wildflowers, the sunshine on your face during a bluebird day, and the late evening sunset. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to spot some mountain goats.
Fall Breckenridge Elopement at Blue Lakes
Blue Lakes doesn’t offer many aspens, so if you’re looking for golden aspens for your fall Breckenridge elopement, Blue Lakes probably isn’t your best pick. Like we mentioned for winter elopements here, the gate can close as soon as the first snowfall comes, which some years is in September.
Breckenridge Elopement Locations – Mountain Views
Hoosier Pass
Hoosier Pass is a high elevation mountain pass on Hwy 9 between Breckenridge and Alma. It’s part of the Great Continental Divide in Colorado, and it’s the highest point on Hwy 9, resting at 11,542’. Hoosier Pass offers amazing mountain views for a Breckenridge elopement. There are a few hiking options on either side of the pass. But the great thing about this mountain pass is that the views start off almost immediately, so if you’re not wanting to summit a mountain, this is still a great option!
Permits for a Hoosier Pass Breckenridge Elopement
We’ve photographed here a few times, and it’s relatively easy to get permission to have a ceremony and photograph here. Always double-check and speak with a park official before heading up here. Circumstances and permit processes are always changing. They hold avalanche training here and during those times it’s off-limits to the public for use.
Hiking Options for your Hoosier Pass Breckenridge Elopement
Don’t think you’re done making your decision just yet! You have options on which side of Hoosier Pass you’d like to have your Breckenridge elopement, the west side, or the east side. But as we mentioned before, the views start off almost immediately with these hikes, so don’t feel like you have to go all the way to the top. If you’re wanting mountain views but are not down for a hike, Hoosier Pass is still an excellent option for your Breckenridge elopement.
West Side – Hoosier Pass Loop Trail
The west side of Hoosier Pass has a trail that offers views of Hoosier Ridge and is the easier option of the two. The views start almost immediately on the hike, and the area is scattered with evergreens up until you reach the alpine territory. The trail is about 1.5 miles each way, with ~750 ft of elevation gain. It is a steep hike to get to the top, but the views are so worth it!
East Side – Hoosier Ridge Trail
The east side of Hoosier Pass has a trail that goes along Hoosier Ridge, and offers incredible 360 mountain views! This hike is the more challenging of the two. The length is 1.75 miles each way and ~1,200 ft of elevation gain. Again, a steep hike (even steeper than the west side) but the views are 10000% worth it.
What to expect when eloping at Hoosier Pass in Breckenridge
Before choosing this location for your Breckenridge elopement, make sure you’ll be going with someone who knows the trail and the area. The loop trail on the west side isn’t much of a trail and requires GPS navigation at times. It’s easy to get off course when you’re not familiar with the territory, which can be dangerous.
Eloping at Hoosier Pass midweek vs weekend
Hoosier Pass can get crowded on the weekends. We always suggest our couples choose a mid-week day for their elopements, even if the area isn’t popular. Hoosier Pass is a big enough area so even if the parking lot is full of people, you might only see a handful of those visitors.
Winter Breckenridge Elopement at Hoosier Pass
Guaranteed deep snow, so bring your snowshoes! During seasonal peaks, snowpack on this mountain can reach levels as high as 191″, while the historical average snowpack during the winter sits around 31″. So low temps, wind, and deep snow can be expected. This area is not one to be taken lightly due to some spots being avalanche territory. Do not go out here without knowing about avalanches, the conditions, and looking at reports. Be prepared for traction and chain laws to go into effect if the weather turns.
Spring Breckenridge Elopement at Hoosier Pass
Springtime in Colorado is so unpredictable, especially at a mountain pass. You could get snow, low temps, high temps, a blizzard, sleet, sunshine… or a mix of all of those. Some things to keep in mind though: it takes a while for all the winter snow to melt, so some years even in May or June you’ll still have snow on the ground.
Summer Breckenridge Elopement at Hoosier Pass
Wildflowers are seen at Hoosier Pass starting towards the end of June and beginning of July and will be spotted through the beginning of August. Since some of the hike is above the treeline, there’s no shade in those areas. Patches of snow are also spotted in early summer!
Fall Breckenridge Elopement at Hoosier Pass
Hoosier Pass doesn’t offer a ton of aspens, so if you’re looking for a sea of golden fall foliage for your Breckenridge fall elopement, Hoosier Pass shouldn’t be your first pick. If you’re not wanting snow for your Breckenridge elopement, avoid late fall. Snowfall starts as early as October here.
Getting to Hoosier Pass
Hoosier Pass is accessible with a two-wheel-drive vehicle most of the year. If the weather turns, some drivers might have a hard time with the sharp turns and steep grades (up to 8%). This mountain pass stays open all year (with exceptions of course, like a huge snowstorm, any road can close during a snow storm). But they do plow it in the winter, which keeps it open. There are two options when getting to Hoosier Pass from Denver. You can either take I-70, or you can take Hwy 285. We personally enjoy the drive on Hwy 285 better than the drive on I-70 – it’s much more scenic, and you don’t have to deal with I-70 traffic.
Breckenridge Elopement Locations – Hidden Gems
It’s no secret that Breckenridge is filled with elopement locations. There are hundreds of alpine lakes (some that don’t even have names), hikes, forest roads, mountains to summit, the list just goes on and on. We always tell our couples that if you’re willing to do a more adventurous hike (2+ miles) or rent a 4×4 vehicle, you open the flood gates for options. We don’t love giving away the exact locations or names to our favorite hidden gems, but they will for sure be on your location list if you book with us and if they check all of your boxes. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. This blog post would be way too long if we listed all of our hidden gems.😉
Hidden Gem #1
This alpine lake sits at ~11,500 ft. It is a ~1.5 mile hike each way (3 miles total), with ~500 ft. elevation gain. We would consider this hike to be easy to moderate. Every time we’ve been to this location we have it all to ourselves. This would be the perfect location for a couple who wants a private elopement ceremony with no spectators. The trailhead is accessible with a 2 wheel drive vehicle most of the year. In the winter or even spring, you’ll want a 4×4 vehicle.
Hidden Gem #2
This alpine lake sits at ~11,300 ft. It is a one mile hike each way (2 miles total), with ~400 ft. elevation gain. We would consider this hike to be easy to moderate. This location is not popular, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you had it all to yourselves! The trailhead is only accessible with a 4×4 lifted vehicle. We would recommend renting a 4×4 Jeep to get to this trailhead.
Hidden Gem #3
This alpine lake sits at ~12,300 ft. You first drive one mile with a lifted 4×4 vehicle, and then hike the remaining ~2.5 miles with ~1,200 ft elevation gain. We wouldn’t expect to see anyone else here, especially during a weekday! The alpine lake sits right on the edge of a cliff and offers amazing mountain views. The 4×4 ride is rated a 5/10, and listed as moderate.
Hidden Gem #4
This alpine lake sits at ~12,000 ft and is only accessible either by hiking or with a high clearance 4×4 vehicle. This location offers beautiful alpine scenery. The drive takes you through numerous alpine meadows with sprawling wildflowers. There are a few parts where you have to pass a creek, adding to the adventure! A great location for a sunrise elopement.
Need more location inspiration? Check out our Best Places to Elope in Colorado list! 👉
How to Elope in Breckenridge
Marriage License – Getting your marriage license for your Breckenridge Elopement
Where to get a marriage license for your Breckenridge Elopement
Below we list out the closest clerk and recorders offices to Breckenridge, but you don’t have to get your marriage license here to elope in Breckenridge. You can get your marriage license anywhere in the state, get married anywhere in the state, but you just have to turn the license back into the county you got it from. There is the Summit County Clerk & Recorder’s Office located at 208 Lincoln Ave, Breckenridge, CO 80424. If you’re planning on staying south of Breckenridge near Fairplay, there is the Park County Clerk & Recorder’s Office located at 856 Castello Ave, Fairplay, CO 80440. Be sure to check their current processes, since COVID, some offices are issuing out marriage licenses by appointment only.
How to get a marriage license for your Breckenridge Elopement
Colorado makes eloping super easy! It’s almost like this state was made for couples choosing to elope! We list out some of the main laws below.
- The cost is an affordable $30
- Both applicants must be present when applying for your marriage license, and show identification
- There is zero waiting period, meaning you can walk into a Clerk and Recorders office to apply for your marriage license, walk out 15 minutes later with it, and even get married that same day and turn it back in
- You can get your marriage license anywhere in the state, and get married anywhere in the state, but you have to return the marriage license to the clerk and recorders office where you got it. You can either drop it off in person, or mail it back in.
Beyond Breckenridge: Alternative Locations
Is your heart set on a Colorado elopement, but you’re thinking maybe Breckenridge isn’t the right fit for you?
Vendors for your Breckenridge Elopement
HMUA for your Breckenridge Elopement
Florist for your Breckenridge Elopement
What to expect when eloping in Breckenridge
Breckenridge is a popular tourist destination, so it can get a little crowded in certain areas. The good thing about Breckenridge is that it’s so vast that even with a lot of people, you’re almost always guaranteed to find a place to tuck away to have a private ceremony. We always suggest our couples pick a week-day elopement date vs the weekend to cut back on the number of tourists you see during your day. If having a private ceremony is something that is important to you, we will work together to find you a location that checks off all of your boxes. It’s important to remember that there are three things to consider when choosing your Breckenridge Elopement: Views, Accessibility, and Privacy. Pick 2, but you can’t have all 3. If a location is easily accessible with amazing views, chances are it’s going to not have privacy. If it has privacy with amazing views, it’ll be a little more challenging to get to.
Best time of year to elope in Breckenridge
The best time of year to elope in Breckenridge is really dependent on the experience you’re looking for on your elopement day. Below we break down what to expect for each season when deciding to elope in Breckenridge.
Eloping in Breckenridge in the Winter
Snow falls in Breckenridge from October-May, some years even into June. If you’re looking to elope in Breckenridge in the winter months, expect snow, cold temps, and some days even high winds. We are always down for an adventure, so nothing will keep us from pulling our cameras out (as long as it’s safe!).
Eloping in Breckenridge in the Spring
Spring in Breckenridge is just an extension of winter. The heaviest snowfalls in March and April. It could be warm temps, or cold temps, snow, and sleet, or rain, or a mixture of all of that. Expect snow to be on the ground still.
Eloping in Breckenridge in the Summer
Our opinion is that the summer is the best time of year to elope in Breckenridge. Wildflowers, warm summer days, late sunsets, sunshine on your face, alpine lakes that aren’t usually accessible other times of the year, we could go on and on.
Eloping in Breckenridge in the Fall
Fall is in our opinion, the second-best time of year to elope in Breckenridge. A sea of golden aspens is enough to make us change our minds though.
Unique Ideas for your Breckenridge Elopement
Although Breckenridge is filled with adventure, it’s also filled with a bunch of city amenities, which really open the flood gates of possibilities on your elopement day. If you’re wondering how you could make your elopement special, we have a bunch of fun ideas for that too!
Go to a Brewery
If you’re coming to Colorado to soak up the mountains views, Colorado sunshine, and drink some cold brews, stopping at a brewery is a great idea, and we’re all for it! Sours are my (Kelly’s) favorite 🍻
Wine Tasting
There are a handful of wineries to sit down at after or before your elopement ceremony. Continental Divide Winery is one of our favorites, and offers a super fun Wine Tasting Experience that lets you make your own wine blend!
Snowshoeing
There are plenty of locations to snowshoe in Breckenridge!
Campfire
Sitting around a campfire at the end of the night is such a fun way to end your elopement day. There are plenty of free camping areas around Breckenridge that you can drive right up and start a fire, for free!
Traveling to Breckenridge for Your Elopement
Which airport to fly into for your Breckenridge elopement?
If you’re flying into Colorado for your Breckenridge elopement, you’ll want to fly into Denver International Airport. It’s an easy 2 hour drive to Breckenridge from the airport, and you can stop in Denver for any list minute items before you head into the mountains.
Rental Cars for your Breckenridge Elopement
Depending on what your elopement activities look like, the time of year, or where you’re planning on eloping in Breckenridge, renting a 4×4 vehicle might be a good idea.
Real Breckenridge Elopements
Check out these albums from real Breckenridge Adventure Elopements.
AirBnb’s for your Breckenridge Elopement
We absolutely love the option for our couples to book an Airbnb for their stay in Breckenridge, Colorado. Your wedding day is the perfect reason to splurge and stay somewhere a little more adventurous than what you’re used to! Here are some options below, but sometimes it’s best to narrow down your search on the Airbnb website for the dates you’ll be in town. Don’t rule out staying at multiple places during your stay as well if you find an Airbnb you love, but it doesn’t have all the dates available for when you’ll be in town.
Airbnb’s Less than $250/night
Meet your Breckenridge Elopement Photographers
Alex & Kelly – Breckenridge Elopement Photographers
Like we said in the intro to this blog post, we’ve photographed and explored enough in Breckenridge to where we finally gave ourselves the title, Breckenridge Elopement Photographers. This title is not one to be taken lightly. When choosing your Breckenridge elopement photographers, you must trust that they’re able to give you the best experience. Learn more about us, learn more about the experience we provide, and how we can help you make your Breckenridge elopement dreams come true.
