How to Elope in Ouray, Colorado
Why elope in Ouray
If you’re looking for the epic quintessential Colorado mountain backdrop then Ouray is definitely your best bet. Unlike the front range, Ouray is a 7 hour drive from Denver and DIA making it a bit further out of reach for crowds and tourists. If you’re looking to see some seriously jagged peaks and really settle into life in a Colorado mountain town, Ouray is definitely for you.
How to obtain a marriage license in Ouray County
Both parties must personally appear in the Ouray County Clerk’s Office to complete an application for a Marriage License. If one party is unavailable, an absentee affidavit must be completed and notarized (including a copy of their ID). The fee is $30.00 (cash or check) and the Marriage License is valid for 35 days. For more information, check out the Ouray County website.
Ouray Weather
The weather in Ouray is beautiful year round and one of my favorite places for winter elopements as the area is still super accessible as long as heavy snow and avalanches don’t close Red Mountain Pass. Because of the proximity to the sun, even 30 degree winter days with clear skies can be warm. Otherwise, once mud season ends and roads reopen around Memorial Day, Ouray is a fantastic location year round.
best months to elope in Ouray
February, March, April - Snowier season and less accessibility but cheaper prices as its the off season
June, July, August - Summer months as roads open up, hills turn green and wildflowers bloom. Keep in mind that summer is monsoon season in the mountains and you’ll want to have a morning centric elopement to avoid summer rain storms
September - while much busier when the aspens change in late September, still a beautiful month as leaves start changing even in the high country
October - a very underrated month as a lot of trees die off and places close but accessibility can still be an option to some places with far fewer crowds
Flying & Driving into Ouray
Flying: The closest airport to Ouray is Montrose (MJT) which is 30 miles from the north. Grand Junction (GJT), Telluride Regional (TEX) and Durango/La Plata (DRO) are all other great options.
Driving: If driving from Denver and the front range, you can take route 50 through Gunnison, or you can take I-70 over through Grand Junction and then south. Either way, you’re to see SO much of Colorado and all of the beautiful diverse scenery it offers. You can even make it a loop!
Price Point
Ouray is a pretty affordable mountain town nestled right into the canyon and hotel rooms typically run as low as $250 a night. While restaurants are few and far in-between, they keep prices moderate for such a special little town.
Activities to Do in Ouray
Go ice climbing at Ouray Ice Park
Rent a Jeep and 4WD the Alpine Loop
Tour the Bachelor Syracuse Mine
Drive Red Mountain Pass and the Million Dollar Highway Loop
Visit Yankee Boy Basin
Hike up to Blue Lakes
Visit the Ouray Alchemist Museum
Snowshoe to The Amphitheater
Take a stroll to the waterfall at Box Canyon
Grab a beer on the rooftop deck of Ouray Brewing
Stay in the famed Beaumont Hotel
Take the 4WD road over Imogene Pass into Telluride
Visit the free sled hill or ice skating rink
Hike the Ouray Perimeter Trail
Hike to Cascade Falls
Take your clothes off at the famed Orvis Hot Springs
Visit the family friendly Ouray Hot Spring
Visit the abandoned gold mines
Intimate Wedding Venues in Ouray
Gold Mountain Ranch an indoor/outdoor space in Ouray, Colorado
The Venue at CSB a 360 degree mountain view indoor/outdoor space for 50 in Ouray, Colorado
Beaumont Hotel an indoor/outdoor space in Ouray, Colorado
Hotel Imogene, an indoor and outdoor rooftop hotel and bar in Ouray, Colorado
Top of the Pines an outdoor space in Ridgway, Colorado
Silesca Guard Station a forest service cabin outside of Montrose, Colorado
Lone Cone Cabin a forest service cabin in Norwood, Colorado
Chipeta Solar Springs Resort an outdoor mountain view location in Ridgway, Colorado
Timeline Example
5:00 am
Wake up in your cozy little tent that you pitched up a four wheel drive road last night! Grab your headlamp, ask yourself why you thought it was a good idea to get up before sunrise on your wedding day - then realize that this is aobut to be the best day ever. Throw on some hiking clothes, grab your prepacked bags and drive to the trailhead you're camped near.
6:00 am
Arrive at the trailhead and begin your pre-sunrise hike up to an alpine lake. It's less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain and just a mile so it takes you about 45 minutes - an easy peasy hike for your wedding day.
6:45 am
Arrive at the most insane looking alpine lake that you have all to yourselves. Throw off your clothes and take a cooling dip in the alpine lake - clothing optional! Swim for .5 seconds because the water is freezing, so you grab your jetboil and make some coffee and warm water for oatmeal.
7:30 am
Oatmeal. Coffee. Tea. Shots? Wander around the lake, throw some lines if you're into fishing. Inflate your packraft if you want to venture out to the middle of the lake. Or just relax and bake in the sun because you're at 10,000+ feet and it is warming up quickly!
8:30 am
Pack up all your things, leaving the spot better than you found it :) Head back down to the trailhead.
9:15 am
Arrive back at your car at the trailhead, you did it! Head back to your campsite.
10:00 am
You're back at your campsite and you and your partner make a big ol' plate of breakfast together. Chilequiles. Banana pancakes. Cold pizza. The options are endless. Spend a few hours lounging around, take a nap or take the paddle board out on the lake you're camped by.
4:00 pm
Start getting ready for your wedding and vows! Hang your wedding clothes on either side of the truck as you get dressed. Do you own hair and makeup and then have a first look with your partner in front of the lake.
5:00 pm
Hop in the car and head to a new spot - maybe a super private overlook that you have all to yourselves. Get those tissues ready for the tears or laughter or tears of joy! Read your vows to each other, exchange rings, and celebrate your relationship in the incredible Colorado scenery.
6:00 pm
Celebrate! The options are endless for what this looks like for, so much so that you have a hard time narrowing it down. You pop some kombucha, crack open a loaf of sourdough bread you baked, and whip out the cold cheese from the cooler. You snack while you're photographer (that's me!) makes you dinner. Hot dogs? Pasta? Ramen? Sorry there's no 5 star chefs here but you can always invite one!
7:00 pm
Dance! Run around! Set up your hammock, hop in the car, roam around the area exploring and enjoying each others company. Explore the old mining roads and ruins nearby as your photographer gushes about how gorgeous the sunset light is.
8:30 pm
Head back to your campground, have a campfire with a few friends you've invited up for the evening. Eat all the food, share tales of your day.
10:00 pm
Take a few minutes away from campfire shenanigans to have your photographer take some photos of you and your partner in front of the stars.
Where to elope
in Ouray,
Colorado
Whether you've pictured your wedding since you were young or, like me, the thought never crossed your mind until "I do" was looming on the horizon, piecing it all together is one heck of an adventure -
That’s where I come in.
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Howdy hello I’m Kimberly
