How to Elope in Silverton, Colorado
Why elope in Silverton
Silverton is one of the least known and visited mountain towns in Colorado and I think that’s why we all love it. It has unparalleled access to the outdoors, especially if you rent a Jeep or side by side to explore the backcountry and mountain passes.
How to obtain a marriage license in San Juan County
To apply for a marriage or civil union license, both you and your intended spouse must appear in person at the Office of the Clerk and Recorder: bring $30 cash or check as well as both ID’s where you will fill out your marriage license application. For more information on how to obtain your marriage license in Silverton, call or visit the San Juan County Clerk and Recorder.
Silverton Weather
The weather in Silverton is beautiful year round but I recommend only getting married out here once mud season ends and roads reopen around Memorial Day. June to October is all wonderful year round in Silverton, although like all mountain locations in Colorado, during monsoon season you’ll want to have a morning centric wedding experience from June to August to avoid summer storms.
best months to elope in Silverton
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 into Silverton
The closest airport to Silverton is Montrose (MJT) which is 50 miles North, or Durango/La Plata (DRO) 50 miles from the south, both about an hour drive. Grand Junction (GJT) is another option about 3 1/2 hours north.
Price Point
Silverton isn’t a super expensive mountain town but because it is so small as well as a couple hour drive from the nearest large town, lodging is hard to come by so I would recommend booking trips as soon as possible. However, hotel rooms still run at a very reasonable rate.
Activities to Do in Silverton
Get a permit to hike to Ice Lakes
Drive the Million Dollar Highway
Take a tour of the Mayflower Gold Mill
Visit the ghost town of Animas Forks
Walk around historic downtown
Raft the Animas River
Rent a Jeep or side by side and take the 4WD roads around the Alpine Loop
Heliski Silverton Mountain
Cool off in the rivers around town
Paddle board around the Molas Pass lakes
Stay at the famed Wyman Hotel
Take a pack trip or day clinic with Redwood Llamas
Intimate Wedding Venues in Silverton
Wyman Hotel an indoor/outdoor space in Silverton, ColoradoJersey Jim Fire Lookout Tower outside of Mancos, Colorado
Eureka Lodge an old gold mining complex on the Alpine Loop outside of Silverton, Colorado
Kendall Mountain Community Center, an indoor/outdoor space with mountain views in Silverton, 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 Silverton, 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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