How to Elope in Telluride, Colorado

Why elope in Telluride

If you’re looking for the epic quintessential Colorado mountain backdrop then the San Juans are definitely your best bet. Unlike the front range, the San Juans are a 7 hour drive from Denver and DIA making them 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 Telluride might be for you. Unlike Ouray, Telluride is a bit more accessible and has a lot more to do that doesn’t need 4WD or require you to go over steep mountain passes.

How to obtain a marriage license in San Miguel County

You may apply for the license at the Clerk & Recorder’s Office Monday - Thursday, during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. License Fee is $30, payable by cash or checks only. Certified copies are $3 each. You will need to fill out an application and both be present with ID’s to sign for the license. For more information, check out the San Miguel County Clerk and Recorder Office.

Telluride Weather

The weather in Telluride is beautiful year-round and you can’t go wrong with any season for a wedding in Telluride. While mud season closes a lot of lodging, restaurants, and shops in early May and late October, most other times of year are great to elope in Telluride. If you’re open to snowshoeing or snowmobiling, winter can be a great time to get away from the crowds. Hiking locations however are harder to get to in the winter!

best months to elope in Telluride

February, March, April - Snowier season but more expensive because of ski 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 rainstorms

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 Telluride

Flying: The closest airport to Telluride is Telluride Regional (TEX). Another option is Montrose (MJT) which is 30 miles East (has a Southwest terminal), or Grand Junction (GJT) about 2 1/2 hours north. Durango/La Plata (DRO) is another option from the south.

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

Telluride is one of the most expensive mountain towns since it has a ski resort and most of the area is new builds. Hotel rooms typically run $400 a night. For cheaper lodging options, look into Placerville (15 minute drive) and Ridgway (40 minute drive).

Activities to Do in Telluride

Hike the 3 waterfall trail to Bridal Veil Falls

  • Go paddle boarding on Trout Lake

  • Hike to Hope Lake

  • Drive Ophir Pass

  • Camp at Town Park in downtown Telluride

  • Enjoy the six course prefix menu at The Tunnel

  • Take the free mountain village Gondola

  • Ski or snowboard at Telluride Ski Resort

  • Take a snowmobile tour to Alta Ghost Town

  • Go paragliding with Telluride Paragliding

  • Dine at the highest restaurant in America (in the winter only) at Alpino Vino

  • Take a hot air balloon ride with the San Juan Hot Hair Balloon Adventure

  • Ride the 19 mile mountain bike trail the Galloping Goose

  • Go river rafting with a guide from Telluride Outside

  • Take a chuckwagon grill out or sleigh ride with Telluride Wranglers

  • Climb the Telluride Via Ferrata

  • Go ice skating at one of the three ice rinks

  • Take an overnight day trip to Dunton Hot Springs

  • Take a day trip to Ouray

Intimate Wedding Venues in Telluride

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 Telluride,

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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Kimberly Crist local Colorado photographer explains how to elope in Aspen, Colorado

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