Meghan and Lee celebrated their epic adventure elopement by off-roading and hiking in the mountains of Buena Vista, Colorado. When it comes to planning your Colorado elopement, working with a local photographer is key. As someone who has spent much of the past 20 years in Colorado, it’s my joy to share my favorite off-the-beaten path locations with my couples to give you an unforgettable elopement day experience.
Planning a Colorado Elopement –
Which Month is the Best to Elope in Colorado?
This is one of the first things we talk about when planning an elopement. Each season provides it’s own unique advantages and disadvantages for eloping. Meghan and Lee planned to road trip across the country in their van, so choosing a time of year with warm weather to enjoy various stops along the way was important. Summer in Colorado is lovely for this, but afternoon thunderstorms are also quite common. Because Meghan and Lee chose Mother Nature as their wedding venue and didn’t have a designated indoor space as a backup option, mitigating risk of adverse weather was another huge priority.
Ultimately, we landed on September. September is one of the most popular months for both weddings and elopements in Colorado because it has warm temperatures, minimal rain, and gorgeous golden aspen leaves. This combination made it the perfect choice for Meghan and Lee’s elopement day!
Where to Elope in Colorado for an Epic Adventure
Choosing your elopement location has a huge impact on your experience, making it one of the most important decisions. While September is a gorgeous elopement month, we see a mass increase in mountain tourism with fall “leaf peepers.” This can make elopement location planning tricky as you can’t lean on the more popular mountain overlooks (unless you want to share your day with hundreds of strangers that is!). Luckily Meghan and Lee were up for an adventure.
We decided on Buena Vista as their home base as it’s an adorable mountain town just south of more well-known, Breckenridge, Colorado. Buena Vista boasts stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks and has the perfect mix of modern mountain charm. With it’s garden rooftop bars, cozy coffee shops, healthy cafes and quaint local shops, it’s the perfect weekend getaway. It is also a quick drive away from Twin Lakes, where you can find secluded beaches with scenic mountain views.
Meghan and Lee’s Colorado Adventure Elopement
We started the day at a high alpine lake just outside of town. Lee enjoyed the peaceful mountain scenery while Meghan changed into her gorgeous lace wedding dress. Then they shared a private first look moment together. It was easy to feel the abundance of love just by Lee’s genuine reaction to seeing his bride-to-be for the first time. After a few happy tears were shed, we all piled into a jeep together and set off for an epic adventure.
Off-Roading on Your Elopement Day
Off-roading in Colorado is no feeble task. While there are endless miles of terrain to explore, having the proper vehicle and experience is essential. If you aren’t prepared, you can easily find yourself in a precarious situation. My partner Jason has 20+ years of off-roading experience, and we thoroughly scope out the trails before taking couples anywhere as safety is a top priority. The particular trail we chose took us to 13,000+ ft of elevation where we had the mountains all to ourselves. It’s so special to stand on the tallest mountain peak and see for miles and miles. A view like that isn’t one you’ll easily forget!
Mountain-Top Vows &
a Unique Elopement Experience
With their dog Layla as the witness, Meghan and Lee exchanged their forever vows on top of the world. They sealed the deal with an unforgettable first kiss and then we continued on in our day’s adventure. We grabbed our backpacks and hiking shoes and set off to venture even higher into the mountains. Upon arrival at the top, we were rewarded with the most serene alpine lake, and the best part – we had it all to ourselves!
Planning Your Adventure Elopement Timeline
While we often travel to the most jaw-dropping places to say “I do,” elopements are about more than taking photos. They’re about spending quality time together and making true memories. Incorporating an activity such as hiking or simply sitting by the lake gives you the space to really be present with each other. That’s the magic of a true Colorado adventure elopement!
A Sunset Picnic by the Lake –
The Perfect Way to End Your Elopement Day
After a joy-filled afternoon, we made our way back into town to find a spot for this van fam to call home for the night. Picture this – sharing a gourmet charcuterie board, a bottle of Clase Azul tequila, and mini wedding cake surrounded by golden aspen leaves whispering in the wind. On top of that, you have your own a private camp spot with lakeside views as the sun sets over the nearby mountain range. Talk about a core memory!
We ended the night in true Colorado wedding fashion. Meghan and Lee’s dog, Layla, signed their marriage license with her paw print, declaring them official best friends for life. A perfect ending to a perfect elopement day!
A big thanks to my partner, Jason Wilson, the incredibly talented owner of Lens Collective, for providing off-roading transportation as well as drone footage. This day wouldn’t have been possible without you!
