During their 3M Curve elopement, a couple embraces in wedding attire on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by trees and mountain ranges in Rocky Mountain National Park

The Ultimate 3M Curve Elopement Guide

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3M Curve Elopement & Wedding Guide

Perched atop a sweeping valley surrounded by the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains, a 3M Curve elopement awaits adventurous hearts like you! If you want the most dramatic views that include the iconic Longs Peak for your Rocky Mountain National Park wedding, 3M Curve is a great choice to give you that “on top of the world” feeling. Unmarked on a map, the 3M Curve ceremony site is tucked away from the road and offers more privacy with its rocky outcropping off the main path. To learn how to have your own 3M Curve elopement or wedding, the following guide will cover how to obtain permits, ceremony rules, how to get there, and the best times to have your vow ceremony. 

During a 3M Curve elopement, a bride and groom in formal attire stand on a rocky ledge as the serene ceremony unfolds. A musician gently plays guitar, serenading them with mountains majestically framing this intimate moment.
A bride in a white dress and fur stole stands on a snowy hill during their 3M Curve elopement, overlooking a distant groom with majestic mountains in the background.
A couple stands together, embracing the breathtaking mountain landscape under a cloudy sky, as they revel in their intimate 3M Curve elopement.
Against a mountainous landscape, two people in suits hold hands, embodying the essence of a 3M Curve elopement. One wears a burgundy suit; the other sports a blue suit with a decorative cuff.
Two people embracing in the foreground, captured perfectly in a 3M Curve elopement setting, with a scenic view of a mountain range and forest bathed in the warm hues of sunset.
A small group of people stands on rocky terrain, with mountains and trees in the background, under a cloudy sky. It appears to be an intimate 3M Curve Elopement, an outdoor gathering or ceremony embracing nature's raw beauty.
A bride in a white dress and a groom in a dark suit sit on rocks, a bouquet between them. They gaze at each other lovingly, with the majestic 3M Curve and its mountainous backdrop under a cloudy sky adding to their elopement's enchantment.
A couple in wedding attire stands on rocky terrain for a 3M Curve elopement, facing away with arms raised. They overlook a forested landscape and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
A couple in wedding attire embrace on a rocky outcrop during their 3M Curve elopement, surrounded by pine trees with a panoramic view of snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky.
A couple shares a tender embrace on rocks in a scenic 3M Curve elopement, surrounded by majestic mountains, towering pine trees, and a clear blue sky.
Bride and groom stand on a rock at 3M Curve with a scenic mountain backdrop at sunset. The bride's dress flows in the wind, while trees are visible in the foreground, capturing the essence of a perfect elopement.

3M Curve Ceremony Permits

Like any ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park, you must obtain a permit for a 3M Curve wedding or elopement. Permits for 3M Curve cost $300, are for two hour increments, and can be reserved by filling out a Special Use Permit. Permits open up 1 year in advance and fill up more quickly for summer elopement. The ceremony rules for 3M Curve allow for up to 15 people in your group with an allotment of 3 vehicles. You can find more details about obtaining a permit at the Official Rocky Mountain National Park site. Keep in mind that a permit does not grant you exclusive access to the area and that other park visitors are still allowed to explore the area.

⛰️ The Complete Rocky Mountain National Park Guide ⛰️
Amidst a backdrop of lush forest and majestic mountains, two people sit on a rock in colorful suits, sharing an intimate moment. Their gaze reflects the spirit of a 3M Curve elopement, where nature's beauty intertwines with personal connection.

15

people

3

vehicles

$300

permit fee

3M Curve Wedding Rules

A couple in wedding attire stands on a rocky outcrop with an officiant, exchanging vows during their intimate 3M Curve elopement. Behind them lies a vast landscape of mountains, forests, and a partly cloudy sky.

In addition to a permit, you must abide by all the RMNP ceremony rules to get married at 3M Curve. A majority of the rules pertain to practicing Leave No Trace such as:

  • no scattering of seeds/rice/lavender etc.
  • no amplified sound
  • no dogs
  • no decorations such as arches or chairs

Helpful Tip: There are no restrooms at 3M Curve. The closest are located at Hidden Valley or Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.

How to get to 3M Curve

The 3M Curve ceremony site is located within the park on the East side 3.6 miles from the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center along HWY 34. It is located next to Deer Mountain Trailhead. The parking area is a pullout of the side of the road next to a large boulder with limited space. Once you park, you can walk on either side of the boulder to the rocky outcropping overlooking the valley for your ceremony.

3M Curve Ceremony Site Accessibility

It is roughly a 3 minute walk down a moderate and uneven decline along a dirt trail. It really isn’t too difficult, but if you have people in your party who aren’t very mobile, we would recommend choosing a different site. There are certainly much easier ceremony sites to access within the park.

A couple in wedding attire stands on a rocky ledge, holding hands, with the breathtaking 3M Curve framing their elopement against a mountainous backdrop.
Bride and groom walk through a forested path surrounded by yellow flowers and rocky terrain, capturing the essence of a 3M Curve Elopement, with majestic pine trees in the background.
A group of people is quietly making their way up a forested hill, the gentle grace of the landscape evoking a sense of an intimate 3M Curve elopement. Among them, one person holds an umbrella, adding a touch of elegance to the serene journey.
A couple in formal attire enjoys a 3M Curve elopement, walking through a snowy landscape with evergreen trees under a clear blue sky.
A couple in formal attire strolls along a dirt trail within the serene 3M Curve area, surrounded by rocky terrain and scattered trees beneath a partly cloudy sky, setting the perfect backdrop for their intimate elopement.
A person in a wedding dress gracefully walks along a rocky path, framed by majestic mountains and trees, as if on an adventurous 3M Curve elopement.

Best Times to Elope at 3M Curve

With so much charm during all seasons in Colorado, there is truly no wrong time to elope at 3M Curve. Additionally, considering what the conditions will be like is always important when determining your elopement date. Due to being easy to access, 3M Curve is open all year long. During winter months, the abundant snow is an exhilarating experience! Snowshoes may come in really handy if the area has a large snowfall leading up to your elopement day. You can always warm up in your car periodically if it’s really cold. During summer, the valley is vibrant and alive with green foliage and lush landscapes. 3M Curve is a stop on the way up Trail Ridge Road so it pairs perfectly with exploring the higher elevations of the alpine tundra. In fall, you will often find large herds of elk migrating and grazing in the meadows. Moreover, the elk rut is a unique and truly captivating experience to witness.

⛰️ Check Out this Trail Ridge Road Elopement ⛰️
A couple embraces on a snowy, rocky landscape with pine trees and distant mountains under a cloudy sky, capturing the essence of a 3M Curve elopement.

Spring

A couple in wedding attire dances on a rocky outcrop, embodying the essence of a 3M Curve Elopement, with majestic mountains and lush greenery as their backdrop.

Summer

Two people holding hands stand on a rocky terrain, embracing the spirit of 3M Curve Elopement, with grassy fields, trees, and majestic mountains under a clear sky.

Fall

A bride in a white dress and fur stole stands on a snowy hill during their 3M Curve elopement, overlooking a distant groom with majestic mountains in the background.

Winter

Pro-tip: always keep a safe distance from wildlife, especially elk, as they can become very aggressive. Never approach or feed wildlife. If the elk are at the ceremony site, wait until they leave the area to exit your vehicle. 

3M Curve Elopement & Wedding Photos

There’s something so special about the vast expanse of 3M Curve, as it elicits such a sense of wonder and perspective. For nearly a decade, we have been photographing elopements at 3M Curve and every time we find something new to fall in love with. With our many years of experience, we can help you create the Rocky Mountain wedding day of your dreams. 

 💕 Reach Out + Let Us Capture Your Elopement  💕
A couple stands in a grassy field with trees, enjoying their 3M Curve elopement, surrounded by mountains under a clear sky at sunset.
The bride and groom stand on a rock, overlooking a scenic, mountainous landscape with trees and an expansive sky, capturing the essence of their 3M Curve elopement.
Amid a breathtaking mountainous landscape, the bride signs a document on a rock, capturing the essence of their intimate 3M Curve elopement while the groom stands proudly by her side.
The bride and groom stand on a rock ledge at 3M Curve, overlooking a forested valley with snow-capped mountains in the background, capturing the essence of their intimate elopement.
Two people stand closely, forehead to forehead, holding hands before a large, twisted tree trunk—a perfect 3M Curve Elopement scene with rocky backdrops and lush greenery.
Two people stand on a rocky hill, embracing the spirit of a 3M Curve elopement, as they overlook a forested landscape at sunset with mountains visible in the distance.
A smiling couple in formal attire stands outdoors with the majestic 3M Curve in the background. The woman holds a bouquet and they both raise their arms joyfully, celebrating their elopement amidst the breathtaking mountain scenery.
A couple in wedding attire enjoys a 3M Curve elopement on a striped blanket atop a rocky cliff, with majestic mountains and cloudy skies painting the perfect backdrop.
A couple embraces in wedding attire on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by trees and mountain ranges, embodying the spirit of an intimate 3M Curve elopement.
A couple in wedding attire embraces on a rocky hilltop at sunset during their 3M Curve elopement, with mountains and a colorful sky painting the background.
A bride and groom in wedding attire, eloping at 3M Curve, stand outdoors with a stunning mountain landscape as their backdrop, both smiling and playfully raising their middle fingers.
Two people embracing in front of a mountainous landscape, their 3M Curve Elopement highlighted by the sunset casting an orange glow over the hills.
The bride and groom stand outdoors, embraced by the serene beauty of a 3M Curve Elopement, facing a vast mountain landscape under a cloudy sky.
A couple stands on the rocks at 3M Curve, with the woman in a wedding dress and the man in jeans and boots, set against a scenic mountain backdrop.
Amidst the rocky landscape, a couple stands engaged in conversation under a cloudy sky, with forested mountains painting the horizon—a perfect setting for their spontaneous 3M Curve elopement.
In the heart of nature, the bride and groom share an embrace on rocky terrain, framed by majestic mountains and a lush forest backdrop. Their intimate 3M Curve elopement comes to life with a bouquet resting gently on the rocks nearby.
At the 3M Curve Elopement, the bride and groom stand amidst breathtaking mountains, tears glistening as she wipes her eyes during the heartfelt ceremony officiated by a compassionate man.
The bride and groom embrace in a snowy landscape with majestic mountains under the bright sun, capturing the magic of their intimate 3M Curve elopement.
A bride and groom stand on a rock ledge, embracing at sunset against the breathtaking 3M Curve landscape. The bride gracefully holds her dress as the mountains cradle their elopement in a picturesque backdrop.
A bride and groom sit on rocky terrain, participating in a symbolic 3M Curve Elopement ritual by pouring sand into a container. They are surrounded by trees and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

3M Curve Elopement Packages

Ready to create your dream elopement? Let’s do it! As Colorado elopement photographers with nearly a decade of experience, we are experts in bringing your vision to life. All our elopement packages include step-by-step planning, permit assistance, officiating, and photography. Film videography can be added to any package. We make it easy to have the adventure of a lifetime!

Adventure Elopement Photographer Camping in Fall

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