Colorado Winter Elopement Guide

Colorado Winter Elopement Guide

Do you love the snow and want to get married in your own winter wonderland?  Are you wondering how to go about putting your day together?  Well, we’ve got you covered on all that you need to know to prepare for the elements! This Colorado Winter Elopement Guide will cover general tips, when to have your winter elopement, what to wear, great places to get married, and more! If you have any questions, reach out here!

General Tips for a Winter Elopement

Plan for your ideal date, and be prepared to shift your day if the weather becomes too cold or too snowy.  Weather can change drastically on any given day, and it simply isn’t worth being miserable if it’s bitter cold, especially if it’s windy.  There is a huge difference between 30 degrees and 10 degrees.  Once the weather begins to descend below freezing, being comfortable for extended periods of time outside gets much more difficult.  If you plan on getting your hair and makeup done, confirm with your artist before booking that they can be flexible if the weather isn’t good.  If not, create a backup plan for an indoor location.  

We also highly recommend arriving a few days early to acclimate to the altitude and climate.  Some are much more sensitive to drastic changes in their altitude than others, and if you are unsure how you will react at 10,000 feet, it’s usually better to err on the side of caution.  Allowing yourself 48-72 hours to adjust is always a good idea.  High elevations also get much dryer in the winter, and it takes conscious effort to keep your body moisturized.  

Understand that noses, ears, hands, and skin will become red in the cold.  Your photographer can reduce the redness in post production to some extent, but in extreme temperatures, you will likely be red in your portraits.  

Also, keep in mind that lakes will be frozen and covered in snow.  If you want to be near running water, the peak of winter does not provide many options.  It also takes more time to maneuver in the snow so give yourself plenty of time to visit the places you want to see.  Snowshoes, crampons, and microspikes are necessities in some conditions.  Learn what the grounds are like ahead of time so that you can plan accordingly.  Furthermore, you will need to rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle with decent clearance.

When to Have Your Winter Elopement

If you love snow and absolutely want the landscape covered for your elopement, it’s wise to plan for December and onward.  This allows the landscapes to be completely defined with snow.  The initial winter transition includes areas of land that remain brown and dull.  Also, there is a sweet spot during the spring months when warmer days begin to occur while the land still holds plenty of snow.  

Beginning in mid-March, the chance of having periodic temperatures of 40 degrees and above greatly increases.  Even into early June at high elevations, you can have very pleasant weather with snow still prevalent.  Depending on location, we recommend April and May to plan an elopement with plenty of snow as well as a likelihood for warmer days.  Moreover, daylight savings time will have set the clocks an hour later, which will likely make your itinerary more ideal.  

For more information about getting married during all four seasons in Colorado, here is our Seasonal Colorado Elopement Guide!

What to Wear for Your Winter Elopement

The most important thing you can wear is layers!  Nude tights or leggings are great beneath white dresses.  Thick jackets with multiple layers are always a great idea.  Equally important, protect your extremities – make sure to bring gloves, hats, and wear thick socks or even multiple pairs of socks.  We lose heat through our heads, hands, and feet quickly so protecting those three areas from the cold is a must!  Waterproof boots with high ankle coverage are a must and will keep your feet dry. Scarves and earmuffs are great to have as well.  You can always change shoes or garments for portraits if desired.

Sunglasses are also a critical accessory.  At 10,000 feet, we’re nearly 2 miles closer to the sun.  It can be extremely bright, particularly when the sun is directly overhead and reflecting upon the snow.  Remember to protect your eyes!

As far as specific aesthetics for your elopement, you’ve got options!  If you’re wearing a traditional white dress, it’s a personal choice between ivory, champagne, or pure white.  Below are some examples of what these look like against the snow.  Pops of color also look great in contrast to the white landscape!  You can wear colorful accessories and even opt for a non-traditional dress of your favorite color!  Lacy, ruffly, and sparkly textures can also help you define your dress from the snow. 

Keep your attire simple and easy to maneuver in the snow.  It’s important to identify your location before you purchase your attire.  For example, if snowshoes are needed to access your ceremony space then you can keep that in mind with consideration to selecting your attire.  You can always add or take away layers for portraits once you’ve reached your destination.  

If your personality craves something completely funky and different, a retro ski suit is also great attire for the slopes!  Feel free to think outside of the box and do something unique and meaningful to you!

Remember to share all of this information with your guests, as they need to be equally prepared for the elements if they are coming with you.

What Do You Need to Pack for Your Winter Elopement?

Here’s a list of helpful items to bring:

Colorado Winter Elopement Locations

Many locations are harder to access or completely inaccessible in the winter due to snowfall.  Know your abilities as well as your guest’s abilities, and choose a location best suited for you and your people.  Make sure your location is well scouted ahead of time and that you know the exact conditions and effort it will require.  

Choosing a location with bright red rocks or rich green pine trees can really complement the snow and even your attire.  The contrast of stark white with colorful landscapes make for great photographs and an immersive natural experience! 

The following are just a few great ideas for Colorado Winter elopement locations:

Things to Do During Your Winter Elopement

What do you love to do?  What exhilarates you and would make your elopement day all the more special?  Incorporating something fun for you two to do together is awesome and makes for great portraits!  The following are just a few activities that you can do during your winter elopement:

• Snow shoeing
• Snowmobiling
• Building a snowman or snow fort
• Ice skating
• Sledding
• Skiing or snowboarding
• Soaking in a hot springs
• Horse sleigh riding

Places To Stay for Winter Elopement

Choosing a place to stay that can double as a backup location is a great idea. You can also choose lodging based on the availability of activities that you want to do and even plan to get married where you stay. One time in particular in late May, our couple was saved by their Airbnb due to the unexpected and unseasonal 18 inches of snow that appeared. It was nearly 70 degrees the day before and a couple of days after so you just never know what to expect. The following are just a few places that are great winter elopement locations:

• Alta Lakes Observatory
• Avalanche Ranch Cabins & Hot Springs
• Dunton Hot Springs
• Mount Princeton Hot Springs

Final Winter Elopement Notes

There’s a big difference between 30 and 10 degrees.  We’ve shot many elopements in the winter and have experienced that it can become very uncomfortable for our couples below 20 degrees.  Moreover, it becomes harder to move and dexterity can be difficult if you lose feeling in your hands.  For these reasons, we strongly recommend that if the weather dips below 20 degrees, plan to move your elopement indoors or to a different day.

We hope this Colorado Winter Elopement Guide has been helpful!