How to Elope in Breckenridge, Colorado 2024
How to Elope in Breckenridge
Breckenridge, Colorado is an easy 90 minute drive from Denver into the mountains and has all sorts of beauty and fun to discover! If you want to get married in the mountains and still be fairly close to a major city, then look no further. There are so many things to do throughout the year in Breck, as well as tons of gorgeous landscapes to explore! This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to elope in Breckenridge!
Breckenridge Statistics
Breckenridge is a bustling mountain town located at 9,603 feet above sea level. The town of Breckenridge was incorporated on March 3, 1890 and was originally spelled Breckinridge after prospector Thomas Breckenridge. The population is just over 5,000 people and is located 80 miles from Denver in Summit County.
Where to Elope in Breckenridge
Breckenridge is a ski town in the winter and also offers a wide array of spectacular mountaintop spaces to marry your partner throughout the year. With high alpine lakes, enchanting forests, mountaintops, waterfalls, and more, there are no shortages of breathtaking spaces to explore. Below is a list of a few popular Breckenridge elopement locations. If you’re looking for something more remote and off the beaten path, we can help you find your perfect location!
Sapphire Point
This established ceremony site overlooks the blue waters of Lake Dillon. The ceremony space is a natural and flat overlook surrounded by mountains and pine trees. Sapphire Point is one of the easiest sites to access with a paved parking lot about 75 yards away. Moreover, this is one of the few elopement locations in Breckenridge where couples are allowed to set up chairs, benches, arches, rugs, and florals. Sapphire Point can be reserved up to six months in advance for two hour increments and has space for up to 35 people. Sapphire Point permits cost $128.
Windy Point Campground
If you’re looking to find where sand and water meet the mountains, look no further than Windy Point Campground! This ceremony site features the beach-like shorelines of Lake Dillon and the Rocky Mountains. There is a large parking space available that is only a short walk from the shoreline. There are two separate reservable spaces: a covered picnic area with access to the shore and a camping area that can host up to 100 people. Windy Point Campground reservations are available from May 17th, 2024 – September 28th, 2024.
Loveland Pass
Loveland Pass is located 11,990 feet above sea level and crosses the Continental Divide. There are mountain top views in all directions, and you will feel like you’re on top of the world! This road is open year round and is situated between Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin. There are also many trails in the area if you want longer hikes. Loveland Pass is very popular because of how scenic and easily accessible it is. We suggest having less than five people if you plan on eloping here. A permit from the Clear Creek Ranger District is required to get married and take photos at Loveland Pass.
Hoosier Pass
Hoosier Pass is located at 11,542 feet in elevation and is accessible via a pull off located on Highway 9 between the towns of Alma and Breckenridge. This fairly steep mountain trail crosses along the Continental Divide and requires about one mile of hiking at a moderate difficulty. The expansive views include a reservoir, pine trees, and the very peaks of the mountain range. This Breckenridge elopement location is easy to navigate in warm weather and requires snowshoes in the winter months. Due to the size of the trail, we recommend limiting your guest count to no more than 10.
Blue Lakes
Blue Lakes consists of two high alpine lakes (one slightly above the other) located at 11,748 feet in elevation. The lower lake is easier to access and features a waterfall and pine tree forest. The narrow trail allows room for roughly up to 15 guests. The upper lake is tucked directly beneath the surrounding mountains and requires about a half mile hike up a steep gravel trail. There are often mountain goats perusing the area! Blue Lakes is an extremely popular location in Breckenridge. If you plan on eloping here, we recommend choosing a weekday and having as few guests as possible. Blue Lakes is accessible from May through November.
2023 & 2024 Update: White River National Forest has shared that the land surrounding Blue Lakes is privately owned, and do not allow weddings or elopements on their property. No official statement has been made by the property owner.
Breckenridge Elopement Permits
Oftentimes, permits are required to get married in the great outdoors just like most of the locations above. It is important to check with local municipalities to ensure that you can have a ceremony and photographs taken in a specific location. Typically, public lands and National Forests require a special use permit. To find out if you need a Breckenridge elopement permit, contact the White River National Forest Ranger District, the Dillon Ranger District, or the Pike National Forest Ranger District (depending on your location).
When to Elope in Breckenridge
Breckenridge, Colorado is a great elopement destination year round! The range of cold and warm weather activities is astounding. Identifying what activities you want to do is a great place to start to personally figure out when to elope in Breckenridge.
Breckenridge Elopement Packages
We are a Colorado elopement photographer team who can help you plan and photograph your Breckenridge elopement! Our Breckenridge elopement packages start at $4,500. Unique and custom elopement packages are also available.
Obtaining Your Breckenridge Marriage License
To obtain your marriage license in Breckenridge, you must make an appointment at the Summit County Clerk’s Office. Appointments can be made by phone up to three weeks in advance. Marriage license appointments are available three times per day: Monday – Friday at 9AM, 11AM, and 2PM (excludes holidays). You can pick up your marriage license the same day, and appointments take about 20 minutes. The Summit County Clerk’s office is located at 208 Lincoln Avenue in Breckenridge, CO on the second floor.
Things to Do in Breckenridge
Breckenridge sees more tourists than residents as you might imagine. The reason for such a high volume of tourists is because there are so many activities to do in the area! Below is a list of fun things to do in Breckenridge:
- Pump adrenaline on an ATV adventure
- Hit the slopes at Breckenridge Resort
- Boat around Lake Dillon via sailboat or pontoon
- Hike the 14er Quandary Peak
- Enjoy a horse drawn sleigh ride
- See the Breckenridge Troll Isak Heartstone
- Cross-country ski at Breckenridge Nordic Center
- Go dog sledding, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling
- Try the alpine roller coaster
- Zoom down the Alpine Slide
- Take a Gondola Ride any time of year
- Maneuver along the Alpineer Change Course
- Enjoy a scenic chairlift up Breckenridge mountain
- Go mountain biking, fishing, or horseback riding
- Play mini golf or golf at the Breckenridge Golf Center
- Paddleboard, canoe, or kayak on one of the many lakes
- See a concert and dance under the stars at Dillon Amphitheater
- Test your wit in an escape room
- See a performance at the Riverwalk Center
- Visit a brewery
- Take a history tour of Breckenridge
- Tour a gold mine
- Stroll + shop on historic Main Street
Breckenridge Elopement Photographer
We are Meg and Kevin, a husband and wife Breckenridge elopement photographer team. Together, we have helped over 100 couples elope in the majesty of the Rocky Mountains! We are experts at planning adventurous elopements centered around creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Breckenridge Elopement Vendors
Reception Venues
- BoLD
- Hearthstone Restaurant
- Sauce on the Maggie
- Breckenridge Distillery
- Ember
- The Lodge Breckenridge
Catering, Private Chefs, & Bakeries
Place to Stay in Breckenridge
Airbnbs & Vacation Rentals
- Summit Solitude Estate Home
- Ski-In/Ski-Out Meadows Lane Retreat
- Chic A-Frame Cabin
- Modern Mountain Home on 2 acres
- Luxury Retreat with hot tub + mountain views
- Ski-In/Ski-Out Penthouse
- Big Blue Trace
- Fabulous A-Frame close to Main Street
- Outside The Bubble Modern 4 Bedroom
- Modern Log Cabin
- Spruce Ledge Townhouse
- Grand View on the Blue
- Hip Two-bedroom Loft
- Sunrise Ski House
- Chic Modern Chalet
Hotels
Restaurants In Breckenridge
Are You Ready To Plan Your Breckenridge Elopement!
As adventure elopement photographers, Breckenridge is one of our favorite places in Colorado to elope! We’d love to help bring your elopement dreams to life! Reach out and let’s chat about how we can help you create your wildly romantic mountain wedding!
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These tips are so helpful for couples looking to elope in Breckenridge! Thanks for sharing!
Such a great resource! And oh my goodness the mountain goats at Blue Lakes, such a great capture!
Your table of contents is so organized! This is such a great resource for couples wanting to elope in Breckenridge, CO!
So much helpful advice and great tips for eloping in Breckenridge, Colorado. Hoosier Lass looks like a beautiful place to say I do, along with all the other amazing locations!