Telluride Elopement Photographer

Micro weddings, elopements, and couples photos in Telluride, Colorado

Hey There!

I’m Katie Dawn, your Telluride elopement photographer

And I’m just so excited you’re deciding to elope in Telluride. I think Telluride is the most beautiful town in the United States- it has multiple waterfalls right in town, Jeeping trails all over the mountains, blue alpine lakes at the base of craggy peaks, and a plethora of some of the most beautiful mountain cabins and chalets situated in remote wilderness.

I was born and raised in Colorado, and have been visiting places like Telluride since I was a little kid. I’ve spent my life swimming in freezing lakes, hiking to waterfalls, driving bumpy mountain passes, and now I get to show my couples all my favorite spots. I love helping my couples find gorgeous scenes to say their vows and recommending the best vendors to put their day together.

How to plan an elopement in Telluride

Pick a location:

There’s tons of stunning views where you can say your vows without anyone around, its just a matter if whether you want to hike, Jeep, or walk up to the spot. Most hikes in the area are pretty long and steep, but there’s still a view with gorgeous destinations that are under 4 miles. I often recommend renting a Jeep or at least a high clearance 4x4 vehicle for the day, because even some of the locations that aren’t crazy munition roads can be a pretty bumpy ride.

Pick up your license:

Colorado is one of the easiest states to get married in, which is why so many people elope here (also it’s beautiful, obvi). You can self solemnize, which means that all you have to do to get married in Telluride is pick up your marriage license from the county clerk’s office, sign it, and return it. No officiants, no witnesses, just you and your love and your signatures (plus your pet’s paw print if you’d like!).

Do something fun:

You can just say your vows and then be done with the day, but its so much more fun and memorable to incorporate a fun local activity into your day. Telluride is known for its skiing, but there’s so much to do beyond that. You can traverse Jeeping trails to breathtaking views, soak in hot springs, hike some of the most beautiful mountains in the country, leaf peep in the fall, climb the via ferrata, and come home to sit by the fire. What activities will be options will depend highly on the time of year, so be sure whatever you want to do is actually available and open when you visit.

Best time to elope in Telluride

Summer: Late June-August

Wildflowers that grow up to your hips, blue alpine lakes, lush green landscapes, and open roads and trails everywhere. Summer is the best month for Jeeping and hiking. Later in the summer is when it’s best to visit waterfalls, because they’ve calmed down a bit, and July is the best month for wildflowers and thawed lakes. There are usually afternoon showers in the summer, which can throw a small wrench in things, but they normally only last 15-30 minutes or so- just don’t get caught above treeline if there’s lightning. The snow on most Jeeping trails and many high alpine hiking trails doesn’t melt until the end of June or early July, depending on how much snow there was that winter.

Fall: September-early October

Fall in Telluride is a sight to see. The mountains glow with golden veins of aspen trees all over the peaks. Depending on how late in the fall you choose, some Jeeping trails may close, but for the most part everything is still pretty accessible unless there’s snow. The weather is the most reliably sunny in September, and rarely snows or rains. The last week of September and the first week of October are the best times to catch the fall colors, and usually the most snow you see is just a light dusting at the top of the peaks.

Winter: November-March

Winter has a lot less accessibility than summer and fall, but if you love the snow and skiing, then Telluride is the perfect place for you. There’s usually not much snow until January/February, so if you’re looking for a winter wonderland, that’s the best time to schedule for. Hiking to most locations or Jeeping isn’t an option in the winter, but there are activities like snowshoeing, skiing, sleigh rides, and snowmobiling you can do instead if you still want to incorporate an adventure to your day.

Spring: April-early June

Can’t say I recommend spring at all, sorry! Spring in Colorado has really unpredictable weather, gray skies, muddy trails, and nothing is green until at least early-mid June. Most trails and roads that are unpaved are inaccessible until late June (sometimes even later if there’s a lot of snowfall). The ski runs close in March, usually, and the remaining snow is very slushy. I no longer photograph spring weddings in the mountains, and recommend my couples schedule for a different time of year.