The Ultimate Planning Guide to Elope in Breckenridge Colorado

Check out this complete guide for ideas on Breckenridge elopement locations, what time of year to elope, Breckenridge elopement packages, plus more info!

Updated: April 12, 2023

9 reasons why you should elope in Breckenridge CO

1. The views are epic! Of course first on the list is the amazing mountain views in Breckenridge, Colorado. 

2. A major airport within driving distance. Breckenridge is only 2 hours from Denver International Airport, and there are even shuttles you can take if you don’t want to make the drive yourself. 

3. Year round accessibility. One of the great things about Breckenridge is that it makes for a great elopement location at any time of year. Every season is beautiful in its own way.

4. Plenty of nearby restaurants to celebrate. Another great thing about eloping in Breckenridge is that there is no shortage of places to celebrate in the area. Whether that be with a romantic dinner or a flight of local beers, you’ll definitely find something that fits what you’re looking for.

5. Great places to stay. There are also plenty of great places to stay, from resorts to private cabins to Airbnbs.

6. Lots of elopement location options in the area. One of the great things about the Breckenridge area is that there is no shortage of beautiful and fun locations. There are so many options to choose from in the vicinity.

7. Accessible and adventurous locations. Among the many elopement location options that Breckenridge has to offer, you’ll find both accessible and adventurous choices. So if you want to hike several miles for an adventurous elopement, you can, or alternatively, you can choose a location that you simply drive right up to!

8. Affordable options. Another thing to consider is how affordable many of the elopement locations are. At many of these places you can have your elopement for free or as little as a few hundred dollars.

9. Dog-friendly options. If it’s important to you that your dog is with you for your elopement, you’ll definitely be able to find a great spot in Breckenridge to make this happen!

Best places to elope in Breckenridge CO

Sapphire Point elopement

Sapphire Point is near Breckenridge, Colorado and has beautiful views of the Dillon Reservoir and the Tenmile Range.

You can reserve the Sapphire Point overlook area for 2 hours for only $110, plus a $10 reservation fee. Reservations for this location open up 6 months in advance. This area can hold up to 35 people so it’s also great for microweddings in addition to elopements.

For more information on Sapphire Point, check out this Sapphire Point Elopement & Wedding Guide.

Lake Dillon elopement

While Sapphire Point is one of the more popular view points on Lake Dillon, it is certainly not the only one! There are several other locations that can accommodate small groups (around recommend 10 or less people).

This viewpoint below is a favorite spot of mine since it is not usually too crowded, but there are a few different spots to choose from.

There are also several locations that have hiking trails, and these are generally pretty flat and easy. So if you want to spend some time outdoors with your partner for your day and do some casual hiking, this spot is a good option to consider.

Check out this guide to Lake Dillon Weddings & Elopements for more information.

Blue Lakes elopement

Blue Lakes is a beautiful location not far from Breckenridge and is popular for elopements in Breckenridge.

Depending on the road status, there is a short to moderate hike to get to this location, which has great mountain views and an alpine lake. There are also lots of nearby spots for more hiking or additional portraits.

It’s important to note that the road to this location closes during the winter so getting there during this time requires a long trek. Depending on how much snow has fallen during the winter season, the road may not be open until even June. And even in the summer months the road up to this location can be difficult for 2WD or lower clearance vehicles.

For locations such as this, it’s helpful to hire a local guide or a local elopement photographer who is familiar with the area enough to help you figure out these types of logistics!

Boreas Pass elopement

Boreas Pass is a beautiful scenic drive that connects Breckenridge and Como, Colorado.

Keep in mind that this is a rough dirt road, and high clearance vehicles are strongly advised, preferably with 4WD. It also gets very narrow at certain spots, with steep drop offs. If you’re not used to driving these types of roads, it can feel pretty sketchy at times.

This location is especially beautiful in the summer as well as during the fall when the leaves are changing; however, it does tend to get much more crowded during this time of the year.

Note that this pass closes during the winter time, but you can park at the base of the road on the Breckenridge side and walk a short distance to see the first viewpoint.

Loveland Pass

Loveland Pass is a high mountain pass not far from Breckenridge.

Right near the top of the pass is a small alpine lake that is very accessible via a short trail. This trail is 0.8 miles round trip with minimal elevation gain of only 68 feet but offers stunning views for your wedding ceremony. 

Weather permitting, the pass does stay open year round (although access to the lake closes). However, even on the best days in the winter, conditions are very harsh.

Because of this I don’t recommend this location during the winter months, but in the summer it is absolutely beautiful!

Check out this complete guide to Loveland Pass elopements for more information!

Talk to your photographer about more hidden elopement gems around Breckenridge

Finding a location is usually the first thing couples want to do when planning their elopement or microwedding, but I’ll let you in on a little wedding industry secret…

Choosing a photographer first is actually the best thing you can do, especially if you’re planning an elopement or small wedding.

Why? Because local photographers know all the best spots! Most elopement photographers, including myself, include location help with their photography packages.

For example, when you tell me what type of scenery you want, how many guests you’re planning to have, whether you want to hike or whether you need an accessible location, etc. etc., I can help you with determining what your best options are in a given area like Breckenridge.

Colorado is a beautiful place, and there are literally hundreds of location options. If you hire your photographer first, you don’t have to take on the daunting task of finding a place to get married by yourself.

Breckenridge and the surrounding area has many more hidden gems that are perfect for a Colorado elopement, especially during the summer months. Get in touch and we can start planning your dream elopement day!

Getting your marriage license for your Breckenridge elopement

How to get your marriage license in Colorado

The process for getting your marriage license in Colorado is very simple. 

You will need to go to a County Clerk and Recorder’s office. You can go to any county’s office in the state, regardless of where you are getting married. The closest County Clerk to Breckenridge will be the Summit County Clerk and Recorder’s office, which does require appointments for obtaining marriage licenses.

Although some counties allow you to start the application online, you must complete the process in person.

There is no waiting period to get married in Colorado, so you can use the marriage license the same day you get it. However, keep in mind that these offices follow typical government office hours and holidays. Most offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. to 4:30/5 P.M.

The process is very quick! It will usually only take about 20 to 30 minutes and you should not need an appointment.

You must use the license within 35 days of applying for it. Then it must be completed and filed back with the County Clerk and Recorder’s office within 63 days from the date of the wedding. You can either mail it back in, or return it physically to the same location.

When to elope in Breckenridge 

Seasons

There really isn’t a bad time of year to elope in Breckenridge! You’ll probably want to consider the type of scenery you want, the type of weather you’re comfortable with, as well as the specific location where you want to elope. For example, there are certain areas or mountain passes that are closed during the winter (which may last from October through June here!)

The summers in Colorado are a personal favorite! I love all the wildflowers and how the mornings are still cool in the mountains. It’s also nice to have all your location options available when all of the trails and passes are open and accessible!

Fall is also a beautiful time in Breckenridge. Usually in mid to late September the leaves will start to change colors, and the fall foliage in certain areas is really stunning.

Winter is also gorgeous in Breckenridge if you can tough out the cold! All of the snow makes it a winter wonderland.

Finally there’s Spring, when the temperatures are starting to warm up and the crowds are starting to dissipate after ski season. You’ll want to keep in mind that Spring is very unpredictable. If you’re not from Colorado it may surprise you to hear that Breckenridge sometimes sees snow days as late as June! The melting snow can also make certain trails very muddy!

Weekend/Weekday

Because of the popularity of many Breckenridge elopement locations, I always recommend a weekday elopement if at all possible. It will offer you significantly less crowds and more privacy than a weekend elopement.

Time of day

Equally as important as choosing which day to have your elopement, is choosing a time of day that will offer you the best chance of privacy. 

Early mornings are by far the best time to elope if seclusion is important to you. If you can’t make a morning elopement work for you two, evenings are generally the next best time. 

Where to have your Breckenridge Colorado elopement reception

With Breckenridge elopements, you have plenty of options when deciding how you want to celebrate your elopement, whether that be just the two of you or with others.

Picnic

A picnic on the trail or at a local pavilion is always a great option for celebrating your elopement. 

If you’re planning to celebrate your elopement with friends and family, a few options would be to rent pavilions from the town of Dillon, the town of Frisco, or Carter Park.

Restaurant

Another option would be to make a reservation at a nearby restaurant for your celebration. Many restaurants have a private event space option. You could also consider having your reception at a nearby distillery or craft brewery!

Here are a few great restaurants I recommend in the Breckenridge area!

Private Chef or Catering

If you love good food but want more privacy to celebrate your marriage, consider hiring a local private chef or ordering catered food. This is a great option if you’re renting an Airbnb or VRBO in the area. Here are a few local options that I recommend!

• At your Breck and Call
• The Happy Cuisiniere
• Ridge St. Kitchen
• The Secret Ingredient

Check out this elopement reception planning guide for more ideas and inspiration for your post elopement celebration!

Breckenridge elopement packages

Looking for someone to help you document your special day? I’m a Colorado-based elopement and intimate wedding photographer, and I love helping couples turn their vision for their dream day into a reality!

I’d be honored to help you with photographing your elopement. Learn more below!

I’m more than just a photographer…I’m here to help you have the best day ever!

All of my Breckenridge Elopement Packages include:

• Elopement & Micro wedding VIP Planning Guide exclusively for Wild and Found couples
• Questionnaires to help you through the planning process
• Personalized location assistance
• Local vendor recommendations
• Logistics help and a custom timeline
• Gear and day-of checklists customized for your day
• More one-on-one planning help
• Assistance with wedding permit if needed
• Cost of photo permit included
• An entire gallery of edited, high-resolution images great for printing, PLUS websize images ideal for posting to social media
• The rights to print, share, and download all of your images
• A sneak peek of 5 images with 48 hours
• PLUS a 20% off discount on prints, albums, canvas art, etc. for your first order

Are you planning a Breckenridge elopement or microwedding?

I’m more than just a photographer. Helping couples create their dream day is what I do best!

Get in touch and let’s chat about your vision!

Or check out more elopement planning resources…