Planning a mountain elopement in Colorado doesn’t have to be complicated. For Madi and Chase, it meant gathering their closest people, finding a meaningful mountain location near Breckenridge, and focusing on what mattered most—saying their vows surrounded by the scenery they love.
Planning a Mountain Elopement in Colorado
Madi and Chase traveled to Colorado from Kansas for their wedding day, dreaming of an intimate mountain elopement in Colorado surrounded by their closest family and friends. They were staying near Breckenridge and wanted a location that felt meaningful, scenic, and true to who they are.
Colorado already held a special place in their hearts—Chase grew up skiing here—so choosing the mountains for their elopement felt like coming full circle. Add in sweeping alpine views and a relaxed, low-key vibe, and it was the perfect place to say their vows.
Madi and Chase met during their first year at Kansas State University and instantly hit it off. When it came to planning their elopement, their vision was refreshingly simple. They wanted a beautiful spot in the mountains where they could exchange vows, take photos, and comfortably fit about 15 people. No decorations. No chairs. Just meaningful moments and incredible scenery.
That simplicity made location choice the most important piece of the puzzle.
What to Expect When Eloping in the Colorado Mountains
Together, we worked through several options for their Colorado mountain elopement, and I did some location scouting in the Breckenridge area to find places that matched their vision. I shared spots I’d photographed before and suggested locations around Lake Dillon, as well as higher-elevation areas at Hoosier Pass, Boreas Pass, and Loveland Pass. Each location had something special, but we ultimately landed on Clinton Gulch Dam Reservoir.
Clinton Gulch is a great option for couples planning a mountain elopement in Colorado because it’s open to the public and doesn’t require reservations. That flexibility can be a huge plus—but it also means you have to be ready to adapt.
When we arrived, the original ceremony spot we had in mind was already being used by fishermen. Instead of stressing, we took a short walk down the trail and found another ceremony location along the rocky shoreline. The beach there was narrower and a bit less flat, but it worked beautifully. With only 15 people, it was easy to arrange everyone comfortably and still keep the ceremony feeling intimate and connected to the landscape.
Moments like this are such a good reminder of why flexibility matters so much when planning a Colorado mountain elopement—and why having someone with local experience can make all the difference. Click here to learn more about the trail at Clinton Gulch Dam Reservoir.
Thanks Madi and Chase
Madi and Chase, thank you for entrusting me to help you plan this day and capture it with photographs. It was fun to search through mountain options near Breckenridge and I think the location we picked fit you day wonderfully. I hope you two and doing well, much love to you and your family!
Planning a Colorado mountain elopement comes with a lot of decisions—but you don’t have to make them alone. From location scouting to documenting your day in a way that feels true to you, I’m here to help.
