There’s something so magical about choosing to plan your elopement or intimate wedding in Breckenridge. From its gushing waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, and epic mountains, to the charming town of Breckenridge itself, this destination is in a league of its own.

As a photographer and planner for destination elopements, there are countless reasons why I would recommend Breckenridge as the backdrop for your elopement or intimate wedding, and zero reasons why I wouldn’t suggest it.

Let’s dive into my top tips for planning your dream Breckenridge elopement or intimate wedding.

How to Plan an Elopement or Intimate Wedding in Breckenridge, Colorado

First things first, I want to clarify that elopements and intimate weddings are not the same thing, but there are some similarities between the two. There’s no wrong answer to which one is best for your big day - the decision comes down to what feels right for you and your partner.

Whether you choose to plan an elopement or an intimate wedding all depends on the number of guests you want to invite. Elopements usually have a much smaller guest list or zero guests. On the other hand, an intimate wedding has more guests than an elopement but not as many guests as a traditional wedding.

Hire your photographer

If you’ve perused other elopement or intimate wedding guides, you probably will see first on the to-do list to create your wedding vision or figure out your location. However, for your Breckenridge celebration, I would recommend you start by hiring your photographer.

Why? Your photographer can help you with all of the planning details and logistics that are an important part of your elopement planning process. This is going to be very helpful, especially if you’ve never been to Breckenridge before!

If we work together, I can help you find your perfect location, navigate permits, find specific vendors, trails, accommodations, and so much more to make your planning process and preparation way easier than doing everything on your own.

Choose your location

After you’ve secured your photographer, it’s time to decide where you want to have your celebration in Breckenridge. I’ve listed a few different options you can choose from, but remember, this list isn’t exhaustive. Also, if we work together, I can share with you some of my favorite hidden gems in Breckenridge that I haven’t included on this list. There are many beautiful locations throughout Breckenridge, so it all comes down to what your dream elopement or intimate wedding looks like. Together, we can find the ideal location to serve as the backdrop for your day.

Here are some of my favorite spots in Breckenridge you can choose from:

For your elopement -

Lake Dillon

From beaches to pine trees to a stunning lake, this area has it all! You can find Lake Dillon in Dillon, Colorado, and around the Ten Mile and Gore Mountain Ranges. Plus, there are several different beautiful elopement locations around the lake to choose from - including spots along the shoreline.

Boreas Pass

Boreas Pass has evergreens, mountain views, aspens, and so much more to offer you. Plus, you don’t have to worry about hiking here for your celebration as it’s accessible by car.

Next to a waterfall

There’s an abundance of gorgeous waterfalls where you can plan your elopement. I would suggest Continental Falls, McCullough Gulch, or Secret Blue Lakes Waterfall.

For your intimate wedding -

Windy Point Campground

At Windy Point Campground you can reserve either the Forest Loop or the Lake Loop. If you choose to plan your intimate wedding here you’ll have a jaw-dropping mountain backdrop and be surrounded by scenic views everywhere you look.

Rivertree Lodge
Rivertree Lodge is nestled within the Rocky Mountains and is set on 17 stunning acres along the Blue River. Here you can plan a day of mountain adventures and enjoy a tranquil setting in nature for your celebration.

Hoosier Pass

Hoosier Pass is a great option for a secluded celebration with mountain views and rugged terrain. This is a high mountain pass you’ll find between Breckenridge and Fairway. Plus, you’ll have views of Mt. Lincoln, Alma, and so many other gorgeous mountain peaks.

Decide on the time of year you want to plan your celebration in Breckenridge

One of the reasons I love Breckenridge is that it’s a great place for your celebration all year round, as unlike other ski towns there’s no “off-season” here. Let’s break down what each season entails:

Spring

Spring runs from April through June and brings milder temperatures. However, the trails are often quite muddy at this time of year, and the weather can drastically change from one day to the next.

Summer

Summer lasts from July to mid-September. It’s a great time to plan your celebration, as everything is in full bloom and the temperatures are lovely.

Winter

Winter is perfect if you want to pair your celebration with a winter sport such as skiing or snowboarding. The winter season lasts from November to March. During this time of year, there is plenty of snow and a significant drop in temperatures.

Fall

Fall is from mid-September to October and is another favorite time of year for couples to plan their elopement or intimate wedding. You’ll have a backdrop of vibrant foliage, aspen groves, and temperatures that aren’t too hot or too cold. When deciding the time of year you want to elope, you’ll also need to figure out when you want to elope. My advice? Plan your celebration during the week. If you do, you’ll encounter much fewer people and traffic.

Start planning out the details

After you’ve decided where you want to have your celebration and the time of year you want to elope, it’s time to start planning out the additional, important details. These include deciding on lodging, activities, transportation, vendors, and your wedding timeline. The good news is that Breckenridge has the best of the best to offer you in terms of activities, accommodations, vendors, etc.

Another great reason to plan your celebration in Breckenridge is its accessibility —it’s only a 1.5-hour drive from Denver. You also don’t necessarily have to rent a car if you do want to plan your celebration here—there are great shuttle service options from the airport to Breckenridge.

If all of this is starting to feel overwhelming, don’t panic! Remember, this is part of my job to help you plan out all the details and find the best accommodations, activities to do, planning your wedding timeline, etc.

Get your marriage license

You can get your marriage license in Summit County from the Office of the Clerk and Recorder for Summit County, which you’ll find in downtown Breckenridge.

If you do not reside in Colorado full-time, here’s what you need to do:

Make an appointment, which you can do here. Something to be aware of - appointments are limited so make sure that you plan ahead!
Fill out and print the Marriage License Application ahead of time, and bring it with you.
Go to the appointment with your partner. You and your partner must be present at the time of application.
Bring a form of valid, photo identification (e.g. Driver's License, Passport) upon arrival.

The application costs $39, which includes the License ($30). Staff will automatically charge couples for 3 certified copies (an additional $3 each). You are required to return the signed license within 63 days to the same place you received it.

The Office of the Clerk & Recorder for Summit County’s website also clearly breaks down what you need to do to get your marriage license if you are a full-time resident of Colorado, which you can learn more about here.

By the way, I can do more than plan and photograph your special day. I’m also an officiant!

Kaitlin and Matt’s Breckenridge Elopement Timeline

Here’s a behind-the-lens look at Kaitlin and Matt’s Breckenridge timeline which I made for them. When designing their timeline, I created an intentional day for them. Their timeline included time for their family and friends but also time for Kaitlin and Matt to enjoy the mountains and spend meaningful time with each other. This was a VERY involved day and we were able to do a lot within four hours. The locations we visited within Breckenridge were Hoosier Pass and the Blue Lakes.

The timeline:

1:30 pm - Arrive for set-up

1:50 pm - Everyone to arrive at the ceremony spot at Blue Lakes Trail and get arranged

2-2:30 pm - Ceremony

2:30-2:45 pm - Toasts

2:45-3:30 pm - Family and Friend Photos

3:30 pm - Leave ceremony

4:15 pm - Arrive at Blue Lakes or Hoosier Pass

5:30 pm - Leave Hoosier Pass (20-30 min drive from Hoosier Pass to Breckenridge)

6 PM - 9 PM - Restaurant/Reception

Now You’re Ready to Plan Your Breckenridge Elopement

I hope you found these expert tips on how to plan a Breckenridge elopement or intimate wedding helpful! Breckenridge is the ideal spot for your celebration if you know that you want to plan an unforgettable day with accessible locations and spectacular views.

Do you want a wedding experience where you embrace genuine, authentic moments and have those documented? Would it be a dream to work with a photographer who can help you find specific vendors, trails, and accommodations? If that sounds exactly like what you’re looking for, then let’s get started planning your elopement or wedding day in Breckenridge and beyond! You can get in touch with me here or learn more about my services here.