Colorado
Elopement
Photographer
I photograph and film elopements across Colorado — from high alpine passes and red rock canyons to remote mountain cabins and intimate backcountry ceremonies. No two are ever the same.
→ Begin a ConversationI’ve spent the last decade photographing and filming elopements across Colorado — from Guanella Pass above Georgetown to the red rock formations of Garden of the Gods, from remote cabins above Aspen to overlooks above Keystone and the mountain passes of Telluride.
Elopements are the work I find most meaningful. There’s no performance, no crowd, no schedule running twenty minutes behind. Just two people, a landscape that matters to them, and the kind of intimacy that a hundred-person wedding can’t replicate. My job is to document that without getting in the way of it.
I work with couples planning everything from a true two-person ceremony in the backcountry to a micro-wedding with a small group of people who matter most. Whatever the scale, the approach is the same — intentional, unhurried, and deeply personal.
— Mark BlakeColorado Elopement Locations
Guanella Pass
Georgetown, CO · Alpine TundraOne of Colorado’s most dramatic and accessible high alpine locations. Sitting above 11,000 feet, Guanella Pass offers sweeping tundra landscapes, wildflower meadows in summer, and golden aspen corridors in fall — all within 90 minutes of Denver. One of my favorite elopement locations in the state.
~90 min from Denver · Permit may be requiredSapphire Point Overlook
Keystone, CO · Summit CountyA designated elopement-friendly location in Summit County with panoramic views of the Ten Mile Range and Dillon Reservoir. Sapphire Point is one of the few public locations in Colorado that actively welcomes elopement ceremonies — accessible, stunning, and genuinely special.
Free · No permit required for elopementsGarden of the Gods
Colorado Springs, CO · Red RockThe iconic red sandstone formations of Garden of the Gods are unlike anything else in Colorado. Free, permit-free for personal ceremonies, and visually unlike anywhere else in the state. I’ve documented engagement sessions and ceremonies here and know the locations and timing that make each one exceptional.
Free · No permit required · Personal useAspen & Snowmass
Roaring Fork Valley · Remote CabinsThe Roaring Fork Valley is one of my most active elopement markets — from intimate cabin ceremonies above Aspen like the Smith Cabin to backcountry settings accessible only on foot or horseback. The combination of altitude, isolation, and landscape makes Aspen elopements some of the most visually compelling work I do.
Film available · Full Aspen guide →Telluride
San Juan Mountains · Remote & CinematicTelluride is in a category of its own for elopements — remote, visually extraordinary, and completely removed from the mainstream. I’ve filmed destination elopements in the Puente Cabin area above town and throughout the surrounding San Juan backcountry. If you want something that feels genuinely unlike anything else, Telluride delivers.
Film available · Full Telluride guide →Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, CO · Alpine WildernessOne of the most searched elopement destinations in the entire country — and for good reason. RMNP offers an extraordinary range of settings from alpine meadows and glacier lakes to tundra at 12,000 feet. Permits are required and fill up fast, so early planning is essential for anyone considering an elopement here.
NPS Permit required · Book earlyVail & Beaver Creek
Eagle County · Mountain VillageBeyond the grand venue weddings, Vail and Beaver Creek offer remarkable intimate ceremony settings — gondola-accessible overlooks, mountain meadows, and private trailside locations that most couples never discover. I know this valley well from years of wedding work and can help you find a setting that feels completely your own.
Full Vail guide →Flagstaff Mountain
Boulder, CO · Front RangeJust above Boulder, Flagstaff Mountain offers accessible mountain terrain with sweeping views of the Front Range and the city below. A strong option for couples based in Denver or Boulder who want a mountain ceremony without a long drive into the high country.
~45 min from DenverBuena Vista & Salida
Arkansas River Valley · Collegiate PeaksThe Arkansas River Valley is an underrated elopement destination with some of Colorado’s most dramatic Fourteener backdrops. Buena Vista in particular — home to the Surf Hotel — offers a compelling mix of mountain access, river scenery, and a laid-back energy that attracts couples who want something genuinely off the beaten path.
~2.5 hrs from Denver
Elopement
FAQ
It depends on the location. Colorado state parks and national parks like Rocky Mountain National Park require permits for ceremonies, which should be secured well in advance as they fill up quickly. Some locations like Sapphire Point Overlook are specifically designated for elopements and require no permit. Garden of the Gods requires no permit for personal photography or ceremonies. I help every couple navigate permit requirements for their chosen location as part of the planning process.
Late June through early October is the primary elopement season — wildflowers peak in July, golden aspen runs mid-September through early October, and the weather is generally the most reliable. Winter elopements in snow are extraordinary but require more logistical planning around access and conditions. Spring can be unpredictable at altitude. September is personally my favorite month in Colorado for elopement work — the light is incredible and the crowds thin out after Labor Day.
Yes — I offer both photography and film for elopements, and many couples choose to combine both. Elopement films are particularly meaningful for intimate ceremonies where the vows, the quiet moments, and the emotion of the day are things you’ll want to hear and feel again, not just see. Browse elopement films including Sabrina x Brenna’s Telluride cabin elopement and Ticha x Mike’s Sapphire Point ceremony on the motion page.
For peak season dates — July through early October — I’d recommend reaching out at least six to nine months in advance, particularly if you have a specific location in mind. Popular locations like Rocky Mountain National Park issue a limited number of permits that go quickly. Off-season elopements have more flexibility, but I’d still encourage early contact to discuss location options and logistics.
Absolutely — and this is one of the parts of elopement planning I genuinely enjoy. After a decade of working across Colorado’s landscapes, I have strong opinions about which locations work best at which times of year, which are overrun and which feel genuinely remote, and which will photograph and film in a way that holds up over time. I’m happy to make specific recommendations based on your vision, your timeline, and your physical comfort level with the terrain.
Yes. While Colorado is the primary focus of my elopement work, I regularly travel for destination elopements across the American West and abroad. Past elopement and intimate wedding work includes locations in Utah, California, and internationally. If you’re planning something outside Colorado, reach out through the booking page and let’s talk.
Let’s Plan Your
Colorado Elopement
Whether you know exactly where you want to elope or you’re still figuring it out — reach out and let’s start the conversation.
→ Begin a Conversation