Telluride Elopement Guide • Larsen Photo Co.

Telluride is one of those mountain towns that takes your breath away from the moment you drive into the valley and look up at the majestic San Juan Mountains, so it’s no wonder it’s one of the best places to elope in Colorado. I photographed my first wedding here in 2017, and while it’s a long seven-hour drive away from my home in Boulder, I’m always stoked to photograph elopements in Telluride. If you’re thinking about eloping here, read on for all my best tips for your adventure in Telluride.

Best places to elope in Telluride

You’re not going to find the trail names and locations of the best places to elope in Telluride on a public website, because all the best local spots can go from quiet to packed in the span of one viral post. For exact trail names, contact a local photographer with experience in the area (like me!) who can help with personalized location ideas for the elopement experience you want. But here are a handful of places to elope in Telluride that either require reservations or can handle the traffic.

*Wedding ceremony at San Sophia Overlook in Telluride*

Best wedding venues in Telluride

Many of the best wedding venues in Telluride belong to the ski resort, but there are also great options for privately owned venues, both large and small. The two most beautiful ceremony sites in town are easily San Sophia Overlook and Palmyra Lookout, both accessed through gondola or shuttles on the slopes of the resort. While full weddings at the resort are quite expensive, they offer affordable options on weekdays, and I think it’s well worth the cost to have a stunning view without making your guests hike or off-road up to the ceremony.

Off-roading elopement in Colorado — *Off-roading elopement near Telluride*

Things to do in Telluride

Telluride is home to one of my favorite ski resorts, so it goes without saying this is a great place for a ski elopement! The terrain is a bit more advanced than some of the resorts closer to the Denver area, but you can still get stunning views from green and blue runs too. Backcountry skiing is also popular down here, but there are few mellow trails unless you stick to nordic skiing on groomed trails.

In summer and fall, off-roading and hiking are the most popular things to do in Telluride. If you don’t already have experience with off-roading, I recommend booking a Jeep tour with a licensed guide from the area who knows the roads well. Black Bear Pass, Imogene Pass, and Ophir Pass are the three main passes that start in Telluride, and it’s not uncommon to see headlines of cars rolling down off the mountain side because the drivers weren’t prepared for just how rough the conditions can be. But if you like a bit of adventure, off-roading is a great way to see incredible views without hiking all day.

Because Telluride is on the bougie end of the mountain town spectrum, the shopping downtown is excellent, with lots of small boutique shops along Colorado Avenue. You’ll also find two great spas in Mountain Village, at the Madeline Hotel & Residences and The Peaks Resort & Spa.

Sunset elopement in Telluride — *Sunset elopement photos in the mountains near Telluride*

Where to eat in Telluride

If you’re eloping in Telluride with few enough guests that it’s not worth renting a full venue, there are a handful of restaurants that offer private dining rooms—perfect for a simple dinner reception. Here are all my favorite restaurants, both for micro-wedding receptions and just enjoying a meal on your own.

The Butcher & The Baker is my favorite bakery in Telluride! They make the best pastries, but also have great lunch food; perfect for picking up picnic foods for your elopement.
La Piazza del Villaggio is located in Mountain Village, and has a private wine cellar that’s great for small receptions.
Dunton Kitchen is easily the nicest restaurant in Mountain Village.
The Timber Room at the Madeline is my favorite place for upscale apres cocktails and light bites.
221 South Oak
National Telluride offers private buyouts for groups of 20-65, and also has a rooftop that’s available for private dining in summer and early fall.
La Mormotte serves up the best French cuisine I’ve ever had outside of France.
Telluride Brewing Company is a casual brewery in Mountain Village, but with the best beer in town.

Backcountry skiing elopement in Telluride, Colorado — *Backcountry skiing elopement in Telluride*

Where to stay in Telluride

Lodging in Telluride is quite expensive compared to many mountain towns in Colorado, so make sure you look into lodging prices before deciding on this as your elopement location. That being said, there are also a lot of excellent hotels and vacation rentals here, so if you’re open to splurging on lodging you’ll have no problems finding a great place to stay.

Best hotels in Telluride

Best vacation rentals in Telluride

All in all, Telluride is a great place to elope for couples who want a quintessential Colorado mountain town experience. With stunning mountain views, epic off-roading, hikes both long and short, and some of the best restaurants in the mountains, you can truly make this place your own, no matter how you dream of spending your wedding day.

Looking for an elopement photographer in Telluride? I only travel down here once or twice a year, but if I’m unavailable I’m happy to recommend another local photographer with experience in the area. You can see my full elopement pricing here, then contact me to schedule a call!