How to Elope in Breckenridge, Colorado

Updated January 8th, 2024

 Eloping in Breckenridge

You’ve probably heard of Breckenridge, especially if you ski or snowboard. But it’s so much more than just a ski town. We know the reason you’re choosing to get married in the Colorado mountains is for the views. Breckenridge won’t disappoint. Breckenridge is surrounded by beautiful mountains, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails.

A lot of our couples choose to get married in Breckenridge because of how convenient it is. The drive from Denver International Airport takes less than two hours, and there are many places to stop along the way if you want to do some sightseeing. We suggest checking out Red Rocks Amphitheater, Idaho Springs (stop for pizza at Beau Jo’s or craft beers at Tommyknocker Brewery), and spend an afternoon driving up Mount Evans.

The town of Breckenridge itself is surrounded by other mountain towns such as Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, and Keystone. All of which are at most a 30-minute drive apart. This gives you plenty of options for accommodation (both hotels and great Airbnb rentals) as well as stores and restaurants. The area offers many options for locations with an outdoorsy and remote feel, but because of the number of house rentals, there are also many options for a backyard-style ceremony or reception.

Disclosure: Sometimes we use affiliate links in our elopement planning blog posts. This does not cost you anything, but it helps support the creation of these free, informational blog posts. Thank you for your support!

Best Time of Year to Elope in Breckenridge

When Should You Elope in Breckenridge?

One of our favorite parts about Breckenridge is that you can get married there year-round! In the winter and early spring, there are frozen lakes, snow-covered mountains, and great access to skiing. In the summer, there are wildflowers, sunny days, flowing waterfalls, and 4WD trails are open. And in the fall (usually starting in the second half of September), the aspens leaves change to the most beautiful yellows and oranges.

But if we had to choose, our favorite time to elope in Breckenridge is between mid-June and late-September. That gives you the warmest temperatures and the most location options for your elopement!

 Our Favorite Elopement Ceremony Locations in Breckenridge

 Sapphire Point Overlook

Sapphire Point is a popular ceremony site for both elopements and small weddings and is available year-round. The site can accommodate 35 people, sits on the edge of Lake Dillon, and has gorgeous lake and mountain views.

There are a few things that make Sapphire Point a great choice for your wedding. It’s only a 15-minute drive from downtown Breckenridge. The path to the ceremony site is just under 0.2 miles from the parking lot, which makes it easily accessible. It is also one of the few locations that allow you to bring in chairs or an arch for your ceremony. It’s also dog-friendly!

Because Sapphire Point is on a popular hiking trail, there will likely be other visitors nearby, but we find that they are usually very respectful.

The three-hour permit costs $128, and can easily be reserved online. Permits for Sapphire Point open up exactly six months in advance at 8:00 am Mountain Time. We recommend getting yours as soon as you can, as it’s a popular site and books up quickly!

Interested in learning more about eloping at Sapphire Point Overlook?

Check out our Sapphire Point Elopement Guide

The Lodge at Breckenridge

If you’re looking for a ceremony site that is easily accessible, has gorgeous mountain views, and allows dogs, check out The Lodge at Breckenridge. There, you can rent out their Sky View Deck for two hours, which is the perfect amount of time for a ceremony, a champagne toast, and a first dance. The great thing about The Lodge at Breckenridge is that chairs are included, and you can add champagne and appetizers to your package!

Lake Dillon Marina Park Pavilion

Another easily accessible ceremony site with gorgeous views, that allows dogs is the Marina Park Pavilion. This site sits just above Lake Dillon (just across the lake from Sapphire Point Overlook) and includes a lawn for your ceremony as well as full access to the picnic pavilion. If you have any children attending your elopement, they will enjoy the playground that’s right next to the pavilion. When renting the Marina Park Pavilion, you have the choice of a full-day or half-day rental (morning or evening), with rental costs varying by day of the week and time of year. Reservations are only available from May 1st until September 30th, with reservations becoming available on the first business day in May of the current year.

Event-Friendly Rentals

Breckenridge is packed full of amazing house rentals! Some of them are on a large piece of land, while others offer huge outdoor decks for entertaining. We recommend always reaching out to the property owner in advance to get approval for your event. Some may require an additional fee or deposit. We provide all of our couples with a list of house rentals that have been approved for events. We look specifically for homes that have spaces that can accommodate a ceremony and have amazing views. These homes are also perfect for a backyard reception!

Other Ceremony Options

Hike to Your Ceremony | Some of our couples who have 0-6 guests opt to have their ceremony surrounded by nature. Breckenridge is full of hikes that have gorgeous options for your ceremony! We love helping our couples find the perfect location to fit their vision and energy level. These locations may require permits!

Windy Point Campground | Have your ceremony on the shore of Lake Dillon and then celebrate at the covered pavilion with lake views. The site can easily be reserved online and costs about $250. You can reserve it up to 12 months in advance.

Schoolmarm on Decum Mountain | If you’ve always dreamed of getting married on a mountaintop, then this is the place for you. This site is located at Keystone Resort and is accessed by a ski gondola, talk about an adventure! This site is available from mid-June until mid-September.

Ski Tip Lodge | The Lodge is open for events year-round and is part of Keystone Resort. Ski Tip Lodge has options for indoor and outdoor spaces and is also a bed and breakfast with 9 rooms.

Silverthorne Pavilion | This is a great spot if you’re looking for an affordable but more traditional venue. You can choose between their indoor and outdoor ceremony sites, then enjoy cocktail hour on their patio, before heading into their ballroom for your reception. This site is available year-round.

Beaver Run Resort | This ceremony space is similar to The Lodge at Breckenridge. Beaver Run Resort has three outdoor ceremony sites to choose from: Patio on the Green, Spencer’s Deck, and The Coppertop Patio. Ceremony site fees include a two-hour rental. This rental includes chair set up and take down.

 Our Favorite Adventure Locations in Breckenridge

Mountaintop Views in Breckenridge

If you’re looking for incredible mountaintop views, Breckenridge has you covered. Some of these locations require a hike, some require taking a drive on a Jeep trail, while others are easily accessible by any passenger car. But regardless of how you get there, you can rest assured knowing that you will be blown away by the views!

Depending on which driveable mountain pass you choose, you can expect to drive about 40-60 minutes from downtown Breckenridge. If you’re getting married in the late fall, winter, or early spring, be sure to check the road status. Mountain passes are known to close in severe weather or when there is a risk of an avalanche. In the summer, we recommend avoiding being on the top of a mountain in the afternoon because of the almost-daily thunderstorms that roll through.

Many of these locations will require permits!

Alpine Lakes in Breckenridge

Along with mind-blowing mountain views, Breckenridge also has some incredible alpine lakes to explore. Some of these locations are super easy to get to, others require some hiking, and/or a high-clearance vehicle, and some bumpy dirt roads. But we assure you it’s worth the effort!

When you pull up a map of Breckenridge, you’ll immediately see a large lake. This is Lake Dillon, and it offers many easily-accessible areas to explore. Sapphire Point Overlook sits high above Lake Dillon and Windy Point Campground sits right at the edge. The lake is also lined with hiking and biking trails to explore. Or if you’re looking for a unique view of the lake, rent a kayak, pontoon boat, or even a sailboat!

In addition to Lake Dillon, most alpine lakes in Colorado are typically smaller in size and are at higher elevations. This means that if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a pika, marmot, or a family of mountain goats. And if we are lucky enough to see some animals, we warn you in advance that Lisa is guaranteed to let out an excited squeal. Because of their high elevation and off-road access, most of these locations are only accessible from mid-June to mid-October.

Many of these locations will require permits!

Blue Lakes in Breckenridge

In the past, Blue Lakes was a very popular elopement location in Breckenridge because of its ease of access and beautiful views. In the summer of 2023, White River National Forest made an announcement that Blue Lakes is officially on private land and therefore elopements and weddings are no longer allowed.

While this seems like it could be bad news, we were actually happy to hear this. While we see the obvious appeal of Blue Lakes, over the last few years it had become so overcrowded that it was having a negative effect on our couples’ experience. We were also witnessing how this overcrowding was affecting the wild animals in the area.

We will no longer be capturing elopements at Blue Lakes in Breckenridge

Instead, we are offering alternative locations to our couples in Breckenridge as well as other areas throughout Colorado! There are so many other locations that are lesser-known, have even more gorgeous views, and will provide an even better elopement experience!


If the photography and/or videography team that you have hired is recommending Blue Lakes as an option for your elopement or small wedding, be extremely weary!

This could mean one of two things, either they are not knowledgable or up-to-date about permitting rules or they just don’t care. Both of these things can have a negative impact on not only your elopement, but the Colorado elopement industry as a whole. When choosing vendors for your elopement, it is very important to ensure your team has done the proper research and has the proper respect for the land and regulations. This is why we always suggest hiring local Colorado elopement photographers!

Hidden Gems in Breckenridge

It might surprise you, but Breckenridge is full of hidden gems and locations that are off the beaten path. We are constantly exploring the mountains in search of locations that are not only beautiful but also private. Are you up for a hike? Or maybe an off-road drive? We love being able to share unique spots with our couples!

 Our Favorite Elopement “Reception” Spaces in Breckenridge

You have so many options when it comes to planning the reception portion of your elopement day. In the world of elopements, the word “reception” means different things to different people. Some couples want a more traditional reception, with a plated dinner, speeches, and first dances. In this case, you might consider renting out a more traditional space or host your dinner at a rental house. Other couples choose to do something less formal, like an outdoor picnic, or make a dinner reservation at a restaurant.

Private Home Rental Reception

This is our favorite option for couples who choose to invite guests to their elopement! Breckenridge has many vacation rentals. Keep an eye out for indoor or outdoor spaces that can accommodate your guests.

For your meal, you can order catering from a nearby restaurant, hire a private chef, or even rent a food truck! For a more formal reception, rent tables and chairs from an event rental company. You can also add some of your own personality to the space by decorating. Consider hiring a florist to liven up your table settings!

Before booking, be sure to reach out to the owner and make sure they allow small events on their property!

Upon booking, we provide all of our couples with an extensive list of rental options that allow events! Some of these spaces even offer ceremony spaces!

Where to Find Private Home Rentals that Allow Events

Our favorite place to search for event-friendly rentals is through the home rentals site, Vrbo. This site is very similar to Airbnb, has some incredible listings, and has a great search feature! In the past, we recommended that our couples look for event-friendly rentals on Airbnb, but as of August 2020, Airbnb put a ban on parties and events at their listings. So we now only recommend looking on Vrbo or other private home listing sites.

Once on a Vrbo listing, you can scroll down to the “House Rules” to learn more about the listing’s event policy. Most hosts will require you to disclose your plans prior to booking, some hosts will put a limit on the amount of guests you can have, and others will charge an additional fee.

Event-Friendly Vrbo Listings in Breckenridge

We provide the couples who book with us a long list of rental options, but here’s a couple to get you started! Be sure to double-check each listing’s event policy prior to booking in case they’ve changed since this blog post was published. We also recommend reaching out to the host prior to booking and letting them know your plans.

  • Click here to view the listing on Vrbo
    • 5 minutes from downtown Breckenridge
    • Sleeps 40 (12 Bedrooms, 15 Bathrooms)
    • Large Kitchen and Dining Room
    • Large Deck and Backyard with Mountain Views
    • No Pets Allowed
    • Events Allowed (with approval)

  • Click here to view the listing on Vrbo
    • Located in Silverthorne, 20 minutes from downtown Breckenridge
    • Sleeps 12 (5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms)
    • Large Kitchen and Dining Room
    • Back Deck with Mountain Views
    • No Pets Allowed
    • Events Allowed

  • Click here to view the listing on Vrbo
    • 10 minutes from downtown Breckenridge
    • Sleeps 24 (8 Bedrooms, 8.5 Bathrooms)
    • Large Kitchen and Dining Room
    • Large Deck and Backyard with Mountain Views
    • No Pets Allowed
    • Events Allowed (with approval)

  • Click here to view the listing on Vrbo
    • 25 minutes from downtown Breckenridge
    • Sleeps 17 (5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms)
    • Large Kitchen and Dining Room
    • Large Deck with Forest Views
    • No Pets Allowed
    • Events Allowed

Post-Elopement Picnic

The most common meal option for our couples is a picnic. What we love most about picnics is that they can take place just about anywhere. Our couples have chosen to picnic in the forest, at the edge of an alpine lake, on a rocky overlook, or even at the picnic tables near Sapphire Point.

Pack sandwiches, burritos, or a charcuterie board (or favorite). We can recommend a few of our favorite Denver-based and Breckenridge-based places to get stunning charcuterie boards.

If you have guests and are looking for a casual meal option, a picnic is a great option! Many parks have affordable pavilion rentals and even include tables to sit at! Take a DIY approach to your food, order catering from a nearby restaurant, or even rent a food truck!

Restaurants in Breckenridge

The Breckenridge area offers many restaurant options for all guest counts, price ranges, and tastes. Some allow you to make a reservation for their dining room or patio, while others allow you to rent out an entire room.

Traverse Restaurant and Bar | High-end restaurant located in The Lodge at Breckenridge. Offers indoor dining with great mountain views.

Hearthstone Restaurant | High-end American restaurant located within a historic house. Offers indoor and patio dining.

Sevens | Breckenridge’s premier on-mountain restaurant serving American foods and pizza. Offers indoor and patio dining with mountain views.

Relish | A restaurant with a focus on in-season ingredients and foods locally sourced in Colorado. Offers indoor and patio dining.

Breckenridge Distillery | A casual setting with American food and hand-crafted cocktails. Offers indoor and patio dining.

BoLD Restaurant + Bar | A trendy restaurant that is known for its brunch and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Offers indoor and patio dining.

Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant | A Mexican restaurant that is one of Breckenridge’s longest-standing same-owned restaurants. Offers indoor and patio dining.

Sauce on the Maggie | An upscale Italian restaurant that allows you to reserve their upper dining room for small and intimate events.

Bigalis | A casual Italian restaurant on Main Street in Frisco. Offers indoor seating as well as outdoor seating on their small patio.

 Where to Stay in Breckenridge

Accommodation options are nearly endless when you choose to elope in Breckenridge. What we love about Breckenridge is that it is nestled among a few other mountain towns, so you don’t need to stay in the center of Breckenridge. Check out Silverthorne, Frisco, Dillon, and Keystone for more options and sometimes better deals. No matter what you’re looking for, there is somewhere for you to stay!

Home Rentals in Breckenridge

We find that renting a house (or townhouse) for your elopement is typically more convenient than a hotel. Renting a house will give you more space and privacy when compared to a hotel. And if you’re traveling with a small number of guests, it can be very economical to share a larger house instead of having everyone stay in their own accommodations. Most of our couples book their stays through Airbnb or Vrbo, but Breckenridge also has a few luxury rental management companies.

Our Favorite Vrbo Rentals in Breckenridge

Note that not all home rentals are event-friendly. So while these are all amazing places to stay, they may not be a great fit for your elopement ceremony or “reception.”

The Best Hotels in Breckenridge

The Lodge at Breckenridge - A boutique hotel perched above Breckenridge. The hotel offers beautiful views and has an on-site restaurant. (view on Expedia) (view on Hotels.com)

One Ski Hill Place, A RockResort - A luxury on-mountain hotel at the base of Peak 8. The hotel offers easy access to four chairlifts at the Breckenridge Ski Resort and is close to the free gondola that leads back to the town of Breckenridge. (view on Expedia) (view on Hotels.com)

Crystal Peak Lodge - A luxury hotel with condominium rentals. Located at the base of Peak 7, with easy access to skiing and a free shuttle between the hotel and the town of Breckenridge. (view on Expedia) (view on Hotels.com)

Marriott’s Mountain Valley Lodge at Breckenridge - A luxury hotel with villa rentals. Located in downtown Breckenridge, the hotel offers easy access to shopping and restaurants. (view on Expedia) (view on Hotels.com)

Mountain Thunder Lodge - A luxury hotel with condominium rentals. Located right next to the ski slopes with easy access to downtown Breckenridge. (view on Expedia) (view on Hotels.com)

The Best Hotels in Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne

Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge - A mid-range hotel that is within walking distance of Lake Dillon. (view on Expedia) (view on Hotels.com)

Comfort Suites Summit County - A mid-range hotel located right off I-70 and near shops and restaurants. (view on Expedia) (view on Hotels.com)

Hampton Inn & Suites Silverthorne - A mid-range hotel near restaurants and shops. (view on Expedia) (view on Hotels.com)

Frisco Inn on Galena Street - This bed and breakfast is located in Downtown Frisco, which offers great access to shops and restaurants. (view on Expedia) (view on Hotels.com)

The Pad - This is a new hotel that offers dorm-style rooms as well as rooms with ensuite baths and kitchenettes. (view on Hotels.com)

Adventure Elopement Essentials

Colorado Adventure Elopement Packing List

When you choose to have an outdoor, adventure elopement, there are some unique items that you may want to make sure you bring! We’ve compiled this list based on a general adventure elopement in Colorado, but you may want to curate these items based on the activities you have planned for your elopement day. As always, be sure to read reviews and do your own research to find out if an item is right for you and your elopement!

Disclosure: Sometimes we use affiliate links in our elopement planning blog posts and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not cost you anything, but it helps support the creation of these free, informational blog posts. Thank you for your support!

 

Hiking Essentials

  • Hiking Backpack - A good backpack is essential for not only carrying your things (sometimes even your wedding attire), but also for keeping your back and shoulders from getting sore. If possible, we recommend trying on hiking backpacks in person because each brand will fit a little bit differently. Click here to read REI’s tips for choosing the right hiking backpack. A backpack can also act as a really great “prop” for your photos. We love photographing couples hiking with a bouquet sticking out and a “just eloped” sign hanging on their backpacks.

 
 
  • Water Bottles + Reservoirs - You’ll want to be sure to pack enough water with you, particularly if it is warm out or if you plan to do any hiking. The amount needed will depend on the length of the hike as well as the time of year. We prefer water bottles over water reservoirs, but you can opt for either! Either way, be sure your water bottle will fit nicely in your backpack!

 
 
  • Hiking Boots - We see our couples wear a wide range of boots on their elopement days. When choosing your boots, be sure to choose some with good tread and break them in before your elopement day.

 
 
  • Headlamps - If your elopement plans have you hiking before sunrise or after sunset, then you’ll need a headlamp to light the way.

 
 
  • Trekking Poles - If the hike you are planning to do is particularly steep, rocky, snowy, of if you have weak knees (like Lisa), then we highly suggest trying out a pair of hiking poles. We love having lightweight poles that fold up to make them easier to travel with.

 
    • Black Diamond FLZ Trekking Poles - Women's (view on Amazon)

    • Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles (view on Amazon)

 
  • Safety Essentials - We always recommend being prepared for the unexpected, whether that is an injury or an unwanted run-in with an animal.

 
 

 Where to Get Your Marriage License in Breckenridge

You can pick up your marriage license in any Colorado county and use it in any Colorado county. So it might make sense to pick up your marriage license in Denver on your way into the mountains, or you can pick your marriage license up right in downtown Breckenridge!

 BRECKENRIDGE MARRIAGE LICENSE UPDATE

Currently, the Clerk & Recorder in Breckenridge now allowing non-residents of Summit County to apply for marriage licenses. If you are eloping in Breckenridge, you will need to make an appointment by calling their office. They are limiting their appointments to just three per day, so be sure to call as early as possible.

Breckenridge Appointment Times: Monday - Friday / 9:00 AM / 11:00 AM / 2:00 PM

If there are no appointments available, you can get your marriage license in any county in the state, just be aware that you will need to return your license to the same location afterward. Click here to see a list of all Clerk & Recorder offices in Colorado. We recommend checking out Park County (office in Fairplay), Clear Creek County (office in Georgetown), Denver County (office in Downtown Denver), Jefferson County (office in Golden), and Adams County (office in Brighton, near Denver International Airport).

Full-time residents of Summit County do not need to make an appointment and can come to the office Mondays-Fridays, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

This information is up-to-date as of December 13th, 2022.

Summit County Clerk & Recorder

Location: 208 Lincoln Ave, Breckenridge, CO 80424 (Click here to view in Google Maps)

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM / Closed Holidays

Appointments for Marriage Licenses are Required

 

How to Get a Marriage License in Summit County

Step 1: Make an appointment by calling the office.

Step 2: Fill out the marriage license application.

Step 3: Print out your marriage license application and bring with you to your appointment.

Click here to learn more about getting a marriage license in Breckenridge, Colorado

 

Requirements for a Colorado Marriage License

  • One form of valid, photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.

  • Both parties must be present to pick up a marriage license.

  • Colorado marriage licenses cost $30. In addition, it is suggested that you also get at least 3 certified copies, this will be an extra fee (typically around $3/copy). These are good to have for your records as well as for the name-change process, if you plan to do so.

  • Colorado does not have a waiting period for marriage licenses, you can sign it on the same day that you pick it up! However, we do suggest picking up your marriage license at least one day early in case there are any delays.

  • Colorado marriage licenses are only valid to be used for ceremonies in the State of Colorado. You can’t pick up a Colorado marriage license and then have your ceremony in another state.

  • Once you’ve picked up your marriage license, your ceremony must take place within 35 days. After that, your marriage license will no longer be valid and you will need to reapply.

  • After your ceremony, you will return your signed marriage license to the county clerk & recorder office that you picked it up from. For most locations, you can either drop it off in person or mail it in. You have 63 days to return your marriage license, but we recommend doing it as soon as you can!

 

Who Can Sign a Colorado Marriage License

One thing that makes eloping in Colorado unique is that you have the option to self-solemnize your own marriage! This means that you do not need an officiant or any witnesses to make your marriage legal.

Why you might consider self-solemnizing your own elopement:

  • You don’t want to hire an officiant.

  • You don’t have any guests and you imagine hiking out into the mountains and saying your vows with just your partner (and photographer, of course).

  • You are inviting guests, but you would rather lead your own elopement ceremony instead of asking a guest to officiate.

  • You have a guest who you’d like to officiate, but you don’t want them to have to make it legal by becoming ordained. Our favorite example of this was when our couple’s children officiated their elopement!

Of course, you can always still keep things traditional by having an ordained officiant! Breckenridge has quite a few officiants that we love that are available for hire! Or you can have one of your guests become ordained for your ceremony. The easiest way to do this is to sign up through Universal Life Church, this is the route Alex took!

 

Examples of Self-Solemnized Elopement Ceremonies

Examples of Elopement Ceremonies with an Officiant

 Are you ready to start your Colorado elopement adventure?

We’re Lisa + Alex (those goofballs in the photo above). We are local Colorado elopement photographers and videographers who are passionate about giving our couples the most incredible wedding day possible. We work closely with each of our couples to offer location options, vendor recommendations, and fun ideas to personalize their wedding day.

Each couple who books with us will receive their own, collaborative Elopement Planning Portal. We know that planning your elopement can seem overwhelming, but we’re here to make the planning process easy and fun.

 See some more Colorado elopements!

Check Out Our Instagram