As local photographers, we absolutely ADORE Ouray elopements! 

We know it can feel a little confusing planning your big day from afar, so in this blog we’re going to show you EXACTLY how to create the Ouray elopement or micro wedding of your dreams. From where to stay, to who to hire and how to make it all legally legit… We got ya covered!

Check out the Table of Contents below to hop to anything that most interests you: when to go, what to wear, how to get your marriage license etc.

Why choose a Ouray elopement?

Ouray (pronounced Yur-ay) is the sweetest little town, nestled deep in the mountains of western Colorado and we truly believe it is one of THE best places to elope.

There’s a plethora of reasons for that, but here’s our top 3:

1. SPECTACULAR scenery that’s easily accessible 

Ouray is surrounded by 14 000’ peaks, rising up in a near 360 degree amphitheater, so if you’re dreaming of killer mountain views for your elopement day backdrop, look no further.

You can drive literally 5 minutes out of town and immediately be hit with the most gorgeous, walk-right-up locations! Then drive a bit further and you’re going to find yourself fully immersed in the mountains, surrounded by peace and solitude.

And the coolest thing?

You don’t even need to hike to reach these epic views!

You CAN hike if you want to (more on that later) but, because Ouray was an old mining town in the late 1800s, there’s a whole network of dirt tracks that connect even the most remote locations. Just rent a Jeep or hire a guide for the day and you’re all set!

So, whether you’ve got guests in attendance that need easy accessibility, or you simply don’t feel like breaking a sweat on your wedding day, Ouray’s spectacular scenery with zero exertion needed makes it a win in our books!

2. Minimal crowds, meaning maximum privacy for your Ouray elopement 

When tourists come to Colorado, 95% of them fly into Denver and don’t stray much more than 2 hrs outside of it.

Trust us, they’re missing out! Which sucks for them, but is a WIN for you. Here’s why…

You’re going to be a part of the brave 5% minority that breaks the mold, and heads on over to the west of the state.

And by doing so, you’re going to find peace and privacy.

For your Ouray elopement, we can take you to places with ZERO other people around, which simply isn’t possible in hotspots like Rocky Mountain National Park.

We figure if you’re not inviting 100 friends and family to your wedding day, you sure as heck don’t want 100 strangers staring at you either!

3. You don’t need a permit for your Ouray elopement!

The vast majority of the land surrounding Ouray is National Forest land, which means you typically do NOT need a permit to get married there, making your planning process super simple. This is in stark contrast to places like Rocky Mountain that sell out of permits MONTHS in advance!

*** This is true as of Spring 2025, but there is vague talk of maaaaybe introducing a permit system. We will update this blog if that comes into play but we’re not expecting it to move quickly! ***

Even without a permit needed, there are a few things to be aware of as you plan your Ouray elopement:

• In order not to damage the land AND to keep your logistics manageable (and therefore not a headache), you need to keep your group size small. Personally, we max out at a group size of around 15 people for Ouray elopements, as we know we then have a full choice of locations for you. If you have a much bigger group, you might need to consider renting a venue (more below).

• You cannot bring any structures as these can cause damage to the fragile ecosystem. For example, you cannot set up an arch: but, really, with the perfect mountains as your backdrop, why would you want to?! 

• You are expected to follow Leave No Trace principles and generally leave the land as good as or better than you found it.

When is the best time of year for your Ouray elopement?

Colorado has very distinct seasons and, depending on what you are envisioning weather-wise, that will greatly determine WHEN you plan your Ouray elopement for.

Here’s a walk through of what you can expect month by month:

January – March is full on WINTER. 

If you’re picturing a snow globe wintery wonderland, these are your best months. HOWEVER, you must be really clear what you are letting yourselves in for: it will be stunning but it could also be frigid temperatures and potentially heavy snowfall on your elopement day. Have you been in such temperatures before and know you like it? Do you have the right gear or are willing to buy it? Are you willing to pivot to a Plan B or C if weather dictates it on the day or is that a stressor?

If you DO choose a Winter elopement, we would suggest booking nice accommodation and planning for some fun indoor activities (such as enjoying a meal prepared by a private chef) to allow for warm-up breaks in your day.

April-May is ‘mud season’, NOT ideal for your Ouray elopement.

In all honesty, we do NOT recommend planning your wedding for these months. There can be heavy snowfall but it can also be blazingly sunny, meaning all the snow melts and creates a lot of slushy mud.

June is a beautiful ‘in-between’ month

We love Ouray elopements in June! Typically, the valleys and basins are starting to turn to their summery lush green, but there’s still a lot of snow on the surrounding peaks which makes for a really beautiful contrast. Just be aware that it’s possible not ALL locations will be accessible at the start of the month, as it usually takes a bit longer for all the snow to melt and for the really high elevation locations to open up. Don’t worry, there’s still PLENTY of choice!

July and August are peak Summer glory

If you want luscious, vibrant green meadows, pristine alpine blue lakes and the chance of popping colorful wildflowers, THIS is the time for you!

September and October and perfect Fall vibes

If you’re more into muted tones and cooler temps, you’ll definitely want to consider this period. And if you’d like the best chance of seeing the Fall colors as the Aspen trees change, we’d suggest the last week of September and the first week of October.

November and December are a bit of a gamble for your Ouray elopement!

These months can be tricky and it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re hoping for SERIOUS snow, then we’d suggest you hold out until January/February. But if you’d be happy with light snow and slightly milder temperatures, then this period might be a good fit. Just be aware that you won’t have full access to alllll locations as the high passes will be snowed out by mid to late October.

And what about the best time of day for your Ouray elopement?

Don’t worry, as your photographers, we will help create a perfect timeline for you, you’re not expected to figure that out alone!

But here’s a couple of things you might want to consider:

Sunrise vs. Sunset

As photographers, we’re always going to advise that you tackle either sunrise or sunset as part of your Ouray elopement in order to get the absolute best photos. And, honestly? Most of our couples do BOTH! That way, they get double the WOW photos.

But there’s no right or wrong…

Some people love the romance of sunrise, of seeing the world waking up around them on their wedding day. Other people hate the idea of getting up so early! Your day, your choice.

The only thing to be aware of is that some locations are better at sunrise, and others at sunset. This is something we’ll advise on as part of the planning process.

Top tip: if you’d like to know more about the logistics of planning a sunrise wedding, you can check out this blog.

Don’t miss the alpenglow

Alpenglow is a beautiful natural phenomenon that occurs in the high mountains, either just before sunrise or just after sunset. It happens when the sun is below the horizon but its rays are bouncing off the atmosphere and hitting the tops of the peaks around you, turning them a magical orangey pink hue. It’s a sight to behold and makes for gorgeous photos!

Stay out to see the stars!

If the timing of your day allows, we hiiiiighly suggest staying out to stargaze as part of your Ouray elopement. It’s such an incredible way to wrap up your experience.

What are the best locations for your Ouray elopement?

When you work with us, we take the time to get to know your wants and needs, then we create a custom short list of locations for you to pick from.

For now, here’s just a sample of some of the epic locations that Ouray has to offer…

These ones can all be reached with just a regular car or a big SUV:

For these ones you’ll need to rent a lifted Jeep for, which you can do through Colorado West or Jeep Ouray:

And these ones require some hiking:

Do you need a venue for your Ouray elopement?

If you are planning a small elopement (we’d say no more than 15-20 people), it’s very likely you will not need a dedicated venue space: you can elope ‘out in the wilds’.

However, if you’re planning more of a micro wedding, you will likely need to consider renting a space.

This can look like a number of different things!

You might like a more formal venue such as The Beaumont Hotel or the courtyard at The Wyman Hotel.

You might prefer something more outdoorsy and still with killer views, like Top of the Pines.

Or you might like to keep it logistically simple and reserve the deck at Ridgway State Park.

By locking in a venue you are making sure you have a suitable space to host and entertain a larger group, without damaging the natural environment. Wilder spaces simply can’t support big groups.

You’re also saving yourself from the logistical nightmare of trying to figure out how to transport a big group out into the middle of nowhere safely, how to feed them and how to keep them entertained etc. without any infrastructure.

Trust us, when you’re busy relaxing and having the time of your life on your elopement day, you’ll be glad you booked that venue!

Some fun activities you might want to include in your Ouray elopement 

Ouray is an outdoor lover’s paradise. There’s soooo much to see and do, you could easily spend a month here and still only scratch the surface.

Whether you want something adrenalin pumping, or prefer to keep things more peaceful, here’s some activity ideas for your Ouray elopement:

Hiking

There’s all manner of hikes around Ouray, from a little half mile to see the waterfall in town, to a 20+ mile uphill slog to bag one of the 14 000’ mountains in the area.

We do advise you to be super careful if you do hike in Ouray and don’t be overly ambitious, as your body likely isn’t used to the elevation. A 2 mile hike in the mountains feels VERY different to a 2 mile hike in Florida or Texas. 

All Trails is a great resource to filter hikes by length and difficulty.

Off-Roading

Getting out off-roading is such a fun way to disappear into the mountains and explore the backcountry.

If you’re a confident driver, you can rent a Jeep in town and head on out. If, however, that feels a little nerve wracking, you can hire a guide for the day and just kick back and relax.

There are all levels of trail, from an easy rough dirt road, to a hair-raising, adrenalin-pumping cliff edge ride!

Via Ferrata

The best way to describe a via ferrata is ‘horizontal rock climbing’! You’re essentially clipped into a line that traverses a rock face and you’re making your way across the face to the other end. 

The via ferrata in Ouray follows a small river and is absolutely stunning.

You can read more about it and hire equipment and/or a guide at Ouray Via Ferrata.

Horseback Riding

While you’re out West, horse riding is such a fun activity! It’s so peaceful and a magical way to immerse yourself in the landscape and feel at one with nature. Plus, it makes for EPIC pics if you were to include it as part of your Ouray elopement! You can book a tour with Gold Mountain.

Enjoy A Picnic

Not everything has to be go, go, go. In fact, highly suggest you take some time to just ‘be’ on your elopement day. Soak in the scenery, make memories… And enjoy some yummy food and drink! Ouray Meat & Cheese Market can whip up a charcuterie board for you.

Hire A Private Chef

If you’d rather hand over the reins and let someone else do the cooking on your elopement day, we highly suggest booking a private chef! What better day to spoil yourselves?! While you’re out exploring and enjoying yourselves, they’re busy behind the scenes whipping up a feast for you to come home to.

Relax In The Hot Springs

Ouray is famous for its natural hot springs. Taking a soak is the perfect way to unwind! Personally, we like Wiesbaden since it’s small and pretty private.

If you’d like more inspo, check out our blog ‘100 Epic Elopement Ideas’.

How to get to Ouray

If you’re traveling from out of state for your Ouray elopement, you’ve got a couple of options, depending on how much you’re willing to spend on flights, how far you’re willing to drive etc.

You can fly into Denver which will likely have more availability and better prices, BUT you’ll then have a 5-6 hr drive to get to Ouray. The whole route is beautiful, so if you have the time and enjoy road tripping this might work for you!

However, if you’d rather be more efficient, we’d suggest you look at flying into Grand Junction or Montrose, which are WAY closer.

Wherever you fly into, you’re going to want to rent a car. We’d suggest getting a big SUV as a minimum, so you can tackle some dirt roads and hit up all the beauty that the Ouray area has to offer.

Where to stay for your Ouray elopement

Ouray might be small but it’s popular with outdoor-lovers so it has lots of options for places to stay, from homey bed and breakfasts, to cozy AirBnBs and all variety of hotels.

You can look in Ouray itself, but you can also consider Silverton and Ridgway; both are close enough that they’ll work well as the base for your Ouray elopement. 

We’d suggest that your accommodation might be something you’d like to splurge on a little, choosing somewhere with lots of space and a nice aesthetic. That will allow for nice getting ready photos if you want them, and will also offer a place to retreat and still take photos if needed in case of weather, for example.

Here’s a few places you might want to consider:

• The China Clipper Inn
• Wiesbaden Hot Springs Hotel
• The Imogene
• The Wyman Hotel
• The Western Hotel and Spa
• Basecamp 550
• The Beaumont Hotel
• This Cute Cabin on AirBnB
• This Fun A Frame on AirBnB

Top Tip: if you’d like to bring your doggo to your elopement (please do!) and need to find dog-friendly accommodation, the website Bring Fido is a great resource.

Great places to eat and drink in Ouray

We’re massive foodies and think food and drink is such a fun part of travel and exploration.

Here’s a few places you might want to check out during your time in Ouray and the surrounding area:

• The Ouray Brewery for local brews and flavorful bites
• Artisan Cafe for strong coffee and delicious pastries
• Brickhouse 737 for great cocktails and a decadent dinner
• Gold Belt Bar for hearty pizzas
• Gnar Tacos for super fresh, yummy tacos
• Ouray Meat and Cheese for DIY charcuterie picnic supplies
• Eatery 66 for New American fare (you also do a full buyout of the small restaurant if you’d like a place to celebrate with guests)

Getting Your Marriage License Your Ouray Elopement

So, the great news is that getting legally married in Colorado is suuuuuuuper easy! It’s one of the few ‘self-solemnizing’ states which means you don’t need witnesses or even a legal officiant! You just need to apply for your marriage license in state and sign it.

Better yet? In most counties, your doggo can paw print your license to ‘sign’ it as your unofficial witness if you like!

You can pick up your marriage license in any county and it is valid for use across the state.

The easiest way is just to pick it up in Ouray a day or two before your elopement. You can do this in person at the county clerk’s office, open Mon-Thurs and it is valid for use immediately.

For an up to date info on the fee and paperwork requirements, you can hop on over to the county clerk’s website.

Getting a stellar vendor team in place for your Ouray elopement

When you work with us as your Ouray photographers, we also double us as your planning assistants. And a part of that is hooking you up with local vendors if you’d like any extra support on your day: flowers, cake, hair and makeup etc.

We’ll send you a whole list of people to reach out to, but for now here’s just a few of our favorites:

• Pistachio Bakery for cake
• Alpenglow Growers for flowers
• Salon Envy or Lib Does Hair for hair and makeup.

What to wear for your Ouray elopement

In general, our biggest advice is that, whilst you obviously want to look gooooooood for your Ouray elopement, it’s also super important that you prioiritize comfort and safety.

What does that look like?

Well, it means your outfit – whether that be a dress, a suit, or a jumpsuit – needs to be something you feel comfortable being out and about in all day long: potentially hiking a little, maybe off-roading a bit, but definitely out in the elements. We generally suggest something with a bit of stretch, and nice flowy material, rather than something uber fitted and restrictive. Honestly? When you try on any potential outfit, try marching around in it: taking some big steps, go up some stairs, even bust out a lunge or two!

And layers are going to be critical! Colorado weather is wild, especially up in the mountains: it can be blue skies and sunny one minute then a moody storm can roll in, bringing potential rain and way cooler temps. 

So, you need some practical warm and waterproof layers that you can easily take on and off. And also think about layers that you wouldn’t mind having photos taken in if needed. For example, a cute fitted puffer jacket, a wrap around shawl or a cozy jumper.

Lastly, footwear. It HAS to be flat and with good tread. That’s absolutely non-negotiable. You’ve got tons of great options: stylish leather boots like Thursday Boots, regular hiking boots, Converse, Chacos… And remember, no one will even see your shoes unless you choose to pull up your dress and show them off!

Create a budget: the realistic costs of a Ouray elopement 

Elopement budgets are so variable and such a personal thing. You can spend less than $100 and literally get your marriage license, sign it and call it good. Or you could go all out by staying in a fancy hotel, doing a ton of activities, booking high end vendors and spend $20k+. There’s no right or wrong and we’re REALLY not into shaming people for how they choose to spend their money, at EITHER end of the spectrum.

But, just to try and give you a little sense of what you might want to budget for your Ouray elopement, here’s a list of what various items could cost. Remember, you get to pick and choose what you want for your day!

• Photographer: $2000-$10,000 (depending on experience, level of support provided and hours of coverage). As an example, our most popular package is 8 hrs of coverage split across the day for $6800: this is for 2 photographers, planning assistance and ceremony officiation.

• Travel and accommodation: $1500-$3000 (this is assuming you’re flying in from out of state and plan to stay for a few days)

• Outfits: $500-$3000 (are you happy with something online like Lulus or do you want a custom designer gown?)

• Rings: $500-5000 (there’s a huge range here depending on your personal taste!)

• Marriage License: $30

• Hair and Makeup: $500-$1000 (remote, small town prices are always going to be higher than your big cities)

• Cake: $50-$300 (depending on size and complexity)

• Flowers: $300-$500 (this would be for a big bouquet and a boutonniere, a bigger order would obviously cost more)

• Food: $50-$1000 (are you happy with a DIY picnic or do you want a private chef?)

• Activities: free to $1000 (do you want to hike, rent a Jeep, hire a local guide?)

TOTAL: $5430 – $24 830

As you can see, there’s a huge range depending on what you envision your day looking like. We’d say most of our couples spend in the $10-15k range all in for a truly epic elopement experience!

Alright, so there you have it! All our top advice for planning your Ouray elopement. You’re going to have a BLAST!

Hopefully this has helped you imagine what your Ouray elopement could look like. If you’ve still got questions or would like help bringing your elopement dreams to life, don’t be shy reaching out!