April 2026
Some elopements follow the plan almost perfectly. Others take a turn at the last minute and end up somewhere even better than what you originally imagined. Amber and Matthew’s Loveland Pass elopement in Colorado was the second kind, and honestly? We wouldn’t change a thing.
This is the story of two people from Kansas who drove through the mountains to get married with their kids and parents by their side, got on horses for the very first time, and ended up exchanging their vows beside a creek on a private ranch in September. It’s also a guide for anyone else dreaming about eloping in Colorado and wondering if this area could be the right fit. If you’re still searching for that perfect location, check out our Where to elope post.
Why Colorado? (And why Loveland Pass)
Amber and Matthew wanted mountains for their adventure elopement. They’d always pictured something dramatic and wide-open, but they also needed it to be drivable from Kansas. Colorado checked both boxes. And within Colorado, the Loveland Pass area specifically offered something a lot of couples are quietly looking for: easy access without sacrificing scenery.
Loveland Pass sits at over 11,000 feet in elevation on the Continental Divide. The views up there are sweeping in every direction — rolling alpine terrain, rocky peaks, wildflower-dotted meadows in late summer and early fall. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel genuinely far from ordinary life without requiring a grueling hike or serious backcountry experience.
Pass Lake, tucked just off the pass, is a beautiful and calm ceremony location that works well for a wide range of guests. Whether you have young kids, older parents, or family members who aren’t super mobile, this spot is accessible. That mattered a lot to Amber and Matthew, who had both their children and their parents with them on the day. If you’re still exploring options, take a look at our best elopement locations to see what else Colorado and beyond have to offer.
How their elopement day came together
Getting Ready in Breckenridge
The morning started in Breckenridge, where the family had rented a VRBO together. There’s something really sweet about that kind of getting-ready experience when your guest count is small. It’s intimate, unhurried, and it already feels like the celebration has begun. Breckenridge is a great base for couples exploring this part of Colorado. It’s charming, walkable, full of good
food options, and surrounded by mountain scenery that makes every direction feel like a photo opportunity.
The Ceremony at Loveland Pass
The ceremony itself took place at a little lake on Loveland Pass (also known as Pass Lake), and it was exactly what this couple needed. Open air, big views, and just ten people who love them most. No timeline pressure, no seating charts, no DJ. Just vows, mountains, and the people who matter.
What makes Loveland Pass a good elopement location is that it’s relatively easy to get to, which matters when you’re bringing little ones and grandparents along. It’s not the most secluded spot on the pass, but if you’re willing to wander even a little bit further from the road, there are quieter corners that feel much more private. We always scout those options ahead of time so you know exactly where to go.
The Horseback Riding (And the Plot Twist That Made It Even Better)
Here’s where the day gets really good.
Horseback riding had been part of the plan from the beginning. Note: Neither Amber nor Matthew had ever been on a horse before, and they wanted to do something adventurous together as part of their elopement experience. The original ranch they’d booked, however, cancelled on us the day before the wedding.
So we did what you do in those moments: we got on the phone and started making calls. Amber, the owner of a nearby ranch, reached out to us and offered to bring us out on a private ride, just the four of us. She took us through her property and out to a stunning creek, where Amber and Matthew shared a private vow exchange away from their guests — just the two of them, the horses, and a whole lot of Colorado wilderness.
It ended up being more personal and more beautiful than the original plan. The creek was a perfect spot. The horses were gentle. And the fact that this was their very first ride together made it feel like an adventure that belonged entirely to them.
This is one of the things we’ve learned about elopements: the unexpected moments often become the ones you talk about the longest.
Dinner with the Whole Family
After everything, the whole family — all ten of them plus us — went out for dinner to celebrate. That’s one of the underrated joys of a small elopement: the celebration afterward doesn’t have to be complicated. A great meal, a long table, and people who are genuinely happy for you is exactly enough.
What to Know If You’re Planning a Loveland Pass elopement
Accessibility and Crowd Levels
Pass Lake is easy to access directly from the road, which makes it a genuinely great option for elopements that include guests with mobility limitations, older relatives, or young children. You’re not going to be doing a strenuous hike to get there, which opens this location up to more couples.
That said, because it’s accessible, it can also get some drive-by traffic. If you want more privacy and seclusion, let us know. We can walk you a bit further off the main area to ceremony spots that feel completely removed from any passersby.
The Best Time of Year to have a Loveland Pass elopement
September is one of our favorite months for this area. The crowds from peak summer have thinned out, the light is soft and golden, and the temperatures are still comfortable enough to enjoy time outdoors without rushing. Amber and Matthew had ideal conditions.
- Summer (June–August): Accessible, warm, and lush — but busier. Weekdays are significantly quieter.
- Fall (September–October): Our top pick. The wildflowers are gone, but the golden tones and cooler air are stunning.
- Winter: Snowy and dramatic — possible with the right gear and preparation, but not ideal for guests with accessibility needs.
- Spring: Variable — snow can linger at this elevation into May or even June.
If you’re thinking a horseback elopement is what you’d like to do,
reach out and chat. We’d love to hear more about your elopement plans!
Altitude
Loveland Pass sits at around 11,990 feet as one of the highest paved passes in Colorado. If you’re coming from somewhere flat like Kansas, give yourself at least a day or two to acclimate before your wedding day. Hydrating well and arriving early makes a real difference, and Breckenridge is a great place to do exactly that.
Activities to Add to Your Elopement Day
One of the things that makes this area so great for elopements is how much you can build around the ceremony itself. Amber and Matthew’s horseback ride is a perfect example — it turned their wedding day into a full experience, not just an event. Summit County is one of Colorado’s most activity-rich regions, and we have plenty of adventure elopement ideas to help spark your planning (see the full list here). Other activities that pair well with an elopement in this area:
- Horseback riding: As Amber and Matthew discovered, nothing quite captures the spirit of the West like riding through the backcountry together. Several ranches in Summit County offer private rides that can be tailored to your elopement day.
- UTV / side-by-side tours: If you want to cover more terrain and keep things exciting, a guided UTV or side-by-side tour through the mountain backcountry is an incredible option. It’s adventurous, accessible to most fitness levels, and produces stunning photo backdrops.
- Jeep tours: Guided Jeep tours are a classic Colorado experience and a great way to reach higher-elevation terrain or more remote locations without the hike. Many outfitters in the Breckenridge and Summit County area offer custom tours.
- Kayaking or paddleboarding: Dillon Reservoir sits just minutes from Loveland Pass and offers 25 miles of stunning shoreline. A sunrise paddle or a relaxed afternoon on the water makes for a beautiful and intimate addition to your day.
- Cold water swimming: Wild swimming in alpine lakes and streams has become a beloved elopement tradition. It’s exhilarating, symbolic, and completely unique to the mountains.
- Helicopter tour: For a perspective that very few people ever get, a helicopter tour over the Rockies is pure magic. Whether you use it as a way to reach a remote ceremony location or simply as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it never fails to leave couples speechless.
- Hiking: There are trails at every level of difficulty throughout the Summit County area. Even a short hike to a viewpoint can become a meaningful part of your day.
- Private dinner or celebration: Breckenridge has excellent dining options for post-ceremony meals. If your guest count is small, a private room or reservation at a restaurant feels special without the effort of catering.
- Wildflower walks: In late summer, the meadows in this part of Colorado are full of color. A casual walk through a wildflower field is a simple, beautiful addition.
- Sunrise or sunset sessions: The light at elevation is extraordinary at golden hour. Timing your ceremony or portraits around sunrise or sunset is worth the early wake-up call.
Common Questions About Eloping at Loveland Pass
Do we need a permit to get married at Loveland Pass?
This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer depends on a few factors — including your group size and whether you’re working with a photographer or officiant. Many couples eloping in Colorado’s national forest land do need a Special Use Permit. We handle all of this research for our clients ahead of time so there are no surprises on the day.
How far is Loveland Pass from Denver?
Loveland Pass is roughly 60–70 miles west of Denver, making it about an hour to 90 minutes by car, depending on traffic and road conditions (definitely check local weather and road conditions before heading up, traffic can get gnar). It’s one of the reasons this area works so well for couples flying into Denver. You can land, check into your rental, and be standing on the Continental Divide the same day. Silverthorn, Frisco, or Breckenridge make an ideal home base for the days leading up to your elopement.
What should we wear for a Colorado mountain elopement?
Layering is everything at elevation. Even in late summer and early fall, temperatures at Loveland Pass can drop quickly, especially if clouds roll in. We always recommend a warm layer you can remove for photos, comfortable shoes with some grip (no stilettos on rocky terrain), and something you genuinely feel beautiful in. Florals, earthy tones, and soft textures all photograph beautifully against the mountain landscape.
Learn more about what to wear to your elopement here in this post.
Where should we get our marriage license if we want to elope in Colorado?
Great question here. You’ll have to schedule an appointment, so make sure to plan ahead to make sure you can get in. There is a County Clerk’s office near Loveland Pass (located in Breckenridge), and you can also go to one in Denver if you’re flying in or spending any time in the city. It’s a very easy process, usually takes about 20 minutes, and costs $39 at the time of writing this. You can read more about the Colorado marriage license here.
Thinking About Eloping in Colorado?
The mountains are waiting, and there’s no one right way to get married in them. Whether you picture a quiet ceremony at a lake, a horseback ride through the backcountry, or a full day of adventure with a small group of people you love, Colorado has room for all of it.
Take a look at our adventure elopement ideas for inspiration, or browse our best elopement locations to see our other favorite spots.
When you’re ready to start planning, we’re here.
