Tips + Tricks for a
Winter Elopement
Everything you need to know about Eloping in the Winter
Winter is the most slept-on season for adventure elopements – and in my opinion, winter is one of (if not the) best seasons to elope!
Snowy mountains, frozen lakes, skiing and ice skating... winter elopements can be downright magical, and there's lots of activities you can only do in the winter!
Planning a winter elopement can be a little intimidating – you definitely don't want to be freezing and miserable on your elopement day! But with the right preparation, there's no reason you can't have a totally comfy, completely stunning winter elopement.
And I'm here to help every step of the way!
Hey there! I'm Sam, Your Adventure Elopement Photographer & Planner
Not only do I help couples plan elopements and weddings in nature during every season, I absolutely love adventuring in the winter myself! Skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating... there are so many incredible ways to get outside during the snowy season.
I've got lots of advice and tricks that I've collected over years of photographing winter elopements on how to stay warm and safe – and have an amazing time exploring in the snow. And I'd be thrilled to help you plan every other aspect of the elopement of your dreams!
Hike ahead to any section...
Why Should You Elope in the Winter?
01/
Stunning snowy scenery
I think snowy mountains are one of the biggest perks of a winter elopement! I love the way the very best summer views transform into something totally different (and equally beautiful) in the winter.
And it's not just the mountains that look especially cool in the winter – lakes with rippled ice and frozen waterfalls are some of the incredible sights that could be part of your winter elopement.
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Less busy locations
Winter is the "off-season" for a lot of popular elopement spots, which means you can probably expect less visitors in the winter wherever you want to elope! This makes it easier to have a private, intimate elopement in a gorgeous place.
I've got more advice on picking the perfect winter elopement location below!
03/
Winter-only activities
Some of the best outdoor adventures can only be done in the winter! Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling, ice climbing, sleigh rides, ice castles...
Plus, I think even some of the activities you can do year-round are just better in the winter, like taking a dip in the hot springs! (Some of my favorite hot springs to visit in the winter are near Ouray and Great Sand Dunes NP.)
Choosing a Winter Elopement Location
One of the most important parts of planning your winter elopement is deciding where to elope.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing where to elope in the winter! I've helped lots of couples pick the right towns and trails for a stress-free winter elopement, and this is what I've learned along the way.
And of course, if you hire me as your elopement photographer and planner, I'll send you a custom location guide based on your preferences and priorities for your elopement day.
To ski town or not to ski town...
There are some advantages and disadvantages to choosing a ski town for your winter elopement.
Ski towns – like Breckenridge, Vail, or Aspen – are truly open year-round, because their economy is built on winter activities.
That means ski towns are usually better at handling major snowstorms and getting roads cleared quickly. They're also less likely to have businesses closed for the winter.
However, the major drawback is that ski towns are significantly busier and more expensive than other mountain towns – especially in the winter, because it isn't their off-season.
Choose your location based on your Adventures
This is one of my biggest pieces of advice for all elopements – but it's especially important in the winter!
Start by brainstorming the activities you want to include in your elopement day. Maybe you're imagining sledding, ice climbing, or just sipping hot chocolate in a mountain lodge.
From there, you can choose a location that fits your itinerary – for example, Ouray has world-class ice climbing, and Breckenridge is great for skiing and snowboarding.
Check out my full list of adventurous Colorado elopement activities for any season!
Be Aware of Road Closures and Weather Conditions
Many high-elevation roads are closed in the winter, like mountain passes and the famous Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Check for any seasonal road closures between you and your elopement destination – or you may not be able to get where you're going! It's also a good idea to have a backup route ready in case a major snowstorm throws a wrench in your Plan A.
The other major weather risk to be aware of is avalanches. Avalanches are seriously deadly, and they're more common in some places than others. Make sure you know how to identify avalanche terrain and warning signs, and avoid avalanche-prone areas.
Check out my guides on how to elope
in some of Colorado's best snowy mountain towns...
What if we don't want a
snowy elopement?
If a snowy elopement isn't your vibe, there are also plenty of places you can elope in the winter without snow!
Southern Utah
Moab, and the national parks nearby like Arches and Canyonlands, usually only get dustings of snow in the winter. This area is amazing for off-roading, hiking, and rock climbing.
Death Valley
Winter is actually the best time to elope in Death Valley, California! Temps are usually in the 60s and 70s from December to February, which is some of the warmest weather you'll find without leaving the country.
Colorado's Front Range
If you're set on staying in Colorado for your elopement, consider locations on the Front Range, like Garden of the Gods. Snow is still possible here, but it's a lot less intense than high up in the Rockies!
Southern Hemisphere
Of course, one way to escape the winter weather entirely is to go to a place where it's not winter at all! While we're having winter in the U.S., it's summer in some amazing locations like Patagonia.
What to Wear for a Winter Elopement
A.K.A. how to dress for the cold...
while still looking cute
It's totally possible to stay warm AND look amazing during a winter elopement. Whether you're in a dress or a suit (or anything else!), these are my best tips for not freezing your butt off on your elopement day.
And if you hire me to plan and photograph your winter elopement, we'll chat outfits to make sure you're ready for whatever conditions we might face!
Other Winter Elopement Tips
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Pack a thermos with a hot drink
Hot chocolate, coffee, or tea will keep your body temperature up and help you "reheat" if you get too cold.
02/
Get some hand and foot warmers
You can find both reusable and single-use hand warmers, including special ones that fit in your boots. My "hot tip" is that you can put hand warmers literally wherever you want!
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Bring a cute blanket
Cuddling up under a blanket with your partner both looks adorable and can help keep you extra warm! I recommend finding a cute one, like a wool camp blanket, so it'll look intentional (and not just like a survival strategy, lol).
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Plan for warm breaks
If you have a full day of outdoor adventuring planned, add some breaks into your itinerary to defrost between activities. Here are some warm ideas (that would make for adorable photos)...
- Stop into a cute coffee shop
- Plan a cuddle sesh at the cabin
- Have dinner in a heated yurt
- Write your vows by the fireplace
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Choose active adventures
Staying active will help you stay warm! Activities like hiking or snowshoeing that keep your heart rate up will definitely make the cold less noticeable.
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Build in extra travel time
Plan to stay in your elopement location for a few days so we can pivot if roads close or dangerous weather arises (honestly, this is good advice for any time of year).
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Rent the right car
If you're traveling for your winter elopement, make sure you rent a car with either four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, so you can safely drive in snowy and icy conditions.
Want more Winter Elopement Inspiration?
Check out these epic elopement days!
Lily Lake Elopement
Snowy Hiking Elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado Sledding Elopement
Ready to start planning your winter elopement?
Fill out the form below and let’s start chatting about the perfect elopement day for you and your partner – with the views of your dreams and the adventure of a lifetime. No matter what you’re picturing for your wedding day, I’m here to help you execute every last detail.
