A Sunrise Elopement in Breckenridge, Colorado

They say the early bird gets the worm, and Abby and Scottie proved it true with their sunrise elopement in Breckenridge. With an early start, the two celebrated amidst the morning’s vibrant alpenglow and reveled in the peace of having even the most popular destinations all to themselves.

Abby and Scottie sought a ‘just us’ ceremony in nature, valuing the calm and intimacy that a Colorado mountain elopement could provide. Their stress-free wedding day allowed them to slow down and savor every moment. In the end, their elopement was a beautiful blend of quality time, belly laughs, and cherished memories. 

A Colorado-Loving Couple

Abby and Scottie, who currently call South Carolina home, are planning a move to Colorado in the near future. Their love for the Centennial State began when Scottie proposed to Abby at Red Rocks a year ago. It was a moment that forever intertwined their love story with Colorado’s epic landscapes.

Beyond their engagement—and, of course, their elopement—another cherished Colorado memory that drew them closer to the state was an unforgettable horseback ride together at Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs. This incredible experience became a beloved part of their story. Drawn to Colorado’s natural beauty and adventurous spirit, they made the journey back to say “I do” amidst the state’s towering mountains and alpine lakes.

Planning a Colorado Elopement… Quickly

Ditching Stress for a Meaningful Experience

Abby and Scottie initially reached out to me through Pinterest with plans to hold their wedding at Skyview Estes Park. However, as their vision evolved, they decided to shift their focus closer to home in South Carolina.

Amidst the whirlwind of wedding planning, they found themselves longing for a more intimate celebration. The stress and busyness of their engaged era led them to choose a “just us” elopement to celebrate privately before their later wedding day. Their elopement allowed them to slow down, focus solely on each other, and enjoy an unforgettable day as they united their lives’ paths.

I admire their decision to follow their hearts and prioritize a private, meaningful day. This choice allowed them to have the intimate elopement they dreamed of while still looking forward to celebrating with loved ones at a later date.

If you too, are feeling overwhelmed by the stress of wedding planning, let this demonstrate that you’re not alone. While every couple has their own reasons and it’s a deeply personal decision, you do have options. It’s perfectly okay to opt for a smaller “just us” celebration before your main wedding day, giving you the best of both worlds. However, if you’re considering canceling your larger wedding and planning an elopement instead, that’s a valid choice as well.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to cancel your wedding and elope, or how to navigate this decision, be sure to check out my blog linked below for additional insights and guidance.

Swift Planning + an Elopement Location Trifecta

Abby and Scottie inquired about their sunrise elopement only two weeks ahead of time, so we had to move quickly to get everything planned! Luckily, my schedule aligned perfectly with their dates, and we were able to collaborate to make all the necessary arrangements swiftly and seamlessly.

Although their original idea was to elope in Rocky Mountain National Park, permits for their chosen month were already sold out. Thankfully, Abby and Scottie were flexible and open to any location with mountains and a lake. With those guidelines, I knew I could come up with a great selection for them to choose from.

I suggested a few epic locations, and we settled on a combination of Sapphire Point Overlook, Lake Dillon, and Pass Lake—the trifecta. While each location has its own special qualities, Pass Lake ended up being a huge hit!

Colorado Sunrise Elopement Locations

Sapphire Point Overlook, Lake Dillon, and Pass Lake

Being able to visit all three of these stunning locations in a single day offers incredible value and a truly unforgettable experience. These spots are just a few minutes drive from each other, making it easy to maximize your elopement adventure without spending too much time in the car.

The transit time is even less if you are staying in the town of Breckenridge. Staying there, you’ll have easy access to these locations and more, as well as everything the ski town has to offer—local shops, cute restaurants, and outdoor activities included.

All three locations are within 35 minutes of Breckenridge and just under 1.5 hours from Denver. If you, like Abby and Scottie, desire grand mountain views alongside a tranquil alpine lake, I can’t suggest this area enough. The combination of Sapphire Point Overlook, Lake Dillon, and Pass Lake provides the perfect backdrop for an epic and intimate elopement.

Sapphire Point Overlook

Sapphire Point Overlook is an ideal spot for exchanging vows, offering grand views of the Gore and Tenmile mountains and the serene Lake Dillon below. At 9,500 feet, it provides breathtaking scenery and ADA accessibility, making it a popular choice for elopements and micro weddings. 

That being said, this particular location can get very busy, especially during the summer months. Although you can secure this iconic spot with a reservation, privacy is still not guaranteed. Nevertheless, Sapphire Point Overlook offers a budget-friendly option with incredible views and can accommodate everything from a ‘just us’ elopement up to 35 people.

Abby and Scottie’s sunrise elopement at Sapphire Point Overlook was a perfect choice. Arriving before the first reservation time slot, we were fortunate to have the location and its soft pink-lit mountains all to ourselves (and the chipmunks).

Lake Dillon

Lake Dillon, or Dillon Reservoir, provides a breathtaking backdrop for your elopement with its 26 miles of shoreline framed by stunning mountain vistas. This picturesque location is ideal for intimate wedding ceremonies and offers a wide range of post-elopement activities. From boating and canoeing to leisurely walks, biking, and picnicking, Lake Dillon ensures a memorable experience beyond your vows.

Its accessibility and scenic beauty make it perfect for incorporating waterfront activities into your elopement day. Additionally, if your plans align, a fall visit can offer particularly striking views with golden aspens lining the banks of the lake. The combination of a serene setting and diverse recreational options makes Lake Dillon a fantastic choice for an enjoyable celebration.

Pass Lake

Nestled on the west side of the Great Continental Divide, Pass Lake is a scenic gem surrounded by dramatic alpine tundra that is sure to take your breath away. This stunning body of water is a popular outdoor destination in Summit County, known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Although you’re unlikely to have the area totally to yourself on weekends and during peak tourist seasons, crowds tend to remain sparse at this location, making it an ideal spot for those seeking greater privacy.

To learn a bit more about each of these locations, as well as many other Colorado elopement locations, check out my guide.

A Sunrise Colorado Elopement

Getting Ready Moments + Mimosas

The getting-ready moments of Abby and Scottie’s day were precious and intentional, setting the tone for the rest of their sunrise elopement. They decided to savor every single moment of their elopement day by helping each other get ready, and I’m so happy that I was there to capture and preserve those special moments.

The early morning was dark and quiet, creating a serene atmosphere before the world woke up. Watching Abby, Scottie, and their dear friend Liz enjoy mimosas and prepare for the day was truly heartwarming. Liz assisted Abby with her attire, while Scottie stepped in to help Abby with the finishing touches on her look. I have to take a moment to mention that Abby’s choice of boots added the perfect touch of rustic charm!

Despite aiming to reach the location by sunrise, there was no rush or stress—just excitement, happiness, and anticipation. Once they were ready and the sunrise began its approach, we began our short drive to continue their elopement adventure.

The Sunrise Elopement Ceremony

It was a gorgeous, mild, sunny Colorado day—truly picturesque. We had initially planned to start on the banks of Lake Dillon. However, during a scouting trip a few days earlier, I noticed that the water levels at the lake were unusually high. Given this, I suggested we pivot to Sapphire Point Overlook for their ceremony. This decision turned out to be paramount.

Although Abby and Scottie didn’t have a reservation for the overlook, we arrived at 5:30AM, before the first reservable time slot of the day, hoping to catch the early morning alpenglow. As we reached the overlook, the mountains were bathed in a stunning pink light, creating a perfect backdrop for their ceremony. Abby and Scottie seized the moment, beginning their vows amidst the breathtaking scenery.

With the soft pink glow of the sunrise as their backdrop, Abby and Scottie exchanged handwritten vows, sharing their promises and hopes for the future. They took advantage of Colorado’s self-solemnization option, allowing them to forego a legal officiant and embrace a completely self-orchestrated ceremony. This flexibility is especially convenient for ‘just us’ elopements, enabling you to craft your day exactly as you envision it and adapt for incredible last-minute opportunities, like a stunning sunrise.

For more details on self-solemnizing in Colorado, check out my guide.

Lakeside Portraits with Dramatic Views

Following their intimate ceremony at Sapphire Point Overlook, we moved on to capturing portraits. We spent a bit more time at the overlook for photos and to sign their marriage license. It was heartwarming to see Abby and Scottie so happy and carefree, and their genuine love and connection shone through in their photos.

One special detail that stood out was Scottie’s personal touch—he made Abby’s bouquet himself! It’s wonderful to see couples working together to plan and prepare for their wedding day. If you love the idea of involving your partner in wedding planning, and you’re interested in more tips and fun ideas for planning your wedding day as a team, check out my blog post linked below.

After finishing portraits at Sapphire Point Overlook, we ventured to Lake Dillon and Pass Lake for a scenic hike and their memorable first dance among the mountain peaks. The dramatic mountain views and alpine waters perfectly matched Abby and Scottie’s vision for their elopement day. This experience was a perfect reminder of why I love Colorado—its diverse landscapes offer stunning backdrops, and, with our early start, we enjoyed these locations without any crowds.

A Post-Elopement Pancake Breakfast + Wedding Details

One of the best aspects of a sunrise elopement is having the entire day ahead of you to enjoy however you wish. For Abby and Scottie, this meant heading back to their Airbnb for a cozy and memorable pancake breakfast.

Renting an Airbnb with a kitchen offers a wonderful opportunity to extend your celebration and prepare a delicious meal together in a private setting. The Airbnb’s high wooden ceilings, open kitchen, and natural light pouring through the front windows created a warm and inviting atmosphere for their breakfast. With its private, forest-facing patio, hot tub, and proximity to downtown Breckenridge for shopping, dining, and skiing, it was the perfect home base for their elopement and post-elopement activities.

While Abby and Scottie settled into their new roles as newlyweds and started breakfast in the kitchen, I took the opportunity to photograph their wedding details. This led to one of the funniest moments of the day: the smoke alarm went off while they were cooking pancakes! Abby climbed to the loft balcony, to try to turn off the alarm with a broom handle while Scottie flipped pancakes in the kitchen below. I was bouncing between capturing their wedding details and their breakfast antics, and it had me in stitches.

There are so many incredible ways to celebrate after your elopement. From horseback riding through the mountains to a beautifully prepared fire-cooked meal, or even throwing a post-elopement party, the options are endless. To help you brainstorm the perfect post-elopement activity, I’ve put together a list of some fantastic options. 

Ready To Plan Your Dream Colorado Elopement?

Truly, I can’t say enough good things about choosing a sunrise elopement. Sure, it’s an early start, but the rewards are absolutely worth it! Abby and Scottie’s day perfectly illustrates the magic of beginning your celebration with the sun’s first light and extending the experience with a meaningful post-elopement activity.

Your elopement day should be a true reflection of your preferences and values. From the quiet morning light to the joyful moments of your celebration, every detail can embody who you are as a couple. Whether it’s the tranquility of a sunrise or the delight of a shared meal, making your day uniquely yours is what matters most.

If you’re dreaming of an intimate Colorado mountain elopement—perhaps starting with a sunrise ceremony—let’s make it happen. Get in touch, and let’s start planning your perfect intimate wedding day!