Here’s your Ouray Elopement Guide from an elopement photographer serving the area for almost 10 years (doing elopement photography for 12!) Learn what’s great about Ouray and the San Juan Mountains, how to legally get married here, what to consider before you save the date, and alllll the details so you can feel good about deciding to elope in Ouray!
Why Elope in Ouray
Known as the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray offers a stunning backdrop for intimate weddings with its dramatic mountain peaks, historic Victorian architecture, and natural hot springs. This charming mountain town provides:
- Breathtaking scenic backdrops with the San Juan Mountains (my favorite mountain range!)
- Intimate, peaceful vibes with plenty of places to get away from crowds
- Year-round beauty with distinct seasonal experiences (Wildflowers to Fall Colors to Snowy wonderland)
- Natural hot springs for relaxation
- Historic mountain town charm
Weather in Ouray
Ouray experiences four distinct seasons, each offering unique elopement weather possibilities:
- Summer (June-August): Warm days (70-80°F), cool evenings, wildflowers in July, and afternoon thunderstorms common in the afternoon in July/August (called “monsoon season” for this reason!)
- Fall (September-November): Crisp days, colorful foliage as the leaves change in Mid-September to Early-October, with temperatures from 45-65°F
- Winter (December-March): Snowy wonderland, world class ice climbing, temperatures 20-40°F
- Spring (April-May): Mild temperatures, dubbed “mud season” by locals, occasional snow showers are still common!
Best Months to Elope in Ouray
Prime months for eloping in Ouray depend on your preferred scenery and activities. The most popular months are July-September. Here are the benefits in eloping during the following months:
- July-August: Peak season, warmest weather, wildflowers in bloom, most access to the backcountry locations you probably have an eye on
- September-October: Fall colors, less crowded, more stable weather after the monsoon season, still good access in the backcountry but roads begin to close and snow over in late October
- December-February: Winter wonderland, limited access backcountry locations without snowmobiling in. The town is much less busy in winter.
- May-June: Mild temperatures, waterfalls are flowing, fewer tourists are here yet. A lot of the backcountry is still under snow and roads may be closed or too muddy to access.
Getting to Ouray
Getting to Ouray is fairly easy despite being far from Denver:
- Nearest airports:
- Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) – 45 minutes away
- Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) – 1 hour away
- Grand Junction Airport (GJT) – 2 hours away
- Denver International Airport (DEN) – 6 hours away
- Driving: Accessible via the Million Dollar Highway (US-550) from Durango or Montrose, where Highway 50 meets 550. You can reach 50 from the front range or from I-70 in Grand Junction.
- Ground transportation when flying into Ouray includes rental cars or shuttle services available from airports
Lodging in Ouray
Being a small mountain town, there is limited lodging in Ouray. It’s a good idea, for that reason, to book vendors and lodging as far in advance as possible as rooms book up FAST and you or your guests may be stuck driving from Ridgway or even Montrose instead.
Some top lodging options in Ouray include:
- Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs – Features private hot springs and stunning mountain views
- Beaumont Hotel – Historic Victorian luxury hotel in downtown Ouray
- Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs – Known for its mineral hot springs and peaceful garden setting
- The Western Hotel – Charming boutique hotel with an ode to Ouray’s Western mountain mining town history
- Hotel Ouray – Historic downtown property with modern amenities
Cost of Eloping in Ouray
Ouray is a much cheaper place to elope in Colorado than more popular front range locations. Being more remote, there can be other costs that add to your budget, though.
Average costs to consider:
- Marriage License: $30
- Elopement Photography: $4,000-9,000
- Officiant: $500-1,000
- Accommodations: $150-400/night
- Hair and Makeup: $400-700
- Flowers: $200-500
Special Ouray costs to consider:
- Transportation – you may need or want to rent Jeeps or hire a Jeep Tour to more remote locations: $150-600
- Travel – you will have more travel to Ouray than just eloping in Rocky Mountain National park or another location under 2 hours from Denver: $100-500
Click here for my full guide on How Much Does Eloping Cost!
How to Get a Marriage License in Ouray
To obtain a marriage license in Ouray County, visit the Ouray County Clerk’s office in person in Ouray. Both parties must be present with valid IDs. There is no waiting period and the license is valid for 35 days. You’ll bring $30 in cash and the clerk will help you from there. Click here for my full guide to the Colorado Marriage License!
Where to Elope in Ouray
There are no shortage of amazing places to elope in Ouray. The best spots are local secrets, reserved for booked clients to know about. However there are tons of great spots that the “secret is out” on. Popular elopement locations in Ouray include:
Perimeter Trail Overlooks
Cascade Falls
Yankee Boy Basin
Ghost Towns
Red Mountain Pass
Crystal Lake
Mountain gulches
Micro Wedding Venues in Ouray
If you’re having some guests at your elopement, a micro wedding venue may be a useful thing to book. You can have your whole celebration there, or just a nice place to gather before and after a wild ceremony in the mountains.
Beaumont Hotel
A luxurious Victorian-era hotel in downtown offering elegant ballrooms and rooftop venue spaces with mountain views
The Western Hotel
Rustic-chic venue with indoor and outdoor spaces, perfect for intimate gatherings up to 50 guests
A scenic mountain ranch venue featuring panoramic views and both indoor/outdoor ceremony locations
Wright Opera House
Historic 1888 theater with vintage charm, ideal for indoor ceremonies and receptions
Remote mountain hut offering a unique backcountry venue experience with stunning alpine views
Boutique inn with intimate garden space, Victorian historic vibes, and cozy indoor areas for small celebrations
Nestled in the range of Red Mountains 1, 2, and 3 this lodge gives plenty of opportunity for backcountry adventures and cozy mountain ambiance. Accessible yet remote!
Activities to do in Ouray
There is no shortage of things to do in this outdoor adventure hub. Adventures for couples and guests include:
- Soak in natural hot springs
- Jeep tours on historic mining trails
- Ice climbing (winter)
- Hiking and mountaineering
- Gold panning
- Historic downtown walking tours and shopping
- Waterfall visits
- and more!
Ouray Elopement Timeline Example
Odds are pretty good that you’ve never seen an elopement before, and you might find yourself wondering what an elopement day even looks like – am I right? Here’s a sample timeline for a sunset elopement in Ouray:
1:00 PM – Getting ready at vacation rental
2:30 PM – First look photos on the deck
3:00 PM – Depart for ceremony location in the mountains
4:00 PM – Ceremony & signing the papers
4:30 PM – Portraits while we drive around to a few mountain backdrops like waterfalls, overlooks, and ghost towns
6:30 PM – Sunset photos
7:00 PM – Head back to town
7:30 PM – Intimate dinner celebration
Click here for even more timeline example ideas, so you can get a better picture of what to expect or imagine!
Additional Planning Tips for Ouray Elopements:
Consider altitude acclimation (Ouray is at 7,792 feet but the surrounding mountains you may be exploring can be up to 12,000’!) before your big day. Have you and guests arrive at least one full day before the celebrations, maybe two if you’re flying directly into the state. Having oxygen on hand can also help!
Book accommodations early during peak seasons (July-October) as this tiny town’s limited resources book up FAST and more people seek this location every year!
Have backup plans for weather contingencies. Afternoon rain storms are common in the summer, and lightning at elevation is a real risk to safety.
Bring appropriate gear for outdoor ceremonies. Most couples opt for getting married in hiking boots! And don’t forget your layers, either. Once the sun goes down, or if you’re going up to high elevation, it gets chilly quickly.
Lastly, hire local vendors familiar with the area! We can help you with things like finding local vendors to recommend, have backup plans on the fly because we’re intimately familiar with these mountains, and we understand how to work with the harsh lighting of Colorado’s sun at any time of day.
Your Ouray Elopement Adventure Starts Here
If you’re still reading I know you’re really vibing with Ouray and the San Juan mountains for your elopement day. But what now??
Booking with me means you’ll get a local pro ready to show you the ropes, from vendor guides, to access to my locations database, to elopement planning every step of the way!
You won’t be booking a photographer that you never hear from for months afterward. You’ll have an experienced guide by your side through the full journey so you can tackle anything and feel fully prepared!
Sound great? Click here to learn more — or click here to contact me now!
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