Elope in Intimate, Rustic Ouray, Colorado
Everything you need to plan your intimate wedding in Ouray, Colorado with Foster Creative
Easily a contender for the coziest town in America, Ouray sits beneath dozens of historic gold mining towns, such as Animas Forks, Tomboy, and even the still-thriving town of Silverton to the South.
Photo by Nathan Anderson
Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Ouray for its abundant mineral hot springs, world-class ice-climbing canyons, skiing, hiking, jeeping, and generally anything else you would ever possibly want to do in Colorado’s mountains. Ouray’s mountains are colored with rich hues of red and orange and purple--bursting with minerals whose colorful slopes make Ouray the perfect backdrop for your Colorado elopement experience.
Ouray, surrounded in every direction by the rugged, fourteen-thousand foot peaks that comprise the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado, is known locally as the Switzerland of America. Photo by Foster Creative
Table of Contents
What Your Elopement Could Look Like
Getting to Ouray
Local Activities
Scenic Hikes
Ceremony Location
Lodging
Dining, Drinking, and Après
Elopement Essentials (Florals, Officiants, Courthouse)
What Your Elopement Could Look Like
Above Ouray, CO
Beginning at your Airbnb, you’ll get dressed and ready while we capture details
We’ll head out to Twin Falls in the Yankee Boy Basin for your first look and ceremony
We’ll head down to the Mt. Abrams Overlook to shoot portraits in an aspen grove and along the mountainside
We’ll then travel to a field near Ridgway, CO (12 miles from Ouray) for sunset portraits with Mt Sneffels as the backdrop
Finally we’ll finish capturing you soaking in warm water and drinking wine at Chipeta Solar Springs, where you’ll spend your first married night together!
Getting to Ouray
If driving to Ouray from Denver, CO, consider taking Highway 285 to Poncha Springs, CO, and then highway 50 to Montrose, CO when traveling as an alternate route to I-70. It’s a very scenic drive that will take you through the heart of Colorado’s mountain towns. If traveling in Winter during snow, I-70 is advised. Otherwise, consider 285!
Denver International Airport: 325 miles from Ouray (6-7 hour drive)
Montrose Regional Airport: 38 miles from Ouray (50-60 minute drive)
Grand Junction Regional Airport: 102 miles from Ouray (2 hour drive)
Local Activities
The single greatest reason to plan your intimate wedding in the Ouray area is to have access to the unique activities the area offers. Ouray, Silverton, and Telluride, CO are home to world class skiing, snowboarding, hot springs, ice climbing, rock climbing, and backpacking trails. Planning to spend a few days in the area can make your intimate wedding experience even better!
Get Sendy at Telluride Ski & Golf
Some of the best snowsports and golf in the region. We’ll be publishing a guide devoted to snowsports and winter weddings in the Ouray (San Juan Mountain) area soon
One of the best regional hot springs
Many warm and hot pools
It is clothing optional
Local Wonder
Most famous regional waterfall
Easy quick activity for the whole group
Jeep to Telluride over Imogene Pass
Summer, Fall
Ouray is the gateway to some of the best Jeep trails in the world
Popular trails include Black Bear Pass and Imogene Pass
Telluride Ski Resort overlooking the Gold Hill lift
Relax in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool
The largest regional hot spring pool
Clothing required
Spring, Summer, Fall
Some of the most beautiful backpacking country in the world
Explore the Ghost Town of Animas Forks
Summer, Fall
Ouray is close to several abandoned mining towns, or ghost towns.
High Clearance 4x4, or Jeep recommended
Winter
Expert riders only, but offers some of the best expert terrain in America.
Essentially, ski-patroled backcountry
Offers heli-skiing
Scenic Hikes
Ouray is a paradise for hikers, and the area offers many breathtaking hikes for those ready for adventure, and for those who prefer shorter scenic opportunities. For those looking to dive deep into hiking and backpacking adventures, the alltrails app is for you! We’ve compiled a list of some of the shorter (5.6 miles max) hikes we think you’ll enjoy, and that has the most to offer!
7 glorious waterfalls greet you as you climb this quick, moderately steep in and back 0.2 mile hike.
Mears Trail is a 3.9 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Ouray, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels.
The Ouray Perimeter Trail takes you on a steep, but beautiful hike high above the town of Ouray. At 5.6 miles, this day-hike will have you ready for a burger and beer over at The Ouray Brewery when you’re finished!
Ceremony Locations
For those who love variety, we’ve assembled some of our favorite ceremony locations! All of these locations are within 30 minutes of Ouray, and accommodate elopements (under 10 guests), intimate weddings (under 25 guests) and small weddings (under 100 guests). Twin Falls and Mt Abrams do not require payment beyond acquiring permits to shoot your ceremony. Top of the Pines has a relatively small fee to accommodate up to 100 guests and includes a small Pavilion with heat and electricity.
Steven & Candace’s First Look at Top of the Pines // October 2018
Elopements & Intimate Weddings
About 5 minutes from Ouray
Big mountain backdrop
Year-Round Access
4. Twin Falls, Yankee Boy Basin
Elopements & Intimate Weddings
About 40 minutes from Ouray
Summer & Fall Access
REQUIRES JEEP or LIFTED 4x4
Historically known as the waterfall displayed on the original Coors beer cans
Waterfall backdrop against rugged towering mountains
Gold Mountain Ranch, Ouray, CO
One of the most beautiful venues in all of America, overlooking Ouray from high above
Anything from small and intimate elopements to large and bountiful weddings
Lodging, Via Ferrata, Horseback Riding and more!
Mention Foster Creative when inquiring!
Elopements, Intimate Weddings, Small Weddings (max 100 or so, comfortably)
About 30 minutes from Ouray by road (5 actual miles from Ouray, relative distance)
Meadow beneath the 14er Mt Sneffels
Relatively inexpensive and has electricity and a small shelter
Allows camping onsite for guests
Year Round Access
Lodging
Lodging in the Ouray area varies greatly, from cozy and rustic cabins to modern, luxurious townhomes. For those who are looking to connect more with nature, options like The Wiesbaden Lodge & Hot Springs and The Box Canyon Inn & Hot Springs come with semi-private hot spring options right onsite!
Modern Townhome Close to Ouray Hot Springs
3bd/3ba for 9 guests
Modern and comfy for a small group
Modern Condo with beautiful Deck in Downtown Ouray
2bd/2ba for 6 guests
Modern with a beautiful porch
½ block from downtown Ouray
Stylish Modern Condo with Cozy Patio & Grill
Easily one of the more luxurious options
For those who appreciate small, thoughtful touches
Tumble-Inn Close to Downtown Ouray
3bd/2ba for 6 guests
Rustic & Cozy
For those accommodating larger groups, we’ve collected a list of some of our favorite modern homes for you and your crew! If you’re looking to host an elopement or intimate wedding onsite, The Secret Garden B&B shouldn’t be overlooked!
2+ guests
Relaxing mountain spa experience
Great for the night after your wedding
The most prestigious historic hotel in Ouray
The Wiesbaden Lodge & Hot Springs
Personal favorite of The Fosters
Surface Hot Spring Pool and Underground Hot Spring Cave
The Box Canyon Inn & Hot Springs
Small hot spring tubs along a beautiful hillside
Beautiful garden property with great breakfast
Allows onsite wedding ceremonies
Dining, Drinking, and Après
What Ouray lacks in quantity, it sure gains in quality. Ouray is home to exactly zero chain restaurants, coffee shops, or boutiques, meaning that no matter where you end up, it’s bound to be scratch-made, hand-selected, or locally-grown. From casual burger spots like Maggie’s Kitchen to upscale dining such as the Bon Ton and BrickHouse 737, it’ll be hard to find a disappointing meal! Ouray Liquor carries the essentials along with a fine selection of rare liquors and regional beers. Rocky Mountain Cannabis located about 12 miles away in Ridgway, CO consistently produces quality bud. Stop in to Khristopher’s Culinaire to stock up on specialty sauces and spices, and definitely be sure to try some chocolate at Mouse’s!
Food, Drink & Libations
Dinner & Cocktails
Lunch, Dinner & Beer
Lunch
Dinner & Cocktails
Dinner & Beers
Specialty Liquors & Regional Beers
Premium Herb. Good prices on pre-rolls
The boys at BrickHouse 737 will hook you up with fine cocktails
Scrap Cookies (unreal delicious) at Mouse’s Chocolates & Coffee
Coffee & Boutiques
Elopement Essentials
The rural Western Colorado communities near Ouray and beyond enjoy a level of seclusion that many people dream of having. Some of our essential elopement suggestions are located in surrounding communities like Telluride and Montrose, many of our hand selected vendors have packages with travel to Ouray built-in. In Colorado, you can choose to self-solemnize, or to marry yourselves without an officiant if you wish! When you’re ready to pick up and verify your marriage license, you can do so conveniently right downtown in Ouray.
Little Bucket of Flowers, Ouray, CO
Carolyn Ringo with Heart Centered Weddings
County Courthouse
Pick up your marriage license before your elopement!
Ouray County Courthouse
541 4th St, Ouray, CO 81427
The Ouray County Courthouse in Ouray, CO
Elope with Foster Creative in Ouray, Colorado
Ouray truly has it all when it comes to mountaineering and adventuring. “Switzerland of America” is one of the most unique little towns on Earth, and it isn’t hard to see after exploring all Ouray has to offer why so many couples choose this alpine paradise for their elopement. It turns out a real human named Steven compiled nearly all of the information in this guide, and he’d love to chat with you about planning your elopement. Foster Creative offers Elopement planning, photo, video, and even some decor rentals. When you’re ready to plan your elopement or intimate wedding, we’ll be ready to chat!