Winter Elopement Ideas: 3 Epic Locations
Maybe you see yourself of saying “I do” high up in the mountains as snow falls around you. Or you’re a little more boho and the dramatic red rocks of the desert inspire you – with cactus, clear blue skies, and snow-capped mountains far off in the distance. Or, maybe you want somewhere more tropical to celebrate…does a winter elopement on a dope beach or along some epic sea cliffs in Hawaii sound more like your vibe?
These are all dreamy winter elopement ideas, so whichever one resonates with you most, we’re here to help make it a reality! Let’s take a closer look at our favorite winter elopement locations!
Colorado
If you’re envisioning a true winter wonderland for your adventure elopement, it’s hard to beat the magic of winter in Colorado.
The tranquil beauty of the Rockies under snow, crisp mountain air and bluebird skies, wildlife sightings, and fewer crowds (which often means trails, sunrises, and sunsets all to yourself!) – these things make for an unforgettable elopement experience. Plus, those local Colorado craft brews always seem to taste even better in cold weather!
We shoot in a handful of areas in Colorado, which allows you to get epic photos from more than one amazing location 🙌. To get your mountain fix, you can’t go wrong with the San Juans, Breckenridge, or Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado’s more than just snowy mountains though! Consider the epic red rocks and milder weather in Colorado Springs at Garden of the Gods during the winter for a totally different type of landscape.
We often book Dawn+Dusk or multi-day elopes for couples in both a mountainous place like Breck or the Rockies PLUS Garden of the Gods since the driving distance is only a few hours between these extremely different landscapes! 😍
Want to learn more about eloping in Colorado? Check out our comprehensive guide to Colorado elopements!
The Southwest
The weather and scenery are both pretty hard to beat in the southwest during the winter. Mal’s pretty much IN LOVE with shooting elopements in Sedona during the cold season. The town is adorb, the weather is INCREDIBLE, and there are cool Jeeping and hiking trails EVERYWHERE!
Boho desert vibes set against the vibrant red rocks are just so so dreamy…we LOVE it! Plus, winter in the desert is also the driest season of the year, making weather overall very predictable.
And bonus, much like Colorado, Arizona and Utah are incredibly diverse. Want stunning adventure elopement photos in the desert AND the mountains? That’s easily accomplished in the southwest! 😍 We can hit Sedona for sunrise and head to Flagstaff or down to the Superstitions for an evening sunset in the mountains! 🤘
Along the same lines, if you have your heart set on a Utah elopement, we can easily visit the areas near both Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park on the same day!
Hawaii
There’s a reason (well, a lot of reasons) Mal moved to Kauai nearly a decade ago — it’s truly paradise! This is especially true in the winter months. When the vast majority of the country is experiencing freezing temperatures and wild winter weather, it’s sunny and a balmy 70-something-ish degrees in Hawaii.
We know you probably don’t need much convincing to hop on a plane and elope in Hawaii, but in case you’re still on the fence about it, here are a few more reasons to book a tropical winter elopement...
Each of the Hawaiian islands has a distinct vibe, but all of them offer up a LOT more than just beaches. You can search for waterfalls and rainbows as you hike through lush rainforests and expansive mountains. Kauai even has the jaw-dropping “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon! And the Napali mountains are totally magic!
Ready to start planning your winter elopement? YASSSS! 🙌 We are too! So let’s start ironing out the details together! Check our travel schedule to find out where Mal will be this winter (and the rest of the year, too!) and let’s get you ELOPED!
