Weddings today come in many forms, from lavish multi-day events to intimate backyard ceremonies. But more and more couples are gravitating toward simplicity—choosing authenticity, natural beauty, and intimacy over extravagance. Elope to Ridgway; one of the most breathtaking places to host such a celebration in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado.
Known for their jagged peaks, alpine meadows, aspen forests, and charming mountain towns, the San Juans provide a setting that is both rugged and romantic. A wedding here doesn’t need grand décor or ornate details; the mountains themselves provide the perfect backdrop. Consider the magic of a simple wedding in the San Juan Mountains and say “I do” in this stunning corner of Colorado.
Why the San Juan Mountains?
The San Juans are often called the “Switzerland of America” thanks to their dramatic scenery. With peaks soaring over 14,000 feet, turquoise alpine lakes, and wildflower-filled meadows, the region feels like it was designed for intimate, awe-inspiring weddings.
Couples elope to Ridgway for several reasons:
- Natural Beauty: No need for elaborate décor—just let the mountains shine.
- Variety of Settings: Choose from mountaintop vistas, forest clearings, rustic cabins, or historic mining towns.
- Four-Season Appeal: Wildflowers in summer, golden aspens in fall, snow-blanketed peaks in winter, and crisp, clear days in spring.
- Adventure and Romance: Perfect for couples who want hiking, skiing, or jeeping woven into their celebration.
The San Juans aren’t just a backdrop—they become part of the story, infusing weddings with a sense of place and wild authenticity.
The Essence of a Simple Wedding
A simple wedding doesn’t mean it lacks meaning or beauty. In fact, the simplicity is what makes it profound. Stripped of unnecessary extras, the focus is on what truly matters: the couple, their vows, and the shared joy of family and friends.
In the San Juans, simplicity often looks like:
- A ceremony with fewer than 30 guests, or even just the couple and an officiant.
- Minimal décor, letting nature’s palette—greens, blues, and golds—take center stage.
- A casual reception, maybe a picnic, barbecue, or dinner at a local restaurant.
- Personal touches like handwritten vows, wildflower bouquets, and homemade desserts.
- A relaxed atmosphere where guests feel present rather than pressured.
This simplicity reduces stress, lowers costs, and makes room for authenticity when you elope to Ridgway.
Elope Here
One of the joys of a San Juan wedding is choosing a location. Here are some favorites:
Telluride
With its iconic box canyon, waterfalls, and charming historic town, Telluride is a favorite for couples who want elegance without fuss. A meadow ceremony outside of town or a gondola ride up to the mountaintop creates effortless drama.
Ridgway
Just down the road from Telluride is Ridgway, an authentic western town with a charming main street shopping area and several choices of small restaurants and bars. Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa is two blocks off the main drag and across from a spacious public park and athletic fields. It offers an ideal location for a wedding party and guests to stay overnight or gather in their Kiva room for dancing.
Ouray
Nicknamed the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado,” Ouray is known for its hot springs, waterfalls, and dramatic canyon walls. Imagine exchanging vows at the base of a waterfall or on a quiet mountain trail just minutes from downtown. Several nearby campgrounds provide affordable and accessible places to park campers and vans.
Silverton
A former mining town with rugged charm, Silverton offers raw beauty and a sense of history. Couples who want a wild, adventurous feel will love its high alpine basins, ghost towns, and rustic venues.
Durango
More accessible than some other San Juan towns, Durango blends mountain beauty with small-town charm. It’s a great base for couples who want a mix of nature and amenities.
Alpine Lakes and Meadows
Beyond the towns, hidden gems like Crystal Lake, Ice Lake Basin, or Molas Pass provide postcard-perfect backdrops for elopements and intimate ceremonies.
Elopements and Micro-Weddings
Simple weddings in the San Juans generally fall into two categories:
- Elopements: Just the couple (and maybe a photographer/officiant). Even the couple’s dog can serve as a witness when you elope to Ridgway. This allows for ultimate flexibility—say your vows at sunrise on a mountaintop or at sunset by a lake. Gather with friends after your ceremony at a resort or restaurant like White Buffalo Restaurant + Bar in Ridgway with its beautiful rooftop deck and views of the mountain range in the distance.
- Micro-Weddings: Small gatherings of 10–30 guests. These are intimate but still allow you to celebrate with your closest people. Often, couples book a vacation rental, lodge, or campground as a base for both ceremony and reception. Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa has 33 unique guest rooms and lovely gathering spaces that provide flexibility and affordability for charming small weddings. Your entire wedding party and family can stay together at a small resort and enjoy full-service amenities at a more affordable price.
Both options align beautifully with the San Juans’ emphasis on intimacy and natural beauty.
Seasonal Charm
Each season in the San Juan Mountains offers its own magic for your wedding or when you elope to Ridgway:
- Summer (June–August): Wildflower meadows, warm days, long evenings. Perfect for outdoor ceremonies, hiking elopements, and alpine lakes.
- Fall (September–October): Aspen leaves turn golden, creating jaw-dropping backdrops. Cooler weather adds coziness.
- Winter (November–March): Snow-draped peaks, ski-town charm, and candlelit lodges. Ideal for couples who love skiing or snowshoeing.
- Spring (April–May): Quiet season with fewer tourists. Melting snow means waterfalls are roaring.
The season you choose shapes the aesthetic and the logistics—like accessibility of roads, lodging availability, and attire choices. Consider your travel options when selecting your dates and consider the needs of any family or friends that may be attending.
Ceremony Ideas
Simple weddings allow for creativity. Some ceremony ideas in the San Juans include:
- Alpine Sunrise Vows: Hike up a trail before dawn and exchange vows as the first light hits the peaks.
- Waterfall Ceremony: Stand at the base of Ouray’s Box Canyon Falls or Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride.
- Aspen Grove Gathering: Let the trees form a natural cathedral around you.
- Jeep Tour Ceremony: Take a rugged jeep trail up to Imogene Pass or Engineer Pass for an adventurous vow exchange.
- Snowy Ski Elopement: Say “I do” at the top of a ski run, then make your first run together as newlyweds.
Keeping It Simple – Reception Ideas
After the ceremony, celebrate in a way that feels natural and stress-free. Some options:
- Picnic Celebration: Spread blankets and baskets in a meadow with local cheeses, bread, fruit, and champagne.
- Backyard Barbecue: Rent a cabin or lodge and fire up the grill.
- Restaurant Dinner: Book a private room at a local spot in Telluride, Ridgway, Durango, or Ouray.
- Campfire Gathering: Roast marshmallows, tell stories, and sip whiskey under the stars. Stay in a certified dark sky community like Ridgway to get the best view of the stars and planets under an enormous sky.
- Local Brewery or Distillery: Celebrate casually with craft beer or cocktails.
- Bouquets and Boutonnieres: Use locally foraged wildflowers for a natural touch.
- Arches: A simple wooden arch or nothing at all—just the view.
- Attire: Lightweight dresses, wool suits, hiking boots or even cowboy boots paired with formal wear.
- Keepsakes: Personalized mugs, flasks, or Polaroid guestbooks.
The beauty of simplicity is that you can focus on good food, good drinks, and good company rather than logistics. When the San Juan Mountains are your backdrop, less is truly more. Still, small details can personalize the day.
Photography and Videography
With scenery this epic, photography is key. A good mountain wedding photographer will know the best light, hidden spots, and how to capture both the intimacy of your vows and the grandeur of the peaks. Search for a local photographer that knows the terrain and all the best spots to capture the perfect photo of the day. Try multiple locations and consider the best time of day to capture the best light for portraits.
Many couples choose to:
- Do a day-after adventure shoot (hike in wedding attire for epic portraits).
- Consider using a drone for sweeping aerial shots.
- Keep things candid—focus on authentic moments rather than posed perfection.
Making it a Weekend Experience
One of the joys of mountain weddings is turning them into a full experience for you and your guests. If you include friends and family, then plan a few optional group activities:
- Jeep tours to old mining sites and historic landmarks. The town of Ouray has multiple Jeep outfitters to provide guided tours.
- Group hikes to waterfalls or lakes provide time for long conversations and a shared experience in the beauty of the San Juan mountains. Don’t forget to take lots of group selfies.
- Hot springs soak or day spa visits in Ouray or Ridgway the day before the big event helps set aside quiet time and bonding with special friends.
This makes your elope to Ridgway feel like a retreat—a shared adventure in the mountains.
The Deeper Meaning of Simplicity
A simple wedding in the San Juan Mountains isn’t just an event; it’s an experience, a statement of values, and a memory etched into nature’s canvas. With towering peaks as witnesses, wildflowers as décor, and loved ones by your side, you don’t need extravagance to create magic.
Whether you choose to elope at sunrise by an alpine lake, host a micro-wedding in a meadow, or celebrate with a cozy lodge dinner, the San Juans offer the perfect stage for love in its purest form. For couples seeking authenticity, simplicity, and breathtaking beauty, the San Juan Mountains are more than a destination—they are a cathedral carved by nature, waiting to host your vows.
