Wildflower Weddings—Colorado Wildflower Elopements

A bride and groom kiss and embrace while standing on a mountain side with pine trees and yellow wildflowers
 
 

There’s a reason couples dream of a wildflower wedding. The cascading fields of vibrant colors, set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and bright blue skies, set the scene for a magical wedding.

 
A groom serenades his bride as they sit next to a lake with a basket of flowers beside them

Spring, Summer, or Fall Wildflower Wedding?

Colorado offers several locations for an elopement among wildflowers. If you envision saying your I-dos amidst a field of red, Indian paintbrush, or the purple, blue hue of bluebells, here is what to consider when planning a wildflower wedding!

If exchanging vows on a mountaintop with stunning panoramic views is your jam, consider a later summer wildflower wedding. Uncover Colorado explains July and August are the best times of year to see blooms at higher elevations. 

A bride in a backless wedding dress smiles with her hand on her hip as she stands among colorful wildflowers during her outdoor wedding

If rolling prairies are more your vibe, late spring or early summer is better for peak wildflower season at lower elevations per Uncover Colorado. Consider a boho wildflower wedding theme among the tall grass, with vast views of the mountains in the background. 

A groom hold his guitar in one hand and his smiling bride holding her bouquet as they stand among yellow and white wildflowers

Best Places to See Wildflowers in Colorado

There are several awe-inspiring spots to scope out the best wildflower views. As your elopement photographer, I help you discover the best ones. Are you looking to join the fun at the Crested Butte wildflower festival? Or have the iconic Maroon Bells in the background?

A bride and groom hold hands and frolic through a field of yellow and purple wildflowers after their wedding

Or maybe you’re hoping for something more secluded and intimate. I have you covered whether you’re searching for a familiar spot or a seclusive location!

Newlyweds and their small dog embrace on a path surrounded by yellow wildflowers

Julia + Ross’ wildflower elopement was also featured on Wandering Weddings! Check out the gallery and see their entire wedding day in bloom!

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

The wildflower capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is one of my favorite locations to photograph elopements. Home to the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, the town comes abuzz every year with several activities all about wildflowers. 

A bride places her hand on her groom's chest as they gaze into each other's eyes, standing in a field of yellow wildflowers

You can enjoy guided wildflower hikes, wildflower photography classes, and over 200 wildflower-centric activities, according to the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival page, the webpage dedicated solely to this annual event.

I love all there is to offer here—especially during the Crested Butte wildflower season—and I wrote a complete guide about eloping in Crested Butte!

Indian Peaks Wilderness

If you’re traveling from the Denver metro area and looking for something closer, without the huge crowds of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Indian Peaks Wilderness may be the spot for you. 

Newlyweds cuddle while facing a reflective lake and mountains during a fiery sunrise

Just past the town of Eldora, you can access Lost Lake from the Hessie trail. Out There Colorado explains wildflowers abound at Lost Lake. The trail is steep in some places, but those sections are generally short. Once you reach Lost Lake, the view opens up and provides several stunning scenes for photos. 

Lost Lake is a gorgeous camping site if you want to spend the night. Or you can stay at one of several cabins in the area. 

If you’re up for a strenuous hike with worth-the-sweat views, consider tackling Devil’s Thumb. You can pick up the trail from the Hessie trail. With an elevation gain of several thousand feet and ending above 12,000 feet, it’s one of the more challenging hikes in the area.

Maroon Bells

Nothing says Colorado like the backdrop of the Maroon Bells. Another strenuous hike, if you’re looking to backpack an impressive trail, the Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop is challenging and famous for a reason. Those views are second to none!

A bride and groom toss yellow leaves into the air in front of dramatic mountain peaks dusted with snow

However, Maroon Lake, one of the most famous places to take photos with the Maroon Bells in the background, is right near the start of the loop, near the Maroon Bells Amphitheatre. So, we can capture your wedding here, and you can begin a grand adventure after. Or, I’m always up to tag along for part of your journey!

I’d Love a Wildflower Wedding—What’s Next?

This brief list only touches the surface of what’s available in Colorado (or beyond—I love the desert wildflower scenery of the Moab, Utah area for elopements, too!). From Rocky Mountain National Park, Ouray, the Grand Mesa, and American Basin, there is no shortage of unforgettable landscapes, bursting with fields of color, to plan your dream elopement. 

Newlyweds holding hands while walking through a field of purple wildflowers in a lush Crested Butte valley.

We can escape to a quiet place just outside Crested Butte like this Captivating Crested Butte micro-wedding, and you can be back in time for evening festivities. Or we can venture out to the solitude of the more remote American Basin, where you can elope under the stars or a spectacular sunrise. The options are endless.

And as a Leave No Trace certified photographer, we’ll ensure we capture your perfect wildflower elopement while keeping the environments they call home pristine.

Helping you dream up your perfect elopement is what I love! So let’s chat and see where your elopement might take you.

A bride holds a bouquet and her small tan dog as she kneels on a path with purple and yellow wildflowers

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A woman in a backwards cap holds a camera while sitting on a tan leather couch and smiling

Elopement Photographer Andrea Enger (Portrait by Realm Studios)

Find out how I can help make that happen!

If you’re ready to get the ball rolling to secure your photographer, that’s great!

You can do that by filling out the form below, by emailing me directly at andrea@andreaengerphotography.com, or by calling/texting me at (720) 739-0784. I look forward to hearing from you!

If you’re still in the research phase, I hear ya! Here are some more resources that my couples have found helpful. I hope you do, too!

Colorado Elopement Guide

Elopement Planning Toolkit (free download)

More Resources: