Tips for a 2025 or 2026 Bridal Veil Falls Elopement

Bridal Veil Falls is 365 feet of free-falling water in a box canyon just outside Telluride, one of the tallest waterfalls in the entire state! The hike to the falls is stunning, filled with secluded pulloffs where you can admire the falls, scenic vistas over cliffs, and the kind of beauty that feels totally wild. 

I’ve photographed over 150+ elopements right here in Colorado (see my full guide to the state here!), and as a born-and-raised Coloradoan, this is one of my favorite places in the state! I love taking couples here because it’s got a little bit of everything. Here’s what you need to know about this perfect slice of the San Juans.

Frequently asked questions about eloping at Bridal Veil Falls

How do you elope at Bridal Veil Falls?

Unlike other sites in the state, Bridal Veil Falls doesn’t require any special use permits for elopements (just a simple county photography permit for your photographer)! Which makes the process of getting here really smooth. All you have to do to get married here is… decide to get married here!

If you’re considering it, here’s a few other things to consider as you plan:

• Decide how you’re tackling the trail
  I talk more about this in the how to get there section below, but there’s a 2 mile out and back trail to get to the falls. You can either take the hiking trail (slightly harder but no car traffic) or the 4X4 road (heavily used by vehicles but also scenic). Think about your strengths and how you want to experience the area! The hike is beautiful and is my personal recommendation. 
• Bring waterproof footwear
  Even if you decide on doing the 4X4 road, make sure you have waterproof footwear with solid grip for visiting the falls. The ground in the area can get wet and the hiking trail crosses Ingram Creek. Totally doable in the right shoes!
• Get a Colorado marriage license
  If you’re handling the legalities in Colorado, make sure you get your marriage license ahead of time. It costs $30 and requires an online application, a quick in-person appointment, and has to be signed within 35 days of issuing. Then you return it within 63 days of getting married via mail or dropbox outside the county clerk’s office! The closest one to Bridal Veil Falls is the San Miguel County Clerk.
• Leave enough time in your timeline
  The falls are stunning, but so is the entire hike! Leave plenty of room so that you can stop, admire, and take photos along the way. The hike takes about 1.5 hours, so I would plan for at least 2.5.

When’s the best time to visit Bridal Veil Falls?

The best time to visit Bridal Veil Falls is in early summer, when the weather has warmed up a bit even at 10,000 feet in altitude and the water is flowing at its strongest due to the ice and snowmelt! 

But there are other great times of the year to visit. If you want to ice climb the frozen falls, aim for February (just know that it’s frequently a snow covered path!). If you’d like to see fall foliage on your way up, aim for late September. 

No matter what month you choose, sunrise here is the best time of day to get married due to the soft light and lack of people around. If you can come on a weekday, that’s even better! This can be a popular trail, so it’s very worth it to get up early on a Tuesday. 

How do you get to Bridal Veil Falls?

You get to Bridal Veil Falls via a well-trekked trail year round. If you don’t feel like hiking on your wedding day or need a more accessible route in, there are also 4X4 path options which you can either drive yourself or hire a company to traverse for you!  Keep in mind that while the 4×4 road to the powerhouse at the top of the falls can be driven in each direction, beyond the powerhouse is the end of Black Bear Pass, one of the most difficult 4×4 roads in the country which can only be driven from Red Mountain Pass to Telluride.

You can find the trailhead just past Pandora Mills along the right side of the road!  

How long is the trail to get to Bridal Veil Falls?

There are two trails you can take to get to Bridal Veil Falls. One is a 4X4 road and the other is a hiking trail. Both are about 2 miles each way. The 4X4 road is the final part of Black Bear Pass and is the only part of the road where 2 way traffic is allowed! The hiking path is marked here in green and the road runs alongside it, labeled 636 Road. 

Some hikers choose to hike on the road if the hiking trail proves too challenging. If you choose to do this, just stay on the lookout for vehicle traffic, as they come down this road frequently!

How much does it cost to get married at Bridal Veil Falls?

The cost of eloping at Bridal Veil Falls is just $30. That’s the cost of a marriage license in Colorado! 

Any other costs are going to depend on what you want out of your day. Katie & Brent (who I’ll talk about more below) rented a 4X4, had fresh florals, and had pizza for their family during their intimate reception. 

There is a $75 San Miguel County permit for your photographer to allow them to photograph at the falls.

I have a whole blog post on the cost of eloping and how it can vary from person to person depending on what you want. For my couples, they prioritize having a smooth experience, beautiful documentation, and a full adventure on their day, so they frequently invest most of their budget into photography. 

That’s the beautiful thing about eloping—it’s fully focused on YOUR experience! 

Are dogs allowed at Bridal Veil Falls? 

Yes! Dogs are allowed on-leash on the trail and around Bridal Veil Falls. Check with individual tour companies if you are renting a 4X4. This trail sees a lot of heavy use from vehicles, so make sure to keep pups close by and leashed to keep everyone safe! 

Bridal Veil Falls Wedding Photos

Katie & Brent’s Summer Bridal Veil Falls Elopement 

Katie & Brent arrived in separate vehicles so that they could do their first look by the falls. They eloped in July, so the falls were strong and the weather was mild. They grabbed some epic waterfall portraits before heading out on a hike to get closer to the water. After their adventure, they headed to the ghost town of Alta for an intimate wedding ceremony and small reception including their two pups!