How To Have a Stunning Wedding or Elopement at Loveland Pass

In this post

Loveland Pass is the highest paved road in Colorado that stays open year round (at nearly 12,000 feet!) and it doubles as a seriously epic place to say your vows and take photos.

Not to be confused with the town of Loveland which is north of Denver, Loveland Pass is great for seeing dramatic mountain views above treeline with no hiking or 4X4 required.

As a local Colorado elopement photographer, taking photos at Loveland Pass truly never gets old. I have it featured at one of the best places to elope in Colorado on my full Colorado Elopement Guide and I’ve been here more times than I can count (both personally and professionally!).

How do you get married at Loveland Pass?

Loveland Pass is one of the easiest places to access high altitude mountain views close to Denver making it a perfect place for a Colorado elopement or intimate wedding ceremony.

To get married at Loveland Pass, you’ll need to:

Choose your date
While Loveland Pass is open year round, you’ll need to choose your season carefully. July and August are the warmest months up there and September is a great month if you’re looking for fall colors. Opt for a weekday sunrise for the fewest crowds.
Hire a photographer
A local photographer (like me) can be a HUGE help when it comes to easily accessible and busy spots like this—because I can show you the best trails, quietest ceremony stops, and hidden gems in the area that won’t be overcrowded.
Plan your itinerary & timeline
Consider where you’re flying in, where you’re staying, how you’re getting here, and the best time of day for your ceremony and photos. As a Colorado local elopement photographer, I can help you out with custom recommendations for all of these (something I do for all my couples and is included in my elopement photography packages).
Pro Tip: Fly in at least a couple of days before your elopement! Not only will this account for any travel snags, it’ll also let you adjust to the altitude so you don’t feel risk altitude sickness on your big day.
Get your license
If you’re signing your marriage license in CO, prepare to stop by a county clerk with $30 to sign your application and receive your marriage license to fill out!
Get Married!
Say your vows on top of beautiful Loveland Pass and soak in the 360 views.

When’s the best time to visit Loveland Pass?

The best time to visit Loveland Pass is weekday mornings in July. That will give you the best combination of comfortable temperatures & the fewest crowds possible. Plus, going in the morning helps you avoid afternoon thunderstorms which are common at high altitudes in the summer.

A bride and groom stand on a rocky hilltop in front of mountains; the bride’s veil flows in the wind as they smile at each other, holding hands under a cloudy sky.

At nearly 12,000 ft, Loveland Pass has an alpine tundra ecosystem, which has a very short season that’s warm enough to enjoy comfortably. Temperatures drop quickly in the evening, even in the middle of the summer.

If you like the snowy look, aim for May when snow is still abundant without the freezing cold temperatures!

A couple stands facing each other on a mountain ridge with snow-covered peaks and forests in the background, sharing an intimate moment under a clear sky.

Loveland Pass Summer Elopement

Once most of the snow melts by late June, wildflowers bloom here in July. August is a great warm and dry month to visit as well!

If you’re worried about it being too hot, don’t be. Even in August, temperatures here top out in the 60’s or low 70’s—usually with some snowpack still clinging to the mountaintops you can see!

A bride and groom stand by a calm mountain lake, smiling at each other. The bride gently touches the groom’s face, with green hills and mountains reflected in the water behind them.

Loveland Pass Fall Wedding

By mid September, the tundra plants have turned hues of gold, yellow, and orange and it’s a beautiful spot for a fall wedding. Keep an eye out for early snowfall, which can happen in late September and early October.

A couple in wedding attire stands on a rocky hilltop, holding hands, with sunlit mountains and a clear sky in the background. The scene is serene and romantic, emphasizing the vast natural landscape around them.

Loveland Pass Winter Elopement

A couple in winter gear, holding snowboards, kisses surrounded by snow-covered trees. One holds a bouquet and a sign reading "Best Guide, Best Lover." Backpacks and flowers rest on the snow nearby.

In the colder months Loveland Pass is a snow-lovers paradise and sits in close proximity to the Loveland Ski Area. It’s a popular area for backcountry skiing as well, but it’s important to be aware of the avalanche risks. The state tries to always keep Loveland Pass open, but it does occasionally close for inclement weather.

Best Time of Day to Visit Loveland Pass

The midday lighting on the mountaintops can be harsh, so opt for sunrise or sunset for beautiful soft light—and low crowds!

Sunrise

Sunrise will mean you encounter the fewest crowds and have most areas to yourself.

Sunset

Sunset means the west-facing mountain views (which you’ll see if you look east while at the top of the pass) have “alpenglow” on a clear evening.

A bride and groom, holding hands, walk together outdoors on rocky ground with mountains in the background. The groom carries a bouquet, and both look happy on a sunny day.

How do you get to Loveland Pass?

For most widely used map apps, just typing in Loveland Pass, Colorado and that will give you accurate directions right to the summit (where the pass crosses the continental divide).

If your map app isn’t cooperating for any reason, if you are coming from Denver, take I-70 West then take the exit for US-6 right before the Eisenhower Tunnel. Loveland Pass is along US Highway 6 and the summit will come up quickly (about 5-7 minutes of driving after exiting I-70).

The area at the top of the pass has several parking spaces for about 20-25 cars along with additional smaller pulloff parking areas over the next ½ mile.

How much does it cost to get married at Loveland Pass?

As of the writing of this guide in 2025 it typically does not cost anything to get married at Loveland Pass—as long as your ceremony is small and you don’t have any props or decorations and minimal vendors.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

According to EXPLORE Act groups with less than 6-8 people total don’t need a permit for public lands, including National Forests (who manage the land on Loveland Pass)
If you have more than 8 people, I’ll help you work out who to contact to see what you might need permit wise, if anything!
As of 2025, events under 75 people with no props don’t need a permit of any kind
If you’ll be signing your legal paperwork, you’ll need to get a marriage license for $30 from the local county clerk (see my full Colorado Elopement Guide for more details!)

With no high venue costs, you’re free to use your entire wedding budget only on what you want to! Most of the couples I work with as their elopement photographer save the bulk of their budget for photography so that they have help planning and their full experience documented, because it’s what is most important to them.

You can check out my full guide here on the Cost of Eloping!

Are dogs allowed at Loveland Pass?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Loveland Pass! Most trails are open to pups in this area as long as they are kept on a leash. Colorado is very dog friendly—enjoy!

A black, brown, and white dog sniffs a colorful bouquet of wildflowers being held by a person outdoors on a rocky surface.

Loveland Pass Elopement Photos

I’ve photographed countless elopements in every season up here, so no matter when you’re looking to elope, I’ll be there to guide you with over a decade of local experience!

A groom in a black suit joyfully lifts his bride, who wears a flowing white dress, against a backdrop of sunlit mountains and clear sky. Both are smiling and looking at each other lovingly.

A bride in a flowing white dress and a groom in a suit holding a bouquet walk hand-in-hand on rocky terrain, with sunlit mountains in the background.

A couple in formal attire embraces lovingly outdoors at sunset, with mountains and a soft, golden landscape in the background.

A couple in wedding attire embraces on a mountaintop at sunset. The bride's white dress flows in the wind, and dramatic mountains are visible in the background under a clear sky.

Two women in white dresses stand on either side of a "Loveland Pass, Elevation 11,990 ft, Continental Divide" sign, smiling and raising their arms in celebration, with mountains visible in the background.

Two women in wedding dresses joyfully run hand in hand across a grassy meadow with mountains in the background, one holding up her dress and the other carrying a bouquet. The scene is bright and full of movement.

Two women in white wedding dresses smile and walk together on a grassy hill, holding hands and a bouquet, with dramatic mountain scenery in the background. One playfully lifts her dress as they enjoy the moment.

Two women in white wedding dresses hold hands and smile as they walk outdoors on grassy terrain, with a large mountain and soft sunlight in the background.

A wedding party stands on a grassy hill, cheering with raised arms, surrounded by mountains and greenery under a cloudy sky. The group poses happily near a small lake in a scenic outdoor setting.

A couple stands close together on a mountain trail at sunset, holding a small dog. Two other dogs sit and stand nearby. Snow-capped mountains and green valleys are visible in the background.

A smiling man and woman stand close together outdoors in the mountains, lovingly holding and petting a small, fluffy puppy between them as the sun sets.

A couple embraces on a grassy mountain ridge, with the woman in a flowing dress and the man in casual clothes. A large, softly lit mountain rises in the background under a clear sky.

A smiling woman in a blue dress leads a man by the hand up a rocky hillside, with mountains and scattered snow patches in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A couple holds hands and walks along a grassy hilltop with distant, tree-covered mountains and patches of snow under a soft, golden sky.

A couple stands outdoors holding hands, with a woman in a flowing blue dress and a man in a gray sweater. Snow-capped mountains and patches of green landscape are visible in the background.

A bride in a flowing white dress and a groom in a gray suit hold hands and walk through a grassy mountain landscape with rugged peaks in the background.

A couple sits on a grassy hillside at sunset, embracing and kissing with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

Two men sit close together on grass, smiling at each other with mountains and patches of snow in the background under a cloudy sky.

A couple stands holding hands and exchanging vows outdoors by a small mountain lake, surrounded by a group of guests. Sunlight shines down from above, casting long shadows over the rocky terrain.

Two women in white dresses sit closely together on a blanket outdoors, smiling and embracing, with mountains and rocky terrain in the background. A bouquet and water bottle are beside them.

Two brides sit on grass in wedding dresses, smiling and holding mugs, with mountains in the background at sunset. One bride wears a jacket over her dress, and a bouquet rests nearby.

A couple walks hand in hand down a snow-covered road surrounded by snowy hills and scattered trees, with snow gently falling and low visibility in the wintry landscape.

A couple in winter clothes holds hands and walks uphill through deep snow, surrounded by snow-covered pine trees on a foggy day. The woman wears a long white dress and colorful coat; the man wears brown pants and a jacket.

Loveland Pass Wedding Photos

Even if you’re not eloping with just the two of you, there are so many great spots up here for small family ceremonies and intimate weddings!

A group of adults and children dressed in formal attire walk up a sunlit, grassy hillside with mountains and pine trees in the background. The scene feels joyful and picturesque.

A small wedding party, including a bride in a white dress and a person carrying a bouquet, walks along a scenic mountain trail surrounded by evergreen trees and hills at sunset.

A couple in formal wedding attire walks hand in hand on a grassy hillside, with dramatic, sunlit mountains in the background.

A small wedding ceremony takes place outdoors on a mountain, with the couple exchanging vows surrounded by family and friends. Cloudy skies and scenic mountain peaks form the backdrop.

A bride in a white dress hugs a groom in a dark suit from behind as they stand in a sunlit meadow with yellow flowers near a lake, surrounded by mountains and greenery.

A bride and groom stand in a field of yellow wildflowers beside a calm mountain lake, with tall mountains and pine trees in the background under a clear sky.

A wedding ceremony takes place outdoors on a grassy hill, surrounded by guests, with majestic green mountains and blue sky in the background. The couple stands facing each other, holding hands.

A group of people dressed in semi-formal clothing stand and talk near tables set up outdoors on a grassy hill, with tall mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A groom in a suit holds a bouquet and leads his bride, wearing a white dress, up a rocky, flower-dotted hillside with mountains in the background.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand beside a calm mountain lake, with green hills and clear reflections in the water under soft, evening light.

A couple kisses during their outdoor wedding ceremony, surrounded by family and friends, with mountains, a lake, and wildflowers in the background on a sunny day.

A small group gathers outdoors near a scenic mountain lake for a wedding ceremony, surrounded by wildflowers and greenery, with mountains rising in the background under a clear sky.

A couple stands on a snowy mountain slope, gazing at a vast landscape of snow-covered peaks under a partly cloudy sky. The man wears suspenders and the woman is in a long dress, creating a romantic scene.

A couple dressed in formal attire walks hand in hand across a snowy mountain landscape, with snow-covered peaks and scattered trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand across a grassy field toward distant mountains at sunset. The bride wears a veil and white gown, holding a bouquet, while the groom is in a dark suit.

Hey I’m Maddie Mae

Loveland Pass Elopement Photographer

I’m a born-and-raised Colorado elopement photographer and for the last decade I’ve been designing, planning, & photographing adventure elopements across the state of Colorado and anywhere else on the planet that you can dream up.

If you’re looking for an experienced local who knows Colorado like the back of her hand and is passionate about creating an incredible experience for you, you’re in the right place!

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She wears a black blazer, a black top, and a pendant necklace. The background is a plain light gray wall.

Loveland Pass Elopement Packages

Planning any kind of wedding (even a small one like an elopement) can be stressful—which is why I include extensive planning help in all of my elopement photography packages.

You won’t have to worry about how to find the best locations, when the best time of day for lighting is, how to figure out permits, or deal with any annoying logistics. With 300+ elopements planned & photographed and a lifetime of experience in Colorado, I’m ready to be your guide to getting married your way (and having the incredible photos to prove it).

includes:

4+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae

The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™

Unique & secluded locations, bespoke activity ideas with pre-vetted guides, fun & luxurious lodging options, an experience-focused timeline, mood board & personalized styling suggestions, travel advice, VIP Planning Guide, and customized packing checklists

Free initial planning consultation call, direct access to Maddie Mae via text & email, unlimited planning consultations, unlimited collaboration & revisions, pre-vetted local vendor recommendations, and advice &and help with permits & marriage licenses

Guided + FUN photography experience, empathetic posing & directing, creative GIFS &and drone photography, hand-crafted editing, full-resolution image files with printing rights, digital gallery to view, download, & print, complementary album design, and convenient print ordering

My travel costs are covered and included to anywhere in Colorado

Starting at $6,000 for 4-hours of coverage.

Full-day, multi-day, and custom packages available.

No added travel costs. No hidden fees of any kind.

INQUIRE FOR AVAILABILITY & MORE INFO

Hey there!

I’m Maddie Mae

Your Elopement Photographer, Experience Designer & Planning Consultant  

For the last 14 years I’ve traveled to 40 countries, all 7 continents, and planned & photographed over 300 elopements all over the world.

About Maddie Mae Elopement
Packages & Pricing Contact Me