When my couples come out to Colorado to elope, they’re usually after one thing – the epic views.
There are plenty of accessible options here where you can find amazing scenery without needing to hike, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love the adventure that comes with trekking up the mountains to shoot an elopement. Aly & Alex chose St. Mary’s Glacier as their spot to elope for the accessible reviews with their sweet pup!
While it’s only a short, half-mile hike out to the lake, St. Mary’s Glacier is a great spot for adventurous couples who want to lace up their boots and hit the trail! It’s a quick drive, about an hour, from Denver to the St. Mary’s Glacier trailhead in Idaho Springs, and you’ll get stunning panoramic views of both the lake and the mountains – just what you’d expect from Colorado. In the mid to late summer, you’ll get fields full of wildflowers and mountain views. In the winter, you’ll be surrounded by snow-covered mountains and a sparkling, frozen lake. You can’t go wrong with this dream spot! Aly & Alex got married during a classic random Colorado snowstorm & St. Mary’s offered an amazing backdrop welcoming all the snow.
Eloping at St. Mary’s Glacier? Here are some tips:
Like I said, getting to this location requires some hiking. If that’s not your thing, you’ll want to look for some other spots to say “I do.” It’s only about a half-mile to the lake, so a mile round trip, but the trail conditions can be unpredictable throughout the year, so definitely wear your hiking boots or at least some water-resistant shoes with good traction.
St. Mary’s is a popular hiking trail which means it can get busy, especially during weekends in the summer. To avoid the crowds, plan a week-day elopement, or if you can only make a weekend work, make sure you’re there early in the morning or later in the evening to have more privacy.
If it’s important to have your fur baby at your elopement, you’re in luck! St. Mary’s allows doggos as long as they’re on a leash. Another perk of this location – bathrooms are conveniently right near the trailhead.
There are also two parking lots near the trailhead that you can park in for $5 – this is your only option! Parking is not allowed on the side of the road and you’ll land yourself an expensive ticket if you break that rule. They only accept cash, so bring those dolla dolla bills y’all.
As far photography goes, your photographer won’t need a permit at St. Mary’s, but it’s still so important to make sure everyone you’re with is respecting the environment and staying on the marked trails to avoid disrupting nature.
Places to Check Out in Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs has become a popular pit-stop for people taking I-70 into or out of the mountains. The town is known for its hot springs, but it also has a cute little downtown area and some great options for outdoor adventures.
When my couples come out to Colorado to elope, they’re usually after one thing – the epic views.
There are plenty of accessible options here where you can find amazing scenery without needing to hike, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love the adventure that comes with trekking up the mountains to shoot an elopement. Aly & Alex chose St. Mary’s Glacier as their spot to elope for the accessible reviews with their sweet pup!
While it’s only a short, half-mile hike out to the lake, St. Mary’s Glacier is a great spot for adventurous couples who want to lace up their boots and hit the trail! It’s a quick drive, about an hour, from Denver to the St. Mary’s Glacier trailhead in Idaho Springs, and you’ll get stunning panoramic views of both the lake and the mountains – just what you’d expect from Colorado. In the mid to late summer, you’ll get fields full of wild flowers and mountain views. In the winter, you’ll be surrounded by snow-covered mountains and a sparkling, frozen lake. You can’t go wrong with this dream spot! Aly & Alex got married during a classic random Colorado snow storm & St. Mary’s offered an amazing backdrop welcoming all the snow.
Eloping at St. Mary’s Glacier? Here are some tips:
Like I said, getting to this location requires some hiking. If that’s not your thing, you’ll want to look for some other spots to say “I do.” It’s only about a half-mile to the lake, so a mile round trip, but the trail conditions can be unpredictable throughout the year, so definitely wear your hiking boots or at least some water-resistant shoes with good traction.
St. Mary’s is a popular hiking trail which means it can get busy, especially during weekends in the summer. To avoid the crowds, plan a week-day elopement, or if you can only make a weekend work, make sure you’re there early in the morning or later in the evening to have more privacy.
If it’s important to have your fur baby at your elopement, you’re in luck! St. Mary’s allows doggos as long as they’re on a leash. Another perk of this location – bathrooms are conveniently right near the trailhead.
There are also two parking lots near the trailhead that you can park in for $5 – this is your only option! Parking is not allowed on the side of the road and you’ll land yourself an expensive ticket if you break that rule. They only accept cash, so bring those dolla dolla bills y’all.
As far photography goes, your photographer won’t need a permit at St. Mary’s, but it’s still so important to make sure everyone you’re with is respecting the environment and staying on the marked trails to avoid disrupting nature.
Places to Check Out in Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs has become a popular pit-stop for people taking I-70 into or out of the mountains. The town is known for its hot springs, but it also has a cute little downtown area and some great options for outdoor adventures.
Looking for your dream photographer, hiking buddy, and bestie all in one? I’m your girl. Let’s start planning your Colorado elopement!
"Hiring McKenzie to photograph our wedding was single-handedly the best decision we made when planning our wedding. Wedding planning and vendor research was so stressful, and once we had Kenzie, she stepped in as support and helped us with narrowing down things that were important to us and to figure out what we really wanted. wish we could get married over and over again just to recreate these and work with Kenzie again! "
Nadia + Daniel
"You will not find another wedding photographer who has the McKenzie signature style- she can capture the absolute beauty of the area and people all at once. She can shoot in a variety of settings and lightings and the photos are all gorgeous. One of the main reasons we booked McKenzie was the fact that she showcases a diverse clientele and finds beauty in all beings- something not all photographers can say.As a plus size bride who was extremely worried about looking back at my wedding pictures with dread that I wouldn't look like those gorgeous girlies on Instagram- this meant so much to me. "
Sydnie + Nathan
"When we got engaged, we searched near and far for an elopement photographer - & we met with several different photographers but none felt right until we met McKenzie. My husband, my dog and I are avid hikers - we wanted a beautiful hike and view, but it was also very important that we could be our authentic selves and intimately celebrate our 10 years together in the way we wanted. I'll be honest, I was shy about wanting to elope (ya know, family opinions and such), but McKenzie made us feel so comfortable in our decision. She wholeheartedly welcomed us being.. us! We couldn't have asked for more."
