Location Guides

Sapphire Point Overlook Elopement Guide

When it comes to choosing the perfect destination for your elopement or intimate wedding, Colorado’s Sapphire Point Overlook is one of the most popular spots to plan your wedding in Colorado. Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, this picturesque location offers stunning vistas, a serene atmosphere, and a touch of wilderness that makes it an unforgettable place to say “I do.” In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to plan your elopement or intimate wedding at Sapphire Point Overlook, including permit information, ideal locations, park regulations, and tips to make your special day seamless and memorable.

Planning Your Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding

This magical wedding spot is at a 9,500 feet elevation with views of the Tenmile and Gore mountains. Sapphire point is one of the most popular and easily accessible elopement locations in Colorado. The area itself can accommodate up to 35 people. However, we prefer this location for micro weddings and elopements for under 15 people for an intimate experience.

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How to Reserve Sapphire Point Overlook for Your Wedding

Before you start planning your wedding day at Sapphire Point Overlook, it’s crucial to obtain the necessary permits. The area is managed by the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest, and they require a Special Use Permit and reservation for weddings and elopements.

Application Process: Start the permit application process a good amount of time before your wedding day since this location is popular and does fill up QUICK. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. You can make your reservation on Recreation.gov under “Day Use Campground within White National Forest”, which can be found here.

Fees: There is usually a fee associated with the permit, so be prepared to budget for this expense. Fees can vary depending on the size and complexity of your event. It is also ever-changing, so please refer to the park’s website for the most up-to-date fee. When planning your elopement at Sapphire Point Overlook, expect to pay about $128.

Choosing the Perfect Location For Your Wedding Day at Sapphire Point

Sapphire Point Overlook offers several beautiful locations for your ceremony and portraits. Here are a few popular spots to consider:

Sapphire Point: The main overlook provides panoramic views of Dillon Reservoir and the surrounding mountains. It’s an ideal location for smaller gatherings.

Lower Overlook: Located just below the main point, this spot offers more privacy and a unique perspective of the reservoir.

Northwest Point: If you’re looking for a more secluded spot with stunning lake views, the northwest point is a fantastic choice.

Wildflower Meadow: In the summer, the meadow is adorned with colorful wildflowers, making it a dreamy location for an elopement.

Permits and Leave No Trace For Sapphire Point Weddings

To ensure your elopement goes smoothly, it’s essential to adhere to park regulations:

Leave No Trace: Respect the natural environment by staying on designated paths and disposing of trash properly. Do not throw flower petals, confetti, or seeds. Don’t feed the animals (no matter how cute they are). Learn more about leaving no trace during your wedding adventure.

Wedding Guests: You can have 35 people in your wedding party. Please keep in mind this number includes you, your guests, and any vendors who are tagging along with you. Also, keep in mind the parking lot for Sapphire Point Overlook is rather small (about 22 parking spaces). If you are a group of 35, you may not have enough parking spots. Our biggest tip is to keep your party small at this location and carpool!

Reservation: Even though you have to reserve the area, you do not own exclusive use of the overlook during your allotted 3-hour time block. So keep in mind visitors can still share the space with you.

Floral and Decorations: You can bring some chairs and a free-standing wedding arch for your ceremony. However, please mention this to the park services beforehand to get a better understanding of their specific limitations on decorations.

Pets: Dogs are allowed at Sapphire Point Overlook. Please keep them leashed and pick up after them!

When to Get Married in Sapphire Point Overlook

Sapphire Point can get pretty crowded, and it can be difficult to snag a reservation last minute. If you’re considering planning your wedding day here, you also need to consider what season you prefer.

Spring Weddings – Spring flowers bring some showers right? The overlook is gorgeous during this time as the foliage starts to turn green, but keep in mind it could be raining or be super muddy and wet. Both could make for some pretty cool dirty wedding dress pictures during your adventure.

Summer Wedding – Summer is pretty amazing at Sapphire Point, but it’s also the busiest time to visit the area, so expect to see a lot of people around you.

Fall Weddings – You’ll get to admire the changing leaves from the overlook, but with the changing leaves also come some crowds.

Winter Weddings – the access road (Swan Mountain Road) and the parking lot are kept plowed during the winter, so if you’re looking for an accessible and easy elopement location for your winter wedding dreams, then you should consider reserving during this time. Keep in mind this area may be less accessible if it has been heavily snowing.

With all the seasons, you want to remember there will always be crowds. We recommend just thinking about what seasonal vibe you and your partner are looking for, and going from there. If you are not interested in sharing your wedding day space with a ton of onlookers, then consider checking out these other places to elope in Colorado.

Best Time of Day To Elope at Sapphire Point

Video by Skyewater Photo + Film

The best time to elope at Sapphire Point Overlook depends on your preference and the season. When making your reservation online, you’ll be prompted to select a timeslot, you’ll get four options to choose from that are 3 hours.

Early morning and late afternoon provide beautiful photo lighting, and you’ll often encounter fewer crowds. Sunset ceremonies are particularly popular for their romantic ambiance. We personally prefer the later afternoon times for this area. However, Colorado weather can be unpredictable, so always have a backup plan in case of rain (pack some cute transparent umbrellas).

Elopement Vendors For Your Sapphire Point Wedding Adventure

Our best advice when planning your wedding at Sapphire Point? Team up with a vendor who specializes in Sapphire Point Overlook weddings, specifically elopements and micro weddings. This way you can team up with the best and plan your magical elopement there. Check out our featured vendors below.

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