Most Googled Elopement Locations Mini Series: Loveland Pass

This is the first episode in a series where we’re sharing our real, unfiltered opinions on the most Googled elopement locations in Colorado. Not the polished blog post version. The version from someone who has lived here their whole life and personally photographed over 380 elopements. Some of these spots fully earn their reputation. Some really don’t. And for all of them, there are things you just won’t find in a search result. Today we’re starting with Loveland Pass.

Is Loveland Pass Actually Worth the Hype?

We love it. Genuinely, without hesitation. It is one of those rare places where the photos somehow don’t do it justice, which is saying a lot because it photographs beautifully. We’ve shot 50+ elopements here and it still gets us. The variety alone is impressive. You’ve got aspen groves lower down, a mountain lake, and then that completely open, top-of-the-world feeling at the summit. Depending on your vision, there’s a version of Loveland Pass that works for almost any couple. It’s about an hour and a half from DIA, which makes logistics pretty straightforward, and it holds up at multiple times of day, so you’re not locked into one narrow window.

The Sunrise Secret That Most People Miss

Here’s the thing about sunrise at Loveland Pass: it is genuinely one of our top picks for early birds, and not just because it’s crowd-free. At a lot of alpine locations, you get maybe 20 to 30 minutes of that soft, even, magical light after the sun comes up before it turns harsh and unflattering. Loveland Pass is different. The sky up there does something special, and that window of beautiful light is significantly extended. If you want epic light, almost no people, and you don’t mind setting an alarm, sunrise here is kind of a photographer’s dream. It’s one of those insider secrets that actually lives up to the secret.

Things Google Won’t Tell You

It gets busy on weekends.

If you’re planning your ceremony at the very top of the pass, just know that area sees consistent foot traffic. For most couples, the move is a weekday (Monday through Thursday), which gives you real privacy and way more breathing room.

The altitude is no joke.

Loveland Pass sits high. Really high. We’ve actually had a bride experience altitude sickness at a sunset session here. If you or any of your guests are not acclimated, elderly, or not in great physical shape, this is not the place to push it. Drink a lot of water, give yourself a few days to adjust before the wedding, bring food and snacks, and take things slower than you think you need to.

Keep your guest count small.

This is not a venue for 30 people. The alpine tundra up there is fragile, and it is not built for large groups wandering around on it. We think just the two of you is ideal, and honestly it’s what we see most often. If you want to bring guests, cap it around 10 and please stick to designated trails. Every person who wanders off the path is part of why more and more restrictions keep getting added to places like this. If we want to keep having access to these locations, we have to treat them like they actually matter.

Our Overall Take

Loveland Pass earns its spot on every top elopement location list, and we’d put it on ours too. It’s stunning, versatile, and genuinely one of the more special places we get to work in. Just come prepared, come with a small crew, and if you can swing it, come at sunrise.

If you’re in the early stages of planning and want to see more of what a Colorado elopement can look like, our Elopement Planning Guide is a good place to start. And if you’re ready to talk about what a day at Loveland Pass could look like for you two, we’d love to hear about it. Get in touch here.