Elopement Photos That Make the Case for Getting Hitched Somewhere Cold
These celebrations are bound to give you winter and snowy-weather wanderlust, and may just inspire you to plan a small, chilly, destination affair.
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Photography: Sarah Culver Photography
For modern brides and grooms, elopements aren't always speedy or secret. And even if they are, they're exceptionally elevated. Some couples just don't have or want a big guest list. Others choose to spend money traveling somewhere to say their vows, instead of shelling out for traditional details like a formal venue and lots of décor. The latter option is gaining traction, thanks to gorgeous photographs from these sorts of celebrations, which often take place outside, and are held someplace with stunning views.
A cold or wintertime destination might seem like an unlikely choice for an outdoor elopement, and especially one with notable scenery. Won't the chill detract from the experience? Won't the setting make dressing up more difficult? Isn't everything barren? These breathtaking images prove otherwise. Whether the following couples got hitched in the winter, or just chose a venue—in any season—with snow, they found a way to embrace the weather, and discovered some of the most beautiful locations imaginable.
Maybe you've always wanted an extremely intimate wedding. Or maybe, you haven't thought about it until now. Either way, these snapshots are bound to make you consider venturing out (to the mountains, overseas, or simply anywhere where there are flurries) to exchange vows and take the portraits of a lifetime. These couples hiked, trudged, and helicoptered—in stylish ensembles, none the less—to brave low temperatures and tie the knot in wanderlust-inducing ways. Get rustic and urban elopement ideas alike for your own cold or snowy special day.
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Photography: Benji Haisch2 of 36
Rustic Elopement
Dunton Hot Springs in Dunton, Colorado, provided a rustic backdrop for this couple's intimate winter wedding.
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Photography: Brittany Photographs3 of 36
Sunlit Elopement
This bride and groom took their elopement portraits on snow-covered grass, with the sun illuminating the mountains behind them.
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Photography: Brittany Photographs4 of 36
Flurry Elopement
Snowflakes made a welcome appearance during this couple's elopement shoot, which took place at a stunning, outdoorsy location.
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Photography: Trek and Bloom5 of 36
Freezing Elopement
It was freezing cold when this couple eloped, but you'd never know it based on those smiles.
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Photography: Maddie Mae6 of 36
Adventurous Elopement
This daring pair stood on the edge of a fallen tree to behold the Rocky Mountains. Their elopement was held at St. Mary's Glacier near Idaho Springs, Colorado.
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Photography: Cassidy Carson Photography7 of 36
Lakeside Elopement
These two eloped beside Lake Tahoe, California, as the sun set beautifully over the pristine water.
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Photography: Christie Graham Photography8 of 36
Sweet Elopement
Canada's Whistler, British Columbia, served as the setting for this couple's sweet elopement portrait.
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Photography: L.A. Birdie Photography9 of 36
Stylish Elopement
For her intimate wedding, this bride dressed for the chilly weather, wearing a furry stole over her glamorous gown.
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Photography: Levi Tijerina10 of 36
Icy Elopement
This Dunton, Colorado, elopement provides further evidence that Dunton Hot Springs will leave you awestruck in the winter.
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Photography: Shuttergram Portraits11 of 36
Meadow Elopement
These spouses chose El Capitan Meadow, located in Yosemite Valley, California, as the backdrop for their elopement. The snowy landscape made their photos all the more stunning.
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Photography: Sarah Culver Photography12 of 36
Woodsy Elopement
You don't have to go far for a snowy elopement—just head out into the woods somewhere with flurries in the winter.
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Photography: Cat Mayer Studio13 of 36
Scenic Elopement
Maroon Bells near Aspen, Colorado, is an incredible option for a destination elopement. This couple embraced the beauty by taking some portraits by the water.
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Photography: Maddie Mae14 of 36
Mountain Elopement
These two stopped for an embrace, with snow-covered mountains beyond them.
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Photography: Priscila Valentina15 of 36
Canyon Elopement
This couple ventured out to Arizona's Grand Canyon to take awe-inspiring snapshots and, of course, elope.
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Photography: Shuttergram Portraits16 of 36
Wonderland Elopement
Talk about a winter wonderland! The bride's princess-inspired wedding dress helped set the mood.
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Photography: James + Schulze17 of 36
Skating Elopement
Make your elopement uniquely your own with creative portraits, like this couple did. They slipped on their skates at Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado.
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Photography: Maddie Mae18 of 36
Pretty Elopement
We love this bride's warm-hued bouquet, which contrasted prettily against her destination's blanket of snow.
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Photography: ENV Photography19 of 36
Breathtaking Elopement
Imagine walking into newly-wedded bliss with this landscape before you.
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Photography: Dawn Thomson Photography20 of 36
Incredible Elopement
These spouses looked out over amazingly-scenic views for their elopement.
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Photography: David Buzzard Photography21 of 36
Outdoorsy Elopement
This couple also got hitched in Canada's Whistler, British Columbia. The snowy locale is popular for good reason.
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Photography: Maddie Mae22 of 36
Chilly Elopement
This bride wore a flower crown that complemented the colors found at her elopement's snow-filled location.
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Photography: ENV Photography23 of 36
Cozy Elopement
Cuddle up with the love of your life in the middle of the wilderness, with snow-covered trees. Don't these two make it look so appealing?
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Photography: Elvira Kalviste24 of 36
City Elopement
On the flipside, you can plan for an urban elopement instead. These brides tied the knot in Brooklyn, New York, and posed on a snow-lined street.
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Photography: Dawn Thomson Photography25 of 36
Helicopter Elopement
This couple went all out and took a helicopter into the mountains in Queenstown, New Zealand. Just look at that gorgeous water and the snow-capped mountains beyond.
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Photography: ENV Photography26 of 36
Lovely Elopement
This bride's pink skirt popped against the snow at her Banff, Alberta, Canada, elopement.
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Photography: Maddie Mae27 of 36
Wilderness Elopement
Meanwhile, this bride wore boots to hike through her elopement destination.
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Photography: Cassidy Brooke28 of 36
Intimate Elopement
These spouses went south of Lake George, Colorado, to tie the knot by the reservoir at Eleven Mile.
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Photography: Brittany Photographs29 of 36
Snowy Elopement
The soft snowflakes made the chill worth it for this couple, who wed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Photography: Benj Haisch30 of 36
Riverside Elopement
A flowing river roared behind these two as they eloped. The area around them was covered in patches of snow.
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Photography: From the Daisies31 of 36
Dreamy Elopement
This pair selected a dreamy spot to perch from in Estes Park, Colorado, for their snowy elopement.
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Photography: Brittany Photographs32 of 36
Amazing Elopement
Here's even more proof that Colorado—and the Rocky Mountains, more specifically—are breathtaking places to say your vows.
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Photography: Maddie Mae33 of 36
Fun Elopement
This groom lifted his love into the air and let her dress twirl beautifully in the process.
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Photography: Dawn Thomson Photography34 of 36
Stunning Elopement
These spouses looked into one another's eyes after eloping amid the rocks, mountains, and snow.
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Photography: Maddie Mae35 of 36
Casual Elopement
After wedding in Loveland Pass, Colorado, this couple walked hand-in-hand for their elopement portraits.
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Photography: Dawn Thomson Photography36 of 36
Cloudy Elopement
Close your eyes and picture yourself tying the knot above the clouds. These two were lucky enough to do so.
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Elopement Photos That Make the Case for Getting Hitched Somewhere Cold
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