Great Sand Dunes National Park elopement // Ashley + Pat
We’re showcasing one of our all-time favorite elopements in today’s blog post! You already know how much we love the Colorado mountains as an elopement location… but we also love other in-state destinations just as much. For all our couples who want something a little out-of-the-box, this one is for you!
Great Sand Dunes National Park Elopement
First thing’s first: This elopement at the Great Sand Dunes National Park was a styled one! Styled elopements are put together by wedding professionals for the purpose of providing you with unique inspiration for your day. Of course, your elopement will never look the exact same as anything online, but styled shoots are a great first step in visualizing what your day could look like. And it gives us vendors a chance to get familiar with the location and receive hands-on experience to provide you with the absolute best expertise possible!
There is truly something SO special about choosing the Sand Dunes as your Colorado elopement location. The desolate, secluded, expansive views make you feel like you are the only people around for hundreds of miles. At the same time, you feel daring and adventurous with this epic, out-of-this-world landscape surrounding you. Whether you want to spend the day hiking or have an intimate picnic after your vows (or both!), the dunes are just the perfect place to do it.
From an aesthetic perspective, the neutral color palette of the sand allows your wedding attire to stand out more so than it would in other settings. Likeeeee, just look at Ashley and Pat’s photos! The tones of their outfit complement the color of the sand perfectly, giving such soft and dreamy photos.
Why Great Sand Dunes National Park is Perfect for Unique Colorado Elopements
Great Sand Dunes National Park offers something completely different from Colorado's typical mountain wedding locations – and that's exactly what makes it so magical for couples wanting a truly unique elopement experience. Located in southern Colorado, this otherworldly landscape features the tallest sand dunes in North America rising dramatically against the backdrop of the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains. What makes the Great Sand Dunes perfect for elopements is the incredible sense of isolation and adventure it provides – you'll feel like you've been transported to another planet while still being in Colorado. The park's diverse landscapes offer endless variety for your celebration, from the dramatic dunes themselves to alpine lakes, wetlands, and grasslands, all within one stunning national park. Plus, the unique desert environment means your wedding photos will look unlike anything else, with those iconic rolling sand dunes creating backdrops that are both dramatic and romantic.
Sample Sand Dunes elopement timeline
I highly recommend starting at a nearby Airbnb to get ready (check out this gorgeous cabin right next to the Dunes!), having a slow morning, and really just soaking it all in. The amazing thing about eloping is that you can do whatever the heck you want!! Think about what (or who) you would include in your dream day. If you have a pup, I’ve got great news for you… Great Sand Dunes National Park is dog-friendly! So, take a road trip, bring your dog, and let’s have a rad elopement experience.
Planning Your Great Sand Dunes National Park Wedding
Elopements at Great Sand Dunes National Park require special planning considerations that make working with experienced local photographers and planners essential. The park requires special use permits for wedding ceremonies, and timing is crucial both for permits and for the best experience – summer temperatures on the sand can exceed 100°F, making spring and fall the ideal seasons for celebrations. The logistics of getting to ceremony locations within the park also require careful planning, as some areas require hiking through sand (which is harder than it looks!). Weather patterns in the San Luis Valley can change quickly, so having backup plans and understanding seasonal considerations is important. However, these planning challenges are totally worth it for couples who want an elopement that feels like an incredible adventure and results in photos that are completely unique and unforgettable.
Great Sand Dunes Elopement Photography: Creating Desert Magic
As photographers who specialize in unique Colorado elopement locations, we can tell you that Great Sand Dunes National Park creates some of the most striking and editorial-style wedding images you'll find anywhere. The neutral color palette of the sand provides this incredible, clean backdrop that makes couples and their attire really pop in photos, while the dramatic lines and curves of the dunes create natural leading lines and compositions. What makes Sand Dunes photography so special is the way light interacts with the sand throughout the day – sunrise and sunset create these gorgeous golden tones and long shadows that add depth and drama to every image. The vastness of the landscape also allows for both intimate close-up portraits and epic wide shots that show the scale and beauty of this unique environment. Plus, the contrast between flowing wedding dresses and the sculptural sand dunes creates this beautiful juxtaposition of soft and strong elements.
What to Expect During Your Sand Dunes Elopement Day
Great Sand Dunes elopements offer a completely unique experience that requires some preparation but delivers unforgettable memories. The sand can be challenging to walk on, especially in formal attire, so we always recommend bringing comfortable shoes for hiking and saving your formal footwear for photos. The park's remote location means limited cell service, so detailed planning and communication with your photographer and any vendors is essential. However, this remoteness is also what makes the experience so special – you'll truly feel like you have this incredible landscape all to yourselves. The silence and vastness of the dunes create this incredible sense of intimacy and connection, both with each other and with the natural world. We love helping couples embrace the adventure aspect of Sand Dunes elopements while ensuring every detail is planned for a seamless, stress-free experience.
GREAT SAND DUNES ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERs + PLANNERs
Ready to say "I do" in one of Colorado's most unique and breathtaking landscapes? When you book with our team for your Great Sand Dunes National Park elopement, you're getting complete planning and photography services that handle all the complexities of this extraordinary location.
Our all-in-one Sand Dunes elopement experience includes:
National Park Permit Coordination: We handle all special use permit applications and park requirements so you don't have to navigate the bureaucracy
Custom Timeline Creation: Detailed schedules that work with park regulations, optimal lighting, and comfortable temperatures on the sand
Location Scouting: We know the best ceremony spots within the park and can recommend locations based on your vision and hiking abilities
Vendor Coordination: Working with our trusted team who have experience with the unique logistics of Sand Dunes celebrations
Adventure Photography: Our documentary approach captures both the epic landscape and intimate moments that make desert elopements so special
The Sand Dunes offer an elopement experience unlike anywhere else in Colorado – it's dramatic, adventurous, and absolutely unforgettable. If you're ready to create something truly unique, reach out to us here and let's start planning your desert adventure!
