Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding & Elopement Guide

Ultimate Guide : Cost, Photos & Alternatives

Sapphire Point Overlook is a small wedding venue in Colorado that features stunning mountain views and overlooks Dillon Reservoir. As local Colorado photographers, we have insider tips to share with you if you’re considering a Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding or elopement. Discover the pros and cons of getting married at Sapphire Point, the cost, photos, alternatives and more.

Sapphire Point Wedding Pros And Cons

Pro: Beautiful views

The most obvious reason to get married at Sapphire Point is that it’s stunning!

Pro: it’s accessible

Only an hour drive from Denver, Sapphire Point is easy to get to. It’s also only a short walk from the parking lot, making it accessible for you and your guests.

Pro: It’s affordable

It only costs a couple hundred dollars to have your ceremony at Sapphire Point. This is MUCH cheaper than most venues.

Con: It’s very busy

The biggest reason NOT to have your wedding at Sapphire Point is because it is almost always swarming with tourists. If privacy is important to you, you may want to consider another location.

FAQ

How to get married at Sapphire Point Overlook in Colorado

1) Choose a date

First, decide what time of year you’d like to have your wedding and choose a date. Monday-Thursday is best for privacy.

2) Reserve your time slot

Then, you can reserve your desired time slot. Early morning or late evening is highly recommended!

3) Hire your vendors

Once you secure your spot, you’ll then want to book your wedding vendors such as your wedding photographer, videographer, florist and hair and makeup artist.

4) Get Married!

All that’s left is to get married at Sapphire Point Overlook!

Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding Cost

The cost for a Sapphire Point Overlook wedding is only $120, which covers a three hour time slot for your ceremony. You will also need a Colorado marriage license, which is $30 from Summit County.

At a minimum, you will also want to hire a photographer and videographer. You may optionally want to hire a florist, hair and makeup artist, officiant and transportation.

FAQ

Sapphire Point Wedding Reservation & Permit

To obtain your Sapphire Point wedding permit, you will make a reservation via reservation.gov. Reservations become available 6 months in advance of the wedding date.

Since there are 4 time slots available everyday and it’s available year-round, reservations are not competitive (unlike Maroon Bells). We highly recommend an early morning (6-9am) or late evening (6-9pm) time slot for the best lighting and highest chance of privacy.

It is important to note that your reservation does not reserve the location exclusively for you- the public is welcome to come and go through as they please.

How Long Is Sapphire Point Overlook Trail?

The full Sapphire Point Overlook Trail is 0.6 miles total, which takes about 15 minutes to walk. However, the ceremony at Sapphire Point Overlook is just about a 5 minute, easy walk from the parking lot along a gravel path.

The parking lot fits a decent amount of cars, however since it’s such a busy location they do have a 2 vehicle limit for weddings. This means you may need a shuttle if you are inviting a lot of guests.

PS – There is a small bathroom at the trailhead, though it can be quite awful due to the overuse.

FAQ

When To Get Married At Sapphire Point

Best Time Of Year To Get Married At Sapphire Point Overlook

Sapphire Point Overlook is open and accessible year round! The best time to plan your wedding at the overlook depends on what type of scenery, weather and experience you are hoping for. It’s truly gorgeous in every season, but here’s a breakdown of the seasons so you can choose when is best for you:

Spring Sapphire Overlook Wedding

April, May & June

While April and May are unpredictable, June at Sapphire Point is one of our favorite times of year there! The mountains are still capped with snow and the temperature is mild and perfect for weddings.

As photographers, this is personally our favorite time of year for weddings and elopements at Sapphire Point because the mountains still have snow which looks stunning in photos.

Summer Sapphire Overlook Wedding

July & August to mid September

Summer at Sapphire Point means warmer temperatures, clear trails and lots to do and see. Consider renting a sail boat on Dillon Reservoir after your ceremony!

Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Colorado mountains, especially during the summer months. However, these rain storms can mostly be avoided by opting for a sunrise or sunset event.

Summer at Sapphire Point Overlook on Dillon Reservoir

Fall Sapphire Overlook Wedding

Mid-September To October

If you’re hoping for fall colors, you should plan for late September. The best fall colors are in different locations around Dillon Reservoir that have more aspens than Sapphire point. This photo was taken at a nearby trail. Hire a local photographer that can show you the best fall spots!

However, keep in mind that fall can be hit or miss. You can have beautiful fall colors one day, then it can snow storm the next and take down lots of leaves. Be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way!

Winter Sapphire Overlook Wedding

November to march

Winter at Sapphire Point is beautiful! You will need to have proper footwear, and you may even want to wear spikes for your hiking boots so you don’t slip. The path up to Sapphire Point Overlook is sloped, so it is easy to slip even when you’re being careful.

If you’re adventurous and enjoy winter sports like skiing or snowboarding, this could be the perfect time for your elopement as Sapphire Point is nearby to a few ski hills like Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail.

Be prepared for cold temperatures and snowy conditions. When planning a winter elopement it’s important to be prepared for the elements and have an indoor location you can use as a back-up incase of storms.

Choose A Weekday At Sunrise

We always recommend having your wedding on a weekday (Monday-Thursday) to minimize the amount of tourists that will be in the area. Sunrise or sunset is the best time of day to elope for the most privacy and best lighting!

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Sapphire Point Overlook Alternatives

wedding venues similar to Sapphire Point

If you’ve been reading this guide carefully, you may be a bit concerned about the privacy issues that come with choosing Sapphire Point Overlook for your wedding. The good news is that there are TONS of other small wedding venues in Colorado, Breckenridge wedding venues and even more Colorado elopement locations for couples planning to get married with no guests or just a few.

Here are some alternatives to a Sapphire Point wedding:

Windy Point Campground

Windy Point Campground is the most similar location to Sapphire Point, as it’s located just down the road and still overlooks Dillon Reservoir. We love this venue because it is very private, unlike Sapphire Point!

Cost: $240+
Guest Count: Up to 100

View Guide & Photos

Small Wedding Venues In CO

If you are having more than 10 guests we recommend booking a location for your ceremony. The good news? There’s tons of beautiful small wedding venues around Colorado. Learn more in our guide below.

VIEW Best Venues

Elopement Locations In CO

Planning to elope just the two of you, or with just a few guests? If you’re planning a small wedding with up to around 10 guests, you have SO many options for beautiful places to get married in Colorado (most of which don’t require a reservation or fee)!

VIEW Best LOCATIONS

Sapphire Point Wedding Photos

BROWSE Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding Photos

Hey, we’re Savannah & Greg!

Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding Photographers

We’re a husband and wife team specializing in elopement photography and videography in Colorado. We believe eloping is the best way to get married, so much so that we did it ourselves! We know it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start, which is why we help couples set a date, pick a location, make a timeline, etc!

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We know how important it is to vibe well with your photographers- it’s important to us too.

Submit the contact form for a free consultation! We’ll set up a time to connect over the phone or video chat and get to know each other.