How to Stay Warm During a Colorado Winter Elopement
I'll be honest — I used to dread shooting in the winter. Give me a 90-degree afternoon over frozen fingers any day. But Colorado winters taught me something: when you know what you're doing, cold is just a setting. It doesn't have to be a problem.
After years of shooting elopements across the state in every kind of winter weather, I've figured out what actually works — and what couples consistently underestimate. This is the stuff I tell every single couple before a winter session. Read it, save it, send it to whoever's asking "but what do I wear?"
And if you're still in the planning stage, start with the full guide to eloping in Colorado first — then come back here.
Why Elope in Colorado in Winter?
Before we get into the logistics, a few reasons this season is actually worth it:
Less crowded. Popular spots that get overrun in summer are yours in winter.
Big chunky snowflakes photograph beautifully. There's a reason people want snowy elopement photos.
Early golden hour. The sun sets around 4:30-5pm in winter, which means you wrap photos and still have a full evening for dinner, hot springs, whatever.
Privacy. Some of the most stunning Colorado locations are genuinely empty in winter.
No hiking required. Most of my no-hike elopement locations are accessible year-round — snow doesn't change that.
What To Actually Expect Temperature-Wise
Colorado winters at elevation run cold. Think 20-40°F at ceremony time, often colder once you factor in wind chill. The "300 days of sunshine" thing is technically true but misleading at altitude — a bluebird day at 11,000 feet in January still has teeth.
The upside: sunny days at elevation feel warmer than the number says because you're closer to the sun and there's less atmosphere between you and it. The downside: overcast and windy can sneak up on you fast.
Bottom line: plan for cold, hope for sunshine. The couples who are comfortable all day are the ones who dressed for the worst-case and got the best-case instead.
Cuddle Up And Get Cozy
This is the free tip. No gear required.
Body heat is a real thing, scientifically proven and everything. Lean in, wrap your arms around each other, steal your partners warmth. It also just makes for better photos than two people standing politely apart in a snowfield, so this one is doing double duty.
Bring Blankets (Pendleton + Rumpl Are Your Best Friends)
Pendleton wool blankets are my personal favorites because the colors and patterns actually add something to photos. A Rumpl down blanket is immediately, aggressively warm — like being hugged by a heated cloud. But honestly any blanket. Bring one.
They do triple duty: warmth between shots, something to sit on so you don't soak through your clothes, something to set your things on so nothing touches the snow. This is not a complicated tip but it's one of the ones that makes the biggest practical difference.
Hand Warmers, Foot Warmers, Body Warmers — All of It
HotHands air activated warmers are small, cheap, and make a real difference. They come in options for hands, feet, and body so shove them wherever you need them. If you'd rather not go single use, rechargeable battery powered hand warmers are widely available now and work great too.
If you forget to bring some, there's a good chance I've got a stockpile in the car. But also don't count on it because I seriously go through those things. So be sure to grab your own and stuff them in your bag the night before.
Wear Warm Outerwear That Still Looks Good in Photos
If all your outdoor gear is battered technical jackets that have seen too many trail miles — no shame, same — but for photos, it matters.
My honest recommendation: go thrifting. A knee length wool coat for $10-20 at a Goodwill will photograph better than anything you'd buy new, and you can find genuinely incredible vintage pieces if you look. Warm AND photogenic.
Don't have a warm coat you love? I've got you covered — literally. I have a thrifting addiction and therefor way too many cute vintage coats, including a Pendleton plaid cape, a long white wool jacket, and a Pendleton print jacket. Just let me know before your session and I can bring you one. One less thing to figure out.
Layer Up: Base Layers, Wool, and What Actually Works
Layering is the whole game. Not just "wear a coat" — actual layering from skin out.
Start with a thermal base layer directly against your skin. Smartwool and Patagonia Capilene are both thin enough that they won't make your dress or suit look bulky. This is the layer that traps heat before anything else can help. It is non-negotiable. Do not skip it because you think it'll ruin the silhouette.
If you're wearing a dress: Skin-tone fleece-lined leggings are your best friend. Invisible under most dresses and the difference between miserable and fine is immediately apparent once you're outside. Wool leggings work great too. Add a long sleeve undershirt if there's room in the neckline.
If you're wearing a suit: Thermal base layer top and bottoms under your shirt and pants. It adds zero visible bulk and you'll feel the difference within five minutes of being outside. Wool or tweed suit fabrics run warmer than standard suiting. Worth keeping in mind if you're still shopping.
Don't skip layers because you think they'll show. They won't. What shows is being so cold you can't relax in front of the camera.
What To Wear On Your Feet (This Is The One People Get Wrong)
Cold feet ruin days faster than almost anything else. Here's the system:
Start with a thin moisture-wicking sock, then a thicker wool sock on top. Change your socks right before we start shooting — if your feet sweated on the drive up, you're starting cold. This is a mistake I still have to remind myself about every winter.
Your boots need to be waterproof. Not water resistant. Waterproof. If you're not sure, assume they're not and plan accordingly. Insulated boot insoles are a cheap upgrade with a noticeable payoff at altitude. And wear two pairs of socks throughout the day, swapping when needed.
If you want to wear nicer shoes for a few shots, keep them in the car and swap in just for those moments. Nobody needs to hike through snow in wedding shoes to get to the ceremony spot.
Have Warm Drinks Between Locations
Car warm ups between spots are mandatory in winter. Non negotiable.
I personally love to level it up with something hot like coffee, hot cocoa, or, who are we kidding, a hot toddy in a Yeti (optional but strongly recommended.)
If you want something warm at the session and couldn't prep ahead of time, let me know before the day. I can usually make it happen from the car. I keep a lot of things in that car.
Campfire as a Ceremony Setup (Not Just a Warmup)
This one requires a little planning depending on where we're shooting, but if it's an option? Always yes.
There's something about ending a winter elopement huddled in blankets in front of a fire with hot drinks in hand that just closes the loop perfectly. The photos are always some of my favorites. You're actually warm. Your clothes are going to smell like smoke for two weeks.
Worth it.
Keep Moving: Why My Prompts Help You Stay Warm
I give movement prompts constantly anyway. Walking, dipping, running toward each other, spinning. And in winter this is extra useful because standing completely still in the cold is how you get miserable fast.
When you're moving, your core heats up, your feet stay better insulated because you're not just standing on frozen ground. A 35 degree day starts to feel like 50 when you're actually moving around in it. Honest.
End Your Day at a Colorado Hot Spring
This is Colorado, which means a hot spring is usually within reasonable driving distance of wherever we're shooting. (Unless you're on the Eastern Plains. Then I genuinely cannot help you.)
The San Juans especially have great options close to popular elopement areas. If you're planning around Ouray, Silverton, or the broader San Juan Mountains, hot springs are basically built into the day. Booking on a weekday gives you much better odds of having the place to yourself.
Going from cold air into hot water after your wedding day is one of those experiences that's hard to explain until you've done it. Just trust me on this one.
Bring a Tent or Hammock for a Cozy In-Between Spot
Okay this one sounds unhinged. Hear me out.
A tent with the rainfly on is genuinely warm inside. And the photos of couples curled up in a hammock or peeking out of a tent opening in a snowfield are some of my all-time favorites. It's a prop AND a heating solution. That is called efficiency.
Here's the thing about winter elopements: most couples who do them are shocked by how much they enjoyed it. The cold is real. So is having the mountain entirely to yourselves. So is the way snow makes light do things it doesn't do any other time of year. So is getting in the car afterward, cranking the heat, and eating brie with your cheeks still pink.
Planning your winter elopement and figuring out the logistics? Check out the full Colorado elopement guide for everything from permits to timelines.
And if you want a Colorado elopement package that handles the planning side so you can just show up and get married — that's an option too.
