Are you traveling from a lower elevation for your elopement in the Colorado mountains? There may be one important thing you aren’t planning for: the altitude! Some of the best locations in Colorado for elopements are at a pretty high altitude (some of my favorites are Breckenridge at 9,600 feet and Crested Butte at 8,900 feet)! And if you aren’t planning in advance for the altitude change, you might end up pretty miserable on your elopement day, or worst case scenario… at the local urgent care needing oxygen. But don’t worry – this guide will help walk you through what to know about the altitude for your Colorado elopement day so you can feel your best. 

Planning an elopement can feel like a lot, especially if you’re from out of state. That’s exactly why I help couples with both Colorado elopement photography and thoughtful planning support.

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Arrive Early to Colorado & Take it Slow

Honestly, I generally recommend eloping couples plan to arrive a few days early to their elopement location anyway to make sure they are settled in and everything is ready for their elopement day. With Colorado that’s basically a necessity. That’s because you need to give your body time to adjust to the change in altitude, and it can really affect everyone differently. I recommend arriving a minimum of three to five days before your elopement if possible. 

For those first few days in Colorado, I also recommend taking it really slow. It’s important to avoid any intense exercise so that you’re not further taxing your body. Consider alternative, easy activities like scenic drives and exploring the towns you’re in instead. 

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

Being at a higher altitude means your body will be more prone to dehydration. It’s important to drink more water than you usually do. 

Pro tip? Start hydrating more before you travel to Colorado!

Flipside? There is such a thing as over-hydrating and it can make you really sick, so please don’t go overboard here. Find the sweet spot!

Avoid Alcohol

In addition to the hydration advice is that you need to avoid things that dehydrate you further, and one of those things is alcohol. Plan for celebrations after your elopement so you can feel your best during it!

Eat Well

Being at high altitude can increase calorie burn. Your body is working hard! Make sure you are setting yourself up for success with healthy foods and snacks throughout your trip. And please, please, please make plans for snack breaks and meals during your elopement day.

Plan a Reasonable Timeline for Your Elopement

It can be tempting to pack in as much adventure and as many locations as possible into your elopement day – that’s absolutely a mistake, especially when you are dealing with a higher altitude than normal.  

Give yourself plenty of time to hike slowly, take breaks, and to just pause and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you. 

Building intentional timelines is something I can help you with for your Colorado elopement.

Signs of Altitude Sickness

It’s important to recognize the signs of altitude sickness so you can best take care of yourself if you experience it. Mild symptoms include things like nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If you start experiencing any of these, make sure you are taking a break, hydrating, eating well, and even descending to a lower altitude if needed. 

Most symptoms are mild and temporary, but if you are concerned, don’t hesitate to head to the nearest urgent care and/or descend to a lower altitude. 

Other Things to Look Out for with Altitude

So we know about altitude sickness, but there are some other things to be aware of and prepare for when you are at a higher altitude:

• Increased sun exposure: make sure you pack your sunscreen and sunglasses – the sun can be so much more intense at high altitudes and you are at risk of burning more easily. 
• Unpredictable weather: the weather can change pretty quickly when you are at a higher altitude. Make sure you pack for your elopement with changeable weather in mind. 
• Cooler temperatures & temperature swings: the temperature will decrease the higher you go, generally a few degrees for every 1000 ft., so be prepared for cooler temperatures in mountain locations. The temperature can also change dramatically between day and night, with warm and comfortable temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at night.

Set Yourself Up for Success

Truly, preparing in advance and knowing it will take your body time to adjust to the altitude goes a long way in setting you up for a successful elopement day. 

This blog is a great place to start in preparing, but here are some additional materials to help you be as prepared as possible for your mountain elopement:

• CDC Article on Altitude Sickness
• Cleveland Clinic Article on Altitude Sickness
• Your primary care provider – if you are worried about any conditions that you have and how you may be impacted by altitude, definitely check in with your doctor before traveling to Colorado!

Your Elopement Photographer

As a fellow sea-level dweller for much of the year, I also prep for altitude changes each time I head to Colorado. The key is preparation and planning so that you can have an epic Colorado mountain elopement while feeling your best. 

And please know… I’ve experienced it too, so I absolutely know how it feels. That’s why I created this guide to help you prepare and why I help couples intentionally plan their mountain elopements with altitude in mind. 

Let’s start planning your Colorado elopement.