Sapphire Point Wedding & Elopement Guide for 2026

Hey there! My name’s Iver Marjerison.
I’m a Colorado-based micro-wedding planner and officiant, and over the years I’ve helped plan hundreds of small weddings and elopements across the state. This guide covers everything you need to know about getting married at Sapphire Point.

Sapphire Point is one of the most popular small wedding and elopement locations in Summit County, known for its stunning Dillon Reservoir views, mountain backdrop, and easy accessibility. Because it's a designated ceremony site on National Forest land, weddings here operate under specific permit rules, guest limits, and timing considerations. This guide breaks down how weddings and elopements actually work at Sapphire Point — including permits, ceremony logistics, best times of day, crowd considerations, and the real pros and cons couples should understand before choosing this location.

Professional Opinion:
I’ve planned hundreds of weddings at Sapphire Point over the years, and it’s definitely a great place for a small wedding! However, over the past couple years, there have been new restrictions on parking, and the crowds have made this location almost unusable (except at sunrise).

Starting June 14 2026, all weddings at Sapphire Point will be using the all new “North Overlook.” I’m hoping this new location will offer the same level of mountain views, with privacy, and bring Sapphire Point back to its former glory!

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Text or Email me the word “info” to learn about all the spots we use!
Iver@ColoradoMicroWeddings.com
720-598-2862

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married at Sapphire Point

Sapphire Point is a designated ceremony site located on National Forest land near Dillon, Colorado, and overseen by the White River National Forest. They allow groups of up to 30 people to have weddings with a permit, making it one of the most accessible and affordable mountain ceremony locations in Summit County.

Elevation: ~9,500 ft
Max Group Size: 30 people total in your group—this includes all vendors!
Permit Fee: $120 (Jan 1 – Jun 13), $142 (Jun 14 – Sep 30)
Accessibility: Year round
Distance from Denver International Airport: Estimated 1.5 – 2.5 hours
Nearest Town: Breckenridge
Pros: Beautiful lake and mountain views, very affordable permit fees, easy to access
Cons: Lack of privacy due to popularity, limited parking

Reserving Sapphire Point
Sapphire Point releases dates for booking 6 months in advance (example April 5 can be booked on October 5). The trick is that the calendar opens at exactly 8am mtn time, and the first person to click the slot, gets it—so you have to be fast!

Sapphire Point Booking Calendar

Planning & Marriage License
Getting married at Sapphire Point is fairly simple after you reserve the site, just make a timeline, get the marriage license, and secure any needed vendors, like photographer, officiant, etc.

Jump to How-To Get Married

Ceremony Sites
For as long as I can remember there was just the main “Overlook,” but starting June 14, 2026, they will be adding the new “North Overlook” and all weddings will take place there. Keep in mind MOST of the photos you see online are going to be the old overlook that is no longer in use.

Jump to Ceremony Sites

Best Day, Month, and Time
The best option is a Tuesday or Wednesday, Mid June through Mid October, at sunrise. This is for optimal lighting, and when the park is least busy. However, we do weddings here all year around, and sunset is also very nice for lighting!

Jump to Best Month, Day & Time

Good to Know
Sapphire Point is not handicap accessible. Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash. Food or beverages are not permitted. Only acoustic music is allowed. Chairs and decorations are not allowed. Lots more info…

Jump to FAQs

Other locations?
I’ve got planning guides, packages, and resources for all the best small wedding and elopement locations across Colorado.

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How-to Plan a Wedding at Sapphire Point

Pick a date and time
Sunrise is the only time to get any level of privacy! But sunset is also nice lighting for photos. Learn the best time to get married in Colorado.
Make Your Reservation for Sapphire Point
You make your reservation via their online calendar—remember, dates open six months in advance, at exactly 8am mountain time!
Hire your vendors
After the venue is booked, you can coordinate your officiant, photographer, and any additional vendors, making sure they comply with venue guidelines. Click here to learn about our All-Inclusive Sapphire Point Elopement Packages.
Finalize logistics and timeline
Leading up to the wedding, you’ll confirm arrival times, and plans for the day with your vendors and guests.
Obtain your Colorado marriage license
Colorado makes getting a marriage license simple! You and your fiance simply need to go into a Colorado County Clerk during business hours to pick up the license. Summit County has their own office, but they are difficult to work with. I suggest finding another County Clerk nearby—or picking it up in Denver on your way to the mountains. Here’s my full Colorado Marriage License Guide.
Get Married!
On the day of the wedding, you and your guests will meet your wedding vendors at Sapphire Point. You’ll have the ceremony, sign the license, take photos, and then most groups simply head to a local restaurant to celebrate!

sapphire point old overlook site micro wedding

Sapphire Point Ceremony Sites

The Old Overlook
In the image above, you see the Sapphire Point Overlook that has always been used.

North Overlook
Starting June 14, 2026, all Sapphire Point weddings will move to the “North Overlook” which we don’t have photos of yet.

Best Month, Day & Time

The best option is to get married at Sapphire Point early in the morning on a Monday or Tuesday, sometime between mid-June and mid-October.

What’s the Best Month?

Sapphire Point is beautiful all year around, and we do weddings there all year around. Personal preference matters. Generally speaking, mid-June through mid-October is “Peak” wedding season in Colorado for the good weather and conditions. However, this area is also very popular in the Winter! If you want lots of snow, aim for February or March.

What’s the Best Time of Day?

Sapphire Point has very little natural shade, so the best option for photo lighting is to opt for right at sunrise, or a couple hours before sunset. Simply Google “Sunset Breckenridge [your date]” to see the time.

What’s the Best Day of the Week?

The best day of the week to elope at Sapphire Point is Tuesday or Wednesday, which are the least busy days in the area—it’s always nice to beat the crowds!

Sapphire Point Wedding FAQs

How much does a Sapphire Point wedding permit cost?

Sapphire Point wedding permits cost $120 from January 1 through June 13, and $142 from June 14 through September 30. There is also a non-refundable reservation fee charged by Recreation.gov when booking.

How do I book a wedding at Sapphire Point?

Sapphire Point weddings are booked through Recreation.gov. Reservations open exactly 6 months in advance at 8am Mountain Time. For example, to book October 5th, you would need to reserve on April 5th at 8am MT.

How far in advance can I book Sapphire Point?

You can book Sapphire Point exactly 6 months in advance. Reservations open at 8am Mountain Time on the booking date. Popular dates book quickly, so be ready to reserve right when the window opens.

How long is a Sapphire Point wedding reservation?

Each Sapphire Point reservation gives you 3 hours at the site. This includes setup, ceremony, photos, and cleanup.

How many guests can I have at Sapphire Point?

Sapphire Point allows up to 30 people total, including the couple and all vendors such as photographers, officiants, and videographers.

Is Sapphire Point a private wedding venue?

No, Sapphire Point is a non-exclusive use site. A reservation does not grant exclusive access—the trail and overlooks must remain open and unobstructed to the public at all times. Other hikers and visitors may be present during your ceremony.

What decorations are allowed at Sapphire Point?

All decorations must be free-standing, natural, and removed immediately after the event. Ground disturbance is prohibited, so stakes and poles are not allowed. No open flames are permitted.

Can I have music at my Sapphire Point wedding?

Only acoustic, non-amplified music is allowed at Sapphire Point. The music cannot be heard from more than 150 feet away. No speakers, amplifiers, or DJ equipment are permitted.

Can I have food or drinks at Sapphire Point?

No, food and beverages are not permitted at Sapphire Point. Couples typically head to a nearby restaurant or private venue in Breckenridge, Dillon, or Frisco for their reception.

Are chairs allowed at Sapphire Point?

No, bringing in chairs is not allowed at Sapphire Point. Guests must stand during the ceremony. This is something to consider if you have elderly guests or anyone with mobility concerns.

How does parking work at Sapphire Point?

Reserved events are limited to 2 dedicated parking spaces. Each space can accommodate a vehicle up to 20 feet in length. Your Recreation.gov confirmation must be displayed on the dashboard. If you need more parking, you must coordinate a multi-passenger shuttle vehicle, which can only use the loading/unloading zone—parking of shuttle vehicles is prohibited.

Do I need to bring my permit confirmation to Sapphire Point?

Yes, your Recreation.gov reservation confirmation must be in someone's possession at the site during use, either printed or displayed digitally. It must also be displayed on the dashboard of vehicles in your designated parking spaces.

Can I have a winter wedding at Sapphire Point?

Yes, Sapphire Point is accessible year round. However, the trail to the wedding site is not maintained in winter, so attendees need to dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. The dirt path can be difficult to navigate when muddy, icy, or snow-covered.

Is Sapphire Point wheelchair accessible?

No, Sapphire Point is not wheelchair accessible. The ceremony site is reached by a rough dirt path that can be difficult to navigate, especially for elderly guests or anyone with mobility concerns. Conditions worsen when the trail is muddy, icy, or snow-covered in winter.

Are there restrooms at Sapphire Point?

Yes, there are vault toilet style restrooms located at the parking area.

Do photographers need a separate permit at Sapphire Point?

No, photographers do not need a separate permit at Sapphire Point. Your wedding reservation covers photography during your event.

What items are prohibited at Sapphire Point weddings?

Prohibited items include: open flames, food and beverages, chairs, stakes and poles, amplified music, and releasing or distributing any items such as rice, flower petals, bird seed, or animals. All decorations must be free-standing, natural, and removed immediately after your event.

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