This adventurous elopement perfectly captured the vibes of Dunton, a 19th century ghost town in southwest Colorado. The snow capped peaks and frozen waterfalls surrounding the restored buildings made you stop and stare despite the cold. This Dunton Hot Springs elopement combined modern comforts (like an ATV ride to the ceremony location) with the wild roots of western Colorado’s beautiful history.
↓ Keep reading for the full story + pics ↓
Historic Dunton Hot Springs Elopement
Britton and Jocelyn chose to get married in one of the most beautiful old mountain towns in southwest Colorado. Dunton is now known for gorgeous restored buildings from the 19th century and bubbling mineral hot springs, but it was once an isolated mining location – founded in 1885. The remnants of this old settlement still have so much life within the walls of each log cabin. The location is ideal for outdoors enthusiasts, as the mountains provide the perfect playground for biking, hiking, skiing, and exploration.
Want to see another Colorado elopement? Check out this Ouray elopement!
Related: Dunton Hot Spring Website
Dunton is far away from a lot of better-known Colorado cities. Telluride isn’t too far to the northeast, but the mountains surrounding Dunton give you the feeling that these 19th-century restored cabins hold the key to a wild west that will never completely let go of the mountain town. The whispers of history makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a space far removed from the hustle and bustle of modernity. Yet, it’s not all carriage rides and logging roads. Britton and Jocelyn rode out to the location of their elopement ceremony in an ATV that cruised these old roads like they were no effort at all. Sometimes I’m amazed how quickly we get to a location when we aren’t hiking!
Dunton Hot Springs Elopement Ceremony
Britton and Jocelyn were all smiles as they quested up the hillsides around Dunton and rode/hiked to their ceremony location. The snowy mountains made for a dramatic backdrop to this intimate elopement. The sun shone brightly and if it weren’t for the snow, you’d almost believe the day was warm. However, the crisp air made us giddy and Jocelyn donned jackets and over her dress at times, which made the portraits even more cozy. The ceremony was sweet and personal, alternating between tears and laughter. As the light grew longer and the day came toward an end, Jocelyn wrapped herself in a blanket and we went out to explore more of the town before sunset.
Sunset and Dancing by Firelight
Jocelyn looked like a classic frontier bride standing before the antlers set above the door of an old log cabin, the tasseled sleeves and hem of her white dress adding the perfect amount of detail. Britton could not stop smiling as he looked at his new wife. Before we lost the last bits of daylight, we headed back out to explore a little more and found a frozen waterfall breaking through the mossy rocks and feeding the river that runs through town. Britton and Jocelyn then stepped inside one more time to share a kiss and a dance before the firelight.
Want to see another side of the Colorado mountains? Check out this alpine lake elopement in the Rockies!
After warming cold fingers, Jocelyn donned a red coat, grabbed her bouquet, and walked through town one more time to watch the sky change colors. She and Britton were not disappointed as the clouds and mountain tops became bright orange in the sunset glow. Looking around, you can see the appeal an old town like Dunton has for a couple planning an intimate elopement like Jocelyn and Britton’s. Every detail – from the old cars to the rustic cabins to the smoke showing life emerging still from the chimneys of buildings older than our grandparents – serves to remind us to slow down and savor each moment. Dunton is a town frozen in time and serves as the perfect location to save a snapshot of your favorite moment.
Dunton Hot Spring Elopement Vendors
PHOTOGRAPHY | THE FOXES PHOTOGRAPHY // FLOWERS | NESTED TELLURIDE // VENUE | DUNTON HOT SPRINGS
