Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding Guide

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  • Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding

A Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding offers a unique setting for couples seeking a picturesque location to celebrate their wedding day. With beautiful views of the Rockies, this location is a popular wedding destination in Summit County, Colorado. Here’s everything you need to know about planning a wedding or elopement at Sapphire Point Overlook!

Key Takeaways

  • Sapphire Point Overlook offers couples the opportunity to enjoy stunning views of the Rockies without the need for extensive planning. With available parking, restrooms, and a short walk to the ceremony site, couples can accommodate up to 35 attendees.
  • The nearby mountain towns of Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Frisco, and Dillon have a well-established wedding industry that can assist with any details or accommodations couples may desire for their special day.

Reasons To Have A Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding

Stunning Views

Sapphire Point Overlook offers an incredible view of the Ten Mile Mountain Range, Lake Dillion and its surrounding forests, creating a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding ceremony to look back on.

Professional Services

The surrounding mountain towns within Summit County include Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Dillion and Frisco. With an established wedding industry in this part of Colorado, there’s a variety of wedding vendors, such as officiants, private chefs, and florists that can help bring the details of your wedding to life.

Cost-Effective

Compared to other wedding venues within the state of Colorado, Sapphire Point Overlook is often a more affordable option for couples who want to celebrate their special day in a beautiful and unique setting.

Convenience

Located just ~15 minutes from the town of Breckenridge, Sapphire Point Overlook is easily accessible and offers a range of nearby amenities and services for all your wedding detail needs.

Versatility

Whether you’re planning a small and intimate ceremony or a larger celebration with up to 35 guests, Sapphire Point Overlook offers a range of options to accommodate your needs.

Unique Experience

A wedding at Sapphire Point Overlook provides unique experience for couples looking to celebrate in the Rockies. The venue’s serene atmosphere and picturesque setting creates a memorable time that is sure to be cherished by both the couple and any guests that may attend.

  • Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding

How To Reserve Sapphire Point Overlook

To have your wedding at Sapphire Point Overlook, you’ll need to reserve the site through Recreation.gov. Despite being labeled online as a campground reservation, there is no camping there — just the Lookout that serves as a stunning backdrop for wedding ceremonies.

The reservation fee for booking Sapphire Point Overlook is $120 for three hours, plus an $8 reservation fee.

The site can be reserved for a three-hour time block, available in four slots: 6am-9am, 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, and 6pm-9pm. Since the overlook is often booked for other weddings both before and after your time slot, it’s essential that you only occupy it during your designated hours. If you want some peace of mind and guarantee more time to avoid scheduling conflicts, consider booking two consecutive time slots.

You can reserve the site up to six months in advance, and reservations are available on a rolling basis (i.e, on March 1st at 8:00 am MST availability will be released though September 1st). If you’re planning a wedding on a popular holiday weekend or have a specific date in mind I would consider setting your alarm for six months out to ensure you get the date and time you desire, as weekends fill up quickly.

Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding Rules

  • During use, someone at the site must possess a copy of the reservation.
  • During the winter months, be sure to dress accordingly with additional layers and appropriate footwear.
  • At the end of your reservation, please remove all furniture, flowers, trash, and other items from the site.
  • Releasing or distributing any items such as seeds, plants, animals, or anything else is not allowed. The ground must remain undisturbed.
  • If you’re looking for any kind of commercial service at Sapphire Point, ensure you have a valid permit by contacting the Dillon Ranger District at (970) 468-5400.
  • The site must remain open to all users at all times.
  • There are 22 parking spots available at the overlook for all users.

Sapphire Point Overlook Marriage License & Permits

If you’re looking to tie the knot at Sapphire Point Overlook, visit the Summit County Clerk & Recorder’s Office to apply for your marriage license. You must schedule an appointment by phone to apply, and appointments can only be made up to 3 weeks in advance from your desired wedding date.

Permit requirements are dependent on the uniqueness of your plans at Sapphire Point Overlook. It’s best to check in with the Dillon Ranger District to ensure you have all the necessary approvals and follow any steps needed. Keep in mind that special use permits at Sapphire Point Overlook are different from simply reserving the site location on recreation.gov.

Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding

Tips For A Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding

Pick A Week Day

For increased flexibility, time, and privacy during your elopement at Sapphire Point Overlook, consider selecting a weekday. Due to heavy visitor traffic year-round, a weekday elopement could help you evade the crowds. If that is not an option, consider scheduling your elopement at sunrise or sunset when the area is less busy from the day use traffic.

Summer vs. Winter

Due to its location in the high-elevation terrain of the Rockies in Summit County, Sapphire Point Overlook experiences more extreme seasonal variations than other areas. From November to May, you should anticipate colder, winter-like conditions, while June to October typically brings summer-like conditions. However, there can always be exceptions to this, so it’s wise to bring additional layers in case of unexpected weather changes.

Accessibility

Sapphire Point Overlook is one of the few wedding venues on public lands in Colorado that meets ADA accessibility guidelines. This makes it a great choice for guests with mobility challenges. The trail leading to the overlook is wheelchair-friendly, with a gravel surface and a slight uphill grade on the return trip. The overlook is just a five-minute, 0.1-mile walk from the parking area. Additionally, there is a single bathroom facility available for visitors in the area.

Footwear

Ensure that your footwear is suitable for the weather, season, and temperature on the day of your wedding, and has good tread and traction. Dress footwear is appropriate for most months between June and October, but if you’re getting married between November and May, consider wearing hiking shoes or boots to reduce the risk of rolling an ankle due to the area being snow-packed and slippery.

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Activities Around Sapphire Point Overlook

If you’re interested in a hiking elopement, check out this helpful guide I wrote. Additionally, if you’re looking to have some time to yourselves, I recommend taking a short drive to Loveland Pass for some incredible panoramic views along the continental divide!

How To Leave No Trace At Sapphire Point Overlook

It’s essential to follow Leave No Trace principles to help preserve the natural landscape for future memories! This will help ensure that the landscape remains unspoiled for your anniversary and future visits. Some examples of how to follow these principles include:

  • Plan for unpredictable weather by bringing layers, umbrellas etc.
  • Give wildlife space and avoid approaching them too closely.
  • Avoid using items that may cause a fire, such as sparklers or smoke bombs.
  • Protect the delicate landscape by staying on designated trails.
  • Leave any natural items found on the trail; avoid taking them as souvenirs.
  • Avoid using natural items like rice or flower pedals not natural to the area.
  • Be mindful of other visitors and refrain from loud music and noise.
Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding

Where To Celebrate After Your Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding

  • Carboy Winery for wine tastings and tours. During lunch, enjoy small bites alongside award-winning wines that have contributed to the rise of the Colorado wine industry as a region full of potential.
  • Aurum Food & Wine for an upscale dining experience with a casual atmosphere and modern American cuisine, perfect for a comfortable, jeans-friendly outing. You can choose from their dinner menu à la carte or opt for the seasonal 5-course tasting menu.
  • Hearthstone for a menu selection that showcases the finest of the Rocky Mountain Region, with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients such as meats, fish, artisan cheeses, and fresh produce. This one is a personal favorite of mine.
  • Blue River Bistro for a unique experience and vibrant atmosphere at this eclectic-American restaurant, where local ingredients are creatively prepared. Sip on expertly crafted cocktails and indulge in a selection of artisanal wines while enjoying live Jazz & Blues.
  • BoLD for an elevated American classic breakfast, Mediterranean-inspired lunch and dinner spot. Enjoy craft beers, wines, and cocktails in a rustic-yet-modern atmosphere. Known for Breckenridge’s only Build-your-own Bloody Mary Bar during breakfast and brunch.
  • Tin Plate Pizza for a stylishly renovated 1800s mining cabin with outdoor seating, offers classic and creative pizzas. The restaurant’s name pays tribute to the log cabin’s former resident, the town’s gold assayer who cleaned and weighed Tom’s Baby – Colorado’s largest mined gold nugget – in 1887.
  • Briar Rose for premium beef and wild game in an elegant, newly renovated dining room that offers a lively Saloon experience with a “small plates” menu. This is a great spot for shared plates.
  • Ember for a unique $75 prix fixe menu with three courses and a la carte dining available in the bar. Their culinary team takes pride in the intersection between creativity and labor, methodically composing each dish to deliver a unique and unforgettable dining experience.
  • Rootstalk for an ingredient-focused and technique-driven cuisine committed to quality. From 7-course tasting menus to quick snacks and drinks at the bar, there is something for everyone. Its name comes from the interconnected underground root system of rhizomes, which inspired the large stands of Aspen trees surrounding the town.
  • Castaways Cove for a tropical-themed eatery with a tiki bar offering Hawaiian inspired bites, poke bowls, and cocktails, perfect for those seeking a beach-like ambiance in the mountains.
  • Mom’s Baking Company for a cozy European atmosphere that’s perfect for indulging in their homemade sweets. Owner and former pastry chef, Ema Landis, uses her mother’s recipes, including the popular Baked Tea, which is available for purchase. The menu changes regularly to offer new options, but you can always count on staples like custom cakes and cheesecakes.
  • Mimi & Pin for authentic sweet treat options of Spanish Churros, Belgium Waffles, Spanish Coffee, and Hot Chocolate made with simple, quality ingredients like water, wheat flour, and salt. Their flours have a high protein content, and are fried to a crispy crust consistency that avoids unnecessary oil absorption. 
  • Ethan James Rivera Colorado Elopement Photographer

Looking For A Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding Photographer?

As a Wedding & Elopement Photographer my goal is to have you look back on your day and feel what it was like to be there; to create a lasting emotion that resurfaces every-time you want to relive this chapter of your lives.

I would love to learn about your story and help co-create your wedding experience in the rockies. Check out my packages page & elopement guide to help you get started!

Contact Ethan

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