If you’re dreaming of a wedding surrounded by dramatic mountain views, Telluride is the spot. Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, Mountain Lodge Telluride offers an incredible setting for couples wanting a destination wedding to experience the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. As a native Colorado wedding photographer, Telluride has some of the best views to offer, both small-town and ski-resort feel, and has to be on your list when considering where in Colorado to get married.
What Makes Mountain Lodge Telluride Such a Beautiful Wedding Venue?
The views are incredible, everyone can stay on-site, did I mention the views? Mountain Lodge now has 2 ceremony site options! The lawn by the pool with gondolas cruising overhead, or the sweeping views of the mountains down one of the ski runs that backs the lodge.
And since it’s a lodge, you can have everyone stay on-site! Mountain Lodge Telluride has room and cabin options. Mya and Josh opted to have two cabins – one for the girls to get ready at, one for the guys, and so family could all stay together. The other guests got rooms in the more “hotel style” areas of the lodge.
This makes it super easy for everyone to enjoy a weekend together and no need to worry about shuttles or designated drivers when your hotel room is a walk away!
Getting Ready at Mountain Lodge
You are definitely getting a “mountain lodge” feel opting to get ready in these spaces but with open windows, and maybe bouncing some light around with a flash, your getting ready photos will still feel beautiful and truly authentic to your wedding day.
With on-site lodging, you don’t have to worry about who is getting ready where, and needing to leave to drive to a different ceremony location. You can get ready at one of the cabins or hotel rooms!
Sweeping Mountain Views for the Ceremony
Mountain Lodge Telluride has two sites you can pick for your ceremony! Mya and Josh opted for the ski-run area for their guest count and the fact they wanted more of a mountain view behind them. The terrain is a little rough (you are on the side of a mountain) so be sure to ask your guests and wedding party to wear decent shoes. Wedges or thick block heels for gals, and shoes that won’t mind getting a few scuffs and scratches for the guys.
The other ceremony spot is the lawn outside the pool deck which was newly finished during their June wedding in 2026. We opted to do their first look, wedding party, and family photos at this spot. It did make for BEAUTIFUL lighting during sunset photos, and catching the gondolas overhead just really added that Telluride mountain charm.
The Best Spots for Wedding Portraits in Telluride at Mountain Lodge
There are a lot of areas to take couples portraits during your wedding. We split up the portrait moments with Mya and Josh starting on the lawn for their first look and a few photos. After we did family photos, we took the Mountain Lodge shuttle up to the gondola for some photos on the gondola (and to give the couple a little break from family before the ceremony.)
An option we didn’t explore during their wedding was taking the gondola ALL the way to the San Sofia Overlook – the tallest point the gondola reaches at 10,540 feet above sea level. It has insanely epic views – seriously 360 mountain-scapes. Carve out 45 minutes in your timeline to take the ride up, walk around the top for some beautiful photos, then ride back down.
You’ll get away from the hustle and bustle of everything prepping for the wedding and get to spend time with your fiance “soon-to-be” spouse!
Pool-side Cocktail Hour at Mountain Lodge Telluride
When you book Mountain Lodge Telluride for your wedding, cocktail hour happens on the pool deck where everyone can mingle (and get lots of photos as the sunlight turns really pretty). They turn the entire hotel restaurant into your private reception room. It can be a little tight depending on your guest count. The Mountain Lodge website says they can accommodate up to 100 guests. That’s pretty close to what Mya and Josh had for their wedding.
For the ultimate mountain-vibe cocktail hour, consider hiring a local musician to play, like Tyler Simmons. He just so happened to be playing for the hotel that evening and stayed a little longer to entertain guests with his original songs and loop-pedal beats.
An open pool deck and a late night party is the perfect recipe for a final send off by jumping into the pool at the end of your reception! Though I did not capture this moment for Mya and Josh, it is a popular occurrence during other Mountain Lodge weddings so have fun, jump in, and make an unforgettable memory in the mountains!
The Best Moments from this Telluride Wedding
One thing about being a documentary photographer is I capture weddings how they roll and the people how they are. Mya and Josh were a particularly laid back and often goofy couple having no fear to be themselves and finding little moments to sprinkle in their humor. Completely unprompted, but always prepared for, these are some of the best moments from their wedding at Mountain Lodge.
Tips for Planning a Wedding in Telluride, Colorado
- Consider Mountain Lodge for your wedding venue
- Connect with a local planner or photographer to get started! (oh heyyyyy)
- If you’re not from Colorado, give yourself 2-3 days to acclimate to the high altitude. Have a day or two in Denver, then drive into the mountains. It will be way easier on your body so you can avoid any altitude sickness. I’ve seen it happen on someone’s wedding day…it’s not fun at all.
- Make a week/weekend out of it! I know a lot of couples who “mini-moon” around the San Juans or other spots in the Colorado rockies after their wedding to make the most out of their trip. There is so much to see and explore.
If you’re planning on getting married in Telluride (or anywhere in the San Juans or Colorado), you can inquire with me through my website! I’ll send you all my pricing and info in a digital guide so you can start checking vendors off your list!
