Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of my favorite Colorado elopement locations. Not only is it a totally beautiful destination for photography, but it’s an incredibly unique wedding destination, too.

Great Sand Dunes is one of those locations that feels out of this world, making it the perfect elopement destination for Gabbie & Steph, two people who share a love for outer space and each other.

When we first spoke on the phone and they told me that they were avid space lovers, the Great Sand Dunes immediately came to mind for their elopement location.

Because this location is so remote (seriously, there’s not much else going around out here), it’s absolutely incredible for star gazing. There’s even a UFO watchtower nearby!

As I described the location to them, and what their day could look like here, they were immediately on board! So we chose their wedding date and got to planning.

Here’s a peek into how beautifully it came together.

Also, note the space themed wedding dress!

How to get married at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park can accommodate weddings on the dunes with up to 15 people, and offers an amphitheater for larger groups. The Great Sand Dunes NP permit application is simple, and it only costs $200 to have your wedding ceremony here.

Tips for visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park

For the least amount of people, the best time to get married at Great Sand Dunes National Park is at sunrise! Come extra early and enjoy a little stargazing too.

The park is open 24/7, year-round. The Winter months can be notoriously windy, and there’s actually a seasonal stream in the Spring and early Summer months! Bring a tube and float down it.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent sand boards at a nearby shop and ride down the dunes.

Stargazing here is the best. You’re not going to want to miss it! If you can, consider scheduling your trip around a new moon for the best night skies.

Post wedding waterfall hike

Not far from Great Sand Dunes National Park is a totally different kind of scenery. At this nearby waterfall hike, you can get distant views of the dunes, forests of pinyon pines, and even a little slot canyon! It’s a really neat spot to go to switch up the vibe.

The most unique wedding photo location in Colorado

Ever imagine having wedding portraits taken at a UFO watchtower? When your day is inspired by the night sky and your mutual love and fascination of space, it’s quite fitting.

The whole elopement day so far had been out-of-this-world awesome, and this place was the cherry on top. I’ll never forget wandering around, looking at all the trinkets, and taking some weirdly unique wedding photos!

So take note. If you’re traveling to a new destination, look up the weird and wonderful nearby activities and consider using it as part of your wedding day experience!

Great Sand Dunes elopement photographer

This is one of my favorite locations to photograph in Colorado, and I’d love to talk with you about what your day could look like here!

Schedule a discovery call below and let’s get your wedding date in the books.