A Wedding In The Clouds: San Sophia Overlook
There are places that leave you breathless, where the scenery seems to mirror the magic of the moment. San Sophia Overlook in Telluride, Colorado, is one of those rare wedding venues. As a wedding photographer who has photographed over 100 weddings all over the country, I can honestly say that San Sophia is nothing short of spectacular.
Arriving in the Sky
The journey to San Sophia begins with a gondola ride unlike any other. Your guests step aboard in the heart of Telluride or Mountain Village and glide silently above pine forests and alpine meadows. The ride itself feels like an adventure, a slow and beautiful ascent to a ceremony site suspended between earth and sky. Side note, my husband actually proposed to me on this very gondola in Telluride over 12 years ago. 🙂
When the gondola doors open at 10,540 feet, the world feels transformed. Crisp mountain air greets you, and in every direction, peaks rise like jagged cathedral spires. It’s a setting that immediately hushes you with its grandeur.
The walk up to the San Sophia overlook deck takes approximately 5-7 minutes depending on if you’re used to the altitude or not! There are vans that can also be arranged to drive some of your guests that may need the extra help! Trust me, it’s worth the journey once you get up to the overlook.
The Ceremony Setting
The ceremony deck at San Sophia Overlook is intentionally simple. This understated design allows the San Juan Mountains to take center stage and for you to be able to create the wedding of your dreams with all of the florals and decor you can imagine to add to the natural beauty. San Sophia weddings appear as if they could be in a movie.
Seasons of Beauty
Each season brings a new personality to San Sophia Overlook, offering couples the chance to match their love story to the rhythm of the mountains.
- Summer: Daisies scatter across the hillside and in June, Wilson Peak is often still covered in snow. The sky seems endless, and sunsets bathe the peaks in warm golden light.
- Fall: The aspen groves that you will be gazing upon are brilliant shades of gold. It’s a painter’s dream come to life. Fall in Telluride is simply awe inspiring and easily my favorite time of year to photograph weddings.
- Winter: A snow-draped wonderland transforms the overlook into something straight from a fairytale. Ceremonies here feel intimate and magical, as if sealed inside a snow globe. One caveat is that you do have to wait until the ski mountain closes to begin your ceremony. Telluride ski resort closes at 4pm, so typically ceremony start time is at 5pm. I mention this because it is SIGNIFICANTLY better to do a winter wedding in late February through the 1st week of April as the sunset is later, giving you more daylight on the mountain.
No matter the season, San Sophia’s beauty is raw, untamed, and unforgettable.
The Celebration Continues
Because San Sophia Overlook is a ceremony-only venue, receptions are typically held nearby. Fortunately, Telluride and Mountain Village offer stunning options just a gondola ride away.
Couples often choose Allred’s Restaurant, perched at the gondola station with floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the valley below—perfect for an elegant, candlelit dinner. Others opt for Gorrono Ranch, Tomboy Tavern, Timber room and The Peaks Resort & Spa.
Colorado Wedding Vendor Recommendations
A beautiful, stress-free wedding day—that’s what every couple wants, right? But these special days don’t just happen on their own. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of having an elite team of vendors who can work their magic. The vendors I keep within my inner circle are ones I admire for the quality of their work, creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Want the full list of recommended vendors? Get my wedding guide!
Reviews from my clients:
“Lisa was amazing to work with and made our vision for our wedding photos come to life! She worked so hard to capture the magic of our day, and her turnaround time is unbelievable. Lisa does whatever it takes to make your photos come out so spectacularly!”- Olivia
“Lisa was the photographer for my engagement pictures, rehearsal dinner, and wedding, and I could not be happier with our photos!! Lisa is so much fun, so kind, and makes every experience a blast and so laid back. She is truly a professional at what she does and I will cherish our pictures forever! We also got our pictures back SO FAST which was amazing. We will forever be grateful for you Lisa!”- Sadie
“A Magical Experience with Lisa – The Best Photographer We Could Have Asked For! We cannot thank Lisa enough for capturing one of the most important moments of our lives—our surprise engagement! From start to finish, she was an absolute dream to work with. Lisa’s ability to blend into the moment while still capturing every raw emotion and genuine reaction was nothing short of extraordinary. The photos she took are beyond stunning—every shot is filled with love, joy, and the magic of the moment. Her attention to detail, creativity, and perfect timing turned our engagement into a storybook memory that we will cherish forever. Beyond her talent, Lisa was incredibly warm, professional, and passionate about her work. She made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera, and her excitement was contagious! She truly went above and beyond to ensure that every detail was perfect, and it shows in every breathtaking image. If you’re looking for a photographer who can turn special moments into lifelong memories, look no further—Lisa is simply the best! We are forever grateful for her artistry and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer who genuinely cares and delivers beyond expectations. Thank you, Lisa, for giving us the most beautiful keepsakes from our engagement! We will treasure them forever.”- Edward
Telluride Weddings & Events
When it comes to your first few steps, don’t forget to connect with the brilliant women at the Telluride Ski Resort Weddings & Events to secure your date and venue.
Your Colorado Wedding Photographer
Last but not least, don’t forget that you need a wedding photographer who is going to capture the beautiful day you’re planning with stunning, emotive shots you’ll want to share, look at, and cherish throughout your marriage.
That’s where I come in!
As an award-winning, published photographer with 15 years of experience, including the past eight in which I’ve focused on luxury weddings here in Colorado, I know that this is the best day of your life, and I want to be there to preserve the incredible experience for you and your soon-to-be spouse.
Finally, please feel free to reach out to me HERE. In the meantime, I’d love to connect with you on my Instagram and Facebook. Cheers to lots of excitement ahead!
