Why you should elope in Colorado
I’ve spent years traveling the world, seeking out the most wild, rugged destinations I can find, and something always brings me back to Colorado. Perhaps it’s my own personal bias. I grew up spending my summers living in the small town of Ouray, Colorado – climbing rocks, chasing chipmunks and mining for gold in the creeks. It was the place where I developed a deep love for the outdoors, and will always hold a special piece of my heart. The landscape is obviously epic – there’s the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, as well as the Great Sand Dunes of central Colorado, to the red rock cliffs of the Colorado National Monument. Throughout the state you’ll find so much diversity in the landscape, from towering mountains, to scenic alpine lakes, and high desert terrain. Beyond just the draw of the incredible scenery, there is so much more that makes Colorado special. The state is sprinkled with wonderfully charming little mountain towns, each rich with their own unique mining history. Oftentimes the locals who live in these towns have been there for generations, their family history stretching all the way back to the Gold Rush.
Weddings here are special. There is something about saying your vows surrounded by such a rugged landscape, that truly allows you to feel the weight of the words you are committing. I feel such a deep connection to Colorado, and I love nothing more than getting to share this place with my couples, and help them plan a truly meaningful elopement experience, so I wanted to create this guide to give some insider advice on how to elope here.
How to Elope in Colorado
Planning an elopement can be stressful. You have so much freedom in the choices you get to make, but all that freedom can be overwhelming. Luckily, most of the decisions you will be making are things like “should we elope at the top of this mountain or in front of this waterfall?” It’s supposed to be FUN. Here are the 5 basic steps of how plan your Colorado elopement:
Step 1: Book your Colorado Elopement Photographer!
Your elopement photographer is one of the most important vendors you will choose (and perhaps one of the only vendors) for your elopement day, so it’s important to take the time to research and find someone who you not only love their imagery, but can also trust to guide you through this process. Elopement photographers typically will help you with the planning process by providing things like location recommendations, timeline assistance, permit help and more, so it’s crucial to find someone who is an expert in Colorado elopements! This might be the only person you share your elopement experience with, so you’ll want to make sure you connect with them and feel comfortable around them! Most photographers will offer a free inquiry consultation, which is a great place to get to know them and ask any questions you might have, before booking with them. Get in touch here to schedule your free inquiry consultation with me!
Step 2: Choose where you want to elope in Colorado
The next step of the process is to choose your location where you want to say your vows, which is one of the most important decisions you will make in this process. Saying your vows a wild, rugged landscape is an unbelievably profound experience, and where you choose to do it will be completely up to you! Colorado has such a diverse landscape, from alpine lakes to rocky cliffs, to mountain basins filled with wildflowers – there are so many options to choose from! If you work with me for your elopement, I will provide you with a custom location guide built entirely around your vision and priorities for the day, to help make the process as smooth and stress free as possible for you.
Step 3: Start planning the details and logistics
Once you have your photographer booked and your location chosen, everything else really starts to fall into place. Now it’s time to start planning out the details and logistics for the day like booking lodging, creating a day of timeline, and booking the rest of your vendors that are going to help bring your dream Colorado elopement experience to life. This is the part of the planning process where you can really start infusing yourselves and your relationship into the day, by planning with intention. You can choose to include things like handwritten letters to your guests, or plan a pizza dinner because you LOVE pizza, or having your dog sign your marriage license!
I’ve been in your shoes! I eloped in Ouray, Colorado this past fall and it was one of the best days of my life. My favorite part of the entire experience was how we took the time to figure out our priorities, and planned the day with so much intention, rooted around those priorities. I wrote a blog post to share all about my elopement experience and to offer some tips for planning your own day with intention, if you’d like to check it out here.
Step 4: Apply for any necessary Colorado elopement permits and secure your marriage license
Some elopement locations in Colorado will require a permit either for you or your photographer! You will want to work with your photographer to make sure that is all taken care of! Luckily, it’s typically a pretty easy and straight forward process! Some locations (like National Parks) will require things like reservations, or tickets booked in advance, so you will want to make sure you aren’t missing anything like that! You will also need to secure your marriage license, which is also a super easy process in Colorado.
Step 5: Have an incredible Colorado elopement experience!
Once you have finished the planning process it’s time to elope! You will have an incredible experience exploring the rugged Colorado landscape, soaking in the amazing views, and celebrating your marriage with a meaningful, intentional experience. Like I mentioned before, my own elopement day was the best day of my life, and I can say with resounding certainty, if you plan your day with intention and invest in the things that matter most to you, then your day will be the best day of your life too. There is nothing quite as romantic and profound as reading your vows in complete solitude, in a place that makes you feel small.
Colorado Elopement Laws and Permits
Colorado Marriage Laws:
Colorado is one of the easiest states to elope in, due to the super relaxed marriage laws. In Colorado you can self-solemnize, which essentially means that you can marry yourselves without needing an officiant or witness. In order to get legally married in Colorado, all you need to do is obtain your marriage license. All you need to do is walk into any County Clerk’s office (it doesn’t matter which county you are eloping in), fill out some quick paperwork, and pay the $30 fee. Once you’ve got your marriage license it can be used immediately, and is valid for 35 days! There is no waiting period!
Colorado Elopement Permits:
Whether or not you’ll need a permit for your Colorado elopement depends on a variety of factors, such as the location, the event size, etc. Most places will require a permit, so it’s a good rule of thumb to just expect that you’ll need one unless told otherwise. For an elopement, you’ll likely need to acquire a Special Use Permit, which permits you to hold your ceremony on the public lands. Places like Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Great Sand Dunes National Park both require permits. A permit will typically range in cost anywhere from $100-$400. Your photographer may also need a Commercial Use Permit, and they will be the ones to handle that.
The Best Season for a Colorado Elopement
Choosing when to plan your Colorado elopement is not an easy decision! Colorado has three wildly different, yet equally beautiful seasons (and one not so beautiful season). Each season offers completely different scenery, opportunities for adventure, and experiences.
Summer:
Summer is one of the most popular elopement seasons in Colorado. This is the time of year when everything will be most accessible, due to the warm weather and snowpack being completely melted off. During the summer you’ll find fields of wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, wildlife everywhere you look, and so much opportunity for adventure. You can hike, rock climb, white water raft, horseback ride, Jeep, kayak, and so much more. The summer is known as the monsoon season, which means almost every single day it rains – but don’t let this worry you! It’s almost often a light rain that comes and goes very quickly. The weather is warm during the day, and the afternoon thunderstorms come by and cool everything off. It’s a truly magical time of year to plan an elopement. The best time of year to elope in Colorado and get the optimal summer weather is late June – the end of August!
Check out this summer elopement here to get some inspiration for what a wildflower elopement in Colorado looks like.
Fall:
Fall is the most popular time of year for both tourists, and elopements – and there is a good reason for it. Fall in Colorado is absolutely magical. Colorado is home to thousands of aspen groves, spanning all across the state. Every year, there is a short 2-3 week window of time where these aspen trees turn vibrant yellows, reds and oranges. The rest of the landscape turns warm in color as well. That, combined with the snow-capped mountain peaks, and crispness in the air, makes Colorado in the Fall absolutely breathtaking. It’s always hard to predict exactly when the colors are going to peak, but I usually recommend my couples plan their elopements around the last week of September through the first week of October. The peak almost always happens within that time frame, so regardless of your elopement date, you’ll know it will be beautiful! The weather in fall is also fantastic during that time frame, with most of the trails still being open and accessible, and temperatures ranging from the 50’s-60’s.
Check out this fall elopement here to get some inspiration for what your day could look like!
Winter:
Winter is the most underrated time of year to elope in Colorado, because it is absolutely magical! Most people imagine dreary, bitterly cold weather when they think of winter, but in Colorado that is absolutely not the case. Most of the days are what we like to call “bluebird” days, which basically means bright sunny skies without a cloud in sight! When you are in the sun, the weather is pretty mild! On the days that it does snow though, it’s absolutely magical. There is nothing like snuggling up by the fireplace, sipping hot chocolate, and watching the snow flurries fall from the sky. And then the day following a big snowstorm, you’ll literally feel like you are in a snowglobe, with mountains towering all around you, blanketed in a fresh layer of snow. Winter also holds so much opportunity for outdoor activities, such as skiing, ice skating, ice climbing, sleigh rides, snow-shoeing etc. The best time of year to plan a winter elopement in Colorado is Dec – February!
Spring:
Now Spring is the one season that I wouldn’t recommend eloping in the mountains of Colorado. This time of year is known as the mud season, due to all the melting snow. This time of year doesn’t see as much fresh, powdery snow, so when it does snow it’s super icy. And when that snow melts the next day, everything turns to mud! Spring in Colorado would be a great time to plan an elopement in the desert terrain of central Colorado, such as the Great Sand Dunes, or Colorado National Monument.
Where to Elope in Colorado
Colorado is a big state, which means that it offers a huge diversity in landscape! There are a few different regions of Colorado that each offer a totally different type of elopement experience. Here are the different regions where you can elope in Colorado:
The Front Range:
The Front Range of Colorado is the region of mountains located near Colorado’s biggest cities (Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Fort Collins). This area of Colorado is typically the most easily accessible when it comes to planning an elopement, as you can easily fly into Denver to access most of the elopement locations in this area, and you’ll find plenty of accommodation options and amenities. Around the Front Range, you’ll find the most popular elopement destinations like Breckenridge, Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden of the Gods, and the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Because of how easily accessible the front range is, it’s also a very popular vacation destination for tourists. The main cons of eloping on the front range is that you will have to deal with crowded locations, strict permitting regulations, and timed entry systems.
Central Colorado:
Most people think of mountains when they think of Colorado, but we are actually home to a multitude of desert landscapes, as well as the largest sand dunes in the country! Central Colorado is where you’ll find a lot of this terrain! The Great Sand Dunes National Park is my favorite central Colorado elopement location.
The Western Slope
The Western slope of Colorado is my FAVORITE region, and the area that I shoot the majority of my elopements. It’s the place that I will always recommend to eloping couples because it’s just that incredible! This area is home to the San Juan Mountains – the most rugged, epic mountain range in all of Colorado. It’s also home to so much rich mining history, and charming little mountain towns that make it the perfect area to plan an elopement. Because this region of Colorado is located 6 hours from Denver, it makes it a lot harder to access compared to the locations on the front range, meaning that you’ll oftentimes find total seclusion and privacy in these mountains. It’s Colorado’s little hidden gem. There are some awesome areas to explore, such as the Colorado National Monument, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde National Park, and so much more.
The Best Colorado Elopement Locations
Choosing your elopement location is such an important decision. The place you choose to say your vows is so significant, and it’s important to choose a location that allows you to feel fully present, and really feel the weight of the commitment you are making. When choosing your elopement location, it’s really important to figure out what your biggest priorities are. You’ll want to consider things like how private the location is. Colorado is a popular vacation destination, so oftentimes some of the most scenic spots can get really busy. If privacy is important to you, you might want to consider a more off the beaten path spot. You’ll also want to consider the scenery. Colorado has such a diverse landscape, and you can get married anywhere from on top of the country’s largest sand dune, to the shores of an alpine lake, or in a field surrounded by wildflowers. The options are truly endless. The last thing you’ll want to consider is accessibility. How hard are you willing to work to get to your elopement location? Maybe you love the idea of hiking 8+ miles into the wilderness, or maybe you would rather relax, and take a Jeep down a bumpy road to a remote location. Colorado has options for all types of adventures.
Here are a few of my favorite Colorado elopement locations, to get you started with planning:
The San Juan Mountains: Ouray, Silverton and Telluride
The San Juan Mountains are my absolute favorite Colorado elopement location. This has been a second home to me for over 20 years, and holds a very special place in my heart. The San Juan Mountains are a rugged mountain range covering the southern part of the Rocky Mountains, containing jagged mountain peaks, turquoise alpine lakes, and hundreds of miles worth of Jeeping trails. This plethora of Jeeping trails allows you to explore some of the most remote, wild landscapes without needing to hike 8 miles or charter a helicopter. Most of my couples will say their vows in complete solitude when they elope in the San Juan Mountains, which is one of the main reasons why I love this region of Colorado so much for elopements.
If you want to learn more about the Best Places to Elope in the San Juan Mountains, then click here!
Crested Butte
Crested Butte is another favorite elopement location of mine. I went to college right outside of Crested Butte, so these are my old stomping grounds. This area is absolutely stunning, and receives very little tourism in comparison to the front range (similar to the San Juan Mountains). The Crested Butte mountains are home to some of the best wildflowers in all of Colorado. They even hold an annual Wildflower Festival each year, due to how spectacular the flowers are. During the fall, the landscape lights up with vibrant fall colors. Crested Butte is also home to one of the largest aspen groves in the country, located on Kebler Pass. And during the winter, you have world class skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Check out this magical fall elopement in Crested Butte to see what your elopement could look like.
The Great Sand Dunes
Most people come to Colorado to get married, and seek out large mountain vistas, and alpine lakes, and while that is beautiful, there is also a whole other area of Colorado that is rarely explored, yet equally as beautiful. The Great Sand Dunes are one of the most unique landscapes I’ve ever witnessed. The dunes themselves span across 30 square miles, and sit at the base of the towering, snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Range. This area is somewhat of a hidden gem, due to its location far away from most of the major cities. It’s an easy place to find seclusion, in an incredibly awe-inspiring landscape.
Check out this adventurous day in the Sand Dunes for some inspiration.
Colorado National Monument
The Colorado National Monument is one of the most underrated elopement locations in Colorado. In this high desert landscape, you can experience towering monoliths, sheer cliff edges, and panoramic canyon views in all directions. The landscape is very similar to that of Moab, but experiences far less traffic from tourists, making this an incredibly ideal spot for an elopement. It’s the perfect spot to get married with panoramic desert vistas surrounding you in all directions.
Check out this Boho Desert Elopement in the Colorado National Monument for some inspiration.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite places for an elopement in Colorado. This national park holds so much diversity in landscape, from high alpine terrain, to incredible alpine lakes with mountain peaks towering behind. There’s also a plethora of wildlife, and you are almost guaranteed to happen across a moose, bear, or herd of elk sometime during your time in the park. While taking photos in the park isn’t very restricted, Rocky Mountain National Park does place restrictions on weddings. They allow up to 60 weddings per month, and the permits are issued on a first come first serve basis, in pre-designated ceremony sites. They accept applications a year in advance, so if you are wanting to elope in the park, I recommend applying for a permit as quickly as possible!
Check out this Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement for some inspiration.
The Best Intimate Wedding Venues for a Colorado Elopement
It can be very logistically challenging (and in some cases even illegal) to bring large groups of people on public lands for an elopement, so if you are planning a day with more than 15 guests, I highly recommend booking an intimate wedding venue that can accommodate everyone. Luckily, Colorado has some of my favorite small wedding venues, from luxury yurt camping, to restored mining towns turned high end cabins, to stunning mountain overlooks. Here are my absolute favorite intimate wedding venues in Colorado (all ideal for elopements with 15-60 guests):
Collective Vail is a luxury camping resort located just outside Vail, Colorado. The resort sits on 1,000 acres of untouched, high desert wilderness and features luxury canvas style tents for you and your guests.
Dunton Hot Springs is a historic mining town, now renovated to become one of the most luxurious and unique boutique hotels in Colorado. The property is located about 45 minutes outside of Telluride, Colorado and is one of my top venue recommendations for an intimate wedding in Colorado. The surrounding landscape is stunning, and the property features hidden waterfalls, natural hot springs, and so many activity options.
Check out this 2-Day Dunton Hot Springs Elopement here!
Alta Lakes Observatory is one of my favorite intimate wedding venues in Colorado! It is an off the grid cabin, meaning it is only accessible via a 4×4 trail, or snowmobile in the winter time! Despite it’s difficulty to access, it is well worth the extra work! The cabin sits nestled deep in the mountains, on the shoreline of a pristine alpine lake. It sleeps up to 12 guests but can accommodate more for a ceremony and reception.
The San Sophia Overlook is a reservable ceremony site located at the Telluride Ski Resort. This is one of the most iconic elopement locations in all of Colorado. The site features some of the most spectacular views of the Colorado mountains that you will ever see.
Piney River Ranch is a 40-acre private mountain retreat located deep in the Colorado wilderness. The ranch sits on the shoreline of Piney Lake. You can canoe on the lake, and watch the moose (who are frequent visitors), as they wade into the water. The property features lake front cabins and luxury glamping style tents as well.
The Schmid Family Ranch is a historic ranch located outside of Telluride, Colorado. The ranch is rich in history and beauty, and has been operational since the 1800’s. The ranch can accommodate up to 12 people, plus more for a ceremony and reception.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch is located just 15 minutes outside of Winter Park, Colorado, making this venue a super accessible option for an intimate wedding! The ranch boasts tons of activities and opportunities for adventure, such as horseback riding, fly fishing, and cross country skiing. The ranch can sleepup to 35 guests, and many more for a ceremony and reception.
And if you want to check out my list of the Best Small Wedding Venues in the US, then click here!
The Best Boutique Hotels / Unique Stays for a Colorado Elopement
If you are having a smaller group of guests, or just want to stay somewhere super unique, Colorado has tons of options for you as well. Here are some of my all time favorite boutique hotels, and unique stays:
- The Smith Cabin
- A Frame Club
- Bonnie Bell Cabin
- The Wyman Hotel
- The Western Hotel
- The Surf Hotel
- Hotel Jerome
Colorado Elopement Ideas / Things to do in Colorado
Colorado is truly an adult’s playground, with endless opportunities for fun, ranging from super adventurous activities, to super relaxing / luxurious activities. Here are some ideas of things you could either do to make your elopement day more fun!
- Horseback ride in the mountains
- Canyoneering
- Soak in a natural hot springs
- Watch the sunset from the top of a mountain
- Host a candlelit dinner in the mountains
- Have a picnic
- Go to a brewery
- Go hiking
- Kayak on an alpine lake
- Rock climbing
- Jeep to a remote location
- Ride ATV’s
Colorado Elopement Vendors
Choosing which vendors you want to hire can have a big impact on your elopement experience! Throughout my years as a photographer, I’ve gotten a pretty good idea of which vendors are worth considering for your day. By no means do you need to hire every single vendor I’ve listed below, but I highly recommend choosing where you want to prioritize your money, and investing in your incredible vendors who will give you the experience of your dreams.
Photography:
My number one piece of advice when planning your elopement is to hire your photographer before you do anything else! A great photographer will not *only* take great photos, but they will also provide you with a lot of guidance through the elopement planning process. Investing in a good photographer is truly priceless, and they are the most important vendor you will hire for your day. Eloping can be confusing, and logistically challenging, so it’s important to hire someone who is knowledgeable about the area, and experienced shooting the kind of wedding day you are looking to have.
For an elopement photographer, of course I am going to recommend myself! I take pretty great photos, but even more than that, I know Colorado like the back of my hand. I specialize in shooting elopements here, and have called Colorado a home for 20 years. This state holds a very special place in my heart, and I love sharing it with couples who will connect with the landscape in the same way I have. Contact me here and we can get started planning your day.
Florist:
Florals are such an incredible way to elevate your elopement experience and make the day feel extra special. Incredible florists can also incorporate pieces of the landscape into your bouquet, making it even more meaningful. Here are a few of my favorite florists in Colorado:
Officiant:
In Colorado you can self-solemnize (meaning you can marry yourselves), so you don’t need an officiant, but some of my couples do still choose to hire one! If you do want to have an officiant lead you through your ceremony, it’s super important to take the time to make sure you connect with them! Here are my favorite officiants in Colorado:
Hair and Makeup:
Hiring a hair and makeup artist is a great thing to splurge on if you think it will help you feel absolutely incredible on your elopement day! It’s important to hire someone who has experience working with brides who are getting married in the outdoors, to make sure that your hair and makeup will stay put through all of your adventures! Here are my favorite recommendations:
Planning / Design:
You may think you don’t need an elopement planner, since photographers typically help out with a lot of the planning, but there are so many things an elopement planner can do (that a photographer can’t) that will completely elevate your elopement experience. If you are including guests in your elopement, or want any sort of styling / design, then I highly recommend considering hiring a planner. Here are a few of my favorite elopement planners:
How much does it cost to plan a Colorado Elopement
The cost of eloping can vary dramatically depending on things like guest size, location, vendors you choose to hire, etc. In reality you only really need to pay the $30 fee for your marriage license in order to get married. Most couples choose to plan something a little more special and adventurous though. My best advice is to figure out what your priorities are, and invest in those things, and ditch everything else. Eloping is about doing what you want to do. Here are the average costs my couples are typically spending in order to have an elevated, full day, once in a lifetime experience for their elopement:
Photographer: $7,000-$8500
Wedding dress / attire: $1500 – $4000
Marriage license: $30
Officiant: $500 (but not required)
Florist: $1000-$2000
H&MU: $1000-$2000
Travel to Colorado / accommodations: $1500-$3000
Special details (personal vow books / invitations, etc.): $100-$500
Colorado Elopement Stories
I specialize in documenting elopements in the Colorado mountains, and have photographed countless love stories here. If you are looking for a wild, rugged elopement destination where you can say your vows in complete solitude, I truly can’t recommend Colorado enough. Here are some of my favorite Colorado elopements that I have documented so you can get inspired with planning your own elopement experience.
Ready to start planning your Colorado elopement?
Colorado is where I have based my business, and the place that I work most frequently. I know these mountains like the back of my hand, but more importantly, they hold a special piece of my heart. I am endlessly inspired by the landscape, history, and culture, and am beyond excited about every single elopement I get to shoot out here. I love helping my couples plan a day that reflects their values and priorities, that is rooted in the significance of marriage. I’ve got a long list of incredible (secret) spots, so if you’ve connected with my work then I would love to help you plan a truly unique day.
Contact me here and we can get started planning your dream Colorado elopement experience!
