Colorado Elopement Guide | Everything You Need to Know About Eloping in Colorado
COLORADO ELOPEMENT GUIDE
From the cute mountain towns to the wide-open sand dunes, there are plenty of reasons for couples to plan their elopement in Colorado. For more, check out this Colorado Elopement Guide.
You may find the most difficult part of planning your elopement is actually picking ONE spot.
I'm here to help! I've done the location scouting and I'm super eager to share with you my tips and tricks for making your Colorado elopement absolutely perfect! Read on to learn the best places to elope in Colorado, what it means to self-solemnize and a bit about what kind of magic each season brings.
Table of Contents
The Best Places to Elope in Colorado
There are so many places to choose from if you decide to elope in Colorado - they're all so romantic, it can be hard to decide. Not to worry, I have narrowed down my favorite to get you started!
Rocky Mountain National Park
The Rocky Mountain National Park, located just 55 miles northwest of Denver, is such a beautiful park with tall mountains, an abundance of alpine lakes, and tons of wildlife to spot. You can see why so many couples want to have their ceremony here!
TIP! Eloping in Rocky Mountain National Park can be tricky because it’s one of the most popular parks in the country. This means that it's usually pretty busy, and getting permits for your elopement can be competitive - both permit applications and ceremony locations are first-come, first-serve, so make sure you plan ahead if you want to get married at the park.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Hello, sexy, sensual, and downright stunning Great Sand Dunes National Park. For the couple that wants to try something different and avoid the crowds of Rocky Mountain National Park eloping in Great Sand Dunes might be for you! Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to some of the tallest dunes in North America, some of them reaching 750 feet high - but that doesn't mean it's just one big sandbox.
TIP! You'll find plenty of grasslands and cool tundras at this park to give you some beautiful backdrops for your ceremony. With a special use permit, you can get married anywhere outside the wilderness boundary of the dune field, which makes it perfect for finding a good, private place to have your ceremony.
Colorado National Forests
Colorado has 11 national forests and 2 national grasslands to explore, so you'll have plenty of beautiful scenery to choose from. Each of them brings something different - the Roosevelt National Forest borders Rocky Mountain National Park, you'll find beautiful alpine lakes at the San Juan National Forest, and the Rio Grande National Forest is home to the source of the 1,800-mile-long Rio Grande River. There are usually fewer people in national forests, giving you plenty of space for a more private ceremony.
Some national forests require a permit to hold a wedding, but many don’t - so I’ll help you figure out if you need to apply!
Colorado Mountain Towns
Don't forget about before and after your ceremony! Where do you want to snuggle up with your new spouse for warm drinks and great food?!!
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado has so many cute mountain towns! In the winter, there are some of the best resorts for skiing and snowboarding, and in the summer, you can find some beautiful hikes. Whether you want to spend the day on the slopes in Aspen and Vail or explore the historic downtown streets of Breckenridge and Telluride, there are plenty of activities to make your elopement exactly how you always imagined it. (I have you covered on food and drink recommendations!)
The Best Time Elope in Colorado
There's really no bad time to elope in Colorado, but here are a few tips for deciding on a date for your elopement! The seasons are very different, so I'll tell you a little bit about what you can expect, so you can get an idea of which fits your unique elopement.
Colorado Winter Elopements
Colorado winters can get pretty cold - it typically snows from November until March, and sometimes even into April. If you're into snow sports, this is definitely the best time to elope in Colorado - it has some of the best skiing in the country! Because of the incredible snow, there are usually a lot of crowds near the resorts, so to avoid the crowds, do a sunrise or sunset elopement, or go during the weekday! I have lots of ideas on how to stay warm during your ceremony and use the dreamy snow-covered background to create some epic pictures!
Colorado Spring Elopements
If you want to have an elopement in the desert, you'll want to plan for a spring or fall wedding, since the desert can get incredibly hot in the summer. Springtime in Great Sand Dunes National Park means the snow is melting, and the Medano River is starting to rush through the dunes. You can start to hike some of the lower mountain trails around April, and you can usually see some Elk walking around.
Colorado Summer Elopements
If you want to say "I do" on the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, summer is the best time to elope in Colorado. You can usually reach the mountaintops when the snow melts in July or August, so it's perfect for any adventurous hikers. It's pretty busy in the summer, so if you want to avoid crowds, you can elope in a national forest or shoot for a sunrise or sunset ceremony!
Colorado Fall Elopements
Fall is a great time to elope in Colorado - I want you to picture changing leaves, a light dusting of snow in the mountains, and incredible views of the Milky Way when the sun goes down. If you choose to elope in the fall, you'll be able to skip the crowds of summer and avoid the snow sports enthusiasts that come to Colorado in the winter.
Self-Solemnization When You Elope in Colorado | Getting Legally Married
Self-solemnization means that you can marry each other with nobody else around! Colorado is actually one of the few states where you can self-solemnize, and the process is so simple - it’s perfect for elopements and couples who want a private ceremony that’s entirely their own.
To start the process of self-solemnize in Colorado, you'll need to fill out a marriage application online and make an appointment at the nearest county clerk's office to pick up your license. At your appointment, you'll bring your completed application to pick up your license, then you can go have your ceremony! The only signatures required are yours and your partner’s.
After you sign your license, return it to the county clerk's office to legalize your marriage - it's that easy!
ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
I know that planning even a small wedding can be a big task and the importance of choosing someone to capture each moment of your day that you can look back on for years is why I've made it my mission to be there for you every step of the way.
COLORADO ELOPEMENT PACKAGES
My Colorado Elopement Packages have a little bit of everything - from location planning to making a timeline, you can count on me to make your wedding day (and all the steps it takes to get there) a breeze!
If you're ready to make your Colorado elopement happen, let's chat! Tell me a little about yourself - I'd love to be there for you, every step of the way!
