How to Elope in Colorado Guide
Table of Contents
Pre Elopement Day Tips
Want To Elope in Colorado But Don’t Know Where To Start?
Ironically, don’t actually start with a location. Start with your dream date together. The day that you’ve always wanted to have with the experiences you’ve always put off doing. Think about what you actually love doing together, what symbolizes you. And then add some Colorado flare.
Morning coffee + sunrise vows at a drive up overlook
Bring your dog and let them live their best life
Take a short trail to a lake for a private vow reading
Have a picnic brunch with your favorite foods
Drive up a mountain pass for sunset
Rent a cute cabin or airbnb in a mountain town
Celebrate at a locxal brewery or dive bar afterwards
Stargazing under the milkyway
Visit a hot spring for a post ceremony soak
Do an activity that is “you” like coloring books, polaroids, making breakfast sandwiches at your car
Bring your favorite comfort items like mugs, puffies, and other sentimental items
The magic is already here: mountains, lakes, hot springs, we’ve got it all. Your job is just to make the day actually feel like yours.
Colorado handles the views, you handle the meaning.
Why elope in Colorado?
Couples pick Colorado because it hits allll of the sweet spots:
Privacy - while we’ll occasionally get the weird looky-loo who asks to take your picture, for the most part Colorado gives you SO much privacy if you’re willing to go off the beaten path
Views - alpine lakes! towering peaks! dramatic passes,!sunsets that make you reconsider your entire life!
Adventure your way - drive up, hike a little, take a Jeep, snowmobile, or snowcat. Or just show up, chill on a rock with some coffee and call it good
All seasons, all moods - snow, sun, wildflowers, fall colors, epic thunderstorms that always end with rainbows
No rules about how your wedding should be - self solemnize (aka no officiant required). Bring a friend to officiate, say vows with just the two of you, or don’t say vows at all! You do you
Basically you get a day that actually feels like your day.
How much does it cost to elope in Colorado?
One of the best reasons to elope (the other being not wanting to say vows in front of strangers) is to cut down on how freaking expensive weddings are nowadays. So how much does it actually cost to elope in Colorado? If you want to full on elope the ol’ fashioned way, it’s $30 bucks for a marriage license and wham bam you’re married! If you want an experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives together, start thinking about what is most important to you, set a budget, and stick to it. Elopements can cost anywhere from $30 to $10,000+.
For more info on the breakdown of how much it costs to elope in Colorado, the average price of photographers, vendors (flowers, car rentals, hotels, etc), tips on budgeting, check out my How Much Does It Cost To Elope In Colorado Guide!
How to Legally Get Married in Colorado
How do you get a Colorado marriage license?
It’s -shockingly- easy to get a marriage license out here. You’ll grab your license from the County Clerk and Recorder Office - and most of them now require an appointment. SO:
FIRST!Find the county you are picking your marriage license up in (it doesn’t have to be the one you’re getting married in!)
Google “[county] marriage license” and find the County Clerk + Recorder Office website
Go over that offices specific rules. Some things to look out for:
Do they accept dog paw prints if you want your pet to “sign” your license? Denver, El Paso, and Arapaho County do not!
See if there is an online application that you submit before you make your appointment. This just speeds up the in person part and collects info like your names, birthdays, etc and some places require it
Make an appointment! And be sure to go over what you need to bring to it
Once you’re booked and ready for your appointment:BOTH of y’all need to be there in person!
Arrive with a valid form of ID or passport
It costs $30 and they take cash only
Your license has to be signed within 35 days of it being issued
And you gotta return it to the Clerk and Recorder within +/- 60 days, but some places you can mail it in!
Some counties do not issue marriage licenses after certain hours even if the office is still open, so double check the requirements and hours for the county before!
Pro tips: Boulder allows you to do Zoom appointments BUT you must contact the office before hand AND be able to pick up the license the same day so they can verify that you’re in the state!
Most places open appointments 6 days ahead of time and some places (especially Denver county) books quick. If you can’t find an appointment, check surrounding counties like JeffCo or Broomfield (which has rainbow licenses!).
Do you need witnesses?
Nope! Totally optional. You can have no witnesses, your dog, a stranger that happened to be hiking nearby, your photographer (hi!!), or a couple of your loved ones sign. But it’s not required.
Can your dog sign your marriage license?
Yep! Arguably one of the best reasons to get married out here, your dog can “sign” your marriage license by inking their paw print on your marriage license.
Pro Tip: Some Colorado counties (Denver, El Paso, Arapahoe County) will no longer accept your license if your dog signs it (boooo!). Double check when you make your appointment or pick yours up!
Step by Step: How to Actually Plan a Colorado Elopement & Choose a Location
How do you decide on a location?
If you’ve decided that you want to elope in Colorado, we’ve got some prettttty sweet spots to explore. Some locations are time or season restrictive, some require permits, so long story short, there are a lot of variables when it comes to your location.
So narrow down exactly what you want in your location. Some things to think about:
Do you want it to be a certain number of hours from a specific airport?
Do you want it to be a specific drive time from your Airbnb or hotel?
Do you prefer privacy, or accessibility?
Are you okay with hiking to your location, or using some other form of transportation like renting Jeeps, snowmobiles, etc.
Do you want a venue in case of rain, or somewhere more casual and outdoors?
Do you have a few weeks to a month to apply and wait for a permit?
How many guests will you have?
From there, it is helpful to do a Google deep dive into photographers, planners, videographers, and location galleries, or to reach out to your photographer. Elopement photographers specifically help source and find locations for elopements, and will be one of the best resources when planning your Colorado elopement. Your photographer can also keep you up to date on any permit requirements for locations you’re interested in.
For more information on locations check out my Best Places to Elope in Colorado Guide.How do you know if your location requires a permit?
If you’re eloping around the front range (Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins) or in a National or State Park you will most likely need a permit. Permit’s often limit the total number of guests allowed, most notably on National Forest Land or in National and State Parks. These guest limits are capped usually at 10 (including vendors), to 25.
You can google “[location] wedding permit” to double check if your location needs a permit, or just ask your photographer or planner!
Permits usually take a few weeks to a few months to process, so just keep this in mind as many places do not issue last minute permits!
Thanks to Public Lands Creative (which I’m a member of!) you can now elope on National Forest land with 6 people or less for free without needing a permit!!!
Colorado elopement seasons
Because our seasons are not like other season, we’ve got cool seasons. So this what our seasons + time of year actually look like:
Winter: snow globe, short days, cozy vibes, underrated
Nov - May in the mountains / Dec to April in Denver
Snow + mountains + solitude
Fires, blankets, hot cocoa, apres ski cocktails
Great for couples who want dramatic light, crisp air, snow dusted peaks, and maybe don’t mind some wind
Head to toe layers are sometimes mandatory, sometimes it’s t-shirt weather, Colorado will keep ya guessing
Spring: wildflowers at lower elevation, mud at higher, wild unpredictability everywhere
May - June mountains / April - May Denver
Insane wildflowers around Denver and the front range if you don’t want to travel too far from the city
One day it’s 70 and sunny and the next it’s 10 and snowing (literally)
Wildflowers and green hills around Denver! Muddy shoes at higher elevation!
So it’s perfect if you like surprises!
Summer: greenery, wildflowers, the golden child
July - Sept mountains / May - Oct Denver
Sun! The greenest hills you’ve ever seen in the mountains! Wildflowers! Warm nights, long days. Perfection.
Perfect for lakes, paddleboarding, hiking, naps in the sun
Warm nights for stargazing, fire pit toasts, sunrise vows
Sometimes mosquitos exist in the summer but it’s worth it
Fall: peak leaf tourism, golden colors, trickiest lodging
late Sept - early Oct mountains / Oct - Nov Denver
Epic golden/orange/red mountains covereddddd in foliage
Crisp air, sweater vibes, fresh dustings of snow in the mountains, but totally worth it. Sometimes you get a dusting of snow on fall colors and I actually -die- from how gorgeous it is
Hotels and airbnbs get booked fastttttt
Pick the season based on what you love. NOT just your calendar! It will make a HUGE difference in your experience as well as your photos!
Permits, Rules, Accessibility, and Red Tape
Colorado elopements are magical, but government bureaucracy exists to help keep these places protected. Here’s what you actually need to know so you don’t end up crying at the trailhead.
Leave No Trace
Please don’t be that person. Pick up your trash, respect the trails, don’t carve your initials in a tree. Leave everything better than you found it.
Parking permits & timed entries
Popular spots: Brainard Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Maroon Bells, sometimes need a timed entry, a permit, or a shuttle just to enter (not even get married)
If you’re at a National Forest or State Park, sometimes you need a wedding permit to get married. Sometimes it’s a simple online form. Sometimes it’s a weeklong saga. Plan ahead!
restrictions
We’ve got a really bad fire problem out here so there is usually a fire ban from July 4th to at least Labor Day! There are different levels and restrictions so sometimes you can have a fire in a designated campground. Just double check the rules!
Pets
Dogs are always invited but double check rules for your location! Some lakes, parks, and National Parks are off limits. And some locations are better than others if your dog prefers to be off-leash.
Check out my guide on how to include your pets in your elopement.
4x4 roads & access
Some epic views require rough roads. Not all cars survive. If your dream spot requires four wheels or higher clearance, plan accordingly. Bonus: more adventure, less people ;)
Some 4x4 roads are closed and gated on specific dates, whether they’re still accessible for the season or not!
For more info on how to plan a 4x4 Wedding in Colorado, check out my guide.
TL;DR: know the rules, respect the space, and plan for a little chaos. Colorado is worth it.
Do You Need Vendors For An Elopement?
Honestly, no! It’s totally up to you and your preference on what you want at your elopement! Some vendors you can choose to include in your day are:
Photographer
Videographer
Florist
Bakery for a cake
Planner for a more specialized experience
Hair and makeup artists
Private chef or caterer
How do you find elopement vendors?
Lucky for you, there are so many incredible people in Colorado that specialize in elopements that the list is endless! You can find vendors by checking out wedding vendor specific websites like Wandering Weddings, by checking out Instagram hashtags like #coloradoelopementphotographer, #coloradoweddingvideographer, #coloradoflorist, etc, or by Googling “your location elopement”.
Once you have one vendor dialed in, you can also ask for recommendations for additional vendors that you need.
How far in advance do you book vendors?
If you find a vendor that you fall in love with, and can’t imagine anyone else filling that position, then absolutely book that vendor ASAP! Many vendors book up a year in advance, ESPECIALLY photographers, videographers, hair and MUA’s, and private chefs/caterers.
If you aren’t super specific on who photographs your elopement or does your hair, then booking immediately isn’t as important. It might just take longer to find someone with your date available!
How many hours of photography coverage should you book?
I cannot stress enough how an elopement isn’t an all day photoshoot - but it is your wedding day.
When you look back on your wedding photos or video a year, 5 years, 25 years from now, you’re going to want photos from this day. You’re going to want to see your partner getting dressed and ready to love on you for the rest of their life. You’re going to want to see the road you drove down to say your vows, the first meal you shared as newlyweds, the people you celebrated with after, your dog photobombing every photo.
Some things couples love having captured:
Making breakfast together
Getting ready, together or separately
Family or friends helping you into clothes
First look, with each other or family and friends
Ceremony / vows
Photos with family, friends, pets
Couples photos in your favorite spots
First dance, cutting cake, any fun traditions you’d like to include
Book enough coverage to relaxingly do all of the things that matter. Your elopement should feel lived in, not staged.
Elopement Day Of Tips
Ceremony Tips
Who officiates the ceremony?
Colorado is THE BEST for eloping, not just saying that because I’m biased and live here. In Colorado you can self solemnize your marriage which means you don’t need an officiant for your ceremony!
Every couple is different, but my couples usually
Ask a friend or family member to act as an officiate
Hire an officiant
Go to the County Courthouse for a Judicial Officer (Judge or Magistrate)
By far though most couples forgo an officiant and self solemnize (aka marry themselves!).
What do you do during the ceremony?
Your wedding ceremony can also go a million different ways: you can say your vows, exchange rings, kiss, and call it a day. Or you can include family, religious, personal, etc traditions into your ceremony! TBH you don’t even have to have a ceremony. But if you do wanna have one….
Some fun ideas to make it yours:
Sitting down if you want
Sharing a toast or shot mid ceremony
Two ceremonies: one private with just the two of you, one with loved ones later
Reading letters from loved ones
Incorporating your pets
Doing a ritual that’s just ridiculous and fun (dance party! high fives! jumping into a cold lake!)
Playing music you love
It doesn’t have to be fancy, just make it feel like you! Weird, sweet, hilarious, emotional, or all of the above.
What to do on your elopement day
This is your day. Not your parents, not Aunt Karens, not the internets. Think about what you actually love, how you actually like to spend your time together. And lean into your weird, wonderful and wild selves.
Activities that scream you: hike a little (or not at all), paddleboard, drive your 4x4 down a dirt road, toss a frisbee with your pup, cook breakfast out of the back of your car. Whatever makes your hearts happy
Slow down on purpose: five minutes of just standing together. Stare at each other. Hold hands. Stare at the mountains. Watch the sun set. It’s cheap, it’s free, and it melts the go-go-go feeling of the day
Get inspired by past adventures: if you already have a thing you like doing together, do that!
Journals, vows, rituals, food: write it down, read it aloud, sip some coffee, do a tiny toast
Pets? Heck yes: dogs, cats, tiny humans, best friends, invite your special people to your special day
For more ideas on what to do on your elopement, check out my 65+ things to do on your elopement day guide.Unique things other couples have done on their wedding day
Couples have gotten wildly creative with what feels like them on their elopement day so here’s some inspiration::
read letters from loved ones
paddleboarding or outdoorsy-ing together (hiking, climbing, etc)
rented a 4x4 to get to secret trails
soaked in hot springs
sat under the night sky
shared a whole pizza from their fav pizza spot
chugged red bulls
cut down their christmas tree
made or grabbed food together
played with their pets
brushed their teeth together (yes, really! because this little ritual was sacred to them and they wanted me to capture it and it’s still one of my favs!)
Basically if it makes you laugh, love harder, or feel like yourselves, it counts.
How to include your pets in your elopement
Here’s how other couples have done it and how you can too!
Have them walk you down the aisle
Paw print signatures on your marriage license
Be in portraits with you (duh)
Get fun with their outfits (bonus points if they just freeze up or if it’s a dog walking funny in shoes)
For more tips, check out my Guide on How to Include Your Pets in Your Elopement!
Where do you get dressed when you elope?
Depending on what your elopement looks like, you have a bunch of options!
You can get ready at your Airbnb or hotel room and get dressed there, together or separately
You can get dressed at the trailhead or destination. I’ve had couples get dressed on opposite sides of their car, in vault bathrooms at trailheads, in popup changing tents, at rest areas, etc
You can get dressed on location! If we’re walking or doing a short hike in, you can always pack your nice clothes in and change on site
What Are Some Timeline Examples?
2 Day Timeline Example
Day 1 - Denver Botanic Gardens
5:00 pm - Kimberly arrives (hi!) captures getting ready photos
5:15 pm - First look in the Zen Garden
5:45 pm - Ceremony kicks off
6:00 pm - Ceremony wraps; family photos + couples photos
7:00 pm - Dinner, capture details, speeches
8:00 pm - Dessert, cake, games, hanging out with family
Day 2 - Crested Butte
Morning Adventure
5:45 am - Meet at trailhead, grab candid getting ready shots: dress hanging on the car, makeup touch ups, boots getting laced, helping each other into clothes
6:00 am - Start short hike (loop, 1.8 miles, 341 ft gain) going slow and easy
6:45 am - Find the perfect field, hang out and say your vows
7:30 am - Hop back in the car, drive down to Coffee Lab (15 mins) for coffee and breakfast snack
Evening Adventure
5:20 pm - Leave Mount Crested Butte, 40-min drive (snacks, road tunes)
6:00 pm - Arrive at Alpine Lake! Wander, dip toes, climb rocks, do the “just married” vibes thing. Mix of candid + portrait shots, dreamy wide reflections, take the paddleboard out, playful splashes
6:45 pm - Sun dips behind mountains so temp will drop! Wrapped in towels, tailgate hangs, chase the last light
8:13 pm - Sunset! Grab a last round of dreamy shots, then head back to town (40 min drive)
See the actual photos from this timeline example of this Denver Botanic Garden Intimate Wedding + Private Vows in Crested Butte: A Two-Day Wedding
8 Hour Brainard Lake Elopement Timeline Example
4:45 am: Car side getting ready, wedding clothes on
5:15 am: Headlamp hike to first look at the bridge
5:45 am: Vows at Long Lake during alpenglow
6:15 am: Stroll & candid couples photos together
7:30 am: Meet up with loved ones at Brainard Lake (hugs, champagne and toasts, first dances)
9:00 am: Head back to Airbnb
945: am: AirBnB chill + brunch (cake slice, pup naps, newlywed vibes). Surprise 2nd first look with change into her moms wedding dress. Couples photos around the property.
12:45 pm: Wrap & drive off into autumn glow, hearts full, moose story intact
See the actual photos from this timeline example of this Brainard Lake Recreation Area Elopement in the Fall!
Snowcat or Snowmobile Winter Elopement Timeline
Timeline example that involves some cold weather tours, photos with loved ones, and a traditional reception at an Airbnb after your ceremony.
8:00 am: Hair & MUA arrives
9:00 am: Photographer arrives
9:15 am: Couple gets dressed
9:45 am: First look on site
10:15 am: Breakfast with family
11:00 am: Leave for private snowcat or snowmobile tour
11:30 am: Arrive at tour location
12:00 am: Snowcat tour to Maroon Bells
1:00 pm: Arrive at Maroon Bells
1:30 pm: Explore, pick ceremony spot
2:00 pm: Ceremony
2:30 pm: Family/friends group photos
3:00 pm: Small picnic, champagne toast
3:30 pm: Sunset romantics with couple
5:00 pm: Snowcat back to tour site
6:00 pm: Arrive at tour site, head to Airbnb
6:30 pm: Party and dinner at Airbnb
7:00 pm: Cake cutting, group photos, first dance
7:30 pm: Photographer departs
Aspen Alpine Lake Summer Timeline
This is a timeline example that starts with us camped together up a long and bumpy 4WD road (AKA this is my dream elopement timeline for a very specific place that a couple has yet to choose!), a short but steep 30 minute hike to an alpine lake that you’ll likely have all to yourselves, paddle boarding, and more.
5:45 am: Wake up!
6:00 am: Start hike to secluded alpine lake
6:45 am: Arrive at alpine lake
6:45-7:30: Couples photos, explore area
7:30 am: I make us all breakfast
8:00 am: Jump into alpine lake (heck yeah it’s early, heck yeah I’ve done it before!)
8:30 am: Begin hike back down to car
9:15 am: Head back to tent, naps, cuddles, relax
11:00 am: Pack up camp
11:30 am: Head down to local lake
12:00 am: Arrive at lake, paddle board & swim
1:00 pm: Lunch
1:30 pm: Couple begins getting ready together
2:00 pm: Couple gets dressed, separately
2:15 pm: First look on site
2:30 pm: Guests begin arriving
3:00 pm: Ceremony
3:20 pm: Photos with guests
3:45 pm: Small picnic, champagne toast
4:00 pm: Head into town to Airbnb
5:00 pm: Party & food starts at Airbnb
6:00 pm: First dance, group photos, toasts
6:30 pm: Couple and photographer depart for romantics off site
8:00 pm: Couple and photographer arrive back at Airbnb
8:30 pm: Star photos with couple
9:00 pm: Photographer departs
Real Elopement Galleries
Eloping with Loved Ones, Friends and Family
How do you tell your family that you’re eloping?
Whether you want to give your friends and family the heads up, or go the old fashioned route and let them know after the fact - here are some great ways to tell people you’ve eloped!
Send out announcements
Send out announcements and invites to celebrate with them after
Send “we eloped!” announcements
Let friends and family know in person
Sometimes telling friends and family that you are choosing to elope isn’t the easiest conversation to have, but it is often times necessary. Communication is key here, and simply reassuring them that this is what you want to do, can help.
How do you include family and friends in your elopement?
I think we all think of eloping as sneaking away and getting married without telling anyone, but you can still elope and have family and friends present. Whether that be by:
Inviting them! You can find ways to include family and friends in any moment of the day, whether that is getting ready with them, having them present at your ceremony, or by celebrating with them after
Ask ingthem to write letters to you for you to read after you say your vows
Incorporating details that remind you of them, like by repurposing wedding attire, or including jewelry, etc, in your day
Celebrating with them either before or after your big day
Step by Step: How to Actually Plan a Colorado Elopement
1. Decide on your season (aka: pick your vibe)
Winter: snow, hot cocoa, and yes, there might be a blizzard. Magical though
Spring: wildflowers, snow lingering on peaks, and that one muddy trail you’ll laugh about later
Summer: sunshine, green EVERYTHING, bugs (sadly). Perfect for lake jumping
Fall: late sunrises (sleeping in!), golden leaves, and that crisp smell that makes you wanna hug your partner forever
2. Pick your general region
Front Range: quick drive from Denver, perfect for short escapes
Mountains west of Denver: epic peaks, rivers, and “holy crap is this real?” views
Western Slope: insane mountains, insane views, just generally…insane
3. Accessibility / Hiking / Driving expectations
Not a 10 mile uphill hike kinda day? Cool, we can drive
Want to get wild and off grid? Let’s talk 4x4 roads, microspikes, or snowmobiles
Check road conditions, especially in winter. Colorado can be dramatic
4. Choose your date and time
Think sunrise, sunset, or middle of the day magic
Peak foliage or wildflowers? Google your location elevation vs bloom chart (or just ask me!)
Want a quiet weekday vibe? Bingo. Less people is a win!
5. Dream up a loose timeline
Breakfast together? First look? Mountain top vows? Champagne toast?
Keep it loose. We’re fun! We’re keepin’ it flexible!
Include wiggle room for the unpredictable (because Colorado)
6. Guests or no guests
Just you two + maybe some dogs? Perfect.
Family/friends? Keep it small, intimate, and legally compliant (check your permits!)
Remember: fewer people = fewer opinions
7. Activities / “you two being you”
Paddleboarding, skiing, jeep ride, hot spring dip, river float, dog cuddles, charcuterie board on a cliff…yeah, that’s all fair game
Basically: whatever makes you laugh, squeal, or want to cry happy tears, do that
Bottom line: this is your day, not a homework assignment. Think through these steps, then pack snacks, a blanket, and your partner. You’re golden.
Download my free Elopement Planning Checklist here!
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