Colorado Elopement Guide

You’ve decided that an epic and intentional Colorado elopement is in your future…

With mountain views, old Western towns, national parks, and endless opportunities for adventure, Colorado is the perfect state for an elopement! Even if hiking a 14-er to exchange your vows at the top of a mountain is not your ideal way to get married, Colorado is a great place to host your special day. All lovers are welcome here! Check out this Colorado elopement guide as you start dreaming about your ideal celebration…

Planning Can Be Stressful–I Can Help

For a lot of couples, the stress starts the moment you get engaged and realize you now have a wedding to plan. Your elopement is going to be one of the best days of your lives, so it makes sense that you want it to be perfect! So many couples confide in me that they have no idea where to start with planning their elopement, but that doesn’t have to be anxiety inducing…

This is where I come in!

What’s an Elopement?

Couples elope when they decide they want something smaller that a traditional wedding and everyone has their own reasons why. There is a very outdated notion that to elope means that you run away with your partner and secretly get married. As a Colorado elopement photographer, I have witnessed many elopements that are days full of intention, intimacy, and lots of love. No, elopements don’t have to be planned at the very last minute. Yes, you can invite your favorite people to celebrate with you.

One of the most popular reasons couples chose to elope is because traditional weddings can be pretty expensive. The Knot recently published an article stating that Colorado weddings are approximately $30,000 per couple…enough said.

Why Elope in Colorado

If you haven’t settled on an elopement location yet, check out these reasons to elope in Colorado that might just make the decision easier. 

What Time of the Year to Elope in Colorado

Colorado is known for having over 300 days of sunlight a year. So if you’ve settled on Colorado but have yet to choose a time of year, make the decision based on scenery and temperatures, not the season! Do you thrive in warm weather or have always dreamed of saying “I do” in a field of wildflowers? Or are you enchanted by golden aspen groves? Do you want to celebrate on the summit of a mountain rather than at the base of one? Your answers to these questions determine the best time of the year for you to elope in Colorado.

Summer months are the most popular for Colorado elopements. Not only is the weather warm, making high altitude conditions more enjoyable, but also you’ll have more trails and 4×4 roads to choose from during these months. 

June is the earliest chance to elope in Colorado without running into a lot of snow in the mountains. At this point in the summer, hiking trails are becoming more accessible, but you should still plan on running into some snow at high altitude and on 4×4 trails. Bring layers and don’t forget the sunscreen–the air is thinner up here so you’ll burn easily. 

July means more alpine paths are open and the snow has melted on off-road trails. Depending on the harshness of the preceding winter, wildflowers may start to bloom during the later part of the month.

In August you’ll definitely see wildflowers. Expect mountainsides to be bright green and the weather to be warm and even hot in some lower elevation areas. 

Average Summer Temperatures: 60-85 in the day, 40-55 at night

Summer Colorado Elopement Packing List:

• Sunscreen
• Refillable water bottle (& Liquid IV to help combat altitude sickness)
• Layers for higher elevations
• Bathing suit (if you’re willing to get in a chilly alpine lake!)
• Extra socks
• Comfortable hiking shoes

Couples who are in search of cooler weather and colorful aspen leaves choose September for their Colorado elopement. The exact time of peak foliage depends on the elevation and weather patterns, but generally mid-September through early October is the best time to witness fall colors. “Indian Summers” are common in Colorado, when a sudden heat wave comes through just when the weather has started to cool, making for an even more pleasant autumn. 

Although September is a great month for foliage and may be as warm as August, keep in mind that this is the month when rogue snow storms may happen. On September 5th, 2020, a full on blizzard passed through the state! While this is very rare, you can’t completely count it out. 

While sometimes Indian Summer hangs on into mid October, this is typically the month when temperatures plummet and leaves start to fall. You’ll start to see snow on the tops of mountain peaks, scenic passes will close for the season as locals gear up for winter. October is the month of moody elopements. 

Average Autumn Temperatures: Usually around 50 during the day and 40 at night, but it can get below freezing or above 70 during this time, too! 

Autumn Colorado Elopement Packing List:

• Sunscreen
• Layers (be prepared for anything!) 
• Extra socks

If you are skiing fanatics, you may want to plan a winter Colorado elopement, when the mountains are blanketed in snow and ski resort areas are in full swing. In recent years, snow has been late to hit much of the state, not arriving until mid December rather than November. That being said, if you’re planning on heading to Colorado in November you should pack with snow in mind. Some off-road adventures may still be accessible, but don’t plan on it. 

In January and February you can plan on frequent snowstorms and cold temperatures. Layers, warm coats, gloves, hats, scarves, and even hand warmers are a must, especially if you’ll be spending lots of time out on the slopes. Mountain passes will be closed during this time, so don’t even think about attempting a scenic ride through the mountains, and drive carefully on all roads, especially if you are not used to snow conditions. 

While winters in Colorado can be cold and snowy, you should also expect plenty of bluebird days with sunny skies. In many places, temperatures remain in the 30s and 40s throughout the winter, which feels quite warm in direct sunlight. If you’re hoping to elope in the mountains, you’ll need to plan to access your elopement location by snowshoe or snowmobile. Even some areas that are accessible year-round, like Loveland Pass or Hoosier Pass, can be impossible to reach due to high winds and avalanche danger. 

If you’re skiing in the backcountry, make sure to follow safety protocols for avalanches and check-in with locals who know the terrain well. There are a lot of accidents each year due to people skiing unfamiliar territory, so exercise an abundance of caution. 

Average Winter Temperatures: 30s during the day, 20s at night. Can get up to mid forties or down below zero! 

Winter Colorado Elopement Packing List:

• Warm coat 
• Hat
• Gloves
• Boots
• Warm socks
• Balaclava
• Ski gear
• Snowshoes
• Hand Warmers

While March and April may still be chilly with snowstorms, generally at this time the majority of snow on the ground will melt and temperatures will become more and more mild. April and May are typically extremely muddy as snow melts. This also affects the rivers, making their water level rise and move much faster, so activities like fishing or rafting may be affected. 

Spring is probably the least popular time for a Colorado elopement due to unpredictable weather and conditions. Many mountain passes aren’t open until at least May, and many hiking trails may be impassable with melting snow or lots of mud. 

Average Spring Temperatures: 40s and 50s. 

Spring Colorado Elopement Packing List:

• Layers (everything from t-shirts to warm winter wear)
• Rain boots

High and Low Seasons for your Colorado Elopement

Because so many of Colorado’s activities are purely seasonal, there are low and high seasons in many towns throughout the state. This is particularly true in ski resort areas, when often the entire town will shut down for off season twice a year. Off season may be the best or worst time to visit, depending on what you’re looking for! 

Off season in Colorado’s ski resorts typically runs from early October through late November and then early April to late May. During these periods, many businesses in towns will close, leaving very few restaurants, hotels, and shops open. If you’re hoping to get the place to yourselves, don’t mind the weather during these times, and are looking for discounted lodging, slow seasons may be perfect for your elopement.

What Time of the Week to Elope in Colorado

Now that you’ve chosen a season for your Colorado elopement, it’s time to choose a day of the week! As you may expect, weekends are often the highest traffic times for hikes and national parks. If you’re planning on renting an event space for your elopement or after-party, you can expect to pay extra for a weekend elopement. 

The quietest times to elope in Colorado? Weekday afternoons, or early mornings. Opt for a sunrise hike to your elopement location rather than heading there for sunset, or elope in a national park at 2pm on a Monday.

Best Colorado Elopement Locations

Natural Wonders

Garden of the Gods

Loveland Pass

Rocky Mountain National Park

Lost Gulch Overlook 

3m Curve

Sapphire Point Overlook

Cheyenne Canon

Maroon Bells

Independence Pass

San Juan Mountains

Sand Dunes National Park

Yankee Boy Basin

Woods Walk

BLM Land

Bring your dog on your special day! Colorado is overall a very dog-friendly state, and bringing your dog along on an elopement hike makes it that much more precious. 

Best Colorado Elopement Towns

Breckenridge Elopements

Idaho Springs Elopements

Crested Butte Elopements

Buena Vista Elopements

Aspen Elopements

Telluride Elopements

Ouray Elopements

Silverton Elopements

Colorado Springs Elopements

How to Get a Marriage License in Colorado

Can you bring a marriage license from a different state to file in Colorado?

Your ability to bring a marriage license with you and file it back home completely depends on your home state’s rules. You can easily determine this by quickly calling your County Clerk’s office! If the answer is no, it’s really simple to get your license when you arrive. Make sure you make an appointment in advance (current COVID practices), remember which office your appointment is at, and make sure you can make your appointment on time. Pro-tip: if you’re flying in to Colorado, make sure you have a time buffer to land, get your baggage, check out your rental, and drive all the way from DIA or COS to pick up your marriage license.

Can you file a Colorado marriage license in a different state? 

No, Colorado marriage licenses must be filed in Colorado. Your package will have instructions but they provide an address for you to turn it back in via mail if you don’t have time before heading back home.

How much does a Colorado marriage license cost?

$30. Verify with the required method of payment with the County Clerk ahead of time.

Of course, the cost of your Colorado elopement depends greatly on a number of factors, like how many people you invite, what venue you use, and how you choose to celebrate. That being said, Colorado has elopement options for couples on any budget. You can either stay in a cheap inn and elope in the mountains for free, or you can rent a mansion in a ritzy ski town on Airbnb and indulge in a pricey dinner for you and your guests. 

Eloping is a great way to save money on your wedding, as you can narrow down the guest list to your closest friends and family and choose an outdoor location with a small fee or no fee at all. It’s all up to you!

In general, here is a breakdown of some Colorado elopement costs you might incur:

• Marriage License: $30
• Flights to Colorado: $500-$650
• Airbnb for 3 Nights: $500-$2000
• Photographer: $3000-$7500
• Celebratory Dinner: $200-$500
• Car Rental for 3 Nights: $200-$800

Colorado Elopement Timeline Examples

Curious what your Colorado elopement might look like? I’ve put together these timelines so you can get a sense of how your special day could play out. 

12-hour Elopement

8-hour Elopement

4-hour Elopement

What to Keep in Mind When Eloping in Colorado

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a Colorado elopement:

• Elopement Permits. Whether you’re hoping to elope by the shores of a lake or among the aspens, you may need to shell out for a special permit. Check with local rangers or the BLM to find out if the spot you’ve zeroed in on is among them. 

• 300 Days of Sunshine. Colorado is sunny pretty much year-round! If you spend a few days somewhere in the state for your elopement, you can almost count on at least one of those days being sunny. If you are anywhere above 6,000 feet, you can expect 60% more UV rays than at sea level, so be diligent about applying sunscreen.

• High Altitude. Many of the Colorado elopement locations I’ve mentioned are at high altitude, like over 8,000 feet. If you are coming from lower elevation, make sure you take measures to avoid altitude sickness. This may include talking to your doctor about altitude sickness medication, staying for a few days in Denver (which lies at 5,279 feet) before making your way up into the mountains, or just giving yourself some time to acclimate. Keep in mind that alcohol will hit you much harder at high elevation as well. Staying hydrated and taking it slow is the best way to avoid symptoms like lightheadedness, headache, nausea, and shortness of breath.

• Highways. Because of Colorado’s mountainous geography, even many of the major highways wind through mountains. That means that travel through the state is often weather dependent, and accidents can cause narrow roads to be completely blocked. Be prepared for traffic delays when traveling throughout the state, and check on highway closures before hitting the road. 

Tips for Colorado Elopements

• Be Strategic About Lighting. Lighting makes all the difference when it comes to enchanting elopement photographs. Snow on the ground means another source of light and reflection. Sunrise and sunset have ideal lighting for portraits, as the sun isn’t directly overhead and you have more control over light and shadow. 

• 4×4 Vehicle. If you’re thinking of renting a car for your Colorado elopement, you’ll want to get an all wheel drive vehicle. This is especially true if you are hoping to elope on a mountain pass or somewhere that is only accessible by a rough terrain road. Most of the airports in Colorado have rental car kiosks, or use car-sharing service Turo. 

• Be Prepared for Different Weather. In a Colorado winter you might have a sunny 50 degree day, or you might have a frozen blizzard with temps below zero. In the summer, you may get into a snowstorm or be stuck in a heat wave. Bring a few different layers no matter the season to be prepared for Colorado’s climate! 

• Take Advantage of Self-Solemnization. Self-solemnization gives you enormous creative freedom over your ceremony, so take advantage of it! As mentioned above, marry yourselves alone in the wilderness, or have a friend preside over the vows. 

• Enjoy the Ride. Colorado locals are known for their fun-loving and adventurous spirit, so take your cue from them and enjoy the ride! Using my help, hone in on and plan your perfect day, and then take it as it comes. Chances are you’ll be so caught up in the love of the moment and the breathtaking Colorado scenery that no hiccup or obstacle will get in your way. 

• Leave No Trace. If you’re planning on spending any part of your day in nature, remember leave no trace principles. This means being extra careful about carrying any trash you produced out with you and not disturbing the natural environment. Pay attention to any posted signs in parks or along hiking trails! 

Elopement Hike Packing List:

• Snacks
• LOTS of water
• Marriage License (put it in a ziplock bag with your pen to be safe)
• Extra pair of socks
• Layers
• Sunscreen

Additions for Winter Elopements:

• Yaktrax
• Hand Warmers
• Hot chocolate in a thermos
• Snowshoes if needed

How to Include Family

You may think that eloping means a private ceremony with just the two of you, but that’s not necessarily the case. If you want your family ere are a few ways to include your family in your special day:

• Bring Them Along. If you’re able, bring your family along! That doesn’t mean including them in the ceremony if you’d prefer a private exchange of vows in the mountains, but maybe rent an AirBnb with family to celebrate in afterwards, or make dinner reservations for the whole group. 

• Include Them in Getting Ready Photos. Getting ready photos are such a special way to record all the little moments during your special day. That’s why you should make sure to include your family in those moments! 

• Have Them Write Letters. Some couples ask their family to write letters to read after the elopement, especially if your family can’t be there in person. That’s an extra special way to feel the presence of your loved ones, even if they’re far away. 

• FaceTime Them. Having your family present for the ceremony and celebration, even over FaceTime, makes your elopement that much more special. Call your family before you exchange vows and prop up your phone so they can watch! Or designate an hour to call both your families in between the ceremony and celebration so they can feel a part of your day. 

Colorado Elopement Photos

Check out more Elopement Planning Resources!