garden of the gods elopement
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Ultimate Colorado Springs Elopement Guide

If you’ve found your way to this page that means you’re considering eloping in Colorado Springs. As someone who has lived here for the past decade and photographs elopements here often, I’m super pumped for you!

Aside from the fact that Colorado Springs is absolutely gorgeous, it is the perfect home base to explore the rest of the state. Colorado Springs is only 2.5 hours from Buena Vista, Breckenridge, and Westcliffe. Those cute mountain towns are the perfect place to take a day trip (or a honeymoon) and get a taste of all that Colorado has to offer.

 If you’re considering eloping in Colorado Springs, keep reading—I’ve included all you need to know to plan the perfect day! 

Reasons to elope in Colorado Springs

Let’s be real—there are so many reasons to elope in Colorado Springs. But here are just a few that come to mind! 

1. MOUNTAINS & BREWERIES & (WEED IF YOU WANT)!! DUH!

2. Amazing views—Pike’s Peak is a showstopper

3. Easy access to honeymoon locations. (Think adorable mountain towns with unbeatable views) 

4. All kinds of outdoor activities, like hiking, mountain biking, SUPing

5. A laid-back atmosphere and happy locals 

6. Lots of great food options for a special elopement dinner

7. There’s a major airport so it’s easy to get to

8. It’s a great place to return to for the rest of your lives—maybe for anniversary celebrations!

Where is Colorado Springs and How Can You Get There?

Colorado Springs, Colorado’s second-biggest city, is located 70 miles south of Denver, in the east-center of the state. Because it is both home to a major airport and fairly close to Denver, Colorado Springs is really easy to get to. 

The Colorado Springs Airport is a convenient way to travel into town from out of state. You can get to anywhere in Colorado Springs from COS in less than 35 minutes. Flying into Denver International Airport is another, often cheaper alternative to flying directly into Colorado Springs. From DIA, you’ll hop onto I-25 and take a straight shot south to end up in Colorado Springs.  Downtown Colorado Springs is only 1.5 hours from DIA (barring traffic).

PRO TIP: As I’m sure you know there are a wide variety of car rental companies, shuttles, and rideshare apps available to get you from place to place. I have recently discovered Turo (think AirBnb for cars) and it has been a game changer when traveling to a new place where I need to rent a car. Treat this the same way as you would your accommodation—as soon as you have your elopement date secured, book your car! You don’t want to wait until the last minute and miss out because they’re all gone.

Best Times of Year for a Colorado Springs Elopement

Colorado Springs, like the rest of Colorado, gets 300 days of sunshine a year and low humidity, which means you can’t go wrong, whenever you choose to elope. The best time of year for your special day really just depends on the elopement experience you’re looking for.

Spring Colorado Springs Elopement

I have to be honest here—in terms of weather, spring is probably the worst time of year to have a Colorado Springs elopement! Sure, you can experience lovely, warm days and blue skies this time of year when the flowers are blossoming, or you can get stuck in a blizzard, or you can sink into the mud. You can seriously experience all four seasons in a day or a week during the spring. So if you do plan an outdoors elopement during this time (from March to May), make sure to have a backup plan and lots of layers!

Summer Colorado Springs Elopement

From June through August, temperatures soar in Colorado Springs, and afternoon rain showers or thunderstorms are common. If a hike-to elopement is on the agenda, consider planning it for the morning when you’re most likely to get nice weather and avoid the heat. This is definitely the best season for an elopement if your plan involves driving mountain passes, since they’re typically only open from June-October. Know that summer is the busiest season in town, so you may not have your elopement location to yourself. It’s also a good idea to stock up on sunscreen, since the elevation in Colorado Springs means thinner air and a greater risk of sunburn! 

 Fall Colorado Springs Elopement

From September through November, temperatures become more mild in Colorado Springs and there are fewer tourists around. That’s why this season is one of the most popular for a Colorado Springs elopement! You can still access many of the best hikes and natural areas around, plus you’ll get a gorgeous colorful backdrop for your elopement photos. Just make sure to bundle up—the weather can be unpredictable!

Winter Colorado Springs Elopement

If you two are snowbirds or just want magical elopement photos laced with snow, consider a winter elopement in Colorado Springs. Although the weather might be cold and you might encounter some snow, you can also expect plenty of bluebird days and a milder winter than in the higher altitude mountain towns around the state. Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, and Winter Park are all fairly accessible ski areas within driving distance of Colorado Springs, so you can opt for a skiing honeymoon if that’s your jam.

Colorado Springs Elopement Locations

Here are just a few of my favorite Colorado Springs elopement locations—get in touch and I can help you find the right one for your special day! 

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is easily the most popular park in Colorado Springs and it’s still underrated, in my opinion. Eloping here is $FREE.99. There have been discussions about requiring a permit to elope here or have your photos taken here but the photographer community fights hard against it every time it’s brought up. Given that GotG is so popular, sunrise, sunset, and weekdays are the best time to visit. There are so many different views that you can get from inside the park that require little to no hiking. This park is also wheelchair accessible!

Explore this Garden of the Gods elopement guide!

Pikes Peak

Oh, Pikes Peak—America’s mountain. You can see Pikes Peak from anywhere in Colorado Springs. On a clear day, you can see it from Denver. Anyways, Pikes Peak is one of the few 14ers in Colorado that has a paved road to the top…you know what this means. You can drive to the top of a 14er on your elopement day!

If you don’t want to be at the tippy top of Pikes, there are tons of beautiful locations that are accessible from the road. Keep in mind that a permit may be required for this location—the city is approving this on a case by case basis. Your photographer can easily handle that for you to make sure you don’t have any rangers interrupting your vows or cutting your timeline short…because that’d be a bummer.

Additionally, if you don’t want to drive to the top, you and your boo can hike Pikes Peak. From the front side, you can go up the Barr trail or Manitou Incline and work your way to the summit, OR you can hike the backside via The Crags trailhead and go through Devil’s Playground. 

Note: Colorado Springs sits over 7,000 above sea level. The top of Pikes Peak is above 14,000 feet. For a local or someone fully acclimated, hiking 14ers starts to “hurt” around 12,000 feet. Please be safe. Know your limits. If you’d prefer to hike Pikes Peak, make sure you prepare well. I’ve hiked 17 14ers and can help you guys make this decision 🙂

North Cheyenne Canon

North Cheyenne Canon is located on the southwest side of Colorado Springs and has hundreds of acres of forest to explore that offer amazing views of the front range. If you and your soon-to-be spouse are open to hiking, there are tons of trails that will offer some privacy. Just keep in mind that the best times to elope in this park are sunrise and sunset unless you don’t mind being around the occasional mountain biker or hiker.

Check out this gorgeous Cheyenne Canon elopement!

Paint Mines

This location is east of Colorado Springs but completely worth the drive and doesn’t take a lot of effort to get to and explore. The Paint Mines offer such a unique landscape that people don’t typically look for when thinking about Colorado or the Rocky Mountains. One thing to keep in mind is that these formations are fragile. There are signs to avoid climbing formations to prevent damage and ensure this place is open to the public for years to come. Sunrises and sunsets here offer dreamy lighting. 

PRO TIP: If you were considering a day-after session, this would be an amazing choice.

“Hidden Gems”

Let’s just put it this way—there are lots of other hidden gem elopement locations in Colorado Springs. I can’t give away all my secrets! This is where having a knowledgeable, local photographer comes in handy. 

Colorado is amazing and everyone knows this, especially the locals. Coloradans recreate hard—it’s not uncommon for people to get off work, go home and grab their dog, and then hit the trails before dinner time. Having an insider who knows Colorado Springs inside and out is your best shot at finding the perfect elopement spot, especially if privacy is important to you on your elopement day. You’ll want a photographer who knows how to get to amazing views without the crowds!

Do you need a photography permit for your Colorado Springs elopement?

Ultimately, Colorado Springs doesn’t require professional photography permits. This is awesome news, as it means less planning and more fun for you! Pikes Peak does require permits on a case by case basis though, so you may want to do a little digging to see what, if anything, is required for your elopement. Luckily, this is something your photographer can help you with.

How to get a marriage license in Colorado Springs

It’s great to fantasize about your ideal elopement location and photos, but you also have to think of logistics—like how to get a marriage license and make this thing legal! No appointment is necessary to get a marriage license in Colorado Springs. Just head to the Recording Department of the Clerk & Recorder’s office any time between 8am and 4:30pm Monday-Friday, or the North Office on Saturdays between 8am and 1pm. 

The cost of a marriage license is $30. The marriage license must be used within 35 days of obtaining it and turned (or mailed) in within 63 days of signing. If you are late returning the signed license, you will be charged a late fee ($20 minimum/$50 maximum).

Because Colorado is a self-solemnization state, getting legally married is as easy as picking up the license, filling it out, and handing it back in. When it comes to the ceremony part, you can figure out what works for you, whether that means inviting a loved one to officiate, having a priest there, or exchanging private vows.

Please return completed marriage license/certificate to:

El Paso County Recording Department

P.O. Box 2007

Colorado Springs, CO 80901-2007

Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years old

Valid form of identification (driver’s license, passport)

Colorado Springs Wedding Venues

Maybe you’re going back and forth about having an elopement versus a small wedding, or want to celebrate your private marriage with a laid-back party in Colorado Springs for some of your friends and family. Just in case, here are a few favorite wedding venues in the area:

The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor is a luxury resort by Cheyenne Mountain, which offers a number of different wedding venues to fit your special day, including terraces, gorgeous indoor ballrooms, and the Fish House, a small and rustic cabin that’s perfect for an intimate wedding or elopement celebration.

Garden of the Gods Resort 

Get the best of both worlds by celebrating your elopement at this resort that comes with gorgeous Garden of the Gods views. Whether you’re looking for a place to celebrate with closest friends and family or throw a party for everyone you know, this is a great wedding venue in the area. You can stay at the resort, have your ceremony by the picturesque reflection pool, opt for the Hill Room and Terrace that fits up to 40 people, or choose from a number of other locations on the property, all with impressive views. 

The Loft

Dream of tying in the knot in a music venue? Check out The Loft! This brick building in the center of Old Town has lots of character and offers both sit-down dinner celebrations and a great atmosphere to party. 

Almagre Venue

If industrial vibes are your thing, check out the Almagre venue in Colorado Springs, where you get a reception venue, bar, and more all wrapped up in one. As a photographer, I’m excited about this venue because it offers all kinds of interesting shots, plus opportunities to make it look just how you’d like. 

Get in touch to learn about my go-to vendors in Colorado Springs! 

Elopement Activities in Colorado Springs

Make your elopement day extra special by centering it around a fun activity, or pursue any of these activities during a mini-honeymoon afterwards! 

  • Brunch at The Broadmoor
  • Drive Pikes Peak Scenic Highway
  • Couples massage at SunWater Spa
  • Hike Red Rocks Open Space
  • Visit the United States Air Force Academy
  • Visit the Olympic Center
  • Tour Phantom Canyon Brewing Company
  • Visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
  • Hike the Manitou Incline
  • Shop in Old Colorado City

Looking for a Colorado Springs Elopement Photographer?

I hope this Colorado Elopement Guide was helpful for you! I have lots more resources where these came from…If you’re looking for a local Colorado Springs photographer to capture your elopement, I’d love to hear from you. Take a look at my work, check out my Colorado elopement packages and contact me when you’re ready to start planning!