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 and get a taste of all that Colorado has to offer—not to mention insanely beautiful hiking trails to explore!

Reasons to elope in Colorado Springs

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

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

3. The perfect place to honeymoon after with access to the cutest mountain towns (Buena Vista, Breckenridge, Idaho Springs, Westcliffe, + more)

4. Hiking, Mountain Biking, great food & happy locals, has a major airport

5. Amazing place to return to for the rest of your lives

Transportation

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 Uber to get you from place to place. I have recently discovered Turo—think Air Bnb for cars—and it has been a game changer when traveling to a new place where I need to rent a car. Treat this as Air Bnb though, 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.

Colorado Springs Elopement Locations

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!

Pike’s Peak

Oh, Pikes Peak—America’s mountain. You can see Pike’s 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 to the top. 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 didn’t want to drive to the top, you and your boo could hike Pikes Peak. There is an option from the front side, you’d 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 7000 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 boo are open to hiking, there are tons of trails that you can find privacy on. Keep in mind that the best times to elope in this park are sunrise and sunset unless you don’t mind mountain bikers and hikers. 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. If you were considering a day after session, this would be an amazing choice.

“Hidden Gems”

This is where having a knowledgeable, local photographer becomes really handy. Colorado is amazing. 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. If privacy is important to you on your elopement day, you’ll want a photographer that 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! Pikes Peak does require permits on a case by case basis though. Reach out to them to learn about what, if anything, is required for your elopement. This is something your photographer can help you with.

How to get a marriage license in Colorado Springs

You can obtain an marriage license at the Clerk & Recorder’s office in Colorado Springs Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Depending on your plans, the North office is also open from 8:00 am -12:30 pm on Saturdays.

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 signing. If you are late returning the signed license, you will be charged a late fee ($20 minimum/$50 maximum).

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
Bring valid form of identification (driver’s license, passport)

CLICK HERE to make an appointment! Walk-ins will not be accepted.

Colorado Springs Elopement Vendors

Photographer | Me! Mikayla Renee Photo
Florist | Emily with Flora Deo Gloria
Hair and Makeup | Blush Dry Bar
Private Chef | Vivace Gourmet Cafe, Personal Chef & Catering
Dessert | Sugarplum Cake Shoppe
Officiant | Amy with Love Matter Officiant Services

Things to Do/See in Colorado Springs

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! If you’re looking for a local Colorado Springs photographer, I’d love to hear from you! Look at my Colorado elopement packages and contact me with you’re ready to start planning!