The Only Denver Elopement Guide You’ll Ever Need

If you’re looking for the ideal elopement location, consider Denver—with a variety of interesting neighborhoods, plenty of beautiful courthouses, and easy access to the mountains, Colorado’s capital city is a top pick. As a Denver elopement photographer, I’ve been there for dozens of elopements in the Denver area and know what it takes to help your special day go off without a hitch! Here is all you need to know about planning a Denver elopement.

Why Elope and Why Denver?

There are lots of different reasons couples choose to elope rather than planning a wedding. And no, eloping doesn’t necessarily mean running away together to get married in secret! You may choose to elope if you want to save the wedding money for an epic honeymoon, if your friends and family are far away, or if you’re just hoping to mark the occasion with a more private and intimate ceremony. You can still invite your loved ones to celebrate with you after!

So why elope in Denver? Well, first of all, it’s easy to get to. DIA is a major international airport, which means chances are you’ll find a convenient flight there from wherever your home base is. Also, the Mile High City blends all the best parts of urban and mountain life, with lots of interesting activities to choose from, great restaurants for a special elopement dinner, and also easy access to the mountains if an outdoor elopement is in the cards for you.

What You Need to Elope in Denver

As you’re preparing for your Denver elopement, use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need:

Paperwork. In order to actually get married, you’ll need to have some paperwork in order! This includes a marriage license (for which you’ll both need to bring your ID card or driver’s license), which you can get at most courthouses and country clerk’s offices. Just keep in mind that this may require an appointment—check out the place in Denver where you’re hoping to secure your license before planning your elopement. If you’re hoping to elope on public lands, you may also need a permit, so look into that before you go!
Accommodation. Unless you’re from Denver and have a home nearby already, you’ll want to find accommodation in the city. Airbnb usually has a lot of great options—look to stay in neighborhoods like Cherry Creek, Berkeley, or the River North Arts District.
Vows. Colorado is a self-solemnization state, which means you don’t need an officiant to marry you (unless you’d like one, of course). All you need for the perfect elopement ceremony is whatever vows you want to exchange or rituals you want to perform—it’s totally up to you!
Outdoor Gear. If you’re opting for an outdoor elopement in the Denver area, come prepared! That means sunscreen for sure (the thinner air at altitude means you’ll burn faster), plenty of water, and layers to prepare you for last-minute changes in weather.
Elopement Photographer. Even if you’ve opted to skip the whole big wedding thing, you’ll still want to commemorate this momentous occasion. An experienced Denver elopement photographer (like myself) will accompany you up a mountain or wherever else you want to exchange your vows, and capture precious pictures you’ll treasure. They may even be able to help you prepare for the ceremony—I love to share knowledge with my clients, like favorite elopement locations, restaurants, flower and makeup vendors, and more.

Outdoor mountain location 45 minutes from downtown Denver

When to Elope in Denver

Like the rest of Colorado, Denver sees about 300 days of sunshine each year, meaning you’ll probably catch a sunny day no matter when you choose to elope in Denver. That being said, certain times of year are better than others.

Springtime in Denver is characterized by unpredictable weather, with rain, clouds, and temperatures that fluctuate between freezing and very warm. In the summer, you can expect a lot of blistering hot days and afternoon thunderstorms, and keep in mind that sometimes the air quality is less-than-ideal for spending time outdoors.

Fall is probably the best time for a Denver-area elopement, as temperatures are generally comfortable (in the 60s and 70s), the weather is pretty dry, and the foliage around the mountains is beautiful. This is also shoulder season in the mountain towns, so a great time to head to places like Breckenridge or Estes Park that are crowded during the high seasons. Choose a winter elopement in Denver if you’re looking for snow-capped mountains and winter activities like skiing. Just make sure to bring lots of warm layers!

Where to Elope in Denver

Denver is an ideal elopement location not only because it offers a wide variety of potential places to get hitched, but also because it’s centrally located to allow you access to the mountains and Front Range cities. That means you have an even greater mix of elopement locations within an hour or two of the city. Here are some of my favorites!

Denver Botanic Gardens

The Denver Botanic Gardens is an absolutely magical setting for a wedding or elopement, and offers several on-site venues that are completely unique. Like the Woodland Mosaic, a solarium surrounded by trees that is cozy enough for a private ceremony but also has room for up to 50 guests. Check out all the different options available on the property here and start your rental inquiry.

Denver’s Parks

Denver’s parks offer green oases in the middle of the city, and make for casual elopement locations. Head to City Park where gardens, fountains, and mountain views await. This is the perfect location for a romantic picnic elopement! You can also choose a private spot within the 80 acres of peaceful Cheeseman Park, or head to the Washington Park Boathouse for a romantic setting and room for guests (if you’re inviting anyone).

Byron White Courthouse

Of all Denver’s courthouses, Byron White is probably the most picturesque, which is why it’s a favorite place to get married. This Denver landmark features grand Ionic columns, vaulted ceilings, sculptures of Rocky Mountain sheep, and other small architectural details that look great in photos. This is a classic Denver elopement location!

Denver Restaurants

Denver is a foodie city, which means there are dozens of great restaurants to choose from where you can celebrate your elopement after exchanging vows. Jovanina’s Broken Italian is a favorite, offering a Coloradan take on Italian food as well as a number of event spaces you can rent if you want to bring in family and friends to celebrate with you. Stueben’s is another classic Denver eatery, modeled after the Boston restaurant of the same name. No matter what kind of food or atmosphere you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it in Denver.

The Front Range

The Front Range is the name of the urban corridor located along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, home to cities like Boulder, Golden, and Fort Collins that are all within an hour or so of Denver. Whether you want to head to any of these smaller cities, elope in the mountains, or just take a little road trip after your ceremony, this is a great area! The elopement destinations along the Front Range I highly recommend include Lost Gulch Overlook and Chautauqua Park in Boulder and St. Mary’s Glacier in Idaho Springs. Or what’s more classic Colorado than a Rocky Mountain National Park elopement?

Check out my blog on Denver wedding venues for more ideas!

Denver Elopement Activities

Whether you’re looking for a unique elopement activity or an adventure to pursue during a honeymoon in the Denver area, here are some ideas!

Hike. Hiking is a classic Colorado activity, so if you and your soon-to-be spouse enjoy hiking, why not opt for an adventurous elopement and plan a hike-to ceremony? There are lots of great hikes accessible from Denver, and those of all difficulty levels. Head to Rocky Mountain National Park, Chautauqua in Boulder, The Bluffs Loop above Denver, Flatirons Vista, and more. There, you can find a private spot complete with spectacular vistas where you can exchange vows. Pro tip: Sunrise hikes are where it’s at!
Try Water Activities. During the warmer months, make sure to check out the Denver area’s many lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, which offer lots of recreation opportunities. Hop on a paddle board, try fishing, join your spouse in a two-person kayak, or book a white water rafting tour for an adventurous honeymoon.
Visit an Indoor Attraction. If you’re in town on a rare bad weather day, check out Denver’s museums and other fun indoor attractions. Discover something new at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, walk around the Denver Zoo with a beer, head to the Denver Aquarium to try scuba diving or snorkeling in the tanks, wander around trippy Meow Wolf, and so much more.
See a Show. All kinds of world-class artists come through Denver, so look to see who’s in town when you’re planning your elopement. From Ball Arena and Ogden Theater to Red Rocks in nearby Golden and more, there are lots of great venues where you can catch a show.
Go for Dinner. Explore Denver’s restaurant scene when in the area for your elopement! The city is home to everything from laid-back pubs to Michelin-starred restaurants and everything in between—you’ll be able to fulfill your every craving in Denver or book a special elopement meal.

Budget for a Denver Elopement

To help you get a sense of how much your Denver elopement might cost, here is a quick breakdown of what you can expect to spend:

Marriage License: $30.
Flight: $100-$700 (depending on where you’re coming from).
Accommodation: $200-$500 a night (depending on your budget, the kind of place you book, the location, and how much you want to splurge).
Celebratory Dinner: $200-$400.
Rental Car: $80-$150 a day
Venue Rental or Permit: $0-$2,000.
Elopement Photographer: $3,000-$7,500

Denver Elopement Photographer

However you choose to celebrate your Denver elopement, you’ll want a photographer there to capture all the precious moments! Even though you’re opting for a more intimate wedding experience, having photos of the special day will allow you to share your joy with friends and family, plus reminisce with your kids or fur babies someday if you choose to have them.

With my extensive experience photographing weddings and elopements in the Denver area, I’m happy to help you set up the picture-perfect day. Navigate to the Contact page to learn more, check out my past sessions, or look at my elopement photography packages.