How to Plan an Elopement in Colorado

It’s no secret, or even a surprise really, that Colorado is one of the most popular states that couples choose to elope in. From our epic mountain views and stunning natural landscapes, to our simple marriage laws that make eloping here feel like a breeze, Colorado has a LOT going for it. With that all in mind however, there is still plenty of planning involved with creating your dream elopement experience here in Colorado. Whether you just need a little help planning the logistics, or you’re looking for a step by step guide on everything you need to know, we’ll cover it here! Let’s get right into it, starting with the ideation of your elopement.

Discuss What You Want Your Elopement to Look and Feel Like

The first step you’ll take in your elopement journey is actually deciding what you want it to be like. Elopements have risen in popularity dramatically in recent years, and a large part of that is due to the flexibility and freedom of choice they offer couples. You can, no exception, do anything you want to celebrate your elopement. Want to have a ceremony on top of the mountain? Go for it! Do you want to have dinner with your friends and family the evening afterwards? Do it! 

From the setting you choose, to the people you invite, and even the traditions you include into your day, an elopement gives you the freedom to do anything with the love of your life! Talk with your partner, and discuss what you both want this day to feel like. Be open, honest, and collaborative with one another so that you can create the elopement day of your dreams together!

Set Your Budget

Once you have a rough idea in mind for what your elopement in Colorado is going to look and feel like, the next thing you’ll want to do is come up with a budget. Another huge appeal with elopements is that thanks to their smaller (sometimes non-existent), guest count you can put funds that would go towards your reception meal, venue, etc. towards other areas of your day. Look at your finances together, talk with your parents if they’ve mentioned interest in helping with your wedding cost, and come up with a rough idea of what your elopement budget will be. From there you’ll be able to start using those funds towards bringing your vision to life, something we’ll be covering later on in this article!

Determine Your Guest List

Yes, you can actually have guests at your elopement. Like I said, there’s really no rules with what you can and can’t do! Technically an elopement can have up to 20 guests according to this article on Simply Eloped. The great part about this is that they can be present for part of your elopement, or the entire thing. As an example: you can have your close family present for your ceremony, and afterwards head out for a hiking adventure with your photographer as just the two of you. Whatever option you end up going with, knowing how many guests are going to be present is incredibly important for other areas of your elopement planning!

Decide When You’re Eloping

Choosing the day and which season you have your elopement are both big decisions that can completely change the look and feel the elopement itself. For starters weekdays are typically WAY less busy than weekends, regardless of the season. If you want a more intimate elopement, less crowds on your hiking trail, more freedom when it comes to booking vendors, and an easier time finding parking at some of the more popular locations, consider a weekday elopement.

As for the season, Colorado is particularly appealing for elopements as each season has something unique to offer:

• Summers are strikingly beautiful here and have the most consistent weather.
• Fall is a magical time of year in Colorado thanks to the leaves changing colors, and while it is typically busier and comes with less predictable weather, the experience is still well worth it!
• Winter can sometimes be overlooked as the weather can get pretty rough here in Colorado, but having your elopement in a literal winter wonderland is an experience like none other!
• Finally there’s spring, which has some unpredictable weather and tends to be the season with the heaviest rainfall, but the initial bloom after a long winter is always a beautiful setting for an elopement!

Choose a Location

Another important decision you’ll be making as you plan your elopement is where exactly you’ll be eloping in Colorado! The good news here is that Colorado spoils you with choices, from incredible mountaintop views, to hidden lakes surrounded by the mountains, and pretty much anything else you can imagine. The bad news is that it’s pretty hard to choose when there are this many great options! That’s why having a vision of what you want your elopement to be is SO important. It’ll help you to find the right setting to make your soul sing as you elope with the love of your life.

As a quick bonus tip, don’t be afraid to ask your Colorado wedding photographer for their input. I love helping my couples find the perfect space to fit their vision, and trust me I have a LOT of recommendations for just about any setting and style. Take a look at a few of my favorites below!

• Sapphire Point Overlook in Dillon, Colorado (Ceremony Space Overlooking the Stunning Dillon Reservoir)
• A Charming Bed and Breakfast in Manitou Springs (Perfect Mixture of Cozy and Romantic Vibes)
• Nederland (Lakefront Town that’s both Cute and Breathtaking)
• Keystone (A Lovely Small Mountain Town and Ski Resort)
• Georgetown (Picturesque Riverfront Mountain Town)
• Halfway House in Boulder (Historic Stone House with Epic Views)
• Twin Lakes Near Leadville (Beautifully Scenic Lakes Under Colorado’s Tallest Peak) 
• Evergreen Mountain Trail (Challenging Mountain Hike with Incredible Views)
• Plenty More that I’d Love to Recommend on a Discovery Call!

Plan the Logistics

Once you have the vision put together, it’s time to start planning the details. Where to stay, how you’ll get there, and how long you plan to be there are all super important questions you’ll want to think through when finalizing the details for your elopement in Colorado. Here are some questions you and your partner should go over when planning out the details of your elopement:

• How are you getting to Colorado and your elopement location? (You’ll most likely be flying into Denver and renting a car.)
• How long do you plan to stay in Colorado? Is this just a weekend getaway or are you staying for a minimoon in Colorado post elopement?
• Where do you plan to stay while you’re here? We have plenty of options from Airbnb’s to epic resorts. (I recommend something close to where you’re eloping!)
• Will you mostly eat out, or do you want to cook some of your meals?
• Where do you plan to elope? 
• Do you need permits for your elopement location? (I can help with this!)
• What kind of shoes will you need to get to your elopement location?
• Do you need any other hiking gear to get to your elopement location?

Talk through ALL of these points with your partner. Seriously, go over every little detail of your elopement plans! You will want to make sure all of your decisions and preparations are made prior to your elopement so that when the time comes to elope you’re able to be fully present in the moment and the adventures to come.

Book Your Vendors

When it comes to planning your elopement, booking amazing vendors is something you can do to elevate so many areas of your experience. Though yes, you can save money by not having a traditional wedding, many couples are using those funds on amazing vendors for their elopement day so that they can create the experience of a life-time. Things like catering or a private chef, a spa experience, an amazing hike with a tour guide, or a helicopter ride are just a few of the amazing things I’ve seen couples do for their Colorado elopement. Remember that your elopement can be whatever you want it to be, and the right vendor team can bring your vision to life!

Take Care of the Legalities

It’s time to handle the legalities of your elopement in Colorado. Luckily the state makes it about as easy as possible to elope here thanks to a little thing called self solemnization. Self solemnization is where a couple can marry one another without an officiant or witnesses present, and Colorado is only one of a few states where this is legal! All you have to do is choose a county to apply for your marriage license in and follow their guidelines to have your license approved. Typically this includes providing valid forms of ID, paying a small fee, and signing/returning your marriage license within a specific period of time. Denver for example requires your license be signed within 35 days of it being issued, and requires it be returned within 63 days of the marriage.

Another fun bit about Colorado’s marriage laws is that many of the state’s counties actually allow your pet to “sign” as a witness with their paw print! This is such a fun way to include your fur baby into your elopement, and it makes for some incredibly fun photo opportunities. I’m also very much a dog person, so I’m always encouraging my couples to include their four legged family members into their day whenever possible!

Make it Your Own

My last tip is an important one, make your Colorado elopement unique to you! I’ve mentioned a few times throughout this article how amazing elopements are due to their flexibility, and I love when couples get creative with that freedom! Have fun and really enjoy yourselves by doing what YOU want to do. Go to a speakeasy before or after your vows, go fly fishing together the morning of, have photos taken of you getting ready together, rent an OHV or a Jeep for some off roading adventures, the sky’s quite literally the limit!

That just about covers everything you need to know about planning an elopement in Colorado! It can take a lot of planning and preparation to create the elopement you’re after, but trust me it is WELL worth it and often much simpler than planning a large wedding too. For more planning tips be sure to check out some of my other articles, and if you’d like to book me as your elopement photographer make sure you send me an inquiry through my contact page ASAP!