A Simple Guide To Planning An Unforgettable Colorado Elopement (updated 2025)

We are biased because we LOVE summer. Colorado summers are dry, green and they are the perfect weather to visit the high country. It’s also the best time to elope along with fall. 

Choosing when to elope in Colorado is dependent on what you want on your elopement day. Each season brings a different experience, so here are our tips for choosing the best time to elope in Colorado as a pair that has lived here our entire lives.

Elope on a weekday

The weekends in Colorado are super busy in the summer, fall and even wintertime. Weekend trips are very popular for camp trips, ski trips, and even leaf peeping trips. Picking a date between Monday -Thursday will give you the best experience in terms of finding vendors and a more secluded location.

Summertime In Colorado (June-mid September) 

Everyone thinks they are going to melt away in the summertime but the weather in the mountains is the absolute best in the summer. In fact, a lot of locations look the best and are only accessible in the summertime due to their high elevation. Most high elevation locations never get over 75F in the summer and the climate here is dry so it wont feel like a humid mess. 

Autumn In Colorado (Mid September–November)

Fall in Colorado is a beautiful time to elope. With cooler temps and epic fall foliage, we love to recommend it as an option. The only caveat is that fall foliage is short lived, and if you want to guarantee fall foliage you need to choose between the last week of September and the first week of October. This is also a very popular time to elope so booking vendors and planning in advance is a must. 

Winter Elopements In Colorado (Late November–May)

Winter is definitely the least busy time to elope in Colorado, making it a great time to find a very secluded location. However, with winter comes more location closures and it can be very cold for an outdoor elopement. Ski towns are typically the most busy areas while other areas become sleepy towns. If you want to learn more about how you can plan a winter elopement, you can read our Winter Guide for all the tips and more!

Planning an elopement in Colorado is very easy and stress-free. Marriage laws here are pretty lax making it possible to plan an elopement in as little as 2 weeks if you really wanted to! Although we’ve helped couples plan elopements within that timeframe, we recommend at least 3 months of planning time for a more intentional day. Here are some planning tips, and things to keep in mind when you elope in Colorado:

1. Decide On The Bigger Things First

It’s important you have an idea of what you’re envisioning for your day. During this time you want to look at inspo for locations and what is the most important to you. Things you should consider asking yourself to help you are:

• Will it just be the two of you, or are you bringing guests?
• Do you want the day to be an adventure or a more relaxed experience?
• What kind of scenery do you want?
• How far are you willing to travel within the state?
• How important is a secluded area for your vows?

2. Hire your elopement photographer

The first big decision to plan an elopement in Colorado is picking and hiring your elopement photographer. Most elopement photographers based in Colorado are knowledgeable about locations, permits other logistics and usually have planning help built into their packages. It will make your planning process more seamless and easier if you allow someone to help you with your next biggest decision which is location. 

Our packages include photo, video, and planning assistance that includes: vendor recommendations, timeline creation, location suggestions, day-of checklists, permit research and more. Not sure where to start? We’ll help you through the process. Inquire with us here.

3. Pick Your Elopement Location + Lodging

When couples work with us, we send them a personalized location list that showcases locations that would be the best fit for what they are looking for. We filter out anything that doesn’t match your vision so that it doesn’t feel overwhelming picking from hundreds of locations.

When picking a location you want to think about the overall experience you are trying to have with your partner. Are you hiking that day? Do you imagine an accessible overlook with sweeping views and a picnic? Are you adventuring off-road to less traveled high alpine areas? Picking a location that fits all of your vision is key to an unforgettable experience. A few things to think about when choosing your location:

1. Check if you need a permit to have an elopement ceremony
2. Have a plan B just in case
3. Make sure you Leave No Trace at all outdoor locations.

Lodging comes after you pick your spot. Things to think about: Are you getting ready at this location? Does it have good natural lighting for photos? Can you have an intimate dinner there? What about the outside? Can it be used for a first look?

4. Hire your the rest of your vendors

We send our couples vendor recommendations, so you can have the best team to complete your day! Some vendors that you can hire include a florist, officiant, hair and makeup artist, and private chef. Some couples keep it simple, with just a photographer & videographer, so decide which vendors you’ll be looking into!

5. Make it legal

You can get your marriage license and any of the state clerks and recording offices. Most offices are only open regular business hours Monday-Friday. We recommend you make an appointment to avoid any issues picking up your marriage license. You can receive your license the same day you apply for it, and here’s what you’ll need to bring:

• Proper Identification (State ID, Passport)
• $30 
• Both you and your partner

In Colorado you don’t need an officiant or witnesses to solemnize your marriage. Once you pick up your marriage license, all you need to do is have you and your partner sign it! Your ceremony needs to take place in Colorado. 

6. Plan your timeline 

Although elopements are not really as structured as big weddings are, it’s nice to have a timeline of the day so that we have realistic expectations of how long things will take and know when to start. Timelines are super important for vendor coordination and activities. It would be sooo easy to forget how long things take because elopements are usually super fun and lighthearted. This is a more boring part of planning which is why we go ahead and take this off our couples plates and put together a timeline that gives us the best lighting for photos and a relaxed but put together day.

7. Pack and prepare for the day

We’ll send you a checklist so you don’t forget anything, but coming prepared for the elements and with your most important items will be super important. 

8. Get Married & Celebrate 

That’s it! Planning a wedding couldn’t be easier. You get to have the best day celebrating your love in the mountains with your best friend!

Plan A Personalized Elopement Ceremony 

Having an elopement ceremony without an officiant can be pretty hard to imagine, but the majority of couples that we work with have done it this way and it has been perfect. A typical elopement ceremony looks like: sharing personalized vows, performing a unity ceremony ritual, and signing the marriage license. Writing personalized vows will make your ceremony feel more special and adding a unity ceremony will make it feel complete.. 

Include Traditions That Are Meaningful To You

Just because you are eloping it doesn’t mean you have to go all in on the untraditional train. You can still include important to you things like first looks, first dances, cake cutting, etc. Adding these can actually enhance your day and your gallery. 

Bring Thoughtful Details 

Details like heirloom jewelry, perfume you wore on your first date, a playlist with your favorite music can also make your day more nostalgic and special. 

Dress For The Moment

Choose outfits that feel the most like you.The most important thing is feeling comfortable and good about yourself when it comes to outfits! A few tips of when choosing outfits for outdoor adventures are:

• Wearing base layers if it’s cold – nudes close to your skin color are best!
• Wearing a flowy dress can help you keep cool
• Material is everything. Wearing lighter materials when it’s warm or thicker materials in the cold makes a difference
• Proper footwear is key to ensure a good time
• Carry extra layers to put on or peel off
• A wind or rain jacket is a must for high alpine elopements
• Bring a comfortable (and cute!) backpack to carry your gear

Incorporate An Experience To The Day

Whether it’s a new experience or just something you already love doing together, adding an activity on your elopement day will elevate your experience and make it more fun! Your photos and videos will also be very unique. Need ideas? Check out 30 activity ideas you can do in Colorado.

Celebrate Yourself By Pampering Yourself

This is by far our favorite suggestion for couples who are looking to elope in Colorado. Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to splurge on something luxurious. Book a private chef to cook you a private dinner at your lodging or book that bougie airbnb with the hot tub. This is a great occasion to pamper yourself and celebrate!

Work With A Photographer & Videographer That Feel More Like Friends

Your photo & video team are going to be with you the majority of the time capturing your day, so it is the most important that you vibe really well with them before booking with them. This is why we offer free consultation calls for couples that think we may be a good fit. It’s super important to us that you feel comfortable hanging out with us all day!

• Acclimate to the altitude – Denver itself sits a mile above sea level. Give yourself a day to acclimate to the elevation so that you don’t experience altitude sickness.
• Double check location rules– Some elopement locations require a permit, while others don’t. Always double check with the county or ranger district before to make sure your elopement doesn’t get busted by park rangers!
• Plan travel time between locations– Sometimes traffic can be annoying near Denver or I-70. Traveling between locations can also be interesting if there are windy or single lane roads.

• Watch for fire bans – Colorado air is super dry, so there are usually some fire bans going on. If you decide to have a relaxing bonfire during your romantic mountain dinner, make sure you check for fire bans in that county
• Wear sunscreen – Colorado sun is very harsh, so wearing sunscreen is a must.Even in the winter, sunlight can reflect off the snow. 
• Practice Leave No Trace–Colorado is beautiful – let’s keep it that way! Make sure your elopement follows the rules of LNT so we can keep it as environmentally friendly as possible. You can check out more information here.

Want to bring a few loved ones to your elopement? You can totally do that! There are a few things that you should consider when inviting guests:

1. Most outdoor locations are only suitable for fewer than 10 people. That includes your vendors (photographers, officiant), guests, and the two of you.
2. Reserving an outdoor location is the best option for elopements with a larger guest count. Most State Parks/National Parks have areas that are reservable for an outdoor ceremony!
3. There are a few small wedding venues in Colorado suitable for small elopement weddings.
4. Make sure your guests aren’t the reason you are limiting your adventure! If you’re dreaming of a hard hike or a certain view, you can invite guests to the ceremony in an accessible location, then head off to adventure on your own afterwards.

After helping couples plan elopements across Colorado, we can confidently say: no two elopements are ever the same. Your day should reflect you. Your pace, your vibe, your vision. While there are endless ways to celebrate, here’s what most couples experience based on our most popular Colorado elopement packages:

4-Hour Elopement
Perfect for a simple, scenic celebration with no hiking. Ideal for drive-up locations, this timeline often includes a first look, vows, portraits, and a post-ceremony toast.

8-Hour Elopement (Most Popular)
A full-day adventure tailored to your style. Whether it’s hiking at sunrise, off-roading to an epic overlook, stargazing before dawn, or sharing a private picnic, this gives you time to slow down and soak it all in.

12-Hour / 2-Day Elopement
Designed for couples who want the best of both worlds—an epic private adventure and time to celebrate with loved ones. This includes two days of coverage at different locations, customized however you’d like.

Check out our elopement packages.

We’re a photo and video duo born and raised in Colorado. You’re not just getting vendors, you’re getting locals who grew up in these mountains. You’re also getting two new friends in Colorado! See what our couples are saying.

Here’s what you get when you work with us:

• Hand-picked location ideas in some of Colorado’s iconic mountains
  
• Straightforward permitting & marriage license guidance
  
• A custom-built timeline that flows with ease and gives you space to be
  
• Planning support you didn’t know you needed–vendors, backup plans, and more
  
• Real, beautiful images + films that feel like you on your best damn day
  

You’re not here for a basic checklist elopement. You’re here for something that feels bold, beautiful, and like the two of you.

Let’s make it happen. Contact us and let’s get planning.

Fill out the form below and we will get back to you within 24 hours. We can’t wait to hear all about what you’re thinking!