So you’re planning your elopement and the idea of a destination elopement in Colorado has come up!🤩 You’re excited at the idea, but a little nervous as to the logistics of it all. What sort of legal requirements are there for eloping in Colorado? Where in the state should we elope? Do we need vendors for an elopement? All these questions and more are what we’re here to cover today. So let’s grab those hiking boots and head out on the adventure of planning an elopement in Colorado!!

A bride and groom kiss one another while standing atop a rock formation looking out over to mountains in the distance during their Colorado elopement

Why Elope in Colorado?

For some of you this question may seem like a no brainer, but for others this may be the first time that they even considered the Centennial State as the location for their elopement! For me, my love of the state has come from experiencing it through vacations that my family and I take here yearly. The natural beauty of the state is something that cannot be overstated. From its vast mountain ranges, to rolling fields looking out over said mountains, and everything in between, Colorado has some truly gorgeous locations throughout the state for an elopement ceremony.

The appeal doesn’t stop there though!! With simpler legal requirements than most states, plenty of activities for you to do outside of the elopement, and a variety of vendor options to make your elopement the one-of-a-kind experience you’re dreaming of, there are SO many reasons to choose Colorado for your elopement. Let’s take a deeper dive into them!

2 photos side by side of a bride and groom together in the snow in front of a forest of snow covered evergreen trees, in the left photo they're smiling at one another and in the right they are kissing

The Legalities

First and foremost let’s get all the legal requirements out of the way. When it comes to eloping in Colorado there are a few key things you’ll need to be aware of when planning out the legal logistics of your day. Lucky for you, as I mentioned earlier these requirements are on average much simpler than in most other states!

Marriage License

The first step on your journey of eloping in Colorado will be acquiring your marriage license. To start this process you’ll have to register for your license online and then schedule a time for an in-person meeting to receive your license. Colorado does have a system in place for this application process to take place completely online. The only downside to this online process is that a Colorado address is required in order for them to send the marriage license via mail, so in the case of anyone coming from out of state for their elopement you’ll have to schedule that in person appointment.

It’s also important to note that while the rules are similar throughout the state, there are some slight differences from county to county. Be sure to research the requirements of the county you plan on eloping in to make sure you’re taking care of the necessities before your big day!!

To get your marriage license in Colorado you’ll have to provide valid forms of ID for the two of you, this includes either your drivers license or permit, state issued ID, a military ID, or a passport. There is also a $30 fee that must be paid for the license. You’ll receive your marriage license the same day as your appointment, and it will then be valid for 35 days. This means the elopement ceremony must take place within those 35 days or you’ll have to go through the process all over again. Lastly the license must be returned to the recorder within 63 days of the ceremony in order to make the marriage official as well as avoid any late fees!

A bride and groom kiss and embrace one another standing on a rock formation looking out over the landscape of mountains behind them during their elopement in Colorado

Witnesses, Officiants, and Self Solemnization

With that out of the way, what does the rest of Colorado’s legal requirements look like? Honestly we just about covered everything! Colorado is a state that allows self solemnization, meaning that while you can have an officiant and/or witnesses present during your elopement ceremony, they are not required. This flexibility is what has led to one of my FAVORITE wedding and elopement trends in Colorado, which is having your dog or other furry friend sign as your witness! Since the only real signatures needed are that of the couple, this is a super cute and fun way to make your ceremony that much more special!!

Photo taken along a hiking trail that looks out to the mountains of Colorado in the distance

Planning Your Elopement in Colorado

With the legalities out of the way we can now get into the fun details of planning your Colorado elopement! As you’re reading through these sections, and thinking about your elopement in general, be sure to talk with your partner about what each of you envision for your elopement day. What is the setting for your day? What experiences are you hoping to have the day of? Is it just going to be the two of you there or are you looking to include some family or friends? Elopements are so incredible in large part due to how much freedom they offer to the couple! The sky really is the limit here, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box!!✨

Hiring Vendors for Your Elopement

First on our list of topics is deciding on your vendor team for your Colorado elopement. Like almost all other aspects of an elopement, you really can include whatever you’re looking for in terms of a vendor team! You can keep things simple, opting for only a photographer, a florist for a bouquet, and a hair and makeup artist. You can also go all out hiring these vendors as well as a videographer, private chef to cook a meal for the two of you, or even a bakery for a wedding cake. The idea here is to think of the experience you’re looking to have on your elopement day. What vendors are needed to make that vision a reality? There’s no one right answer here, it all comes down to the experience that YOU are looking for!!

One last vendor I’d like to mention is one that is pretty unique to elopements in adventurous locations like Colorado, and that’s a hiking guide! If you’re looking to hike up a mountain for your elopement this vendor can be either incredibly helpful, or an absolute necessity depending on the hike! There are of course plenty of locations throughout Colorado with very simple hikes where no guide is required, if you’re the kind of couple that REALLY likes to get out there and get after it though, a guide can be an invaluable member of your vendor team!!

During their elopement in Colorado a bride and groom kiss one another in front of a lake with snow on the trees and mountains behind the lake

Choosing a Location

Colorado is quite literally filled to the brim with incredible locations for you to have your elopement, and not just for those looking to elope in the mountains! There is something here for everyone!! As you plan your elopement in Colorado you may have an idea on the setting you want for your ceremony, but how do you choose a specific location?

Most people are unsure on where to exactly elope and that’s where I come in! Colorado has become so near and dear to my heart from the times my family and I have traveled here. Even though I am based out of Chicago, I know a lot about the Centennial State and have photographed so many sessions and elopements all over. We will start by chatting over coffee or a call to see what exactly you guys are dreaming of for your elopement. Are you thinking of hiking through the mountains and seeing those breathtaking views? Or something around water or the red rocks? I am here to help you figure that out and send you my recommendations!😍 Let’s take a look at some of the options that are out there to help get your brain flowing!!

A bride and groom hug while smiling at one another during their elopement in Colorado, they're standing on a rock formation with mountains in the distance behind them

In the Mountains

Of course though we HAVE to cover the mountains of Colorado first! The state is known for its gorgeous mountain ranges looking out over the beauty of the state. The hiking trails of the mountains themselves vary greatly from those that are short and beginner friendly, to trails meant only for the most avid hikers, and everything in between. Each trail and each mountain has something unique to offer. Whether it’s a view of a mountain range off in the distance, a hidden lake surrounded by evergreen trees, or a view of the town below that you plan to spend your elopement weekend in, there is so much to experience here!

Out in Nature

There’s more to Colorado’s nature than just its mountain ranges though! Lush forests, crystal clear lakes, and vast open fields with the mountains looming in the distance all over equally beautiful settings for an elopement ceremony. The great thing about Colorado is that the beauty of nature is so abundant that you can experience multiple of these settings at or near a single location!

Downtown

Who says Colorado has to be only for the lovers of hiking and the great outdoors? It can be just as charming and special to elope in one of the cities throughout the state. Whether you want the big city feel like in Denver, or a smaller more quaint setting like Breckenridge, the charm of Colorado’s downtown areas shouldn’t be overlooked!

An Airbnb or Vrbo Elopement

There are SO many different Airbnbs and Vrbos throughout Colorado, and a lot of them can give you some pretty amazing settings for your elopement! Imagine your elopement ceremony taking place on the balcony of this Airbnb in Breckenridge, or at this Vrbo next to a river near Estes Park. Not only are these Airbnbs and Vrbos great elopement locations on their own, many of them also are near other trails or attractions which can make traveling to another location on the day of your elopement so simple! This actually brings me to my next point…

A Good Mix

With so many different locations throughout Colorado, each with their own appeal to them, deciding on one location can feel impossible. Luckily there are a TON of locations out there that are close enough to one another that you can actually make a day out of traveling to these different locations for your elopement. Imagine photos of you getting ready in your dreamy Airbnb, looking out over the mountain that you’re about to hike together for your ceremony. Or a sunrise elopement looking out over the city where we’ll head back to for a lunch and some portraits around the town. Depending on the coverage you choose and what you’re looking for in your day, having these multiple locations as a part of your day is a great way to make the most of your elopement celebrations.

2 photos side by side of a bride and groom, the left photo is of them sitting together on a rock and laughing, the right is of them kissing one another while walking up a rocky hill

Choosing a Season

Now that we have an idea of the location for your elopement, the question is now when should you have your elopement? This question, like deciding on where to have your elopement, comes down to what kind of experience you hope to have on your elopement. The fortunate thing is that each and every season in Colorado is beautiful in its own right! The downside of this is it can make it hard to choose!! Let’s go over the pros and cons of each season real quick so you can get an idea of which would best fit your day.

Winter

Colorado in the winter is absolutely stunning and becomes the literal embodiment of a winter wonderland! This of course leads to some added tourism thanks to the popularity of skiing here. If you’re willing to brave the extra crowds in and around the mountain towns and cities though this can be a truly magical time of year for your elopement.

Spring

As the snow melts things begin to get pretty muddy in Colorado, especially around the mountains. This leads to the least popular season for tourism which can be great in terms of cost! All of the greenery of Colorado is starting to bloom this time of year as well which can be quite the beautiful spectacle to capture for your elopement. The main downside here is that the weather can be pretty unpredictable. With rain, snow, and intense heat all possibilities, it’s a good idea to pack and prepare for anything!

Summer

Next is summer, one of the busier seasons of the year for Colorado. This of course is due to the consistent temperatures and just how gorgeous the state is during the summer months. The greenery is all in full bloom, and with much less rain than in spring trails are easier and less muddy to hike. The added popularity can make it more difficult to travel and more expensive to stay in Colorado, but in my opinion it is very much worth it for the experience you’ll have in the summer!

Fall

Last and definitely not least is the fall! Believe it or not this is the busiest season for weddings in Colorado due to the fall colors attracting many people! When it comes to eloping in Colorado though it is still very much doable since you won’t be reserving a wedding venue for your day. There will likely be more people out on the hiking trails than during other months, but the Colorado landscape in full fall colors is 100% worth it. The only other thing to keep in mind with the cooler temperatures is that snow is a possibility, especially in the mountains!

Photo taken from atop a rock formation looking out over fields and mountains of Colorado in the distance

Choosing a Time of Day

So when should you have your actual elopement ceremony? Golden hour is the go to for almost any elopement scenario thanks to the incredible lighting that the hour is known for. This of course is the hour after sunrise, and the hour before sunset. Both of these are great options for different reasons. Sunrise is wonderful for a hike since you’ll beat most of the other hikers out onto the trail, this just comes at the cost of having to wake up a little earlier! Let’s be honest though, you’ll be so excited for your elopement day that getting up this early won’t even be an issue!!❤️ Sunset is still just as great of an option though. While the trails will be busier, it does mean that you can take your time during the day prior to your ceremony!

What to Wear for Your Elopement

Now this section may seem a little obvious, but it’s worth mentioning all the same! What you wear on your wedding day is going to depend heavily on two things, the weather, and the location of your elopement. I always recommend packing clothes and layers for any possible weather scenarios for the season of your elopement. Rain coats in the summer, winter coats in the fall and spring, etc. It’s better to be safe than sorry after all! The other factor, the location of your elopement, will also be something you have to keep in mind when planning your wardrobe. If you’re hiking, then hiking boots are of course a must have. Whether you wear them while in your wedding dress (which is such a cool look by the way🤩), or you wear them for the hike and change once you arrive at your destination.

Detail photo of a woman putting a ankle bracelet on another woman's leg

Who Will be Present

This might come as a shock to some, but an elopement doesn’t HAVE to be just the two of you! According to an article by Simply Eloped, an elopement can actually have up to 20 guests!! This means that you can have some of your closest friends and family out to celebrate your elopement in Colorado with you. Take into consideration where you’re eloping and if all the members you want present for the elopement will be able to make it to said location. You aren’t really going to want grandma going on a hike with you!

Even if you want to have the elopement ceremony as just the two of you, your guests can still come on a trip with you to celebrate the occasion. Whether they stay in the same Airbnb as you, or you meet up for dinner after your ceremony, there’s plenty of ways to involve those you love into your elopement!

A bride and groom kiss while on a hiking trail covered in snow as guests of their elopement in Colorado walk along the trail behind them

Outside of Your Elopement

Now that we have your elopement details figured out, we can take a look at some of the other logistical planning that will have to go into your elopement.

Travel

First up is travel! Since this is likely a destination elopement for you, ironing out your travel details ahead of time is a MUST. I cannot stress this enough, if you are flying BOOK YOUR FLIGHT EARLY. This is especially the case for the more tourist heavy seasons that we talked about earlier. The absolute last thing you want to experience when planning your elopement is that feeling when you realize all the flights around your date have been booked.

Stay

We talked a bit about Airbnbs and Vrbos already, but there are plenty of other options throughout Colorado to choose from. I believe Airbnbs and Vrbos offer a more personal and intimate experience for your elopement, but if you’re more the type that likes to stay in a hotel or a resort you can go that route as well! The main things you’ll want to keep in mind here are again booking early (especially during tourist seasons), and choosing a place to stay close to your elopement location.

A bride and groom hold one another and smile during their elopement in Colorado, behind them is a lake and, snow covered trees and mountains

Activities

If you are traveling to Colorado for your elopement, you’re more than likely making a weekend or a bit of an extended stay out of it, which is SO fun! There is so much to see and do around Colorado. When planning your elopement be sure to take some time to look at some of the attractions around the surrounding areas. Whether you’re looking to explore and experience downtown Denver, or hike a mountain a day while you’re there, make the most of your trip and this experience as a whole!

And there we have it, your complete guide to planning your own elopement in Colorado! That was a lot of information, and it may seem overwhelming at first. Trust me though, the work you put into this elopement in Colorado will provide you with a once in a lifetime experience that you both will look back on for the rest of your lives! If you’re ready to book me as your photographer for your elopement head to my contact page here. I’d love to help you plan out your trip to Colorado and get ALL of the details ironed out with you!!❤️