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Colorado Elopement Photography

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Colorado Adventure Elopement & Mountain Wedding Guide

Colorado Elopement Guide and Photographer

So you want to elope in Colorado and do something amazing and fun? You want an experience that’s unique and takes you somewhere epic. I feel you! I play in the mountains as much as I can as they never cease to amaze me. I’ve created this Colorado Adventure Elopement and Mountain Wedding Guide to help people come to play in my backyard for their elopement or intimate adventurous wedding.

Choosing to elope in one of Colorado’s many epic elopement locations is never a bad idea. But with the wild outdoors comes some additional logistics to think about. Don’t worry, I’m here to help with those, too!

In this Colorado adventure elopement guide I’ll share some of the the best places to elope, how to get a marriage license in Colorado, & recommend the best Colorado elopement vendors. Plus some of my favorite unique places to stay in Colorado.

Agenda
  • What is an adventure elopement?
  • What time of year is best for eloping in Colorado?
  • Why Colorado for an adventure elopement?
  • Places to Elope in Colorado
  • What does it cost to elope in Colorado?
  • Unique Experiences for Your Colorado Elopement
  • Mountain Venues in Colorado for Micro-Weddings
  • Best Wedding Dresses for a Mountain Elopement
  • Colorado Elopement Vendors

What is an adventure elopement?

a couple stands in front of a red rock formation at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs after their elopement ceremony

Adventure elopements aren’t just for people who are always on adventures or really adventurous. According to the the definition by Oxford Language adventure is ‘willing to take risks or to try out new methods, ideas, or experiences’. Eloping in and of itself is adventurous because it’s a new idea of weddings and is rooted in the experience for the eloping couple rather than the display of union in front of others.

Eloping is no longer running away to get married without telling anyone, anymore. A lot of elopements involve parents, family and friends. A lot of people believe eloping comes with no planning and a zero dollar budget, but that couldn’t be further from the truth with today’s eloping couples. Couples are wanting to celebrate their love and unions in new, fun and unique ways.

Elopements are often very intentional , with little to no guests at all, and completely and solely focused on the couple’s experience.

Elopements are often adventurous, never boring and always different.

Your elopement day can be whatever you want it to. There are no rules. No one size fits all type of day. You choose the day that fits you best. You choose your budget and the experience you want to have together and then go from there.

What time of year is best for eloping in Colorado?

What time of year should you elope in Colorado? Well that depends on what kind adventure you want to have. The great thing about this state is we get all four seasons and there are lots of things to do in each one!

Colorado is an outdoor lovers dream. Each season has it’s different pros and cons for planning elopements. You have to figure out what kind of activities and lifestyle fits you and your relationship best. Would you be happiest snuggled up by a fire in your lodge underneath the snowy mountains after a day of exploring a winter wonderland outside? Or do you prefer being driven up a Colorado pass road in the middle of summer to flock about the wildflowers and enjoy yourself by an alpine lake?

There is a season for every kind of adventure elopement in Colorado. And even more for the laid back adventurers who enjoy moments in beautiful, unique places together. Mountain activities and accommodations change in the different seasons. For instance, some places are mostly inaccessible during the winter in Colorado. But this leaves us with awesome activities like snowmobiling, snow shoeing, dog sledding, and snowboarding for your winter elopement. This Colorado Elopement Guide and my Adventure Personality Questionnaire will help you figure out what kind of Colorado elopement would be best for you.

Summer Elopements in Colorado

Colorado Summer Mountain Elopement

Colorado summers can be just as frustrating as our crazy weather winters. But for a lot of people the perks of a summer elopement outweigh the few things that can happen. Colorado’s alpine wildflowers are a site to see. You’re sure to see them on most of our backcountry trails and roads between the months of May (depending on snow) and September (depending on snow). Summer elopements mean you can 4×4 to the top of mountain passes and to some of the most remote locations in the world. The summer in Colorado is perfect for hiking elopements and backpacking. If you’re a water lover than summer time is best. The alpine lakes will be thawing and the rivers will be flowing.

A few things to be mindful of in the summer is one; our afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains. The consensus is to the peak and turning around by noon. Because anytime after that it’s likely for thunderstorms and lightning, and you do not want to be caught in lightning above tree line.

Spring Elopements in Colorado

Spring in Colorado can mean a lot of things. From huge snow storms to hot days it can go either way or even both one right after the next. While the mountain ski resorts are still open and you can go to the lake in Denver. Some hiking trails are still inaccessible from snow as most don’t open until May. You can just as easily get blizzard conditions in the mountains all spring long, even into June and July depending on the weather pattern. But spring is beautiful in Colorado and usually when most Coloradans who don’t enjoy the snow start to come out to play.

Aspen Maroon Bells Elopement Photographer

The drastic weather changes is something you have to be prepared for in Colorado. But the Spring tends to bring the biggest temperature differences from day to night, and day to day. So if you’re planning a spring elopement it’s best to have a couple different plans for different weather scenarios. But this is good to do for every season in Colorado. They don’t call our weather “bipolar” for nothing.

Fall Elopements in Colorado

A groom looks at his bride as they stand in a golden aspen grove in Colorado after their Fall mountain elopement near Guanella Pass

Fall time in Colorado can easily be the most beautiful time of year, as well as the most busy time of year. It’s definitely a peak season for mountain travelers as our weather is still nice enough to enjoy location at altitude but it’s not as hot as summer and the colors that COLORado are famous for are on full display.

Winter Elopements in Colorado

Couple riding the ski lift in their wedding attire at A-Basin to snowboard before their mid-mountain elopement ceremony at the Black Canyon Lodge

Colorado is world renowned for it’s winter activities. The snowy covered Rocky Mountains are the dreamiest of backgrounds for elopements. And there are dozens of epic ways to adventure for your elopement day if you’re a winter lover.

Here are a few things to think about if you’re planning a winter elopement in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Winter Vehicle/Tires

A vehicle with appropriate winter tires and traction is recommended. It is a requirement on our main mountain highway, i70.

Winter Mountain Traffic

Being prepared for winter mountain traffic is a must- full tank of gas, appropriate winter clothing + extra layers, water, snacks, blankets. etc

Layers, layers, layers

The first thing you learn in Colorado is don’t go anywhere without layers. Layers under your wedding dress for your mountain elopement is a must. This rule applies to any mountain wedding or elopement during any season, too! Preparing these layers ahead of time and trying them on during your dress fitting will help you make sure you’re comfortable. This is especially important if you’re going to be hiking or snowboarding.

If you’re planning a winter wonderland elopement and need to rent some winter snow gear Mountain Threads in Golden, CO is one I recommend.

Proper winter foot attire

Winter snow boots will be a must. Something at least up over your ankle but something taller could be useful on those extra snowy days. Snowshoes and/or microspikes are likely to be needed to do any type of alpine hiking.

Mountain lodging

I highly recommend renting a cabin or lodging to all my mountain elopements. In the winter time this recommendation becomes almost a must as you have more elements to plan for and driving down the mountain in a blizzard at night after your epic elopement will just ruin it all. There are so many amazing options for lodging in the mountains, including airbnbs where you can have an intimate ceremony at if you wanted.

Additional Winter Costs

The possibility of snow storms and road closures means additional travel expenses for your vendor team as well. In the winter I travel up a day or two early to make sure I get there. No storm is going to keep me from getting to your snowy winter elopement!

In the winter to get most places with those epic mountain views in the winter you either have to take a gondola, ski lift, snowmobile or snowshoes. And your vehicle’s tires have to be prepared for the snow. These are all additional factors that you don’t have to deal with in the warmer months.

If you’re planning a winter elopement in Colorado check out my Winter Mountain Elopement Guide!

If you’re thinking about doing a helicopter elopement in Colorado then Telluride is the place to go. Check out Helitrax for private mountain tours! Colorado doesn’t offer much in way of helicopter mountain landings due to restrictions but Helitrax is one company that has permits for the San Juan mountains.

Reasons to Consider a Weekday Elopement

Why Colorado for an adventure elopement?

A couple crosses a still stream in the mountains of Colorado where you can see their reflections on the water after their elopement in Breckenridge

Why should you elope in Colorado?

With a never-ending list of unique and epic spots to elope, Colorado attracts adventure enthusiasts who love being in the mountains. Colorado is a paradise for the laid back adventurer, all the way to the adrenaline loving ones. It’s the perfect place to elope if you want those epic views and the experience of a lifetime. Epic experiences that make the best memories

Epic experiences that make memories of a lifetime.

Colorado has a list of year round activities that is longer than I am. Any kind of elopement with any type of budget is made epic in Colorado’s mountains. Some of most epic elopement experiences in Colorado are things like helicopter drop offs at the top of a mountain, 4x4ing under rocky cliffs on a pass road at 10,000ft, hiking to an alpine lake to say your vows amongst the wildflowers and then sleep under the stars. You can a little adventure to your Colorado elopement or go all out. Both are easy to do and I promise you it’ll be a day you dream about forever.

For more Colorado adventure ideas for your elopement click here.

Unique places to stay after your elopement.

Colorado is filled with cool places to stay during your elopement in the mountains. From a room at the Juniper Mountain House in Evergreen to a cabin like the Triangle Cabin in Jefferson to glamping at Piney River Ranch in Vail or a private hot spring cabin at Dutton Hot Springs. Colorado literally has a cool place to stay in every budget. You can backpack and camp in some of the most wild places in the world right here in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

You can marry yourselves in Colorado with no witnesses.

Colorado is the only state where you don’t need an officiant or witnesses to get married. There are a few other states that allow self solemnizing but they are more strict than Colorado. To learn how to get a marriage license go to the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder.

In Colorado your dog can sign your marriage license.

If you’re anything like me the second you read that last line you squealed a little. When my first couple had their dog paw print sign their marriage license it made my heart explode. Being a pet parent myself I think that is a unique and special thing to be able to do.

Elopement Photography Packages
Let’s Dream about Your Epic Elopement

Places to Elope in Colorado

There are so many amazing and unique landscapes for your Colorado elopement. In my Colorado Elopement Guide I’ll share with you some of the best places to elope and what you might need to get there or have your ceremony there.

There are plenty of easy to get to locations that have drive up top of the mountain views. But for some of the most epic locations in Colorado you must be willing to hike. Hiking elopements take a different kind of logistics but can have just as much glam as a non hiking elopement in Colorado.

Here are some of the best elopement locations in Colorado and a few things to know if you choose to elope there! The list starts with the locations closest to Denver for ease of navigation.

Vail

A couple exchanges their vows on wedding island in Vail Colorado with views of the Gore range in the background

Vail, Colorado and the surrounding areas in Eagle County have a little something for everyone. A luxury town and rugged mountains come together in Vail.

Vail has multiple elopement ceremony locations like the Vail wedding island, Holy Cross Event Deck, Piney River Ranch, plus some of the most gorgeous moderate to hard hikes in the Gore range.

  • Elevation in the town of Vail: 8,120
  • Gondola: Available almost year round
  • Permits: depends on location

Rocky Mountain National Park

A couple stands near Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is a staple of Colorado. With Dream Lake, Trail Ridge Road, and dozens of other places to explore for your elopement. RMNP requires a ceremony permit for a designated location within the park for your ceremony. Then you’re allowed to take non ceremony photos around the park. The recent wildfires have greatly affected the park but a lot of the easy to get to beautiful spots like Dream Lake are back open!

Permits: RMNP has started to limit the number of ceremony permits they release each year to only 250. So if you aren’t able to get a ceremony permit in RMNP I know of lots of spots around Estes Park for the ceremony. Then you just need the $50 permit for only photos in the park. RMNP ceremony permit fee is $300. Click here for more information on Rocky Mountain National Park’s wedding ceremony permit and reservation.

2021 Wedding Ceremony Permits in RMNP are SOLD OUT as of 2/27/2021

Maroon Bells

Maroon Bells is one of the most iconic set of peaks in the US. With an easy access ceremony site it has become a popular destination for couples looking to elope. It’s in Aspen and close to tons of gorgeous spots no matter what time of year.

Click here to check the Maroon Bells amphitheater availability

Breckenridge

Sunrise Mountain Elopement First Look in Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge is just two hours from Denver International Airport. It has beautiful trails and alpine lakes from easy, drive-up access to harder hike ins.

Sapphire Point

Breckenridge elopement photographer

Sapphire Point is a popular overlook in Summit County. It’s rented by the Dillon Ranger District. Here is the dedicated website with all the information to rent Sapphire point.

Loveland Pass

A groom holds his bride's ice skates as they walk towards a frozen backcountry alpine lake in the Arapahoe National Forest in Colorado

Loveland Pass is one of my favorite spots. It’s a paved pass road that goes past 11,000 feet elevation along the continental divide giving those drive up top of the world views. With a little more of a hike up you are literally on top of the world.

Evergreen

A bride and groom hiking in the mountains on a windy day for their Colorado elopement

Evergreen is less than an hour from Denver and offers those special mountain town vibes. It often has herds of elk roaming the front yards. Evergreen is a wonderful spot for the laid back adventurer.

Crested Butte

Elopement under Mt Crested Butte in Colorado

Crested Butte, Colorado is the wildflower capital of Colorado. The surrounding trails have views of Mt. Crested Butte through groves of giant aspen trees. There are many different mountain ceremony locations in Crested Butte. The permits are relatively easy to get.

Telluride

Best Telluride Colorado Elopement Locations, Bear Creek Falls

Telluride is an adventurous mountain town tucked in the southwest corner of the state. With world class mountain activities year round and accomodations it’s the perfect location for an epic adventure elopement. And with epic hikes, water falls, mountain 4×4 roads, and world class skiing it’s got it all. Here’s a list of wedding venues in Telluride that are good for guests.

Ouray

San Juan Mountain Elopement Photographer

Ouray, Colorado is known the “Switzerland of America”. It’s a small town nestled between huge peaks and mountain ranges on all sides. There are endless 4×4 roads and places to hike with the most unreal scenery. Ouray is the perfect place for a 4×4 elopement with a mountain top picnic. Or you can hike to one of the many nearby lakes for your elopement before heading down into Ouray to check in to your hot springs hotel.

Brainard Lake Recreation Area

Bride hiking through mud after her Colorado adventure elopement in Breckenridge

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs Lake Elopement

Steamboat Springs is a favorite little mountain town amongst the many. With a gondola, tons of surrounding hikes and lakes, and a super cool hot springs it’s a great place for an elopement. In the summer time you can tube the yampa, hike Hahns Peak, or paddle board Pearl Lake.

What does it cost to elope in Colorado?

How much does it cost to elope in Colorado?

Here are some of the costs to think about for the full Colorado elopement experience for 2. If you want to have guests at your elopement then costs will vary from what’s listed below. Your elopement budget can be as minimal or as large as you’d allow it to be. Technically, to get married in the state of Colorado all you need is a marriage license. Everything else is optional and this gives you room to put money towards what will make you happy and express yourselves at your elopement.

Lodging$250-600/night
Transportation$25-100/day
Dress, Attire & Accessories$1000-$5000
Small cake or desert$75
Private Chef Dinner for 2$200
Decor and Florals$100-$500
Elopement Photography$2500-$6000+
Marriage License$30
Location Permit$50- $300
A new eloped couple takes on in their vintage volkswagon with their daughter in Colorado

Unique Experiences for Your Colorado Elopement

If you’re here then it’s likely you’re the mountain and adventure loving humans who want to get married in a magical place like the ones you’ve experienced on your past adventures. You’re probably looking at Colorado like a snack as your elopement location. The Colorado Rocky Mountains have so many different type of locations for eloping. With all the mountains towns you have a choice of luxury accomodations in most of them.

You can turn your favorite Colorado adventure into an elopement of a lifetime. And that is why couples choose Colorado for their elopements and adventurous weddings!

Want to add some epic adventure to your Colorado elopement?
Couple loving on each other in the back of their new truck on their elopement day in Colorado

Check out some of these cool ways to have a unique experience on your elopement day!

4×4 rental vehicle: With many of Colorado’s most epic summer elopement locations needing a 4×4 lifted vehicle I thought I’d just let you know that they rent for around $100/day.

Snowmobile rental: $600-$1000 depending on where and tour guide. In Leadville you can snowmobile and do a winter zipline at White Mountain Snowmobile Tours

Hot air balloon elopement: private hot air balloon rides average $1200 for the couple. Check out Hot Air Balloon Rides Colorado for more info.

Helicopter Mountain top Elopement Adventure: you can do a helicopter elopement in Telluride for around $3500

Mountain Venues in Colorado for Micro-Weddings

Colorado is home to some of the most amazing mountain wedding venues in the world. As the need for larger venue space is replaced with a new generation of smaller, more intimate, weddings and elopements these mountain venues are pivoting with demand. Here are some of my favorite mountain venues that offer micro-wedding and elopement packages.

Click here to see a list of wedding venues in Colorado that offer elopement packages by Here Comes the Guide.

Best Wedding Dresses for a Mountain Elopement

Couple dancing on top of a mountain in Vail, Colorado after their elopement

Elopements are very different from your traditional wedding. You want to be able to easily move and comfortably hike in your dress. Think free-flowing and lighter materials, not super tight around your legs.

I think the best part about elopements is that they are so different from any other wedding day. You can wear a skirt instead of a dress, a color instead of white, or even a cool pantsuit. You wear what best represents your style and personality on your elopement day.

But remember, just because you are eloping doesn’t mean you can’t wear that fit and flare or tight around the legs wedding dress. You get to wear what you want! The great thing about laid back elopement days is there is enough time in the day for you to change 5 times if you want. Wear your hiking gear on the way up, then change at the top and have your first look and ceremony, then adventure a little for photos, and then you can even change before you head back down if you want.

The best places to buy your elopement dress online and on a budget.

Lulus.com

BHLDN.com

Etsy

Amazon.com

Colorado Elopement Vendors

Colorado Elopement and Wedding Planners

Knotted Events Jes is an awesome planner who can help with anything mountain elopement planning!

Roz Events Miranda is awesome with an amazing attention to detail.

Colorado Elopement Florists

Palmer Flowers

Little shop of Floral

Earth Tones Floral

Colorado Elopement and Wedding Hair and Make Up Artists

Bre Artistry

PLC Mobile Beauty

Unique Places to Stay for your Colorado Elopement
Planning Checklist for your Colorado Adventure Elopement
More Elopement and Mountain Wedding Planning Resources
A couple embraces in the mountains during a beautiful and dramatic sunrise shining behind them

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Mountain top elopement with friends in Boulder, Colorado

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Garden of the Gods Elopement Photography | Kacy & Brandon

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A wedding ceremony takes place on a trail in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado

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4 ladies jumping on the frozen Chasm Lake underneath an alpenglow lit Longs Peak after hiking up in the dark to catch sunrise on the lake

A How To Guide for Winter Mountain Adventures | Colorado

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A couple exchanges vows in front of the Gore Range at their Vail Wedding Island Fall Micro-Wedding

Vail Wedding Island Micro-Wedding | Colorado Mountain Photographer

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Colorado Elopement Guide

Are you looking for your Colorado Adventure Elopement or Mountain Wedding Photographer? Contact me to set up your free consultation!

Colorado Adventure Elopement Guide

Filed Under: Colorado Wedding Photography, Elopement Photography, Resources

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Can we please just continue to take a moment on my Can we please just continue to take a moment on my feed with the most magical evening for Jill + Jordan’s wedding in Steamboat Springs last September? 👌😍💗

I’ve decided I don’t share near enough of my work and so I think I’ll be posting back to back posts from the same shoot. I might as well when there are enough images from each day to do this 100x over. 😅

Venue: @catamountranchclub 
Florals: @steamboat.floral 
Baker: @steamboat.baker 
Makeup: @wildhorse_salon 
Hair: @sheer_passion_beautysalon 

#steamboatsprings #steamboatspringswedding #steamboatwedding #steamboatspringscolorado 
#westslopebestslope #coloradoelopements #coloradoelopementplanner #coloradoelopementphotographer #coloradoadventurephotographer #coloradolove #steamboatlove #travelcoupledestinations #travelcouplelife #elopementinspiration #steamboatphotographer #steamboatspringsphotographer #coloradophotographs #bestmountaintown
I’m working on a guide for elopements and intima I’m working on a guide for elopements and intimate weddings in Steamboat Springs and I’m so excited because it’s one of my favorite mountain towns! There is just something about it that I’ve always loved there. The epically deep champagne powder and almost daily fresh snow helps I’m sure. 😝👌❄️

And memories of weddings like this there doesn’t hurt either. 😍

Venue: @catamountranchclub 
Florals: @steamboat.floral 
Baker: @steamboat.baker 
Makeup: @wildhorse_salon 
Hair: @sheer_passion_beautysalon
Y’all want to see what my before and afters look Y’all want to see what my before and afters look like?! 🤪 My color edit, the straight out of camera (RAW) and my black and white edit.

I think I’ve only ever shared a handful of SOOC images online. Sometimes it feels kind of like sorcery when the images change so much from the RAW file. But then I remind myself that the raw isn’t what it looked like in real life. The camera puts that creative process in my hands when I shoot in Raw. And I do love having that control. 😍

#beforeandafteredit #photographersedit #lightroomediting #straightoutofcamera #nikonphotos #mtfalconpark #adventureengagement #adventurephotographer #coloradoengagementphotographer #coloradoadventureengagement #adventureelopementphotographer #coloradoadventureelopementphotographer #coloradoadventurephotographer #coloradomountainliving #coloradomountains #coloradocouplesphotographer #portraitartist #coloradolove
After 6+ years of marriage and over 10 years toget After 6+ years of marriage and over 10 years together.. with quite a few mighty ups and downs along the way. I can concretely say, my number one tip for a loving and long lasting relationship is to learn each other’s love languages, AND act upon those love languages regularly.

It’s so important to know how your person best receives love. Everyone is so different. But making the choice to speak to your person in their love language is such a vital key to a happy relationship.

You speak their love language to them and they speak yours to you. It’s where the phrase “two peas in a pod” comes from.

But it isn’t instinct to speak in someone else’s love language. You’ll easily speak in your own. It’ll take more effort to do it in someone else’s. It’ll take work to make a habit out of speaking someone else’s love language to them everyday. But when you do, it’s more than worth it. ✨

Bonus tip* learn the love languages of others around you and speak to them in that way often, too. Love rewards love. 💕

If you don’t know what the heck I’m talking about and what to learn what the five love languages are you can check them out @5lovelanguages
D + R flew into Colorado just for their engagement D + R flew into Colorado just for their engagement photos and a little vacation. Little did they know, we’d have an Arctic blanket in the negative and single digits over the lower elevations and an inversion in the mountains with warmer weather and snow up top!

But that didn’t stop them from adventuring together or playing catch in their formal wear.

My first time to the infamous Dream Lake and you could barely see the rocky peak. But it was a warm 27° compared to Denver at -3°, and as always, I was just happy to be in the mountains photographing lovers play in the wild. 🥰❄️

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