How to elope in colorado
Colorado elopement guide for 2026
Meet your guide for your colorado elopement!
Hey! I’m Jen Dz! In 2007 I made good on a lifelong dream to move to Colorado. I cried tears of happiness the first time I saw those mountains on the horizon and knew I’d be staying for good and I’ve been living, working, and playing in these mountains ever since.
I’m incredibly proud to call Colorado home and love helping my couples experience this beautiful place like I do – as a local.
I’ve put together this guide to eloping in Colorado to help couples wrap their head around how this all works and help them start dreaming big for their big day. We’ll cover the best places to elope in Colorado, how to plan your Colorado elopement, some activity ideas, marriage laws, how self-solemnization works, and so much more!
Table of Contents
- Best Places to Elope in Colorado
- Reasons to Elope in Colorado
- Best Time of Year to Elope in Colorado
- Summer Elopements in Colorado
- Fall Elopements in Colorado
- Spring Elopements in Colorado
- Winter Elopements in Colorado
- How to Elope in Colorado
- Colorado Elopement Laws
- Self-solemnizing Elopements in Colorado
- Colorado Elopement Timelines
- How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Colorado?
- What to Wear to your Colorado Elopement
- Do you need a permit to elope in Colorado?
- Ready to plan your Colorado Elopement?
Reasons to Elope in Colorado
I’ve planned and photographed elopements all over the U.S. and firmly believe that my home state is one of the best places to elope – here’s why!
Stunning Scenery that is accessible with or without hiking
I’m sure you’re already aware of this but Colorado has some of the most beautiful and diverse scenery in the U.S. While we’re known for our huge peaks (we have over 50 14,000+ foot mountains!), we also have deserts, red rock canyons, and waterfalls. The natural beauty makes for a stunning backdrop for your elopement and gives you a chance to truly immerse yourself in nature.
Easy to get to from almost anywhere
Being located right in the center of the country and home to one of the world’s busiest airports, Colorado is driving distance from a lot of places and a direct flight from almost anywhere. While some of the more popular elopement locations take more effort to get to, getting to the beginning of your Colorado adventure is often as simple as hopping on a plane in your own city and arriving to beautiful mountain views.
Getting married in colorado is so easy you don’t even need an officiant or witnesses!
Colorado is probably the easiest state in the U.S. to get married in. You don’t need witnesses or an officiant! This means you can have a TRULY private elopement ceremony with just the two of you!
Colorado is so dog friendly that your dog can even sign your marriage license!
We LOVE our dogs in Colorado!!! If you want to bring your pup to your elopement this is the perfect place. From hiking trails to breweries, dogs are generally very welcome. And we are one of the ONLY states where they can sign your marriage license! (Yes, for real!)
best time of year to elope in colorado
Colorado weather varies wildly throughout the year and deciding the best time of year to elope in Colorado will depend on the type of weather, scenery, and activities you are dreaming of.
After almost 20 years of living in our wild climate, I’ve learned a thing or two about our weather and the best time of year to elope in Colorado.
SUMMER (June – August)
FALL (September – October)
wINTER (November – March)
SPRING (March – May)
how to plan a colorado elopement
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Planning an elopement in Colorado can seem intimidating at first but with the right guidance and following my time-tested, step-by-step method, I promise it can be done – and it will be MUCH easier than you thought it would be!
Step 1: Start dreaming!
Close your eyes and imagine your day – what do you want it to look like and feel like? What is the weather like? The scenery? What kinds of things are you doing? What kind of activities and celebration feel like YOU?
If your day could look like literally ANYTHING, what would that be?
Some things to consider:
Step 2: Bring on your Elopement photographer + Dream team
I cannot emphasize enough how important this is – and how the earlier you do it the better. (Yes, I’m biased! But I want you to do this ASAP, even if you don’t work with me!).
Here’s why: Your photographer/planner will help you put together your dream day, give you location suggestions, and make sure that you’ve dotted all your i’s and crossed all your t’s on the legal front.
Here are some of the things a good elopement photographer will help you with:
Step 3: Details! Book lodging, choose a location, etc.
Once you have a general idea of where you will be eloping and what you want your day to look like, it’s time to nail everything down!
step 4: Have the BEST DAY EVER!
When your day finally rolls around you are going to go into it feeling relaxed, excited, and ready for an adventure! Make sure you take the time to really soak in the day. This day will absolutely FLY be and you want to make sure you enjoy every bit of it!
Step 5: Relive it forever!
Hopefully you hired an awesome photographer who will not only send you a gallery full of beautiful images, but they’ll also help you design and print a physical album.
In a world full of digital noise and AI slop, I can’t recommend having an actual, printed album enough. These are your memories to keep forever.
Feeling overwhelmed?
I can help plan your Colorado elopement!
As a Colorado elopement photographer I specialize in helping couples plan elopements in the Colorado mountains and deserts. You don’t have to go it alone!
Working with Jen was such a wonderful experience!
From our very first call she was full of ideas and was incredibly helpful.” – Sarah + Greg
Best places to elope in Colorado
One of THE biggest decision you will have to make is where to elope in Colorado. Why? The location you choose will set the tone for your entire elopement – so choose wisely! The good news is that there are ENDLESS beautiful spots that fit every kind of aesthetic and desired level of adventure.
MY FAVORITE COLORADO ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS
Having photographed elopements in Colorado for the last ten years, I have a long list of places that I think are perfect for elopements. Here are some of my favorites!
Crested Butte
Crested Butte is, hands down, one of the absolute best places to elope in Colorado. The sweetest little mountain town is surrounded by stunning peaks and endless fields of wildflowers. Fun fact: CB is the wildflower capital of Colorado!
telluride
Located in the Southwest corner of the state, Telluride is an absolute gem. This upscale ski town is located at the end of a box canyon and is surrounded by the state’s most rugged mountains (the San Juans) and has some of Colorado’s most beautiful waterfalls. It’s also super dog friendly! It’s a perfect spot for a luxury-meets-adventure Colorado elopement.
colorado national monument
I truly believe the Colorado National Monument is one of the most underrated elopement locations in Colorado. It’s just like the red rock canyons of Utah … but in Colorado! It’s generally off the tourist trail which means that it’s also super quiet. I’m obsessed with this place!
Breckenridge
As one of the best Colorado elopement locations that isn’t too terribly far from Denver, Breckenridge is a place I know well! This is the perfect spot for anyone who wants huge mountains without traveling TOO far from the Front Range
great sand dunes national park
Far less known (and less popular) than Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a treasure! The Dunes are huge and are surrounded by 14,000 foot mountains. Bonus? This is one of the more dog-friendly National Parks!
Twin lakes
Twin Lakes is one of the most stunning, easily accessible spots in Colorado. This are boasts two big lakes (hence the name!) as well as very easy access to above-treeline views, waterfalls, and more. This is one of my favorite spots for not-too-far-from-Denver elopements.
ouray
Ouray (prounounced “Yer-AY”) is known as the “Switzerland of America” and its a well earned title! This cute little mountain town nestled in the San Juans is absolutely adorable and gives you access to some of the country’s most stunning peaks. If you love the San Juans, but don’t want the bougieness of Telluride, this is a perfect option!
Rocky mountain National park
Rocky Mountain National Park is Colorado’s most famous and most popular national park. While it has strict rules about where elopement can take place, it is a perfect option for couples who want to bring a handful of guests to their elopement (and then venture off on their own for some solo portraits). It is easy to get to from Denver and the nearby town of Estes Park has ample lodging and dining options.
lake isabelle
Lake Isabelle is one of my favorite hikes in Colorado, especially for elopements. Why? You get SO much bang for your buck! This relatively easy, 5 mile round trip hike, takes you to an alpine lake backed by some of the Front Range’s most beautiful mountains. The window for hiking this is pretty short but if you are looking for an AWESOME elopement hike, just an hour or two from Denver, it’s perfect!
Aspen
Aspen has a well-earned reputation for being one of the bougiest towns in Colorado (if not the country). If you are wanting a lux mountain elopement, Aspen is for you. Don’t be fooled though – just because it’s fancy doesn’t mean there isn’t lots of adventure to be had in the surrounding mountains!
Alta Lakes observatory
Alta Lakes Observatory is a luxury cabin up a 4×4 road next to a beautiful, private lake and surrounded by mountains. It is a perfect place for a couple who wants secluded mountain vibes or anyone wanting to invite guests to their elopement.
The Vibe: Upscale cabin in the mountains
Known for: Beautiful views and starry skies
Best in: June – October for warm weather / December – April for snow
Distance from Denver International Airport: 7 hours
How I help plan your colorado elopement
As a Colorado elopement photographer and planner, I don’t just show up with a camera. When you book me, you also get:
Custom location suggestions based on season, privacy, and how much hiking you actually want to do
Help navigating permits and Colorado’s (surprisingly chill) elopement laws
A stress-free timeline with backup plans
Packing tips, vendor recs, and honest advice from someone who’s out in these mountains all the time
Basically you bring your love and sense of adventure and I help shape it into an unforgettable day that’s better than you could have imagined!
Colorado elopement laws
There are two main things to consider when thinking about Colorado elopement laws. The first is what is required to get legally married in Colorado. I’ll get into more detail about that below but just know this: Colorado elopement laws make it SUPER easy to get married here because you don’t need an officiant OR witnesses!
The second thing to know about Colorado elopement laws is that some locations require a permit. What you need to get married in Colorado varies wildly depending on where you are eloping (in a national park? state park? national forest …?)! I always recommend working with an experienced elopement photographer/planner to make sure you are checking all those boxes!
Self-solemnizing elopement ceremonies in Colorado
What is self-solemnization and how does it work?
Colorado is unique in that a couple does not need anyone to “marry” them. In Colorado a couple can simply say their vows to each other and call it good! This is called “self-solemnization”.
90% of my couples choose to go this route. Most say that they love the idea of having their ceremony be TRULY private with just the two of them. It also makes it possible to be supremely flexible with timelines and locations on your elopement day!
Check out Some Examples of Real Self-Solemnizing Colorado Elopements:
Madi + Taylor
Keishla + Peggy
MAURA + BRAD
Colorado Elopement Timelines
What happens at a Colorado Elopement?
The beauty of eloping is that you get to make the rules and do literally WHATEVER YOU WANT. The tricky part about all this? The options are so weide open that it’s hard to know where to start. While every couple does things a little differently, a typicaly elopement say, at it’s most basic will usually involve some combination of:
Getting ready
First look
Ceremony
Celebration (champagne, first dance, picnic, etc.)
Lots and lots of photos!
Beyond those things, a lot of couples choose to include other activities that they love into their day. This can include big adventures (like rock climbing or kayaking) or much smaller and cozier ones (like curling up next to a fire or having a private chef make dinner).
Want some inspiration? I have a whole post on 20 Unique Ideas for your Colorado Elopement!
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how much does it cost to elope in colorado
Your Colorado elopement can be as lux or budget friendly as you want it to be
The cost of eloping in Colorado varies WIDELY depending on what you want for your day.! An elopement that is just a quick vow exchange followed by a photoshoot will be much less expensive than a longer and more involved day.
Most of the couples I work with are eloping because they care deeply about having a day that is stress free personal to them, not because they are necessarily trying to save money. I’ve helped couples have $6k elopements (where the majority of that is for photography!) and I’ve helped couples have $30k+ elopements. It’s all about deciding what is most important to you on your elopement day and prioritizing those things!
Here are a few sample breakdowns of budget-friendly and luxury elopements. Most couples end up somewhere between these two, picking and choosing what is most important to them and what hey want to splurge on!
affordable colorado elopement budget
$2500 – Photographer (1-2 hours)
$30 – Marriage License
$300 – 2 nights at budget AirBnB
$30 – Flowers (DIY bouquet)
$0 – Hair and Makeup (DIY)
$300 -Dress
$300 – Suit
$50. Simple Picnic + Drinks
TOTAL: $3510
mid-range colorado elopement budget
$8000 – Photographer (8 hours)
$30 – Marriage License
$500 – 2 nights at nice AirBnB
$200 – Flowers
$500 – Jeep Rental
$300 – Hair and Makeup
$2000 -Dress
$800 – Suit
$200 – Dinner at Restaurant
TOTAL: $11,830
luxury colorado elopement budget
$10,500 – Photographer (All day)
$30 – Marriage License
$1200 – 2 nights at fancy hotel
$500 – Flowers
$800 (private tour, sleigh ride, dogsledding, etc.)
$500 – Private Chef
$300 – Hair and Makeup
$5000 -Dress
$1000 – Suit
TOTAL: $19,830
1. Pack warmer clothes than you think you need
This one is really big and really important! Colorado can be pretty chilly – not just in winter, but year round. While summer temperatures, during the day, tend to be pretty warm in most mountain towns, that can change quickly if the weather turns, the sun starts to go down, or you go up in elevation. You don’t necessarily need to plan on wearing as super warm dress or suit but definitely be sure to have layers, ideally cute ones, that you can throw on! Nude leggings under dresses work really well and a cute wrap will be a welcome addition (whether than an annoyance!) in photos.
2. plan on your dress getting dirty
Adventure elopements are not the time to be obsessed with keeping your dress pristine! Your dress will likely get dirty (how dirty it gets is somewhat up to the location and weather – and somewhat up to you!). Most of my clients see ending the day with a dirty dress as a badge of honor. It’s part of the adventure elopement experience. 🙂
3. Wear shoes you can actually hike in
Even if you’re not going for a long hike there is a good chance that you’ll be moving around on uneven terrain. This is not the time to wear heals (although feel free to throw them in your bag for photos!). Comfy shoes with good traction (like hiking boots) are a really good option. Nothing will put a damper on your day quite like twisting an ankle during your first look!
Pro Tip: this goes for the guys too! I can’t tell you how many times my brides have worn comfy boots but grooms have worn fancy dress shoes – with zero traction! Remember, you can always change shoes during the day!
4. choose clothe syou can actually move in
When it comes to eloping, being able to actually move and breathe in your wedding clothes is the name of the game! There is a good chance you’ll be climbing on rocks, or tip-toeing across streams and you don’t want your dress to hold you back! Long trails look awesome in photos and are often not a huge problem – what IS a problem is a dress that makes it harder to lift your leg high, bend over, etc. Having said all that, you should definitely wear what you want!!
6. have a plan for hiking with your dress
If your elopement involves a hike (remember, it doesn’t HAVE to involve a hike if you don’t want it to!), have a plan for what you are going to do with your dress. DO you want to wear it while you hike or change into it when you get there? How will you carry it? These are all good things to think about when choosing your dress!
Wondering how to hike with your elopement dress? I have a whole article on that here.
do you need a permit to elope in Colorado?
The answer to this is very much “Maybe”.
Whether you need a permit depends on where you are eloping and how many guests, if any, you are having.
The national parks, city and county open spaces, national forest, BLM, and Wilderness areas all have different requirements for whether you need a permit and how to get one – and it’s not even uniform across all of the same types of land (e.g. the requirements are different in Rocky Mountain National Park compared Great Sand Dunes National Park). It is all HIGHLY specific to who owns the land you are eloping on.
Your elopement photographer can help you navigate all of this (we’re experts in this stuff!). This is one of the reasons it’s extremely useful to work with a photographer who specializes in elopements!! You DON’T want your day ruined with a ticket or getting kicked out in the middle of your ceremony!
Ready to plan your colorado elopement?
Hey! I’m Jen Dz! I’m a dog-loving, IPA-drinking, outdoors-obsessed elopement photographer. I moved to Colorado in 2007 on a whim and have been living, working, and playing in this beautiful state ever since!
Since 2017 I’ve planned and photographed elopements here in the Colorado mountains for hundreds of happy folks and i”ve learned a thing or two about how to make these days unforgettable and stress free.
What You get when you have me along for your colorado elopement:
– Expert level elopement planning
– Beautiful, non-cheesy photos with an emphasis on you and the views
– Help with permits and the un-fun legal stuff
– The laid-back elopement experience of your dreams
LGBTQ+ friendly | All skin colors and body sizes welcomed
