The Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Colorado.

You’ve Decided to Elope in Colorado… Now What?

First of all… congratulations! 🎉

If you’re here, I’m guessing you’ve already decided that a big traditional wedding just isn’t your thing. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of saying your vows on top of a mountain, or maybe you realized you’d rather spend your wedding day soaking in every moment together instead of rushing from one event to the next.

Whatever brought you here, I’m so glad you’re here.

Now comes the fun part, dreaming up a wedding day that feels completely and unapologetically like you.

Maybe that’s exchanging vows beside an alpine lake at sunrise. Maybe it’s hiking to an overlook with your dog, sharing a picnic after your ceremony, or ending the day with pizza and a beer in your favorite mountain town.

The best part? There are no rules.

I know planning an elopement can feel a little overwhelming at first, especially if you’ve never been to Colorado. How do you choose a location? Do you need a permit? What’s the best time of year? How much photography coverage do you actually need?

Take a deep breath, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

I put this guide together to answer those questions (and probably a few you haven’t thought of yet!) so you can spend less time stressing and more time getting excited about your Colorado elopement.

Let’s get into it!

First Things First… What Does an Elopement Actually Look Like?

One of the biggest misconceptions about eloping is that it’s just a quick ceremony on a mountaintop.

But honestly? It can be so much more than that.

Your elopement is still your wedding day. The only difference is that you get to decide what it looks like.

Maybe you spend the morning making breakfast together in a cozy cabin.

Maybe you read letters from your families before seeing each other for the first time.

Maybe you exchange private vows with nobody else around.

Maybe you celebrate with your closest family before sneaking away for sunset portraits.

Maybe you rent a canoe, grab tacos from your favorite food truck, pop champagne, hike to an alpine lake, or dance under the stars.

Your ceremony doesn’t have to be the entire day, it can simply be one beautiful moment in an unforgettable experience.

And honestly? Those are always my favorite kinds of wedding days.

Why Elope In Colorado?

There are so many reasons couples choose Colorado for their elopement, but I think the biggest one is freedom.

Freedom to create a wedding day that actually feels like you.

Whether you’re dreaming of towering mountain peaks, turquoise alpine lakes, golden aspen groves, waterfalls, or red rock landscapes, Colorado truly has a little bit of everything.

Some of my favorite things about Colorado elopements are:

• Incredible mountain scenery

• Beautiful locations in every season

• You can legally self-solemnize (yes, you can marry yourselves!)

• Endless opportunities for adventure

• Locations for every comfort level, from easy pull-offs to alpine hikes

• The chance to spend your wedding day doing what you actually love together.

✨ Sara’s Tip✨
One of the biggest things I tell my couples is this: don’t choose a location just because it’s pretty. Choose a location that feels like you. Love hiking? Let’s hike. Love slow mornings and coffee? Let’s plan a sunrise cabin morning. Love paddleboarding? Let’s bring your boards. Your wedding day should tell YOUR story, not someone else’s.

How to Legally Elope in Colorado!

One of the reasons Colorado is such an amazing place to elope is because the legal process is actually pretty simple.

Here’s the short version.

You’ll need to pick up a Colorado marriage license from any county clerk’s office. You don’t have to be a Colorado resident, and there’s no waiting period, so you can get your license and use it the same day if you’d like.

One of the coolest things about Colorado?

You can legally marry yourselves.

Colorado is one of the few states that allows self-solemnization, meaning you don’t need an officiant or witnesses to make your marriage legal.

Yes… even your dog can “sign” your marriage license with a paw print. 🐾

Choosing Your Colorado Elopement Location.

If you’ve spent more than five minutes looking at Colorado elopement photos, you’ve probably realized one thing…

There are a lot of incredible places to choose from.

And while that sounds amazing, it can also make choosing a location feel like one of the hardest parts of planning your elopement.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to find the “most beautiful” location.

You just have to find the one that feels right for the two of you.

Do you picture saying your vows beside an alpine lake? Watching the sunrise from a mountain pass? Hiking to a secluded overlook? Or maybe you want somewhere that’s easy for your family to access.

The best location isn’t always the most popular one, it’s the one that fits your vision, your comfort level, and the kind of experience you want to have. A few of my favorite places to recommend are Rocky Mountain National Park, Loveland Pass, Breckenridge, Maroon Bells, and the San Juan Mountains. Each offers something a little different, and the best choice really depends on the kind of experience you’re hoping to have.

✨ Sara’s Tip✨
If you have no idea where you want to elope yet, that’s completely okay. Seriously. Most of my couples come to me with nothing more than, “We know we want mountains.” We’ll figure the rest out together.

The Best Time of Year to Elope in Colorado!

One of the questions I get asked the most is:

“When’s the best time to elope in Colorado?”

The truth is… there isn’t one right answer.

Every season offers something different.

Spring: Snow-capped mountains, rushing waterfalls, and fewer crowds, but also unpredictable weather.

Summer: Wildflowers, alpine lakes, warm mornings, and access to higher elevations.

Fall: Golden aspens, crisp mountain air, and some of the prettiest scenery you’ll ever see. (My personal favorite)

Winter: Snow-covered peaks, cozy cabins, and the dreamiest snowy landscapes.

Do You Need a Permit?

The answer is… sometimes!

It all depends on where you decide to elope.

Some locations require ceremony permits, while others don’t. Certain places also have guest limits or seasonal restrictions.

This is another reason choosing your location early is so important!

How Much Does It Cost To Elope in Colorado?

One of my favorite things about eloping is that you get to spend your money on the parts of the day that actually matter most to you.

Some couples keep things simple with a beautiful location, a photographer, and a bouquet. Others turn their elopement into a full-day adventure with a cozy Airbnb, hair and makeup, a private chef, or fun activities afterward.

Every elopement is different, but here are a few things you’ll want to budget for:

• Marriage License: Around $30
• Photography: Varies depending on the amount of coverage and planning support you’re looking for.
• Florals: From a simple bouquet to full floral arrangements.
• Hair & Makeup: Optional, but many couples choose to have professional hair and makeup for the day.
• Lodging: If you’re planning a sunrise elopement or traveling from out of town, an Airbnb or cabin can make the experience even more special.
• Permits: Some locations require permits, while others don’t.
• Activities: Think picnic setups, canoe rentals, off-road Jeep tours, private chefs, or anything else that makes your day feel like you.

The best part is that you get to decide what’s important. There’s no right or wrong way to spend your budget, it’s all about creating a day that feels meaningful to the two of you.

Sample Elopement Timeline

Every elopement is different, and your timeline should be built around the experience you want to have. But if you’re wondering what a relaxed, sunset elopement could look like, here’s an example:

2:30 PM – Meet at your getting-ready location. Capture details, final touches, and a few candid moments before heading out.

3:30 PM – First look and private letter exchange.

4:00 PM – Drive to your ceremony location, taking in the views along the way.

4:45 PM – Private vows and ceremony.

5:15 PM – Celebrate with champagne, cake, or simply soak in the moment together.

5:45 PM – Explore the area and stop at a few different spots for portraits.

7:00 PM – Golden hour portraits as the sun starts to dip behind the mountains.

7:45 PM – Blue hour photos before heading back down the mountain.

The best part? There’s no need to rush. One of my favorite things about elopements is having the time to slow down, take it all in, and actually enjoy your wedding day. The timeline should work for you, not the other way around.

✨ Sara’s Tip✨ One thing I always recommend? Build in buffer time. Some of my favorite moments happen when nothing is planned, stopping for a few minutes to take in the view, dancing together while the sun sets, or popping champagne just because. Giving yourselves a little extra time means you won’t feel rushed, and you’ll actually get to enjoy every part of your day.

Leave No Trace: Helping Keep Colorado Beautiful!

One of the reasons so many of us fall in love with Colorado is because of its wild, untouched beauty. From alpine lakes to mountain passes, these places are incredibly special, and it’s up to all of us to help keep them that way.When you choose to elope in nature, you’re also choosing to help protect it. That means staying on trails, respecting wildlife, packing out everything you bring with you, and leaving the landscape exactly as you found it. One of my favorite parts of photographing elopements is sharing these beautiful places with my couples. My hope is that years from now, another couple can stand in that same spot and experience the same sense of wonder. The best way to thank these places is to leave them just as beautiful as we found them.

What It’s Like to Work Together

Planning an elopement is about so much more than choosing a beautiful location and showing up with a camera.

From the moment you reach out, I’m here to help make the planning process feel easy, exciting, and completely centered around the two of you.

Whether you’re starting with a Pinterest board full of ideas or have absolutely no clue where to begin, we’ll figure it out together.

I’ll help you find the perfect location, build a timeline that lets you slow down and actually enjoy your day, navigate permits when they’re needed, and guide you every step of the way so you can be fully present on your wedding day.

And when the day finally arrives, my goal is simple: I want you to laugh, explore, soak in every moment, and leave feeling like you just had the best day ever, not like you spent your entire wedding posing for photos.

Because at the end of the day, the photos are important… but how your day felt is what you’ll remember most.

Ready to Bring Your Dream Day to Life?

If you’ve made it this far, I hope you’re feeling a little more excited (and a little less overwhelmed) about planning your Colorado elopement.

No matter what your dream day looks like, I’d love to help you bring it to life.

If you’re ready to start planning, head over to my contact page and tell me all about your vision. I seriously can’t wait to hear what you’re dreaming up and help you create a day that’s completely and unapologetically you.

Now go dream up the best day ever… and when you’re ready, I’ll be here to help bring it to life!

Let’s Plan Your Adventure! https://sarateresaphotography.com/contact#/