Elope in Colorado
cost, photographers & elopement packages
As elopement photographers and videographers, we'll guide you through everything you need to know to elope in Colorado. Learn about the best places to elope in Colorado, the best time of year for your elopement, permits, pricing, Colorado elopement packages and more.
How To Plan A Colorado Elopement
a step-by-step guide
Is this your first time trying to plan an elopement? Don't worry- as Colorado elopement photographers, we have quite a few of these under our belt and we're here to help you through the whole process! Here's a quick step by step guide on how to elope in Colorado:
PLAN OUT THE DETAILS
HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER
Next, you'll book your lodging, transportation and any additional vendors such as hair and makeup, a florist, officiant, etc. (don't worry, we'll send you ideas for all of these). We'll collaborate on a timeline to fit in all the locations and activities you want while getting the best photos throughout the day! You'll also get your marriage license prior to the wedding.
Most couples hire us before they start planning anything! The reason for this is because we help our couples with logistics such as choosing the right date, which location(s) are perfect for them, navigating permits, finding local vendors, etc. You don't have to do it all yourself, we're here to help you.
GET MARRIED!
Choose Your Location
You'll have the best day ever and we'll be there capturing every moment! Within a few days you'll have sneak peek photos in your inbox, and the full gallery within 2-3 months. All that's left is to choose which photos to print!
After you've set a date with us you'll gain access to our exclusive Colorado location guide. You'll easily be able to see which location(s) perfectly fit what you're looking for and have all the info you'll need to obtain any reservations or permits needed.
How much does it cost to elope in Colorado?
The cost to get married in Colorado starts at $30 which covers your marriage license. At a minimum, you'll likely want to purchase wedding attire, hire a photographer, videographer, florist, hair and makeup artist. You may also need to account for travel, transportation and lodging. The average total for a Colorado elopement is $17,050 after all wedding expenses and vendors.
The total cost for your wedding will vary significantly depending on the style of wedding you choose to have. For example, a simple elopement with no guests will be much more affordable than a wedding with guests which you will then need a venue to host a reception, cater food, hire additional vendors, etc.
It's important to note that elopements can be as simple or as extravagant as you desire, there is no set cost for this type of wedding! The great thing about eloping is that you can allot your funds towards an experience and things that you value rather than an expensive venue and material items.
The couples that hire us value their photos and experience more than anything, which is why they typically spend majority of their budget on their photography package. Below is a breakdown of the estimated expenses for a Colorado elopement. This is not a quote or elopement package.
Multi-Day ELOPEMENT
(with guests, photo + video)
Full Day ELOPEMENT
(no guests, Photo + Video)
Half Day Elopement
(NO Guests, Photo only)
Marriage License - $30
Photography - $8,000
videography - $3,500
Officiant - free (self-solemnize)
Wedding Attire - $3000
Forals - $500 (Bouquet + Boutonniรจre)
Hair & makeup - $500
lodging - $1,500 (three nights at an airbnb)
Marriage License - $30
Photography - $9,900
videography - $3,500
local Officiant - $500
Wedding Attire - $4000
Forals - $1000 (Bouquet, Boutonniรจre & ceremony arrangement)
Hair & makeup - $800
lodging - $5,000 (three nights at a luxury resort)
reception venue & dinner - $100+/guest
Marriage License - $30
Photography - $6000
Officiant - free (self-solemnize)
Wedding Attire - $1500
Forals - $300 (Bouquet + Boutonniรจre)
Hair & makeup - free (diy)
lodging - $100 (three nights camping)
estimate ~ $7,930
estimate ~ $17,050
estimate ~ $26,730
Best Places to Elope in Colorado
Where To Elope in Colorado
You truly have endless options when it comes to where to elope in Colorado! The are so many locations in Colorado for your small wedding or adventure elopement. The state has everything from epic mountain views, sand dunes, red rocks, alpine lakes, aspen forests and everything in between. There are lots of accessible locations in Colorado, meaning you can get epic views without hiking!
There are some hidden gems that we keep exclusively for our couples to maintain the privacy and intimate setting of these locations. We provide all of our couples with a custom location and planning guide to help them choose the perfect location for their wedding day.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most iconic locations to get married in Colorado, but the ceremony permit can be difficult to obtain as they only give out 100 per year. However, you can still take photos within the park and with us your photo permit & fee is covered!
LOCATION - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
hike - varies (but most are very accessible)
Permit + fees - permit required, $300
guest count - varies, but 30 max
VIEW PHOTOS
Crested Butte
Crested Butte is an incredible mountain town known as the wildflower capital. Go in July or early August to try to catch the colorful mountain sides! Home to many stunning lakes and aspen forests.
LOCATION - Crested Butte, colorado
hike - Varies
Permit + fees - Varies
guest count - varies
VIEW PHOTOS
Aspen is a popular mountain town in Colorado known for its world class ski resorts, luxury accommodation, cultural attractions and natural beauty.
Whether you choose the Maroon Bells Amphitheater for your small wedding or opt for a hiking elopement to an alpine lake, Aspen is the perfect destination.
VIEW PHOTOS
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park is a unique elopement location in Southern Colorado that features sand dunes, mountains and the Medano River! Spend the night under the stars at the nearby campsite.
LOCATION - great sand dunes national park, colorado
hike - varies
Permit + fees - Permit required, $200
guest count - Up to 15 guests max.
VIEW PHOTOS
Indian Peaks Wilderness
There are various locations for elopements and micro weddings in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. From very accessible locations such as Brainard Lake, to 5+ mile hikes to other areas within the park such as Lake Isabelle.
LOCATION - Brainard Lake, CO
hike - Varies
Permit + fees - timed entry required
guest count - 0-20
VIEW PHOTOS
Breckenridge
Breckenridge is a mountain just a couple hours from Denver. It features many accessible alpine lakes and mountainous trails. There's also many OHV trails that take you right to the mountain tops!
LOCATION - BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO
Distance From Denver - 2 hour drive
Elevation - 9,600ft
VIEW PHOTOS
San Juan National Forest
The San Juan Mountains, located in South West Colorado, features some of the most picturesque mountains in the state. Nearby to trendy towns like Telluride, Durango and Ouray, it's the perfect elopement locations.
LOCATION - San Juan mountains, colorado
hike - varies
Permit + fees - varies
guest count - varies
VIEW PHOTOS
Loveland Pass Wedding
Loveland Pass is the perfect place for an accessible mountain wedding. This means you can get the epic mountain views, without the hiking requirement! It's also close to Pass Lake, which is also very accessible.
LOCATION - Loveland Pass, colorado
hike - None
Permit + fees - none
guest count - varies
VIEW PHOTOS
Garden of the Gods Wedding
Garden of the Gods is a popular location in Colorado Springs for elopements, micro-weddings and just for tourists! Since it's a busy spot with no reservation system, you'll want to elope at sunrise on a weekday.
LOCATION - garden of the gods, Colorado Springs, co
hike - VARIES, BUT TYPICALLY NONE
Permit + fees - none
guest count - Up to 50 guests max.
VIEW PHOTOS
Vail
Vail is a ski resort town located within the White River National Forest, home to many stunning mountain locations. Upper Piney River is pictured here, which is the same location as the venue Piney River Ranch.
LOCATION - Vail, Co
hike - VARIES
Permit + fees - VARIES
guest count - varies
VIEW PHOTOS
St. Mary's Glacier Elopement
St. Mary's Glacier offers stunning views of the lake and mountains, without a far drive from Denver (only an hour!) and without too difficult of a hike to get to- perfect for your Colorado elopement!
LOCATION - St.Mary's Glacier, Colorado
hike - 2 miles roundtrip
Permit + fees - Special use permit may be required
guest count - Varies
VIEW PHOTOS
Sapphire Point Overlook is a viewpoint and micro wedding venue overlooking Dillon Reservoir that sits at 9,500ft. You can reserve the popular elopement location for up to 2 hours with a small fee.
LOCATION - Swan Mountain Rd, Dillon, CO 80435
hike - 0.6 mile loop
Permit + fees - Reservation required, $110.
guest count - up to 35 guests max
*very busy location*
VIEW PHOTOS
Sunrise Amphitheater is a wedding venue in Boulder available from 6am-9pm, May 1st-Oct 30th. It's a good option for those who are planning a wedding with guests and would like a very accessible location.
LOCATION - Sunrise Amphitheater, Boulder, CO
hike - None
Permit + fees - Reservation required, $100-$400
guest count - Up to 100 guests max.
VIEW PHOTOS
Chautauqua Park Weddings
Chautauqua Park in Boulder offers stunning views of the flat irons and there are many ceremony options to choose from at this location depending on your guest count and what you're looking for.
LOCATION - Chautauqua park, boulder, colorado
hike - None
Permit + fees - varies
guest count - varies
VIEW PHOTOS
The best
Small Wedding Venues in Colorado
Are you planning a wedding with a larger guest count or are interested in having a more traditional venue and wedding reception? If so, a small wedding venue might be the best option for your Colorado wedding.
Here are some of our favorite small wedding venues in Colorado:
Colorado Elopement FAQs
Question
01
Colorado is a great place to elope because they have some of the most lenient laws in the US!
Firstly, you can self-solemnize in Colorado, which essentially means you can marry yourselves. This means your dog can sign as your witness on your legal marriage license!
There's also no waiting period on your marriage license, so you could get married the same day you apply for it.
For just $30, you could elope in the mountains with just you and your dog.
Do I need a permit to elope in Colorado?
Question
02
Whether or not you need a permit or reservation to get married in Colorado will largely depend on where you decide to hold your ceremony.
For places such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Maroon Bells, Sapphire Point, Sunrise Amphitheater or other popular locations, you will need to pay a fee and reserve the site. However, there are lots of locations in Colorado where you can elope for free with no permits necessary!
A Colorado elopement photographer should help you find a location, assist with permit information and other logistics.
The best time to elope in Colorado
Question
The best time to elope in Colorado depends on what you're envisioning for your wedding day. However, overall we typically recommend summer and fall (June to October) for Colorado elopements and micro weddings.
Summer in Colorado means the most access to different roads and trails throughout the state. While it can still be chilly in the higher elevations, it provides the best opportunity to be comfortable temperature wise on your wedding day.
Fall in Colorado is absolutely magical, but it is very short lived. Fall colors happen in different times throughout the state, but in general can be found from late September through October.
03
Hey, we're Savannah & Greg!
Colorado elopement Photographers
We're a husband and wife team specializing in elopement photography and videography in Colorado. We believe eloping is the best way to get married, so much so that we did it ourselves! We know it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start, which is why we help couples set a date, pick a location, make a timeline, etc!
Colorado Elopement Packages
Included Services
Elopement Packages
It might seem counterintuitive to look for a photographer before you have an exact location and date set, but trust us on this one. If you're looking for some help finding the perfect location, an elopement photographer who specializes in the area you're considering will be a huge help to you.
Photography & Videography
Professional photography and optional videography services from an experienced husband/wife team who've photographed over 150 weddings together. Posing guidance and direction to make you feel and look great in front of the camera, no experience necessary.
Planning Guide
A 50+ page digital planning guide to help you through the whole elopement planning process. Including tips on booking travel and lodging, buying your attire, activity ideas, packing checklists, including family and more.
Custom Location Guide
A list of all the most beautiful locations in the area you choose based on scenery, accessibility, permits and logistics. We do the work so you don't have to!
Timeline Creation
We'll craft a timeline that fits all the locations, activities, and moments you have planned for your day as well as consider ideal lighting and making sure your whole experience is relaxed and stress free.
Vendor Recommendations
Looking for a florist, hair and makeup artist, or other vendors? We've got you covered with local recommendations.
STARTING AT $5,500
