Garden Of The Gods Elopement
Ultimate Guide for 2025
How to elope at Garden of the Gods, Colorado
Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs features unique red rock formations that draw in visitors from around the world. It’s stunning landscapes and proximity to the city make it a perfect small wedding venue as well! This guide will walk you through how to plan your Garden of the Gods elopement or small wedding.
Table Of Contents
Reasons To Elope In Garden Of The Gods
Unique Landscapes
Garden Of The Gods provides unique red rock formations that feel otherworldly! If you’re hoping for beautiful and unique elopement photos, GOTG is a great choice.
You can invite guests
If you want to invite your closest friends and family, Garden Of The Gods is the perfect spot. The ceremony locations are quite accessible, and you can have up to 50 guests depending on which location you choose.
It’s free
The ceremony locations are first-come-first-serve and are completely cost free to hold an event there. No permit is required!
It can get busy (and hot)
GOTG is a very popular tourist destination in Colorado Springs, so expect crowds! Plus, it can get very hot in the summer months. Choose a weekday at sunrise or sunset to avoid tourists, have the most privacy, best lighting and mild temperatures!
How To Plan A Garden Of The Gods Elopement
A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
Here is a step by step guide on how to get married at Garden Of The Gods in Colorado Springs:
- Choose A Ceremony Location
The first step is selecting one of the designated ceremony locations within Garden of the Gods for your wedding. This iconic park offers a variety of stunning ceremony locations, each vary in scenery and guest count limits. You can find photos and information on each location below in this guide.
- Decide On A Wedding Date
Next, decide what time of year you would like to get married. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the typical weather and temperatures in Garden Of The Gods during the time of year you are considering to ensure it aligns with what you are envisioning. Then, select a wedding date. Weekdays at sunrise or sunset are highly recommended for the most privacy.
- Hire Your Wedding Vendors
After you have a date and ceremony location, you can move forward with booking wedding vendors. You should hire local vendors who are familiar with the area for the best success. At a minimum you should hire a photographer, videographer, hair and makeup artist and florist. However, you may also want an officiant if you are not self-solemnizing.
- Get Married At Garden Of The Gods!
Lastly, after you have a location, date and vendors, all that is left is to get married at Garden of The Gods! It is first-come-first-serve for the ceremony locations and no permit is needed. With this in mind, you will want to arrive early on a weekday to secure your spot. After your ceremony, you may want to celebrate with your guests at a nearby restaurant in Colorado Springs.
Garden Of The Gods Wedding Locations
Ceremony And Reception Options
There are multiple ceremony options to choose from at Garden Of The Gods, including a couple reception locations as well. Here’s a breakdown of where you can get married at Garden Of The Gods in Colorado.
Jaycee Plaza
Jaycee Plaza (also known as Chuckwagon Pavilion) is a large circular space with stunning views, close by to parking. This location can have quite a bit of foot traffic around it, but not through it.
GROUP SIZE LIMIT – 50 PEOPLE
ACCESSIBILITY – 5 MINUTE WALK FROM PARKING LOT
High Point
High Point is a stunning viewpoint overlooking the park. It is very accessible and provides stunning views not only of the red rocks, but also the surrounding mountains.
GROUP SIZE LIMIT – 50 PEOPLE
ACCESSIBILITY – RIGHT OFF OF PARKING LOT
Three Graces Plaza
One of my personal favorite locations is Three Graces Plaza. This location is in the heart of the park and surrounds you with towering red rock formations in all directions.
GROUP SIZE LIMIT – 25 PEOPLE
ACCESSIBILITY – 5 MINUTE WALK FROM PARKING LOT
Sentinel Plaza
Sentinel Plaza is another location that is in the heart of Garden of The Gods central gardens- meaning you’re surrounded by towering peaks!
GROUP SIZE LIMIT – 25 PEOPLE
ACCESSIBILITY – 5 MINUTE WALK FROM PARKING LOT
Scotsman Picnic Area
Scotsman Picnic Area is better suited for a reception than a ceremony, as the views aren’t as good as the other locations.
GROUP SIZE LIMIT – 25 PEOPLE
ACCESSIBILITY – 5 MINUTE WALK FROM PARKING LOT
South Spring Canyon Area
South Spring Canyon Area is better suited for a reception than a ceremony, as the views aren’t as good as the other locations.
GROUP SIZE LIMIT – 50 PEOPLE
ACCESSIBILITY – 5 MINUTE WALK FROM PARKING LOT
When To Elope In Garden Of The Gods
Best Time Of Year To Elope In Garden of The Gods, Colorado
Garden of the Gods is a great place to elope in any season! Here’s a breakdown of the best time of year to elope in Garden Of The Gods.
Spring Garden Of The Gods Elopement
April, May
In the spring, from April to May, the weather is generally mild, making it comfortable for outdoor ceremonies. The landscape comes alive with blossoming wildflowers, adding vibrant colors to your special day.
However, spring weather can be unpredictable, with occasional rain and late snow. This season also marks the beginning of the tourist influx, which might mean more visitors in the park.
Summer Garden Of The Gods Elopement
JUne, July & August to mid September
Summer, spanning June to mid-September, brings warm and sunny weather ideal for outdoor events. The lush greenery and full foliage create a stunning backdrop for your elopement. Longer daylight hours allow more time for photos and celebrations.
On the downside, the peak summer months, especially July and August, can be quite hot, and the park tends to be crowded with tourists, which may affect privacy and parking availability.
Fall Garden Of The Gods Elopement
Mid-September To November
Fall, from mid-September to November, offers cooler temperatures perfect for an outdoor ceremony. The stunning fall foliage provides a picturesque and romantic setting. There are also fewer tourists compared to summer, offering more privacy.
However, fall brings shorter days with earlier sunsets, which might limit the time available for evening ceremonies and photos. Additionally, the weather can be unpredictable, with potential for early snowfall.
Winter Garden Of The Gods Elopement
November to march
Winter, from December to March, provides a more intimate and private experience due to the reduced number of tourists. The snow-covered red rock formations create a unique and magical atmosphere. The cooler temperatures can be refreshing and comfortable for short outdoor ceremonies.
However, cold weather and potential snowstorms can pose challenges for comfort and accessibility. The shorter daylight hours also limit the time available for natural light photography.
Choose A Weekday At Sunrise
Garden of the Gods is a popular tourist attraction. To avoid crowds (and to be able to find enough parking) planning your elopement for a weekday at sunrise is highly recommended. We always recommend having your wedding on a weekday (Monday-Thursday) to minimize the amount of tourists that will be in the area. Sunrise or sunset is the best time of day to elope for the most privacy and best lighting!
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Garden Of The Gods FAQs
You can elope in Garden of the Gods if you’re planning a brief ceremony with less than 50 guests. However, you are not able to reserve a location for your ceremony, they are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
It’s free to elope at Garden of the Gods, because no permit or reservation is required. However, the average cost of eloping in Garden of the Gods is upwards of $14,000 after all wedding vendors, lodging and travel are accounted for.
No, you do not need a permit to elope in Garden of the Gods. As long as you’re having a small wedding at one of the designated ceremony locations and follow all regulations, you don’t need a permit or reservation to get married within the park.ย
No alcohol is allowed in the park. You are not able to bring decorations, tents, tables, arches, etc. Chairs are only allowed for elderly or disabled people. You can not release birds, butterflies, balloons, throw rice or confetti. Other visitors are able to use the same site. You are not able to block off any areas.ย Stay on designated trails and avoid tramping fragile vegetation
Hey, we’re Savannah & Greg!
Garden Of The Gods Elopement Photographers
We’re a husband and wife team specializing in elopement photography and videography in Aspen, 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!
Garden Of The Gods Elopement Packages
Photography 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.
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Colorado Elopement
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