Planning / best places to elope in colorado / garden of the gods
Garden Of The Gods Elopement
Locations, photos, cost & Tips
How to elope at Garden of the Gods, Colorado
Updated for 2026
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.
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!
garden of the gods elopement & micro wedding locations
Garden Of The Gods Wedding Locations
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 the road
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 – 10 minute walk from parking
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 min walk from parking
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 min walk from parking
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 min walk from parking
Photo Locations
There are tons of hidden gem photo locations around Garden of the Gods for photos before or after your ceremony!
gROUP SIZE LIMIT – None
ACCESSIBILITY – Varies
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.
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When To Elope In Garden Of The Gods
Garden of the Gods is beautiful year-round, but the experience can feel very different depending on when you choose to elope. Weather, crowds, lighting, and even the colors of the red rock formations all change with the seasons, which is why timing plays such a big role in how your day feels and photographs. Some months are ideal for quiet sunrise ceremonies and mild temperatures, while others bring busier trails, dramatic skies, or even snow-dusted spires. Knowing what each season offers helps you pick a date that matches both your vision and your comfort level.
Spring Garden Of The Gods Elopement
April & May
Spring at Garden of the Gods is a mix of fresh greens, moody skies, and way fewer people than summer. March can still feel pretty wintery, but by April and May things start to warm up and the red rocks look incredible against all the new growth. It’s a great time if you want fewer crowds and don’t mind a little weather unpredictability.
Summer Garden Of The Gods Elopement
June, July, August, September
Summer is peak season here. The weather is warm, the skies are usually bright and blue, and everything looks epic – but the park gets busy, especially mid-day. If you’re eloping in summer, sunrise is your best friend for privacy and soft light. Micro weddings can still work really well, you just have to be a little strategic about timing and location.
Fall Garden Of The Gods Elopement
October
Fall is honestly one of the best times to get married at Garden of the Gods. The air is crisp, the light is gorgeous, and the crowds drop way down compared to summer. Even though it’s not a big fall foliage spot, the warm tones of the red rock with that softer autumn light feel super romantic and calm, which is perfect for both elopements and small weddings.
Winter Garden Of The Gods Elopement
November to March
Winter is wildly underrated here. When it snows, the red rocks with a dusting of white look unreal, and the park is way quieter. It’s cold, sure, but if you’re up for bundling up, you’ll get some of the most peaceful and unique elopement vibes you can find in Colorado Springs.
However, snow typically doesn’t stick around long in Colorado Springs. Unless it snows the day of your elopement or a couple days before, there likely won’t be any snow on the ground.
Elope Monday To Thursday At Sunrise Or Sunset
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!
Check For Local Events On Your Date
When choosing your wedding date in Colorado Springs or around Garden of the Gods, it’s important to check for any local events that could impact crowds, parking, and overall accessibility. The area hosts everything from marathons and cycling races to festivals, concerts, and seasonal tourism events, especially during spring, summer, and fall. Garden of the Gods in particular can get extremely busy during big weekends, which can affect both your ceremony location and photo timeline. Taking a few minutes to check the Colorado Springs events calendar while planning will help make sure your elopement day stays calm, beautiful, and stress-free instead of unexpectedly crowded.
how to get your
Colorado Springs Marriage License
To legally get married in Colorado Springs, you’ll need a Colorado marriage license, and thankfully the process is simple. The license costs $30, there’s no waiting period, and you don’t have to be a Colorado resident. You can even get married the same day you apply, which makes eloping here incredibly easy.
Colorado Springs is in El Paso County, so you’ll get your license from the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, located at 1675 W Garden of the Gods Road, Suite 2208. Appointments are required and can be booked up to 30 days in advance. Both partners need to be present with a valid photo ID, and once you’re there, your license is issued right away.
Your marriage license is valid for 35 days and can be used anywhere in Colorado, whether you’re getting married in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, or somewhere else in the state. The only rule is that the completed license must be returned to the same county where you picked it up.
Colorado also allows self-solemnization, which means you don’t need an officiant or witnesses to get married. You and your partner can sign your own license, making your ceremony as simple, private, and meaningful as you want – and yes, your dog can even sign it too.
Garden Of The Gods Elopement FAQs
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.
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 Garden of The Gods. 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!
planning Resources
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The Best Places To Elope In Colorado
Planning guide
Colorado Elopement Planning Guide
Planning guide
Small Wedding Venues in Colorado
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