How to Elope in Colorado

Your Complete Guide to Planning a Colorado Elopement

If you’re dreaming about eloping in Colorado but don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know from how to get a marriage license to picking the perfect location while also helping you create a day and experience that feels intentional, personal, and unforgettable.

A bride and groom share a kiss beside a lake, with two dogs sitting near them, surrounded by a dense forest and mountains in the background.

A black and white photo of a bride and groom holding hands and smiling, standing outdoors on a rocky hill with mountains in the background. The bride is wearing a wedding gown and holding a bouquet, while the groom is in a suit.

A bride and groom sharing a kiss by a lake with mountains and autumn trees in the background.

A bride and groom holding hands outdoors with trees and mountains in the background, black and white photograph.

Eloping in Colorado: What It Really Looks Like

Eloping isn’t about running away behind your families backs to get married. Eloping is about choosing something more intentional that fits your personalities.

In Colorado, that can look like exchanging vows on a quiet mountain overlook, hiking into an alpine lake at sunrise, or sharing a slow, intentional day together with your dogs in a place that actually means something to you.

There’s no template here. No pressure to perform. No guest lists or catering. No expectations beyond what feels right.

Just the two of you (and maybe your pups!), fully present in a place that reflects your story and connection.

A couple in wedding attire stands close together on a patterned blanket in a field during sunset, with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Colorado Elopement Laws & Logistics

A couple embraces outdoors in front of mountain scenery, with the woman smiling and the man holding her close.

How to Legally Elope in Colorado

Colorado is one of the easiest states in the U.S. to elope which is a big part of why it’s such a powerful place to do it.

The first and biggest thing to know about eloping in Colorado is:

You can self-solemnize. Self-solemnization is the act of marrying yourselves, with no other officiants or witnesses necessary to legalize it. Colorado is one of only very few states in the US to allow this to happen.

This means:

You don’t need anyone else to be there for your elopement outside of the two of you(of course), your dog(🤞), and Amy and I ( 📸+📸). This gives you the ultimate freedom when it comes to planning your day how you want it to go. Your dog can even “sign” your marriage license (yes, really!)

This gives you complete freedom to create a ceremony and elopement day that feels natural and true to you whether that’s somewhere private, adventurous, emotional, or all of the above. This also means that if you want to have more of a traditional or structured ceremony, you can ask anyone - a friend, a close relative, etc. to lead and guide the ceremony without the need for them to be ordained.

A woman in a white wedding dress, a man in a blue suit, and a black and white dog, kneeling outdoors in a forest, with the woman signing a document.

The Marriage License Process

To apply for a marriage license in Colorado:

Complete the Online Marriage Application. (make sure to complete this before scheduling an appointment.)
Schedule an in-person appointment at the Country Clerks office.
Both partners must be present (or use an absentee affidavit if needed)
Bring a valid ID (driver’s license or passport)
Cost: ~$30
The Marriage License is valid immediately and lasts 35 days

Valid identification forms include:

Passport
Driver’s License
Military identification card
You will also be asked for the social security number for each of you.

The Marriage License is $30 and is valid for 35 days after you apply but can be used immediately. (Like literally immediately. Don’t fill it out right when you pick it up or it becomes legal right then!). The Marriage License can be obtained in any county in Colorado, regardless of where the ceremony will take place.

The marriage certificate must be completed and returned within 63 days from the day of the wedding to the County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. In most cases, couples will mail it back or drop it off at the same location they obtained their marriage license. Your clerk and recorder's office will give you specific instructions on how to submit your filled-out marriage license for recording.

Colorado makes this process simple, flexible, and built for exactly this kind of experience.

A couple dressed in wedding attire exchanging vows by a lake with mountains in the background.

A smiling couple holding a marriage certificate, standing on a rocky shoreline with a lake and mountains in the background.

A newlywed couple sharing a kiss by a lake, with mountains in the background, during sunset.

Best Places to Elope in Colorado

Choosing where to elope in Colorado is one of the most important parts of the entire experience and can also be the most stressful and unknown when couples first begin dreaming of an elopement.

From alpine lakes and mountain passes to desert landscapes and forest trails, Colorado offers an incredible range of elopement locations each with a completely different feel.

Some of the most popular areas include:

Rocky Mountain National Park
Breckenridge & Summit County
Vail & Aspen
Boulder & Estes Park
San Juan Mountains (Telluride, Ouray, Silverton)

But the best location isn’t always the most popular one.

It’s the one that feels like you.

Destination Elopements beyond Colorado are also welcomed.

How I Help You Choose a Location

Elopement location is a big one, and one of the main draws for couples choosing to Elope. Your wedding venue can be anywhere in the world. Well, anywhere permit permitting - we’ll get to that :)

But seriously, choosing a location is very important. Many couples will reach out with an idea of what they want the scenery to be like while also having some other important aspects of the location to check off. Some of these are:

Crowd levels vs privacy
Accessibility vs adventure
Sunrise vs sunset lighting
Seasonal conditions (snow, wildflowers, fall color)
Permit requirements

Sometimes the most meaningful locations aren’t the ones trending online, or in a National Park; they’re the ones you discover together.

If you don’t have a specific location in mind when you reach out, we will sit down together and go through the logistics of what several different locations will look like and how they will impact the overall feel of your elopement day.

From best time of day to elope in that location for the best light and the least crowds, to the logistics of getting there and more, we discuss it all and find the place that calls to you the most.

I always keep a running list of places I’ve traveled to, driven by, or hiked in that would make good elopement locations based on all the considerations above as well as what calls to my artistic eye.

A mountain landscape with snow-covered peaks, a forest of evergreen trees, a lake, and rocky terrain. A person is visible hiking along a trail

More on Choosing a Location

While I am more than happy to provide personally tailored location suggestions to you from my experiences, one of my biggest tips to choosing one of the locations I recommend is to go check them out yourselves.

So: Make it a trip!

I recommend finding a time 3-6 months out from your elopement day to plan a trip together and essentially location scout where you would want to commit your love together.

Drive around and scout out some locations you may have seen online, or the from the ones I suggest. Feel what it’s like to stand and look at the surroundings in person. Consider the landscape and backdrop and see if it connects with you.

Do you want to be standing up on an overlook to see for miles as you pledge your love or would you rather be down in a valley surrounded by towering mountains on all sides or would you rather have your feet buried in the sand of dunes with the range of the rockies on the horizon? Sometime you don’t know until you are there in person.

Another good reason to scout is to see what obstacles we might need to plan around when the day does arrive. ie. While I do lots of research ahead of time myself, there can still be obstacles that arise.

If a trip is logistically out of the question, or you just want somewhere to start other than googling, you can check out my Blog Post: Best Places to Elope in Colorado.

You could also start by looking into: National Parks, State Parks, National Forests or BLM Land, or at the Top of a Mountain (Yes. You heard me correctly. Amy and I love hiking and summit several 14ers every year. So elope and come along with us.!)

Sand dunes in a desert landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

A mountain landscape with rocky peaks, green forested slopes, and a calm lake with a mirror-like reflection of the mountains, trees, and sky.

Snow-covered mountain landscape with a frozen lake, dense pine trees, and rugged peaks under an overcast sky.

If you decide to elope in a National or State Park, here are some things to know:

Most National and State Parks will require a “Special Use” Permit in order for elopement and wedding services to take place within their lands.
Special Permits range in cost from $50-$300 depending on location and time.
Applications for the Special Permits should be submitted well in advance in order for enough time to process them before the elopement day.
Each National Park has a contact page on nps.gov . You can get in contact with a ranger and ask them about obtaining special permits and any other info you may need to know.
There will likely be some other restrictions you will come across when dealing with National or State Parks, such as the number of people allowed to be in attendance( usually under 50 ), what kinds of backdrops or rentals you can bring in, if dogs are allowed, etc etc etc. These are all great questions to ask the rangers of the park you wish to elope in.

Cloud-covered mountains with trees and a lake in the foreground.

Other things to note when choosing a location:

If hiking is required for the location, give yourself plenty of time to casually enjoy the hike. Take it slow. Enjoy the moment and take in the scenery. I recommend a different pair of shoes for the hike, and you can either choose to hike wearing the dress, or hike in the dress change once at the location.
Sunset is a preferred time for the ceremony. That way you have the whole day to chill, get ready, anticipate, drink, do yoga, whatever you want. And it’s the best time of day for photos when it comes to light.
However, sometimes a sunrise elopement, depending on location, can be a great option for popular spots such as national parks. Even though it is an early start, it will be calm and relaxed. Crowds wont be there. But the cold might be. 🥶

Two hikers walking on a narrow trail through lush greenery and wildflowers in a mountainous landscape with rocky peaks and dense forests.

Scenic view of a mountain range with forested hills and trees in the foreground under a clear sky.

How to Plan Your Colorado Elopement Day

Two men stand near a campsite by a lake in a mountainous area during sunset. The campsite has a car with a rooftop tent decorated with string lights and a small table with lanterns and supplies. The background features snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake.

A camping scene with a small fire pit burning rocks and flames, with a metal kettle hanging over the fire, and camping chairs and a vehicle in the background.

Two men sitting on a rock in a mountainous landscape, enjoying coffee, with patches of snow and green hills in the background.

Two donuts topped with white glaze and sprinkles, each on a small plate, with 'Mrs & Mr' cake toppers, and a paper bag in the background on a green plaid cloth.

This is where elopements really open up and where the magic happens.

There’s no timeline you have to follow, just the freedom to build a day around what matters most to you and the pace you want to go at.

Some Ideas for Your day could include:

A slow morning getting ready together
A hike to your ceremony location
Private vows at sunrise or sunset
Exploring multiple locations
Sharing a donuts, a drink or coffee, or a quiet moment together
Ending the day under the stars
Reading letters from loved ones together in the evening
Fly Fishing or Paddle Boarding
Hanging out with your furry friends

You’re not fitting your day into a schedule,
you’re creating a rhythm that feels natural.

A wedding couple standing outdoors in a field with autumn trees in the background, smiling at each other. The bride is holding a bouquet of flowers behind the groom's head, and both are dressed in wedding attire.

Black and white photo of a bride and groom kissing outdoors on a mountain, with mountains in the background.

Do You Need a Permit to Elope in Colorado?

Some locations especially national parks and certain public lands, require a special use permit for ceremonies.

Typical permit info:

Cost: $50–$300
Processing time varies
Guest count and location rules may apply

I help guide you through:

Which locations require permits
How to apply
What restrictions to expect

A wedding couple stands on a rocky shoreline by a lake in a mountainous area, with pine trees and snow-capped peaks in the background. The bride is in a white wedding dress with a flower bouquet on the ground, and the groom is in a blue suit. They are holding hands and exchanging vows.

With over 8 years of experience photographing and filming elopements across Colorado and beyond, we bring more than just cameras.

We help you:

Plan your day intentionally
Find meaningful locations
Navigate logistics and permits
Feel comfortable and present in front of the camera

We will come prepared for the day rain, snow, or shine(& yes, we’ve shot in all of those weather conditions.) with a passion to create and capture the elopement day you’ve always dreamed while also giving you the space to simply be in the moment.

You don’t need to know how to do this.
That’s what we’re here for.

What It’s Like to Elope With Us

A couple stands in a vast open field with trees and mountains in the background, smiling and hugging, one person holding a camera.

A man and woman dressed in wedding attire standing outdoors in a desert-like environment, holding a bottle of champagne, with two donkeys beside them and a tree behind. The woman wears a white dress with long sleeves and a large black hat, while the man wears a dark green suit. There is a wooden sign with the date 9-19-24 in the background.

Let’s Start Planning Your Colorado Elopement

If you’re dreaming about eloping in Colorado and want a day that feels real, intentional, and entirely your own — I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning.

You don’t need a full plan.
Just a starting point.

We’ll build the rest together.

start the conversation

Check out some

Real Colorado Elopements Stories

A couple celebrating on top of a black Jeep in a dirt road surrounded by trees with fall foliage, mountains in the background, during sunset.

A black and white photo of a couple dressed in wedding attire standing by a lake with a mountain landscape in the background, holding hands and looking at each other.

Bride and groom walking by a river in a mountainous landscape, with snow and trees in the background during sunset.

A bride and groom embrace on a rocky lakeshore, with mountains and a lake in the background, in a black and white wedding photo.

Aerial view of a lakeside with a sandy beach, a wooded area with fall foliage, and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.

“Some stories are meant to begin out here.”

A couple dressed in wedding attire sharing a kiss outdoors on rocky terrain with a mountain and forest background.

Colorado Elopement FAQS

Eloping in Colorado can vary depending on your location, travel, permits, and photography coverage. Most couples invest anywhere from a few thousand to $10k+ depending on how intentional and experience-driven they want their day to be.
No. Colorado allows self-solemnization, meaning you can legally marry yourselves without an officiant or witnesses.
Summer and fall are the most popular for accessibility and weather, but winter elopements offer a quieter, more intimate experience. The best time really depends on your vision.
Yes. I help couples with location ideas, timelines, permits, and overall planning so the day feels intentional and stress-free.
I’ve found that most elopements need at least 4 hours to fully capture the experience without rushing, but many couples choose longer coverage for multiple locations and a more relaxed pace.
Yes. Elopements can include guests — just keep in mind some locations have restrictions on group size.
Absolutely! While this might limit some location possibilities(No dogs allowed in National Parks), your furry friends are always welcome with me and can even legally sign your marriage license with their paw in Colorado!
For Elopements or intimate weddings(under 25 guests) packages start at $3500 for 4 hours of coverage and go up to full-day coverage.
For more information or questions on pricing just say hey!
I do Not charge any travel fees for in-state Colorado elopements or weddings. Traveling through the mountains is part of the adventure. So pick in Colorado where you want to go and I’ll meet you there!
Absolutely. As one of my favorite songwriters of all time (David Bazan) sings “Either way, you are worthy of love. you are worthy of love.” everyone has a story to tell and everyone is worthy of love whether that’s between people of the same gender or not. I want to capture your love and story.