The Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Colorado and a Look at My Elopement Packages

When choosing where to elope in the US one of the first places that will come to mind for most people is Colorado, and that’s for good reason. The scenic landscapes and beautiful mountains, the simplicity of their marriage laws, and the endless amount of activities there are to enjoy outside of your elopement all make Colorado incredibly appealing for planning an elopement. That’s what’s brought us to today’s guide where we’ll be taking a look at everything you need to know in order to plan your elopement in Colorado, as well as a look into my elopement packages, so let’s get into it.

Things to Know When Planning Your Elopement

The Legalities of Colorado

Before we get into all the exciting aspects of planning your elopement in Colorado and my elopement packages, we first need to get the legalities out of the way. While this may not be the most thrilling bit of the guide, it may just be the most important. 

In order to elope in Colorado you’ll first need to apply for a marriage license at one of the state’s County Clerk Offices. The good news here is that you can have your elopement anywhere in Colorado, regardless of which county you apply for your marriage license in. In order to receive your marriage license you’ll need to pay a $30 fee, provide valid forms of ID for both you and your partner, and provide some other information such as the date of your elopement, your parents’ names and addresses, etc. 

Your Colorado marriage license is valid the same day you receive it, and will be valid for the following 35 days, meaning your elopement has to take place in that timeframe. Once you have your elopement and your marriage license is signed it must be returned to the County Clerk’s Office within 63 days to avoid any additional fees.

Pretty simple right? There’s one more thing that makes Colorado’s marriage laws ideal for elopements, which is that they allow self-solemnization here. Self-solemnization is the ability for couples to sign their own marriage license without any witnesses or an officiant. As a fun added bonus, some counties in Colorado actually allow your dog to sign as a witness, which can be a great personal touch to your elopement day!

The Logistics of Your Colorado Elopement

With the legalities out of the way, it’s time to think about the logistics of planning an elopement in Colorado. Let’s take a look at travel conditions, where to stay, and what season is best for your elopement.

Travel

For those that have yet to visit this gorgeous state, traveling to and around Colorado is thankfully very simple. Colorado has three major airports, Denver International Airport, Colorado Springs Airport, and Grand Junction Regional Airport. All three have flights coming in from out of state and have car rentals available. You’ll likely be flying into Denver’s airport as it is by far the largest and has the most flights available. Thankfully the airport is fairly centralized in the state, so once you fly in, getting to your elopement destination shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.

Stay

Where you end up staying in Colorado heavily depends on where you’re having your elopement itself. Thankfully with how popular it is to travel to Colorado there are practically endless options to choose from. If you want more of a resort experience, a hotel in one of the bigger cities like Denver or Breckenridge will be a great option for you. If you want something more intimate where you can have more space and privacy I would suggest looking on Airbnb or Vrbo. There are PLENTY to choose from.

What Season is Best for an Elopement

There is a draw to each season in Colorado, so it really depends on the experience you’re looking to have for your elopement. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each:

Fall

THE most popular season for elopements in Colorado is the fall, and it makes total sense. As the trees change colors the mountains turn to gorgeous shades of yellow, orange, and red, and create a setting that is simply jaw-dropping. This beauty is incredible to experience, but also leads to one of the busiest times of year for travel. Depending on your elopement location there’s a good chance others may be present at the time which is something to be aware of. You’ll also want to book your flights and your stay well in advance.

Winter

Next is the winter which is again a beautiful time of year in Colorado, though it can be a little tricky. If you’re looking to elope while feeling as if you’re in a winter wonderland then this is the time for you, though you’ll need to have some concrete plans in place. During heavy snowfalls many trails and roads in the mountains of Colorado will close, so you’ll need to be sure to choose a location that you’ll for sure have access to for your elopement. 

Spring

Spring is a beautiful time of year for an elopement in Colorado as everything is starting to bloom as the temperatures rise, and it is also one of the least busy seasons for the state. The reason for that though is that the weather is at its most unpredictable in the spring. Things could be incredibly warm, or even freezing cold with some snow falling. More than likely though it’ll end up somewhere in the middle with a fair bit of rain, so plan for some muddier hikes if you have your elopement in the spring.

Summer

Last but not least is of course the summer, which is always a great option. The temperatures are at their most consistent and enjoyable, which means practically every hiking trail will be easily accessible. In some areas of Colorado this is also when the wildflowers are in full bloom which can be a spectacular setting for an elopement ceremony. Summers are typically on the busier end though in terms of tourism, so it’s unlikely to be alone on a popular trail during peak hours. If you opt for a sunrise elopement you should be able to avoid a majority of the crowds though.

Where to Have Your Elopement in Colorado

With the planning logistics out of the way it’s time to take a look at some specific locations to have your elopement in Colorado. As you can probably imagine there are a practically infinite amount of options, so we’ll cover just a few of my favorites. Regardless of where you have your elopement though there are three things I want you to take into account when choosing a location. 

• The Scenery 
• The Accessibility 
• The Privacy

Find a location that satisfies 2 of these categories at the bare minimum. Of course, the ideal goal is to find one that satisfies all three, but that isn’t always the case. For instance, maybe you found a beautifully scenic trail that leads to a very private outlook over the mountains, but the hike to get there is a bit of a challenge. As long as you’re able to safely make that hike then that location would be a solid choice for your elopement.

Some of My Favorite Locations in Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park

Just an hour and a half outside of Denver is the epic and incredibly scenic Rocky Mountain National Park, or RMNP for short. RMNP is an incredibly vast park, with over 400 square miles of mountains and other terrain. The park is full of different trails and locations that are wonderful options for elopements, each with views more stunning than the last. 

San Juan Mountains

While they’re a bit further away from Denver at around a 6-mile drive, the San Juan Mountains are some of the most beautiful in all of Colorado. If Rocky Mountain National Park sounded massive, then you’re going to be blown away by the San Juan Mountains. The range spans over 12,000 square miles, yes you read that right. With this sheer size and the fact that there are 653 named mountains in the range, you can imagine just how many different places there are to choose from for your elopement here.

Garden of the Gods

Around an hour and a half south of Denver is the magnificent and aptly named Garden of the Gods. This park is famous for its incredible red rock formations that can be found in it, and make for a breathtaking setting for any elopement. The close proximity to Denver is also a bonus, though with it being a smaller park the chances of you coming across other hikers during your elopement is much greater.

Literally SO Many Others

Both RMNP and the San Juan Mountains could each get their own entire article about all of the different locations within them that are fantastic for elopements. And even then there would still be places in both parks left out of the article as there are simply SO many to choose from. Now take into consideration that we didn’t even discuss any locations outside of the three parks above, and you can see how making a choice on where to elope in Colorado can be a difficult one. Lucky for you that’s where I, your Colorado-based elopement photographer, come in.

Why Choose Matlai for Your Colorado Elopement

It should be no secret now that elopements in Colorado are kind of my thing. I love documenting each couples unique love story in this gorgeous state that I’m lucky enough to call home, and I know how much planning is needed to make your elopement vision a reality. That’s why I work so hard to provide my couples with an elopement experience they’ll love along with their photos documenting their day.

Planning Assistance for Your Colorado Elopement

When you book me as your Colorado elopement photographer, you receive a lot more than stunning photos from your day. Part of all of my elopement packages is planning assistance to take as much off of your plate as possible so that you’re able to fully enjoy your Colorado elopement. This includes:

• Logistics Planning (Airbnb recommendations, marriage license assistance, travel plans, and more)
• Permit Research and Location Scouting
• Vendor Recommendations
• A 20 Page Welcome Packet
• Consultation and Planning Assistance
• And More!

What It’s Like Having Me as Your Elopement Photographer

The planning process is of course hugely important for your Colorado elopement, but what about the day itself? With how intimate elopements are you’ll want to be sure that your photographer is someone that you want to have alongside you through this incredibly personal and important day. Finding a photographer who’s vibe, personality, and photography style fits the vision you have is key to enjoying your elopement to the fullest.

I’m very much so an easy going and laid back type of person, but also someone who prefers a meaningful conversation over generic small talk. I’m not the ‘Your New Best Friend’ type of photographer, but more someone who wants to enhance the connection and emotion you feel throughout this special day the two of you have created.

When it comes to my photography itself I try to document your day and your love in a way that is authentic and true to you. This is usually one of the first times couples have professional photos taken of them, so there may be some awkward feelings towards the start of the day. In these situations I guide and direct my couples to help them ease into the session and break that awkward barrier early so that they can loosen up and truly be themselves for the day.

Expertise for the Best Possible Experience

As a Colorado elopement and wedding photographer a specialty of mine, and part of all of my packages as I mentioned, is location scouting and recommendation for my couples. Throughout my years of living here in Colorado and photographing numerous elopements throughout the state I’ve gotten to know this state incredibly well. I have location recommendations for every style, setting, and feel imaginable. It’s this expertise that’s invaluable when it comes to planning an elopement in Colorado, especially for couples travelling from out of state!

A Look at My Colorado Elopement Packages and Experience

I know that every elopement is different, which is why I like to be flexible when it comes to my elopement packages. I have three separate package options available:

• 4 Hours of Consecutive Coverage
• 8 Hours of Coverage (This can be split across a single day, and is perfect for sunrise and sunset.)
• 12 Hours of Coverage (This can be split across 2 days, and is perfect for couples looking for photos in multiple locations.)

Each of these packages includes the additional benefits I mentioned earlier such as planning assistance, vendor recommendations, stunning photos from the elopement, and more.

My package with 8 hours of coverage is my most common as Colorado is such an experience based location for an elopement. Some couples may think it could be hard to fill 8 or 12 hours of photography coverage if it’s just the two of them, but trust me that is FAR from true. The beautiful and scenic landscapes of Colorado make for nearly endless portrait opportunities and experiences for you to enjoy during your elopement.

Customization for Your Colorado Elopement Package

With how unique and personal each elopement is, part of my planning process is to customize each of my packages to fit my couples’ unique vision for their elopement in Colorado. While my starting packages offer 4, 8, and 12 hours of coverage, each is customizable to fit with what you envision for your day. I adjust my prices to fit these alterations so that you can rest assured that you’re getting the most from your investment. From the moment you book, to the day your gallery is delivered, I aim to provide an elopement experience that is the best it can be for your elopement.

If this all sounds like what you’re looking for head over to my contact page to send me an inquiry! Feel free to also check out my other blogs as I have some other great elopement planning resources, like a guide on what to pack for your elopement.