Where to Elope in Colorado, A Guide for Destination Elopements

As an elopement photographer in Colorado it makes me SO happy to see just how many couples are choosing to celebrate their love in this incredible state I get to call home. In helping so many couples plan their dream elopements here I’ve realized just how stressful it can be to plan a destination elopement, with one of the biggest stressors being deciding on an elopement location. With that in mind, I wanted to put together a guide for out of state couples planning to elope in Colorado. We’ll cover some of the basics of planning a destination elopement as well as take a look at some of my favorite locations in the state.

Planning Your Destination Elopement in Colorado

When you start planning a destination elopement in Colorado, or really anywhere you’re unfamiliar with, it can feel a bit daunting. It’s one thing planning an elopement somewhere you’ve been to tens or even hundreds of times, and something completely different planning one somewhere that you’ve traveled to maybe once before. With this in mind there are a few things you’ll want to be on top of in addition to the standard planning that comes with an elopement.

Travel Arrangements

First and foremost, you’re going to want to look at your travel arrangements and figure out a game plan. For most couples traveling to Colorado for their elopement this means booking their flight to the Denver International Airport and booking a rental car to use throughout their trip. The biggest thing to keep in mind when making your travel arrangements is when your actual elopement will take place, and how long it will take you to get to your final destination. I recommend arriving at least a day or two in advance in order to give yourselves some breathing room (and altitude acclimation) and get settled in prior to the elopement. I can also highly recommend you make an extended vacation out of your elopement travels as there is SO much to enjoy and experience here in Colorado!

Where to Stay

In addition to your travel arrangements, you’re also going to want to iron out the details of where you’re staying well in advance of your elopement date. This will depend largely on where your elopement is taking place so that you can minimize the amount of driving you’ll have to do while here in Colorado. You should be able to actually enjoy yourselves while you’re here rather than spend most of your time in a rental car! Whether you book an Airbnb, Vrbo, or choose one of the many resorts throughout Colorado, just be sure you keep the distance from where you plan to elope in mind.

Booking Your Vendors

Even though you’re planning an elopement rather than a more traditional wedding, your vendor team is still an integral part of bringing your elopement vision to life. The great part about elopements is the creative freedom they give to couples. You can go all out and book a full vendor team, or you can keep things simple and only book a photographer to document your day. The choice is yours! I do strongly recommend booking a local photographer, like yours truly, for your elopement in Colorado. I’ll be able to help guide you through timeline creation, vendor choices, give you location options, and SO much more.

General Elopement Planning

There is still more planning that goes into an elopement, a LOT more. Lucky for you I put together a full guide on planning an elopement in Colorado for you to check out after this article. It goes over what time of year to elope in Colorado, how to get your marriage license, a look into my elopement packages and experience, and much more. Bookmark it so you can check it out after we take a look at where to plan your elopement in Colorado.

The Front Range

Our first category of locations to elope in Colorado is the front range! These locations are as close as you can get to the Denver International Airport. These locations generally are a bit busier due to their close proximity to DIA, but that doesn’t take away from their beauty or the experience of eloping here one bit!

Denver

Of course our first location had to be Denver itself. While the mountains get most of the attention and praise when people talk about Colorado, and honestly for good reason as they are spectacular, there is an undeniable charm to an elopement in Denver! From the vibrant neighborhoods, charming parks and natural retreats, and a wide array of things to do outside of your elopement festivities, an elopement in Denver is a fantastic option for couples looking to keep things simple for their day. There are also plenty of locations just outside of Denver to hike and explore, which we’re about to take a look at next!

Golden

Just outside of Denver, and only about half an hour away from DIA, we have the picturesque city of Golden, Colorado. This scenic and historic city is home to some truly incredible elopement locations and tons of things to do outside of your elopement itself. There are a plethora of hiking trails all around, epic locations like Lookout Mountain for your elopement ceremony, and plenty of places to stay in and around the city itself.

Boulder

Just a bit north of Golden, and about 40 minutes from DIA is the city of Boulder, Colorado. Boulder is quite a bit larger than Golden, and during the peak seasons of tourism it can get pretty busy. It is a city that definitely earns this level of tourism though as the city and surrounding area is fantastically beautiful. The city is home to some truly wonderful elopement locations like Sunrise Amphitheater and Lake Isabelle, and with the ease of having everything you need at your fingertips Boulder is an easy choice when deciding where to elope in Colorado.

Colorado Springs

An hour or so south of DIA along the front range is the city of Colorado Springs, our next elopement location. Colorado Springs is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Colorado such as Garden of the Gods and the iconic Pikes Peak. Similar to the locations we’ve checked out already, due to its larger size and relative closeness to DIA, tourism in Colorado Springs is at a much higher level than some of the other locations we’ll be taking a look at later in this article. If you’re ok with braving the crowds, or choose an off-day or off-season for your elopement you’re sure to have a fantastic experience here!

2 Hours from Denver

Working our way out further from Denver we’ll find ourselves surrounded by some of the most stunning and scenic landscapes Colorado has to offer. These locations are definitely still reasonably popular when it comes to tourism, but less so than our previous locations. If you’re looking for a little more adventure as you’re deciding where to elope in Colorado this section is for you!

Summit County

Just about 2 hours west of DIA we have the magical Summit County. There are some truly incredible locations throughout Summit County that are perfect for elopements, so many that I could easily write an entire article going over my favorites. I’ve already talked about a few in my Breckenridge elopement guide such as Sapphire Point and Echo Lake, but that only scratches the surface of this amazing part of Colorado. There are practically endless trails to explore and an insane amount of beauty to experience throughout Summit County.

Winter Park

Working our way north from Summit County we’ll find the ski town of Winter Park, Colorado. Winter Park is famous for its incredible ski resort, but its appeal extends well beyond just skiing. Thanks to the mountains the ski slopes call home, there are a TON of scenic and breathtaking locations for your elopement ceremony. If you plan on having a winter elopement, Winter Park is going to be very busy, but it can be a dream come true for couples that love to ski. While slightly less accessible and considerably smaller than some of our other locations, this town is a fantastic option for couples looking for a more adventurous elopement in Colorado.

Estes Park

Part of Rocky Mountain National Park is the ever beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. This northern Colorado town is only about an hour and a half away from DIA, so it’s pretty accessible all things considered. The town also offers plenty of places to stay, eat, and explore for any couple looking to elope here. With incredible and varied elopement locations like Dream Lake, Sprague Lake, and 3M Curve, just to name a few, Estes Park is a location you must consider when deciding where to elope in Colorado. Being a part of Rocky Mountain National Park does mean that Estes Park is on the more popular side in terms of tourism, but the vast expanse and wide array of locations makes the added popularity incredibly easy to work with.

Leadville

Just outside of Summit County is the lovely town of Leadville, Colorado. This town is just about 2 hours from DIA, and has a charming and historic downtown. The town is home to some fantastic mountain views, and one of the most beautiful elopement locations in the state, Turquoise Lake. Leadville offers plenty as a town to attract numerous visitors and tourists throughout the year, and combined with the incredible scenery to explore and enjoy nearby it is no wonder why this spot is a must consider when couples are deciding where to elope in Colorado. Check out one of my all time favorite locations to get married in Leadville- Freight!

A Full on Adventure

Finally, for the couples looking to experience the adventurous side of Colorado to the fullest, here are some of the best locations you should definitely have on your radar when deciding on where to elope!

Telluride

Around six and a half hours away from the Denver International Airport you’ll find the town of Telluride in the southwest corner of Colorado. This former mining town has now become one of the many cute and charming towns you’ll find near the San Juan Mountains. The town is practically surrounded by breathtaking mountains, and is home to some of the most scenic and incredible elopement locations in the state. Whether you set out on a hike, or want to get really adventurous and rent a Jeep or other 4×4 for your elopement, Telluride has the perfect mixture of all out adventure and cozy small town vibes.

Silverton

Also around six and a half hours from DIA is the town of Silverton Colorado. While geographically close to Telluride, the two are separated by a range of mountains, making the drive from one town to the other just about two hours. This leads to Silverton having many of the same areas of appeal as Telluride, though with a wholly different set of views and mountains to experience! From picturesque lakes and soothing rivers, to epic mountain views and wide open fields looking out towards said mountains, Silverton has a little something for everyone.

Creede

The town of Creede is one of the many hidden gems throughout Colorado, an ideal location for any adventurous couple deciding on where they should elope. The small town which originally was a mining town has some of the coolest mountainous landscapes to take in for an elopement, and is only a short drive away from the epic Rio Grande River. There’s a wide array of scenery to take in and enjoy here, and being as far removed as Creede is, you don’t have to worry too much when it comes to tourism. There are only a few options to choose from when looking for places to stay, unless you are willing to drive to other nearby towns like Alpine, which is only about half an hour away.

My Secret Favorites

Ok, so I don’t want to give away all of my favorite locations on where to elope in Colorado, nor do I think that’s really possible to be honest! There are just SO many incredible locations throughout this wonderful state that I feel so honored and blessed to be able to experience. When couples book me to document their elopement I help them with a lot of the planning process, and one such area happens to be location scouting and suggestions. If a couple has a vibe or setting they’re aiming for, but doesn’t know what part of Colorado would fit that vision I always have multiple recommendations to give them, some are popular while others are more under the radar.

If you’re looking to book me to document your elopement and are wanting some help in finding the best location for your vision be sure to inquire through my contact page. I’d love to hear from you and start the planning process together!