DENVER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER // COLORADO ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER // COLORADO ELOPEMENT PLANNER
When you elope in Colorado you aren’t just getting unbelievably beautiful backdrops, you’re getting an unbelievable beautiful experience. You are free to explore and play in the great outdoors your way. To invite a special few or run off just you two. To choose a location that truly speaks to you.
Mountain towns become wonderlands. perfect for skiing and cozy nights by the fire. During the spring everything becomes greener by the day. With raising temps in the summer the wildflowers emerge. Every fall the mountains are painted with gold as the aspens begin to turn colors. Not a single season disappoints!
Whether you want something ADA accessible, to drive up, or to break sweat, there is something for you. There is no barrier to entry when it comes to experiencing views throughout Colorado. Want high elevations without the hike? There are chair lifts and 4×4 roads that can take you there!
It’s crazy how a single state can have desert landscapes dotted with rock formations, deep winding canyons, pristine lakes, snowy peaks, rushing waterfalls, and vibrant vistas. Colorado truly has it all! Even crazier is how you can experience multiple landscapes in a day.
If you’re wanting a truly “just us” experience for your elopement, Colorado allows you to do that through self solemnizing. You don’t need an officiant or witness for you to have a legal ceremony.
What County Clerks Office?
Any! It doesn’t need to be from the country you’re getting married in.
What about an officiant?
Not necessary! You can self solemnize (aka marry yourselves) .
What about witnesses?
You don’t need any! Your dog can even sign a witness for funsies.
Seriously, it couldn’t be easier!
Near Telluride, nestled in an alpine valley you’ll find the romantic 1800’s ghost town, Dunton Hot Springs. This place is equal parts luxurious, fabulous, and jaw dropping. After finding the perfect place on the property or surrounding wilderness you two can retreat back to your cozy cabin, eat an exceptional meal, and soak in your own private hot spring. What a dream!
Permits: No
Best time of year: Year round (depending on your desired activities)
Trail Length: Various
4×4 Vehicle: No
Unbelievable cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo and panoramic canyon views, Mesa Verde National Park brings together the beauty of culture and nature in Southwestern Colorado. There are numerous canyons to explore around Cortez, in fact you can even stay in a house built into canyon cliffs.
Permits: Yes
Best time of year: Spring
Trail Length: Various
4×4 Vehicle: No
Honestly, I could spend forever talking about unbelievable locations in Telluride, but here are two that have stolen my heart. Alta Lakes consists of 3 deep teal, alpine lakes surrounded by peaks and trees. American Basin is also located high amongst the mountain peaks, with endless wildflowers and views. You could spend all day here picnicking, dipping your toes in the water, and marveling at the scenery.
Permits: No
Best time of year: Mid Summer – Late Fall
Trail Length: 1.5 – 2 miles
4×4 Vehicle: Yes
Just outside of Grand Junction you’ll find a landscape full of winding canyons, towering rock formations, and striped orange and red sandstone. If you’re looking for cliffside vows and wild-west-desert-vibes, then this place is for you! After having your ceremony in one of the numerous designated locations, you can explore to your heart’s content, grabbing pictures along the way.
This is a real wild card, you won’t find this place with a quick google search, because this is actually a rental property! Thimble Rock Point is a luxury A-frame located in Mesa County, south of Grand Junction. Here you won’t find another soul in sight, laid out in front of you is a lush, sprawling vista framed by granite cliffs (the perfect backdrop for your ceremony). Here you can stay, play, and love.
Permits: Yes
Best time of year: Summer
Trail Length: Various
4×4 Vehicle: Yes
The Maroon Bells in Aspen is quite literally postcard worthy, I’m sure you recognize it! The picturesque lake is framed by snowy peaks and aspen groves. Due to snow this area is only open Memorial Day through late October. Reservations open once a year so I recommend you recruit people to help you book, as the slots go fast! I promise this destination for your elopement is worth it!
Permits: Yes
Best time of year: Summer-Fall
Trail Length: >1 mile
4×4 Vehicle: No
Imagine sledding down the tallest sand dunes in North America on your wedding day. Or walking barefoot through an otherworldly landscape of dancing sands. Or seeing more stars than you ever could’ve imagined after sunset. You’ll get all of that and more at Great Sand Dunes National Park! It’s truly unlike anywhere else.
Permits: Yes
Best time of year: Summer – Early Fall
Trail Length: Various
4×4 Vehicle: No
This small state park is full of rushing waterfalls, lush vegetation, and limestone caves. If you’re looking for a place where you can camp overnight and find a serene spot at sunrise to exchange vows, Rifle Falls is PERFECT for you.
Permits: No
Best time of year: Summer – Early Fall
Trail Length: >3 miles
4×4 Vehicle: No
Don’t want to travel far from the city, but still want quintessential Rocky Mountain views for your elopement? It doesn’t get better than Lost Gulch Overlook! Plan on going there during a weekday at sunrise or during the day to escape the crowds. I love that when you decide to stay in Boulder the views never end! You can admire the gorgeous flatirons all day long whether you’re hiking them or enjoying dinner.
Permits: No
Best time of year: Spring-Fall
Trail Length: >.25 miles
4×4 Vehicle: No
This list wouldn’t be complete without Crested Butte. Everything here is brimming with life from the turquoise lakes, never ending wildflowers, and glowing aspen groves. If you’re a flower lover like myself then I suggest exploring Lupine Trail or Rustler Gulch in the late summer, when wildflower season is at its peak. Although these trails are long you can go as far as you’d like, there’s nowhere “to get to”, every step is noteworthy.
Permits: No
Best time of year: Summer-Fall
Trail Length: Various
4×4 Vehicle: Yes
Okay, I know what you’re thinking, “Audrey, how on earth was RMNP not number 1 or even on this list!?”…
Truth is, (although I’d jump at any chance to explore RMNP with some lovebirds) there are beautiful places across Colorado that are 10x easier to elope at.
RMNP has nearly 4.5 million visitors every year and amongst those lucky visitors only 6 wedding ceremonies are allowed per day in the park. You used to be able to get hitched along your favorite trail in the park, but in recent years weddings (even if it’s just the two of you) are only allowed to take place at one of their 12 designated ceremony sites. The park issues max 60 permits per month May-October and max 40 permits November-December on a first come, first serve basis. You need to pay a $300 permit fee and a $30 fee per vehicle entering the park.
With alll that being said, Rocky Mountain National Park is breathtaking. If your heart is set on eloping there, we can make it happen!
Count me in! I love how much thought and care you’re pouring into your elopement, to make it special and to make it wholly yours. Not only do I want to make sure you remember every last detail of what you’ll experience, I want to help you make this day possible. From playing matchmaker with locations to pairing you with vendors and being a shoulder to lean on. Together we’ll explore everything Colorado has to offer for your elopement.
© Audrey Darke Photography | All Rights Reserved