Eloping is a really great way to celebrate your love without all of the big decisions, planning and money that come along with planning a big wedding. Because it’s between the two of you, you can dream up the elopement that is just right for your love. I LOVE helping clients bring there vision to a reality.

Here you fill find some helpful information for planning your most perfect elopement! I’m ALWAYS happy to jump on a call to talk through your ideas, even if they are new ideas that you need help working through logistically.

Let’s start with location ideas….

Grand County

An area I know well and work in a lot, there are many beautiful spots in Grand County that aren’t as busy or popular than some of the ,more obvious ones around Colorado. If you want to involve water, Lake Granby is stunning, as is Monarch Lake. If you want a wintery feel to your photos, plan for after December to make sure you have full coverage. Grand County is full of trails and forests that offer privacy and mountain town vibes. Perfect for couples who want to keep it simple!

Rocky Mountain National Park

Love adventuring in Rocky Mountain National Park? Grab a permit and have your wedding at Dream or Sprague lake! Sunrise elopements are ideal for skipping the crowds and getting the best lighting. RMNP offers many great options for backdrops, so consider exchanging vows and then cruising around the park to capture the many different landscapes that the park has to offer.

Estes Park

Easily accessible from Denver and Boulder and filled with beautiful backdrops, Estes Park is a favorite local location to photograph elopements. Take the season into consideration if you are planning to elope in Estes, the fall traffic on weekends is very, very busy. A weekday is best in the high season for tourism. If you love winter weddings, you can’t go wrong in Estes, especially if you can get a permit to elope in the park.

Crested Butte

There is simply nothing like June in Crested Butte! The wildflowers are plentiful and the town is buzzing with excitement! If you love hiking and biking, this is the location for you! If want to relax and enjoy good food, this is also the location for your! This is a photographer’s dream location. It helps to have some support from your photographer to find the best locations, so be sure to ask if they’ve been there before for an elopement or micro wedding (psst… have!)

Loveland Pass

One of my very favorite locations, also a popular one in the summer. There are many great backdrops up the pass, but Heart Lake is a favorite. Consider I70 traffic on weekends and holidays. Summer is a a beautiful time to plan an elopement because of the green rolling hills. Falling your elopement, book a reservation for dinner in Breckenridge. You’ll also find that there are many charming hotels in the area.

Lost Gulch

A stunning Boulder location that will take your breath away at sunset, but can also feel overwhelming because of the number of people who visit this spot in the evenings. Parking can also be a challenge. Consider sunrise for your elopement on Lost Gulch. Also, climbing around the rocky area can present some risk. Consider bringing alternative footwear so that you feel save and comfortable.

Factors to consider when planning your elopement

Logistics

What do you need to elope? Well, if you are planning an elopement in Colorado, not much! You’ll need to plan on getting your license from the county (you’ll want to make an appointment) and you’ll need your signatures to make that official. You do not need an officiant or a witness for your Colorado wedding. This gives you lots of space to create the perfect elopement experience that is about you and your partner. Oh… you will want to bring an amazing photographer who you connect with to help you plan out and document the your very personal and unique Colorado elopement. (Hi, that’s me!!)

Vendors

You can really keep things simple here. Many couples I’ve worked with have included simple bouquets and cakes. Some have simply planned a special, intimate dinner following their elopement. Clothing can very to a simple white dress, traditional or something completely out of the box but completely YOU! If you are planning on a hiking elopement adventure, dress for that! Hiking boots and dresses or suits are my favorite! Use your clothing to express yourself.

Time of Year

What is your favorite season? Do you love Colorado for the skiing? Let’s ski or snowshoe up a pass for some crazy awesome mountain views! Do you love fall foliage? Great, while most anywhere is gorgeous in the fall, consider a trip to the San Juan Mountains in late September or early October. Do you want to have wild flowers? Spring time in Crested Butte could be the place for you! (It’s certainly one of my favorites!) Picking your favorite season can be helpful as you narrow in on the perfect location for your elopement.

Details

The details that are important for your elopement depend on you. You don’t need to worry about napkins, wedding party attire or a invitations! This creates space for you to add personal details that really matter during your elopement. Some fun ideas I’ve seen; including your favorite micro brew for a celebratory toast post ceremony, bring your dog along to be a witness on your license, custom made cupcakes, personal and private vows. The sky is the limit and you can have so much fun with the details of your marriage when you are not trying to follow tradition.

Weather

If you are planning a Colorado wedding of any kind, remember to have a plan B. It can change in an instant, which is both good and bad news! Remember that it can snow in May and it can also be 70 degrees in February. Prepare for all possibilities, regardless of the forecast.

Picking a Date

Another nice thing about elopements is that you don’t’ have to pick a date that works for everyone. You also don’t have to compete for the best vendors or locations if you can avoid popular Saturdays during wedding season. Think about holidays and I70 traffic as you make your plan. Also, consider where you can get reservations at hotels, restaurants or Airbnbs as part of your elopement planning. Maybe Colorado parks, shelters and public sites do require a reservation, so look into that as well (I can help here!).