Colorado Elopement Packages

Elopement Packages in Colorado

We have crafted the ideal Colorado elopement packages for you below with the help of our amazing Wandering Weddings vendors in Washington State. Keep in mind, that packages can be customizable with specific vendors to fit your elopement budget. Take a look at our available packages below and “contact the vendor” to get started.

How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Colorado?

Photo by Aubrey Beth Photography

The cost to elope in Colorado and the total of your package depends on what your vendor is including. Some vendors include multiple services from themselves or team up with other vendors, while other vendors only include a fee for their services based on the hours of coverage they’ll be adventuring with you. It’s worth noting that some of these categories would be cheaper if you opted for a bundled elopement package, like the ones we feature.

Check out some of the categories you should consider to be priced into your package:

• Location: Free to $3,000
• Permits: Free to $800
• Officiants: $300 to $500
• Photographers: $1500 to $8,000*
• Videographers: $1250 to $7,000*
• Outfits: $200 to $1,500 per person*
• Florists: $200-$1,000
• Hair and Makeup Artists: $100-$200 per person
• Elopement Planner: $1,000 to $3,000
• Accommodations: $250 to $1,200 per night
• Catering: $80 to $1,200 
• Travel: $20 to $500 per person

* Indicates a “spend what you want” category. That means, while we have an average figure listed, you can go far above this average if it is an important vendor to you!! 

Extra Costs for Eloping in Colorado

Vendor Travel Fees

While there are tons of amazing vendors in Colorado, a lot of them are based in Denver and your adventurous elopement is maybe 2-3 hours away from their facilities or offices. Make sure you ask about travel fees and budget an extra $150-300 per vendor.

Cold Weather Clothing

If you live in Miami and are planning an elopement in Colorado in November, you’re going to want to invest in some cold weather outdoor gear. Base layers, puffy coats, snow boots, and hand warmers should definitely be on your packing list! Check out REI Co-op for some budget-friendly options on your outdoor gear. 

Rental Car

Most of the pretty views in Colorado are going to require that you drive at least 2 hours from the airport. You’ll likely need a rental car if you are coming in from out of state. If you’re planning an elopement from October to May, get a car that has AWD or 4WD. Traction laws apply on the high altitude curvy highways that you may need to travel en route to your elopement location.

Altitude Acclimation Period

Altitude sickness is a real downer and is even worse if you’re feeling it on the day of your elopement. If you are considering a mountain elopement in Colorado, give yourselves a few days in Denver to acclimate before you head up into the hills. It will add some money to your lodging budget as you may, but we think it’s worth it not to feel awful on the big day!

Tourist Seasons

There are times of the year when Colorado is more expensive than others depending on the various tourist seasons. During winter, the mountain towns (especially ski resorts) are a lot more expensive to stay in since many people are there for ski vacations. Expect lodging in the mountains to be 2-3x more than “normal” during the winter months. 

The peak fall leaf season is extra busy in Colorado, and while it may not impact lodging fees in the same way, it makes travel much more difficult. Drives into the mountains take twice as long and many iconic locations like Kenosha Pass and Idaho Springs are very crowded. You may have a harder time finding last-minute reservations for meals, lodging, or national park access. 

Best Places to Elope in Colorado

Photo by The Drawhorns

We’ve gone over all the other vendors you’ll need for your Colorado elopement package, but we saved the best for last. There are incredible options for locations to get married in Colorado from private venues on mountainsides, to stunning backpacking trails, to beautiful parks in the bigger cities. Unsurprisingly, the views of the Rocky Mountains draw adventurous couples from all over the world!! 

Like most popular destinations, many of the prettiest spots to elope in Colorado require permits and reservations in advance. But, there are still some popular sites that still let you drive up to a gorgeous view last minute. 

It would be nearly impossible to fit everything we know about elopement locations in Colorado into one post. So, we’re going to touch on some of our favorite locations here, but check out these small wedding venues for your Colorado micro wedding here. Don’t forget our local vendors will have insight into many of these locations as well and can be a great resource when you’re planning your day. 

Rocky Mountain National Park

Photo by Vows and Peaks

Location Map

One of the most popular locations in Colorado is Rocky Mountain National Park. There are blue lakesides, views of spectacular mountain peaks, and beautiful forest scenery. 

Having a wedding ceremony at Rocky Mountain National Park does have its fair share of rules, including acquiring a $300 permit and restrictions on what sites you can use to say your wedding vows. We go into detail about navigating a Rocky Mountain National Park wedding in our dedicated Rocky Mountain elopement guide.

Are you looking for some inspiration? This Rocky Mountain National Park Intimate Wedding is great for couples looking to plan a wedding ceremony and include their closest family and friends.

Mesa Verde National Park

Location Map

This national park is filled with gorgeous history. Established in 1906, this park has been preserved and has a unique archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived there over 700 years ago! With that said, if you and your partner are history buffs, then this is the perfect spot to say, I do.

Mesa Verde‘s permit application fee is $50. Make sure to turn in your application a couple of weeks prior to your special day. Our team also loves this location because it’s ideal for Colorado micro weddings. 

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Photo by Lucy Schultz Photography

Location Map

If you’re looking for something different and daring for your elopement, then you should definitely add Great Sand Dunes National Park to your list. This location is perfect for a boho or western-styled destination elopement.

Keep in mind that a special permit is required to get married at Great Sand Dunes National Park. The application fee is $100, and it’s also important to note the locations where you can have your wedding ceremony are restricted. But, they do include locations along the edge of the dunes, near the picnic areas, and in the Amphitheater.

Check out this elopement at Great Sand Dunes.

Black Canyon National Park

Photo by Justyna Butler Photography

Location Map

We see your Grand Canyon elopement and raise you in one of the most stunning (but least well-known) canyons in the Rocky Mountains. You’ll see some of the steepest cliffs and unique geology at this Colorado National Park, without as many tourists as some of the other locations here. Like the other national parks, Black Canyon National Park also requires a permit ($100 application fee) and has restrictions on areas where you can elope.

Garden of the Gods

Photo by Samantha Immer Photography

Location Map

If you are looking for a ceremony location near Colorado Springs, then this is a great option to consider. This stunning red rock location is a national natural landmark and will give your pictures gorgeous backdrops. The best part about the Garden of the Gods?

This location is free and open year-round, which makes the park perfect to add to your list if you’re looking to create a cheap Colorado wedding package. However, since the locations within the park don’t require a permit, the locations are also first-come, first-served, and not private. 

Are you sure you want to elope here? Check out our Garden of the Gods location guide.

Indian Peaks Wilderness

Photo by Authentic Collective

Location Map

Extending along the Peak to Peak Highway through stunning cities like Boulder, Allenspark, and Lyons, Indian Peaks is hiding some of our favorite elopement locations in Colorado. Lost Gulch Overlook is an iconic rocky cliffside just outside of Boulder in this area. But, it can be quite crowded!! If you’re looking for more seclusion, hike into Brainard Lake or Lake Isabelle for a secluded high alpine view of craggy ridges and lakes. 

Check out our Colorado location guide for more specifics on these gorgeous areas, and make sure you visit our Boulder elopement location guide. 

Maroon Bells

Photo by Lucy Schultz Photography

Location Map

Near Aspen, Colorado, you’ll find one of the most famous views in Colorado, the Maroon Bells. This mountain elopement location is stunning during the spring, summer, and fall. It is busy year-round and requires a reservation. If you do reserve the site though, you get a dedicated ceremony site a little ways from the main tourist area that gives you a surprising amount of privacy!

The $200 permit fee at Maroon Bells gets you a jaw-dropping view and the intimate elopement you are looking for as you plan your Colorado elopement at Maroon Bells.

Check out this 10-year vow renewal at Maroon Bells.

Sapphire Point Overlook

Videography by Skyewater Photo + Film

Location Map

If skiing, mountain biking, or general mountain adventuring is on your elopement to-do list, Summit County (made up of Keystone, Breckenridge, Silverthorne, and Dillon) might be a great spot to check out for your elopement. One of the most popular locations for elopements in the mountains is Sapphire Point Overlook. It’s stunning year-round and gives you views out over a mountain lake with large peaks in the distance. You can access it year-round thanks to the handy parking lot, though the snow gets quite deep in the winter. It is truly magnificent year-round!

With this epic mountain view, however, comes a need for a reservation. Sapphire Point is a day-use area and can be reserved for two hours, which makes it perfect for your elopement ceremony and portraits. The permit fee for your reservation is currently $110, but this is subject to change. If you are thinking about using Sapphire Point for your elopement, be sure to click through to our Colorado location guide for more specifics on rules, permits, and how to make sure hikers don’t intrude on your ceremony. 

Check out our Sapphire Point elopement guide.

Loveland Pass

Photo by Map And Compass Photography

Location Map

Who wouldn’t want to plan their elopement at a location named Loveland Pass? This is another popular location with incredible mountain views in every direction you look. Like Garden of the Gods, this area is free and doesn’t require a permit for a small group. It’s the best option for epic landscapes on a budget. 

Ski Resorts

Videography by Castlehouse Videography

We have to mention skiing when talking about locations in Colorado! Much of the stunning mountain scenery is used by winter sports fanatics during the snowy season (December through March). If you and your partner enjoy winter sports, and the cold doesn’t bother you, then consider planning a winter elopement on top of one of the many mountains in Colorado.

If you are looking for a ski resort, then we recommend Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Steamboat Springs Ski Resort, and Keystone Resort to name a few.

We have even more location ideas and detailed guides on so many more fantastic Colorado elopement locations in our Colorado Location Guides including…

• Small wedding venues in Colorado
• Small wedding venues in Denver
• Wedding Venues in Boulder
• Estes Park wedding venues

When to Elope in Colorado

The mountain state is beautiful year-round, so it’s no surprise that you can elope in Colorado any time of the year. But, Colorado does experience four seasons with drastically different weather and scenery. Here’s what you can expect from the unpredictable Colorado weather during each season!

Winter (November through March)

Photo by Vows and Peaks

While “winter” covers about half the year in Colorado, the weather still changes a lot during the season. November and December are quite cold, but the snowpack doesn’t usually build up at higher elevations until January and February. At lower elevations, snow never sticks around for more than a few days thanks to the 360 days of sunshine. If you want snow at your wedding, plan for a higher elevation (check out our Colorado location guide for more suggestions) and shoot for January through March. If winter photos are your dream, make sure to choose outfits that allow you to wear base layers and invest in some good boots and a down jacket if you don’t have one already. 

Spring (April and May)

Photo by Gabby Jockers Photography

In some places, spring means warmer temperatures, peaceful blooming trees, and a steady temperature increase until summer arrives. That’s not how Colorado likes to do springtime weather. There, the temperature vacillates from day to day between 75 degrees and 40 degrees. You might be getting a tan and hiking in shorts one day, then sitting and watching a blizzard out the window the next. Especially in the foothills and mountains, snow is still absolutely a possibility during spring. If you’re planning on a spring elopement in Colorado, plan for all the weather contingencies to make sure you’re comfortable on your wedding day. 

Summer (June through August)

Photo by Lyndsey Leach Photography

Colorado channels its desert vibes during the summer with highs at lower elevations possible in the high nineties, and high eighties in the mountains. It is a gorgeous time for a hiking elopement in the mountains as all the roads will be open and you won’t be battling feet of snow. Locations like Loveland Pass are much more accessible during the summertime! 

Summer is also wildfire season in Colorado, so make sure you have a backup location in place in case smoke or burn areas are near your original location. Our local vendors are the best resource for dealing with extreme weather contingency plans!

Fall (September and October)

Photo by Wild and Found Photography

Colorado’s foothills and mountains are full of aspens that turn gold in the fall and make for some stunning scenery. There are many views and areas famous for their fall color in Colorado like the Peak to Peak highway, Estes Park, Vail, and Kenosha Pass. Traffic increases to the mountains this time of year, but it is well worth the wait to get up to the most epic views. In springtime, the weather can be a lot more unpredictable with snow possible in the high country starting in late September. The temperatures will vary day to day, especially in October at both lower and higher elevations. It will also be a lot cooler as soon as the sun sets! 

Getting a Marriage License in Colorado

Photo by Larsen Photo Co.

How much does it cost to apply for your marriage license in Colorado?

In Colorado, the fee to apply for your license is $30, and you can use your license the minute you get it! There’s no waiting period, and your license will be valid for 35 days from the issue date. Check with local governments on how and when you can obtain your marriage license.

We Heard a Rumor… Can You Marry Yourselves in Colorado?

YES! You can self-solemnize in Colorado, which means you don’t need an officiant during your wedding ceremony to make your license official!

Since you can marry yourselves in Colorado, there is also no need for witnesses. Deciding to self-solemnize is the perfect option for couples who want to plan an elopement with just the two of them. It’s an intimate, emotional, and fun way of tying the knot too! Other states in the U.S. also allow self-solemnization, but Colorado has the least requirements (which we love).

For more information on how to self-solemnize in Colorado, head to their website for the marriage license paperwork you would need to complete. So if you want a truly intimate ceremony, then you should consider having a Colorado wedding ceremony.

Check out this self-solemnized elopement ceremony in the Colorado mountains.

Colorado Permits at State and National Parks

Photo by Skyewater Photo + Film

If you decide to have your wedding ceremony at any of the elopement locations we mentioned above, then you should double-check to see if that location requires a permit to get married. Please note, that most of these state and national parks will require a permit and/or fee.

We suggest going to their websites for the latest permit information. If you decide to have your elopement wedding at one of Colorado’s state parks, then you need to get a permit from the state, county, or city.

Places to Stay in Colorado

Photo by Aubrey Beth Photography

When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay for your Colorado elopement, you want to keep in mind where your elopement destination is. Once you have considered travel times to and from your adventure, think about who is staying with you at your accommodation. Finding unique rentals is always an awesome option for a more intimate and unique stay during your wedding day.

Check out these places to stay we love:

Check out this house near Garden of the Gods.

Check out this condo near Breckenridge. 

Check out this 3-bedroom condo near ski lifts.

Check out this 3-bedroom house. 

Let’s keep planning your flights and stay to Colorado.

Colorado Elopement Vendors

Photo by Skyewater Photo + Film

We have amazing vendors all over the world for our elopement packages, but Colorado is a hot spot for incredible photography and videography talent. There are tons of amazing vendors for you to choose from in every category of Colorado. Here are some of our favorites!

Photographers

Many people put a good chunk of their budget towards a photographer for their elopement and for good reason! If you don’t have a planner, your photographer is going to be your go-to local expert for locations, timeline creation, and suggestions for lodging, activities, and more! Not to mention, your photos are what you’ll have left to share your adventures with friends and family. In Colorado, photographers generally range from about $1,000 to $7,500 for 1 hour of coverage to all-day coverage. Your photographer will help advise you on how much time you’ll need for your elopement, and most will have suggested packages for different elopement styles. Take a look at our amazing Wandering Weddings photographers who will love hearing all about your elopement plans below!

Videographers

Like photographers, videographers create amazing lasting memories of your adventure elopement that are amazing to share after the fact! It can be so special to share your vows and ceremony with loved ones… or just keep it to yourself and cry happy tears every time you rewatch your highlight reel. Videographers also offer a variety of packages from an all-day hike into the mountains packages, to ceremony-only offerings that just give you a simple edit including your audio. Many also offer a short emotional trailer-style hype video of your day that is an awesome addition to a longer video that might have audio or more footage of your adventures! In Colorado, videographers range from about $1,200 to $8,000 depending on hours of coverage and deliverables. Check out our awesome Wandering Weddings videographers below!

Elopement Planners

Planners for your elopement can be a great option if you are planning from another state, need some help creating your vision, or want specific setups at various locations for your elopements. We have seen planners set up amazing picnic sites for our couples while they’re busy saying their I Do’s, and create amazing arch and flower arrangements for ceremony decoration. So, if you want to take your elopement up a notch, consider a planner to help with the logistics. Elopement planners in Colorado range between $1,000 to $5,000 depending on scope and location of the elopement day. 

Officiants

Colorado is special because you don’t need an officiant to get married. But, if you would like to have someone help you create a meaningful ceremony and give you some pointers on vows and readings, there are some incredible folks in Colorado who officiate elopements. You can find officiants who specialize in a variety of different types of ceremonies, from religious to focused on your dogs and peppering in some quotes from the Office. They range in price from $300 to $800 depending on location and what you want to include in your ceremony. Many planners, photographers, videographers, and florists double as officiants as well. So keep an eye out for vendors who can offer multiple services for you. 

Florists

Whether you’re just looking for a quick bouquet or a more elaborate ceremony site decoration project, you’re going to need a florist! Most can work with a wide range of budgets depending on the types of flowers and size of your decorations. Keep in mind that florists will need access to your ceremony site prior to the wedding to set up. Make sure you check the rules of the ceremony site you have rented to make sure you can decorate the space with flowers. National parks and local parks tend to have stricter “leave no trace” rules about what you can bring and decorate with. 

Caterers

Catering companies don’t have to be for big parties! There are so many options when it comes to treating yourself to a great meal after your elopement ceremony. Catering companies are a great resource for small private dinners at picnic sites, private rental properties, and farms. Local butchers often offer grazing board packages that elevate your picnic to the next level! If you just want a luxury dinner and don’t want to go out or do the dishes, a private chef would be a great fit for your elopement day!

Photo by Vows and Peaks

Are you still looking for the best place to elope and not set on Colorado?

Look into Wandering Weddings different elopement packages in some of our favorite locations:

Washington – Hawaii – Oregon – North Carolina – Iceland