Where to Elope in Colorado
If you’ve been dreaming of a micro wedding or elopement in Colorado, but don’t know where to start, this is for you! So many of my couples plan their Colorado tiny weddings out of state (trust me, you are not alone in this!), and while it can be intimidating, I do my very best to help you with the When, Where, and How, so you two can focus solely on the Why <3. This blog post is all about the Where!
Permission to dream:
Mountains, lakes, desert, rock formations, forests — Colorado has it all. Here are some questions for you to consider:
What’s important for you to have in the background of your photos?
How far away are you willing to be from the airport (Denver International or regional)?
How far are you willing to hike or drive to get to your ceremony spot?
Will you have your dog(s) with you? Not all sites & trails are dog friendly.
What kind of activities do you want to do during your elopement? Hiking, off roading, forest camping, beers & sandwiches on cool rocks?
Do your guests have any physical limitations or accessibility concerns?
What’s lodging and food like around your ceremony site? Finding a place to stay and celebrate your micro wedding is just as important as the micro wedding itself.
What kind of reception would you like to have? Are you looking for a private dinner at a sit-down establishment or a family-style gathering at your lodging?
I include bespoke location scouting as part of your booking. This means I’ll help you research sites that are straight out of your Colorado dreams, and if possible, will visit them and send you iPhone videos of possible ceremony sites. I also help with the permit process (including reaching out to rangers & parks offices) so your paperwork is squared away properly.
public land & USFS
If you are eloping just the two of you, or if the total amount of people at your wedding (including you two, your guests, and all vendors) is 10 or under (this number varies by location), you can get married on national forest or public land, no ceremony permit needed. We must abide by all Leave No Trace principles. This means no arches, chairs, confetti — anything that will make a mark. The best public land ceremony sites are sites that already been created for another purpose, like backpacker & dispersed campsites, walking trails & overlooks, etc.
Designated Ceremony Site
If the total amount of people at your wedding (including you two, your guests, and all vendors) is more than 10, you'll need to look into a designated ceremony site. Typically, these are more accessible than hiking into a backpacking campsite, so if you have elderly or infant guests, a designated site may be the way to go! Just like BLM or USFS land, these sites are open to the public. Most strangers are respectful, but there is no guarantee you won’t have hikers or tourists nearby. For state & national parks, you'll typically pay a site rental fee of $100-300. For other sites, like the Crested Butte land trust, you may pay $1000+, which typically goes back into protecting the land. You’ll need to submit a special use application 6 months to 1 year before your date, depending on the popularity of the site. Designated ceremony sites may have limitations on guest count & seasonal openings.
Already overwhelmed just reading this? Don’t worry! I’ve helped other couples with the booking & permit process, even last minute.
Tiny wedding venues
If you don't want to deal with the hassle of permits & a public ceremony site, a micro wedding venue is the option for you. This is especially true if you want a more decorated ceremony site with an arch and a floral installation, chairs for your guests, or if you want a ceremony and small reception space all in one. Many micro wedding venues include lodging for your guests for an all-inclusive option. Bonus tip: book your tiny wedding at a retreat-style space to make it a full experience for your guests!
I OPENLY DISCOURAGE AIRBNB WEDDINGS. Most AirBnBs/VRBOs do not allow ceremonies, and even if they are marked as “Events Allowed”, they can revoke permission at any time, leaving you to scramble last minute. I recommend AirBnBs/VRBOs for getting ready and quiet receptions only, and make sure you are in contact with the owners and very transparent about your plans & guest count.
Where to have your reception:
Maybe you’ve booked your ceremony site, but need somewhere to celebrate afterward. Since you may not be having a traditional reception with a dance floor & rows of tables, here are some common options!
Book a reservation at a local restaurant or brewery. Ask if they have minimum booking rates (and included gratuities) or a private event space!
Reserve a micro wedding venue for the rest of the night. You’ll most likely want a day of coordinator to set up the space for you in advance.
Head back to the AirBnB or cabin for a dinner made by a private chef
In short…
You have an entire state to choose from, depending on your wedding date (pssst… read this blog post for when to elope in Colorado). The best recommendations I can give you are ones specifically tailored to the two of you and your elopement plans. Reach out through my contact form and we’ll start the magical process together!