These mountains are ancient volcanic peaks that cut through the heart of southwestern Colorado. It’s the distilled Colorado experience, made complete with long days filled with hiking and backpacking through wild flower filled valleys capped off at an epic alpine lake. Please note, Trail Ridge Road is closed during the winter because the roads aren’t maintained at that elevation. It’s truly an awesome experience, and I’m stoked every time I get to document your day. It’s the gateway to where the plains meet the mountains. LET'S DO THIS THING! Look up the marriage license laws in your state (or the state you’ll be eloping to). Thank you for sharing this, Colorado is such an amazing place to elope! While the photos may look like a hot desert, the dunes get cold in the winter and you’ll want to prepare for the season as you would any Colorado elopement. These are some of the details that you should consider when putting together a timeline. Are you sharing vows? There are over 200 breweries in Colorado alone, so there is no shortage of good times to be had! With over 265,000 acres, this vast area of wilderness has some of the most pristine views including Longs Peak (14er). WHAT IS THE BEST MONTH TO ELOPE IN COLORADO? This is by far one of my favorite areas for couples eloping in Colorado with the rugged peaks and secluded alpine lakes. It’s hard to choose a great place to elope in Colorado because there are so many beautiful spots but one true gem is the Hanging Lake. Ribbons of waterfalls feed into a vivid, crystal clear lake that appears to “hang” above the mountains. You’ve made the decision to elope to Colorado, CONGRATS! You want some big views? LET'S DO THIS THING! When all of this is taken care of, your’e ready to elope in Colorado! I wrote an entire guide on how to elope here! I highly suggest visiting this park around sunrise or sunset for best lighting. Look up the marriage license laws in your state (or the state you’ll be eloping to). You better have some good endurance because the hiking and backpacking trails here aren’t for the faint of heart! When planning on eloping in Colorado, couples focus on the front range, especially when they’re from out of state. This person should be able to provide a great vendor list and be familiar with different locations, so they can give you a good idea of where to elope in Colorado. The number one question we get from couples who are interested in eloping is, “where do we elope?” We have featured hundreds of elopements around the world, so we found it necessary to detail which spots are on our list of best places to elope around the world. Our consensus for the best places to elope in Colorado are the towns of Telluride, Ouray, and Ridgway. Even if that’s just in your backyard or in the courtyard of the coffeeshop where you two had your first date. There are endless hikes through here, alpine lakes, pine forests, rivers, streams and mountains for days. LOCATION: https://goo.gl/maps/XgxcGctVGBgRszfW7. What kind of scenery are you going for? So you’re ready to start planning your elopement package in Colorado, but you aren’t sure where you should exchange your vows with your partner. Not only is Colorado gorgeous with the Rocky Mountains and breathtaking lakes, but it is also affordable and easy to do. Telluride sits at the head of a box canyon, where the state’s tallest waterfall—fittingly named Bridal Veil Falls—crashes 365 feet to the canyon floor. Below you’ll find some of my favorite Colorado elopement locations that would make a perfect backdrop for your elopement! ALL IMAGES & CONTENT 2020 VOWS AND PEAKS - COLORADO ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER & GUIDE. Because if you're driving in from Arizona and have a limited number of days for your Colorado vacation, then we're going to recommend places on the western side of the state: Telluride , Aspen , Crested Butte . From gorgeous springs to expansive national parks, there are a ton of places to elope in Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park is the most popular place for winter elopements in Colorado, and one of my favorites. Guanella Pass is one of Colorado’s iconic mountain roads. This is one of my favorite areas in Colorado and great for couples who are up for a bigger adventure. LOCATION: https://goo.gl/maps/aVBG7aci8uYWGu5V8. Not only are the hiking trails amazing but you can bike in the surrounding areas and even head up to Nederland or Eldora for some local bites after your big day. Marriage licenses may be obtained in any Colorado county, regardless of where the ceremony will take place in Colorado. PS – I have an entire list of secret locations that I only share with couples who have booked their elopement with me. Breckenridge is particularly stunning in summer, when there are countless wildflowers and open vistas for you to explore! The park is free to enter, but parking can be limited. With more than 300 miles of hiking trails, this park is a favorite of out-of-towners and locals alike, which makes it one of the more popular places to elope in Colorado. 3.1 Let's Think Outside The Popular Spots; 3.2 Keep Accessibility In Mind; 3.3 More Colorado Landscapes; 4 where to elope in colorado Best places to elope in Colorado . Season: Year Around (many areas of the park are not accessible during the winter). There are NO RULES! Vail is renowned, and it’s rightfully earned that title. 3. Check out this chart below for a bigger breakdown of what you can expect each month to look like in Colorado. It is a very short walk from the parking lot to Maroon Lake where you have a stunning view of Maroon Peak. Your elopement will be a true epic adventure in the summer of Colorado! Rocky Mountain National Park is an ever-popular destination that distills the best of Colorado into 415 square miles of alpine visas, crashing waterfalls, stunning rock ledges, open meadows, and breathtaking alpine lakes. The picturesque Maroon Bells Valley and mountain peaks are stunning for an elopement. Check out this backpacking elopement for inspiration. DAY. However, it is one of the most accessible mountain peaks above 14 thousand feet, with a road that takes you only a few hundred feet from the summit. Best Places to Elope in Colorado in 2021 December 9, 2020 As the popularity of elopements has exploded in recent years, Colorado has risen to be one of the top elopement destinations in the U.S. and for very good reason! The drive from Denver International Airport takes less than two hours, and there are many places to stop along the way if you want to do some sightseeing. Eloping in Colorado gives you access to epic views of 15 mountain ranges, 54 peaks over 10,000 feet, alpine lakes, meadows of wildflowers, and a vast variation of gorgeous backdrops. Make sure to scour the photos from each place and keep an eye out for open spaces with big mountain views for the ceremony or reception! to obtain the marriage license. You’re trusting me to capture this amazing day, and I make it my responsibility to make sure you have an incredible experience from start to finish. But beyond those details, Colorado is one of the few states where you can legally marry yourselves. The place that you'll come visit and be reminded of the vows you took. Garden of the Gods . Best part about San Sophia? The place that you'll come visit and be reminded of the vows you took. For more information, visit the link below. Beyond the lake, this area is home to the canyon-carving path of the Colorado River and the hot springs in Glenwood Springs. Choose a date and a general area of where you want to elope in Colorado and then start dreaming up your big day. The best places to elope in the US (and the most romantic places to elope) are the places that matter the most to you…wherever that may be. Taking into consideration 1) variety of elopement ceremony locations, 2) lodging options, 3) honeymoon activities, and 4) scenic views. By making the decision to elope, you’ve crossed out the stories, re-wrote the rules, and fearlessly taken action into demonstrating the power of love. LOCATION: https://goo.gl/maps/rJse5H4jiC6fc9FDA. The best places to elope in the US (and the most romantic places to elope) are the places that matter the most to you…wherever that may be. So many arches, so little time. Season: Spring and summer recommended, but typically accessible year around. The winter months are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and you can expect plenty of blue bird days. which makes it one of the more popular places to elope in Colorado. These towns have the best locations for adventure elopements in the whole state. The less traveled and explored side of the Indian Peaks Wilderness resides near Granby, Colorado. If you decide to elope in Crested Butte you have to do so in July! This is a great choice for couples wanting to include family members! There’s Colorado, then there’s Colorado. LOCATION: https://goo.gl/maps/tH84PT3C7KGDyt5b9. The perfect spot for any adventure enthusiast, the San Juans are Colorado’s outdoor playground. 1. Elope at Garden of the Gods. Sometimes the best elopement destinations are closer to home than you would’ve thought. Table of Contents. Even though there are plenty of public land options to consider eloping to in Colorado, there are also some pretty neat private venues in … 1. Some areas have homes that are big enough to host your entire wedding at. This stunning park right outside of Colorado springs boasts unique mountain views of the nearby 14’er, Pike’s Peak. Marriage licenses may be obtained in any Colorado county, regardless of where the ceremony will take place in Colorado. Colorado is one of the most popular elopement destinations in the world, and for good reason! If you’re looking for an elopement with a little more adventure, this is definitely one of the best places to elope in Colorado. The lake itself is actually a reservoir that gets drained in late August, so the water levels will be significantly lower in late-summer. and to look back at all the years you guys have chosen to love each other. Boulder is at the foothills of the Indian Peaks Wilderness where you’ll find over 45,000 acres of jagged peaks and plenty of alpine lakes to explore for your elopement in Colorado! YOU’VE MADE THE BIGGEST LEAP BY CHOOSING TO ELOPE—FILL OUT THE FORM TO GET STARTED! Sapphire Point is near Breckenridge, Colorado and has beautiful views of the Dillon Reservoir and the Tenmile Range. It also gives you a little time to wrap up those last-minute details without being rushed. Hiking: Maybe! It’s important to not box yourselves into the thoughts of what an elopement should look like. What kind of activities do you want to include? : Hanging Lake currently is only accessible with a day permit. One of the MOST iconic backdrops in all of Colorado is by far Maroon Bells near Aspen! Why? The parking area at the trailheads tends to get VERY busy during the summer, and I highly recommend this spot for a sunrise elopement due to the lighting and amount of traffic. Even if that’s just in your backyard or in the courtyard of the coffeeshop where you two had your first date. First Step. Thirsty elopers can cap off their day at one of the local breweries! Our top ten faves for where you can elope in Colorado. Colorado has a rich variety of landscapes for every taste and season. The Bells are stunning in all seasons, especially in fall when the quaking aspens burn gold and yellow. No weddings can be taken place at Hanging Lake. The lake is framed by Niwot Ridge, which boasts two thirteen’r peaks in the background. Sapphire Point is an ideal spot for year-round elopements in Colorado because you can drive up to the location and rent out two-hour blocks for your ceremony. Colorado is one of the best locations for epic vacation homes. Whatever you want! This lake is accessible by car and has stunning views of the peaks and forests in the surrounding area. Colorado is such a gorgeous location for an elopement! If you’re happiest outside in epic spots, why wouldn’t you want to find the perfect outdoor activity? Venues. Places to Elope In Colorado. I adore the Garden of Gods Park in Colorado. If you decide to elope in Crested Butte you have to do so in July! CLOSEST AIRPORT: San Luis Valley & Denver International, LOCATION: https://goo.gl/maps/q5sx8w2UddfWJ7WW6. It’s remote, rugged, yet comfortable with luxury. Rocky Mountain National Park. Perhaps one of the first places that comes to mind when you think of Colorado. Boulder Area Elopements. Who did the thing? There are endless hikes through here, alpine lakes, pine forests, rivers, streams and mountains for days. There are over 200 breweries in Colorado alone, so there is no shortage of good times to be had! It’s known for winter skiing, summer hiking, and year-round high alpine activities (including a roster of fun festivals). The Best Places to Elope. Colorado’s metro Denver/Boulder area offers numerous places to have a small wedding while still being close to big city amenities. The lake is framed by Niwot Ridge, which boasts two thirteen’r peaks in the background. LOCATION: https://goo.gl/maps/R9s3T1HnycJkVo1o7. Here are the best places to elope in Western Colorado. Lake Isabelle is a perfect early-summer hike to a mirror lake! You do need a permit for elopements and weddings, but the ease of travel within the park makes it one of the best places to elope in Colorado. Do not wait to obtain your permit if you plan to elope here! Click HERE for more information. A scenic drive to the top, snow-capped peaks, and tons of hidden magic laced between, this unforgettable spot makes for an unforgettable elopement. There are 6 ceremony locations within the park that you can get married at for absolutely free. Brainard Lake is situated right at the front of 10 different hiking trails. Are you hiking at sunrise or sunset? According to the National Park Service, the cost to getting married in the park is $250 and comes with a reserved ceremony location. Located in Colorado, the Garden of the Gods is also one of the best places to elope in the U.S. After you guys settle on your elopement location, you can start to book your travel, lodging and choose your vendors. If an elopement is more your style, check out the best places to elope in the U.S., from beaches to mountains and more. This is great location for couples that are having family join them on their elopement in Colorado! You aren’t going to find better off-roading locations than the ones in Colorado. These are the places I consider my backyard. Even the highways are full of incredible places to elope! There’s nothing like having the place all to yourself and not having to step around other explorers. Please note that the shuttle does not open until June 28th and there is a $200 application fee to elope in Maroon Bells. You did the thing. MAX GROUP SIZE: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, RMNP has set a limit of a total of 30 people for all wedding ceremonies. Every season brings something spectacular to Colorado. Maroon Bells isn’t the place to go during peak season if you want privacy, but the views are stunning and very accessible by driving or shuttle. If you’re looking for an incredible elopement, with all the views and none of the crowds,in my opinion the best place to elope is Western Colorado! It has the perfect amount of distance and elevation without sacrifices any epic views. RMNP also had one of the longest and highest paved mountain roads in Colorado! Colorado Nature Elopement. Best Places To Elope. You don’t have to venture far from Colorado’s biggest city (that’d be Denver) to find epic landscapes. Some great tips and advice here for newly engaged couples planning to elope in Colorado! Places to Elope near Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge. See more ideas about Smallest wedding venue, Elope, Small wedding. Seasonality: Some locations available year-round, Alpine Lakes are best between July-October. You can top off your day with a draft beer at a local brewery or roam the open tundra on one of our many mountain passes. The Best Places to Elope in Colorado. Best Places to Elope in the US If you’ve decided on having an adventurous elopement, you’re probably already racking your brain for that perfect location – one that means something to you, and that will look amazing in your elopement photos. It is located in Northern Colorado and is about an hour outside of Denver. Here are the 8 best places to elope in Colorado, with a short summary of what you’ll need to know before you go: Photography Permit: Yes! Check out 20 of the best places to elope in Colorado. This trail is 4.4 miles round-trip and rated as moderate difficulty. Building a real connection with my couples is a big part of what I do—we’re going to be adventuring together, after all! Love colorado so much for all beau spots we can play in! 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