5 Great Reasons to Elope in Colorado

A groom reads his vows to the bride while the two stand on a dock on a lake with mountains in the distance during their elopement in Colorado

Elopements have come a LONG way in recent years! What once started as a couple sneaking off to tie the knot in secret at their local courthouse has now become one of the most creative and personal ways for a couple to get married! Elopements offer SO much freedom for what you can do with them, which is why I love to photograph them. It’s such a personal experience and really showcases what makes each couple’s love unique to them! Being an elopement photographer in Colorado, there are a few reasons why I think the Centennial State is the perfect place to elope. Ok, there are more than a few, but if we went through them all we’d be here ALL DAY. So instead we’ll cover 5 of my favorite reasons to give you a glimpse as to what makes elopements here so special!

2 photos side by side of a bride and groom on a hike in the mountains, the left is of them reading their vows to one another, the right is of them kissing while walking on the trail away from the camera

1. Views for Days

Our first reason is a pretty obvious one, but one of the most important! Colorado is home to SO many gorgeous views and settings to elope in. Now you might be thinking, “Sure Colorado has mountains, but that’s not really our style.” Lucky for you Colorado offers more than just its mountains, though those are STUNNING. In addition to our breathtaking mountain views, there are beautiful sand dunes, dense forests, pristine lakes, and even vibrant cities! All these landscapes and more are present in Colorado, and the best part is you can experience multiple different settings during your elopement celebrations! Start your day with a mountain hike and elopement ceremony in the morning, then head into town for a celebratory lunch and some time on the town!

A bride reads her vows to the groom as the two stand atop a rock formation looking out towards the mountains of Colorado during their elopement

2. Accessibility

Colorado’s varied natural landscapes may seem daunting, especially to those who are less experienced when it comes to hiking and outdoor adventure in general. Thankfully though Colorado is equally accessible as it is beautiful! In terms of actual hiking, many of the best views require little to no hiking whatsoever, so you can make the adventure as simple or challenging as you’d like! If you’re unsure of how to choose a location, that's where I come in. When you book me as your photographer I’ll be able to recommend a location that fits your vision and experience level!

Denver also is home to an international airport making travel stress free. Larger cities like Denver or Boulder have anything you would need available there as well. And lastly there are PLENTY of options for you to choose from for your stay. Whether you go for a cozy Airbnb, or want a more commercial experience like a resort, the options are basically endless when you elope in Colorado!!

A couple kiss one another while standing next to a lake with a mountain covered in evergreen trees looming overhead during their elopement in Colorado

3. Make Your Elopement into a Mini Honeymoon

You’re already traveling to one of the most beautiful and most adventurous states in the country, why not extend your stay and have your honeymoon immediately after you elope in Colorado?! With so many different activities to choose from, no matter what season you elope in, it’s no wonder that so many couples that elope here end up staying for their honeymoon! From hiking and skiing, to brewery tours and thrift shopping, the sky's the limit for what you can do while here in Colorado!!

A bride and groom sit on a rock in a national park in Colorado and smile while eating a sandwich together during their elopement

A bride sits in front of a groom who is also sitting as they touch their foreheads together, they're sitting on a rock formation in a national park during their elopement in Colorado

4. Self Solemnization

One of the biggest challenges of doing an adventure elopement is figuring out the legalities of the process. Finding an officiant and getting witnesses for your day can be hard when you’re in a new state where you know absolutely no one! What if I told you that you didn’t have to worry about that here in Colorado though? That’s right, here in Colorado you can self solemnize when you elope! That means no witnesses or officiant is necessary for your marriage to be legal. This also brings into play one of my FAVORITE aspects of Colorado elopements.

With no witnesses required you can legally have your dog be your witness, no joke! If you plan on making the trip with your pupper I highly recommend doing this! As a plus the process for acquiring a marriage license here in Colorado is pretty straightforward when compared to other states. I have a blog about planning your elopement in Colorado that goes into greater detail on this that you can check out as well!

A bride and groom stand on a mountain for their elopement in Colorado, they are reaching down towards their dog to grab it's paw to sign as their "witness" for their wedding

2 photos side by side of a bride and groom, the left photo is of them holding their dog together, the right is of them kissing while holding their marriage license

5. Colorado is Beautiful Year Round

I hinted at this earlier, but my 5th and final reason you should elope in Colorado is that no matter what season you choose you can count on having an incredible experience! Each season in Colorado has its own draw to it and its own factors that make it beautiful. Whether you want a winter wonderland, a classic spring bloom, a gorgeous summer, or the magnificent fall leaves, it’s all here and all equally beautiful. I actually wrote a blog recently going over each season and their pros and cons. If you’re unsure of which to choose for your own elopement check it out to get some more insight on what each season has to offer!

2 photos side by side of a bride and groom standing in the snow with mountains behind them, the left is of them kissing and the right is of them smiling while lifting their arms in the air

There are 5 reasons why you should plan to elope here in the magical state of Colorado! If you’re ready to book your own elopement here and are ready to book me as your photographer be sure to send an inquiry through my contact page. I’d love to hear from you and start planning your dream elopement experience together!