Eloping in Colorado is one of the best decisions you can make about your marriage besides who you choose as a life partner, of course. The “minimony“, or elopement, is the biggest trend for weddings in 2020 and Colorado is the best state for eloping. With these 4 tips, you will create an intimate, elegant, and beautiful elopement.
1. Dot the “I”s of I Do
While not the glamorous part, handling the legal aspects is what makes a wedding “official”. For couples in Colorado, this could not be easier. Colorado is unique in allowing self-solemnization without witnesses or an officiant.
Once you have picked a date, you will need to apply for a marriage license within 35 days of the event. Applications can be filled out online and brought to the clerk’s office with required documentation and $30. Denver County is temporarily processing licenses by mail.
To legalize your marriage, be sure to return your completed marriage certificate to the clerk’s office within 63 days of solemnization.
2. Decide Who to Include
Since Colorado does not require witnesses for weddings, you can literally head up a mountain and exchange vows as just the two of you. As more people move away from large social gatherings, eloping is no longer the secret affair of the past.
Your friends and families understand that you don’t want to wait to confirm your love for each other. Even if you do choose to include a handful of loved ones, your community wants to share in your celebration. Hiring a skilled wedding photographer will guarantee the preservation of memories from your big day.
Family members who weren’t present will cherish a gorgeous keepsake album of your wedding photos. Indeed, this simple gesture will make them feel included in a thoughtful way.
3. Consider the Time & Place
Elopements give you a lot of flexibility on where to wed. With a self-solemnized ceremony, your pop-up wedding can happen anywhere. Of course, the gorgeous backdrop of the Rocky Mountains is hard to beat. Taking into account the time of year and who is joining you will factor into your decision.
While the white snow on high altitudes for nine months of the year equal breath-taking photos, it does warrant extra planning. Some settings necessitate hiking, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling in. Others have easy drive-up access like Sapphire Point. You still need to keep an eye on possible road closures and travel restrictions depending on the time of year.
Whatever location you choose, make sure you are aware of any rental fees or wedding permits required. Some of the prettiest spots to marry in Colorado are:
- Rocky Mountain National Park (permit required)
- Sapphire Point (permit required)
- Great Sand Dunes National Park (permit required)
- Loveland Pass (permit required)
- Garden of the Gods (no permit or fee)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (reservation required)
- Maroon Bells Amphitheatre (reservation required)
- Rifle Falls (reservation required)
- Castle Marne (full-service venue)
- Daniels & Fisher Clock Tower (full-service venue)
4. Hire a Photographer for Your Colorado Elopement
An experienced elopement photographer will help you pick the perfect spot to create unforgettable memories of your big day. This includes picking a time of day for capturing the best photos.
Taking photos during magic or golden hour — when the sun is closest to the horizon — has a stunning and otherworldly effect in images. Those outdoor wedding photos you are drooling over on Pinterest were likely taken during the hour after sunrise or before sunset.
The photographers at Wanderlight Wedding Photography can’t wait to help you plan the Colorado elopement you have been dreaming of. Contact us today to get started building the perfect photo package for your intimate ceremony.
