What was the moment the idea of an elopement sparked into your imagination? Better yet, when was the moment the dream started to become a reality?! More and more couples are eloping and having their wedding day unfold in the most epic of ways. One of the most popular destinations to elope is… drum roll pleaseeeee… Colorado (cue mountain top views, a groovy road trip playlist, and enter our Colorado Elopement Guide)!

Gone are the days of the stress where you are trying to make everyone happy… Say HELLO to wild adventures, exotic locations, and hours of blissfully living in the now. It’s all about love and life and intimate moments with the one who means the most to you! It’s about you and your lover!!! Picture just the two of you holding handing while you hike a favorite trail or zip-lining through the Rockies. Hold on tight to that picture – we’re giving you the low down!

WHAT Is An Elopement?

Elopements are a truly “just us” wedding experience (as every wedding should be)! Historically speaking, elopements used to be when a couple would run away and secretly get married, but alas, this is totally not the ONLY case anymore. As a more current day definition, an elopement is marrying in the presence of just each other (or maybe just a few family + friends).

The beauty is in the eye of the beholder on this one, baby! Whatever you want your elopement to be, let it be!!! There are many amazing reasons to elope including (but SO no limited to) wanting a unique wedding, financial reasons, keeping it intimate, limiting stress, or avoiding the wedding planning process and we are about to share all in this extraordinary Colorado Elopement Guide! How ’bout them apples??? So many extraordinary reasons to get out of dodge of the wedding planning and elope!

WHY Choose An Elopement?

These days, Covid is making eloping a very popular way of getting hitched (and we are ALL in on the idea). This is way of keeping safe and healthy WITHOUT dropping the ball on romance if you ask us! And come on… we’re pretty much elopement specialists 😉 Couples who decide to elope don’t have to worry so much about their wedding being postponed due to Covid and that peace of mind is absolutely, undoubtedly priceless. Another thing we hear quite often is couples wanting to elope, but being afraid of stepping on all the uninvited families’ toes… now?? That door is wideee open and using Covid as an excuse is right there. Even a nasty pandemic can have its own silver lining if you search hard enough!

We believe that the best weddings are the ones that are truly about the moments you get to share with those closest to you. For that exact reason we feel that small weddings are the BEST way to get married 🙂 Elopements and Intimate weddings really put an emphasis on the two people who are sharing their commitments to one another… they put a focus on the things YOU find important or the unique and the individual characteristics about them.

WHEN You Choose An Elopement…

When you choose to ELOPE you can spend your day doing whatever makes you two happy… uhhh how perfect does that sound??? Whether it be hiking up a mountain, boating in the islands, or enjoying a campfire together – you got it! However you envision your day unfolding, we believe that each and every moment is beautiful, and hey! We know a wife + wife photographer combo that would be honored to document it 😉

What are the benefits of eloping?

There are SO! MANY! benefits to eloping… you don’t really realize them all until you are deep in the process of planning. From our side of the camera, here are the benefits we see couples enjoying when they live life on the edge and elope somewhere amazing!

The Romance (oh yesss!)

Romantic souls are naturally attracted to adventure, an epic love story (of course), and thus we believe these people would fit in with the eloping crowd perfectly. Dinners for two are romantic, but so are weekends away… A wedding for just you two is like that times 1,000! The anticipation of the trip builds with the romance and by the time your best day ever rolls around you are as giddy as you’ve EVER been!

The Money

A major expense of every wedding is the venue, food, and drinks, RIGHT? So how awesome would it be if you didn’t have to serve up high-quality cuisine paired with an open bar all night long?? Not only would a huge weight be lifted, but you instantly have a lot more cash in your hands. That bit of extra cash might help you with a more luxurious wedding experience, longer honeymoon or put it away in savings for your first house!

The Intimacy

NO MATTER WHAT, your wedding can be made to be perfectly intimate whether you invite your family to your elopement or keep it simple with just the two of ya – we promise and that is why we created this Colorado Elopement Guide! With that being said, there is a pretty big chance that when you keep it low-key and are not being watched by lots of people… even if they are your closest friends and family… it will be WAY more intimate! Are we wrong?! Your focus is more on each other and your mindset isn’t on the mass of people sitting behind you and wondering if their needs are being tended to. You can’t expect to keep it intimate while having to hold a microphone or shout your vows so your fam can hear it 😉

Venue Options

This is probably our most favorite reason… and for GOOD reason! Ha! Your venue options are pretty much limitless when you only need to fit in a small tribe of people for the ceremony (you two, the officiant, and your photogs, HEY!). Wedding venues are UBER flexible with couples who are getting married by eloping or having small weddings. The best part of planning where to elope? If you fall in love with the top of a mountain at the end of a 5-mile hike, it can be YOURS! Or maybe you want to exchange your vows while at sea, we gotchu there too! The options are endless!

The Adventure

Life is an adventure and your wedding day should feel like one too! If you elope, you truly have the freedom to be adventurous in so many ways. Want to get married somewhere unusual and unique? Why not? Feel like grabbing some taco bell after the ceremony? Rock up to TB in your wedding attire if you want! It’s kinda the whole point of eloping – you are doing this wedding your way!

The Photography

We have to plug this one because it’s WHAT WE DO, people!! The freedom to go anywhere and the luxury of time are a couple of the things that inspired us about elopement photography! Think about this… We can take photos in places we would never have time to go to if you had wedding guests to entertain. Also, we get to know you better when there are no formalities coming up every half an hour! We get to document the two of you, as you are!

It’s quite the list of reasons and of course, we’ve already mentioned the lack of worrying about COVID precautions and restrictions earlier. This eloping gig is starting to sound like a no-brainer, isn’t it?!

Why You Should Elope in Colorado

In this Colorado Elopement Guide, we are highlight all of the reasons Colorado might have pretty much all of the stops a couple of elopers might want. Wilderness, natural surroundings, mountains, rocks, lakes, fresh air and even some BOMB AF waterfalls. If states were named after gems, Colorado would be a true diamond… hahaha! We think Colorado is one of the most beautiful places on the planet and there is just something about that place that feels so so right 😉 The pace of life is fast in the city but not hectic, but the countryside is the place to go to slowwwww it down. It’s easier to connect with nature chill out there! What is more relaxing than spending a night under the stars?! YUP. The answer is, nothing.

But it’s not all pine trees and scenic backdrops… the city life is something special too. The capital of Denver has shopping, nightlife, fab food and drink options, art galleries, breweries, and endless tempting accommodation options!! There are many charming little towns in CO like Aspen, Telluride and Colorado Springs out of the main city. Find the place that has your vibe and plan your wedding and adventures around that location. The best part is that you don’t have to go too far from anywhere for some epic mountain views!

Easy Peasy!

Eloping in Colorado is a piece of cake. It’s easy to travel there because it’s conveniently super central on the map. There are always lots of flights to Colorado and if you book in advance you can get some great flight deals (Check out Scott’s Cheap Flights!). Once you land at one of the many Colorado airports, it’s quite the simple task to acquire transportation (def something with 4WD if we were to recommend something).

Now, for the best part! Ya ready?! Did you know that you can get married without an officiant in Colorado and perform the ceremony in any wild, unique, wacky manner you desire? Your pet DOGS can be your witness, you can get married on a boulder or clifftop – you get the idea. You can do your wedding ceremony your way and nothing beats that. After all, that is what eloping is all about!! Colorado is pretty much set up to cater to all adventurous, free-spirited lovers like yourselves!

I told you it was just that easy!

Best Locations To Elope

This is one of the most exciting parts of our Colorado Elopement Guide and of planning YOUR Colorado elopement, but it also may be the hardest considering you have SOOOO many options to choose from. To help ya out, we created a list of our top wedding destinations in Colorado – ALSO including a few that are on our bucket list of places to photograph a wedding ceremony.. hint, hint 😉

Aspen

If you love the great outdoors and a bit of luxury then Aspen is the place for you. It’s a bit of a fancy town with all of its boutique shopping and its infamous Billionaire Mountain where all of the homes sell for megabucks. You can have fondue in the French Alpine Bistro at Crêperie du Village or dine in style on French cuisine at the Wild Fig. PLUS, with all of the great houses in Aspen, there are def a few that are perfecto for elopement ceremonies or the after-party!

Georgetown

Georgetown is one of Colorado’s most unique + adorable little towns with its historical buildings painted in all shades of beautiful colors! It is front and center in the former silver mining zone near the Rocky Mountains. Here, you might be able to find a private alpine lake for your ceremony with huge mountains as your beautiful backdrop.

Wherever you stay it is bound to be super quaint and cozy. You have countless bed and breakfasts, mountain inns, historic hotels, and luxury resorts/spas to choose from. To add to that awesomeness, the lists of Airbnbs here is endless (send us a message, we LOVE a good Airbnb and would gladly help ya find a picture-perfect one)!

A ride on the charming Georgetown Loop Railroad is a must-do because these train trips are romantic as HELL and this one, in particular, takes in scenery that you could never otherwise see. It’s epic!

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is a ski town with a super chilled-out vibe, but it is great to visit in any season. May we recommend summer? This is when the wildflowers are blooming out of control!! There are breathtaking views all day long and it’s the perfect spot to elope. The Fuzzywig’s Candy Factory on Main Street might be the place to get your sweet treat. You could consider that big bag of candy a modern version of a wedding cake. We also are HUGE fans of the coffee shops, breakfast stops, and the downtown scene here! If you want to see our last couple’s adventure in Breck, click HERE!

Lake Isabelle

If you say this is your elopement venue, it might take us a minute to gather ourselves… It is THAT good, y’all! We will seriously be hollering with excitement with a pick like this because it is our dream to hike through that forest. Past the waterfalls is the prettiest lake that is surrounded by awe-inspiring mountain peaks. It’s a bit of a hike but SO worth it when you finally arrive!

Rocky Mountain National Park 

This epic National Park is a dreamy location for eloping and wedding photography. The park has 12 designated ceremony areas since it’s so dang popular!! This is all due to the spectacular surroundings and views. After the ceremony, we might roam and get photos at Dream Lake, Trail Ridge Road or Sky Pond! Click HERE to see our photos that were taken in RMNP!

Boulder

Boulder is absolutely amazing because it is so freaking close to Denver! There are lots of locations to choose from, ranging from the parks, trails, and wide-open spaces with knock-out views! Our personal favs are Lost Gulch Lookout (only available during the week) which is stunning at sunrise and sunset and of course the Sunrise Amphitheater with a stone platform for the ceremony.

This is the part where we plant the idea of a sunrise ceremony in your mind…. wink, wink… would you be able to rise early for the best day of your life?! With a sunrise elopement, you are way more likely to have less people around! You ALSO get to spend the whole freaking day together! Nothing gets better than that!

Best Time To Elope in Colorado

The seasons in Colorado are all equally wonderful and exciting and we just had to share them in our Colorado Elopement Guide. Think about how you envision your day and then choose a season that is just right for the two of you and your dream elopement!

Winter is magnificent, and many iconic Colorado images you see online will have been taken in winter. Photos of couples surrounded by snow with the mountains in the background are the epitome of Colorado’s beauty.

Spring is Colorado is beauty OVERBOARD with all of its wildflowers full in bloom all over the state. If you are a flower person you are absolutely sure to love this season in Colorado, LOL!

Summer is the perfect pick for those wanting to stay comfy and warm during their elopement. Lush green surroundings and blue skies make summer in CO jaw-dropping. The sunsets at this time of year are also… WOW!

Fall is so rustic and cozy from a photographer’s point of view with all of the extreme yellow, golden, and orange hues it has to offer. It’s quite a sight!!

Whatever season fits your fancy, we are OH SO up for it as well!

The Cost Of Eloping

The cost of eloping to Colorado is super affordable, which is music to your ears if you are on a tight budget. Once you have your sights set on a location/area of this magic state, you need to find rank some priorities for what you are wanting to spend money on… For some, it’s essential to have the most high-class accommodation, while others want to go full out on the wedding day and have a really low-cost honeymoon. Either way, Colorado is in anyone’s budget! Here’s a list of factors to consider from our Colorado Elopement Guide to get you started:

• flights
• accommodations
• travel insurance
• wedding attire
• photography
• videography
• flowers
• paperwork and officiant or celebrant
• tourist attractions
• shopping
•  travel around Colorado
• daily food and drink allowance

If you can set your ideal budget before you start the process of estimating the cost of your elopement it will prove to be a tremendous help when all is said + done. Weddings are notorious for having costs spiral out of control considering all of the items and services you have to pay for, but it’s all much more straightforward when you decide to elope (can we get a HECK YEAH?!). When eloping, it allows you to be (and stay) in control of how much you want to spend on your big day. WEDDING PLANNING PERFECTION.

Permits And Permission Required

If it is important to you to have a legal document saying you are married, you can apply for a marriage license from the Clerk and Recorder’s office in any county in Colorado. Once you’ve got that, it is valid for 35 days and can be used only in the state of Colorado. It currently costs $30. You will need to bring the following to get ya’self one of these documents:

• ID with your date of birth (passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, military id, green card)
• You should be at least 18 years old (or 16 with documents showing you have parental permission)
• Bring your Application document
• Payment

We Are Here To Help.

As far as photography goes… we need permits for some locations. Places like Eldorado Canyon State Park, Mount Evans and Castlewood Canyon are just a few that will require permission to shoot at. Once you confirm our services we will be more than happy to map out a schedule and help with all the permit info! We are there to inform you of permit costs and help you take care of obtaining the permits in advance 🙂 You’re welcome!

We always are always checking and double-checking these details. The fines for photographing without a permit are not fun ones, so we always make sure we are covered and playing it safe!

Bring On The Honeymoon

Many couples who elope stay in their location for the honeymoon and why not??? You picked the location because it was SO COOL, right?! If you are already loving your fantastic location, it makes sense to stay and explore and make the most of all it has to offer.

Colorado as a honeymoon destination really just ROCKS…pun intended. You can take an easy hike or scale a huge mountain that will take y’all hours to peak. This Colorado Elopement Guide is here to help you pick the perfect timing. Depending on the season, you can hit the slopes for some skiing, maybe a swim at the beach, visit waterfalls or even try out some extreme action sports like snowboarding! Endless options people, ENDLESS!!

Are You Seeking Some Adventure?

Thrill-seekers will be on form in Colorado with all of the zip lining, skydiving, hand gliding, rock climbing, paragliding, ATV riding and obviously skiing the state has to offer. If you thought your heart was beating fast as your ceremony started, wait until you zoom through the rugged mountain terrain holding on tight during that zip lining experience. You might even want to go ballooning or try your hand horseback riding for something more serene.

The days are all yours to make what you want of the trip! That is the beauty in elopements. Did we mention how much we love them?!

We have a couple of epic choices for you when it comes to honeymoonin’ in this Colorado Elopement Guide:

Smith Fork Ranch

How about starting married life with a dash of farm life? If you fancy exploring the Wild West lifestyle, there are dude (DUDE!) ranch experiences that cater for all kinds of tastes. The Smith Fork Ranch in Colorado’s Western Slope is super lux with 5-star service. Get outside and try lots of ranch activities, then come back to the best farm-to-table dinners in front of the fireplace.

Ameristar Casino

Since you are so lucky you might want to book at the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk. Hop from the casino to the spa to the bar all day long with the Fireside Kitchen chef cooking up the best comfort food and steaks in town. You won’t be rolling the dice with this one… you and your lover will only be hitting the jackpot at this stay… OKAY we’re cashed out with the puns haha! 😉

There are so many wonderful places to stay in Colorado and nothing beats the warm local hospitality that is nothing short of inviting and kind. We always feel right at home in this place and even though Colorado is a vast state, there is a homely atmosphere in every inch of the state.

About The Photography

We are an LGBTQ+ friendly wife and wife photography team with a passion for living life authentically, documenting love, travel, and all things fun and exciting. That combo takes us many places and we are blessed beyond words that you are here reading our Colorado Elopement Guide and that it might earn us a ticket straight to capturing your special wedding day in Colorado.

We believe wedding photography should be natural, real, and full of (good!) emotion and connection. What happens when we create a stress-free experience for our couples in beautiful places? It gives you the space and permission to truly be together in the spectacular now. If you book full-day photography coverage, we will have so many chances to help create moments that are intimate, funny, serious, hilarious, meaningful, and true.

We Just Want To Emphasize This…

We want to emphasize that the experience of having your photo taken should be as memorable as the photos themselves! 🙂 While we know you might be inclined to print, frame, and display your wedding photography around your home and look back on it often to relive the amazing time you had, we also want you to have fun during the shoot itself. This is one of the most important things to us, so we do our absolute best to bring with us all of the high-energy, happy vibes and make sure you are comfortable and relaxed! WHOOP WHOOP.

Wrappin’ up the Colorado Elopement Guide

We could go on and on about why Colorado is a wonderful place to get married… and in this blog, we basically did! LOL! It’s obvious we are huge fans of this colorful corner of the USA. Colorado seems to be one of those places that just calls people to it… so if you read this, you probably have had your eye on this helluva wedding destination for a while. Feel free to drop us a line any time with questions or ideas about the elopement photography or anything in this epic Colorado Elopement Guide.

We love to get inspired by our client’s ideas on where they want to do the ceremony or wedding photography, and it always seems to lead us to new and exciting places. If you are unsure about this commitment, do not worry. We are FILLED TO THE BRIM with fabulous ideas, starting with the wonderful info in this Colorado Elopement Guide, and will be right there to help you craft the perfect wedding day plan right down to the first look to the food you will not be able to take your eyes off of.

WE GOT YOU! So reach out today to get started planning your elopement!

XOXO

Sam + Bryt