Garden of the Gods Elopement Guide 2024
Garden of the Gods Elopement Guide
This Garden of the Gods Elopement Guide will cover everything you need to know to elope at Garden of the Gods! Learn the 6 Garden of the Gods wedding locations for your ceremony, when you should elope in Garden of the Gods, potential costs & our Garden of the Gods elopement packages, and more. We’ve learned a lot after photographing many different elopements, and we can help you create the most ideal situation for your special day!
What is Garden of the Gods?
Garden of the Gods is a public park that’s home to giant red rock formations and expansively colorful vistas. The origins of the landscape date back to the Pleistocene Ice Age when erosion and glaciation of the rocks began forming what we now see today. The name of the park was coined in August of 1859 by two surveyors from Denver City. The towering sandstone monoliths and surrounding area of Garden of the Gods are mind-blowing from afar as well as up close.
Can you get Married at Garden of the Gods?
Yes, you can get married at Garden of the Gods without any long and strenuous hikes in order to do so. Many of the areas within Garden of the Gods are easily accessible via flat, paved paths and gravel trails. Some locations require a little bit of hiking upon rocky surfaces that are not compatible with high heels or any other similar shoe.
Elope at Garden of the Gods
To legally elope at Garden of the Gods, we recommend picking up your marriage license from El Paso County’s Clerk and Recorder office. You just need to fill out this online marriage application ahead of time and simply stop in to complete the process. There is no appointment necessary, and it costs $30, which is payable by cash or card. Besides this, the other thing you likely want to elope at Garden of the Gods is a Colorado elopement photographer. Moreover, if you need an officiant, Kevin is ordained and happy to create a unique ceremony for you.
Garden of the Gods Elopement Packages
With 7 years of experience as adventure elopement photographers, we can help you plan and capture the elopement of your dreams! Below are our 3 Garden of the Gods elopement packages:
Fossilized Love
- 2 Photographers
- 6 Hours of coverage
- Full print rights
$5,000
Kissing Camels
- 2 Photographers
- 4 Hours of coverage
- Full print rights
$3,500
On the Rocks
- 2 Photographers
- 2 Hours of coverage
- Full print rights
$2,000
Garden of the Gods Wedding Cost
Given the affordability of this natural venue, your Garden of the Gods wedding cost will likely be lower than any traditional wedding space. For less than 25 people in your group, there is no cost to exchange vows in the park. Furthermore, it is courteous to make a donation to the park but not required. All proceeds help the preservation of this land and these incredible rock formations. For an organized event of 25 people or more, you will need to obtain a commercial use permit in order to schedule your event and take photographs.
Garden of the Gods Wedding Locations
There are 6 Garden of the Gods wedding locations. These sites are first come, first served unless you acquire a permit for your group of 25 or more. Technically, all sites allow up to 25 people, although we generally don’t recommend having more than 10 because parking is limited. There are many other incredible locations that will better host larger groups.
Sentinel Plaza
Sentinel Plaza is centrally located where multiple paths converge. We highly recommend this site at sunrise due to the high volume of people that generally surround this area. You can access this site 100% on paved paths so wearing heels is doable. This site is about a 10 minute walk from the parking lot.
Three Graces Plaza
Three Graces Plaza is located close to Sentinel Plaza and requires a little bit of walking on rocky terrain. It is also roughly a 10 minute walk from the parking area.
High Point
High Point is situated next to a road where cars frequently pass by. It is a slower speed limit so they don’t create too much noise, but some people feel inclined to honk when they see a wedding happening. While you can technically have up to 50 people here, there is just not enough space to park for that many guests. We recommend having no more than 10-15 people total to comfortably get married in this space.
Jaycee Plaza (Chuckwagon Pavilion)
Jaycee Plaza has a circular stone center and flat, paved area around it. It’s very easy to get to but is located in a very public area. You can have up to 50 guests.
Scotsman Picnic Area
Tucked beneath trees, this is a great area for having a picnic and celebration with your guests since food is allowed here.
South Spring Canyon Area
South Spring Canyon Area is a more wooded area that is likely to provide more privacy. This area also accommodates up to 50 guests.
Non-Ceremony Locations & Landmarks
The following 4 non-ceremony locations in Garden of the Gods are all accessible by parking and simply walking a very short distance to access.
Central Garden Trail
The Central Garden Trail is 1 mile in length and curves through the heart of the park. It is essentially a paved sidewalk and very easy to walk along.
Kissing Camels
The Kissing Camels are at the top of a towering red rock formation and resemble two camels kissing one another. You can see this iconic landmark from many areas of the park.
Siamese Twins
Siamese Twins overlooks Pikes Peak and is accessible by a half mile roundtrip hike that is rated with an easy to moderate difficulty. This trek begins from the parking area at Garden Road & Spring Canyon Height Drive.
Sleeping Giant
Sleeping Giant is accessible via a moderate half mile hike from the small Mesa Road parking area. After a natural staircase, you will navigate a bit of rocky terrain and uneven surfaces. You can see the whole trek below. Once at the summit, enjoy a 360-degree view of the park’s iconic rock formations with Pikes Peak in the distance!
Best Times to Elope at Garden of the Gods
Most importantly, if you elope at Garden of the Gods, we highly recommend getting married at sunrise, on a weekday, or both. The park attracts a high volume of visitors on weekend, holidays, and popular dates. Parking can be a mess and creates a general air of anxiety about the park. It’s also not uncommon to see multiple elopements happening, which isn’t exactly what you want to see on your special day.
Additionally, Garden of the Gods is an excellent choice for winter weddings and elopements, as the park tends to be warmer and receives less snow compared to other areas in Colorado. Its desert climate and accessibility from major highways provides a great space to get married throughout the year.
Dog Rules for Garden of the Gods Park
You can bring your best friend along with you as long as they’re on a 6 foot leash (or shorter) and you pick up after them. The park can be extremely busy so only bring your pup if they are really good around people. We recommend reading the full list of park rules before you visit.
Where to Stay for your Garden of the Gods Elopement
For a luxurious and upscale stay with breathtaking views near Garden of the Gods, consider the Garden of the Gods Resort. Another top choice is The Broadmoor, a renowned luxury hotel known for its impeccable service and exceptional dining options. The Cliff House at Pikes Peak is a historic hotel with Victorian charm and modern comforts. The Mining Exchange (a Wyndham Grand Hotel) offers a blend of sophistication and Old West charm in the heart of Colorado Springs. There are also more private airbnbs available for lodging.
Meet your Garden of the Gods Elopement Photographer Team
We are a husband and wife Garden of the Gods elopement photographer team. With nearly a decade as Colorado elopement photographers, we can help you plan and capture the elopement of your dreams!
Contact Us
Garden Of the Gods Elopement Vendors
Garden of the Gods Colorado Elopement Photos
Finally, here are more Garden of the Gods Colorado elopement photos. We hope this guide has helped you better understand how to elope in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs! Please reach out if you have any questions whatsoever.
Love the shots of the couple with the bike!! I have an elopement at the Garden of Gods coming up and this post just made me SO excited, such a beautiful place! Great job!
ABSOLUTELY beautiful. What a perfect location for a perfect day. Great job on this one, you can really tell they’re in love from your photos <3
WOW. Their love is so so beautiful. You did such an amazing job of capturing their spirits and their day. Epic photos!
My husband and I stayed at Garden of the Gods last summer and we became SO obsessed with Colorado. i so wish we could have eloped there!
Hang on a second. Is this for real?? These guys seem like the coolest couple and the location looks like another planet. You are making me want to visit CO so badly.
oh my goodness! what an amazing place!! You captured it and them so freaking well!! Garden of the gods is amazing!
I love everything about these!! So pretty!!
Best view i have ever seen !