General Colorado Elopement Tips
These general Colorado elopement tips are a starting point to help you plan the core pieces of your elopement. If you are considering an elopement, you will find helpful information that will better prepare you for your elopement in some way or another. even if we are not the ones to photograph and officiate your elopement, we still want you to have the best day of your lives together!
Wildflowers
- Wildflowers bloom in summer months, not springtime
- If you love wildflowers, plan on eloping in July or August when these flowers reach their peak. At higher elevations, wildflowers will be sparse in April, May, or even June.
Frozen Lakes
- Colorado lakes are typically frozen from November through April
- If you want a picturesque lake to be part of your elopement, make sure it will be in your preferred form. Paddle board, kayak, canoe, or boat out into the middle of a lake in the summer and exchange your vows on the water. Or snowshoe onto a frozen lake in winter and have your ceremony in a winter wonderland.
Officiating & Self Solemnizing
- You don’t need an officiant – you have the legal right to self solemnize in the state of Colorado.
- Your pets can sign your marriage license! Bring an ink pad and stamp a paw print or two to make your marriage official – how cool is that?!
Guests
- The fewer guests you have, the easier it is to plan your dream experience. From being able to get married on a weekday to allowing yourself the option to be more spontaneous, fewer guests equals more opportunities for you. Furthermore, your photographs will be that much more significant when others see them for the first time.
Best Times to Photograph
- Sunrise and sunset are the best times to photograph
- You will look your best and glow during the day’s “golden” or “magic” hours
- Plan on waking up early or eating dinner later in the day to utilize the best light
Elevation
- Elevation can cause altitude sickness.
- Everyone burns more easily at high elevations. Protect your skin with sunscreen, lotion, and lip balm.
- Hydrate, drink water, and consume extra H2O – seriously, water is vital!
- If you are from lower elevation, we suggest arriving to Colorado 72 hours or more before your elopement day.
Leave No Trace & Respect Wildlife
- Easily the most important tip – read the 7 leave no trace principles and share this information with all of your guests. Try to leave the land better than you find it. Never step on delicate vegetation. Never feed animals. These should feel quite intuitive.
Shoes
- Wear comfortable shoes that allow you to safely move around.
- Hiking boots go perfectly with your wedding attire! You can even bring a nicer pair of shoes to wear for portraits if you’d like.
Layers
- Wear layers that you can easily take off and put on.
- The weather can be on either side of the spectrum for most of the year. On any given day, it could be 75 and sunny, freezing cold and snowy, or anywhere in between. The temperature can fluctuate quickly as well. Layers will ensure your comfort, which is a priority.
Embrace Weekdays
- Ditch the weekend for a weekday and a more private experience.
- Naturally, anywhere you go, weekends are going to be more populated. So make a decision for you, and go where no one has been before.
Permits
- Many locations require permits to get married.
- You need to do your research and identify who owns the land where you wish to get married. Check with the owner, local municipality, or ranger district to ensure that you are planning a legal marriage. Your photographer should be able to help you with this. In our case, we will obtain this for you.
We hope you’ve enjoyed these general Colorado elopement tips! If you have any questions or want help creating your dream Colorado elopement, reach out here.
