Top Elopement Locations in Colorado (2024 Version!)
Choosing to elope in Colorado offers couples a stunning backdrop of diverse landscapes, from towering mountains and lush forests to serene lakes and majestic rock formations. This guide by Castlehouse Videography, your dedicated Colorado elopement videographer, will explore the top locations in Colorado that promise a magical and intimate setting for your special day. Whether you're drawn to the rustic charm of quaint mountain towns or the grandeur of rocky peaks, Colorado has the perfect spot for every couple's elopement dreams.
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
The Crown Jewel of Colorado Elopements
Rocky Mountain National Park is a premier choice for couples looking to elope amidst the raw beauty of Colorado's wilderness. As a seasoned Colorado elopement videographer, we at Castlehouse Videography have captured countless couples exchanging vows against the park’s breathtaking landscapes. Here’s why this location might be perfect for you.
Ideal Spots for Your Elopement Ceremony
- Bear Lake: Surrounded by rugged mountain views and dense forests, Bear Lake offers a serene setting for your intimate ceremony. Its accessibility makes it perfect for small gatherings, ensuring your special moment is both private and picturesque.
- Sprague Lake: With its easy access and stunning backdrop of the Continental Divide, Sprague Lake is ideal for sunset ceremonies. The lake’s reflective waters create a romantic atmosphere and provide spectacular photo opportunities.
Planning Your Elopement
The best times to plan your elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park are during the late spring and early fall when the weather is mild and the tourist crowds are thinner. Keep in mind that certain locations within the park may require special permits for ceremonies, so it’s crucial to plan ahead.
As your Colorado elopement videographer, Castlehouse Videography can guide you through these logistical details to ensure everything runs smoothly. However, if you’re hoping for a magical winter wonderland, Rocky Mountain National Park will also deliver. Basically, there’s no wrong time of year but we like late spring and early fall the best :)
2. Garden of the Gods
A Natural Wonder for Your Elopement
Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is not just a public park, but a geologic marvel that offers a dramatic and unforgettable setting for elopement ceremonies. With its towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak, it provides a spectacular scene that your Colorado elopement videographer from Castlehouse Videography can capture beautifully.
Preferred Ceremony Spots
- Three Graces and Cathedral Spires: These iconic formations provide a stunning framework for your ceremony. The natural pillars and the open sky create a natural cathedral that embodies the grandeur of the outdoors.
- High Point Overlook: For those who dream of panoramic views, High Point Overlook offers a breathtaking vista of the park and the surrounding area, making it an ideal spot for exchanging vows.
Elopement Planning Tips
When planning to elope in Garden of the Gods, it’s important to consider the park rules. Elopements are welcomed, but specific regulations need to be followed, especially concerning the use of certain areas and the number of guests. As a seasoned Colorado elopement videographer, Castlehouse Videography can help navigate these rules to ensure your day is seamless and stress-free.
We’ve filmed and photographed dozens of elopements at Garden of the Gods so we’ve got you covered!
3. Aspen
A Romantic Elopement Destination, on or off the ski resort
Aspen is renowned not only for its world-class skiing but also for its idyllic landscapes that offer a romantic setting for elopements year-round. From lush green summers to golden autumns, Aspen provides a picturesque setting that a Colorado elopement videographer from Castlehouse Videography can capture, ensuring your memories are as timeless as the scenery.
Top Locations for Your Aspen Elopement
- Maroon Bells: Known as one of the most photographed areas in Colorado, the Maroon Bells are especially stunning in the early morning light. The reflective lake and the twin peaks provide a majestic backdrop for your special moment.
- Independence Pass: For the adventurous couple, Independence Pass offers a rugged and expansive setting. The alpine scenery and sweeping vistas are ideal for those who want a touch of adventure in their elopement.
Planning Your Perfect Day
Aspen’s popularity means it’s essential to plan your elopement carefully, especially if you choose a popular spot like Maroon Bells. Permits are required, and sites are often booked well in advance. Working with Castlehouse Videography, your experienced Colorado elopement videographer and elopement photographer team, ensures that all aspects of your elopement are managed professionally, from scouting the perfect location to capturing each moment of your day.
Plus, Mallory and Roo are just fun to be around so why not spend a beautiful day with your new favorite friends :)
4. Salida
An Artist's Paradise in the Heart of the Rockies
Nestled in the heart of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, Salida is known for its vibrant art scene and stunning natural beauty, making it an ideal location for an intimate elopement. Salida is often dismissed when it comes for elopements because it’s not an obvious choice for out of towners, mostly because it’s not as ritzy as Vail or as shiny as Aspen, but if you want to elope in a true Colorado mountain town. Salida is your spot! Castlehouse Videography is based out of Boulder, Colorado but if Mallory and Roo weren’t living in Boulder you can bet your bottom dollar they’d be in Salida!
Charming Spots for Your Ceremony
- Arkansas River: With the Arkansas River flowing through downtown, riverside ceremonies are both scenic and symbolic. The gentle flow of the river adds a serene soundtrack to your special moment. Nowhere else will you get rivers like this! Plus, if you’re a surfer like Roo - he’ll take you out for some river surfing right in downtown Salida, totally free of charge :)
- Historic Downtown: For a touch of historical charm, consider the beautifully preserved buildings of downtown Salida as a backdrop. This setting not only offers visual appeal but also a story-rich environment. Everywhere you walk in town will give you a view of the 14,000 peaks that surround the town.
Planning Your Salida Elopement
Salida's welcoming atmosphere and less crowded nature make it an excellent choice for couples looking for a low-key yet beautiful elopement destination. The mild climate year-round also provides flexibility in planning your date. Us Colorado locals call it the banana belt because it’s so sunny year-round you might as well be able to grow bananas there. If you want sun, Salida will have it!
5. Crested Butte
An elopement dream in the Wildflower Capital of Colorado
Known as the wildflower capital of Colorado, Crested Butte offers a stunning array of natural backdrops for elopements. From lush meadows blanketed with flowers to the rustic charm of its mountain town, Crested Butte provides a picturesque setting captured beautifully by your Colorado elopement videographer.
Ideal Locations for Your Ceremony
- Wildflower Meadows: Imagine exchanging vows surrounded by vibrant wildflowers with the Elk Mountains as your backdrop—Crested Butte offers this fairy-tale setting. Afterwards, we can take you to our favorite pizza place in downtown too so you can nature AND amazing pizza; a win-win!
- Mount Crested Butte: For those desiring a more dramatic setting, the base of Mount Crested Butte provides stunning views and an unforgettable experience. Mount Crested Butte juts out of town and there’s a beautiful field right at the base where we can hike, bike, and you can tell each other you love each other endlessly. It’ll be great.
Tips for Eloping in Crested Butte
The wildflower season in late July to early August is a spectacular time for an elopement, offering vibrant colors and mild weather. However, Crested Butte is equally beautiful cloaked in autumn gold or snowy winter whites. We here at Castlehouse Videography can definitely help make sure that whenever you go, you’ll get the best nature has to offer :)
Why Choose Crested Butte
"Choosing Crested Butte for our elopement was the best decision we made. The flowers, the mountains—it was all like a dream. Castlehouse Videography captured every moment beautifully, making our special day even more unforgettable." - Jenna and Mark
No Matter Where You Go, Eloping in Colorado is Going to Be Great
Colorado offers an endless amount of elopement destinations, each with its unique charm and beauty. Whether you choose the majestic peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park, the iconic formations of Garden of the Gods, the upscale allure of Aspen, the artistic streets of Salida, or the wildflower meadows of Crested Butte, your elopement will be as memorable as the landscape is breathtaking.
Eloping in Colorado means not just celebrating your love but doing so against some of the most stunning backdrops the United States has to offer. Each location will obviously deliver some magic, but the real magic is in your hearts. That’s right, cheesy and we mean it. Here at Castlehouse, we care about YOU. No matter where you go, your love will be there and that’s something worth celebrating.
And with Mallory and Roo from Castlehouse Videography as your Colorado elopement videographer and Colorado elopement photographer, you can rest assured that the beauty of your day will be planned to reflect who you are and what YOU love.
As you plan your elopement, consider not only the scenery and the season but also the story you want to tell through your celebration. At Castlehouse Videography, we are more than just videographers; we are storytellers eager to help you tell your love story against the beautiful backdrop of Colorado. Colorado is just the stage, but you’re the main act - but no pressure, we’ll help you put the play in motion. All you have to do is just show up :)
Contact us today to discuss how we can capture the magic of your elopement day!
If you’re ready to turn your dream Colorado elopement into a reality? Reach out to us below, let us help you plan your special day with the majesty of Colorado as your witness.
Roo & Mal - your elopement videographer and elopement photographer on a surf trip last fall!
Need a Colorado elopement planner, photographer and videographer? Hit us up!
We’re here to support you in your journey. Whether it’s just the two of you eloping at the top of the run or with your family out on a backcountry skiing elopement experience, we’re here to help make it happen. To provide truly authentic experiences and the highest quality elopement films, we only accept a very limited number of intimate weddings and elopements each year.
THIS ISN’T JUST AN CONTACT FORM, IT’S THE POTENTIAL START TO AN AWESOME FRIENDSHIP.
For that reason, we read every inquiry and respond within 24-48 hours to get started as soon as possible on making your dream skiing elopement a reality. The more information you give us here provides us with an opportunity to craft a more meaningful film, personalized experience, and overall awesome relationship with you and your partner :)
