Colorado Elopement Planning Timeline: What to Do and When
Eloping is typically a lot simpler than planning a full on traditional wedding, but it does still come with its own list of moving pieces: travel plans, weather windows, vendors, potentially permits, and logistics that are easy to overlook until they become last-minute scrambles. Luckily, it’s usually not too much work to get everything in order to ensure a stress-free elopement day! Whether you're eloping six months from now or squeezing it into six weeks, here's a timeline to keep you on track!
9-12 Months Out: Lock In the Big Decisions
This is the foundation stage. The choices you make here can really shape everything else!
Pick your season and rough date. Colorado's mountain weather varies wildly by elevation and month. For example, a June date in Rocky Mountain National Park might still mean snow at higher trailheads, while September often brings relatively stable weather and golden aspen colors in the trees. What type of backdrop are you envisioning for your day?
Choose your elopement activities. What does the perfect day look like to you and your partner? If you build a great experience for your day, then it’s guaranteed to be a great time. Are you thinking a picnic, a hike, an alpine lake dip, mountain biking, or something else? Once you decide on what you’d like to do on your elopement day you can then search locations that accommodate this activity the best.
Book your photographer and videographer. The best elopement teams in Colorado can get booked out for prime dates far in advance. It’s typical that the photographer and/or videographer could be one of the only vendors with you on your elopement day which makes it an important decision! When hiring your photographer and videographer, make sure you share similar visions and the vibe seems right :-)
Choose your location. Once you dream up your elopement activities, it’s time to look at locations where it’s possible to do the thing! This doesn’t have to be the exact spot, but gathering an idea of what you’re looking for too. Are you drawn to alpine lakes, red rock, aspen groves, or a summit view? Your location can have a heavy hand in most other decisions for your elopement day, including permit requirements and photographer travel time.
6-9 Months Out: Nail Down the Logistics
Apply for your permit of course, only if one is required! Processing times vary, and some locations only release permits a certain number of months in advance. Don’t sweat it too much though- there are some incredible places out here that don’t require permits at all.
Book your officiant. In Colorado, an officiant is optional- therefore so is this step! If you want someone who's married a lot of elopement couples specifically, ask your photographer for recommendations- they usually know who's reliable in the backcountry.
Start researching lodging. Cabins and mountain-town accommodations near popular elopement areas can book up fast, especially during peak leaf-change or summer weekends.
Think through your guest list, if you're inviting anyone at all! Even a handful of guests changes transportation, timing, and location logistics. If you’re eloping just the two of you, maybe brainstorm ways to meaningfully include family and friends within your elopement without them physically being there (maybe hand written letters to read on your day?).
3-6 Months Out: Build the Day
Find your outfit(s)! Remember, when getting married outside, your clothes are susceptible to the elements! The goal is to be stylish AND comfortable. We definitely recommend factoring in a bit of dirt, wind, and temperature swings when choosing (and trying on) your dress, suit, or alternative attire. You can honestly never pack too many layers and some trails are great for an outfit change right before your ceremony!
Plan your ceremony details. Vows, readings, rings, any small rituals you may want to include…this is the time to finalize these rather than the week before :-)
Coordinate with your photo/video team on a rough timeline for the day, especially if you're planning a hike-in ceremony or chasing a specific light window like sunrise or sunset. Odds are, this ain’t their first rodeo and will have some great insight as to timeframes that will work best for the day you’re dreaming up!
Book any additional vendors: hair and makeup, a florist for a small bouquet, a bakery, a private chef, or a day-of coordinator if your logistics are more involved.
1-3 Months Out: Confirm and Prepare
Reconfirm your permit and any reservations. Double-check your dates, times, and any last paperwork required for on-site.
Have a weather backup plan. Colorado mountain weather can shift fast, especially above treeline friends! Talk with your photographer about a plan B location or time or what the plan is for inclement weather.
Do a final gear and outfit check. Break in shoes, waterproof what needs it, and pack layers- even summer elopements at elevation can be cold! This also includes rounding up and miscellaneous items you may want to bring for your day such as personalized mugs or “just married” backpack signs.
Finalize your marriage license paperwork. Confirm timing requirements with your local county clerk's office well before your date. If you’re not sure about what’s involved in obtaining a Colorado marriage license, have no fear! We wrote a whole blog post about it that you can check out here!
2-4 Weeks Out: Final Details
Pack early, especially if you're coming in from out of state. A packing list specific to mountain elopements (layers, blister care, a change of shoes) saves a lot of last-minute stress or shopping once you’re here.
Confirm your timeline with your photo/video team, including backup weather dates and any permit paperwork you need to bring on-site. Open communication is always a great thing and helps keep stress levels low (all around)!
Write your vows! The vows are such a beautiful moment of your elopement day. We recommend taking some time to sit down and really think through what you’d like to say to your partner during your ceremony.
Day-Of: Live in the Moment & Enjoy it!
By the time your elopement day arrives, the planning is done and hopefully you’re feeling nothing but excitement (and maybe a few pre-wedding nerves!)!. The best thing you can do at this point is build in a little buffer time, trust your vendors, and let the day unfold rather than trying to control every minute of it. Don’t forget to slow down and root yourself throughout the day so you can remember it and live it over again. The couples who seem most present on their elopement day are usually the ones who did their planning early enough that they didn't have to think about logistics once they were facing each other saying “I do”.
We wholeheartedly believe that planning your dream elopement shouldn’t be too stressful or feel overwhelming. Hopefully this timeline gives you some guidance on how you can prepare beforehand, slowly overtime, to make sure that it’s a joyful experience from the very start to the very finish!
What living in the moment and having a blast can look like on an elopement day!
Planning a Colorado elopement and not sure where to start?
Reach out to us! We've captured elopements across some of the most stunning places Colorado has to offer and we're happy to help you think through timing, permits, and locations as part of our photography packages!