The Best Places to Elope!
The Best Places to Elope in Colorado and How to Find Yours!
Colorado is full of landscapes that honestly feel unreal. From towering mountain peaks, shimmering golden aspens, inviting alpine lakes, and iconic red rock formations. It makes total sense why so many couples dream of eloping here! But with endless incredible options, the real question is: how do you choose the spot that’s right for you?
Well the great news is that you don’t have to discover the best choice alone! As a Colorado-based photo + video team, we’ve planned and documented elopements in every season and setting and living here allows us to be your local guides! And while there are endless places to explore, not every badass backdrop will fit what you need. Choosing the right spot is less about a pin on a map and more about the kind of experience you want to create together! Let’s dive deeper.
What Makes a Great Elopement Location?
Here are a few key things to think about when deciding where to elope in Colorado:
Accessibility: Do you want to drive right up to your ceremony or are you excited about hiking to your vows?
Privacy: Will it feel intimate or like a popular trailhead with lots of onlookers?
Lighting + Scenery: How does the spot look at sunrise, midday, or sunset? Some places are magical in morning light, others glow in the evening.
Seasonal Conditions: Certain places are snowed in most of the year, others are only alive with wildflowers in summer. What do you envision?
Permit Requirements: Some areas are as simple as showing up and doing the thing! Others require advance permits, fees, or reservations (this shouldn’t deter you, just required a chill extra step!).
Answering these questions will help narrow down what will actually feel like the best place to elope for you.
Deciding on the Right Spot
Some other thoughts to work through:
The vibe: Do you want cozy or epic? Forest or mountaintop? Quiet and tucked away, or sweeping and dramatic?
Your guest count: Some locations can comfortably host a few family members, while others are best suited for just the two of you.
Time of year: Are you picturing wildflowers in July, golden aspens in September, or snowy peaks in February? The season shapes everything from access to atmosphere.
Your priorities: Do you want the shortest hike for more time together, or are you excited about earning your views with a trek? Or maybe you want to canoe on an alpine lake? Having activities in mind for your elopement will narrow in the best location choice for you!
It’s worth saying that there’s no best place in Colorado- it’s about what feels like your love story and gets you excited!
When Not to Elope in Colorado
We are firm believers in every season bringing it’s own magic out here in Colorado, that is a hill we most certainly will happily die on! In the same breath, we do think there are some specific times that aren’t as ideal. Being aware of when not to elope can be just as important as knowing when to say your I do’s!
Holiday Weekends: Colorado’s trails, mountain towns, and parks get packed. If you’re looking for privacy, skip major holidays.
Mud Season (April–May): Trails can be messy and access roads have a higher potential of being closed. Spring can be magical in town or at lower elevations, but alpine trails are often still snowed in.
Midday in Summer: Thunderstorms roll in fast (Mal has a CRAZY story about learning this lesson!), especially above treeline. Sunrise or sunset ceremonies are safer, quieter, and often more beautiful. We LOVE a good sunrise elopement- what a way to start the day!
Peak Tourist Hours: Some places are stunning but crowded (Garden of the Gods, we’re looking at you!). Choosing a weekday or off-peak time can make the difference between a quiet, intentional elopement and one that feels like an attraction.
How We Help You Find Your Spot
This is the part we love most! Every couple who books with Castlehouse receives a comprehensive location guide! Based on your vision, season, and vibe, we’ll curate a list of spots in our guide to help you make the best decision without stress.
And because we’re more than just photographers and filmmakers, you also get:
Full planning support (permits, logistics, backup plans, brainstorms!)
Unlimited calls to walk through your vision!
A duo who is so stoked to be out in the wild with a couple on their wedding day (with ample snacks to share)!
Photo + video coverage by a team who lives and breathes Colorado adventure!
Delivery of your full gallery + film in just one week!
We’ve hiked to hidden lakes, bundled up through beautiful blizzards, found flower fields at golden hour, and helped couples say their vows with no one else around for miles. The best places to elope are the ones where the couple feels at peace and excited to be in while getting married! The beauty Colorado elopements is there’s something for everyone, and we’ll help you find it!
Real Quick FAQs About Eloping in Colorado
We are here to answer any and all of your burning questions! Here are a few we get asked quite a bit over the years.
Do we need a permit to elope in Colorado?
Sometimes! Certain public lands, like national parks, require permits. We’ll walk you through what’s needed for your specific spot once that’s decided :-)
When’s the best time to elope in Colorado?
Answering your question with a question- what season holds the most magic or giddiness for you? (Summer and fall are the most popular, but winter elopements are extremely dreamy too. It depends on whether you want wildflowers, golden aspens, or snow-capped peaks in your story!)!
Can we self-solemnize our marriage?
For sure! A huge draw to elope in Colorado is that you don’t need an officiant. You can marry yourselves, sign your license, and even have your dog paw-print sign it! Unsure what to say at your wedding ceremony? Both Mal and Roo at Castlehouse are registered officiants and would be happy to help plan or prompt what to say at your ceremony if ya like!
Can we bring family?
Absolutely! Some spots are perfect for just two people, while others can host a handful of guests. We’ll help you choose a location that fits based on who is coming along for the adventure! This applies to your fluffy family members as well :-)
How far in advance should we plan?
It depends on where and when you want to elope. Some places require permits that book months in advance, while others are more flexible and ready for you at any given moment. We personally book up quickly, so for that reason, we recommend reaching out in early stages of your elopement to secure your date!
Your Colorado Elopement, Your Way!
We’ve seen couples exchange vows in meadows, on snowy ridgelines, by alpine lakes, and in cozy cabins nestled in the mountains. Each one was completely different, but every single one felt deeply true to them and who they are.
Your best place to elope is out there my friend, we KNOW it! And we’d love to help you find it.
Ready to start turning your dreaming into your reality? Reach out today via our contact form below, and let’s explore the possibilities together!