There’s something undeniably magical about eloping in Colorado. Maybe it’s the way the morning mist hugs the mountains, or how the sun spills gold across alpine lakes at golden hour. For couples who want something more personal, more intentional, more them—Colorado is the perfect place to exchange vows.
If you’re dreaming of ditching the rulebook and choosing awe over obligation, this guide is for you. Here, we break down everything you need to know to elope in Colorado: the best places, the logistics, and why your story deserves to be captured in full.
Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Colorado
Eloping isn’t about running away. It’s about walking toward each other—with purpose, with joy, with breathtaking scenery all around you.
Couples today are choosing to elope for all kinds of reasons:
- More Meaningful Moments: When it’s just the two of you (or a small circle of your people), the emotions feel clearer and the moments more real.
- More Freedom: You get to write your own script—sunrise hike to a mountain lake, vows in a meadow, a dinner under the stars. Anything goes.
- More Beauty: From red rock canyons to snowcapped peaks, Colorado offers cinematic backdrops year-round.
- Less Pressure: No long guest lists. No rigid timelines. No worrying about centerpieces.
For many couples, it’s not about skipping the celebration—it’s about making space for the right kind of celebration.
The Best Places to Elope in Colorado
Whether you envision saying “I do” with wind in your hair at 12,000 feet or tucked in a forest clearing, Colorado has you covered. Here are some of our favorite Colorado elopement locations:
1. Sapphire Point Overlook (Breckenridge)
A classic for a reason. This spot offers sweeping views of Dillon Reservoir with mountain peaks on every side. Perfect for couples who want epic views without a long hike.
See more Breckenridge elopement photos
2. Rocky Mountain National Park
Think alpine lakes, aspen groves, wildlife, and unbelievable elevation. Permits are required, but it’s worth it.
3. Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)
Red rock spires meet wide open skies. Dramatic, iconic, and easy to access.
Explore Garden of the Gods elopements
4. Telluride + Ouray
The San Juan Mountains feel like the Alps, but better. Waterfalls, wildflowers, and jeep-access-only views.
5. Colorado State Parks
Lory, Roxborough, Ridgway, Golden Gate Canyon—each offers its own unique vibe for couples wanting something off the beaten path.
Browse our Colorado State Park elopement guide
Tips for Planning Your Colorado Elopement
Eloping in nature means embracing a little wildness—but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan ahead.
1. Permits + Permissions
Many public lands and parks require permits. We help our couples navigate the paperwork so you can focus on the experience.
2. Timing Is Everything
Golden hour is your best friend. We’ll work with you to plan the perfect time of day based on location and season.
3. Dress for the Elements
Yes, you can hike in a wedding dress. We’ve got you. From boots to shawls to spare umbrellas, we’ll help you prepare.
4. Altitude Awareness
Some elopement locations are 8,000 feet or higher. Give yourselves a day or two to acclimate.
5. Keep It Legal
Colorado is one of the few states where you can self-solemnize—meaning you don’t need an officiant. You can literally marry yourselves.
Why Elopement Photography Matters
When it’s just you two and the view, the photography becomes your memory keeper.
- We Tell the Full Story: Getting ready in a cabin, hiking up a trail, exchanging vows, popping champagne—your day matters in full.
- We Scout the Best Spots: Light, landscape, weather—we plan for it all so your photos feel effortless.
- We Know When to Step In + When to Step Back: Sometimes you need help fluffing the dress. Sometimes you need privacy. We get it.
See our Colorado elopement galleries
Let’s Make It Happen
You don’t have to plan this alone.
We help couples like you find the perfect spot, the right time, and the freedom to be fully present. Whether you’re dreaming of snowy peaks or desert sunsets, Boxcar Photography is here to capture the real, the wild, the beautiful.
Contact us about your Colorado elopement
Colorado offers epic backdrops, flexible self-solemnization laws, and the freedom to design a day that feels 100% like you. Whether you want to hike, drive, or simply take in the views, there’s a place and pace for everyone.
Many popular elopement spots like national parks and state parks do require permits. We help our couples navigate that process to keep it simple.
Late spring through fall offers the best conditions for mountain views and trail access, though winter elopements in snowy settings can be equally magical.
Absolutely. Many couples invite 2–10 of their closest people to join. We’ll help you find locations that work for both privacy and small groups.
Our Colorado elopement photography includes location guidance, timeline planning, travel, and storytelling coverage—from getting ready through your last toast.
Let’s make this the start of your best adventure yet.