Wondering what it would be like to plan an off-road adventure elopement in Colorado?

While I love hiking, multi-day, or adventure elopements, off-roading elopements stand out because of how much you can see and do in just one day. You’ll be able to access incredible places and views in a much shorter amount of time than it would take to hike or backpack to different locations.

As a photographer and planner for destination elopements, Colorado is the perfect choice for your off-roading adventure elopement. You’ll have access to turquoise blue alpine lakes, beautiful high mountain passes, jagged peaks, basins, and so much more.

Let’s dive into planning your off-road Colorado elopement.

What Is an Off-Road Elopement?

An off-road elopement is a unique type of adventure elopement. Imagine starting your day at sunrise at a jaw-dropping scenic overlook and having your ceremony. Then you can drive in your Jeep (or another off-roading vehicle) up a mountain pass for couple portraits.

Afterwards, you and your partner can explore an off-the-beaten-path trail and go sightseeing before concluding your day at sunset in another location. This type of elopement allows you to design your celebration to look however you want and have a one-of-a-kind adventure. You’ll be able to escape the busy crowds and you won’t have to worry about arriving sweaty and exhausted while hiking to your ceremony spot.

Plus, you’ll be able to venture deep into nature and discover remote hidden gems. An off-road elopement doesn’t just involve renting a Jeep. While I am a huge fan of Jeep elopements, you and your partner can use any 4x4 vehicle of your choosing.

Don’t worry though! You don’t have to already own a 4x4 vehicle to plan an off-road elopement. I can help you find the best places in Colorado to rent the perfect off-road vehicle for your elopement.

Also guess what? Off-roading is for anyone! You don’t have to be a pro at it to make it a part of your celebration. If you don’t like the idea of driving a 4x4 vehicle but still want to have an off-road elopement, you can always hire an experienced driver.

An off-road elopement is perfect for you and your partner if you want an adrenaline rush, adventure, and know you want to experience more than one place on your elopement day.

Your Guide on How to Have an Epic Off Road Colorado Elopement

Here are my top tips on how you can get started planning your off-road Colorado elopement:

Get your Colorado marriage license

Before you do anything else in your elopement planning process, you and your partner need to get your marriage license in Colorado. Luckily, Colorado is one of the easier places to get married. You can obtain a marriage license from any Colorado County Clerk's office.

Once you make an appointment, you’ll need to go with your partner and bring a photo ID with you. At your appointment, you’ll fill out paperwork and pay the $30 fee required to file. There is no waiting period and your license is valid immediately. You are required to return the signed license within 63 days to the same place you received it.

To learn more about getting your marriage license in Colorado, go here.

One thing about me? I’m an officiant! I can do more than plan and photograph your special day.

Come prepared

There are a couple of different things you’ll definitely want to pack for your off-road elopement. Here’s my must-haves:

A bandana, buff, or other face covering to protect you from sand, dirt, mud, etc.
Sunglasses or goggles
Sunscreen
Waterproof clothing
Lots of water to stay hydrated
Hiking boots - breaking in your hiking boots prior to your elopement is a MUST to avoid blisters
First aid kit
Emergency vehicle gear, which should include a fire extinguisher, a tire repair kit, a vehicle recovery kit, and a tire compressor
Permits and registrations

Pick your location

Colorado has no shortage of beautiful options you can choose from. When it comes to deciding where exactly you want to have your elopement, the answer really depends on what it is you're looking for, whether that’s a stunning crystal clear lake, mountains, a national park, etc.

I’ve captured several San Juan Mountains elopements and would 100% recommend this location. There are so many different options throughout the mountains, and you will be rewarded with unique and incredible views. I can also help you find the perfect location to tie the knot here.

Some other places I’d recommend in Colorado for an amazing off road elopement are:

Great Sand Dunes National Park
Crested Butte
Aspen
Black Hawk
Breckenridge
Salida
Steamboat Springs

Decide on the time of year

Mid-July through early October are the best times of the year to plan your celebration in Colorado. You’ll have a much lower chance of encountering snow and rain. Also, you won’t have to worry about paths being blocked off or inaccessible.

Book your rental

Don’t delay on booking your rental! Renting a Jeep or ATV is a very popular outdoor activity in Colorado. Therefore, if you’re planning your celebration during peak travel season, you definitely will want to book your rental as soon as you’ve figured out your location.

The exact vehicle you’ll need to rent will depend on the trail you choose. If you’re wondering what kind of off-roading vehicle you should rent, I can help you with this.

Always be sure to leave no trace

Even though you’ll be driving a 4x4 vehicle around, the leave-no-trace principle still applies. This principle is about minimizing your impact on the environment. Anything that you pack in needs to be packed out. Always take care of your surroundings and don’t do anything that will create a noticeable impact on the area.

Click here to learn more about Leave No Trace.

Sarah and Jenna’s Elopement

The couple featured throughout this blog are Sarah and Jenna. I wanted to share a behind-the-lens look at their day and why they choose to have an off-road adventure elopement! Sarah and Jenna are both adventurous and love traveling and the outdoors, so an outdoor elopement in Colorado made perfect sense for both of them.

A little background on the couple

When Jenna and Sarah aren’t hopping on a plane, their weekends consist of coffee runs and post-coffee walks with their dogs. Sarah loves running, so you can usually find her running up and down the Houston streets most mornings, while Jenna loves trying out new craft beers at local breweries.

They are known as "the girls with the dogs" since they are always out and about walking them around their neighborhood. They have 5 dogs (includes one very rambunctious foster dog) and 2 cats and their ultimate dream was to say “I do” in a park setting.

They are very no-frills people so they wanted something that was laid back and intimate but was also authentically them. Their Jeep elopement was the perfect combination for them with adventure and intimacy!

Ready to Plan Your Off Road Colorado Elopement?

I hope you found this guide helpful for planning your off-road Colorado elopement! An off-roading elopement is such a fun and adventurous way to celebrate the start of this new chapter with your partner. Speaking from experience, I have to say Colorado is one of the best places to plan your off-roading elopement.

Do you want a wedding experience where you embrace genuine, authentic moments and have those documented? Would it be a dream to work with a photographer who can help you find specific vendors, trails, and accommodations?

If that sounds exactly like what you’re looking for, then let’s get started planning your elopement or wedding day in Colorado and beyond! You can get in touch with me or learn more about my services here.