Your Ultimate Guide to Planning an Unforgettable Colorado Springs Elopement
Are you considering planning a Colorado Springs elopement? Colorado Springs is so much more than a mountain landscape - it’s truly the perfect place for adventure and relaxation, and an oasis for nature lovers.
As a photographer and planner for destination elopements, I could go on and on about everything Colorado Springs has to offer! I love the variety of Colorado Springs, from the red rocks to the awe-inspiring mountain views to the iconic parks - and that’s barely scratching the surface.
Let’s dive into planning your epic Colorado Springs elopement.
Your Guide to Planning a Colorado Springs Elopement
Here are my top tips on how you can get started planning your dream Colorado Springs elopement:
Hire your photographer
If you’ve perused other elopement or intimate wedding guides, you will probably see first on the to-do list to create your wedding vision or figure out your location. However, I would actually recommend that the first thing you do is hire your elopement photographer.
Why? Your photographer can help you with all the planning details and logistics that are an important part of your elopement planning process. They can also suggest elopement locations, activities, and accommodations! This will be very helpful, especially if you’ve never been to Colorado Springs before.
If we work together, I can help you find your perfect location, navigate permits, find specific vendors, trails, accommodations, and so much more to make your planning process and preparation much easier than trying to figure everything out on your own.
Choose your location
There are so many beautiful spots throughout Colorado Springs where you could tie the knot. Here are some spots that I would recommend:
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is in a league of its own. It has unique red rock formations and mountain views; you can elope here for free! Currently, no permit is required to elope in the park. Garden of the Gods is a true gem of Colorado Springs - and the entire state!
Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is the perfect choice if you want an epic and adventurous mountain elopement! This iconic Colorado 14er offers breathtaking views at the summit.
North Cheyenne Canon Park
North Cheyenne Canon Park has waterfalls, creeks, jaw-dropping rocky mountains, and, of course, stunning scenic views. It’s easy to access and has miles and miles of beautifully maintained trails to explore!
Palmer Park
Palmer Park has gorgeous wildflower fields during certain times of the year, and it has never-ending gorgeous views. There are many trails to explore and panoramic viewpoints to access.
The Paint Mines
The Paint Mines have enormous, colorful rocks; you’ll find bright orange and pink colors in the rock formations here. This is such a unique location to choose for your elopement! Also, the park has several trails, wildflowers in the summer, and a lot of variety within the landscape.
Decide on the time of year you want to plan your celebration in Colorado Springs
Each season in Colorado Springs has something different to offer you! Here’s what you can expect based on the season you choose:
Fall
Fall is from September to November and brings with it milder temperatures. The elopement featured in this blog happened during the fall. The mornings and evenings can be pretty chilly, so make sure you bring extra layers.
Spring
Spring can bring warm days, sunshine, blue skies, and beautiful flowers blossoming, or it can bring mud or snow. In Colorado Springs, spring lasts from March to May. If you plan an elopement here in spring, I always recommend having a backup plan, as the weather can be unpredictable.
Summer
Summer is from June to August and is a very busy time of year in Colorado Springs! During summer, you’ll encounter warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, but there’s always a chance of afternoon thunderstorms or rain showers.
Winter
Winter is from December through February and comes with a chance of snow and cold temperatures. During this time of year, you’ll encounter fewer crowds, and Breckenridge, Keystone, and Copper Mountain are all fairly close by if you want a winter sport to be a part of your elopement.
Get your marriage license
Next on your elopement checklist? 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. Also, in Colorado, you can self-solemnize, meaning that you can legally marry yourself without an officiant or witness.
To get your marriage license, you’ll start by making an appointment. 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.
Colorado Springs is part of El Paso County. To apply for your marriage license in Colorado Springs, go here for more information on how to do so.
Apply for permits
After selecting a location, the next step is to secure the required permits (if applicable). Many public lands, such as national forests, state parks, and national parks in Colorado, require permits for ceremonies. If you’re wondering if a permit is needed, it’s best to contact the local ranger district/park office at the location you choose to check. For instance, Pikes Peak does require permits on a case-by-case basis. Also, don’t forget to ask about a permit for your photographer! They may need one for public land.
If we work together, you don’t have to worry about any of this. Once you pick your dream location, I will help you navigate this portion! This is part of my job—being a guide!
Always Leave No Trace
Always follow the Leave No Trace Principles to preserve Colorado Springs and its natural beauty. 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.
Colorado Springs Elopement Activities
Don’t forget to plan your elopement activities! Consider adding these fun, one-of-a-kind activities to your elopement itinerary:
Go hiking
Try a Jeep tour
Enjoy a hot air balloon ride
Go horseback riding
Try kayaking/stand-up paddle boarding
Go rock climbing
Journey on the Pikes Peak Cogway
Lacey + Jarrett's Stunning Colorado Springs Fall Elopement
If all of this has captured your attention, here’s a behind-the-lens look at Lacey and Jarrett’s fall elopement to help you imagine what your celebration could look like!
About Lacey and Jared
These two met in college about 7 years ago and knew it was meant to be from the start. After just 9 months of dating, they took the plunge and moved in together and haven’t looked back since. After looking at over 30 different photographers, they knew that this was the right choice for them. They wanted something simple for their elopement but wanted exceptionally artistic photos to go along with it.
Lacey is also much more comfortable behind the camera, and Jared is a bit shy at times, so we really focused on getting comfortable with each other so that they could truly come out of their shells and have the perfect elopement experience (with their dream photos to go along with it)!
Lacey and Jarret’s Elopement
Lacey and Jarret’s day started at the charming cabin they rented in Colorado Springs, where they both got ready, and I captured some detail shots of Lacey’s adorable white boots, their vow books, and Lacey’s gorgeous bouquet.
Once they were both ready, we headed outside to the pine trees right next to their cabin, and I captured some breathtaking photos of both of them before their elopement ceremony.
Lacey and Jarret planned an elopement with just the two of them. They read their vows out in nature, surrounded by pines and fresh mountain air. For their ceremony, they both read vows to each other, and it was a beautiful, intimate moment shared between just the two of them.
Once their ceremony was over, we headed out to a field nearby, surrounded by pine trees and mountains. We grabbed a few more couple portraits as the sun was setting. Then, they pulled out a blanket and enjoyed opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate!
Everything these two did was intentional and authentic, and I loved being a part of their intimate elopement.
Ready to Plan an Unforgettable Elopement in Colorado Springs?
I hope you found this guide on planning a Colorado Springs elopement helpful. Now, all you need is the perfect elopement photographer!
If you’re ready to have a wedding experience where you embrace the unexpected and where genuine, true moments are captured between you and your partner, then let’s get started dreaming and planning your true elopement or wedding day in Colorado Springs or beyond! You can get in touch with me here or learn more about my services here.