The Top 10 Reasons to Elope in Colorado

If you’re itching to escape the mundane traditions of a conventional wedding and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty, eloping might just be for you. It’s an opportunity to create a wedding day that speaks to your individual values, passions, and vision for your future as a couple.

Elopements are a personal and intimate way to celebrate your love, with endless options for locations that perfectly capture the essence of your relationship. Picture exchanging vows on a mountaintop, surrounded by breathtaking views that symbolize the heights of your love. Or perhaps you’d prefer a peaceful lakeside ceremony, enveloped in the stillness and serenity of nature. And for those seeking seclusion and privacy, a cozy cabin in the woods may be just the ticket.

If you’re searching for the perfect elopement destination, look no further than Colorado – a land of dramatic peaks, lush forests, serene lakes, and sweeping vistas. It’s no wonder why it’s one of the top wedding locations in the continental US, with couples from all over the world flocking to this breathtaking state to exchange their vows!

As seasoned Colorado elopement photographers, we’ve had the privilege of hearing countless reasons why couples choose to elope here. Some are seeking an adventure, while others are looking for tranquility. Some crave simplicity, while others yearn for luxury. Whatever your dream elopement entails, we’ve got you covered. So sit back, relax, and let us share with you the best reasons to elope in Colorado!

Our Top 10 Reasons to Elope In Colorado

1. You Don’t need a witness or officiant to get legally married!

Colorado is one of the few states in the US that allows you to self-solemnize your marriage, which means that you are not required to have an officiant OR a witness sign your marriage license in order for your marriage to be legal! It’s an ideal choice for those who prefer an intimate ceremony away from the limelight, as it allows you to exchange vows in a private and personal setting without the pressure of performing for an audience. So, if you’re not one for being the center of attention or prefer to keep your love shared between just you and your partner, Colorado may just be the perfect elopement destination for you.

2. Create a Day That Feels Just Like You Two.

Are you yearning for an elopement day that’s as unique and special as your love story? Look no further, my friend. You have complete freedom to make your day exactly what you want it to be – whether that’s a hike through the stunning Colorado wilderness, a thrilling 4×4 adventure, or hitting the slopes together for a day of skiing. Your elopement day is yours to create, and it doesn’t have to fit into any cookie-cutter mold.

Eloping gives you the most incredible opportunity to craft a day that’s perfectly tailored to you and your partner. There’s no pressure to conform to traditional wedding expectations, no need to invite anyone who doesn’t belong, and no need to be anything other than yourselves. Because on this day, it’s just the two of you, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

3. Less Family Drama

If the thought of dealing with well-intentioned-but-super-dramatic family members makes you want to run for the hills, then eloping might just be the solution you’ve been looking for. With no huge guest count to worry about, you won’t have to deal with any unwanted opinions or unexpected drama. No need to fret about who to invite or not invite, or whether your second cousin once removed will make a scene. Eloping eliminates the potential for family drama on what should be one of the happiest days of your life.

4. Spend Your Day Intentionally

In the end, a wedding day is about one thing: getting married. But with traditional weddings, the focus can get lost in the shuffle of planning the ceremony, reception, and dealing with all the expectations from family and friends. Suddenly, the intentionality of the day can disappear, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from the true purpose of the event. Eloping puts the intentionality back into the equation, allowing you to focus entirely on the commitment you’re making to each other. It’s a deliberate and meaningful way to get married that keeps the spotlight on the most important thing: the love between you and your partner.

5. Value Experiences Over More Things

If there’s one thing we cherish above all else, it’s the power of experiences. Investing in creating a truly meaningful and unforgettable experience is something that enriches our lives in ways that material possessions never could. And that’s exactly what eloping can offer you. Imagine hiking to the top of a majestic 14,000-foot mountain and exchanging your vows with breathtaking views all around you. Or perhaps standing in the heart of a forest, surrounded by towering trees and the peaceful sounds of nature. The possibilities are endless, and the experiences you’ll create on your elopement day will stay with you so much longer than the perfect color tablecloths or towering wedding cake ever could.

6. Save Money

In the United States, the average cost of a wedding in 2022 was a staggering $30,000. But if you take the wedding out of the equation and ask yourself what you could do with an extra $30,000, you’ll find that the possibilities are endless. You could put it toward a down payment on a home, pay off your student loans, or even go on an epic yearlong road trip with your new spouse.

At the end of the day, it’s all about prioritizing what truly matters to you. Don’t spend money on things that don’t matter, like wedding favors or extravagant floral arrangements. Instead, invest in experiences that will make your wedding day truly unforgettable, like going to a location that makes you feel alive and hiring an elopement photographer to capture the story of your day so you can relive it time and time again. Trust us, the memories you’ll create will be worth every penny.

7. Less Planning Involved

If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that planning a traditional wedding can be overwhelming. There are so many details to consider, from choosing the perfect venue to picking out flowers and centerpieces. But with eloping, there’s so much less to worry about. You get to focus on the two things that matter most: when and where. You don’t have to worry about all the little things that can cause so much stress and anxiety. No need to pick out bridesmaid dresses or rent suits for your best friends. And forget about making a seating chart or worrying about who sits where. With eloping, you can keep it simple and just enjoy the experience. Plus, if you book a photographer like us, we take a lot of the planning off your plate by providing location ideas, where to stay, vetted elopement vendor recommendations, timeline planning, activity suggestions, and a day-of bad-ass photographer and guide.

8. endless jaw-dropping scenery

Do you two feel most alive when exploring nature? Then Colorado is THE perfect place to elope! Whether you want to stand at the top of a mountain peak, frolic through a field of wildflowers, get lost in a tunnel of trees, explore unique sand dunes, or cool off at a mountain waterfall, Colorado has it all (besides an ocean – but we still have some sandy lake-side beaches!). If you can’t decide on just one scene, you have the freedom on your elopement day to go to several locations and soak in all the beauty Colorado has to offer.

9. Your dog can sign your marriage license!

Picture this: exchanging vows with your partner on a picturesque mountaintop in Colorado, with your furry best friend by your side, signing your marriage license with their paw print. How magical is that? In most counties in Colorado, there’s no need for a witness to sign your marriage license, so your furry friend(s) can take part in this special moment. However, do keep in mind that some counties have recently changed their policies, so it’s always best to double-check with the Clerk and Recorder when picking up your marriage license.

10. 300 Days of Sunshine a Year

When you plan an adventure elopement, you’re choosing to spend most of your day outdoors. Lucky for you, Colorado boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine each year, meaning that the odds are in your favor for beautiful weather on your wedding day. And even if you happen to get caught in an afternoon thunderstorm, it’s likely to pass in about 20 minutes, and you’ll receive the good-luck blessing of rain on your special day. So go ahead and embrace the natural beauty of the outdoors – Colorado won’t disappoint.

Bonus Reason: You feel It in your gut that it’s what you want to do

If we’ve learned anything from the stories couples have shared with us, it’s this: trust your intuition. If you have a sneaking suspicion that eloping is the right move for you, don’t ignore it. It’s common for couples to have a traditional wedding just because it’s expected of them, or because they feel like they “should.” But at the end of the day, your wedding is about you and your partner, and no one else. So if eloping feels like the right choice, trust that feeling and go for it. You won’t regret it.

Ready to Elope in Colorado?

Meet Larissa + Bailey! As two born and raised Coloradans who have photographed over 200+ couples in 100+ locations across Colorado, we specialize in creating a different kind of wedding day that is just as adventurous as you are. We use our experience and knowledge to craft a different kind of wedding day that feels completely authentic to you. Want to hike to a high alpine lake? We can give you trail options for that! Want to canoe along the banks of a mountain lake? We can tell you the best lakes to do it on! Want to watch the sunset from the top of the world? We’ll lead you to our favorite spots for sunset!