Mountain Elopement Colorado
Resource Guide

Interested in doing a mountain elopement in Colorado?  Here's some information to help you find resources & plan your adventure!

Mountain Elopement Colorado
Resource Guide

Interested in doing a mountain elopement in Colorado?  Here's some information to help you find resources & plan your adventure!

Colorado states that "Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (perform their own marriage ceremony)".  This means you don't need an officiant or witnesses.  

You can of course have an officiant to help with the ceremony if you would like.  But that's the beauty of Colorado, its up to you.  

Marriage licenses are acquired through the Clerk and Recorder office of various counties in Colorado.  Cost is $30.  It does not matter which county you pick, but you'll have to visit which ever location you choose.  


In Colorado you can marry yourselves!

See Colorado what Colorado has to say about marriage >  

Find a Clerk and Recorder office near you >

Colorado states that "Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (perform their own marriage ceremony)".  This means you don't need an officiant or witnesses.  

You can of course have an officiant to help with the ceremony if you would like.  But that's the beauty of Colorado, its up to you.  

Marriage licenses are acquired through the Clerk and Recorder office of various counties in Colorado.  Cost is $30.  It does not matter which county you pick, but you'll have to visit which ever location you choose.  


In Colorado you can marry yourselves!

See Colorado what Colorado has to say about marriage >  

Find a Clerk and Recorder office near you >

Some counties have the option to start your marriage certificate online.  Keep in mind if you do start the process online, you need to visit that same county office in person to finalize the certificate.  

You can enter a future proposed wedding date when filling out the application and then you have 35 days from the actual wedding day to visit the office in person and make it official.  


You may be able to start the process online

Online Services are offered with these counties:

Arapahoe County

Boulder County

Denver County

Douglas County

Eagle County

Larimer County

Each Clerk and Recorder office has different rules about the times they issue licenses, turnaround, and what type of payment they take. 
Make sure to check with each location about the details.  

Some counties have the option to start your marriage certificate online.  Keep in mind if you do start the process online, you need to visit that same county office in person to finalize the certificate.  

You can enter a future proposed wedding date when filling out the application and then you have 35 days from the actual wedding day to visit the office in person and make it official.  


You may be able to start the process online

Online Services are offered with these counties:

Arapahoe County

Boulder County

Denver County

Douglas County

Eagle County

Larimer County

Each Clerk and Recorder office has different rules about the times they issue licenses, turnaround, and what type of payment they take. 

Make sure to check with each location about the details.  

Travel fees - accommodations, meals/catering & misc fun activities

Photography and/or Videography

Officiant if desired

Flowers 

Wedding attire & accessories including rings

Hair & Makeup

Permits and/or reservation fees  


Things to budget for with your mountain elopement in Colorado

- Travel fees - accommodations, meals/catering & misc fun activities

- Photography and/or Videography

- Officiant if desired

- Flowers 

- Wedding attire & accessories including rings

- Hair & Makeup

- Permits and/or reservation fees  


Things to budget for with your mountain elopement in Colorado

This is a popular spot in Breckenridge.  The point is a short trail that's easy to access.  It also has beautiful views of Lake Dillon and the surrounding mountains.

Reservations are needed here.  They must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance.

This mountain elopement Colorado spot is in Rocky Mountain National Park just 3 miles past the Beaver Meadows Visitor's Center.  It can be a little tricky to find if you haven't been there before and the cell service in the park is less than ideal.  So ask the park for some help if needed. 

Chautauqua Park is a historic landmark in Boulder.  The Chautauqua green is a large grassy area located right below the foothills that offers unobstructed views of the Flatirons.  Ceremonies are also done on the Auditorium Terrace.  

 This property in Estes Park has an open air ceremony location that is covered.  Behind the ceremony are views of the rock formations that make up Lumpy Ridge.  This location is nice if you want a place to stay as well.  They offer rooms with up to 3 bedrooms. 

Grand Lake is  about a 2 hour drive Northwest from Denver.   Its one of the largest natural lakes in Colorado surrounded by majestic mountain peaks.  Grand Lake is also the name of the town that sits on the lake shore.  This is a great place for viewing wildlife.  

Interested in saying your vows on top of a 14,000 foot mountain peak? We'd love to capture this! This involves a little more planning. As well as an early morning start a few hours before sunrise. But would totally be worth it!

Restrictions apply depending on the forest service and available permits. Send us an email if you want to chat more about this. nichole@nicholeemerson.com

Brainard Lake is an alpine lake just outside of Nederland, Colorado.  The trailhead is about an hour drive from Boulder.  It offers a mix of mountain views, water and lovely sections of forest.  Part of the road closes in the winter, but you can ski or hike in if desired.

This is located in Rocky Mountain National Park about 7 miles from the Beaver Meadows Visitor's Center.  Behind the lake you can see a backdrop of mountain views.  This spot is available for reservations all year round.    

This is also a popular spot just outside of Aspen.  The park started making limitations on parking here due to overuse.  At times you need to take a shuttle to reach the trailhead.  A short trail leads to a small lake with a gorgeous view of the Maroon Bells Peak.  Its a very unique location.  

This is in Rocky Mountain National Park off Highway 7.  The lake sits just below Longs Peak.  This is also really close to the St Catherine's Chapel on the Rock if you're looking for a unique church.  The trail around Lily Lake is flat and easy to access.  This area can get busy during peak season.

This location is on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder, Colorado.  Its a circular stone amphitheater looking out over the city of Boulder below.  There's also a nearby spot with some amazing mountain views for portraits.   

Keystone resort offers the ability to rent the top of the mountain for a ceremony only.  Its a stunning backdrop with views of Lake Dillon and the surrounding mountains.  To get there you'll take an enclosed gondola ride from River Run Village up to the top.


Sapphire Point

3m Curve

Chautauqua Park

Black Canyon Inn

Grand Lake

On the top of a 14er!

Brainard Lake

Sprague Lake

Maroon Bells

Lily Lake

Sunrise Amphitheater

Keystone

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

See some of Colorado's 14,000 foot peaks >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Interested in exploring an area that we didn't list here? 
We're happy to help be your guide and love adventuring to new places.

Some of our favorite places to elope

This is a popular spot in Breckenridge.  The point is a short trail that's easy to access.  It also has beautiful views of Lake Dillon and the surrounding mountains.

Reservations are needed here.  They must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance.

This mountain elopement Colorado spot is in Rocky Mountain National Park just 3 miles past the Beaver Meadows Visitor's Center.  It can be a little tricky to find if you haven't been there before and the cell service in the park is less than ideal.  So ask the park for some help if needed. 

Chautauqua Park is a historic landmark in Boulder.  The Chautauqua green is a large grassy area located right below the foothills that offers unobstructed views of the Flatirons.  Ceremonies are also done on the Auditorium Terrace.  

 This property in Estes Park has an open air ceremony location that is covered.  Behind the ceremony are views of the rock formations that make up Lumpy Ridge.  This location is nice if you want a place to stay as well.  They offer rooms with up to 3 bedrooms. 

Grand Lake is  about a 2 hour drive Northwest from Denver.   Its one of the largest natural lakes in Colorado surrounded by majestic mountain peaks.  Grand Lake is also the name of the town that sits on the lake shore.  This is a great place for viewing wildlife.  

Interested in saying your vows on top of a 14,000 foot mountain peak?  We'd love to capture this!  This involves a little more planning.  As well as an early morning start a few hours before sunrise.  But would totally be worth it!

Restrictions apply depending on the forest service and available permits.  Send us an email if you want to chat more about this.  nichole@nicholeemerson.com

Brainard Lake is an alpine lake just outside of Nederland, Colorado.  The trailhead is about an hour drive from Boulder.  It offers a mix of mountain views, water and lovely sections of forest.  Part of the road closes in the winter, but you can ski or hike in if desired.

This is located in Rocky Mountain National Park about 7 miles from the Beaver Meadows Visitor's Center.  Behind the lake you can see a backdrop of mountain views.  This spot is available for reservations all year round.    

This is also a popular spot just outside of Aspen.  The park started making limitations on parking here due to overuse.  At times you need to take a shuttle to reach the trailhead.  A short trail leads to a small lake with a gorgeous view of the Maroon Bells Peak.  Its a very unique location.  

This is in Rocky Mountain National Park off Highway 7.  The lake sits just below Longs Peak.  This is also really close to the St Catherine's Chapel on the Rock if you're looking for a unique church.  The trail around Lily Lake is flat and easy to access.  This area can get busy during peak season.

This location is on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder, Colorado.  Its a circular stone amphitheater looking out over the city of Boulder below.  There's also a nearby spot with some amazing mountain views for portraits.   

Keystone resort offers the ability to rent the top of the mountain for a ceremony only.  Its a stunning backdrop with views of Lake Dillon and the surrounding mountains.  To get there you'll take an enclosed gondola ride from River Run Village up to the top.


Sapphire Point

3m Curve

Chautauqua Park

Black Canyon Inn

Grand Lake

On the top of a 14er!

Brainard Lake

Sprague Lake

Maroon Bells

Lily Lake

Sunrise Amphitheater

Keystone

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

See some of Colorado's 14,000 foot peaks >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Learn More >

Interested in exploring an area that we didn't list here? 

We're happy to help be your guide and love adventuring to new places

Some of our Favorite Places to Elope

For your mountain elopement Colorado has different rules depending on the location.  Each location varies in what you need for a permit and if you need to book a reservation for a certain amount of time.  Fees for permits and reservations can range in terms of cost by quite a lot.  For example, a park permit can be around $250 while reserving space at one of the ski resorts can start around $2000.

Not sure where to start with permits?  Once you have some locations in mind, we can help you understand the costs and how to apply.

Elopement Permits & Reservations

Contact us about capturing your elopement today! >

For your mountain elopement Colorado has different rules depending on the location.  Each location varies in what you need for a permit and if you need to book a reservation for a certain amount of time.  Fees for permits and reservations can range in terms of cost by quite a lot.  For example, a park permit can be around $250 while reserving space at one of the ski resorts can start around $2000.

Not sure where to start with permits?  Once you have some locations in mind, we can help you understand the costs and how to apply.

Elopement Permits & Reservations

Contact us about capturing your elopement today!

 8 hours of continuous photography with 2 photographers, high resolution digital files with print release, sneak peak within 3 days, and all photos within 3 weeks.

Coverage for elopements & small ceremonies are also available starting at $825.

$1950

what's included?

• 3 hours of continuous photography coverage with Nichole Emerson as the sole photographer
• Unlimited assistance with planning, logistics, and location scouting
• Sneak peek of 20 images within 3 days
• All photos edited and delivered within 4 weeks
• Suggestions if needed for permits, reservations, & other vendors
• High resolution digital files with print release for unlimited personal use

See more photography packages >

• 3 hours of continuous photography coverage with Nichole Emerson as the sole photographer
• Unlimited assistance with planning, logistics, and location scouting
• Sneak peek of 20 images within 3 days
• All photos edited and delivered within 4 weeks
• Suggestions if needed for permits, reservations, & other vendors
• High resolution digital files with print release for unlimited personal use

$1950

What's Included?


 • 8 hours of continuous photography coverage
• 2 photographers (Nichole and an associate)
• High Resolution digital files with print release
• Sneak Peak of 20 images within 3 days
• All photos edited and delivered within 3 weeks 

Coverage for elopements & small ceremonies are also available starting at $825.

Bluebell Elopement Package for Half Day Coverage

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