Elope in Colorado

Eloping in Colorado, the great mountain state, is both fun and stunning! Our Colorado elopement packages offers plenty of options to choose from, so you can elope in Colorado without the stress of planning. You can’t go wrong with choosing any Colorado elopement package — this beautiful destination will make for an extra special ceremony.

Check out what happens after you book your elopement with us

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Why You Should Book Our Elopement Packages in Colorado

1

You will easily find your dream elopement venue among the mountains, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows.

2

Your dog can be your witness and can sign your marriage license with a paw print. Pawtastic!!

3

No waiting period means you spontaneous lovebirds elope the very same day. Love can’t wait!

Colorado Elopement Venues

3m Curve

3M Curve is a high-in-demand cliffside spot overlooking Upper Beaver Meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park. This easy to access spot is one of the...

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Sprague Lake

Sprague Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Backed by epic mountains and surrounded by lush forest, the dock...

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Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley is one of the best secrets of Rocky Mountain National park. With a creek running through it and ample forest to make way...

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Upper Beaver Meadows

Upper Beaver Meadows is one of the only places in Rocky Mountain National Park that can support larger groups. This meadow is backed by forest...

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Lily Lake

Lily Lake is in a part of Rocky Mountain National Park that is a little more quiet. The dockside and walkway make this darling lake...

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Your own dream venue

We can come to you. Do you have a great venue or even an awesome backyard? We can help you find vendors for nearly anywhere in the country

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Bear Lake

Available only during the winter months, Bear Lake is our favorite frozen lake for snowy, scenic serenades. With the grand Rocky Mountains as your witness,...

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Silver Dollar Lake

Silver Dollar Lake is a stunning alpine lake in Colorado’s Arapaho National Forest. The lake is surrounded by trees and wildflowers and offers sweeping views...

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Lake Isabelle

Located in the heart of the Indian Lake Wilderness, Isabelle Lake is a true Colorado alpine lake. The 6.3-mile round trip hike is brimming with...

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Copeland Lake

Copeland Lake is an exceptional spot for larger parties as they permit up to 50 guests. This is a great mountain-backed lake perfect for your...

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Ashcroft Ghost town

Ashcroft Ghost Town offers historic charm amidst a backdrop of the pristine Castle Creek Valley. Come for an epic outdoor ceremony during the summer months,...

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Fox Run Gazebo

Fox Run Gazebo is surrounded by trees and a tranquil lake. Just north of Colorado Springs, the gazebo is a convenient outdoor ceremony option for...

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Sawmill Reservoir

Sawmill Reservoir, Breckenridge – Escape to Sawmill Reservoir if you want to feel like you’re far from downtown Breckenridge. There’s a small wooden platform overlooking...

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Sapphire Point

Sapphire Point is a really special place with one of the best views of the state. Vendor travel and permit fees apply

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Garden of the Gods

If you’re a fan of mountains and desert, Garden of the Gods is a supreme location for your elopement. The red peaks backed by blue...

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Sunrise Amphitheatre

Say “I do” on top of Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder, Colorado. You will find this location breathtaking with its sweeping views of Boulder below and...

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Lost Gulch

Looking for a view? Want to include your fur babies? The Lost Gulch Overlook boasts amazing views of the great Indian Peaks Wilderness and allows...

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Chautauqua Park Lawn

Chautauqua Park is a park that is situated in Boulder, Colorado and butts up against the Flatiron Mountains.

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Chautauqua Park Trails

Chautauqua Park is a park that is situated in Boulder, Colorado and butts up against the Flatiron Mountains. The park has a steep hill that...

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Colorado Elopement Packages

Our packages include everything you need to have a fun and lovely Colorado elopement. If you want a small wedding in Colorado with friends and family, we’ve got you covered.  Plus, our team will help you find the perfect elopement venue in Colorado that boasts a beautiful mountain view so you can have a memorable elopement day.

Looking for all-inclusive elopement packages in Colorado?

We can help! Simply Eloped offers a variety of micro wedding packages in Colorado to help you plan the perfect wedding. From photography coverage to elopement planning, our team will help you plan out everything you need to make your big day incredibly special. Eloping in Colorado is simple and stress-free with us. Whatever you have in mind, we’d be thrilled to help you plan an intimate elopement or small wedding in Colorado.

Wildflower Experience

Looking for something a little more exotic? Check out our adventure elopement package!

wildflower

Our Wildflower Experience tailors an outdoor elopement to your sense of adventure and exploration! This package is customized to your fit your style and includes hiking to an amazing location, an intimate ceremony with officiation and couples portraits. This Experience also includes:

  • Hiking into a remote mountain location
  • Personalized ceremony
  • Up to four hours of photography
  • Tailored location, time and outfit suggestions
  • Online gallery of 175+ edited, high-res digital photos
  • Unlimited downloads and personal printing rights delivered within 5 weeks or less after ceremony

Package Price $3,300

Add-Ons

You can optionally add any of the following services to your package:

Flowers

Brighten your big day with our unique floral arrangements

Hair & Makeup

  • Starting at $550

Look your very best on the big day by hiring one of our artists!

Extra Photography

  • Starting at $600

Capture every perfect moment by adding hours of photography to your package

Engagement Shoot

  • Starting at $1000

Every moment leading up to your day is special; book us for your engagement shoot!

On-Site Helper

  • Starting at $600

Hire our crew to stream or take cell phone photos/videos on your day

Relationship Coaching

Strengthen and improve your relationship with our professionals coach

Violin

  • Starting at $500

Music makes everything more memorable. Book our musician today!

Guitar

  • Starting at $500

Music makes everything more memorable. Book our musician today!

Add videography to your Colorado elopement

Starting at $1,800

Our videography package comes with an edited 1 – 2 minute highlight reel (perfect for sharing on socials!), as well as a longform, minimally-edited film of the full ceremony.

Simply Eloped has been seen in

Honestly Simply Eloped is a wonderful service and we couldn’t be happier with how it went. Even with the fires, etc that made us change our plans everyone was so great at communicating and making sure everything was handled. It is such a well run company and I will definitely recommend it to anyone that wants to elope in the future.

Landon and Brittney
Landon and Brittney

It was awesome that they truly took care of all the details. It reduced so much stress of planning a wedding- especially planning one in a month during a pandemic.

Jennifer and Jeremy
Jennifer and Jeremy

Thank you all for making our day so special despite covid, the wildfires, and the freezing winds we had that day.

Laura and Ben
Laura and Ben

Thank you all so much for creating our wedding day! I’m so happy we chose y’all. Thank you for all your help once our original location was not an option due to the wildfires.

Jacob and Alexa
Jacob and Alexa

Not that I plan on ever getting married again, but if I did…I’d head to Simply Eloped!

Kelly and Daniel
Kelly and Daniel

We are so happy to have worked with Simply Eloped to plan our wedding, especially during a pandemic!

Jenna and Griffin
Jenna and Griffin

Everything was done just like we wanted.

Isabella and BJ
Isabella and BJ

We found Simply Eloped online and it had everything we were looking for. When trying to book an officiant and photographer separately it was a lot of work, and no other site included everything we needed. You guys were the perfect fit.

Leann and Joshua
Leann and Joshua

Overall a great experience! Thank you!!

Annie and Jackson
Annie and Jackson

Meet our vendors

Alana, Officiant

Featured Vendors
What do you think makes eloping in Colorado so special?

Colorado has so many different landscapes and climates! You can either have a winter wonderland elopement or a warm summer evening elopement in a park in Boulder! Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong by having your magical day in this magical state!

Tell us about one of your most magical elopements in Colorado!

I live for the sunrise and sunset ceremonies. One that sticks out is one chilly morning in 2019. You could see your breath and it was so isolated that we could all hear the individual crunch of footsteps in the snow. We had a lovely ceremony and then the bride and groom just took a few minutes during their vows to walk down the lake and just sit calmly while looking out to the water. Their love is so tangible and it was such an honor to be part of their special day.

Glen, Photographer & Videographer

Featured Vendors
What do you think makes eloping in Colorado so special?

Colorado is a truly heaven on earth. The mountains are so breathtaking, the trails are rugged and intimate and the state as a whole is warm and inviting. Even in the thick of a winter storm, you will always be welcomed with open arms and greeted with a warm cup of coffee. You can’t beat it! !

What’s your favorite elopement venue in Colorado?

I would say either Lost Gulch Lookout for sunset and Garden of the Gods for sunrise!

What’s a fun fact about you?

I’ve jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.

Alisha, Photographer

Featured Vendors
What do you think makes eloping in Colorado so special?

I have traveled to many of Simply Eloped destinations, and no place has put me more in awe than Colorado. Colorado is so special to me because the landscapes are so grand and various, all changing beautifully throughout the seasons. I truly think Colorado’s aesthetic can suit any couple’s dream location!

What’s a fun fact about you?

I shot my first wedding as a sophomore in high school with a camera that was gifted to me! I haven’t stopped shooting couples since 🙂

Team

Brandy
Brandy
Customer Experience Manager
Brandon
Brandon
Officiant
Tessa
Tessa
Officiant
Alana
Alana
Officiant
Kiran
Kiran
Officiant
Phil
Phil
Officiant
Noah
Noah
Photographer
Alisha
Alisha
Photographer
Victor
Victor
Photographer
Shanna
Shanna
Photographer
Glen
Glen
Photographer
Bree
Bree
Photographer
Eliza
Eliza
Photographer
Lisa
Lisa
Photographer
Cara
Cara
Photographer
Chris
Chris
Videographer
Zac
Zac
Videographer
Ashley
Ashley
Hair & Makeup
Rebekah
Rebekah
Violinist
Danielle
Danielle
Photographer
Kim
Kim
HMU
Sarah
Sarah
Violinist
Jesse
Jesse
Videographer
Adam
Adam
Guitarist
Ross
Ross
Photographer
Dan
Dan
Officiant
Jake
Jake
Guitarist
Sarah
Sarah
Videographer
Bill
Bill
Officiant
Lisa
Lisa
Officiant
Brandy
Brandy
Customer Experience Manager
Brandon
Brandon
Officiant
Tessa
Tessa
Officiant
Alana
Alana
Officiant
Kiran
Kiran
Officiant
Phil
Phil
Officiant
Noah
Noah
Photographer
Alisha
Alisha
Photographer
Victor
Victor
Photographer
Shanna
Shanna
Photographer
Glen
Glen
Photographer
Bree
Bree
Photographer
Eliza
Eliza
Photographer
Lisa
Lisa
Photographer
Cara
Cara
Photographer
Chris
Chris
Videographer
Zac
Zac
Videographer
Ashley
Ashley
Hair & Makeup
Rebekah
Rebekah
Violinist
Danielle
Danielle
Photographer
Kim
Kim
HMU
Sarah
Sarah
Violinist
Jesse
Jesse
Videographer
Adam
Adam
Guitarist
Ross
Ross
Photographer
Dan
Dan
Officiant
Jake
Jake
Guitarist
Sarah
Sarah
Videographer
Bill
Bill
Officiant
Lisa
Lisa
Officiant

How to elope in Colorado

With panoramic views of mountains, lakes, and valleys at your fingertips, there are seemingly no shortage of perfect places in Colorado to get married—especially if you’re eloping. A Colorado elopement is all about the juxtaposition of true love and natural beauty – but there’s more to a Colorado elopement than simply picking an epic location (although don’t worry, we’ve got you covered on that front, too). Between making your elopement legal to finding an elopement package that’s the perfect fit for your big day, we’ve got everything you need to help plan your elopement or small wedding in Colorado.

What are the best places to elope in Colorado?

If you’re looking for mountain views and wildlife sightings, Rocky Mountain National Park can’t be beaten. 3M Curve, complete with panoramic views,  is among our favorite locations in the park, though we also love the combination of pristine waters and mountains available at Sprague Lake, Lily Lake, and Bear Lake. If you’re looking for a bit more seclusion, Hidden Valley is one of the park’s best-kept secrets. Sapphire Point, located outside the park about an hour and a half west of Denver, also offers some of the best views in the states — hemmed in by the Gore and Tenmile mountain ranges, this gorgeous venue overlooks the Dillon Reservoir.

Lost Gulch Overlook and Chautauqua Park, both in Boulder, Colorado, offer beautiful views of the foothills and surrounding mountains without the long drive or 2,500+ feet in elevation gain. Boulder is a great option if you don’t want to rent a car and are fine catching an Uber or Lyft (a direct bus also runs from the city to the airport). Though both locations are popular with locals who enjoy hiking in Chautauqua or watching the sunset over the Indian Peaks Wilderness at Lost Gulch, there are plenty of spots for a more private ceremony. Sunrise Amphitheater, also in Boulder, is the ideal venue for greeting the new day and starting a new life together (unfortunately, it’s currently closed due to Covid-19).

If you’re into otherworldly landscapes and unique rock formations, the Paint Mines or Garden of the Gods might be the perfect location for you. The Paint Mines, located on the eastern plains of Colorado, is scattered with hoodoos, sandstone-capped spires, and colored clay, the remnants of a 55 million-year-old tropical forest. Located in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, on the other hand offers towering red rocks nestled in the shadow of Pike’s Peak. Both spots guarantee unbelievable backdrops and as such, are very popular with tourists year-round (there are always quiet nooks to be found, though!). There are plenty of Colorado elopement locations that are easily accessible, while others may require hiking or backpacking. If you want a custom itinerary, with multiple locations or a long hike, we recommend our Wildflower Elopement Package.

How much does it cost to elope in Colorado?

A Colorado elopement can be incredibly affordable. Since Denver is centrally located and considered a hub for many airlines, there are always good deals on flights. If you do fly in, you will likely want to factor in renting a car, as many of Colorado’s best elopement destinations require a fair bit of (often very scenic) driving. If it’s winter, we recommend renting a 4WD vehicle.

Simply Eloped’s Colorado elopement packages range from $450 for a basic ceremony (a tailored wedding script, officiant, and help with coordination) to $3,550 for our premium package (which includes hair and makeup, a ceremony coordinator, and videography, amongst other things), with plenty of price points in between.

How do I find the right vendors for my small Colorado wedding?

When thinking about your Colorado elopement, envision what your day looks like. Do you see yourself with a lush bouquet, a photographer capturing each perfect moment, and an officiant who delivers an authentic, intimate ceremony? Or perhaps you’ve dreamt of a bridal look done by a professional hair and makeup artist, along with a videographer who can capture every moment for your family and friends not present: the right vendors are crucial when it comes to bringing your dream to life.

If you’re looking for the top wedding contractors in the business, you’ve come to the right place! Simply Eloped only works with the best. From officiants to photographers, hair and makeup artists to musicians who will serenade your walk down the “aisle,” we’ve done all the legwork of finding quality vendors so you don’t have to. Once you choose one of our Colorado elopement packages, we’ll connect you directly with your team of vendors to ask questions and map out your dream ceremony.

Vendors can be a wealth of information when it comes to helping to plan your Colorado elopement. And, because they are local to the area, they often can help you with details you might not have considered, especially when it comes to specific locations or even things like restaurants and lodging recommendations! Our vendors have seen it all, so there are no dumb or annoying questions – remember, we’re here to make your day as stress-free as possible!

When to elope in Colorado

The great thing about eloping in Colorado is that it’s breathtaking during any season! June and September are the most popular months when it comes to small weddings and elopements, but sunny days are possible all year-round (one study found that Denver averages 300 days of sunshine a year). That being said, a Colorado elopement in July, August, or September definitely allows for the most location options. The aspens typically turn golden in September while wildflowers often don’t appear in the mountains until the end of July, so that’s something to take note of if you’re hoping for specific backdrops for your big day.

If you have your heart set on a blanket of snow, March and April tend to be the snowiest months in Colorado, though the snow often lingers in the mountains from October through June. Some lakes that are popular for elopements freeze in the winter, meaning you can even hold your ceremony directly on the ice! Many locations, however, aren’t accessible in winter months (from October through May, you can’t drive Rocky Mountain National Park’s famous Trail Ridge Road, for example).  If you are planning on a winter elopement, don’t forget a coat, gloves, and proper footwear (even if you want photos taken without one)! In Colorado, you’ll never be upset about bringing extra layers or an umbrella, but you might regret it if you don’t. Many Colorado elopement locations are at higher elevations, meaning that the weather can often be unpredictable and considerably colder than major Colorado cities. Sunny 70-degree days are as possible in January as a zero-degree snowstorm is. Likewise, a single June day could contain both sun and hail. So, if you’re looking to elope in the mountains, make sure you keep an eye on the weather.

What’s the best time of day to elope in Colorado?

The time of day you choose for your Colorado elopement can make a world of difference.  For instance, since Colorado is so sunny, midday ceremonies when the sun is directly overhead often leave folks squinting and add glare to photos. This can even be an issue in the winter, especially if there’s a lot of snow on the ground.

According to our Colorado elopement photographers, the best lighting generally happens near sunset, what’s known as the “golden hour.” Golden hour generally occurs an hour prior to sunset, however, in the Colorado mountains, it’s a little bit harder to predict as listed sunset times online do not account for the sun going down behind the mountain peaks. So, in actuality, Colorado’s golden hour can occur about an hour and a half to two hours before the sun officially sets.

Sunrise ceremonies in Colorado also offer great light. Our photographers actually consider this one of the better times for a Colorado elopement, since you’re more likely to have epic, sweeping views to yourself. For this same reason, we recommend eloping on a weekday, when crowds and traffic are at their lightest.

Colorado Elopement Laws
How do I get a Colorado marriage license?

Colorado has an easy application process and a marriage license from any county in Colorado can be used in another. However, your license always has to be filed in the county you obtained it in. That means that if you’re staying in Denver and get your marriage license there, you can still use it for your Garden of the Gods elopement and then mail it back to Denver. Colorado marriage licenses cost $30 and are good for 35 days.

We recommend filling out an online application for the county you’ll be staying in and then showing up in person together to officially file for your license (with Covid-19, you still have to show up in person, and reservations are required; if there are no appointments available for your dates, try a neighboring county). You’ll need to provide proof of age (driver’s license, passport, etc.), your social security number if you’re a U.S. citizen, your place of birth, as well as your parents’ names, and current addresses.

Can you get married the same day in Colorado?

Yes! Since Colorado’s marriage license doesn’t have a waiting period, you can use it the day you receive it.

Do you need witnesses to elope in Colorado?

The state of Colorado does not require witnesses to solemnize a marriage, perfect for those looking to elope with no guests. That being said, there are two spots for witnesses to sign or for your dog to ink their paw print (it’s totally legal and as adorable as it sounds!).

What name should you sign on your Colorado marriage license?

If you’re planning on changing your name once you’re married, it can sometimes be confusing as to what name you should sign on your marriage license. Although you’ll need to fill out the marriage license and certificate with your existing, pre-marriage name, Colorado allows you to sign the certificate with either your new or old name once the ceremony is finalized.

Kiran Herbert

Article written by

Kiran Herbert

Kiran Herbert is an elopement officiant and writer who takes pride in making all of her ceremonies magical. Kiran grew up around the world but having spent a year living in national parks, she’s convinced that the U.S. is the most beautiful.

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Read the real stories of couples who eloped in Colorado!

Adara and Landon knew that they didn’t want to go the route of a traditional wedding, and after seeing friends elope with Simply Eloped and having only positive things to say, they knew exactly what they wanted to do. After seeing Ashcroft Ghost Town as a potential ceremony location, they knew instantly where they wanted to have their Colorado elopement: overlooking the mountains and streams in this hidden gem of a spot! The pair eloped on June 20, 2020 and had the wedding day of their dreams.

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at? 

We actually were going to get married in Estes Park on June 20th 2020. But due to permit issues, we couldn’t get one for that day because they were all handed out! We wanted to keep the date and we knew we wanted to get married in Colorado so I went on trusty ole Pinterest and looked at other places in Colorado to elope! Simply Eloped had a few pictures of another couple’s elopement in Ashcroft Ghost Town and we instantly fell in love. I loved that it has history to it along with the beauty of the mountains, streams and prairies.

What activities did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to the moments of your Colorado elopement? 

We took a couple days to drive to Aspen Colorado from Port Byron Illinois. Once we got to Aspen, we mostly just relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. The day before our elopement, we drove to Ashcroft Ghost town and hiked around so we had an idea of where we wanted to say our vows. We felt mostly anxious and excited on our wedding day! Since we didn’t get married until 5 pm that day, we were kind of twiddling our thumbs that morning! We did a Crossfit workout that morning. I got my hair and make up done at Lather Salon and Spa in Aspen a few hours before our wedding. We couldn’t find any Ubers or Lyft services so Landon picked me! Because we wanted first look pictures, we draped a sheet on the seats to separate the front and back seats so we couldn’t see each other.

When you’re in love, all you really need for the perfect ceremony is your partner-in-crime. Sabrina and Chris chose to have beautiful, intimate elopement in Colorado without all the bells and whistles (and stress) that often comes with a wedding ceremony. Spending quality time together is the core of their relationship, and they knew the best way to honor their union was to keep it between the two of them. With the understanding and support of their family, they were able to spend their special day enjoying what mattered most – their love. Read more about their Colorado Elopement at Bear Lake!

Why did you decide to eloped?

Being intimate and being one together means a lot to us. Sharing this moment with just us and no one else meant so much more. You can take 1,000 pictures and congratulate someone after they say, “I do,” but you will never fully experience the togetherness of being just the two of you unless you elope

What attracted you to a Colorado elopement?

We LOVE Colorado!

How did you celebrate after?

We went and had a nice dinner in Estes park and then went to our AirBnB and enjoyed the hot tub in the snow with a fire!

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Truly think about it. We had some family get upset because they didn’t get invited or weren’t told about it, but at the end of the day it isn’t about them it’s about Y’ALL! Y’alls happiness, y’alls ever-after! Y’all are what makes the foundation strong and stick together, no one else. Take your soon-to-be spouse and elope with them. Forget the rest because any true-hearted person will always encourage & support y’all! Take it from us… we told NO ONE, and my mom was over the moon about the news. His family took it harder than I expected, but after explaining the meaning and how we felt about eloping, it made sense to them. So truly think about it, and if you do it alone just take 72 hours and soak in the YOU time before announcing it to anyone because that YOU time TOGETHER is what forms that bond between husband and wife.

Brooke & Kyle are the embodiment of the saying ‘you will know when you meet the right one’. Their elopement, due to Covid-19, is the first step in their wedding journey. They plan a large reception once everyone can be together again. So Brooke & Kyle’s special day was a sweeping affair just for them. They were thrilled to wed at the top of the world at Lost Gulch in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The mountain views are seriously epic and go on and on as far as the eye can see! Brooke’s lovely floral gown and white winter stole are so romantic and we can feel the love as they exchanged personalized vows. Read on to hear how these two feel about each other, their proposal and their Simply Eloped ceremony.

Why did you decide to elope?

Kyle: COVID-19…the big wedding is next year with all the family and friends. We really want to celebrate our love with everyone.

How did you find Simply Eloped?

Kyle: We found Simply Eloped through a Google search. It was a turnkey operation that made the experience ‘simply’ amazing!

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

Kyle: Turnkey, easy to handle, no pressure and everything was simple.

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at?

Kyle: Oh, come on, look at those mountains! We love Colorado and this was something that was just a perfect fit for us as a couple.

How did you celebrate after eloping?

Kyle: Afterwards, we went back to the hotel, changed and went to dinner at Steakhouse No. 316 in Aspen. We ate like a new King of Queen of the town! We then passed out at the hotel before 10:30pm. It was perfect.

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Kyle: First, be sure it’s not because of anything besides pure love! Don’t let the pressure of anyone tell you to do this or do that. Make it special and simple, because this will be your human for the rest of your life. Be selfish, you deserve it! Also, choose Simply Eloped if you don’t want to worry. They will treat you like a good friend!


Hannah & Edward are the long game. They met in middle school, started dating in college and married in stunning Chautauqua Park. This outdoor elopement brought the glamour with Hannah’s stunning veil, a first look that will bring tears to your eyes, and a gorgeous ceremony backdrop covered in floral.Family and friends witnessed the couple exchange their vows in the shadows of the Colorado mountains. Read more to find out how Hannah & Edward fell in love, what they feel strengthens their relationship and how a violinist helped them choose Simply Eloped!

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at?

Hannah: It allowed us to have the right amount of people we wanted there (COVID restrictions). We were able to have an arch and it’s beautiful at Chautauqua!

What did you do before the wedding? How did you get ready? How did you feel in the moments leading up to your elopement?

Hannah: We all arrived a few days before the ceremony and stayed at an Airbnb nearby. We shared meals, played games and went on hikes. We began to prepare for our elopement quite a while before, including lots of DIY projects. We did a lot of googling, contacting everyone and communicating with our vendors so that the elopement would go as smoothly as possible. We honestly felt really good leading up to our elopement and well prepared.

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day.

Hannah: We had a really good experience with our officiant, violinist and photographer from Simply Eloped. Everyone involved communicated with us right up to our ceremony and tailored our day to us as a couple. We were nervous having complete strangers play such big roles in our elopement, but when the day came it felt like we had known them all for a long time!

The gods must have known Jessica & Tyler were meant for each other because, even though they had attended the same college without meeting, they still found each other. They were very certain about their wedding just being about their commitment to each other and so, surrounded by immediate family only, they eloped at Garden of the Gods in Colorado.

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

Jessica: As full time working professionals and graduate students, Simply Eloped made sense as we knew everything was being taken care of for us. We could focus on our busy lives while still having a beautiful day planned!

What attracted you to the venue you chose?

Jessica: Garden of the Gods is a magical place with a magnetic quality and breathtaking views. The vivid colors present, and the surrounding landscape, made it an easy choice!

How did you celebrate after your elopement?

Jessica: We sat and took in the views around Garden of the Gods with a bottle of champagne, then went out to a four course fondue restaurant with the family. Afterwards, we returned to the Airbnb, changed into sweatpants, and watched TV….we were exhausted!! The final hours of the night are confidential!!

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Jessica: It will be a relief that one of the most beautiful moments of your life has been orchestrated for you. All you have to do is make a few easy decisions and then show up!

Courtney & Dalton met, and had their first date, on the same day! It was an instant connection and led to a proposal on a hike in northern Minnesota. This couple loves to hike and so they wanted to wed someplace where they could make their way to some epic photo shots. The Rocky Mountains checked off all the boxes for their elopement vision. Courtney & Dalton traveled around Colorado for a week before arriving at Sprague Lake. They wed on a wood dock with snow-covered mountain peaks behind them. Our favorite part of this wedding, other than how beautiful these two look together, is the bride’s shoes! Read more to find out how a snowstorm nearly derailed their plans but Simply Eloped was there to make everything right again!

Where did you choose to elope and why did you choose that destination? 

Courtney: We eloped in Rocky Mountain National Park. We saw the pictures on the Simply Eloped website of all the locations around Rocky Mountain National Park and were immediately drawn to the mountain views.

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What were your favorite parts about eloping there? 

Courtney: We chose Sprague Lake due to the scenic background and the ability to hike to multiple locations for photos. We both enjoy hiking and wanted that to be a part of our wedding day. Our favorite part of eloping was saying our vows on the dock. It felt like we were the only two people in the world. As we had our first kiss, we could hear cheering across the lake.

How was your experience with Simply Eloped?

Courtney: We couldn’t have asked for a better experience with Simply Eloped. We originally scheduled our wedding for a few days prior to our actual wedding date. Unfortunately, Colorado experienced an unexpected snowstorm that left over a foot of snow. Simply Eloped was very understanding of our desire to have the scenery and hiking a big part of our wedding. All the vendors we worked with were very understanding and were able to switch everything with ease. They made the process efficient and things went down on the actual wedding date without any issues!

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement? 

Courtney: We hiked around with our photographer for a few hours to record our happiness of that day. Afterward, we had dinner at the Stanley Hotel and enjoyed the rest of the night together.

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Courtney: There is no better feeling than experiencing that moment with just the two of you. It wasn’t the easiest decision due to the break from tradition. However, we wanted the day to be about the vows we were making with one another. We weren’t as concerned with the party atmosphere that normal weddings have. We have zero regrets about going the path we went down.

We can’t imagine a better place to elope than some place called Garden of the Gods! Kara & Roman met at work and they found out that they love to laugh together. Originally, they had planned their wedding to be just the two of them. In the end, they happily decided to begin their life long adventures with close friends and family surrounding them. Kara & Roman each got ready with their ‘party’ and met at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. The sophisticated look of this elopement was as impressive as the stunning mountains behind them. Find out more about how they got engaged and had Simply Eloped plan this beautiful ceremony in an awe inspiring national park.

Where did you choose to elope and why did you choose that destination?

Kara: Garden of the Gods is a beautiful place. We once saw a couple taking wedding portraits there, and we thought that it would be a beautiful experience for ourselves, family and friends. We originally planned to elope without anyone there, just the two of us. However, when Covid-19 hit and took away the ability to celebrate before the elopement with everyone, we decided on a small ceremony with immediate family members and a few of our closest friends who have been a part of our story from the beginning.

How did you accept the proposal?

Kara: Roman proposed at the Botanical Garden in Denver as we were strolling around the Blossoms of Light.It was the easiest ‘yes’ of my life!

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there?

Kara::A beautiful park in Colorado Springs with red rock formations surrounding the entire area. Pikes Peak is in the background.

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Kara: It’s not selfish and totally worth it. The feeling of making your own decisions, without input from others, is very freeing. It made our day even better than what we had ever imagined. You get to decide on your own traditions and how to go about the day. It was the best experience we have ever had!

Emily & Matt can say they met in kindergarten! However, it wasn’t until college that they clicked. This couple shares a love for state and national parks, so there was no question where they would get married! The only question was which park it would be! They decided on eloping at Sprague Lake in the Rocky Mountains National Park. The wedding gods were with them as their sunrise elopement was simply magical. Serene, quiet and awe-inspiring. How many people can say that two moose joined their ceremony to give their blessings? Simply Eloped helped this couple celebrate being together with a naturally beautiful elopement.

 

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another? 

Emily: We met in our Kindergarten classroom! We went to elementary, middle, and high school together but weren’t close friends until college, when we started dating.

Matthew: I don’t remember Emily from kindergarten, but we have a picture together! In high school, I thought Emily was cute but way too cool for me. Thankfully, in college, our friend groups overlapped, and I got to hang out with her.

 

How did you propose or accept the proposal? 

Emily: I was working nights during graduate school and really struggling. I came home one night and opened the door to twinkly lights, candles, and music playing. Matthew was on one knee in the middle of our living room!

Matthew: Initially, I wanted to take Emily on a hiking trip to propose, but after holding on to the ring for two long months and the pandemic not letting up, I couldn’t wait any longer and decided to just propose in our living room. I tried to make it as romantic as possible with lights and music. At least our dog got to be a part of it!

 

Where did you choose to elope, and why did you choose that destination? 

Emily & Matt: We chose a sunrise ceremony at Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. We love to travel to various state and national parks, so we always knew a national park was our dream destination. We had been to Colorado before but hadn’t explored the Rocky Mountains yet. So RMNP became an easy choice for us.

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What were your favorite parts about eloping there? 

Emily & Matt: We always knew we wanted to get married surrounded by nature, and Sprague Lake provided a beautiful backdrop of both water and mountains. A sunrise ceremony made for great lighting and weather. I think we only saw maybe 1 or 2 other people the whole time we were there. Minutes after we said “I do,” two moose walked across the lake! It was magical.

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there? 

Emily & Matt: From the parking lot, there’s a short, paved trail that goes around the lake. There are many large rocks and benches to sit on and take in the views. The snowcapped Rocky Mountains sit just behind the lake. There is a wooden dock situated over the lake that offers beautiful photo opportunities.

 

What did you do before the wedding? How did you get ready? How did you feel in the moments leading up to your elopement? 

Matt: One thing we did not do was properly acclimate to the altitude, so Emily got pretty bad altitude sickness the night before our ceremony. Otherwise, we had a very stress-free morning getting ready together in our tiny Airbnb bathroom.

 

How was your experience with Simply Eloped?

Emily: Simply Eloped made everything super easy and stress-free! All we had to do was pick a location, and Simply Eloped did the rest of the wedding planning for us. We only needed to plan our trip. We saved so much money versus a traditional ceremony by paying for only the services we wanted. Our officiant and photographer were amazing and consulted with us several times before our wedding day to customize all the details. Our officiant even saved the day when Matthew realized he forgot to pack a shirt at 10 pm the night before!

 

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement? 

Emily & Matt: We celebrated by spending our day doing exactly what we love without any stress or obligation. Immediately following our sunrise ceremony, we got coffee at a local place in Estes Park and sat by the river to enjoy it. Then we spent the rest of our day hiking and relaxing in the hot tub. It was so nice to just spend the day together alone with no other obligations and reflect on our life together. We spent the rest of the week traveling around Colorado. About three weeks after our wedding, we had a “Happily Ever After” party to celebrate with our closest friends and family.

 

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping? 

Emily & Matt: Eloping allowed us to have a beautiful and meaningful wedding day. We were able to be stress-free, be present, and focus all of our energy on each other, which was very important. We feel our wedding reflected our personalities and relationship, and we didn’t have to fake it through traditions that didn’t mean anything to us or worry about family politics. It was authentic to who we are. Our family and friends were able to see that, which made them very supportive of our elopement. It also allowed us to easily pay for our wedding and not stress about entering our marriage with additional debt. We also had the added benefit of lots of memories together from a fun week-long trip! We found so many benefits to eloping and don’t regret a single thing!

Officiation by: Brandon Baker
Photography by: Paige Weber
Planning by: Simply Eloped
Venue: Rocky Mountain National Park, Sprague Lake, Colorado

Updated: August 13th, 2023

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