Finding the perfect place and figuring out how to elope in Colorado Springs without any experience can be daunting. No need to worry my friend – I’ve got you covered! From breathe taking views to cute and cozy vibes and even elevated and elegant – Colorado Springs has exactly what you’re looking for. Some of the perks of choosing Colorado Springs is it’s close proximity to nature, variety of landscapes, and accessibility. If you’re wondering how to elope in Colorado Springs and want an insider’s guide, you’re in the right place.

Why Elope in Colorado Springs?

For starters, Colorado Springs has such a beautiful variety of landscapes. Of course the most talked about is Garden of the Gods and reasonably so! Our city park gets about 6 million visitors per year which is as much as the Grand Canyon and Central Park. Not to mention Garden of the Gods has stunning views of our purple mountain majesty Pike’s Peak.

Colorado Springs is the perfect place to elope any season of the year. Unlike the mountain towns where winter is a lot more unpredictable, we have snow that tends to melt fairly quick and after a fresh snow… Garden of the Gods is a stunning backdrop. This is your spring elopement warning: you might catch some snow. Colorado is notorious for what local’s call “false spring”.

Summers can get quite warm and you’ll want to ensure you have SPF on no matter the weather since we are high in elevation. Please note – I am not a basic b**** except for when fall rolls around. I am a pumpkin spice girlie that loves our cozy coffee shop vibes. Fall colors start to show at about the end of September and beginning of October. This can vary depending on the season. Nonetheless every season has it’s charm. Colorado Springs is the biggest small town I have ever been to. The community is great and incredibly welcoming.

Legal Requirements for Eloping in Colorado Springs

How to get married legally in Colorado Springs is quite easy! You can obtain your marriage license between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Recording Department at the main Clerk & Recorder’s office and at the North Office on Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in accordance with the requirements outlined below. All couples are required to complete the online marriage application before visiting the office to finalize and receive the license. 

You won’t need an appointment to visit their office to complete the license. They do ask you limit the number of people in our office to four. Issuances of marriage licenses will end at 4 p.m. on Fridays. The license itself is only $30! Another special thing about your marriage license is that you are able to self-solemnize. I had no clue what that meant at first but essentially an officiant is not required and you and your partner can pronounce yourselves as a marriage couple. Self-solemnizing is a unique and empowering way to begin your marriage with your partner.

Tip: Elopement doesn’t mean cutting corners — it means personalizing the day. Do with that as you wish.

Best Places to Elope in Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods

• Pros – accessibility, no permit or entry fee required , and stunning views that feel other worldly.
• Cons – the summer is their peak season for tourists and the space is best for privacy at sunrise.
• Local knowledge — Sunrise and Sunset are both gorgeous times for lighting. Sunrise is best for avoiding crowds.

North Cheyenne Cañon (as shown above)

• Pros – easy- difficult hikes, mountain views, no permit or entry fee required, and magical during golden hour
• Cons – Mountain views are not as big as Pike’s Peak.
• Local knowledge — Enjoy sunset for the best lighting.

Crystal Creek Reservoir (as shown below)

• Pros – gorgeous views of Pike’s Peak with a beautiful lake shore, no permit required, minimal entry fee, and fresh during the summer evenings
• Cons – Closing times vary with the season and may not work out well if you’re DREAMING of a sunset ceremony.
• Local knowledge — as close to sunset is the best time of day.

Elopement Timeline Tips for a Seamless Day

Your elopement day should feel true to you so take my sample as it is and make sure to do something special to you. If I were eloping in Colorado Springs I would start my day at my cozy Airbnb and get into a casual bridal outfit. My partner and I would make our way over to Red Dog Bakery in Manitou Springs for coffee and a breakfast bite. We would walk around for a bit then make our way back to our lodging to get ready.

When we get back we will be welcomed by a beautiful charcutier spread by none other than The Board Gatherings. The moment I see my stunning bouquet from La Florecita Farm I cry because it feels so real (thankfully makeup is not done yet). After, we eat lunch we take some time to read letters from family. Hair and makeup arrive at 2:30pm and once were done we take off to Crystal Creek Reservoir.

The stunning lake glistens as the sun reflects off it. We explore the area a bit and follow the trail into the woods where the Aspen trees and so vibrantly green and the pine trees make me feel small. After some time exploring we find the perfect place to have our ceremony and pronounce ourselves married. After the adventuring of today we find ourselves ready for dinner so we head over to Grand View for a beautiful dinning experience. Or if I cave in to what Jacob wants we may end up at Brakeman’s eating Hot Chicken ha – it’s his favorite!

Want more tips? Book with me – and let’s plan your dream day together! Let’s chat.

What to Pack & Wear for Your Colorado Springs Elopement

When you are considering how to elope in Colorado Springs, an incredibly important part is wardrobe! Colorado weather is extremely unpredictable. Pack everything! Seriously though planning what to pack depends on the season. For the sake of this post I will go over a summer elopement. Colorado Springs is almost considered a desert and was at one point. With that being said we do have a monsoon season that comes through during the summer. It’s likely you will see an afternoon shower. Come with the understanding that you may have rain for your adventure elopement. Bring a rain jacket and your hiking boots for sure.

One thing I have learned from Colorado is that most of the time the land is uneven so you will definitely want a sturdy boot. If you want to wear heels for your ceremony bring those along! Don’t forget your rings and any vow books you ay want to include. It is very easy to get dehydrated in Colorado so a must have is water and electrolytes. Past sunset it can get a little chilly so consider a light sweater.

Make It Meaningful — Ideas for Intentional Touches

Your dream Colorado Springs elopement is more than just a day. It’s an experience. Take time the day before your elopement and sit at Garden of the Gods and work on handwritten vows. Explore the park and explore the city! It can take some time to adjust to the altitude so make sure you have at time to allow your body to adjust before your elopement day.

Hire Your Dream Colorado Springs Elopement Team

As a full service elopement planner and photographer I provide my clients with all the vendor recommendations they could need. I customize the vendor recommendations based on location and preference to ensure you have your dream team. Of course your dream photographer and planner is right here and ready when you are. Ready to find your dream vendors and so much more? Let’s chat!

You Deserve a Wedding as Wild & Intentional as Your Love

So why elope in Colorado Springs? Well, I have told you everything you need to know on how to elope in Colorado Springs. We have beautiful seasons, talented vendors, and pride ourselves on the experience we provide. Rest assured your Colorado Springs elopement will be even better than you could have imagined. I’ll support them every step of the way. Let’s bring your dream day to life — reach out and tell me about your vision!

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📌FAQ

• Can you elope without an officiant in Colorado? Yes!
• What is the best month to elope in Colorado Springs? June is a beautiful month for Colorado Springs, but every season is perfect.
• Do you need a permit to get married at Garden of the Gods? No, but you need your marriage license!