Ultimate Colorado Elopement Packages Guide 2022
Updated June 28, 2022 by Adventure Amore
Table of Contents
Colorado Elopement Packages and Guide 2022
So you and your partner have decided that you want to have one of the best possible wedding experiences a couple can have. You realized that maybe, just maybe, a Colorado Elopement is the key to that happiness. Well, I’m here to tell you that you are making the absolute right decision! The most important part of your wedding day is that you and your boo celebrate in a way that fills you with joy. This Colorado Elopement Packages and Guide will help fill in so many of the other details and show you how.
My Colorado Elopement Packages:
Payment Plans
Let’s not stress about this, we’ll create a payment plan that works for you! Need to separate payments across multiple months? We can make that happen.
Personalized Location Recommendations:
This day is all about what you two want, in the most meaningful way possible. That’s why we’re going to pick an extraordinary spot for you two to elope. I’ll do a lot a lot of research to give you the best options for your day.
Unlimited free consultations to help you craft your perfect day.
I can’t emphasize this enough – I want to reduce your stress! Wooooossssaaaaa. So I’m always available to chat and help you plan your day. For real, you can text, email, DM, or carrier pigeon me whenever you want as much as you want.
90 page exclusive elopement guide
I created a thorough elopement guide, just for you. Planning a wedding shouldn’t be stressful and you shouldn’t be wondering, what’s next? What do I do? What’s this mean? So I’ve created this helpful guide that you can refer to whenever you want.
Timeline Construction
What the heck do you do on your day? Don’t worry! I’m going to help you with a thorough timeline, taking into account best lighting, how long it takes to get from point a to b. I’ll walk you through how long everything takes and when you should do it đ
Complimentary Officiating where applicable
Not gonna brag too hard – but I’m a pretty dope officiant. Want proof of my public speaking skills? My university chose me to give the graduation speech, and I brought the house down.
All Travel included, no extra fees
Wherever you get married in Colorado is where I’ll be. I don’t charge ya for miles or distance or any of that.
Sneak peaks within 5 days
Holy camolies that’s fast! Of course it is, I want you to relive the day immediately!!
Fully edited hi-res photos available for you to download for free
These photos are yours and you are meant to enjoy them forever and ever and make sure that all your family and friends do to. I highly encourage you throwing these photos up in your best friend’s bathroom because they deserve to see you so happy.
A SUPER FUN elopement experience!
That’s what this whole dang thing is all about!! Seriously, take a load off your shoulders. I’m here to help you have fun. I’m here to make sure your day is exactly what you want. You deserve a meaningful fun day and we’re going to make it happen!
Price:
My Colorado Elopement Packages start at 4100 for 4 hours and includes all the above and more! For more specific information on pricing check out my Elopements Packages and Pricing.
Who is this package for?
My Colorado Elopement Package is for the adventurous, passionate, and fun at heart. For couples who want to create a truly unique and authentic experience, that is fully centered on them and what fills them with joy. I spend hours and hours and hours finding the perfect locations to recommend to you, and making sure that you have a custom timeline that fits your activities. Let’s not downplay the activities – this package is for people who want to EXPERIENCE something EXTRAORDINARY on their day. Whether it’s hiking, skiing, a helicopter ride, star-gazing, picnic, jeep ride and so so much more – this is the package for you.
Want a free consultation?
Reach out to me here.Â
Are you looking for something more simple?
If you want to get married in the mountains with an epic view, but don’t need a custom package, and don’t need to do any activities, then you’ll want to check out my Micro Wedding Packages!
Now let’s get to a super thorough and wow this is actually a really helpful Colorado Elopement Packages Guide:
Close your eyes and imagine with me an adventure thatâs focused on you and the love of your life. You are celebrating in a way that represents the passion you share. This important day canât be put into a box or a checklist, because it is authentic to who you two are. You two are laughing. Oh gosh so much laughter. And smiling. Wow your are lighting up the mountains with those big endless smiles. And having. THE. TIME. OF. YOUR. LIFE.
Yea. I went there. That’s what your Colorado Elopement can be like. So dang special, because they are wedding celebrations crafted for your authentic love story, focused just on you two (or, as I like to say…my Amores).
This guide is full of helpful information on how to choose a Colorado elopement package that celebrates your love in a way specific to you. If an elopement is on your radar, especially in beautiful blue sky Colorado, you know that there are a lot of packages to choose from. I’ll help you sort out everything you need to know to elope in Colorado.
Letâs make sure you get the perfect Colorado Elopement Package that makes your dreams a reality.
Why Elope in Colorado?
If you’re dreaming of a mountain elopement, a beach elopement, a snowwy elopement, a helicopter elopement, a sandy elopement, a backyard elopement – than Colorado is a perfect choice for you! I ain’t kidding. Colorado has EVERYTHING you can want to experience and see with its numerous opportunities for year-round high altitude adventures. There’s more to Colorado than mountains, though. From forests, to rivers, to sand dunes and even sandy lakeside beaches, Colorado has it all.
This is a state for adventure lovers, and an ideal place for an adventure elopement.
For the couple that wants to go on a hike, scale a peak, or just snuggle in a gorgeous wildflower meadow, Colorado is the place to be. If celebrating your love in natural beauty with some fun adventure activities is your jam, then Colorado is your peanut butter.
Of course, with so many incredible options for your elopement, it can be hard to narrow down the perfect location. If this sounds like you, this list of best places to elope in Colorado is a great place to start.
Here’s a great list of top reasons why you should elope.
Is a Colorado Elopement Package Right for Me?
Elopements are ideal for couples who value experiences and want to spend the day focused on their partner and the love they share. You live an intentional life full of meaning, looking for a new and creative way to express your love story. You are full of passion. On one of the most emotional days of your life, you want to let that passion express itself fully. (Not to mention, have damn good photos to last a lifetime from one of the best Colorado Elopement photographers out there.) Sit down with your partner, and have a heart to heart about expectations for the celebration. An elopement is a big decision, but it can be the perfect fit for the right couple.
How Much Does a Colorado Elopement Cost?
Letâs be honest, elopements are already a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding. Even a Colorado destination elopement is likely to cost you far less than your average traditional wedding. But like anything, you can go as big or small as you want for your elopement. Because of this, it’s important to have a good idea of your budget and must-haves as you start planning.
To start, you’ll want to write out your budget and the things that are most important to you for your day. This list should give you a clear idea of whatâs really important to you. These are the areas where you should splurge. Then, look at your Colorado elopement package options. The goal is to find a balance between your budget and the cost of the package. Keep in mind that this is a once in a lifetime experience! If thereâs something that you really desire (like a dream location or incredible photos of your day), donât be afraid to spend money on something that will last and be passed down for generations to come.
Colorado elopements can cost 70% less, or $20,000 less than a traditional elopement! I ain’t kidding. If you want more info on how much an elopement cost I got you covered.
How much do vendors cost:
Travel: $20 â $3,000
Photographer: $4,000
Attire: $200 â $2,000
Bouquet: $100
Hair and makeup: $250 +
Officiant: $500
Lodging: $500 â $3000
What Do You Want to Do on Your Wedding Day?
Perhaps the best part of choosing a Colorado Elopement Package (other than celebrating your love, of course!) is choosing what you want to do at your elopement. Here’s an ultimate list of elopement ideas for all seasons and activities.Â
Do you want to do a first hike, instead of a first dance? How about a swim after your first kiss? Do you want to say âI doâ from a helicopter? Snowmobiles, ATVs, sand dunes, hot air balloons, intimate cabin retreat, hot springs, picnic, small dance party are all viable options. What sounds like YOU? What feels like itâd be a great way to celebrate your day?
The key now is to find a vendor and elopement photographer who has experience crafting unique elopement and doing exactly what you want. (Luckily for you, I may know a guy.)
When to Elope in Colorado
Colorado is a state that’s geared for fun during all seasons! You can’t go wrong in any season in terms of adventure, spectacular scenery, and good times. That being said, you’ll want to make sure you are getting married at a time that’s best suited for you.
What season to get married in Colorado
Winter elopements – This is for the sturdy and brave at heart who are down to clown in cold temperatures. You can have an elopement that takes place entirely in a cabin, or you can have a snowmobile, snowshoe, snowboarding elopement etc.. Here’s an in depth list of winter elopement ideas.
Spring Elopements – Spring is a tricky time that requires expertise to know where the best spots are located. It can snow in Colorado all the way through the end of May. Trails dry out and are passable after the mountain tops start melting. So it’s important to find the right balance. But there’s more seclusion, and lots of fun experiences that you can have!
Summer Elopements – This is the perfect time to get out in the mountains and have an absolute blast. The weather is perfect, the activities endless, and the scenery stunning. Wildflowers, waterfalls, gushing rivers, epic views – it’s all there waiting for you to experience it on your wedding day.
Fall elopements – This is a very popular time because the leaves start changing colors, especially the Aspens which Colorado is famous for. Weather is typically warm and comfortable. Trails are dry, and rain limited. An ideal time to get married.
Sunrise or Sunset?
The best lighting for photos happens in the hour after sunrise and hour before sunset. That’s considered Golden Hour, because you get those beautiful golden sun rays splashing across your face. When planning out your timeline, you’ll want to consider those hours for when you adventure and celebrate.
Sunrise in Colorado can start at 5am in the summer, so if you want to make it to an epic mountain overlook spot, you’ll have to wake up super duper early (think like 1am early) to get ready and hike out to the spot. Make sure you are really down for such an early start. One of the positives for a sunrise elopement is that there are normally fewer clouds and better weather. Your chances of seeing alpen glow is far greater in the morning. There are also normally far fewer people on the trails and in locations that early in the morning. You’ll be way better secluded.
Sunset has those dreamy gorgeous vibes. It also tends to have way more people present. This is ideal if you aren’t a fan of waking up at a brutally early hour and still want to capture those beautiful views. You’ll want to consider that there will probably be far more people here, and that you’ll possibly encounter less than ideal weather near sunset. Clouds and storms roll in, which may spoil the glowing sunset vibes you were hoping for.
One thing to consider – you can do both! You can always build time into your day for a mid-day nap. There’s nothing wrong with it, in fact, I encourage it! If you want the most epic adventurous day, consider taking a nap in between sunrise and sunset activities.
Wildflowers
Colorado is home to stunning beautiful gorgeous wildflowers. I used three adjectives because they truly are that gorgeous. The best time to see wildflowers is between mid June and mid August, depending upon where you are at in the mountains. Wildflower season varies based on location, so you’ll want to double check beforehand just to make sure you are catching peak pop. You won’t want to miss it.
Weekday or Weekend
If you can help it, elope on a weekday! Trust me, trails and mountain towns get busy during the weekends because all the locals and tourists are out and about having fun. The best time to get married, heck even to just have a regular old adventure, is during the weekday. You’ll have far fewer people to contend with, and also might even have lower costs!
Where to Elope in Colorado
I wasn’t kidding when I said Colorado has it all. Beaches, mountains, lakes, rivers, wildflowers, canyons, hills and so so so much more.
Here are my top ten places to elope:
- Estes Park
- Indian Peaks Wilderness
- Breckenridge
- Telluride
- Aspen
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Gunnison
- Crested Butte
- The Front Range
- San Juan Mountains
How Do Vendors Break Down Colorado Elopement Packages?
Understanding how vendors break down their Colorado elopement packages will help you make the best choice possible. Below is an overview of Colorado elopement packages. Later, we will dive into the details of how to evaluate the packages and take your elopement from good to awesome.
Vendors often break down their Colorado Elopement Packages in these ways:
1. Time: How much time does their package include? (Generally 4 hour, 6 hour, 8 hour, and full day)
2. Extras, such as location and timeline recommendations, guidance, vendor recommendations, and wedding albums
3. Price
4. Planning Recommendations.
As my Amores, these items should be on your radar for evaluating the packages:
- How well do you jive with the photographer? This here is one of the most important questions.
- How much time will you need for the activities you have planned? If you aren’t sure how much time you will need, see if the photographer you like can give you a rough breakdown of how long each activity takes. For example, see below (I’m here to hook you up đ ).
- Aren’t sure what activities you want to do?See if your photographer has experience with a whole lot of different activities, so that you are hiring experience.
- Do you need the guidance of a planner, or want the option for a wedding album?
- Budget
- Travel costs
- Hidden costs
- Experience
Keep these ideas in mind as we dive more into the details of creating the perfect Colorado adventure elopement.
Do you Jive with the Colorado Elopement Package Photographer?
The most important thing to consider when choosing your Colorado Elopement Package is finding a photographer you connect with. Your photographer will be there through all the emotional moments of your day, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with them.
Luckily, there is a vendor and photographer out there for everyone! Your goal is to find the right vibe and connection. Evaluate their style, their values, and make sure you choose someone that makes you feel at home.
Here are some thoughts about how to figure out who you want to be with:
- Are you a dark and moody person?
- Do you want to laugh a lot?
- Are you more introspective and quiet?
- Do you like light and airy?
- Does your photographer care about the type of elopement you want to experience?
A Little About Me (I thought you would never ask…)
The top tip I give my Amores is finding a photographer that cares about you and not just getting another elopement under their belt. At Adventure Amore, I care deeply about creating the dream elopement for you and your partner.
Furthermore, I have experience in all types of activities and plans. From 11 mile hikes, to 10 degree weather sunrise winter elopements, to summer adventures in the mountains, I have truly done it all. Finally, I will give you plenty of guidance and assistance to create the day of your dreams. Your day means the most to me, and I want to make sure we make your dreams a reality. This means giving my Amores the freedom to express your passionate love for one another.
BUT DONâT JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT⌠DO YOUR OWN BRAINSTORM AND RESEARCH
Write out with your boo what type of vendor you are looking for. Do you want them to be extroverted? Introverted? Adventurous, intimate, always on the road, settled in one specific place?
Do a Google or Pinterest search of âColorado adventure elopementsâ or âColorado elopementsâ and start to get a feel for the possibilities. What type of photography matches your style? Do you like light, airy, dark, moody, or vibrant photos? Brainstorm and write it all down. Itâs ok if you donât know or arenât sure, or donât have a strong pull towards anything yetâŚ. Thatâs what consultations are for!
Now, create a running spreadsheet or list of the photographers you like and why. Ask if they are familiar shooting in the style you have chosen. And of course, doing a search on their site of previous elopements will give you a good taste of that photographers style.
Does Your Colorado Elopement Photographer Match Your Values?
This is an important one:Â talk with your photographer and understand their values. Are they inclusive? How do they live by their principles during their day to day life? Do they care about the environment and practice Leave No Trace principles?
Remember, your photographer will be present for one of the biggest moments of your entire life. You want to ensure that the energy they bring is positive, and aligns with your goals and values as a couple.
Planning Recommendations
First and foremost, I encourage couples to choose a photographer who is well experienced in the art of eloping. It’s especially important to look for a photographer/vendor who provides some flexibility. Remember, this is a day being built around you. Will your photographer help provide location recommendations? Help you craft a timeline? Will they provide trusted vendor recs? Do they have answers for your questions or are at least willing to get the answers? You’ll want to make sure that your photographer knows what they are doing.
I pride myself on being a planning and logistics extraordinaire. This comes from a lot of experience within the elopement industry and Colorado, and also taking time to get to know my couples. This starts with a personalized questionnaire to understand exactly what you want for your day, and continues to your elopement day and beyond. My goal is always to make your dream a reality.
Colorado Elopement Package: Photo Time Frame Breakdown
The biggest thing separating packages is time. Do you need 6 hours, 8 hours, a full day (over eight hours)? Many couples may not be sure how much time they need so here are some helpful breakdowns of how long different parts of the day, and activities can take:
-
Getting ready photos
30 min – 3 hours (Ideally at least 2 hours). These are important photos because you get to tell the full story of the day. You are building suspense, and anticipation for the journey ahead, and can see it on your beautiful faces. It’s also a very reflective moment, where you really are getting prepped for they physically, mentally, and emotionally.
-
Hike
Take into account 40 – 60 minutes per mile depending upon the difficulty and what you are doing. Youâd rather plan for hiking to take longer than expected and have extra time, then under plan the time it takes and rush to do whatever you want to do. An experienced photographer (Ehem đ ) will be able to give you really specific guidance as to how long a hike should take.
-
Star photos
These are epic photos you take at night with the stars! You want to start these 30 minutes after sunset, or finish no later than 30 before sunrise. Star photos can take a long time, could be thirty minutes or an hour, because you stand very still, sometimes for 5 – 10 seconds at a time, while the photographer takes a single photo.
-
Ceremony
10 – 20 minutes on average depending on vows, unity activities. If itâs a religious ceremony with a lot of scripture, add more time.
-
First look
The first look itself can take 5 – 10 minutes. Add more time if it will take a while to get to your dream location.
-
Post ceremony photos
These can be anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. It can involve activities such as picnics, songs, dance, or anything else that is meaningful to the Amores. Thatâs not to say youâll be posing for photos the entire time, but that photos will be taken during these times. I highly recommend anticipating at least 1 – 2 hours purely dedicated to portraits.
-
Post ceremony party
Again, this could be anything from a 1 hour backyard get together with cake cutting, to a several hour party with dancing, toasts, meals, and shenanigans!
-
Intimate session
A session where you and your partner are more intimate. This could be on a bed, shower, jacuzzi, in your underwear or even naked. Itâs a chance for you two to really get close to each other, and let your emotions be vulnerable. I recommend at least 1.5 hours for these sessions.
Once you know what your dream elopement activities are, and what elopement photos are important to you, you’ll be able to figure out the best length of Colorado Elopement Package for you. Keep in mind that you don’t want to have to rush from one activity to another so it’s best to plan for as much time as possible. The best Colorado elopement photographer for you will be able to advise on what to expect and help you craft the perfect day for you.
Extra Things to Consider:
First, you determined when and how long your elopement will be. Now, you can decide what âextrasâ are necessary for your Colorado Elopement Package.
When you and your partner have prioritized the âmust havesâ for your elopement (did someone say they wanted to bring their furry friend along?!) then check back with the elopement packages. It is important to ensure that the package and photographer are able to accommodate your request.
Can we bring guests to our elopement?
Yes, you absolutely can bring guests to your elopement! Remember, this is a day for you, designed by you, meant to be a celebration of you and your boo. You craft the day that you want. If that includes guests, great! You’ll want to find a location and activities that can accommodate your guests. Best not to plan for an epic 10 mile hike if you have guests who can’t manage that distance.
Here’s a great resource for how to include family and friends in your elopement day.
Can we bring our dog, cat, or pet to our elopement?
Absolutely! You just have to make sure that pets are allowed. Some locations allow pets anywhere, some only allow them on leashes.
But here’s one of the coolest things about Colorado – your pet can legally sign your marriage license! That’s right, your fur-baby can be a legal witness to your wedding. I’m telling you, nothing beats Colorado.
Can we have a commitment ceremony?
You absolutely can have a commitment ceremony. A commitment ceremony is a wedding ceremony that is not legally binding. Maybe you want to get married in your home state, or maybe you don’t want to be legally married. Whatever the reason, you can absolutely have a commitment ceremony.
How do we legally get married?
Here’s a great resource on how to legally get married in Colorado.Â
Altitude
Colorado is a pretty high altitude place. I mean pretty in the beautiful and large sense. Many mountain elopements take place at 8,000 feet or higher. In order to make sure you avoid altitude sickness, try to give yourself at least 2 days to acclimate. Drink lots and lots of water. Wear lots of sunscreen (you burn a lot easier at high altitude). And take it easy! Don’t over-exert yourself. If you feel the impact of altitude sickness, make sure to descend and continue to drink water.
Wedding Albums
A wedding album that you can hold in your hands and pages you can flip through is important. It is a beautiful way to commemorate the day and all of the love, laughter and tears that the memories hold. You’ll want to live this day over and over and over again, and no better way than a curated gorgeous album.
My recommendation? Ask for a wedding album price list up front. Talk to the photographer about where you intend to display these photos. For some couples, these photos only live on Instagram. However, I believe your wedding photos deserve to be good enough to cover your walls and live in an album.
Many of my best packages include credits on wedding albums that I design for you. A wedding album signifies in your mind this is a unique and special event that deserves special treatment. I encourage all of my Amores to choose a Colorado elopement package that includes an album.
Hi-Res Photos
Check with your photographer to see if you get free hi-res photos in your gallery. Some photographers will charge you for a certain amount of photos. Others will include hi-res photos in your package with free downloads.
Tying it All Together (Before you tie the Knot.)
Celebrating the love of your life is a big thing and deserves to be celebrated. Determining which Colorado Elopement Package and photographer get to be a part of this celebration is a big thing, too.
Amores, I encourage you to make some lists:
1. A list of vendors and photographers you like. Go ahead and schedule that first call.
2. A list of activities you are interested in, and ask about these activities on your call.
3. A list of what they have to say. Ask them questions. See if their values align with yours and if they can help craft a
unique, and wonderful elopement experience for you.
4. Once you find a vendor you vibe with, lock them in!
Evaluating the length of your elopement, the extras needed, and a photographer that you adore will allow you to create the Colorado Elopement Package of your dreams.
Whatâs Next?
Such an informative guide, and stunning images! I definitively have to come to Colorado once, looks so beautiful!
I love how you break down everything when choosing an elopement package. A lot of great information to consider. Also I love the tip to ask their favorite Rom Com ?
Colorado elopements look super epic, and I love how you have included concepts to keep in mind when choosing an elopement photographer!
There are so much useful information and great photos in this article. Colorado looks breathtaking destination to elope.
Those are some great insights Adam! Definitely things to consider when choosing an elopement package, especially for a place as vast as Colorado!
Colorado sounds awesome, and all the snow, I guess i would choose that season for sure. Great information indeed :))