YOUR ELOPEMENT EXPERT
I freakin' love elopements. I love the idea of breaking tradition and starting marriage how you want. This is the start of YOUR story, nobody else's, and you should do it exactly how you want.
As a Colorado elopement photographer, I'm so passionate about elopements because they're so customizable, but more importantly, they allow for so much more intentionality. There is no rushing, no fighting, just you and your boo on an adventure in the beautiful outdoors.
Don't know where to start planning your elopement? I gotchu. Here's my ultimate guide to eloping in Colorado as a Colorado Elopement Photographer.
The First Elopement FAQs
Can I Invite Friends and Family?
Absolutely. An elopement gives you the freedom to invite whoever you want, as long as the focus of the day is about the two of you and your relationship.
When Should I Start Planning my Elopement?
3-7 months is the standard amount of time needed to plan an elopement, though I've planned elopements as far as 1 year out and as soon as 1 week out!
How Much Does It Cost?
The average elopement costs around $15,000, half of what a traditional wedding costs ($34,000), though this number can be higher or lower depending on how you plan.
Let's Do This
PLANNING & DREAMING OF YOUR PERFECT ELOPEMENT
Where to get Inspiration
Places like Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, movies, wedding blogs, travel blogs, and even google maps are great places to get inspiration for your elopement.
Simply type in the word "elopement" or "adventure elopement" to get a ton of inspiration for your own celebration.
Questions to Spark Ideas
What is your intention for the day?
Why an elopement over a big wedding?
Picture the wedding, you can close your eyes to help the creativity.
What scenery comes to mind when you picture exchanging vows?
How To Choose the Best Elopement Location in Colorado
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Scenery & Weather
Do you want white mountains, golden forests, a warm lake, or beige sand dunes?
Think of any places on your travel bucket list and where you dream of going.
Think through the weather at the dream destination; are you in a snowy lodge in the mountains, or barefoot on the beach?
Experiences & Activities
Think about what kind of activities (or not) that you want to include.
Will you go swimming? Sit by the fire? Lay under the stars? Go snowboarding? This will help narrow down a location.
Meaning
Consider the place you met, or somewhere you’ve both wanted to go.
Meaningful locations can be some of the best ones!
Accessibility & Vendor
Another important detail to consider is how easy it is to get to the location and what options of vendors are available. If you want to elope on a mountain in the middle of nowhere, be ready to not have many options for vendors available. If you want to include family, friends and other guests, think about how easy or difficult it will be for them to get there.
My Favorite Colorado Elopement Locations
Breckenridge
Rocky Mountain National Park
Vail
Black Canyon of Gunnison
The details
License To Wed
Elope in style, but don't forget the nitty-gritty legal stuff! In Colorado, acquiring a marriage license is fairly easy, depending on what county you choose to get married to. What makes Colorado so great is that you can self-solumnize! This means you don't need an officiant or any witnesses; however, if you'd like your dog to sign, you totally can! Arapahoe County is currently the only county in which you cannot have your dog sign.
Permits & Fees
It’s good to note that most state parks charge entry fees, which you’ll want to pay (in addition to any application fees) on the day of your elopement. Information on permit processes, event costs, and entry fees are generally available on park websites.
Lodging & Accommodations
The best thing you can do is to pick accommodation that can be multi-purpose! Your lodging can double as a wet weather alternative, a place to take photos in the morning, or somewhere you can celebrate with family after the event. These are all great factors to keep in mind. Ideally, look for somewhere spacious, and aesthetically unique, and most importantly, that has a ton of natural light for pictures. The more beautiful the location, the more I have to work with when it comes to your photos!
A quick reminder: Airbnb does not allow weddings at their properties.
Hiring Vendors
While it's definitely not required to hire vendors for your elopement, professionals can make it a LOT easier & bring your vision to life.
While the four MUST HAVE vendors for your elopement are generally the Photographer (me!?), Florist, Officiant & Hair + Makeup Artist, here are some other vendors to consider...
Videographer
Video for elopements is especially beautiful as it allows you to share the moments with those who couldn't be there - Which REALLY helps smooth any hurt feelings!
Musician
Walking down the aisle to an acoustic guitar or dancing or dancing under the stars to a string trio can be a magical element to make your day totally unique.
Personal Chef
Both for the day before & the day of - Having good food makes everyone happy!
Planner / Designer
The right planner or designer will not only create a breathtaking elopement, they will help you save money on vendors & avoid painful mistakes with permits, timelines and other logistics you might not think of
Picnic, Small Caterer, or Cake
If you're headed somewhere REALLY remote, consider hiring someone to pack you a charcuterie or delicious dessert to celebrate after everything is finished!
Once we start working together, I will send over a list I've compiled of all of my trusted vendors.
C H O O S E S O M E A C T I V I T I E S
Incorporating activities on your elopement day is such a fun experience. This gives you two the chance to sit down and craft a day that's truly unique to who you two are as a couple. Check out some of my favorite activity ideas below!
Hiking
Sightseeing
Helicopter tour
Dog sledding
Horseback riding
Soaking in a hot tub
Bonfire with s'mores
Riding bikes
Wine tasting
Swimming
Playing a sport
Kayaking
Taking a boat ride
Playing board games
Glamping
Skiing or snowboarding
Taking a cooking class
Go on a safari
Take a wildlife tour
Go fishing
Stargazing
Dancing
Have a picnic
Walk along the beach
Bake a cake together
Watch a movie
Rock climbing
HERE ARE MY TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING GREAT ATTIRE!
When looking for wedding attire, try keeping an open mind. You can keep it traditional or totally break the mold - Keep in mind your location, time of year, weather, and planned activities. We're in 2024; you don't have to dress according to your gender. Just make sure you are comfortable and feel confident.
MAKE SURE YOU CAN MOVE COMFORTABLY IN THE DRESS!
Depending on your location, you might want a lightweight style that fits in a backpack for a hike or a full gown and fur wrap in the snow.
Try out some dance moves, walk or jog around the dress store and make sure you test out sitting down.
Opt for something with a bit of a smaller train if you'll be walking around a lot. Most importantly, choose something you feel confident and beautiful in.
Have FUN WITH THE COLORS!
If it's cold at your elopement location, purchase a suit with a heavier fabric like wool or tweed.
Try to match color to the location. In general, lighter colors stand out and work better for most outdoor locations.
Don't be afraid to think outside the box. Think about adding fun accessories like cufflinks, suspenders, bowties, etc. to add more dimension to your outfit.
Elopement Timelines
Budgeting enough time for your day is so key.
You want to savor every minute & document every moment - Which means allowing enough time for each part of the day.
Below are some examples to help you plan the perfect timeline!
4 Hour Elopement
3:30pm - Detail photos
4:00pm - Getting ready photos
4:30pm - First look photos
5:15pm - Head to ceremony location
5:45pm - Begin ceremony and take couples portraits after
6:00pm - Couples portraits around the location
7:30 pm - Wrap up sunset photos, photo coverage ends
8 Hour Elopement
12:00pm - Detail photos
12:30pm - Getting ready photos
1:30pm - First look
1:45pm - Head to ceremony location
2:30pm - Begin ceremony
3:00pm- Family photos + toasts
4:00pm - Couples portraits around the location
5:30pm - Go to next location
7:00 pm - Dinner
8:00pm - Photo coverage ends
12 Hour Elopement
8:00am - Wake up and have breakfast together
9:00am - Getting ready for the day
10:00am - Detail photos
11:00am - First Look
11:30am - Head to Ceremony Location
12:00pm - Ceremony
12:30pm - Post-ceremony celebration
1pm - Eat picnic lunch
2:00pm - More photoshoot time
3:00pm - Relaxation time; take time to reflect on the day
4:00pm - Return to accommodations or chosen spot for dinner
5:00pm - Dinner together
6:00pm - Toast & reflect on the day so far
7:00pm - Head to another location
8:00pm - Sunset photos
9:00pm - Blue hour photos & enjoy the sunset
9:30pm - Stargazing photos
10:00pm - Photography Coverage Ends
The Timing
What time should we start?
Sunrise and sunset are the two best times of the day for pictures. This is because at this time of day, the light is soft and even. Try to avoid midday ceremonies or portrait sessions, as it causes harsh lighting.
Why Sunrise?
It's more secluded, especially in populated places like national parks. It's cooler. You have the rest of the day to spend together as a married couple. Sunrise elopements allow you to take your time throughout the day and also gives you time to rest if you need it.
Why Sunset?
It's more secluded, especially in populated places like national parks. It's warmer. If you don't like the cold, or it's winter, eloping during the evening usually brings warmer weather. You can sleep in. If you're not an earlier riser, sunset elopements are the way to go so you can take your time waking up and enjoying the morning.
How To Prepare
Make a list of what to pack
My advice is to always start packing sooner than you think, as it will make your overall experience that much smoother.
Checklist
- Marriage license
- Permit (if applicable)
- Travel documents (ID, Passport etc)
- Rings
- Vow books
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
- Water bottle
- Shoes with good tread
- Layers
- Bluetooth speaker
ITEMS TO HAVE PREPARED:
- Wedding attire
- Rings
- Vow books
- Any family heirlooms
- Shoes
- Invitations
- Gifts
- Jewelry
Getting Ready
One of the most underrated parts of an elopement is the getting ready portion. During this time, the excitement is high and everything starts feeling real!
This portion of the day really sets the scene for the rest of your elopement. Not only does it help me document your entire story, but it also helps you get comfortable in front of the camera.
During this time, I usually capture all the details, as well as you both getting into your wedding attire, hair and makeup, and more.
Below are some of the things I tend to photograph during this time and some other suggestions of what you can bring to have ready when I arrive.
It's the Small Moments.
The First Look
Planning Your Ceremony
Before having your ceremony, you can choose to be legally married, have a symbolic ceremony, or not get legally married at all. It's completely up to you.
It's especially important to decide this ahead of time, as getting all the legal documents in different countries can be a much longer & tedious process.
When it comes to what to do for the ceremony, there are many different traditions. Here are a few to spark some ideas:
- Read personal vows
- Exchange rings
- Have a unity ceremony (light a candle, make a PB&J, plant a tree together, or something unique!)
- Read letters from family and friends
- First kiss and dance
- Cut a cake together
- Pop & spray champagne
Dinner or Party?
Having a meal or party after your ceremony can be a fun way to celebrate the day.
Some couples choose to do something a bit more luxurious and hire a private chef, and some couples are super casual and will order a pizza. You can think about having a private celebration or including your guests as well.
Pro tip: This is a great moment for me to document if you love candid images!
Day After Sessions
Day after sessions are a fun option to celebrate & hit hard to get to locations or activities you couldn't do on the elopement day. Many couples choose to go with a casual shoot style, or do a more creative "trash the dress" session, which is exactly what it sounds like. This could include going on a muddy hike, jumping into the ocean, or turning it into an art project. I’m up for anything!
Editing Your Photos
You eloped! Now, it's time for me to go through your images and create the perfect elopement gallery, just for the two of you.
After shooting your elopement, I'll deliver a "sneak peek" gallery (around 10 images) within 48 hours because I know it’s hard to wait to see how they turned out, and you can have something to send to family and friends straight away.
The remaining images will be delivered within 4-8 weeks through an online gallery link where you can download all the high-resolution files and print directly from the lab
Prints & Albums
Photo albums and prints are a great way to display your images. Plus, it's a great way to share the experience with anyone who wasn't able to attend! Through my delivered galleries you will be able to access a world class print shop for both prints and albums!
CREATIVE WAYS TO DISPLAY AND SHARE YOUR PHOTOS:
- A wedding album that sits on the coffee table
- Big canvas prints you can display on the walls
- Cute "We Eloped" announcements
- A customized box filled with printed photos (Etsy has great options)
- An album for friends and family to display in their homes
What You'll Get
- An experienced, world-class elopement photographer
- A personal consultant to answer your questions about travel, visas, venues, or whatever kept you awake the night before
- A thoughtful questionnaire so you can share your vision
- Location ideas to get you inspired and excited
- Permit coordination to stay legal & safe no matter where we go.
- A curated vendor list of folks who will exceed your expectations
- Exciting activity ideas that’ll elevate your experience
- A customized itinerary to keep your dream day on track
- Resources and guides that I’ve created exclusively for my couples
- Elopement day photo coverage that’s fun and free from stress
- A high resolution, fully-edited digital gallery of images to download, print, and share
Oh The Places We'll Go!
If you've made it this far... congratulations! You're now an elopement expert. There’s nothing I love more than helping my couples create unforgettable experiences in beautiful places.
If you're looking for more elopement inspiration or
have any questions,
please reach out and
we can chat further
about your dreams!
I'm here to help
you have the best
day ever!
-Erica
