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TIPS + LOCATIONS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR COLORADO ELOPEMENT
RAE ANN PHOTO | ELOPEMENT & WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | NEW ENGLAND & BEYOND
Below is your ultimate guide to panning your Colorado elopement packed with locations, adventurous elopement activities and example schedules to help you plan your elopement.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!
There are so many locations in Colorado and so many great trails to go on so here are some of my favs! You can find more info here.
Berthoud Pass
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
- Steamboat Springs/Kremmling
Fish Creak Falls
Rabbits Ear Pass
- Pearl Lake State Park
- Steamboat Lake State Park
Mount Zirkle Wilderness
- Gilpin Lake
- Gold Creek Lake
Flat Tops Wilderness Area
National Parks in Northern Colorado
- Rocky Mountain National Park
ADVENTUROUS IDEAS TO DO DURING YOUR COLORADO ELOPEMENT
Go backpacking
Rent a jeep and take it off-roading
Canoe or Kayaking
Stargaze
Car camp
Have a backcountry meal
Go hiking
Rock climbing
Mountain biking
Ride in a helicopter
Horseback riding
Skiing/Snowboarding in the Winter/Spring
Fishing
White river rafting
HOW DO WE ELOPE
Head to your local county clerk’s office where you’re looking to elope in. Make sure to bring your ID and $30 license cost. Sign and complete the marriage license. You must file your license and bring it to your county clerks office or mail within 63 days of signing and 35 days of purchasing.
Colorado is a self solemnizing state so the only thing needed is yourselves. No officiant or witnesses needed. You can even have your dog sign your marriage certificate. If you decide to elope in a National park you may need a permit. My elopement packages cover national park fees and I will take care of the application process for you!
NATIONAL PARKS IN COLORADO
Rocky Mountain
Great Sand Dunes
Gunnison
Mesa Verde
WHEN SHOULD WE ELOPE?
Summer - While this season is some of the best weather it's often the busiest season with tourists coming from all over. Summer is also when wildflowers like Columbines start to peak between June and August.
Fall - You will see the changing in color of the aspen trees and summer crowds will start to wind down. This will lead to more spots being less populated.
Winter - Some may consider this to be the off-season but most if not everyone who lives in Colorado will be hitting the slopes and taking in the gorgeous winter landscape. If you're a Winter lover you will love Colorado in Winter and will be the ideal time to elope if you love winter activities.
Spring - You will start to see all the flowers blooming and closed trails becoming more available for hikers.
WHAT IF THE WEATHER ISN'T GREAT?
I've photographed weddings and elopements in all types of weather so it really doesn't matter to me. My best advice would be to prepare for anything. Depending on the month rainfall happens between March to October with the highest rainfall month being May.
I would avoid wearing long trains if you don't want a dirty dress. But I always tell my eloping couples that your dress will get dirty regardless and that's ok!
8+ Hours of Coverage Example: Adventure Hiking Elopement
*Coverage hours are based on a Summer sunset elopement
* Times will vary depending one season, month and day
9:00 am Wakeup at Airbnb pack for hiking elopement
9:30 am Breakfast at a local restaurant or cafe
10 am Meet at trailhead
- 2-4 hours hiking to summit *depending on location
2:50 pm Summit mountain
- Rest time 25 minutes before photos
- Take time to change into wedding attire
3:15 pm First look
3:30 pm Ceremony/vows
4-5:00 pm - Sunset photos at the summit *dependent on sunset time
6+ Hours of Coverage Example:
9:00 am Breakfast + coffee at a local cafe
10:00 am Back to Airbnb to get ready for ceremony
3:00 pm Ceremony at summit
3:30 pm Photos at summit
4:00pm Champagne toast on the trail
6:00pm Sunset photos
8:00pm Back to Airbnb for dessert and after-party
9:00pm Head back out again for starry night photos
4 Hours of Coverage Example *short hike:
3:00pm Meet at an Airbnb for a few getting ready photos and a first look outside
4:00pm Ceremony at lake
5:00pm Toast & sunset photos
7:00pm Done
Recommended Vendors:
Flowers: Yarrow and Spruce, Lady Southwest, Fairytale floral
Bakery: Alire Modern Bakehouse
Jeep rentals: Turo Jeep Rentals, Rocky Mountain Jeep Rental
Helpful links:
HOW DO WE BOOK YOU AS OUR COLORADO ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER?
Just head to my contact page and fill out a form or you can email me at raeannphoto056@gmail.com when you're ready to start planning. If you're planning for a weekday there's no rush but if you would like a weekend date, let me know ASAP!
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