There’s so many fun things to make decisions about when planning your elopement! Your date, location, what you’re going to do on the day. As you get further into planning there might be a couple things you’ve never thought about (totally okay! You’re not an elopement planning expert!) that come up. Here are a few unexpected things to consider when planning your elopement in Colorado.
Sunset in the summer is late, interfering with dinner
Sunset and golden hour are magical, but keep in mind how late summer sunsets are when planning your day. Many couples want to celebrate with dinner out, but with sunset between 7-8:30pm it takes some planning to include both dinner and those treasured golden hour moments. If you want to include dinner on the day of your elopement, plan for it to be really early (like 5:00 p.m.) so that you can go back out for golden hour. An alternative is to plan something really casual, like a picnic or picking up pizza, and having dinner at your location so that you have plenty of time to enjoy golden hour and sunset. If you’re including guests, consider having a celebratory breakfast or dinner the next day!
You need to be able to move in what you’re wearing
Having wedding attire that you can move around in can make or break your experience. The mountains are not a manicured wedding venue. The ground is uneven, it can be muddy, there’s rocks to jump on, hills to walk up, and fields to frolic in; please please wear wedding attire that you can move around in! Having dress shoes with slippery soles, a really tight suit, or a dress that’s really heavy with a long train that’s hard to carry can really bog down your experience. You don’t need to forgo a train or beautiful details on the dress, but make sure you can breathe, sit, and walk comfortably. Also, be willing to get your attire a little dirty! In no way do you need to trash what you’re wearing or be covered in inches of mud, but wanting everything to stay absolutely pristine is going to make things more stressful than fun.
Don’t forget to account for driving distances
Mountain roads are winding and sometimes unpaved. Multiple locations might be close mileage wise, but with lower speed limits, it can take much longer to get there. Some of the best locations are a 40+ minute drive from the nearest tiny mountain town.
More guests mean limited location options
30 people may seem like a small group compared to a traditional wedding of over 100, but that’s a big group when it comes to the mountains. With the gaining popularity of elopements, more locations have group size restrictions. More people means you’re going to have less options as far as ceremony locations go. Larger groups have a big impact on the land, especially somewhere like Colorado that has a lot of fragile ecosystems like alpine tundra. With more than 15 guests, you may need a special use permit or a designated ceremony site.
Timed entry
Timed entry systems for really popular areas (like Rocky Mountain National Park or the Brainard Lake Recreation Area) is becoming more common and that’s definitely something to take into consideration when choosing a location. If your location requires timed entry, familiarize yourself (and guests if you’re including them) with the system before you need to use it. Be ready to go the second the reservations become available to ensure you get one (yep, they’re like concert tickets). Areas that require timed entry often have lines to get in that can be anywhere from 5 minutes to over an hour depending on the time of year; give yourself extra time getting there just in case!
An elopement day is more than just pretty photos
An elopement day is not just taking pictures, it’s about documenting a wedding experience that’s just a bit different. Just like with a traditional wedding, there’s no need to take posed/staged photos all day! One of the best ways to avoid feeling like you’re just having a photo shoot in fancy clothes is by planning activities! You can read more about how to plan an elopement here and find activity ideas for your elopement day here.
Crowds are a thing
Pictures online or on social media almost always make all areas seem super secluded or very remote, but the reality is the mountains are becoming more popular than ever. Crowds are very real- everyone wants a piece of the beauty. The closer you are to civilization (think close to Denver) the more people there’s going to be. Popular places are popular for a reason, they’re often easily accessible and beautiful, but going out a little bit further whether that’s driving or hiking, can help with seclusion and privacy. Definitely keep in mind that around holidays, especially long weekends like 4th of July and Labor Day crowds are going to be intense.
Mountain seasons are short (unless its winter)
Mountain seasons are different from lower elevation seasons. Winter is much longer than most people expect and it takes a long time for the snow to melt. Summer doesn’t really start until mid June- seriously, the trees are still bare in mid May. Fall comes much earlier than other parts of the country, with leaves starting to change in mid to late September and going only through the beginning (sometimes to the middle of) October. Late October is fully winter in the mountains.
You have to get your marriage license on a weekday
Marriage licenses are super easy to get in Colorado, but you do have to get them on a weekday. If you’re planning on traveling to Colorado, make sure one of your days is a weekday so that you have time to pick it up before your day. How to obtain a marriage license varies by county, but generally speaking you make an appointment and both go in with two forms of ID.
Finding other vendors can sometimes be challenging and pricey
While many photographers travel all over the state and don’t charge travel fees, finding other wedding vendors in small mountain towns during high season can sometimes be tricky. There may be travel fees or service minimums. Picking up flowers closer to more metropolitan area can give you more options and can be more affordable!
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