How to Have the Best Colorado Elopement

Getting married is a long tradition throughout cultures around the world. As time goes on, weddings have changed in style and even meaning. Marriage has not just changed with each century but with each decade or even within an unprecedented year like 2020. Before last year, couples were already considering micro-weddings and elopements. However, 2020 forcefully shoved many couples towards this trend, changing the way we think about weddings altogether. Although it isn’t for everyone, I think this trend is here to stay. So to help couples planning to elope, I’ve put together a guide for how to have the best Colorado elopement.

With that said, elopements require a different kind of planning than micro weddings and even more so than a full wedding gala. Elopements are considered just the couple and a few vendors to provide them an experience and memories that are authentically their own. Eloping means you can embrace a once in a lifetime, extraordinary day. It means celebrating your relationship and its future. You can plan a breathtaking destination elopement where you hike or ski together. Maybe plan to be pampered before or after your vow ceremony in a hot spring. And it’s okay to not have a grand reception dinner. Instead, you hire a planner to put together the perfect picnic or gourmet dinner cooked by a private chef. There are so many possibilities depending on who you are as a couple and what you love to do together.

How to Have the Best Colorado Elopement

Micro-weddings, on the other hand, allow a similar elopement adventure while allowing your most cherished friends and family to partake and contribute to your celebration. Usually less than 30 guests, it encourages couples to focus on who they can’t imagine their lives and memories without. With the smaller guest count of micro-weddings, restaurants, bars, Airbnb’s, and smaller event spaces become an option. However, you do need to still keep in mind your guest’s experience! Make sure your venue is accessible. Having WiFi or a videographer to capture all the important moments also helps family members who can’t attend be a part of your day.

Above all, the most important aspect of your day should be to capture the experience and memories, not just some pretty portraits. For years to come, you and your family will want to relive this day. Don’t forget, it’ll be famous on ancestry.com forever. Lol! It is the pinnacle of your lifetime, well, at least in the top 5 memorable moments. Because of the importance of this say, many couples want to celebrate at the pinnacle of a mountain! No matter where or how you get married, you should feel like you are on top of the world with the one you love on your “wedding” day (or should I say LOPE-Day). 🙂

The Best Colorado Elopement Vendors

Places to Stay:

This really depends on where you are considering exploring and having your backdrop. However, here are some places I would recommend in various areas of the state that have some of the best views.

Della Terra
Stanley Hotel
The Broadmoor
Garden of the Gods Resort
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs
Onaledge Historic Lodge
Piney River Ranch (cabins or glamp tents)
Glen Eyrie Castle (read their mission statement if this is for you)

Places to Eat:

Colorado Springs

The Margarita at Pine Creek
MacKenzie’s Chop House
Marigold Cafe & Bakery
The Cliff House
The Briarhurst Manor

Breckenridge

The Hearthstone
Ember
Tavern West
5th Ave Grille
Briar Rose Chophouse

Idaho Springs

Beau Jo’s
Cooper’s on the Creek

Vail

Elway’s
Mountain Standard
Sweet Basil
Slope Room

Denver

Tavernetta
Linger
Safta
Tamayo
Del Frisco’s
Maggiano’s
Cho Lon
El Five
Il Posto

Things to do:

Go whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River
Drive up Pikes Peak
Climb a few 14ers
Visit Rocky Mountain Arsenal
Tour Coors Brewery
See Red Rocks
Go skiing at A-Basin, Breckenridge, Loveland, Copper Mountain, or Monarch
See the Crush Walls and Art in Rino, Denver
Hike Garden of the Gods
Hike Rocky Mountain National Park
Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park
See the Colorado National Monument
Enjoy a Hot Spring
Go golfing at Arrowhead Golf Course
Kayak or Canoe at Lake Dillon
Camp or Glamp at Piney River Ranch
Explore Manitou Springs