Colorado Elopement Photographer
The big Colorado views,
minus the 8 mile hike to get to them.
Okay, but where do we even start?
Most of the couples who reach out to me love being outside, have a dog they want there, want it small, and are coming from somewhere else. What they don't have is a location, and Colorado is a big state with a lot of really good ones. So that's where we start. You tell me what you want it to look like and who's coming, and I come back with places you've never heard of, when the roads to them open, and what the day could look like.
My elopements are the drive up, get out, and walk a little kind. A couple of miles at most, because you should still have energy for the part where you get married!
This is what I help with
Locations. Where to go for the scenery you want, when the roads open, and whether you need a permit.
Vendors. Hair and makeup, florists, cake, whatever you want. I'll point you to the ones who are used to elopements.
The rest of the trip. Where to eat, what to do with the day after, favorite short hikes, and what the weather is actually going to do to you that month.
The legal stuff. Your marriage license and which county to get it from.
The guest list. Up to 15 on public land, or however many you want at a venue or rental.
Four steps to booking,
that involve zero spreadsheets.
Get the pricing guide
Fill out the form and the full pricing guide is in your inbox within 48 hours. From there, grab a 15 minute call if you want to talk it through, or just reply to the email.
Book your date
Sign the contract and pay the retainer. That same day you get my elopement guide, which goes over how to pick a location, how to pick a season, how to include your people if you want them there, what to do on the day, and timeline examples.
We put it together
Tell me the scenery, the time of year, and who's coming. I come back with spots, permits, and a timeline built around things you actually want to do.
Show up and get married
I've got the permit, the timeline, and a second photographer. You've got the rings and the license.
Your elopement isn't a photo shoot
There's a reason you're doing this day for the two of you and not for everyone else, and a photographer who spends it saying "stand here, hand there, look at me" kind of negates the whole point. So I don't. We find things for you to actually do, and the photos happen while you're focused on each other instead of on me. When I do come in close for the more portrait type stuff, I have prompts and games for that, and I low key pride myself on making sure the one of you who'd rather not be in front of a camera ends up having a good time anyway.
Where to elope in Colorado
The four places I get asked about most. Each guide covers when the roads open, permits, and what a day there actually looks like.
More location guides: Breckenridge, Leadville, Silverton, and Grand Junction.
No idea yet? Start with the spots you can drive to →
Who you're hiring
I've been helping plan and photograph elopements in Colorado for 10 years and have worked with over 100 couples. Before Denver I lived on the other side of the mountains for 4 years, so I actually know the San Juans and southwest Colorado, not just the spots an hour from the airport. I eloped out here too, so I've done all of this planning for myself.
For your elopement, I show up with a second photographer, a backup day held on my calendar in case the weather does something wild, and a car full of stuff you didn't know you'd need.
What it's actually like, from people who’ve been there.
We decided to elope less than a week before and Kimberly made everything completely effortless. In the best way possible, we didn't even notice she was there during the ceremony.
Samantha
She was super helpful planning all the details and giving recommendations, especially since we are not from Colorado. She made planning the elopement so much easier!
Kayla
My husband, who HATES having his picture taken, had nothing but fabulous things to say and how for once he actually LIKED to have his pictures taken!
Jadynn
Colorado elopement questions, answered
Do we have to hike to elope in Colorado?
Nope! Every spot I recommend is a short, flat walk from where you park. If you want an easy to moderate hike, I know some good ones, but it's your call, never a requirement. If you want something harder, I can refer you to a great photographer who loves to hike and carry 10 pounds of camera gear up a mountain! Unfortunately that is not me.
Can we bring our dog to our Colorado elopement?
Yes, and you never have to ask. Most National Forest and BLM spots are dog friendly. The big exception on locations out here is Rocky Mountain National Park, where dogs have to stay on roads and in parking areas, so if your dog is coming, that's a spot we skip.
Do we need a permit to elope in Colorado?
Some spots require one. National parks and a few recreation areas need a special use permit, plus a timed entry reservation in summer. Plenty of county and state land needs nothing at all if you have under 6 guests. Whichever it is, the permit plan comes with the location.
Can we marry ourselves in Colorado without an officiant?
Yes! Colorado lets you self solemnize, which means the two of you sign your own license and that's the ceremony, legally. A $30 license from any county clerk, no officiant, no witnesses, no waiting period, and you don't have to live here.
What are the best months for a Colorado elopement?
For wildflowers and open roads, July through September. For gold aspens, the back half of September. For snow and empty trailheads, winter. They all have something worthy, it just depends on what you're looking for!
What happens if it storms on our elopement day?
We work with it, move locations, or we wait it out. Mountain storms are usually short, and there's almost always a dry spot within a short drive. For the rare time neither of those works, the day after your elopement is always held open just in case of emergencies.
Do you photograph elopements outside Colorado?
Not usually! I know Colorado like the back of my hand and I think working elsewhere where I don't know the area as well can detract from the planning process and therefore, sometimes the experience. But I am kinda obsessed with other locations so if you're looking for something outside of Colorado, it never hurts to ask!
How far in advance should we book a Colorado elopement photographer?
Weekend summer and fall dates are the first to go. Winter and weekdays are way more forgiving!
When do we get our photos?
A sneak peek within the first week, before your final payment is even due. Then the full gallery in about eight weeks.