Exactly How to Elope in Colorado from a Couple Who Simply Eloped!
Eloping in Colorado is pretty much the best decision you can make. With stunning mountain scenery as your backdrop, what’s not to love? Here’s how we did it, and all of the tips and tricks we learned along the way! We hope this inspires you to plan your own elopement adventure.
Set Your Marriage Up for Success – Simply Elope!
Getting engaged is a memorable life event. And, getting married is supposed to be fabulous, full of love, joy, and happiness. The reality now means wedding venues cost quite a bit of money, and coordinating the event takes time. I have been seeing a lot more people elope these days and think it is fantastic for many reasons.
Our Colorado Elopement Story
My husband, Pablo, and I eloped a year after dating. Originally, we went down the path of spending our weekends looking at outdoor wedding venues all over Western Colorado and Canyon Country, Utah. Every venue, though spectacular, was a minimum of $5,000-10,000 USD for less than 50 people. This shocked us both!
Pablo and I grew more and more disheartened as our search for the perfect venue went on. We knew we would be paying for everything ourselves, and most of the numbers did not include libations or overnight accommodations.
On top of the venue, we were trying to coordinate with friends and family who lived all over the world. Things became stressful for me, the soon-to-be bride, and the last thing I wanted to do was turn into a Bridezilla. I was working full-time, which required commuting an hour each way to work. My workdays were easily 10-12 hours during the week at the time. Does this sound like you?
As our new love for each other grew stronger by the day, and as time went on, Pablo and I decided to elope!
Marriage Laws in Colorado: How to Elope
Pablo and I did a little research on what it entailed to elope in Colorado. Much to our surprise, it was a piece of cake! Finally, getting married was starting to sound fun and easy.
You can marry yourselves in Colorado. Yes, you read that correctly!
Couples can solemnize their own marriage in Colorado.
You don’t have to have your marriage officiated. You simply can head to the County Clerk together, sign the papers, and it’s a done deal.
How We Actually Eloped
The morning of our elopement, Pablo and I slept in, went out for coffee, and had breakfast at our favorite breakfast place.
Next, we came home, got ready separately, and off to the County Clerk we went!
I got a dress a few days before. The bridal dress boutique owner and seamstress helped me get dressed at their shop. They were so sweet.
Our photographer met us at the County Clerk.
We signed the marriage paperwork, and that was it. Our marriage was official right then and there!
However, we wanted to do something special for each other and marry ourselves outdoors in the Colorado National Monument.
The Colorado National Monument is where we said our sacred marital vows. Our wonderful photographer and little dog were the only other souls accompanying us. It snowed, which Pablo wished for. It was beautiful.
The day was romantic, memorable, and fun. We weren’t even cold – we were full of so much excitement and adrenaline. My white dress was soaked with canyon country dirt. It was awesome.
Eloping turned out to be more special than I could ever have imagined. Neither of us regrets it one bit. In fact, we tend to encourage it to others wanting to get married!
We started our marriage off with a day totally about us and our love. I’m so glad we hired the photographer to capture the special outdoor elopement. We even got to have our best friend and best man, Sunny, the chihuahua.
10 Reasons to Plan a Colorado Elopement
1. Getting married is about you and your partner.
I say this in the most loving way possible. Eloping is empowering! It is exciting! Eloping gives a new couple freedom to go with the flow. It also gives a new couple courage to start making decisions together as a team.
Communication is key if you are worried about informing your friends and family of your decision. Communicate lovingly and openly. Solicit support for your decision (just in case you are concerned about how other people in your life will react).
2. Eloping means you are not spending a ridiculous amount of money.
Weddings cost money. Eloping makes more sense for couples that don’t want to start a marriage in debt. Or worse, put pressure on the family to help pay for an event.
3. Eloping allows more money for honeymoons.
Save money for more honeymoons.
We went on three honeymoons, including to Maui!
4. Keep your money in savings.
Americans are drowning in debt. Set yourselves up for success. Keep your hard-earned money in savings to buy a home or pay off something super meaningful for your future together.
5. There is less waste.
Eloping means less waste, less mess to clean up, fewer clothes you and your guests don’t need, and less pollution. Definitely, less pollution for people traveling from all over the world to attend a formal event.
6. Less effort equals less stress.
This is one of the most important reasons for eloping! Less planning, fewer decisions, and most importantly, less stress. Because let’s be real… Most people are working 8-10 hour days, and we need time for self-care, working out, walking the dog, cooking, having fun, cleaning, oh my gosh, the list goes on! Try to plan a wedding on top of that. No, thank you…
7. No family or friend drama.
Haha, I laugh as I write #7, but it is SO TRUE. I know everyone reading this is thinking about it!
Be sure to communicate lovingly and openly to the people you care about regarding your decision to elope.
8. Have your dream outdoor venue.
Get married anywhere you want for little to no money! Literally, with only two people and a photographer, have your dream destination. You deserve it. You really do.
9. Eloping is more private – vows are sacred.
Intimate vows for life are super private and sacred. Pablo and I are both introverts and wrote our own vows to each other. There is no way either of us would have been comfortable sharing these with the world.
10. Make eloping one of the best days of your life.
Make eloping one of the best and happiest days of your life! Elope, exactly how you dream it. This becomes more possible without complicated logistics, crowds, and financial strains.
Tips for Eloping
Communicate Lovingly with Family and Friends
Be sure to communicate with loved ones about why you have decided to elope. Solicit their love and support ahead of time. If eloping is the route you and your partner have decided to take, let loved ones know your reasons.
You may be surprised how many people will applaud and outright encourage you! Remember, you can always plan something special with everyone later.
Host a Post Elopement Party
You can always host fabulous festivities at a later date for family and friends.
In fact, Pablo and I had two post-elopement parties. Our loved ones in Breckenridge threw us a memorable party! Pablo and I also hosted a brunch months later for close friends and family in another town. This made sense for us, especially since we were from different places and countries.
Hosting a brunch is also more affordable than hosting a dinner.
Hire a Photographer
It will be so worth it! You want to be able to cherish this precious moment.
Get the Dress
Wear outfits that make you both feel special.
Order Flowers and a Cake
Don’t skip the flowers and cake! So many boutiques love to make small cakes and floral arrangements for elopements!
Take Control of Your Future Together
Start from day one. Though eloping is not traditional, we hope this post inspires and encourages you to follow your heart and dreams as a couple. That is why we decided to share our true story of eloping in Colorado.
There are so many economic, freeing, and fun reasons to elope. In the long run, everything will be perfect. Just go for it!
We promise if you love each other, everything will be more than alright. In fact, I bet your future selves will thank you!
For all our friends and family reading this, thanks for always supporting us.
We love and appreciate you.
Ashlee & Pablo
Read More From The Happiness Function
This is so fun, seeing some new pictures and remembering how special this day was for you both. Great advice!
Hi Aline! Thanks for commenting on our post. It is so nice to see you on our page! 😀
Mis queridos Ashlee y Pablo, el volver a ver el casamiento de ustedes y el bello relato que haces Ashlee, me llena de felicidad, Son seres tan especiales ambos.Siempre se los digo LOS AMO
¡Hola Cristina! ¡Muchas gracias por leer y comentar! ¡Te apreciamos! ¡Te amamos!