The Best Time of Day to Elope in Colorado
Hey there! My name’s Iver Marjerison.
I’m a Colorado micro-wedding planner, and over the years I’ve helped plan hundreds of small weddings and elopements across the state. This guide covers everything you need to know about the best time of day to elope in Colorado
When is the best time to elope in Colorado? June and September are the most popular months, offering warm weather, stunning scenery, and access to iconic ceremony sites like Rocky Mountain National Park, Maroon Bells, and Sapphire Point. But Colorado is a year-round destination — winter brings snowy mountain backdrops, late September and early October offer golden aspen foliage, and shoulder seasons like May and November mean fewer crowds and better deals. This guide breaks down Colorado elopement weather month by month, plus tips on wildflower season, fall colors, alpine trail access, and what to expect in popular locations like Estes Park, Breckenridge, and Aspen.
Let’s keep it simple…
Assuming you are eloping outdoors.
Assuming you want good lighting for photos.
You should plan to start your wedding at sunrise, or 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset.
Sunrise is best for…
Couples who plan to elope on public land—to beat the crowds!
Couples and who don’t mind getting up early—5:30am to 7:30am, depending on the season.
Couples who want to capture that early morning “blue hour” magic.
Couples who only plan to do an hour or so of photography.
Sunset is best for…
Couples who don’t like getting up early.
Couples those who plan on doing more than 1.5 hours of photography.
Colorado Micro-Wedding & Elopements
500+ Happy Couples
Planning, Vendors, Locations
Text “info” to see what we do :)
720-598-2862
Why Lighting Matters for Elopement Photos
For outdoor elopements, lighting is everything. The best wedding photographers in Colorado will tell you the same thing: harsh midday sun creates unflattering shadows, washed-out colors, and squinting. Sunrise and the hour or two before sunset — known as golden hour — offer soft, warm, directional light that makes skin glow, mountains pop, and photos look effortlessly stunning. This is why most elopement photographers strongly recommend scheduling your ceremony around these windows. If you're eloping at an indoor venue, timing is more flexible since you're working with controlled lighting. But for mountaintops, overlooks, and alpine meadows? Chase the golden light.
Sunset vs Sunrise — which is better?
Lighting Considerations
This is something every couple and photographer will have a different opinion on. Technically speaking, both sunrise and the hour or two before sunset — known as golden hour — offer the best quality light for photos. The sun is low on the horizon, creating soft, warm, directional light that makes skin glow and landscapes pop. Midday sun, on the other hand, creates harsh shadows and squinting.
One key difference: the window of optimal lighting at sunrise is shorter than at sunset. The light changes quickly as the sun rises, so you'll have less time to work with. If you want an extended photography session with plenty of time for portraits, couples shots, and scenic photos, sunset typically gives you more flexibility.
Sunset also tends to produce more dramatic skies — Colorado is known for vibrant pink and orange sunsets, especially when there are a few clouds in the sky to catch the light.
Privacy Considerations
If you're eloping at a public location like Garden of the Gods, Chautauqua Park, or Lost Gulch Overlook, privacy is a real concern. These spots can get crowded, especially on weekends.
For couples who want a more intimate ceremony without hikers and tourists in the background, sunrise is the move. You'll have far fewer people around, and many popular overlooks will be nearly empty. By mid-morning, that same spot could have dozens of visitors.
If you're set on a sunset ceremony at a public location, consider a weekday — Tuesday or Wednesday will have significantly fewer crowds than Saturday.
Weather Considerations
Colorado mountain weather behaves differently in the morning versus the evening, and it varies by season.
Summer (June–August): Afternoon thunderstorms are extremely common in the Colorado mountains. They typically roll in between 1pm and 5pm, bringing lightning, rain, and sometimes hail. Mornings are usually clear and calm. If you're planning a summer elopement, sunrise or early morning is the safest bet for avoiding storms. If you prefer sunset, keep an eye on the forecast and have a backup plan.
Winter (November–March): Mornings in the mountains can be brutally cold, often in the single digits or teens at higher elevations. Temperatures warm up throughout the day, making late afternoon more comfortable for an outdoor ceremony. However, winter storms can move in at any time, so flexibility is key. If you're eloping in winter, layers are essential regardless of timing.
Fall & Spring: Weather is more unpredictable during shoulder seasons. Fall mornings tend to be crisp and clear — perfect for photos with golden aspens. Spring can bring surprise snow at elevation, even in May. Check the forecast close to your date and be prepared for anything.
Colorado Elopement Optimal Ceremony Time Calculator
This handy calculator basically will tell you the optimal ceremony time for sunset weddings in Colorado.
Optimal Sunset Ceremony Time
The equation used is technical sunset minus 2 hours. This is based off assuming that you’ll want 1.5 hours of photography, starting with the ceremony. This equation gives about a 30 minute cushion, incase anyone runs late, or you have a weather delay.
Optimal Sunset Ceremony Time
The equation used is technical sunrise. This is normally when we start our sunrise ceremonies, though some photographers/couples may prefer to start photos 20-30 minutes earlier to capture “blue hour”—though this can be very limited at some locations.
PLEASE NOTE:
Sunset and sunrise in Colorado does vary by location because of the mountains. It’s always best to consult with your wedding planner and/or photographer to ensure you are choosing the optimal time for your specific location.
Find Your Optimal Colorado Ceremony Time
Please just use this calculator as an estimate, always double check on Google.
Colorado Sunrise & Sunset Calculator
Here’s another calculator that can be used to get technical sunrise, and sunset, in Colorado for specific dates. I won’t pretend like this is some magical information, you can fact check it via Google: “sunset April 10, Denver”.
Colorado Sunrise & Sunset Calculator
Please just use this calculator as an estimate, always double check on Google.
Colorado Elopement Timing FAQs
What is golden hour?
Golden hour is the period of soft, warm, golden light that occurs just after sunrise and just before sunset. In Colorado, golden hour typically lasts about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the season. This is widely considered the best lighting for outdoor wedding photography — skin tones look warm and natural, landscapes glow, and the mountains take on a beautiful depth. For elopements, photographers recommend scheduling your ceremony to take place during this window.
What is blue hour?
Blue hour is the 20–30 minutes before sunrise (and after sunset) when the sky takes on a cool, dusky blue tone. In Colorado, blue hour creates a moody, ethereal quality in photos that you can't replicate at any other time of day. It's especially stunning in the mountains, where the soft blue light contrasts with snow-capped peaks. Couples who want that dreamy, early-morning look often schedule their elopement to begin during blue hour, just before the sun rises.
Can I elope at midday in Colorado?
For outdoor elopements, midday is never recommended due to harsh lighting — the sun creates unflattering shadows, washed-out colors, and squinting. However, if the skies are overcast, the lighting can actually be nice any time of day since the clouds act as a natural diffuser. If you're eloping at an indoor venue in Colorado, timing is much more flexible and midday works just fine.
What if it rains on my elopement day in Colorado?
Most elopements in Colorado are outdoors without a backup location, but rain doesn't have to ruin your day. Colorado storms tend to come and go quickly — especially summer afternoon thunderstorms. Umbrellas and a good attitude are all you really need to make it work. If the rain is heavy, you can always wait out the worst of it in the car. Some of the most memorable elopement photos happen right after a storm when the sky clears and the light is dramatic.
What time should I start getting ready for a sunrise elopement?
For a sunrise elopement in Colorado, plan backwards from the ceremony time. Most brides need one to two hours to get ready, plus travel time to the location. You'll also want to arrive at least 15 minutes before the ceremony. So if sunrise is at 6:00am and your location is 30 minutes away, you'd want to start getting ready around 3:15am–4:15am. It's early, but worth it for the light and privacy.
Do photographers charge more for sunrise elopements?
Many Colorado elopement photographers do charge a travel or hotel fee for sunrise elopements, depending on the time of year and location. If your ceremony starts at 5:30am in the mountains, your photographer may need to stay overnight nearby rather than drive up from Denver. Ask about this upfront when booking so there are no surprises.
What is the best time of day to elope at Rocky Mountain National Park?
The best time of day to elope in Rocky Mountain National Park is right at sunrise, or about 2 hours before sunset if you're planning 1.5 hours of photography. Sunrise offers fewer crowds and beautiful morning light on the peaks. Sunset gives you golden hour with more flexibility in your morning schedule. Both work well — it comes down to your preference.
What is the best time of day to elope at Garden of the Gods?
The best time of day to elope at Garden of the Gods is sunrise. The park gets extremely crowded throughout the day, so arriving early means fewer tourists in your photos. Sunrise also creates beautiful warm light on the red rock formations that you can't get at any other time. If sunrise isn't possible, a weekday sunset is your next best option.
More Elopement Planning Info
Check out all my Colorado Elopement Planning Tips & Guides here
Want Help Planning Your Colorado Elopement?
Colorado MicroWeddings
7+ Years | 300+ Happy Couples
The best small-wedding venues in Colorado.
A hand-picked team of the top vendors.
Everything you need for a beautiful and stress-free small wedding!
—Officiant (starting at $300)
—Photography (starting at $500)
—Videography (starting at $900)
—Flowers (starting at $100)
—Wedding Planner (starting at $500)
All-Inclusive | 100% Customizable | 0 - 80 Guests
Vendors | Venues | Marriage License | Permits | Dining | Lodging
Text or Email the word “Info”
720-598-2862
Iver@ColoradoMicroWeddings.com
Or Click Here to Learn More About Our Small-Wedding & Elopement Packages
