“How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Colorado?”
When you think of planning a wedding, you probably think of celebration, happiness, and excitement.
But you might also think of an overwhelming array of options, expensive venues, exorbitant cakes, and a whole lot of anxiety.
From deciding on the venue, to choosing who to invite, to picking the food, it can be a flurry of worries and stress.
But why let these decisions ruin the fun of your big day? Why not Elope!
Why Elope?
Eloping is an excellent option for couples who are not fond of the wedding stress and instead want to celebrate their new journey more intimately. It saves a lot of time, hassle, money, and you can spend more time and money planning a fun honeymoon!
Eloping in Colorado
If you are considering eloping in Colorado, you are in for a treat. Surrounded by mountains, lush green forests, and jaw-droppingly beautiful valleys, Colorado offers the best of nature and views. This also makes it the perfect backdrop for an adventure-filled wedding!
Apart from its breathtaking beauty, Colorado makes it easy to obtain a marriage license. You can self-solemnize your wedding and don’t need any witnesses.
How do you plan an elopement?
Although eloping is not as stressful as planning a full-fledged wedding, there is some planning involved. From deciding on the venue, choosing a photographer to capture the moment you say, “I Do,” and figuring out documentation, there are still a few things that need to be planned ahead of time.
A good way to start the planning process is to sketch out the most pressing details first. Figure out how many guests you’ll have, where you’ll do the ceremony, and where you’ll celebrate afterwards. Then you’ll want to figure out the marriage license process, and line up any vendors that you need (photographer, officiant, etc.).
Colorado Micro-Wedding & Elopement Packages
Starting at $1,300
—Officiant (starting at $300)
—Photography (starting at $500)
—Videography (starting at $900)
—Flowers (starting at $100)
—Wedding Planner (starting at $500)
Everything you need for a beautiful and stress-free small wedding!
All-Inclusive | 100% Customizable | 0 - 80 Guests
Vendors | Venues | Marriage License | Permits | Dining | Lodging
Colorado MicroWeddings… Colorado’s Elopement Company since 2018!
How much does it cost to elope in Colorado?
In 2019, the cost of a traditional wedding was around $34,000.
The average price of a Colorado elopement (including a photographer and officiant) is about $1,200, but this varies significantly based on the vendors, location, and group size. A simple elopement could cost as little as $100, and an elaborate helicopter adventure could be as much as $10,000.
The elopement experience can be as simple as you want, or as elaborate as you can imagine. You can go down to the courthouse, get your marriage license, take a couple of pictures on your phone, and go out for a casual dinner. Or you can plan an exquisite experience by choosing an off-beat location you’ve never been to and a private reception venue.
The Least Expensive Way
The cheapest way to get married in Colorado is to simply go to the county clerk’s office and “Self-Solemnize”. It takes 20 minutes, no appointment is required, and it costs $35. You simply fill out the paperwork, and you’re legally married.
The signature of a judge/minister is NOT required in Colorado.
Witnesses are NOT required in Colorado.
You do NOT have to be a resident of Colorado.
The next cheapest option for elopement in Colorado is to choose a picturesque location and hire an officiant who will lead you through a short ceremony and vow exchange. Add in a photographer to capture your momentous occasion, and maybe have a few sweets or a bottle of bubbly close by for the celebrations once you both say “I Do”!
Vendors
The price of your elopement depends a lot on the choice of your vendors. You could go all in and hire the works, or keep it minimal with just a photographer and an officiant. It’s definitely not necessary to include all the vendors possible.
Let’s break down the core vendors for a typical elopement:
Photographer: The biggest chunk of your budget will go towards the photographer. On average, your investment for a photographer for your elopement will be anywhere between $600-$2000.
We offer professional photography services starting at $400. —More Info
Officiant: An officiant will help you navigate through all the traditions and vows of your elopement. Typically, hiring an officiant can cost you anywhere between $300-$500.
We offer professional officiant services starting at $250. —More Info
Florists: Be it the humble arrangements or a giant flower bouquet, spruce up your elopement with a florist! A florist in Colorado usually costs around $150-$400.
We offer simple bouquets starting at $80. —More Info
Hair/Makeup stylist: Hiring a makeup artist or a hairstylist is an added cost that you may or may not need. On average, a hair & makeup stylist charges $350-$500.
We offer professional traveling stylists starting at $300. —More Info
Videography: Getting married is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Document your elopement and the adventure by hiring a videographer. A videographer in Colorado will charge anywhere between $1800-$3500 for an elopement.
We offer professional videography services starting at $900. —More Info
Location
Finding the right venue for your elopement can be a tough decision. From getting married amid a forest to exchanging your vows surrounded by the mountains, there’s no limit to where you can elope in Colorado.
You can save costs by eloping in free parks or choosing a venue like the National Parks that require you to file a permit of just $200-$300. Looking for a private wedding venue is not a popular option for elopement, but you should probably budget around $3k+ if you want to go that route.
Reception / Dinner
Most people don’t go for a traditional wedding venue reception, and instead opt for a simple dinner. This is generally at a local restaurant, catering brought into a rental home, or a picnic in the park! When it comes to the cost of food, it’s all about your style and preferences.
The Group Size
The smaller the number of people at your elopement, the lower your cost. Generally, if you have less than 20 people, it’s easy to find a nice casual spot for a short ceremony, and a restaurant that works for dinner. But, if your group gets above 30 people, you may find yourself more comfortable opting for a ceremony and reception site that specialize in private events and group gatherings.
The Marriage License
As mentioned earlier, you can self-solemnize in Colorado, which means that you don’t necessarily need an officiant to help you exchange vows. To get your marriage license, all you need is a photo ID. Getting a marriage license in Colorado is hassle-free and costs only $35. Find more detailed information on how to get legally married in Colorado right here.
Eloping with Colorado Microweddings
Let me plan a simple Colorado elopement or micro-wedding for you!
You & Your fiancé
+ Beautiful Mountain Overlook
+ Wedding Officiant
+ Professional Photographer
___________
= Starting at $1,300
Plus, complimentary guides for locations, dining, activities, lodging, and the marriage license!
If you’re ready to plan your elopement, but are looking for the most cost-effective, and stress-free experience, we offer personalized wedding packages to make your day truly special! We take care of everything for you — from finding the perfect spot, to searching for a photographer, to helping you handle the tiniest details. Customize your elopement package with all the vendors you want, and leave out the ones you can do without!
