How much does an elopement photographer cost in Colorado?

Elopement photographers in Colorado typically charge between $800 and $4,500, depending on experience, coverage time, and deliverables. Budget-friendly options start around $500.

Do I need a permit to elope in Colorado?

It depends on the location. Many public parks like Garden of the Gods, Chautauqua Park, and Lost Gulch Overlook are free and don't require permits for small groups. Others like Rocky Mountain National Park ($300), Sapphire Point ($142), and Maroon Bells ($200) require permits and reservations.

Do I need an officiant to elope in Colorado?

No. Colorado is one of the few states that allows self-solemnization, meaning you can legally marry yourselves without an officiant. Many couples choose to have a friend or family member lead the ceremony instead. If you do want a professional officiant, expect to pay $300–$750.

How much does a wedding bouquet cost for an elopement?

A custom bridal bouquet in Colorado typically costs $125–$450, depending on the size, flowers, and florist.

How much does bridal hair and makeup cost in Colorado?

On-site bridal hair and makeup in Colorado typically costs $400–$600 plus travel fees. In-salon services are more affordable at $300–$400.

How much does an elopement videographer cost in Colorado?

Elopement videographers in Colorado typically charge $1,500–$3,500, with budget-friendly options starting around $900.

What is the cheapest place to elope in Colorado?

Garden of the Gods, Chautauqua Park, Lost Gulch Overlook, and Sawmill Reservoir are all free ceremony sites that don't require wedding permits. These are great options for couples on a tight budget.

How much does an elopement reception cost?

Reception costs vary widely. A casual backyard barbecue runs $15–$30 per person. A local restaurant dinner typically costs $50–$150 per person. A private chef experience runs $50–$175 per person including food, service, and cleanup.

What is included in an elopement package?

Elopement packages typically include planning assistance, photography, and help finding a ceremony site. Some packages also include an officiant, flowers, and hair and makeup. Packages in Colorado generally range from $1,300–$5,000 depending on services and coverage time.

Home > Colorado Elopement Planning Guide > How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Colorado?

bride and groom eloping in rocky mountain national park

How Much Does it Cost 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 what it costs to elope in Colorado.

Generally speaking, Colorado elopements range from $35 - to $5,000. I know it’s a big range, but there are a lot of variables that significantly impact the cost of a small wedding, including: ceremony site, vendors, and reception. This guide breaks down the specifics of each of these elements to help couples better estimate the true cost of their day.

Colorado Micro-Wedding & Elopements
500+ Happy Couples
Planning, Vendors, Locations
Text “info” to see what we do :)
720-598-2862

Everything You Need to Know About What it Costs to Elope in Colorado

The only required expense to get married in Colorado is the marriage license, which is $30. Beyond that, you can basically do whatever you want, keep it simple with just a $1,000 photographer, or go crazy with a helicopter elopement for $5,500.

The Cheapest Way to Elope in Colorado

What’s the Cheapest Way to Elope in Colorado?

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 $30. 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.

Check out my full guide: How to Get Legally Married in Colorado

Elopement Packages

A popular option for couples looking to do a small wedding in Colorado are “Elopement Packages.” This is a service offered by planners, and photographers, that basically help you put together the core elements of your day at a set price. Generally speaking, I only suggest elopement packages for couples who don’t already have a photographer, and who want help finding the perfect ceremony site. Elopement packages in Colorado generally cost between $1,000 - $5,000, pending on the size, venue, and services needed. My company, Colorado MicroWeddings, offers all-inclusive elopement packages that start at $1,300.

Elopement Vendor Costs

While adding on wedding vendors for an elopement in Colorado is completely optional, it’s still very common for couples to hire a professional wedding officiant, and photographer. Many couples also do a bridal bouquet, and get their hair and makeup done, but again it’s all personal preference.

With my planning services, I get discount packages with some great wedding vendors, I’ve included my pricing for reference, because Google likes when I do that—I apologize if it seems spammy :)

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 $800 - $4,5000.
Colorado MicroWeddings has photography packages starting at $500—More Info

Officiant
An officiant will help you navigate through all the traditions and vows of your elopement. This service is NOT legally required in Colorado—it’s perfectly legally to have a friend or family member officiate your ceremony! Typically, hiring a professional officiant in Colorado will cost you anywhere between $450 - $750.
Colorado MicroWeddings has officiant packages starting at $300 —More Info

Florists
Be it the humble arrangements or a giant flower bouquet, spruce up your elopement with a florist! A custom bridal bouquet in Colorado usually costs around $175 - $450.
Colorado MicroWeddings has flower packages starting at $125 —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, expect to pay $500 - $600 + travel for on-site bridal hair and makeup, and $300 - $400 for in-salon bridal services.
Colorado MicroWeddings has stylist packages starting at $400 —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 $1,500 - $3,500 for an elopement.
Colorado MicroWeddings has videography packages starting at $900 —More Info

Cake
I’ll let you in on a little secret: The Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods is a delicious, beautiful, and easy wedding cake option for small weddings and elopements. They do them in all different sizes, they look great in photos, and they are delicious! Plus, there is a Whole Foods in most major towns in Colorado, so they are easy to get. Expect to spend like $25 - $100, depending on your group size.

Elopement Ceremony Site Costs

Colorado offers a huge variety of ceremony sites that are great for elopements and small weddings, with some of the most popular being public parks that are 100% free to use. However, if you want privacy, you’ll want to reserve a designated ceremony site. Below is the pricing for some of the most popular ceremony sites in Colorado, so you can get a general idea of pricing.

Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park
$300 wedding permit
Up to 30 people
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Packages

Garden of the Gods
Colorado Springs
No permit required
Up to 50 people
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Garden of the Gods Elopement Packages

Chautauqua Park
Boulder
No permit required
Up to 12 people
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Chautauqua Park Elopement Packages

Sunrise Amphitheater
Boulder
$100–$400 permit
Up to 100 people
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Sunrise Amphitheater Elopement Packages

Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver
$500–$12,000
Up to 250 people
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Denver Botanic Gardens Elopement Packages

Denver Clock Tower
Denver
$900–$2,500
Up to 30 people
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Denver Clock Tower Elopement Packages

Lost Gulch Overlook
Boulder
No permit required
Up to 12 people
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Lost Gulch Overlook Elopement Packages

Maroon Bells Amphitheater
Aspen
$200 permit
Up to 50 people
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Maroon Bells Elopement Packages

Sapphire Point
Breckenridge
$142 permit
Up to 30 people
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Sapphire Point Elopement Packages

Windy Point
Breckenridge
$260 permit
Up to 100 people
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Windy Point Elopement Packages

Sawmill Reservoir
Breckenridge
No permit required
Best for just the couple
Learn more about our All-Inclusive Sawmill Reservoir Elopement Packages

Elopement Reception Costs

There's no single way to celebrate after your elopement, but the most popular options are dining at a local restaurant, hosting a casual backyard barbecue, or hiring a private chef at your rental home.

Local Restaurant
The simplest option. Head to a nearby restaurant after the ceremony for a nice dinner with your group. Expect to spend around $50–$150 per person depending on the restaurant, plus drinks, tax, and tip. Many couples reserve a private room or patio for larger groups.

Backyard Barbecue or Potluck
A relaxed, budget-friendly option — especially if you're staying at a rental home with outdoor space. You can cater it, grill yourselves, or have family pitch in. Costs vary widely, but you can easily feed a small group for $15–$30 per person with good food and drinks.

Private Chef
A more elevated experience where a chef comes to your rental, prepares a multi-course meal, serves it, and handles cleanup. In Colorado, private chef services typically run $50–$175 per person depending on the menu and level of service. Great for intimate dinners with just the two of you or a small group.

Colorado Elopement Cost FAQs

How much does a marriage license cost in Colorado?
A Colorado marriage license costs $30. You'll also want to get a few certified copies for your records, which cost a few dollars more. You can get your marriage license from any county clerk in Colorado.

Are elopement packages worth it?
Elopement packages in Colorado are a great option for couples who need help finding wedding vendors — particularly a photographer — and who don't already have a ceremony location in mind. They can save you significant time and money by bundling services together. If you already have a photographer or know exactly where you want to get married, you may not need one.

What's the difference between an elopement and a micro-wedding?
Elopements are generally smaller, often with 6 or fewer guests, while micro-weddings typically include up to 40 guests. That said, there's no set definition — the planning process is very similar for both, and the terms are often used interchangeably.

How far in advance should I book my elopement in Colorado?
Since Colorado has no waiting period on the marriage license, couples can do same-day elopements in Colorado. However, most couples plan theirs 2–12 months in advance to secure their preferred vendors and ceremony sites.

Are there hidden costs when eloping in Colorado?
If you're working with the right planner, vendors, and venues, there really shouldn't be any hidden costs. The Colorado marriage license is $30, and you should budget a few extra dollars for certified copies. Beyond that, what you see is what you get.

Can I elope in Colorado if I'm not a resident?
Yes! Colorado issues marriage licenses to non-residents, so anyone can elope here as long as they meet the legal requirements: not currently married, 18 years or older, and not related (cousins are legally exempt from this rule in Colorado).

Should I tip my elopement vendors?
Most couples do tip their elopement vendors. A tip in the 15% range is standard for photographers, officiants, and stylists in Colorado.

How much should I budget for travel and lodging for a Colorado elopement?
Most couples flying into Colorado from another U.S. state spend $300–$700 on flights. Hotels vary significantly by location and season — expect around $100/night in bigger cities like Denver or Colorado Springs, and closer to $200/night in mountain towns like Breckenridge, Estes Park, or Aspen.

Is it cheaper to elope on a weekday in Colorado?
Yes! Eloping in Colorado on a weekday is a great way to save money. Many vendors and venues offer discounted rates for Monday–Thursday weddings. It's also a great way to beat the crowds at popular ceremony sites.

What is the most expensive part of eloping in Colorado?
The most expensive part of eloping in Colorado is generally the photographer, which can range from $800 to $4,500 depending on experience and coverage time. After that, videography and venue fees tend to be the next largest expenses.

colorado small wedding couple walking down aisle with flowers

Colorado Micro-Wedding & Elopement Packages
Starting at $1,300

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!

Text or Email the word “Info”
720-598-2862
Iver@ColoradoMicroWeddings.com

Or Click Here to Learn More About Our Small-Wedding & Elopement Packages

How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Colorado?

Everything You Need to Know About What it Costs to Elope in Colorado

What’s the Cheapest Way to Elope in Colorado?

Elopement Packages

Elopement Vendor Costs

Elopement Ceremony Site Costs

Elopement Reception Costs

Colorado Elopement Cost FAQs

Colorado Micro-Wedding & Elopement PackagesStarting at $1,300

Colorado Micro-Wedding & Elopement Packages
Starting at $1,300