Garden of the Gods Wedding & Elopement Guide for 2026
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 getting married at Garden of the Gods.
Garden of the Gods is one of Colorado’s most iconic and accessible elopement locations, offering dramatic red rock formations, wide-open views of Pikes Peak, and year-round accessibility in the heart of Colorado Springs. Whether you’re dreaming of a simple sunrise ceremony or a small wedding surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, this free public park is one of the most scenic places in the state to get married. In this Garden of the Gods Elopement Guide, you’ll learn everything you need to plan your day—including pros and cons, wedding permit rules, how to legally get married in the park, the best months and times for photos, weather considerations, recommended photo spots, and the best nearby hotels in Colorado Springs.
Should You Get Married at Garden of the Gods?
What the Internet Won’t Tell You About Garden of the Gods
I’ve planned and officiated hundreds of weddings in Colorado over the years, and Garden of the Gods is definitely one of the best in terms of easy access, and beautiful photos. However, it is a VERY BUSY location, so unless you do sunrise, expect to have a lot of groups and weddings in the same area as you. If you’re looking for any level of privacy, there are much better spots!
If Garden of the Gods doesn’t work for you—don’t worry!
There are lots of beautiful places in Colorado to get married.
Text or Email me the word “info” to learn about all the spots we use!
Iver@ColoradoMicroWeddings.com
720-598-2862
Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married at Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is a public park located just west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It has six designated ceremony sites that support groups up of up to 50 people. All of these sites are free to use, and do not require a reservation or permit.
Elevation: ~6,400
Max Group Size: 50 people total in your group—this includes all vendors!
Permit Fee: No permit required
Accessibility: All year around
Distance from Denver International Airport: Estimated 1.5 - 2 hours
Nearest Town: Colorado Springs
Pros & Cons
This location offers easily accessible ceremony sites, beautiful views for photos, and is one of the few places in Colorado that large groups can have a wedding without a reservation or permit. However, you should expect there to be a lot of other people, groups, and weddings in the area at the same time.
Jump to Pros & Cons
Planning & Marriage License
Getting married at Garden of the Gods is fairly simple, just make a timeline, get the marriage license, and secure any needed vendors, like photographer, officiant, etc.
Jump to How-To Get Married
Best Day, Month, and Time
The best option is a Tuesday or Wednesday, Mid June through Mid October, at sunrise. This is for optimal lighting, and when the park is least busy.
Jump to Best Month, Day & Time
Good to Know
High Point Overlook is the best wedding site in Garden of the Gods. This site, and some of the others, are handicap accessible. Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash. Alcohol is not allowed. Music is not allowed. Chairs and decorations are not allowed. Lots more info…
Jump to Wedding FAQs
Dining & Reception
After a small outdoor wedding like this, most groups simply head to a local restaurant for their “reception.”
Jump to Dining Guide
Lodging
Honestly, anything in the Colorado Springs area works fine. Lots of hotels and rental homes!
Jump to Colorado Springs Lodging
Other locations?
I’ve got planning guides, packages, and resources for all the best small wedding and elopement locations across Colorado.
Jump to Other Guides & Locations
Need Help Planning Your Garden of the Gods Elopement?
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All-Inclusive Garden of the Gods Elopement Package
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Garden of the Gods Wedding Pros & Cons
Before choosing Garden of the Gods for your wedding or elopement, it’s important to understand what makes this location special—and what challenges come with it. This quick overview highlights the main pros and cons so you can decide whether this iconic Colorado Springs park is the right fit for your ceremony.
Professional Opinion:
Due to the mass popularity of the location for weddings, I only professionally recommend it for sunrise weddings. If you can’t do a sunrise, aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday at sunset, but even then expect a lot of other groups around. Avoid weekends at all cost.
Pros of Getting Married at Garden of the Gods
No Wedding Permit Required for Small Groups
Garden of the Gods allows small weddings and elopements without a permit, making it one of the easiest and most affordable places to get married in Colorado.
Extremely Accessible (Wheelchair-Friendly Options)
Many ceremony spots are close to parking areas, and several locations in the park are wheelchair accessible, making this ideal for guests of all ages and mobility levels.
Dog Friendly
Dogs are allowed throughout the park, so your pup can be part of your ceremony.
Multiple Ceremony Locations
With numerous scenic overlooks and red rock formations to choose from, couples can select a location that fits their group size, mobility needs, and photography preferences.
Close to Colorado Springs
Garden of the Gods is located directly inside Colorado Springs, offering endless lodging options, restaurants, activities, and visitor amenities just minutes away.
Easy Travel Access
Only 20 minutes from the Colorado Springs Airport and about 90 minutes from Denver International Airport, the park is convenient for guests traveling from out of state.
Cons of Getting Married at Garden of the Gods
Very Heavy Foot Traffic and Crowds
Garden of the Gods is one of the most visited parks in Colorado and often has dozens of weddings a day. Expect frequent hikers, tourists, photographers, other weddings, and families throughout the park.
Limited Parking, Especially in Peak Hours
Parking lots fill quickly, particularly from late morning through sunset.
Very Little Privacy During Ceremonies
Because the park is free, public, and heavily visited, it’s normal for people to be nearby and even watching during your ceremony.
How to Get Married at Garden of the Gods
Choose Your Ceremony Location
Select one of the six Garden of the Gods approved wedding and elopement sites. Each site has its own guest limit, time restrictions, and accessibility rules. Generally, I suggest using High Point Overlook, click here for my full guide to Garden of the Gods Wedding Sites & Rules.Pick a Ceremony Date & Time
Whatever works for you! mid-June through mid-October is the most popular wedding season, with Tuesday and Wednesday being the least busy days in the park. When possible, sunrise is best to avoid crowds, but sunset is also great lighting for photos if you don’t mind having people around. Click here to learn more about the best time to get married in Colorado.
Find Your Wedding Vendors
This is optional technically, but many couples like to have a wedding officiant and/or photographer for their day. Click here for our All-Inclusive Garden of the Gods elopement package info.
Get the Marriage License
Colorado makes getting a marriage license simple! You and your fiance simply need to go into a Colorado County Clerk during business hours to pick up the license. El Paso County (Colorado Springs) has two different County Clerk options, one of which is the only County Clerk in Colorado open on Saturday. Here’s my full Colorado Marriage License Guide.
Get Married!
On the day of the wedding, you and your guests will meet your wedding vendors at your ceremony site in the park. You’ll have the ceremony, sign the license, take photos, and then most groups simply head to a local restaurant to celebrate!
Best Month, Day & Time
The best option is to get married at Garden of the Gods early in the morning on a Monday or Tuesday, sometime between mid-June and mid-October.
What’s the Best Month to Get Married at Garden of the Gods?
Garden of the Gods is beautiful all year around, and we do weddings there all year around. Personal preference matters. Generally speaking, mid-June through mid-October is “Peak” wedding season in Colorado for the good weather and conditions, but this is also the busiest time of year at Garden of the Gods, so expect more people around. If you want a winter wonderland, February and March would give the best chances of fresh snow.
What’s the Best Time of Day to Get Married at Garden of the Gods?
Garden of the Gods has very little natural shade, so the best option for photo lighting is to opt for right at sunrise, or a couple hours before sunset, simply Google “Sunset Colorado Springs [your date]” to see the time.
What’s the Best Day of the Week to Get Married at Garden of the Gods?
The best day of the week to elope at Garden of the Gods is Tuesday or Wednesday, which are the least busy days in the park—it’s always nice to beat the crowds!
Garden of the Gods Wedding FAQs
How much does it cost to elope and Garden of the Gods?
There is no permit required to elope at Garden of the Gods, so the only cost is the wedding vendors. Colorado MicroWeddings offers an all-inclusive Garden of the Gods elopement package starting at $1600, which includes: Planning, Officiant, Photography, and Marriage License Guidance. Click here for info.
Do I need a permit to get married at Garden of the Gods?
Garden of the Gods does not require a wedding permit for smaller groups—but only allows weddings at their designated ceremony sites.
What’s the best place to get married in Garden of the Gods?
High Point Overlook is the best ceremony site in Garden of the Gods because of it’s large parking lot, accessibility, and dynamic mountain views. There are other designated ceremony sites like Three Graces Plaza, Jaycee Plaza, Chuckwagon Pavilion, Sentinel Plaza, Central Gardens, Scotsman Picnic Area, and South Spring Canyon Area—but I really do not suggest these spots, here’s my guide to all of the Garden of the Gods Wedding Sites.
What are the best photo spots in Garden of the Gods?
After you have your ceremony at one of the designated wedding sites, there are many locations you can walk to in Garden of the Gods to get great photos. Two of the most popular are the Siamese Twins and Camel’s Back.
How many guests can I have at my Garden of the Gods wedding?
Technically, Garden of the Gods has ceremony sites that allow for groups of up to 50 people for the ceremony. Due to the limited parking and high volume of traffic at the park, we highly recommend you keep your group as small as possible for the best experience. We have found from visiting, experiencing and working at the park, that most places are not suitable for more than 10 guests. If you’re planning a larger celebration, we can help you look into additional venues or spaces nearby. Click here to learn about the max guest counts for each ceremony sites in Garden of the Gods.
Can we drink alcohol at Garden of the Gods?
You’ll have to celebrate via libations elsewhere! Absolutely no alcohol is permitted at the park.
Can our dog sign our marriage license?
Unfortunately, El Paso County no longer allows dog paw prints to be on your marriage license. But you can get a license from a different county and still have your dog print it! Otherwise, we recommend retaining an extra copy for your marriage license and having your dog print on that afterwards as a workaround!
Where can I get married at Garden of the Gods?
Garden of the Gods has several designated ceremony sites where weddings are allowed without a permit. Click here to learn about the max guest counts for each ceremony sites in Garden of the Gods.
We’ll work with you to help select the perfect spot that matches your vision and ensures a memorable ceremony.
Parking and Accessibility:
Parking: There are several parking lots around Garden of the Gods, but they can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and during peak seasons. For your wedding day, plan to arrive early to secure a spot close to your ceremony location. When possible, we highly recommend checking out the park prior to your wedding day to better understand how the park is laid out!
There is a parking lot at the Main Entrance, and a few additional lots near the North and South Entrances.
Accessibility: Most of the park is accessible by car, but if you’re planning a ceremony at a more remote location, you may need to walk or hike a short distance to get to your chosen spot. Consider the comfort of your guests when choosing a location. For couples with elderly guests or those with mobility issues, we recommend selecting a spot that is easily accessible by car or located near a main parking area.
Is Garden of the Gods handicap accessible?
The High Point Overlook wedding site, in Garden of the Gods, is located just off a paved parking area, making it a fully handicap accessible.
How busy is Garden of the Gods?
It’s very busy at Garden of the Gods, almost every day of the week, and only slows down early in the mornings.
Best Small Wedding Dining Options Near Garden of the Gods
The Warehouse Restaurant & Gallery
A cozy, artsy spot that’s ideal for intimate group dinners (think rehearsal dinners or small wedding meals). They offer a “Wine Room” that seats up to 20 people — perfect for a close-knit celebration with family or friends. The menu features creative, locally inspired dishes and the vibe is relaxed yet special, making it a great fit after a wedding ceremony or elopement.
MacKenzie's Chop House
If you’re looking for a classic, elevated meal (perhaps a fancy dinner with close family or a post-wedding dinner) MacKenzie’s brings a traditional, upscale steakhouse atmosphere. It’s known for refined service, great steaks and chops, and a cozy, elegant vibe. This makes it a strong choice for couples who want something more formal or celebratory after their ceremony.
Lumen8 Rooftop Restaurant & Patio
For a more modern, trendy feel (especially if you want a fun, photo-worthy dinner with skyline or mountain views) Lumen8 is a solid pick. They offer private- and semi-private event spaces for groups, which works well for small elopement dinners or rehearsal dinners of ~10–20 guests. Their seasonal Colorado-inspired menu, cocktails, and rooftop setting give it a celebratory energy suited to wedding-weekend dining.
Best Hotels Near Garden of the Gods
Good news- because Garden of the Gods is located near the bustling city of Colorado Springs, there are plenty of options for accommodations. You’ll find a large selection of both hotels and private home rentals within 30 minutes of the park. We do highly suggest finding lodging close to your ceremony location to take the stress of long travel off your plate. If you are looking to get out of the city, we recommend looking around Manitou Springs which feels a lot more quaint!
We provide all our clients with a thorough list of recommendations, but here are a few favorites:
Broadmoor Resort: For couples who really want to lean into royalty treatment on their wedding vacation The Broadmoor Resort is the perfect relaxation destination. Not only is this highly rated resort next to the incredible Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, it has everything you need on site to unwind! The Broadmoor has restaurants on site, golfing, swimming pools, a movie theater and more!
The Mining Exchange: Is accessibility and being in the heart of the city your priority? The Mining Exchange is perfect for couples who prefer a mix of modern elegance and historic charm. This downtown Colorado Springs hotel offers beautiful boutique rooms in a renovated historic building. Its prime location near restaurants and attractions makes it an ideal choice for couples looking to explore the city during their wedding stay!
Pikes Peak Paradise: Looking for more of a relaxed, mountain getaway? The Pikes Peak Paradise is a highly rated, homey bed and breakfast that offers pampering amenities such as jacuzzis, saunas, fire pits and stunning views.
Colorado Micro-Wedding & Elopement Packages
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—Wedding Planner (starting at $500)
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