Wedding Planner: Why You Should NOT elope at Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs
A Garden of the Gods elopement in Colorado Springs can seem like a romantic and intimate way to exchange vows without the fuss of a traditional wedding. Many couples are drawn to the alluring red rock formations and stunning landscapes, although to a fault. While this destination is beautiful, it might not be the ideal place to hold one of the most intimate events of your life.
Here, we will discuss why an elopement at Garden of the Gods is not all it's cracked up to be.
So what’s the problem with Garden of the Gods?
The biggest reason for not choosing to go ahead with a Garden of the Gods elopement is because it is a highly popular tourist destination, wedding site, and photoshoot site.
The entire park regularly experiences limited parking, heavy traffic (on the one way road that goes through the park), and heavy foot traffic on almost all of the trails. This issue is made worse for wedding couples, since you are only allowed to conduct wedding ceremonies at a handful of specific sites within the park. This means ALL the weddings end up at just a few spots.
So why do so many people elope at Garden of the Gods?
Even with the heavy traffic, Garden of the Gods remains the best place to have a free wedding ceremony in Colorado Springs, and offers incredible photo opportunities!
If you don’t mind sharing the space with people, it can be a great spot for your micro-wedding! With that being said, I definitely recommend aiming for Monday - Thursday events to avoid the heavier weekend crowds.
How much does it cost?
A Garden of the Gods elopement does not require a special use wedding permit, meaning you can use the designated sites in the park free of charge!
Colorado Micro-Wedding & Elopement
Garden of the Gods Packages
Starting at $1,400
—Officiant (starting at $275 + $100 Travel)
—Photography (starting at $450 + $100 Travel)
—Videography (starting at $900)
—Flowers (starting at $100)
—Wedding Planner (starting at $400)
Everything you need for a beautiful and stress-free small wedding!
All-Inclusive | 100% Customizable | 0 - 40ish Guests
Vendors | Venues | Marriage License | Permits | Dining | Lodging
Where Can I Elope In The Garden of the Gods?
Garden of the Gods offers numerous stunning locations for public use, out of which six can be used as wedding locations. These locations include:
Jaycee Plaza
Sentinel Plaza
Three Graces Plaza
High Point Overlook
Scotsman Picnic Area
South Spring Canyon Area
What Is The Best Place To Elope In The Garden of the Gods?
It just depends on your preferences! Three Graces Plaza offers an incredible red rock formation that many couples love. Keep in mind each of the locations allows a different group size (up to 50).
What Is The Best time of the year to elope here?
Garden of the Gods is a year-round wonder, but each season brings unique charm and challenges. Winter is arguably the best time for a Garden of the Gods elopement due to fewer visitors for less crowded experience and ethereal snowy landscapes. However, winter elopement requires planning as the weather can easily fluctuate between sunny weather and picturesque to a full-on snowstorm.
Spring is another great choice for an elopement at the Garden due to cooler weather and smaller crowds. The natural beauty of the locations will peak during this season, so it will certainly be a very picturesque time to get married.
Summer might not be the best option when choosing to elope at the Garden of the Gods, as it is the hottest and busiest time of the year. But, it will be very rewarding if you choose to get married at sunrise when you can get some stunning pictures of your special moment.
Fall is also similar to summer, with cooler weather. But you shouldn't expect to see any orange and yellow fall foliage as most of the trees in the Garden of the Gods are evergreens.
What Is The Best Time Of The Day To Elope Here?
Timing is crucial when eloping in the Garden of the Gods. Sunrise and sunset offer the most enchanting lighting for photos, casting a warm and magical glow on the red rock formations. While sunrise elopements avoid the crowds, they also mean an early morning for the couple. Sunset ceremonies provide a more relaxed schedule but come with the risk of larger groups. Couples must decide whether they are willing to sacrifice sleep or risk getting caught by the crowds to make for their ideal elopement experience.
The easiest solution to this dilemma is to get married at either sunset or sunrise during the winter when visitor traffic is at its lowest. Of course, this does not guarantee privacy, and you will likely encounter at least some other couples or tourists since it is always open to the public. Ultimately, the best bet is to have your Garden of the Gods elopement at sunrise. In addition to having many picturesque moments, there is a higher chance of animals joining your ceremony ( if that's something you'd prefer). A sunrise elopement also minimizes the risk of rattlesnakes invading your wedding, as they are less likely to be out on the trail sunbathing at that early hour.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, while the Garden of the Gods is undoubtedly a stunning location, it may not be the perfect fit for every couple. Thick crowds, unpredictable weather, and limited privacy are just a few reasons why the Garden is not as ideal as many think it to be. Before choosing a Garden of the Gods elopement, weigh all the pros and cons of this iconic destination and ensure it aligns with your vision for your special day.
Wanna consider some other options for your Colorado wedding? Reach out to me!
