Last Updated on June 15, 2021 by vowsandpeaks

Best Places to Elope in Colorado

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BEST COLORADO ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS

You’ve made the decision to elope in Colorado, CONGRATS! Now comes the fun part—deciding where to exchange your vows. Picture the location that inspires you, that makes your heart go whoa. The world is a big, amazing place, and I’m lucky to share this place with all the couples that wish to elope in Colorado!

In the nine years since I’ve called Colorado home, I’ve captured the most iconic and beautiful alpine lakes and snowcapped peaks the U.S. has to offer. Colorado is a place that embodies the freedom to make our own choices and the drive to discover what truly makes us happy.

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COLORADO LANDSCAPE

Eloping in Colorado gives you access to epic views of 15 mountain ranges, 54 peaks over 10,000 feet, alpine lakes, meadows of wildflowers, and a vast variety of gorgeous backdrops. To me, there’s no question: eloping to Colorado is the best!

Because Colorado has so many different landscapes, amazing hikes, and thousands of wild acres to roam, I’m here to inspire you and help you narrow down your options of where to elope in Colorado.

Below you’ll find some of my favorite Colorado elopement locations that would make a perfect backdrop for your elopement!

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WHERE CAN I ELOPE IN COLORADO?

• SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS

The perfect spot for any adventure enthusiast, the San Juans are Colorado’s outdoor playground. These mountains are ancient volcanic peaks that cut through the heart of southwestern Colorado. Today, the jagged peaks are home to a summer carpet of wildflowers and a number of breathtaking turquoise alpine lakes and off-roading routes. The renowned Colorado towns of Telluride, Silverton, Ouray or Durango make a perfect base for exploring this corner of the state and is one of the best places to elope in Colorado!

“By far the best wedding photos I’ve ever seen! Sean was by far the best decision we made for our special day. He took us to spectacular spots in the San Juan’s that dreams are made of. We couldn’t have asked for a better person to capture this moment that we will remember forever. If you are looking for a unique and rememberable wedding adventure, then Sean is your guy.

– Ashley & Brent

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• ASPEN

“Some place warm, a place where the beer flows like wine, where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I’m talking about a little place called Aspen.”

All jokes aside, Aspen is one of the crown jewels of Colorado and has plenty of levels of adventure of any couple. You have mountain passes, lakes and high alpine views of some of Colorado’s best peaks.

” Our wedding day put all those important parts front and center and Sean helped us make sure of it. I am someone that is an over planner and over thinker but Sean made me feel so at ease. He was fully prepared for anything that came our way and that allowed us to go with the flow of the day. We are absolutely thrilled with the photos. They capture our day— a day of peace, love and joy and we are forever grateful to Sean.”

– Sarah & Jose

Best Places to Elope in Colorado Aspen
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• VAIL

Vail is renowned, and it has rightfully earned that title. Located right inside the White River National Forest, Vail is situated perfectly for couples looking to head out on big hiking adventures, skiing, or snowboarding elopements. This is one of the best places to elope in Colorado and is great for couples who are up for a bigger adventure.

“We would highly recommend Sean to anyone, especially if you are looking for an adventure wedding, the photos speak for themselves and I truly believe our day with Sean’s guidance was even more special than we initially planed.”

– Jen & Kyle

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Best Places to Elope in Colorado Vail
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• BRECKENRIDGE

Breckenridge is a laid back ski town full of western spirit. It sits against the base of one of Colorado’s most popular ski resorts but wears every season well. It’s known for having amazing skiing, summer hiking, and year-round high alpine activities (including a roster of fun festivals). Breckenridge is particularly stunning in summer, when there are countless wildflowers and open vistas for you to explore! And if you know where to look, you can even spot a mountain troll!

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• LAKE ISABELLE

Lake Isabelle is located just outside Boulder and is perfect for eloping couples looking for big alpine views. This out-and-back hike crosses over waterfalls, through deep forest, and among wildflowers before ending at a stunning alpine lake nearly completely surrounded by rugged mountain peaks.

This is one of the best places to elope in Colorado if you’re bringing family members. It has the perfect amount of distance and elevation without sacrifices any epic views. According to AllTrails, this hike is 5.3 miles round trip and is open from June through October!

Best Places to Elope in Colorado Lake Isabelle
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• BOULDER

Boulder is at the foothills of the Indian Peaks Wilderness where you’ll find over 45,000 acres of jagged peaks and plenty of alpine lakes to explore for your elopement in Colorado!

Not only are the hiking trails amazing but you can bike in the surrounding areas and even head up to Nederland or Eldora for some local bites after your big day. This area has some of the best places to eat, drink and adventure!

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• ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

There’s Colorado, then there’s Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park is an ever-popular destination that distills the best of Colorado into 415 square miles of alpine visas, crashing waterfalls, stunning rock ledges, open meadows, and breathtaking alpine lakes. With more than 300 miles of hiking trails, this park is a favorite of out-of-towners and locals alike, which makes it one of the more popular places to elope in Colorado.

According to the National Park Service, the cost to getting married in the park is $250 and comes with a reserved ceremony location. Please note, Trail Ridge Road is closed seasonally because the roads aren’t maintained at that elevation.

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• GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK

Surprise! Did you know that Colorado is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America? The Great Sand Dunes are like something out of a dream, an otherworldly pocket of rippling sand bordered by mountains on one side and a vast valley (home to the other kind of otherworldly) on the other.

It makes the perfect location for couples wanting an earthy, boho vibe. This national park is remote, meaning you’ll feel like you’re walking among the stars on moonless nights!

Please note that you must apply and pay $100 for the wedding permit.

Best Places to Elope in Colorado Great Sand Dune Elopement
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• TELLURIDE

Ask someone to name towns in Colorado, and chances are they’ll mention Telluride. It’s remote, rugged, yet comfortable with luxury. Telluride sits at the head of a box canyon, where the state’s tallest waterfall—fittingly named Bridal Veil Falls—crashes 365 feet to the canyon floor.

This town is known for its skiing (and après ski) and annual festivals. This is a great location for couples to set up camp for hiking elopements in the area. It’s by far one of my favorite locations and a true Colorado town through and through!

“Sean was more like a photographer and elopement planner, as he gave suggestions for what to do for the day, handled some logistics and gave us a timeline for the day after we filled out a questionnaire. He made the experience really memorable by suggesting the location to make it possible to rock climb on our wedding day in Telluride!”

– Emma & Jacob

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• GRANBY

The less traveled and explored side of the Indian Peaks Wilderness resides near Granby, Colorado. This is by far one of my favorite areas for couples eloping in Colorado with the rugged peaks and secluded alpine lakes. You better have some good endurance because the hiking and backpacking trails here aren’t for the faint of heart!

Best Places to Elope in Colorado Granby
Granby, Colorado Elopement

• LOVELAND PASS

You don’t have to venture far from Colorado’s biggest city (that’d be Denver) to find epic landscapes. Loveland Pass climbs over 11,000 feet to wide-open tundra and is located along the Front Range of Colorado. This area is situated perfectly for couples looking for a high mountain, alpine feel for couples eloping in Colorado.

Best Places to Elope in Colorado Loveland Pass
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• SAN SOPHIA OVERLOOK

Best part about San Sophia? You get to combine your wedding and honeymoon into one big adventure in one of the most scenic areas of Colorado! Take a free gondola ride up to this gorgeous overlook where you can show off the San Juan mountains to friends and family for your ceremony.

Best Places to Elope in Colorado San Sophia Overlook
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• ESTES PARK

Quaint, old school Estes Park is the base camp for all things in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s known for its wildlife (check out elk bugling in the fall!) and is surrounded by miles of jagged peaks, secluded forests, open tundra, and beautiful lakes. This is the perfect spot for those eloping in Colorado that are wanting convenient services, good food, and big views.

“Our elopement in Estes Park was a little less hiking and intimate, but we sure made Sean run around and capture everything we wanted. He also did that with the biggest smile. We are very thankful that we used sean for capturing OUR special day, it is something we will treasure forever!”

– Kaylin & Faruq

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• GUANELLA PASS

Guanella Pass is one of Colorado’s iconic mountain roads. Less than an hour from Denver, the road climbs along a tumbling river and up above the timberline. In this vast, high-elevation land, you’ll find epic views of Mount Bierstadt (a 14er) and plenty of open tundra to explore during your elopement in Colorado. The road descends past an alpine lake to historic Georgetown, where you can share a beer at a local brewery afterwards!

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• SAPPHIRE POINT OVERLOOK

Sapphire Point Overlook perches at 9,500 feet and overlooks a stunning view of Dillon Reservoir, a large lake with a squiggly, forested coastline surrounded by the Gore Range. Sapphire Point is an ideal spot for year-round couples eloping in Colorado because you can drive up to the location and rent out two-hour blocks for your ceremony. This is a great choice for couples wanting to include family members! You can make your reservations here.

*COVID-19 UPDATES FOR 2021* Sapphire Point is taking reservations but group sizes cannot exceed 35. Another alternative is Windy Point Group Campground.

Best Places to Elope in Colorado Sapphire Point Overlook
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• BRAINARD LAKE

Brainard Lake is situated right at the front of 10 different hiking trails. You want some big views? This lake is accessible by car and has stunning views of the peaks and forests in the surrounding area. This is great location for couples that are having family join them on their elopement in Colorado!

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• GEORGETOWN

Georgetown perfectly encompasses what eloping in Colorado is all about—adventurous, intimate and small town charm. This little town right off 70 is tucked between two peaks and offers limitless locations for those seeking big views and tons of adventure for those eloping in Colorado. Thirsty elopers can cap off their day at one of the local breweries!

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• MAROON BELLS AMPHITHEATER

Maroon Bells, outside Aspen, is home to the two most iconic peaks in Colorado. This place is a mountain paradise, lined with aspen trees, dreamy lakes, and breathtaking views. It makes for the perfect postcard Colorado elopement location. The Bells are stunning in all seasons, especially in fall when the quaking aspens burn gold and yellow.

Please note that the shuttle does not open until June 28th and there is a $200 application fee to elope in Maroon Bells. You can reserve your ceremony spot at recreation.gov and opt to do a 5.3-mile hike around Cathedral Lake after your ceremony!

Best Places to Elope in Colorado Maroon Bells
Maroon Bells Elopement

• ST MARY’S GLACIER

Saint Mary’s Glacier is just an hour outside of Denver and has an amazing alpine lake situated between some peaks, and, of course, the glacier. This is the perfect location for those eloping in Colorado that are wanting a shorter hike and a taste of snow year round.

Best Places to Elope in Colorado St Mary's Glacier
St Mary’s Glacier Elopement

• ELOPING IN COLORADO AT RENTAL PROPERTIES

Epic vacation homes make for a great option for those eloping in Colorado. Some areas have homes that are big enough to host your entire wedding. This makes it super easy for friends and family to join, while also keeping your travel to a minimum. Make sure to scour the photos from each place and keep an eye out for open spaces with big mountain views for the ceremony or reception!

  • SEASON: Year-Round
  • PHOTOGRAPHY PERMIT: Check with your hosts to make sure that holding an event is OK with them. Some places might require an additional fee!
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• HANGING LAKE

Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon is beautiful to the point of surreal. Ribbons of waterfalls feed into a vivid, crystal clear lake that appears to “hang” above the mountains. The hike up is one of the most popular in the state and makes for an absolutely stunning backdrop for those eloping in Colorado.

Beyond the lake, this area is home to the canyon-carving path of the Colorado River and the hot springs in Glenwood Springs. Few other locations in Colorado are quite as beautiful as this spot!

UPADES FOR 2021: Hanging Lake currently is only accessible with a day permit. No weddings can be taken place at Hanging Lake.

Best Places to Elope in Colorado Hanging Lake
Hanging Lake

HOW TO PLAN A COLORADO ELOPEMENT

1) GET INSPIRED & START PLANNING

Choose a date and a general area of where you want to elope in Colorado and then start dreaming up your big day. What kind of scenery are you going for? Do you want guests? What kind of activities do you want to include? Do you want to hike or go off-roading?

It’s important to not box yourselves into the thoughts of what an elopement should look like. There are NO RULES! Throw out your craziest and funnest ideas and see what sticks. This is your big adventure, so make it epic!

2) HIRE YOUR ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

This is the person that is going to be guiding and capturing your elopement. I recommend teaming up with someone that has helped others elope in Colorado. This person should be able to provide a great vendor list and be familiar with the different areas so they can give you a good idea of the best places to elope in Colorado.

It’s also super important to find someone that you can trust, knowing that this person will help relieve the stress that goes into everything. Your photographer should be the person that helps you plan, coordinate and photograph your elopement! Maybe an elopement Ninja?!

3) WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE AWESOME

All good relationships start with good communication, and for me, that starts the minute you get in touch with me to talk about your elopement. Building a real connection with my couples is a big part of what I do—we’re going to be adventuring together, after all!

I get to know all my couples with a questionnaire and send over a customized elopement location list and timelines based on their answers. Finding the best places to elope in Colorado is super important and should be unique to you! so I want to hear about your story as a couple and your vision for eloping in Colorado.

4) BOOK YOUR VENDORS & TRAVEL

After you guys settle on your elopement location, you can start to book your travel, lodging and choose your vendors. Don’t put this off because eloping in Colorado is popular, and things book quickly!

PRO TIPS: I would highly recommend coming to Colorado a few days before your elopement, so you can acclimate to the altitude and chill out a bit before the big day. It also gives you a little time to wrap up those last-minute details without being rushed.

As for the lodging location, think outside the box. Colorado has a ton of awesome places you can stay, including cabins tucked into the woods, epic A-frame homes, or if you want to really go balls out, then we’ve got some killer mansions you can rent for everyone to stay at with unbelievable mountain views.

5) FINALIZE THE TIMELINE

It’s time to put your vision all together and work with your photographer on putting together a timeline for your elopement. Are you doing a first look? Are you doing getting ready photos? Are you hiking at sunrise or sunset? Are you sharing vows? These are some of the details that you should consider when putting together a timeline.

The most important thing is that your day is everything you want it to be. I work with couples to make sure that the timeline includes everything you want to experience on your elopement. This is an experience about YOU and I want your day to match that.

6) MAKE IT OFFICIAL

Remember to make it official before eloping in Colorado. Making appointments online beforehand is always the suggested route and check in with your planner about any new laws. I also suggest looking at courthouses in close proximity to your elopement location to cut down on travel time. When all of this is taken care of, your’e ready to elope in Colorado!

7) IT’S YOUR BIG DAY!

This is it, and we’re going to make the absolute best of it. What you can expect; hiking, laughing, singing (yep, I do it!), and taking in the landscape of one of the prettiest places on the planet! I really do have the most incredible job, being able to capture this day that you’ve made your own.

After you say your vows in this little piece of paradise, the cork will pop, and the champagne will spray (heck yeah, I’ll pack some in for you!), and you’ll fall into each other’s arms. YOU did it! You did the thing, and I’ll take photos of the most EPIC day ever. 

There’s really nothing like saying your vows in nature’s heaven. Eloping in Colorado is the perfect beginning of your adventure as a married couple. 

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WHY SHOULD YOU ELOPE TO COLORADO?

Eloping in Colorado gives you amazing access to some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Epic, unforgettable views to match your epic, unforgettable day are just a hike or drive away! What are you waiting for?

But beyond those details, Colorado is one of the few states where you can legally marry yourselves. In short, that means you don’t need a witness to legally elope to Colorado. That right there is the definition of a stress-free elopement!

This is great for couples wanting an intimate ceremony with a guest list of two (as in, you and your partner) or for those who want to save money skipping the officiant. You’re only responsible for signing and completing the marriage license within 60 days of your elopement date!

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WHAT TO DO ON YOUR ELOPEMENT DAY?

One thing I get asked all the time: What do couples do on their elopement day? And the answer is pretty simple. Whatever you want! There are so many cool elopement activities in Colorado for couples looking to make their day extra memorable. If you’re happiest outside in epic spots, why wouldn’t you want to find the perfect outdoor activity?

Here are a couple of my favorite elopement day activities for you to check out. This list is specific to activities for couples eloping in Colorado.

• TAKE A HIKE

This is the most popular activity and my favorite as well! Why? Because Colorado is a hiker’s paradise! You can climb a 14er, wonder through fields of wildflowers, or find yourself a secluded alpine lake.

Some of my favorite locations are within an hour of Denver all the way to the western slopes. I help all of my couples eloping in Colorado find the perfect location based on their preference of scenery, miles, altitude amongst other things. You can’t go wrong with choosing this activity on your elopement day!

Check out this hiking elopement guide for all the tips and tricks!

• HIT THE ROAD

You aren’t going to find better off-roading locations than the ones in Colorado. Hitting epic 4×4 spots is the perfect elopement day activity for those thrill seekers on the hunt for big scenic views. The big draw is covering lots of distance away from the crowds while chasing those big views.

PRO TIP: The BEST places for 4×4 elopements is in the western part of Colorado.

• EXPLORE THE BACKCOUNTRY

Ready for a life changing experience on your wedding day? Go conquer some of Colorado best overnight trails. There is something magical about spending your wedding night under the stars of the rockies.

This is a super unique elopement activity and will be sure to leave you satisfied, sore and possibly full of S’mores!

Check out this backpacking elopement for inspiration

• ROCK CLIMB

Why hike to the top when you can climb? Some adrenaline couples love to push the limits and I’m here for it! Every couple should have a day that is unique to them and if rock climbing is your jam, then you should absolutely include this activity on your big day!

Check out this rock climbing elopement for inspiration

• COLDER SEASON ACTIVITIES

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, you’ll enjoy plenty of opportunities for your winter elopement. In the colder months, you’ll still find plenty to do, including snowshoeing, snowcat tours, snowmobiling or even ice fishing!

Check out this winter elopement guide for more tips and tricks!

• PEAK BAGGING

Depending on how crazy you are, you can tackle one of Colorado’s many 14ers. I haven’t done a 14er for an elopement yet, but I’m sure this option will resonate with a couple one day!

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WHAT’S THE BEST MONTH TO ELOPE IN COLORADO?

Every season brings something spectacular to couples eloping in Colorado. The winter months are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and you can expect plenty of bluebird days. September and October bring peak fall colors, where you can warm up with locally roasted coffee and wander through valleys alive with orange and yellow aspen trees.

But the real draw is the summer months. It’s the distilled Colorado experience, made complete with long days filled with hiking and backpacking through wild flower filled valleys capped off at an epic alpine lake. You can top off your day with a draft beer at a local brewery or roam the open tundra on one of our many mountain passes. Your elopement will be a true epic adventure in the summer of Colorado!

Colorado is truly the state of many seasons, which gives you infinite choices depending on your vision. Even better, we’re a state boasting 300 days of sunshine, so there’s always someplace beautiful for those eloping in Colorado!

Check out below for a more thorough breakdown of the best months to elope in Colorado!

• MAY AND JUNE

The beginning of summer is a great starting point for couples eloping in Colorado. The weather is generally cool in the mornings but warms up midday. There can be snow in the early part of May that tends to melt off by the beginning of June. The higher elevation tends to dry things out first, which leaves some residual snow on the trails up. Late May through June are pretty changeable, so once you pick your date, we can figure out the best trails.

• JULY & AUGUST

This is high summer, baby, and what a great time to elope in Colorado! The days are long, the trees are bursting with color, and the trails are clear and full of wild flowers. The days are usually warm, but we get some random heat waves and are known for afternoon showers. It is also high tourist season, so expect trails to be a little busier than the spring. July and August are by far my favorite months for elopements.

• SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER

Call me biased, but there’s nowhere more beautiful on earth than Colorado in the fall. The mornings can start-up cool, but we still get some warm days in September and even into early October. The leaves change somewhere around the 2nd to 3rd week of October and the colors can be gone with one big wind storm! The colors are jaw-dropping, and the skies are deep blue. Late October can sometimes have snow, especially in higher elevations, so if you want fall color, plan on earlier in the month.

• SHOULDER SEASON (NOVEMBER-APRIL)

The benefits of having an eloping in Colorado during shoulder season are that the trails are much less crowded, If you’re coming from out of state, the rates for flights and lodging is significantly lower. You can also try out different activities like snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling.

Accessibility is our main concern during these months, and what happened last year is not always a good indication of what will happen this year. Colorado is crazy that way!

One thing I know about shoulder season: It takes a special couple to want to get married in the colder parts of the year. My best advice would be to have experience in the snowy months and to get in touch and let me know what you’re thinking of. I’m happy to weigh in with my experiences of what the conditions are like in the area you are considering!

Check out this blog about the winter in Colorado for more information.

Check out this chart below for a bigger breakdown of what you can expect each month to look like in Colorado.

MONTHAVERAGE TEMPAVERAGE RAIN
JANUARY42.0 °F0.7 cm
FEBRUARY45.0 °F0.9 cm
MARCH52.0 °F2.7 cm
APRIL59.0 °F4.1 cm
MAY68.0 °F6.1 cm
JUNE79.0 °F5.9 cm
JULY84.0 °F7.2 cm
AUGUST82.0 °F8.8 cm
SEPTEMBER74.0 °F3.1 cm
OCTOBER63.0 °F2.2 cm
NOVEMBER50.0 °F1.3 cm
DECEMBER42.0 °F1.1 cm
COLORADO AVERAGES BY MONTH

A FEW MORE IDEAS

  1. Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks
  2. The Paint Mines
  3. Silver Dollar Lake
  4. Garden of the Gods
  5. Golden Gazebo
  6. Lost Gulch Overlook
  7. Black Canyon of the Gunnison
  8. Rifle Falls State Park
  9. Crested Butte
  10. Colorado Ski Resorts
  11. Dunton Hot Springs

TEAM

My name is Sean, and I can’t wait to help you elope in Colorado! I’m a Colorado-based free spirit who has dedicated my life to exploring this wild world and connecting to the people in it.

I know firsthand what an important and personal decision this is—my wife and I eloped to Northern Ireland. You’re trusting me to capture this amazing day, and I make it my responsibility to make sure you have an incredible experience from start to finish.

My passion has led me here, where I can follow my heart and share my love for the outdoors with others on their wedding day. It’s truly an awesome experience, and I’m stoked every time I get to document your day.

When I’m not photographing couples, I love to go exploring with my wife and our corgi.

Sound like the perfect match? Reach out if you’re ready to elope in Colorado!

Colorado Elopement Photographer