If you’re looking for a magical winter elopement experience, Colorado is the perfect destination. The serene landscape, snowcapped peaks, and elaborate hiking trails are sure to dazzle all couple who dare to embark on the journey.
Featuring the most popular elopement location in Colorado – Rocky Mountain National Park. Learn how Megan and Blayne planned their Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement and get tips and tricks on hosting the perfect intimate winter elopement in Colorado.
How much does it cost to elope at Rocky Mountain National Park?
The cost of eloping at Rocky Mountain National Park is $5000 for an all-inclusive elopement package, that includes everything you need to hold an elopement with friends and family in Colorado.
The detailed breakdown of the cost of eloping at Rocky Mountain National Park is:
- Colorado Marriage License is $30
- Rocky Mountain National Park Permit Fee is $300
- Wedding Photography is $1700 for 3 Hours of Coverage
- Bridal Hair and Makeup is $550 (on site)
- Bouquet and Boutonnière is $400 (without delivery)
- Licensed Officiant to Perform at The Ceremony is $450 (including travel)
- Mini Wedding Cake is $110
- Day of Coordinator and Wedding Planner is $1000
- Luxe Picnic with charcuterie for two is $460 (including set up)
- Mobile Bar Cart is $850 (add-on)
With Wedy, you can customize your elopement experience with incredible add ons and streamline the wedding planning process with the click of a button! Browse All-Inclusive Colorado Wedding Packages, and find incredible add ons to complete your winter Colorado wedding experience!
Colorado Winter Elopement Budget Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the vendors Megan and Blayne used for their winter Colorado elopement. They threw an elegant elopement for $5000, and here’s the rockstar team that helped them do it!
Photographer: Courtney Chau Photography
Florist: Fanciful Floral
Picnic: The Perfect Picnic Denver
Officiant: Elevate Wedding Officiant
Hair & Makeup Artist: Til Death Beauty
Mini Wedding Cake: Three Generations Creations
Mobile Vintage Italian Bar Cart: Cheers n Co
Wedding Planning App: The Wedy App
Winter Wedding Gallery
Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Timeline
12:00PM: Pick up florals from a nearby boutique, before heading to your Airbnb for hair and makeup.
12:30PM: Hair and Makeup artist arrives at your Airbnb, begins your wedding glam!
2:30 PM: Photographer arrives at the Airbnb, sets up for your getting ready photos.
2:45 PM: Finishing touches on hair and makeup. Step into your wedding dress and get ready for your first look. Take some candid shots and styled shots before meeting up with the groom.
3:00 PM: First looks are captured.
3:15 PM: Leave for the ceremony location.
20 Minute Drive + Parking Time
3:35 PM: Meet officiant in the 3M Curve at Rocky Mountain National Park, parking area.
3:45 PM: Beginning of Ceremony – vow ceremony, handwritten vows, ring exchange.
4:00 PM: Share that big “I do!” and seal it with a kiss! End of ceremony.
4:05 PM: Family and friends portraits.
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Golden hour couples portraits, explore the surrounding area with photographers.
5:00 PM: Head to Picnic location in Estes Park for more pictures and cake!
20 Minute Drive (heading to Estes Park)
5:20 PM: Enjoy an intimate picnic, complete with a champagne toast, mini wedding cake and charcuterie!
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Time for a couples portrait session during Golden Hour, post with your picnic setup.
6:30 PM: Picnic session wraps. Time to ride that #JustMarried glow into the sunset.
Where can I elope in Colorado?
When it comes to Winter Elopements, Colorado is the most popular global wedding destination for couples. As a bride to be, choosing the perfect backdrop to your intimate ceremony can be a hassle.
Here’s some insight into the top locations past couples have travelled to, to elope in Colorado!
Here are some of the best elopement locations in Colorado:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- San Juan Mountains
- Sapphire Point Overlook, Breckenridge
- Keystone Resort
- Steamboat Springs
- Ice castles, Dillon
- Telluride
- Ouray
- Estes Park
- Vail
- Aspen
- Boulder
Eloping at Rocky Mountain National Park
Meet Megan and Blayne, a newlywed couple that chose Rocky embarking on their love-filled adventure at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Where can I elope at Rocky Mountain National Park?
- 3M Curve
- Sprague Lake
- Bear Lake
- Upper Beaver Meadows
- Hidden Valley
- Lily Lake
- Moraine Park Amphitheater
- Copeland Lake
- Harbison Meadow
- Timber Creek Amphitheater
They held their ceremony at the 3M Curve at Rocky Mountain National Park, and held their reception at an Airbnb in Estes Park. They had a luxurious picnic experience with charcuterie for two, surrounded by dollops of snow and mountain views for Colorado winter elopements.
3M Curve Colorado Winter Elopement
Maximum Guest Count: 15 people, 3 cars
Availability: Open year-round
3M Curve is a gorgeous elopement spot found inside Rocky Mountain National Park. With the best views of the Long Peaks Mountain, the natural ambience of the 3M Curve is sure to take your breath away.
Tips for Eloping at 3M Curve, Rocky Mountain National Park
- Drive in from the west entrance, the parking area can be found on the left hand side of the road
- There are no washrooms and limited supports for those with accessibility needs
- The trail is rocky and the terrain is uneven, so opt for a change of shoes and make sure your guests do the same
- Nearby construction can interfere with your ceremony, so it’s good to book in advance for a time that you will have privacy from locals and any surrounding noise
- Best times to elope during the year at 3M curve are from June through early October
- Best times to elope during the day at 3M Curve are sunrise and sunset, to avoid crowds and get the best golden hour photos
Rocky Mountain National Park Permit Information
When eloping in Colorado, it is essential you are up to date on the type of permit you will need to host your public ceremony. At Rocky Mountain National Park, a special use permit is needed to elope, which will cost you $300. The park issues 60 permits each month during the months of May through October, and 40 permits each month during the months of November through April. You can apply for a permit on this website!
Permits are issued on a first come first serve basis, and you can begin applying for a permit, up to one year in advance of your wedding month. As of January 2023, the park is fully booked for June and September, and Moraine Park Amphitheater is not available for weddings in 2023. The park is taking bookings for 2024, so it is ideal you book your permit right away if you plan to get married at Rocky Mountain National Park in 2024.
All wedding ceremonies must have a maximum of 30 people in total, unless the ceremony site specifies otherwise. For example, 3M Curve at the park, has maximum headcount of 15 people, which means that your ceremony must be capped at 15. This number should include everyone in your group – the bride and groom, the guests, and all of your vendors.
When you book with the Wedy app, your wedding planner schedules site visits, files for your special use permit, and takes care of everything else you need!
Getting around Rocky Mountain National Park
To elope in Rocky Mountain National Park, you will need to reserve 1 of the 12 ceremony sites, and pay a $300 permit fee to complete your reservation. Any guests planning to arrive in separate cars, will need to pay an additional $30/car entrance fee in order to attend the ceremony. After your ceremony, you’re free to hike around the park to explore with your guests and take elopement pictures.
Make sure you hire a local photographer, as your elopement photographer will need a permit, which costs $50 for a single session. Photographers typically absorb this cost themselves, and most Colorado adventure and elopement photographers opt for an annual permit.
For a greater idea of where in the park you can take portraits, explore with friends and family, and indulge in mountain views, here’s an interactive map to guide your journey eloping at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Plan your Winter Colorado Wedding with the Wedy App
With the Wedy App, we can help you find elopement packages perfect for any season. Wedy connects couples to local Colorado elopement vendors, including photographers, florists, venues, and more. Download our app today and build your perfect winter elopement package!
