For couples looking for places to elope in Colorado springs, look no further than a Garden of the Gods elopement! Not only is this park one of the many beautiful elopement locations Colorado has to offer, it also is one of the few free wedding venues in Colorado Springs. This venue is perfect for the duo looking for cheap elopement packages in Colorado Springs. Garden of the Gods is also a beautiful outdoor wedding venue in Colorado Springs, and even free wedding venue in Colorado Springs!
Can you get married at Garden of the Gods?
As long as they are small, brief ceremonies, Garden of the Gods elopements are permitted. No receptions are allowed in the park unless it is a picnic at the Scotsman or South Spring Canyon Picnic areas. No alcohol is permitted in the park. Garden of the Gods weddings are also encouraged to be minimalist, as no tables, tents, arches, or other decorations are permitted. A ceremony in the park is a great free wedding venue when looking at wedding venues in Colorado Springs.
Connect with us at Wedy so that we can guide you through all inclusive wedding venues in Colorado Springs! We have options perfect for couples looking for a Colorado Springs destination wedding. We can introduce you to wedding officiants in Colorado Springs and Colorado Springs bridal suites included in our Garden of the Gods elopement packages, w! Reach out today to walk through some of our all inclusive wedding venues in Colorado Springs.
Garden of the Gods Elopement Wedding Venues
Per park rules, there are six areas within the park that wedding ceremonies can take place. Something to note – while there isn’t much variation in elevation throughout the park, all areas sit around 6,400 feet in elevation. All of these areas are free wedding venues in Colorado Springs. But as always, keep in mind that high park traffic often means you can anticipate sharing these spaces with other parkgoers.
Jaycee Plaza
Capacity: 50 guests
Jaycee Plaza is one of the first common areas you approach upon first entering the park. The space is wide and flat, making it very accessible for guests and vendors. Just past the Visitor’s Center, this location is optimal for folks with mobility issues. The plaza has an amphitheater-type rock structure, ideal for having up to 50 guests watch your ceremony. Because of its proximity to the Visitor Center, this location does also have high-traffic with tourists and other park guests.
Sentinel Plaza
Capacity: 25 guests
Sentinal Plaza is smaller and more intimate than Jaycee Plaza, but still is only steps away from the park entrance. In this location, you are closer to the rock formations that make for gorgeous backdrops. That being said, it does restrict capacity and limits ability for wide-angle shots. This location is great for smaller parties, with a capacity of 25 guests.
Three Graces Plaza
Capacity: 25 guests
Three Graces Plaza is not far from Sentinel Plaza and very similar as ceremony locations go. This location is nestled within some of the more dramatic rock formations, making it a great pick for stunning photography. Because of its location within the rocks, this spot is not ideal for large groups, and its 25 person capacity does not allow for all guests to be seated.
High Point
Capacity: 50 guests
While this point is a little bit more difficult to access, it has some of the best views in the park. A bit off the beaten path, this also is less well-known to tourists and other visitors. While the capacity is listed as 50 guests, it is actually better suited for smaller elopements, as there aren’t many leveled areas to be seated. Don’t sleep on this location – it has some of the best spots to take photos with broader views of Pike’s Peak and surrounding areas!
Scotsman Picnic Area
Capacity: 25 guests
This location is more ideal for a casual reception, but is still a ceremony option as listed on the Garden of the Gods site. Scotsman Picnic Area has access to 5 picnic tables and includes some more secluded areas to break away for smaller ceremonies.
South Spring Canyon Area
Capacity: 50 guests
Similar to Scotsman Picnic Area, this area is well-suited for sharing a bite with your guests, as it is less scenic and has access to picnic tables. The scenery here is a bit different than other Garden of the Gods elopement locations, as there is more green shrubbery around in contrast to the park’s notable desert palette.
How much does it cost to elope in Colorado Springs?
The cost of eloping in Colorado Springs is under $2300 for an all-inclusive elopement package including travel and lodging for two. The detailed breakdown of the cost of eloping in Colorado Springs is listed below.
- Colorado Marriage License is $30
- Wedding Photography is $800 for 2 Hours of Coverage
- Bridal Hair and Makeup is $200
- Flowers Bouquet and Boutonnière is $345 (Taxes Included!)
- Licensed Officiant to Perform at The Ceremony is $400
- Luxe Picnic or a Private Chef to cook a meal for two is $450
- Lodging for 2 nights is $250 on average
- Flight Tickets for you and your boo would be $300 on average
Our rockstar team at Wedy can help customize your experience if you are inviting friends and family! Stunning photos on breathtaking overlooks, helicopter rides, rock climbing, moonlight hikes, a multi-course dinner in downtown Colorado Springs – the choice is yours with our All-Inclusive Garden of the Gods Elopement Packages.
Colorado Springs Elopement Tips
1. Keep it Simple
we recommend keeping your Garden of the Gods elopement simple due to the various park restrictions detailed on the park’s website. These Colorado Springs elopement packages are perfect for the no-fuss couple looking for an intimate ceremony with natural backdrops. When it comes to packing for a Colorado Springs destination wedding, don’t plan on bringing much – aside from necessary seating for your guests.
2. Plan out timing
We suggest being intentional about what time you plan on holding your ceremony, as the park can get busy and is open to visitors. Our favorite time to elope in Garden of the Gods is sunrise. Just as beautiful as sunset, but much less competition for some of our favorite spaces! While Garden of the Gods park is a great wedding venue in Colorado Springs, this also means it’s a favorite to locals and tourists alike. For a free wedding venue in Colorado Springs, however, we say it’s worth it as long as you plan on not having the park to yourself.
Let Wedy help you find the perfect time to elope in Colorado Springs, CO! Our lead planners can walk you through our suggestions as locals. We are happy to walk you through your ceremony timing and more. In addition, we can introduce you to bridal shops in Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs wedding officiants, and more!
3. Leave no trace
As always in Garden of the Gods elopements and beyond, we encourage couples to respect Leave No Trace guidelines as part of the park’s rules and procedures. Again, keep in mind restricted items per the park website to avoid when looking for places to elope in Colorado Springs . Items such as tables, balloons, arches, confetti, and tents are prohibited. We encourage couples to Leave No Trace to ensure your Colorado Springs wedding keeps the venue safe as well.
4. Explore Colorado Springs
Because we recommend keeping Garden of the Gods weddings short and sweet, this means there’s plenty of time and space to explore all that Colorado Springs has to offer! Garden of the Gods park is by no means the only beautiful scenery in the area. Garden of the Gods park itself rests at the base of
Hiking Pike’s Peak, a beloved Colorado 14,000+ foot mountain, is an option for adventurous and skilled couples. Hiking this mountain is no joke, however. This is only recommended for skilled climbers and hikers, and is the perfect adventure for couples who are able. There are also options for those not looking for this sort of commitment. The mountain also has drivable roads for those looking to explore Pike’s Peak from the safety of their vehicle. These roads are open year-round, weather permitting, and access to the roads requires a small fee per car.
For those interested, there are also golf courses, recreation centers, and even an Olympic City located in Colorado Springs! Explore the Colorado Springs visitors site to see details on all the town has to offer. Here you can find the perfect ways to round out your Colorado Springs destination wedding.
5. Reserve a venue for the reception
While Garden of the Gods is a beautiful ceremony location, the park doesn’t have ideal reception locations. We recommend booking a venue separately for your guests to return to and celebrate your big day. There are many venues in and around Colorado Springs, and one of our favorites is The Venue at ALMAGRE.
This urban venue and bar is found in the heart of Colorado Springs. The Venue at ALMAGRE is designed for celebration and connection – a perfect way to top off your day after a trip to Garden of the Gods. Through the Wedy app, couples can browse inclusive options for the Venue at ALMAGRE and more. Micro Receptions start at $4500 for up to 35 guests when you book through the Wedy App. This all inclusive wedding package in Colorado Springs includes:
- Outdoor Courtyard
- Kindred Suite
- Beautiful backdrops for photography, including neon signage
- Mobile bar
- 4 hours of DJ service
- Hors d’oeuvres and cocktail hour
- Gourmet dinner buffet and two entree choices
- 30 day walk through with coordinator
- Set-up and breakdown
- Choice of tablescapes and more!
