A complete guide to how Amelya and Doug Gorski, planned their wedding at Rocky Mountain National Park. We go over Rocky Mountain National park wedding ceremony locations, permit requirements and the best RMNP wedding vendors. Amelya and Doug’s wedding only cost them $4115 – see how they had their dream wedding at Rocky Mountain National Park on a budget!
- Meet Amelya and Doug Gorski
- The Budget – How to get married for 5K or less
- Why should you plan a Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding?
- Where to get married in Rocky Mountain National Park
- 3M Curve
- Bear Lake
- Sprague Lake
- Moraine Park Amphitheatre
- Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Permit Info
- The Best Colorado Wedding Vendors
- The Wedding Photographer – Among the Pines
- Dawn and Dusk Wedding Photography
- Wedding Picnic – Denver Picnic Co.
- Love Matters Wedding Officiants
- Colorado Micro Wedding Planners
Meet Amelya and Doug Gorski
Two newly weds who we just helped get married at Rocky Mountain National Park! Amelya and Doug Gorski are so excited to begin their adventure of love, but when they first came to us – they didn’t know where to begin! With the Wedy app, and our wedding planning experts, we soon built them a schedule and gave them a list of ideas that they can use to plan the perfect, affordable Colorado Mountain Wedding, at Rocky Mountain National Park. Here’s how they did it!
The Budget – How to get married for 5K or less
When Amelya and Doug first approached us for their wedding – they were filled with ideas! With all of wedding inspiration on Pinterest, Tik Tok and Instagram, they didn’t know where to begin! Luckily, Wedy came in handy, and quickly assigned our team to get them started. Amelya let us know that while she did want to splurge in some places (the dress, the photographer), she did want to save in others (floral arrangements, cake). Using Amelya and Doug’s budget, we’ve put together a full guide of Rocky Mountain National Park venues, vendors, and more, for you to use to plan an affordable Colorado Mountain Wedding- for 6000 or less! Check out some of our amazing all inclusive wedding packages below!
Why should you plan a Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding?
When we say Rocky Mountain National Park is the best, we mean it. For Colorado locals, it’s filled with memories from their childhood, and the park itself represents adventure, and a quest into nature, unknown of the magic that is to follow. With over 10 venues within the park that you can get married at, historical landmarks, and tourist attractions, what’s not to love?
Here are just some of the many reasons to elope there:
- 415 square miles worth of nature
- Epic mountain views
- Beautiful and vast lakes
- Open meadows with wildflowers and lillies in the spring
- Top-of-the-world feel on Trail Ridge Road
- Aspen trees with golden fall leaves
While elopements here are quite popular, we’ve planned lots of intimate weddings at RMNP, and feel that this park can work for many occasions. Hundreds of engagement sessions, weddings, and families come here every year, a heartwarming park that’s perfect for sharing the love you feel. Though with all of the weddings we’ve planned here, it’s crazy how every couple celebrates their love in a different way – there’s something truly special about seeing couples read their vows in the scenic mountains
An affordable and unique choice, this park is perfect, and we thought we’d show you how our amazing clients – Amelya and Doug Gorski had their dream mountain wedding here! With all of our experience as Colorado locals, and wedding planners who regularly work with the park, we thought we’d write a blog so others can see just how easy, affordable and amazing it is to get married at Rocky Mountain National Park!
Where to get married in Rocky Mountain National Park
3M Curve
- Elevation: 14, 259 ft
- Capacity: 15 people, 3 Cars
- 3M Curve Permit Cost: $300
Amelya and Doug’s Choice, 3M Curve!
When Amelya and Doug Gorski found love, deciding to elope at 3M curve in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, just seemed like the right choice for them. As debatably, the most popular wedding space in the park, this venue offers many commodities, in addition to their stunning mountain views. The 3M curve comes highly recommended and is perfect for elopements and small wedding parties. 3M Curve elopements make our heart, and we’re sure this spot will make yours too!
What’s Included
- Mountain views of Long Peaks
- Three miles from the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center entrance, along highway 36.
- West of Estes Park, perfect for elopements
- Entrance fee per car is $25/ per car, per day
- Must follow “Leave No Trace” Principles
- No amplified music
- No restrooms
- Parking area is on the left side
- Minimize interference with park programs, operation of public facilities, activities, and visitors
- Maintain a safe and healthy environment for other park visitors
- No external furniture aside from that provided by the venue allowed
Trail is short but rocky, so we’d recommend no high heels or wedges – opt for a flat heel if possible. The location itself isn’t found on google, but you can find it by following this our virtual map of all the Rocky Mountain National Park’s ceremonial sites, made specially by our Wedy concierge team!
Bear Lake
- Elevation : 10,000 ft
- Capacity: 20 people, 5 cars
- Bear Lake Permit Cost: $300
Another great venue at Rocky Mountain National Park is Bear Lake! With a busy trail and a grand alpine lake, this venue is perfect for a scenic mountain wedding! It’s a great choice because it’s easy to find and allows for more vehicles and people than the 3M Curve. Best of all – this wedding venue is perfect because its nearby surrounding venues at the park, and makes for great photo opportunities!
What’s included
- 256 ft flat walk from the trailhead entrance
- When frozen, icey lake can be used for pictures
- Rocky Mountains nearby, Estes Park nearby
- Super busy through the year, yet abundance of areas allow for privacy
- January through March are the best times to get married! February is the least busy month
- Monday through Friday weddings only
- Entrance fee per car is $25/ per car, per day
- Free public shuttle busses to get around the venue
- Easy to find on google maps as “Bear Lake Trailhead”
- No weddings permitted Friday Memorial day weekend through Indigenous People’s Day
- Must follow “Leave No Trace” Principles
- No amplified music, no restrooms
- No tables, chairs, ceremony arches, or other furniture allowed, aside from that provided by the venue
Sprague Lake
- Elevation: 8688 ft
- Summer Capacity: 15 people, 3 cars in summer
- Winter Capacity: 30 people and 10 cars in winter
- Sprague Lake Wedding Permit Cost: $300
The next great lake at the Rocky Mountain National Park is Sprague Lake, a beautiful lake that offers hiking opportunities, and great photo opportunities! In the summer, you can see the peak of Hallet Mountain on a clear day! In the winter – snowy and sparkly ice glistens the venue, so make sure to bring your snow boots. This beautiful venue has all you need to make your Sprague Lake Wedding special!
What’s Included
- Accessible year round, ice able to be used in Winter
- Busy year round, plan for a weekday if you want more privacy
- Nearby Estes Park, perfect for a Sprague Lake wedding
- Entrance fee per car is $25/ per car, per day
- Free public shuttle busses to get around the venue
- Easy to find on google maps as “Sprague Lake Trailhead”
- Must follow “Leave No Trace” Principles
- No amplified music
- No restrooms
- Parking area is on the left side
- Roads are plowed in the winter from around 7am until 5pm
- No tables, chairs, ceremony arches, or other furniture allowed, aside from that provided by the venue
Moraine Park Amphitheatre
- Elevation: 8100 ft
- Capacity: 30 people, 10 cars max
- Moraine Park Permit Cost: $300
Moraine Park Amphitheater is the best venue at Rocky Mountain National Parks if your travelling in a group – the site seats up to 30 people. With quaint wooden benches, a wheelchair friendly trail, and plenty of parking spots, this amphitheatre is easy to get to, and is the only venue to offer a beautiful ceremonial arch in the whole park! Perfect for photo opportunities and heart warming ceremonies!
What’s Included
- Great for large groups
- Wooden seating
- Grand Ceremonial arch
- Trees shading guests from heat, but block mountains
- Some light road noise from nearby
- Busy year round, plan for a weekday if you want more privacy
- Restrooms and parking spaces available
- Surrounded by forestry and hiking trails
- Entrance fee per car is $25/ per car, per day
- No weddings permitted Friday Memorial day weekend through Indigenous People’s Day
- Must follow “Leave No Trace” Principles
- No amplified music
Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Permit Info
Wondering if you can get married at Rocky Mountain National Park in 2024? Good news! While Rocky Mountain National is no longer issuing permits for 2023, wedding permit applications are fully open for 2024!
What you need to know about permits at RMNP 2024:
- You can get married through the park, during the months of May through December
- RMNP issues a maximum of 60 permits per month for the months of May-October
- RMNP issues a maximum of 40 permits per month for months of November and December
- All permits are issued on a first come, first serve basis
- Applications open January 2024 and close May 2024
- All wedding ceremonies are capped at a maximum of 30 people
- The 30 people is inclusive of all vendors, officiants, guests, and the couple to be wed
Unfortunately, unless you have already had a permit application approved from earlier this year, then you cannot get married at RMNP for 2021. Don’t fret though, as our amazing wedding planners have a complete guide on how you can get married in surrounding areas! Check out this blogpost for ideas on wedding venues right next to RMNP, including Estes Park Wedding Venues and Airbnbs!
The Best Colorado Wedding Vendors
The Wedding Photographer – Among the Pines
The photographer that Amelya and Doug had chosen – Among the Pines Photographer is a great Denver Wedding photographer who we know and love! Originally known as Brooke Hill Photography, Among the Pines Photo specializes in “candid couples and intimate weddings”.
With a promise to capture authenticity in the most beautiful way possible, Among the Pines Photo will blow your mind away, and will accommodate to you in more ways than one!
What’s Included
- Package prices start at $2200 for up to four hours of footage
- Minimum of two hours must be booked
- Half day elopements start at $3500, whereas full days go for $4200
- Great reviews, flexible, and able to travel
- Bohemian, Adventure, and Documentary Styled Footage
Dawn and Dusk Wedding Photography
Dawn and Dusk Photography is here to have a blast with you and your significant other on your special day! Run by wedding photographer Kelsey, who’s also based in Denver, Dawn and Dusk photography is here to capture the uniqueness of your wedding moments, and is definitely willing to go on miraculous adventures to make sure it’s done your way!
Best of all – she’s affordable and very big on embracing all forms of love, no matter how you show it! To see how amazing Kels is, and why we love her you can check them out by clicking here to view their profile on the Wedy app!
What’s Included
- Package prices start at $600 for a minimum of 2 hours
- The MicroWedding Package costs $2100 for a total of 6 hours
- Other package and price information available through contact
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Great reviews
- Editorials and sneak peeks ready in record times
- Artistic, modern and bohemian styles offered
Wedding Picnic – Denver Picnic Co.
Amelya and Doug’s Cozy Picnic for Two might be our new favorite
From picnic setups to tablescape rentals, balloons, and catering– let them know your vision and a Denver Picnic Co. stylist will reach out with the perfect wedding plan for you!
For their small mountain wedding, Amelya and Doug opted for a custom Boho Picnic for Two, in beautiful Knoll-Willows Open Space! It is only 10 minutes away from Rocky Mountain National Park, and beautiful for a Denver Picnic Co. Wedding Picnic! Fun Fact: This picnic spot overlooks the Stanley Hotel – yes that’s right, from the infamous movie The Shining. The spot also over looks Estes Lake so it is perfect for a serene picnic. The total cost breakdown was $360 for the food, placement mats, cutlery, and other items, plus a $125 travel fee, to equal a total $475! Amelya and Doug loved their picnic and raved about Denver Picnic Co. after their romantic elopement picnic!
What’s Included
- Options include DIY picnics for two ($250), Boho picnics for two ($450), Intimate picnic style weddings ($1200, feeds 10 guests), and any additional customizable signage at $125.
- $360 is the base price for a bohemian style picnic for two
- For other picnic experiences, base price starts at $129, for up to 6 hours of services
- Picnic ceremonies are provided with seating arrangements, furniture and all materials
- Super simple three step process
- Delicious picnic style food and grazes offered
- Photo opportunities present, perfect for foodies!
- Private events and gift certificates also offered!
Love Matters Wedding Officiants
For Amelya and Doug, finding the right officiary was important to making their marriage happen. The Love Matters Colorado Wedding Officiants, are a great group who specialize in classical and adventurous weddings! Started by Noemi and based in Colorado Springs, Love Matters cannot wait to officiate your wedding and bring your ceremony to life! Whether you desire a religious or secular ceremony, Love Matters is the perfect choice for a Colorado Wedding!
What’s Included
- $300 for elopement officiant services -2 hours
- $400 for wedding officiant services – 2 hours
- Bilingual, able to perform the ceremony in both english and Spanish
- Able to officiate to multiple faiths, including Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Muslim, Baha’i Faith, Quaker, Interfaith, Pagan, Secular, Sikh, Spiritual, Unitarian and Wiccan
- Perform renewal ceremonies, weddings, religious ceremonies, and help with engagements!
- Performs both religious and secular weddings
- Proudly Black and Hispanic owned
- Proudly Women and Veteran owned
- Amazing client reviews
- Able to travel
Colorado Micro Wedding Planners
Wedy has been transforming the vendor booking process by providing an intuitive and efficient search platform where couples can retrieve instant online price quotes for each of its vendors. Engaged couples spend a tremendous amount of time tracking down wedding information packets and waiting for vendors to respond back to them. Wedy’s proprietary technology has made it possible to break down event pricing into standardized components, enabling users to “build” their own customized event, bringing both pricing transparency and efficiency to the wedding industry.
Get the Wedy app today and book a free consultation with our planners, to see how you can make your wedding dreams become a reality!
