Colorado is the gateway to the West with towering 14,000 ft mountains dotting the Rocky Mountain range with beautiful meadows, valleys, and stunning mountain scenery. The Sunshine State is where I call home! I’m in love with our big open skies, sunny weather, wildflower-covered meadows in the summer, and beautiful fall colors in the aspen trees in the fall. As an en plein air artist and photographer, the mountains here are truly paradise! And most importantly, the perfect place for you to get married!
Marriage License Info for Colorado
One of the best things about getting married in Colorado is that it’s SIMPLE. Colorado is one of the few states where you can self-solemnize. So you won’t need an officiant or any witnesses to sign your marriage license. Although not required, two people can sign your marriage license if it’s meaningful to you. It’s easy peasy! Plus if you have a doggy, they can sign the marriage license too (which is the most Colorado thing ever).
- No officiant or witnesses are required for a marriage license.
- There is no waiting period to pick up your marriage license. It’s valid to sign within 35 days and must be returned within 63 days.
- It costs between $30 with a small fee for certified copies. You can pay with cash or credit card in most counties.
- I always advise calling the County Clerk’s Office in the county where you’re getting married just to double-check their process.
More information can be found on the Denver Clerk And Recorder Website.
Best Time of Year to Get Married In Colorado
Usually, the best time of year to get married in Colorado is June through October. Although Colorado is beautiful year-round with lots of sunshine even in the winter months! My favorite time of year is June through mid-July (when everything is green) or early September through early October (chasing the cooler mountain weather and the changing colors of the aspen trees).
You can roughly expect warm summer days in the mountains (70-85 degrees) and cool weather (40-50 degrees) around sunrise or sunset. The Front Range is always much warmer since it’s at a lower elevation. So be sure to look at the weather in the mountain town near where you’re getting married.
Getting Married at High Elevation
A lot of my favorite mountain towns are at 8,000 ft or 9,000 ft in elevation. This means it takes some time to adjust to the altitude up here! I always recommend acclimating to the elevation by spending a night or two in Denver before driving into the mountains. And if you can spend a few nights at a higher elevation before your wedding–even better! Because you’re closer to the sun in the mountains, it’s also important to have high-quality sunscreen. I really like Super Goop’s sunscreen trial set. You can test out a few different products and see which one works best for you. I have to wear some form of sun protection any time I’m out exploring the mountains to protect my skin!
Why get married in Colorado?
I’ve worked all over the mountain West from Sedona to Yosemite to the North Cascades of Washington. Yet Colorado is where I call home and for good reason! The mountain ranges are absolutely beautiful and it’s a lot less crowded here than in California or Washington (which is great for any wedding or just enjoying the peace and quiet). Colorado is truly built around the mountain lifestyle here and it makes it so much easier to explore compared to other places. The mountain towns here (which are so beautiful) make it really easy to hike and be adventurous while also having everything you’d need to relax with friends and family. It’s also really wedding-friendly here making any planning logistics much easier for you too.
Best Places to Get Married in Colorado
Breckenridge
Best Time of Year to Elope: late June – October
Distance from Denver: 1 1/2 hours
Breckenridge is incredibly popular for good reason! It’s one of the closest mountain towns to Denver, has beautiful mountain views in every direction, and it’s perfect for couples having a micro wedding or eloping. You can be super adventurous in Breckenridge (like hiking Quandary Peak) or keep everything relaxed and family-friendly. I love bringing friends and family here because it’s so stress-free to explore since Breckenridge truly has everything. That being said, it can be one of the busier locations on the list because of how close it is to Denver. Just depends on what matters most to you!
San Juan Mountains (Telluride, Ouray, Silverton)
Best Time of Year to Elope: late June – October
Distance from Denver: 5-7 hours
Southern Colorado is arguably the most beautiful area to explore in Colorado. While it’s a longer drive from Denver than anywhere else on the list, the San Juan mountains of Southwest Colorado never disappoint! While most tourists visit Rocky Mountain National Park or Boulder, you’ll find the locals heading to the San Juans. It’s an outdoor paradise with some of the best trails in Colorado. If you’re looking for peace & quiet or adventure in Colorado, you’ll want to get married in the San Juans!
Crested Butte
Best Time of Year: June – October
Distance from Denver: 4 hours
Crested Butte is the wildflower capital of Colorado and one of my favorite mountain towns. You can chase blooming wildflowers in July or fall colors in September! As an en plein air artist, you might even see me painting somewhere around Crested Butte while you’re in town. Crested Butte has more of a “wide open” feel to it, and I honestly feel like I’m in Switzerland driving through town. It’s a stunning place for a wedding or elopement and usually tops my list of recommendations! It’s a good balance of being a little farther/quieter than Breckenridge without a longer drive to Southwest Colorado. I have some great easy-access places to go in Crested Butte for photos too. So I’d love to show you some of my favorite places here!
Aspen
Best Time of Year to Elope: Mid-July – early October
Distance from Denver: 4 hours
While Aspen is known as a bougie ski resort town, there is so much to do here no matter what you are looking for. It’s an amazing destination for elopements and micro-weddings. There are great venues to celebrate with friends and family, and lots of beautiful places to explore in the White River National Forest. Maroon Bells is one of the first places I visited in Colorado, and I love getting to return to Aspen in the summer or winter! Being able to reserve a ceremony site at Maroon Bells is super easy and stress-free too.
Other Great Places to Get Married in Colorado
While this guide goes over some of the best places to get married in Colorado, there are even more spectacular places. Whether you want an easy-going ceremony with family or an adventurous hike to an alpine lake–Colorado has it all. You can reach out using my contact form and I’m happy to recommend a specific location for your wedding or elopement!
