Colorado Elopement Photographer

Of course! Whether you’re eloping in Colorado, or Moab, I’ll give you step by step instructions for how to get your marriage license for your elopement. Getting your marriage license is super easy! There’s typically an office right in a mountain town (no huge detour needed), and there is an office right in Moab as well.

I plan & photograph elopements all over the entire state of Colorado, and Moab, Utah. I’ll suggest locations based on the type of scenery you’re wanting for your elopement, taking into account whether you want alpine views, red rock, lakes, wildflower meadows, epic overlooks, or a bit of everything.

The best time of year for a Colorado elopement is typically July through early October. Any earlier than July and you risk muddy trails, lingering snow, and mountain passes that haven’t opened yet. Mid-July through early August is wildflower season, when the alpine meadows are at their absolute best. End of September through early October is going to be the best time to elope in Colorado if you’re aiming for peak fall foliage. Once you get into the second week of October, winter can roll in quickly, and it’s not unusual for snow to hit hard and stick around across much of the state.

Spring, and Fall. And if you’re really aiming for privacy, late winter into early spring, and late fall into early winter are great times to elope in Moab too. Avoid the summer, it gets way too hot.

This is totally up to you! Some of my couples chose not to hire any other vendors because I am so heavily involved in the planning, they feel they don’t need any other help. Some of my couples do choose to hire professional hair and makeup, buy flowers, rent a 4×4 vehicle (if we’re going offroading for your elopement), and lastly hire an officiant (which you don’t need to because Colorado is a self-solemnizing state, and I’m an ordained minister, read more on this below).

Self-solemnizing is a law in Colorado meaning that it is not required you have an officiant, or witnesses to legally get married and to sign your marriage license. Essentially you can “marry yourselves”. Most of my couples who are eloping in Colorado take advantage of this law and don’t hire an officiant.

Not always. I’ll break it down by state below!

• Colorado: Couples can take advantage of the self-solemnizing law in Colorado, meaning you don’t need an officiant to legally get married. If you want an officiant for structure (especially with guests), we can absolutely do that and I have some great officiants I’ve worked with that I can recommend.
• Moab: The state of Utah does require an officiant to sign off on your marriage license and to make your marriage legally legit. Some of my couples decide to hire an officiant, but for my couples who want it to be just the two of them, I can sign as your officiant since I’m an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church.

If your location requires a permit, I’ll point you to the right agency/forms and help you understand the process. I’ll handle the permits as much as I can, but sometimes it is required for the couple to fill out and sign the forms.

In over 5 years of being a full-time Colorado elopement photographer, I’ve only ever had to reschedule once due to heavy rain. Colorado truly does average over 300 sunny days a year, and I’ve seen firsthand how often the forecast shifts in our favor.

That said, adventure elopements are outdoors, and weather is always part of the equation. I can’t control it, but I can plan for it. In the week leading up to your elopement, I’m monitoring the forecast closely. If I see a reason to adjust timing or shift locations, I’ll reach out. I only take on 20 elopements per year, and I block off three calendar days for each one to build in flexibility if we need it. My main goal is for you to have the elopement of your dreams, so if that means being flexible, I’ll do it.

And sometimes, a little weather works in your favor. Cloud cover and light rain can create some of the most beautiful, moody conditions, and in Colorado, those moments usually pass quickly.

Yes, it matters if you want more privacy! Public lands are almost always less crowded on weekdays, so if you have flexibility, I’ll usually recommend a weekday.

It really depends on what kind of scenery you’re drawn to. Colorado truly has everything.  Mountains, waterfalls, alpine lakes, forests, waist high wildflowers, sand dunes, and even snowy areas that are easy to access if you’re dreaming of getting married in a snowglobe.

When I’m not photographing elopements, I’m out exploring. Living here and adventuring year-round has given me a deep understanding of what each area offers in different seasons and which spots are worth the effort.

Some of my personal favorite areas are Ouray, Telluride, Buena Vista, Crested Butte, and Silverton. Each area has its own vibe and personality, and part of my job is helping you choose the one that fits your vision and comfort level best.

Moab is known for its iconic red rock cliffs and arches, but there’s so much more variety here than most people realize — dramatic overlooks, winding canyons, wide open desert views, and quiet, tucked-away spots that feel incredibly intimate.

Because I live just down the road, I spend a lot of time exploring this area. That means I know how different locations feel at sunrise versus sunset, in peak season versus slower months, and which places offer both incredible scenery and a more private experience.

Some of my favorite areas around Moab include Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands, Arches National Park, and BLM Public land areas. Each one offers something a little different, and I’ll help you choose the setting that matches the kind of experience you want to have.

This isn’t a regular hiking day where you’re pushing yourself up the mountain. I’m certainly not going to be pushing myself with 20 lbs of camera gear. We take it slow. We take breaks. We stop to take pictures often.

And yes, I’ll give you practical tips for:

• carrying the dress / changing layers
• comfy footwear options
• keeping makeup intact
• staying comfortable without losing the wedding day feel

No. There are tons of spots in Colorado (I’m thinking of fifty right now) where you can pull right up, park, and be at a gorgeous overlook that is perfect for an elopement in a five minute walk. You can hike if you want to, but it’s absolutely not necessary to get gorgeous pictures for your elopement day!

I absolutely do! I like to call it “car hiking”. Some of my favorite elopement locations are only accessible by 4×4, and it’s such a fun activity to include for your day! Whether you’re having a Colorado elopement or Moab elopement, I know of some awesome 4×4 roads I can suggest we explore for your adventure elopement!

Not much! I do everything I can to make your day easier and more enjoyable, and that includes borrowing anything you need from me. My Gear Garage is a bunch of items that I have collected over the years of photographing elopements that are easy for me to bring: picnic blankets, blue tooth speaker for a first dance, pens for signing your marriage license, lanterns for making blue hour extra romantic, headlamps for when were hiking in the dark, hand warmers for when it’s chilly and we’re standing still for star photos, liquid IV so you’re keeping hydrated in the high elevation (and more!). If there is anything I can do to take any amount of stress off your shoulders, I want to do it.

For anything additional, I’ll send you a custom packing list based on your location, season, and timeline.

I only book elopements up to 18 months in advance. Some dates go fast, like wildflower season (July-August), and in the fall when the leaves are changing colors (late September – early October), so earlier is better, but it’s not required.

Nope, absolutely not. Elopements can come together quickly. If you’re ready to just get married already at a beautiful pace, I’ll help make that happen. It’s never too late to elope with me!

Yes, and hell yes!