Elopement Guide
ABOUT THE GUIDE
Whether you’re working with a professional elopement planner or it's just me that's assisting you, there are just so many little details and questions that come up on the planning journey.
Having photographed more than 280 weddings and elopements over the past 10+ years, I tend to get asked the same things over and over again. So I put together this guide that walks you through everything from timelines and location ideas, to including your dog and inclement weather! Come back to this guide whenever you need!
Where to Start Planning Your elopement
You have decided to elope and you've decided I'm the pro you want to help craft your elopement day. You may now be wondering how to start planning. Much like a larger wedding, there are some essential first steps to take that get the bulk of your planning out of the way from the get go!
BUDGET
Like a large wedding, you will want to start with figuring out your budget. How much can you contribute, and is anyone else contributing? If your family members are helping out, you will need to ask them for an idea of how much they can give. Add that to the amount you have saved and what you think you can save up each month, and you’ll have a good idea for how much to budget.
GUEST LIST
Next you’ll need to consider your guest list, if you decide you want to have anyone along. Who matters the most to you to have as a witness your vows, or at least participate in parts of your day? Many couples choose their immediate family, and maybe their closest friends. Bear in mind you can always have a reception/party with more of your friends and loved ones after the big day if that is something you want!
LOCATION
You can work on finding a location while you plan your guest list or after you’re all set. This wedding location doesn’t have to be a formal venue with so few people, but it still could be! Do you love the San Juan mountains? Want to camp by an alpine lake? Love off-roading to an incredible waterfall? All of these are great micro wedding location ideas! Or you could simply invite everyone to Colorado’s “Napa Valley” here in Palisade and get married among the vines while staying at the Palisade Base Camp.
It’s a great idea to visit these locations, if you can, and choose a time of year you want to get married there. Many couples cannot visit beforehand, though, and that's what I'm here for! If you have any questions about weather, permits, etc, I'm here to help. (See below for more!)
VENDORS
I will also be sending over an area guide with vendor information full of professionals who can help bring your vision to life, from florists, rentals, hair/makeup artists, officiants, and more.
Think about your dream day itinerary. Do you want to share a cake? Maybe you want to hire a mobile bar for you and your guests? Will you need rentals for tables, chairs, an archway, or linens? Consider exactly what you want the day to look like and break down what you might need to hire to make it happen. Prioritize your vendors within your budget and begin getting quotes so you can figure out exactly where your budget will be going.
The Best Places to Elope in Colorado
When planning on eloping in Colorado, many couples focus on the front range, especially when they’re from out of state. They want to fly into Denver and elope an hour or so away. If you’re looking for an incredible elopement, with lakes and the best mountain views, or if you want a desert backdrop without the insane prices, in my opinion the best place to elope is Western Colorado! Because it’s my favorite place to capture elopements in Colorado, I want to tell you all the best places to elope in Western Colorado.
My top three faves? Crested Butte, Ouray, and Moab (not Colorado, I know, I know, but still close!)
Hopefully this quick guide gets the juices flowing for what backdrops you could have for your big day. If you're not set on a location yet, one of the biggest services I offer is help with locations. If you haven't received it yet, I'll be sending over a questionnaire so I can get a feel for your thoughts so far on locations/backdrops, which will help me as I create a customized location guide for your elopement. We'll schedule a Zoom call to go over that full guide so I can walk you through the options and the pros/cons of each conversationally and you'll leave the call feeling confident in the choice and having checked off one piece of the to-do list!
Elopement Timelines
With an elopement or micro wedding day, your timeline can be one of the hardest things to nail down because you have so much flexibility! Elopement timelines never look one certain way. So to give you some inspiration I’ll be covering a number of timelines I’ve seen or dreamt of for elopement celebrations and micro weddings.
This is a lot of info - read the whole post here!
One example timeline:
12:30 – Getting Ready at Beaumont Hotel
1:30 – Leave to Jeep to Yankee Boy Basin
2:30 – Ceremony
3:00 – Portraits around Yankee Boy Basin
5:00 – Head back to Beaumont Hotel
6:00 – Cutting the Cake & Sign the Papers
6:30 – End of Coverage
A second example timeline:
4:00 - First Look in Town
4:15 - Photos on Main Street
4:30 - Leave for Perimeter Trail
4:45 - Photos at Perimeter Trail
5:15 - Leave for Crystal Lake
5:45 - Ceremony at Crystal Lake
- Vows
- Ring exchange
- First kiss as a married couple
- Shotski
- Sign marriage paperwork
- Pop champagne
6:15 - Photos around the lake
7:00 - Head to Cascade Falls
7:30 - Waterfall Photos
8:00 - End Coverage
How much time do you really need?
Sunrise Vs. Sunset
What time of day is best for eloping??
When you begin to think about eloping, you probably start to think about the best time of day to elope. Is sunrise or sunset better? What if you need to elope at noon? What direction should we be facing? These are all standard questions I get from inquiring couples or couples I’m already booked with. I help all my booked couples with these logistics and what time of day is best for their locations, but this post will dive into the basics and things to consider when you’re looking at sunrise vs. sunset, and will reassure you that great photos can be made at any time of day if you know how:
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT OFFICIANT
I see posts in wedding groups online all the time from couples looking for an officiant. It can be tough these days to know who to hire for the job, or even where to look! Beyond just finding an officiant, how do you find one that’s the best fit for your needs? Let’s dive into how to find the right officiant for your elopement celebration.
DO YOU NEED AN OFFICIANT?
The first consideration is to determine if you even need to look for an officiant. A lot of couples don’t know that in Colorado you don’t necessarily have to have one! Click here for my full blog post about who can officate your wedding in Colorado! Decide before your hunt if an officiant is right for you. If it’s easier or makes your celebration more “you” there’s always the option of having a family friend or important loved one marry you instead. Whether they get official online or just act in the role as you two officially self-solemnize, there is a lot of flexibility in customizing this part of your wedding here in CO!
CULTURE & RELIGION
If you’ve determined you want a bit of tradition in your ceremony and need to find an officiant, you also want to find someone who fits your celebration. Consider you and your partner’s culture and beliefs. If you’re not that religious or want to include multiple cultural backgrounds in your ceremony, interview your potential officiant to see if that’s something they can accommodate. I highly recommend Kathi with Wine Country Ceremonies as she has officiated a number of traditional and non-traditional weddings that I’ve had the opportunity to document, and she’s always such a pleasure to work with!
If you two are religious and want aspect brought into your ceremony, you’ll likewise want to have that conversation with your officiant. I also recommend Blaine Scott for a more belief-based ceremony and for incorporating spirituality. He has done a good job when I work with him of maintaining a good balance of tradition and personalization to each couple! If you’re wanting a fully religious officiant though, you might want to consider looking at local churches. Some denominations are willing to officiate weddings for non-members as well, and can give you that religious aspect you’re looking for in your wedding.
GUIDANCE
Another question to ask is what services besides the day-of do they offer? Some can help you plan your ceremony, give you guidance on how to write your vows, and some are licensed to do couples counseling. If any of these are services you want, it doesn’t hurt to ask if your officiant offers them or they may know some resources to point you toward!
TRAVEL
The last big factor for finding the right officiant for your wedding or elopement is travel. Will the professional travel outside their area? If they’re based here in Grand Junction, are they willing to go to Gateway, Ouray, or beyond? What are the fees? How quickly they book up can be a huge consideration for elopements, too. If they book months in advance or you’re eloping on a weekend, professionals might be booked for your date. These are all good questions to ask when you’re looking around!
Complete Guide to Unity Ceremonies
When you hear the term “unity ceremony” you might think of the traditional lighting of a candle, or a more recent trend of pouring two colors of sand into a jar. Maybe you cringed a little. You might think they sound a little dated. Silly, even. You might not see the point. After being a wedding photographer for over ten years, I’ve seen some really creative and unique unity ceremonies that are personalized to the couple and am happy to share with you my complete guide to unique unity ceremonies that will leave you inspired by a more modern take on this old tradition!
What is a Unity Ceremony?
A unity ceremony at a wedding is a symbolic ritual that the couple partakes in during their wedding ceremony. The act is almost always a physical representation of the two individuals becoming one married unit in their marriage, and sometimes includes outside loved ones and family members.
The Origin of Unity Ceremonies
A variety of unity ceremonies have existed for centuries in many different cultural contexts. One unity ceremony that is still very popular with Catholic Latinx and Filipino cultures is the Lasso or Lazo, which dates back to the seventh century. The lighting of a “unity candle” is a relatively new custom in wedding ceremonies, but first became popular in the second half of the 20th century in American Christian weddings. Handfasting is perhaps the most ancient of unity ceremonies, dating back to Celtic traditions in 7000 BCE. Unity ceremonies are one creative aspect that seems to get new twists every so often these days. There’s no right or wrong way to signify coming together as two souls unity as one! Here are some of my favorite unique unity ceremonies you could consider for your wedding:
Writing Personalized Wedding Vows: A Step-by-Step Guide
Writing personalized wedding vows is deeply personal and a meaningful way to express your love and commitment to your partner in your own words, as opposed to using a standard script that many weddings use. Whether you’re looking to create fairly traditional vows or inject some humor and personal anecdotes, the process should reflect the unique bond you share with your soon-to-be spouse. In this guide, we’ll explore ten tips to help you craft personalized wedding vows that will elevate your ceremony.
Reflect on Your Relationship
Before putting pen to paper, take some time to reflect on your journey as a couple. Think about the moments that have defined your relationship, the challenges you’ve overcome together, and what makes your love story special. Think about the things you love about the other, and consider the ways you support one another. This new step is another stage in your partnership journey, and that relationship is the reason we’re here today.
Consider Your Partner
Consider the qualities that you admire most in your partner and the reasons why you fell in love with them. Reflect on how they have positively impacted your life and what makes them unique to you. Think about who they are, what they most need to hear from you, and why you’ve chosen them to stand beside for the rest of your days.
Decide on the Tone
Determine the tone you want your vows to convey. Whether you prefer a more serious and traditional approach or a lighthearted and humorous tone, ensure that it aligns with your personalities and the nature of your relationship. If you’re typically a jokester, it won’t feel right if your vows are 100% serious. Likewise, if you’re a reflective person, too much laughter and punchlines wouldn’t sound like you.
If you’re wanting to bring levity to the vows, consider a funny story, hijinks or mishap you got through together that could illustrate how you’ll support each other through thick and thin. Maybe make a couple funny promises in between the serious ones, like vowing to put the toilet paper roll on the “correct” way.
If you’re wanting to be romantic and reflective, consider a heartfelt confession. Tell them things you love about them that are meaningful and maybe something they don’t hear all the time. Be courageous enough to spill your guts – when else should you be over-the-top lovey dovey than on your wedding day??
Make Personal Promises
Think about the promises or commitments you want to make to your partner. These can be specific actions, behaviors, or attitudes that you vow to uphold in your marriage. Be sure to consider the short and long term aspects of a marriage. Reflect on how you’ll support the other in the tough times, mull over what it will be like in old age, in having children, in raising a dog, all the things that you may overcome together.
Be Sincere and Authentic
Authenticity is key when it comes to writing your vows. Let your genuine feelings and emotions shine through as you express your love and devotion to your partner. Even if you’re someone who jokes around and you’re keeping it light and fun, have a few moments of sincerity. These are your wedding vows, after all. It’s important to have both in the balance.
Keep it Concise
While you want your vows to be meaningful, aim to keep them concise and focused. Aim for around 1-2 minutes when spoken aloud to ensure they are impactful without being too long-winded. Try to talk with your partner beforehand to agree upon a length, so one of you isn’t much longer or shorter than the other.
Consider Incorporating Personal Stories or Quotes
Add a personal touch to your vows by incorporating anecdotes or quotes that hold significance to your relationship. These personal touches can make your vows more memorable and meaningful. Think about your favorite memories, or poems/quotes that you connect to your relationship. Do you have a favorite movie or book you have connected over? Is there an experience you shared that is meaningful to you? Consider including those somehow.
Practice Out Loud
Once you’ve written your vows, practice saying them out loud. This will help you gauge the flow and ensure that they sound natural when spoken. You can see where there might be parts that cause a hang up as you say them. You’ll also be able to see about how long they take to read, and prepare for the emotions of saying those things out loud.
Get Feedback
Consider sharing your vows with a trusted friend or family member for feedback. They can offer suggestions and help you refine your vows before the big day. Be sure it’s someone who knows you both well. Sometimes people who also wrote their own personalized vows before can be your best feedback source.
Prepare for Waterworks
Finally, be prepared for the emotional impact of writing and reciting your own personalized vows. Embrace the love and joy you feel as you share this special moment with your partner. It’s normal and healthy to cry as you’re so emotional and vulnerable. Consider if you’d like to exchange these vows privately rather than in front of all your friends and family. This can allow you the freedom and privacy to express those emotions and be even more vulnerable and true in your vows. If you’re having a traditional wedding, couples today will often exchange these after the first look while you’re having some time alone, or during sunset photos if you didn’t do a first look. Of course and elopement allows this privacy on its own, too.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to write your vows. The most important thing is that they come from the heart and reflect your love and commitment to each other. Take your time, be sincere, and enjoy the process of writing personalized wedding vows.
Including your dog in your elopement
Your Instagram bio includes the phrase “dog mom” or “fur baby” and will fight anyone who says pets aren’t family, right? Now that you’re engaged you’re thinking about ways of including your dog in your elopement day. Read on for some tips if you're including them in the plans!
CHECK THE POLICIES
While I do a happy dance when I find out you’re bringing your pup, it’s important to check with the policy of your elopement location. Some parks and venues don’t allow dogs (like the Colorado National Monument, for example! However I've found dog-friendly spots if you're eloping and want a couple photos with your dog there.)
BRING BACKUP
The first possibility when including your dog in your elopement is to bring backup. Whether your pup is an only child or you have a whole pack, if you're already bringing someone along, having a person to help makes a world of difference. They can help keep them entertained or distracted while we do photos without them, which takes a lot of the stress and worry off of you! They even have small businesses now who you can hire to babysit your pup/be their handler for the day, which can be a huge relief to know your fur babies are in good hands.
Your "backup" can also just be a good leash or a slow-eating bowl of food or a favorite toy to accompany them in the car. I've seen all sorts of babysitters haha!
BRING TREATS
This might go without saying, but bringing backup also means bringing treats! Having a treat bag to shake to get their attention my way can be so useful, and being able to reward your dog for good patience and listening can help them stay on good behavior for more time.
EMBRACE THE CANDID
Dogs won’t always be smiling for the camera. It’s important to know that from the start. But if you embrace the in between moments and spend some shots cuddling with them, walking with them, or kissing them, you’ll end up with some ridiculously cute images that will give you variety and probably some of your favorites of the whole day!
In Colorado, couples are not required by law to have witnesses sign their marriage certificate to be legally married. Because of this, couples are able to have their dog sign their marriage license as a witness! If you’re considering having your dog sign as your witness, there are a few tips and tricks to be sure you know:
Tips for Dogs Signing Your Marriage License as Witness
Bring Wipes: Baby wipes, makeup wipes, or the like all are a crucial part of the process if you’re having your dogs sign your marriage license. They’re likely going to be walking around on the ground before signing, and you’ll want to clean off their paws to get a clear paw print. They come in handy afterward as well to clean the ink off their feet!
Practice: Before the big day, practice with your pup and have them get used to the inkpad and the weirdness of signing something with their paw print. It might help them and it might not, but at least you’ll know what the hardest parts for your pup are and feel more prepared about the process!
Ink pads: First things first, don’t forget to bring an ink pad! They make ink pads that are more mess-free “clean touch” style that your dog simply has to step on to leave the paw print behind on the surface the pad is set on — these are wonderful and a much cleaner option. If you don’t have access or time to get one of those, any old ink pad will do!
Don’t sweat it: Don’t expect a picture perfect paw print 100% of the time, and don’t worry if your dog’s signature is kind of messy. Messy is normal and the thought and experience behind the paw print is the most important thing!
Dogs Signing as Witness to Your Marriage
What if it Rains?
One of the most frequently asked questions I get from couples is this: “What if it RAINS on our wedding day?!”
I want to reassure you that even if it rains, you will still have beautiful portraits and bright colors in your images. Overcast skies mean vibrant colors and no squinting! I know that rain isn’t ideal, but if it happens, it happens. It's all part of the adventure, and it’s going to be just fine!
How to Leave No Trace While Getting Married Outside
Why should I care about Leave No Trace when it comes to my wedding day?
If you’re getting married outside, it’s probably because you’re drawn to nature’s beauty.
And the way we keep nature beautiful, so that we can continue to come back to these gorgeous spots time & time again, is to make sure that we enjoy them sustainably and responsibly.
Weddings, elopements, and photo sessions can have a big cumulative impact on the environment—and without following Leave No Trace, this is what could happen:
Locations that are currently available for weddings, & elopements could become off-limits for special events and professional photography—meaning it could become impossible to come back to a location for a vow-renewal or anniversary session in 5 years.
The spot that you said your vows could get so badly damaged, destroyed, or trashed that it needs to be closed for restoration, and won’t look the same at all when you want to come back in the future.
The prevalence and costs of special event permits could spike, causing it to become very difficult to have any kind of events on public lands
So whether you find the outdoors peaceful, serene, awe-inspiring, or whatever’s drawing you to getting married in nature, we’re all in this together.
And together we believe it is possible to have the BEST day, while also protecting our natural world for future visitors.
By reducing our impact as we visit, photograph, and celebrate outdoors, we can protect these places we love! You don’t have to limit your celebration to reduce your impact–this guide will help you each step of the way as you plan, prepare, and finally get married somewhere beautiful!
And why it matters
Airbnb Elopements
Every year more and more couples seem to be choosing to get married at a vacation rental in the area with incredible views and a few bedrooms for their limited number of guests. Here’s what you should know about Airbnb elopements if you’re considering one for your celebration.
PERMISSION
The very first issue you’ll want to check on with your Airbnb host is whether they’re open to the idea of you having a small celebration at the home. I’ve found that many hosts are perfectly happy to hold your celebration at their rental, but it’s crucial to disclose your intentions from the get-go. Airbnb allows you to message the host before actually booking, so you can verify if they will allow events or not. Be sure to include whatever details you know upfront – from how many people will be coming to what area of the property you’re hoping to utilize for the celebration. Within permission, you should also check out local noise ordinances. Some areas require quiet after 10pm, some are more lenient. It’s always a good idea to look into if you’re planning on having any music outdoors!
What Do we do all day??
- Write your own vows
- Exchange rings
- Skinny dip
- Share a first dance
- Toast to your future
- Share some cake
- Bring your dog or horse or cat or alpaca!
- Ride in a helicopter
- Do a hand-fasting
- Go on a wine tour
- Find a hot spring
- Go on a zip line
- Take shots
- Plant a tree
- Go on a jeep tour
- Bring some friends
- Camp
- Make smores around a campfire
- Stargazing
- Go for a hot air balloon ride
- Explore a ghost town
- Explore a carnival
- Have a dinner with a private chef
- Share a charcuterie
- Do puzzles
- Snow shoe
- Find a waterfall
- Get ready together
- Take a train ride
- Rent an airbnb and have a sleep over with friends
- Go stand up paddling
Here are some ideas to make your wedding day totally you! Ultimately I want you to plan a day that feels most like hanging out with friends, exploring somewhere cool, or your ideal date.
Colorado marriage licenses
If you’re planning to get married in Colorado, you will need to get familiar with the Colorado Marriage License process to make things legal. This is your complete guide to the process, from who can marry in Colorado, witness and officiant requirements, cost, how and where to apply, and the signing and returning process.
COST OF A COLORADO MARRIAGE LICENSE
As of writing this, the cost of a Colorado Marriage License is $30. You must provide that payment when you apply and acquire your license at the County Clerk’s office. Some counties will accept an application and payment online, but it is most common to require CASH for this payment. If you’re not sure, your county clerk’s website probably says, or if you want to be on the safe side just bring cash.
WHO CAN GET MARRIED IN COLORADO?
You do not need to be a resident of Colorado to get married here in the state. If you are getting married here in Colorado you will need a Colorado Marriage License, unless the state you’re coming from allows you to sign theirs across state lines. Citizens of all 50 states are eligible to be legally married in Colorado, with some common stipulations. For instance, you can legally marry your cousin (I know, I know) but not your sibling here. You cannot already be married, either.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A COLORADO MARRIAGE LICENSE
You need to apply for your Colorado Marriage License at any County Clerk’s office. It does not matter what county you apply for a marriage license in; it can be your home county, the county you’re getting married in, or some other county. You will need to return it to the same county as you got it from, though.
Some counties require appointments for applying for your Colorado Marriage License. Look up the County Clerk’s office website, or call the office, for appointment information. Some counties also allow you to apply online rather than in person. (NOTE: In our current climate, some counties are operating online-only, and will mail your license after application. Please allow time with the postal service when planning the date of your application!) Also there is no blood test to get married in Colorado.
DO I NEED WITNESSES OR AN OFFICIANT TO GET MARRIED IN COLORADO?
Your Colorado Marriage License may be solemnized by judges at the courthouse, retired judges, magistrates, indigenous tribe officials, clergy, or by you as the couple yourself (self-solemnization.) Your friend or family member may not solemnize your marriage (officially signing as an officiant) unless they are a judge or clergy. Clergy ordained outside the state of Colorado do not need to be registered in the state to perform your wedding. They can, however, lead your ceremony and allow you to self-solemnize the legal documents on your own. No witnesses are required to be married in Colorado. This gives you ultimate freedom in planning your dream wedding ceremony!
Eloping With Guests
If you’ve decided to elope but you’re planning on eloping with guests, there are some good things to consider as you’re planning your big day. Planning where and when to elope can all be influenced by having guests attend your elopement. Let’s get into what specifics to plan for when eloping with guests:
Yes, You Can Have Guests at an Elopement!
First, I want to affirm: you can absolutely have guests at an elopement! If you’ve decided to elope, or are considering it but worried about having people along, it is totally allowed and common to do! Because Colorado allows you to self-solemnize, you don’t have to have any guests besides your photographer, but if you want to invite some near-and-dear folks in your life, do it! The best part about choosing to elope, is there are really no rules. A term you might come across as you’re planning an elopement with guests is “micro wedding” – they are usually similar concepts, though a micro wedding can sometimes be larger than an elopement with guests and more of a traditional wedding with 50 or fewer guests.
So, how many guests are allowed at an elopement? That generally varies and depends on what your photographer or space allows, but typically an elopement is under 20 people, with most elopements being no more than a handful of guests. Certain wilderness areas, BLM lands, and other spaces in Colorado and Moab will dictate how big your group can be. Keeping it as narrowed down as possible not only helps this issue but also keeps the spirit of why you’re eloping.
What to Wear for Your Elopement
Style
The first consideration for what to wear for your elopement should begin with your style. Do you want to be dressed up? Are you more of a casual couple? You could wear traditional wedding attire, or just get matching flannel shirts. Maybe white isn’t your thing, but you love an emerald green or black dress, or a rust suit. You could plan to dress up for the ceremony and then change into sweatpants for the evening bonfire. Whatever your vibe is, that should be where to start your brainstorming!
Season & Climate
Next we need to be practical. Depending on where and when you’ll be eloping, more needs to be considered than just what color to where. If you’re getting married in the mountains, regardless of the time of year you may want to consider a warm layer to have just in case. This could be faux fur, a leather jacket, a customized jean jacket, a knitted shawl, or even a Patagonia jacket and beanie. This layer could be cute or nothing more than utility. Up to you!
If you’re getting married in the desert, you might want to consider adding a hat to your ensemble! (I personally recommend this no matter what, but I’m a sucker for hats.)
If you’ll be doing any hiking, you should plan to wear good hiking shoes. You might choose to go for hiking boots all day long, or you may pack more “fashionable” shoes to change into, but having the tools to do the hike you’re planning is essential.
If you’re getting married in the desert in the summer, plan your outfits accordingly. Do not wear too many layers and consider what fabrics you’re wearing so that they’re breathable and moisture-wicking.
