Summer in Colorado is absolutely breathtaking. The mountains are in full alpine glory with rushing rivers, endless fields of wildflowers, green grasses, and long days with beautiful sunrises and sunsets. It’s the perfect season for being outdoors with moderate temperatures and accessible mountain roads (both paved & for off-roading). It’s no wonder it’s the most popular season for couples to visit and elope - summer has it all!

As a Colorado Elopement Photographer and Planner, we've helped countless couples create their dream mountain ceremonies allowing them to have the perfect summer elopement without the stress from the planning process! Best of all? The planning process doesn’t have to take that much time.

There's still time to plan your perfect 2025 summer celebration, even if you're just starting your planning journey, and we created this guide to help you get started!

Looking for more Colorado summer inspiration? We got you!

When to have your Summer Elopement

Summer in Colorado brings unique charm to both city and mountain areas. The season unfolds differently across elevations, creating diverse opportunities for your elopement day. Here is a breakdown of what each summer month looks like and all the different advantages for eloping couples:

June

June is considered early summer with mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers in the lower elevations. Mountain passes begin opening, though some high-elevation trails may still have snow. Lower elevations like the foothills and metro areas, have lots of greenery and flowing streams from snowmelt. June is great for quieter trails and better lodging availability.

July

July is considered peak summer conditions with warm days and cool nights. Afternoon thunderstorms are regular, but clear quickly, creating dramatic skies perfect for photos. Wildflowers are at peak, especially in areas like Crested Butte, known as Colorado's Wildflower Capital. July is great for alpine lake adventures, or longer off-roading or hiking experiences.

August

August is an underrated month in Colorado for elopements! It has similar long, warm days and cool nights to July, but lower tourist crowds and fewer afternoon thunderstorms. Mountain trails and roads reach peak accessibility, allowing for full-range of outdoor activities! August is great for stargazing, and high alpine trail experiences with more solitude.

Overall Pros of a Summer Elopement

Still not convinced? Here are some other pros of summer elopements from a Colorado local!

Mild Temperature: Temperatures rarely exceed 80°F in the mountains making it perfect for outdoor celebrations

Trail Accessibility: Nearly all trails and mountain passes become accessible, offering unlimited location options
Water Access: Water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding become available for unique activity options
Seasonal Road Access: Driving mountain roads requires no special vehicle or equipment, making planning easier
Long Days: Extended daylight hours allow flexible ceremony timing and multiple activity options
Wildflowers: Peak wildflowers give you a magical vibe

Best Colorado Summer Elopement Locations

It’s hard to go wrong with locations in the summer, but we put together a list of some of our favorites and their nearby airports!

Near Denver International Airport

(Locations within 2 hours of Denver)

Boulder - blends outdoor adventure with urban amenities. The Flatirons create dramatic ceremony backdrops and are incredibly close to town, so you could easily hit up a restaurant or local brewery after your ceremony!
Nederland - offers easy access to Indian Peaks Wilderness without the crowds. It’s a perfect for couples seeking solitude, accessibility to longer hiking adventures, and even those looking to backpack for their elopement!
Estes Park - provides the perfect gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. There is plenty of wildlife to see, large, accessible lakes to explore, and drivable high alpine roads for epic photos.

Near Aspen or Gunnison Airports

(Locations within 4 hours of Denver)

Aspen - delivers luxury amenities amid spectacular mountain scenery. It is home to the famous Maroon Bells accessible by shuttle reservations. There are also some well known mountain passes for photos nearby as well as dispersed camping areas for more solitude.
Crested Butte - is the wildflower capital. It has a very laid-back mountain atmosphere with lots of off-roading adventure opportunities to share private vows with no one else around. The town is also super charming for a post-elopement dinner or brew!
Buena Vista - combines mountain views with Arkansas River adventures. The views from town are spectacular and there are so many big mountain adventures to explore nearby with the Collegiate Peaks, hotsprings, and alpine lakes.

Near Montrose Airport

(Locations within 6 hours of Denver)

Telluride - combines Victorian charm with stunning mountain views. It’s wellknown for it’s box canyon setting that creates unforgettable ceremony backdrops. The free gondola in town offers unique photo opportunities and easy mountain access.
Ouray - known as the "Switzerland of America," offers dramatic cliff walls and historic hot springs. This area is great for a jeep rental to explore nearby mountain passes and hidden waterfalls without having to hike!
Silverton - provides authentic mountain town vibes with fewer tourists than better-known destinations. The Alpine Loop offers incredible backdrops for adventurous couples.

Colorado Summer Elopement Inspiration

There are no right or wrong answers to what you can do for your summer elopement experience. If you love the outdoors, you’ll love being here and there is no shortage of places to explore! Here are some activities we recommend for eloping couples, that pair perfectly with the summer season!

Best Activities for Summer Elopements in Colorado

Hiking - Hiking on your elopement day allows you to access intimate views and landscapes that are less accessible and more private than popular spots off roads. There are options in Colorado for every type of hiker based on your preferences and skill level!

Camping - Camping under the stars is such a romantic way to spend your first nights as newlyweds! There are many dispersed camping areas that can offer unique landscapes and complete privacy off the grid. You could also opt for more luxury glamping options available for upscale experiences.

Jeep tours - Jeep tours are incredible options for couples looking to access remote mountain locations without strenuous hiking. There are some roads that are fine for renting your own vehicle, but you can always hire local guides to ensure safe passage and hidden gem spots! Jeeping is an awesome option if you want to bring guests to a more remote ceremony location.

Swimming - Ever thought about jumping into or swimming in a crystal clear alpine lake? Why not add it into your elopement day timeline?! Many lakes offer complete solitude for morning ceremonies - you can share private vows and then hop in the water to relax before a picnic breakfast!

Kayaking - Kayaking and/or paddleboarding is such a fun elopement activity to create a dynamic day. There are many lakes where you can paddle, and you can even bring your own inflatable kayak to almost any alpine lake in the state! Many outfitters provide equipment rentals too!

Fishing - If fishing is your vibe, it’s an awesome activity to share together during your elopement. Fishing allows you to it back and enjoy quiet moments together in nature. There are lots of locations that allow walk-in access to prime spots too!

Have an outdoor picnic - Alpine picnics elevate your celebration with gourmet meals in spectacular settings. Interested in this? Let us know! We offer alpine picnics for elopements as add-ons to our elopement packages!

Example timelines for your Colorado Summer Elopement

Sunrise Mountain Pass Elopement:

4:30 AM - Hair and makeup begins at your cozy mountain cabin

6:00 AM - Drive to trailhead

7:00 AM - Hike to ceremony location at the top of the pass

8:00 AM - First look and private vows as alpenglow starts on the mountains

8:30 AM - Intimate ceremony with family & friends who drove up to meet you

9:00 AM - Celebration picnic with guests and couples photos around the ceremony spot

11:00 AM - Return hike with stops for additional photos

1:00 PM - Afternoon adventure activity (guided jeep tour)

6:00 PM - Intimate dinner celebration at local restaurant with guests!

Afternoon Lake Elopement:

10:00 AM - Relaxed breakfast and preparation at Airbnb

12:00 PM - Hair and makeup

2:00 PM - Scenic drive to alpine lake

3:00 PM - First look

4:00 PM - Lakeside ceremony with closest friends & family

4:30 PM - Paddleboard adventure together

6:00 PM - Sunset photos on nearby trail with mountain views

7:00 PM - Private chef-prepared dinner at Airbnb

9:00 PM - Stargazing, campfire with s’mores and hottubbing at your Airbnb

Lodging Inspiration for your Colorado Summer Elopement

Colorado is home to so many unique places to stay from ski chalets and Airbnbs, to glamping tents and free dispersed campsites under the stars! We wanted to share a few examples to show what your lodging could look like if you decided to elope out here in Colorado!

Disclaimer: Please read the listings carefully - none of these properties are “event friendly” and would only be able to accommodate group sizes that match their listings. It is unlikely that you will be able to host parts of your day at these properties unless your guest count falls within their allowable group size. If you’re looking for event friendly rentals, check out our blog all about Airbnbs for your Micro Wedding!

*Images courtesy of the vacation rental listings

Planning your Colorado Summer Elopement

Planning Checklist

We know that planning an elopement this summer may seem overwhelming BUT here are a few steps to get you started:

Book your key vendors (photographer & planner) as soon as possible - these folks will help you with all the rest of the planning steps, so the sooner you can find the people best suited for your plans, the better!
Choose your location and secure necessary permits - secure venue space if needed for guest count (12 or more typically)
Plan accommodation and transportation
Book other vendors (food, hair & makeup artists, florists, officiant if needed, etc..)
Create a weather contingency plan with indoor backup options
Arrange adventure activities and equipment rentals if needed through local outfitters
Order wedding attire and any necessary outdoor gear/attire needed
Plan timeline around best light and weather conditions
Write personal vows
Arrange special details (decor, sentimental items)
Have the best day ever!

Including Guests in your Colorado Summer Elopement

Eloping doesn’t mean you have to run away with just you and your partner! It’s ok to include your closest family & friends, and honestly, most of our couples do! We recommend limiting guest counts to 10-12 people to keep the experience incredibly intimate and to also allow the most flexibility for ceremony spots on public lands. As soon as guest counts get higher than 12 people, it gets tricky to maintain safety and leave-no-trace principles on trail.

Guests can be a wonderful addition to your elopement plans and timeline, however, they also come with additional logistics. Always consider your guests ability levels and accessibility needs when choosing ceremony and guest location sites. Thinking about including guests at your elopement? Check out our guide all about How to Elope with Guests (coming soon!)

Small wedding at Garden of the Gods in July

Cost of your Colorado Summer Elopement in 2025

Colorado elopements typically range from $7,000 to $15,000, depending on choices and scale. Key expenses include:

Photography: $3,000-$6,000 for full-day coverage
Planning services: $2,000-$4,000 for full-service support (booking other vendors, coordinating the flow of the day, etc).
Vendors (hair, makeup, officiant): $1,000-$2,000
Activities and permits: $500-$1,500
Attire: $1,000-$3,000
Accommodation: $200-$1000 per night depending on how many guests you are looking to host
Transportation: $300-$800 for mountain-ready vehicles
Colorado Marriage License: $60

If you want to learn more about the cost breakdown for an elopement in 2025 check out our blog all about How Much it Costs to Elope in 2025 written by our elopement planner, Becca!

Money Saving Tips

Although these intimate elopement experiences aren’t always the cheapest option for getting married, there are some ways to save significantly!

Choosing less popular dates or weekdays
Choosing ceremony locations on public lands (as long as guest count is small enough)
Limiting guest count to reduce logistics, and activity/food costs
Selecting accessible locations near amenities
Combining ceremony and honeymoon activities
Hiring an elopement planner to help manage your budget and all logistics with you!

Hiking elopement in Colorado near Estes Park. Photography by Trail Magic Elopements and Micro Weddings.

Colorado Summer Elopement Packages

Custom elopement packages that include full-service planning, day-of-coordination, photography and more!

Don’t know where to start with planning your own summer elopement in Colorado? That’s what we’re here for! Our services are perfect for helping you have a low stress, beautiful elopement because they include:

4hrs - multi day photo coverage, so there’s time to cover the whole story of your event without feeling rushed
Full-service elopement planning - you don’t have to know all of the best ceremony spots or vendors because we do!
Day-of Coordination - your day managed seamlessly so you & your guests can sit back & relax!

Sound like your perfect day? Learn more about our pricing here!

Ready to plan your own Colorado Elopement?

There’s still plenty of time to plan your Summer 2025 elopement! The possibilities for your day are endless from jeeping up to a remote mountain pass to chilling playing corn hole at a local brewery with your guests. While popular dates are booking quickly, having an experienced planner on your side can help you create a magical celebration in no time, with low stress!

If you’re ready to hit the ground running, we’d love to help! Reach out today so we can get the process started!

Colorado 2025 Summer Elopement Guide

When to have your Summer Elopement

June