Top Micro-Wedding & Elopement Destinations in Colorado

My all time favorite destinations for your micro wedding or elopement in some of the most beautiful places Colorado has to offer. Included is planning, location and booking recourses.

wedding in Woodland Park, CO

You’re finally planning your big day and are looking for the best place to host your micro-wedding that includes stunning views and a sense of seclusion in a more intimate setting. Luckily for you, I’ve researched to find some of the best locations to get married at and included everything you need to book your location with some bonus info along the way. Keep reading to learn more about my favorite places to not only photograph micro-weddings but also watch my couples get married at.

Photo by Vow Of the Wild, Sprague Lake, Colorado

1. Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado

Sprague Lake is my all time favorite place to recommend to my couples who are looking to have a micro-wedding or elopement in the mountains of Colorado. Sprague Lake is located slightly west of the town of Estes Park in Rocky Mountain National Park. With incredible mountain views, places to sit for the ceremony and enough room to not feel like a spectacle, Sprague Lake is the way to go.

Estes Park is always my go to because of close proximity to Denver for those out of town guests without skimping on the views Colorado has to offer. Not only this, but the town has so much to offer in terms of food options, lodging and sights. Estes Park also will not disappoint you with lack of wildlife. In fact, if your looking for a great wildlife moment, plan your wedding around October. October is mating season for our native elk herds, so it is more likely than not for you to not only see several elk, but hear them as well (which is incredible).

With Estes Park being in close proximity to RMNP and Sprague Lake being inside the park, you will need to purchase a photography permit. Click here to obtain your single session photography permit.

Rocky Mountain National Park also requires a permit to get married in the park. This permit is $50 and is given on a first come first serve basis. Click here to access the application to obtain a wedding permit for RMNP. Keep in mind, you should apply a year in advance of your wedding as well as a limit of 30 guest maximum.

In terms of lodging for you and your guests, there is a VRBO located in Estes Park that I am obsessed with and I’m sure your guests will love it too. This property can sleep around 15 people, has a game room, movie theater, indoor hot tub and my favorite part, an indoor pool. The dinning room is large enough to host your dinner if you’d rather cater than have a dinner in town.

This VRBO, named the Panorama, will run you around $2,200 for a night but for lodging, a place to hang out with your friends and family and reception space, I’d say that’s a great deal, specially if you decide to split the cost with your guests (which is totally fine to do by the way.) Click here to book your stay at the Panorama, view photos or message the owner.

photo by Larsen Photo

2. Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado

Maroon Bells is one of the most beautiful places, in my opinion, in Colorado. Although it isn’t my #1, it still offers a beautiful setting for a small wedding and a more private setting than others. With Aspen being located around 4 hours outside of Denver, I’d defiantly suggest booking lodging for you and your guests. The stunning views are so worth the drive west.

To get married at Maroon Bells, you are required to reserve the amphitheater for your wedding. This is first come first serve and you should submit your application at least a year in advance to your wedding. This is a very sought after ceremony space so it can be harder to get your spot booked. It is always a good idea to get in as early as you can. Click here to check availability and reserve your spot. The going rate to have your wedding at the amphitheater is $200.

Click here to learn more about travelling to the amphitheater, vehicle passes and other information.

If you are looking for a space to host your guests for the night, have a dinner and reception, and give your guests a place to stay, try checking out this VRBO. This large home has enough bedrooms and bathrooms to host up to 24 people, a beautiful kitchen, hot tub and outdoor space. This VRBO with run you about $7,400 for a night but again, for lodging and reception space all in one, it could be worse, especially if you want your guests to pay a portion.

3. Garden of the Gods Park

If you’re looking for something closer to a major city, Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs may be right for you. Garden of the Gods is fully accessible for older guests as well as if you have kiddos in strollers, etc. Colorado Springs is a little over 1 hour and 30 minutes from Denver, for those out of town guests, and is a very simple drive right from Denver. Garden of the Gods offers a beautiful backdrop for your photos that’s unlike the typical mountain scenery you’ll see in CO.

Garden of the Gods is FREE to have your wedding at. Yes, free. But keep in mind, you will not have your own designated space for your ceremony and you will not be able to hold your reception at the park. Although there is no fee to have your wedding at GOTGP, there is a fee you may have to pay depending if you have a wedding planner and/or photographer (p.s you should have both) and if your wedding is 25 people attending or over. If this fits your wedding, here is the link to filling out an application to get your permit. The park has 6 special event areas to choose from that can hold a range 25-50 people depending on the site. Click here to learn more information about having your wedding at Garden of the Gods.

In terms of lodging, Garden of the Gods is in Colorado Springs which has many hotels, Airbnb’s and VRBOs to choose from. If you want to splurge a bit, The Broadmoor is going to be the best pick. Rooms range from $475-$600+ per night, depending on the type of room you’re looking for. If you’re looking for more of a group lodging situation and somewhere to host your reception, I’d check out this VRBO located above the city of Colorado Springs. The property sleeps 20 and at $868 per night, you cant beat that.

Obviously these are only 3 of my suggestions, but Colorado has so much to offer, I could go on forever. Woodland Park, Telluride, Ouray, Pagosa Springs, you name it, are all spectacular places to get married if you don’t want the stress of dealing with a big venue, huge price tags and a big family get together. I offer FREE planning assistance to all of my couples who book with me and would be so happy to work with you and make your dream day into a reality. Visit my contact page to ask me any questions you may have or we can just get this party started!