How to Elope

Learn how to plan your intimate wedding or elopement here

Should you invite loved ones or plan a celebration for just the two of you? Do you need any vendors, like a baker, hair and makeup artist, private chef, or florist? Do you want to include any wedding traditions or forge your own path entirely?

Over the years, I’ve helped many couples navigate these decisions, and I’m excited to make the planning process effortless for you too. This guide will walk you through every step of eloping, from deciding whether it’s the right decision for you to celebrating after the big day—all with a focus on keeping the entire process stress-free.

Each section includes links to resources that dive deeper into different aspects of elopement planning. With this guide, you’ll have everything you need to create a day that feels meaningful, intentional, and uniquely yours—right at your fingertips. Ready to start planning your intimate wedding? Let's get started!

Planning your elopement or intimate wedding is an exciting journey filled with endless possibilities. With no hard and fast rules, you have the freedom to create a wedding day that authentically reflects you and your partner. Whether that means exchanging vows deep in the mountains, celebrating at a luxurious micro wedding venue, or finding the perfect middle ground with a one-of-a-kind Airbnb, the choice is yours.

But with all that freedom can come overwhelm—when there are no rules, where do you even begin? Many couples question how to elope, and, in this guide, I’m here to help you find the answer.

Congrats to two of the coolest nearlyweds I know.

Deciding to elope is a deeply personal choice—and honestly, it’s a brave one. Choosing to skip traditional expectations and plan a wedding day that actually feels like you takes heart. Even with a clear vision, it’s normal to wrestle with some big feelings.

Maybe you’re unsure how your family will react or perhaps you’ve already started planning a bigger wedding and are wondering if it’s too late to change course. Alternatively, maybe you’re still figuring out how to elope, what eloping really means, and whether it’s the right fit for you. All of this is valid.

What matters most is that you and your partner take the time to talk through what kind of wedding experience you want to have. This day is about the two of you—how you celebrate it should be, too. Know that if you're still in the process of figuring things out, you’re not alone.

Below, I’ve pulled together resources to help you explore what eloping can look like, how to know if it’s the right choice for you, and how to handle the potentially sticky conversations with family if you choose to go this route.

How to

Decide to Elope

Learn more about eloping and whether this unique style of wedding day is right for you!

Not every wedding celebration fits into a neatly labeled box—and let me be the one to tell you, it doesn’t have to. Maybe you know you want something more intimate than a traditional wedding, but you’re not sure what that looks like yet. A “just us” elopement? A micro wedding with a handful of loved ones? Something totally unique that doesn’t quite fit any category? You’re not alone. Most couples I work with fall somewhere in that in-between space, creating a day that feels right for them rather than falling into an easily defined category.

Weddings exist on a spectrum, and there’s no single “right way” to celebrate. You might want an intimate adventure elopement in the mountains, a heartfelt vow renewal to mark a new chapter in your marriage, or a second wedding that deserves every bit of care and excitement. Whether your celebration includes just the two of you or 30 of your closest people, it’s your wedding and should be celebrated with intention and joy.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, there are endless ways to make your day unforgettable. From unique activities to meaningful personal touches, your wedding should be true to who you are as a couple. The links below will help you explore different types of intimate weddings and inspire you to make your celebration one of a kind.

How to

Celebrate in Different Ways

Find your reason to celebrate - from micro weddings to adventure elopements, second weddings to vow renewals. 

Wedding planning—no matter the size—comes with a mental load. Between balancing logistics, making decisions, and managing emotions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You might be figuring out how to share responsibilities with your partner, navigating family expectations, or even planning while grieving a loss. No matter what’s on your plate, know that it’s okay to feel the weight of it all.

But wedding planning doesn’t have to be stressful. By setting clear priorities, working together toward your goals, and simplifying your to-do list, you can make the process feel more manageable—and even enjoyable. Plus, when you hire a photographer, like myself, who also provides planning assistance, you’ll know you’re on the right track.

Whether you’re eloping just the two of you or planning a micro wedding with your favorite people, there are ways to keep stress to a minimum and remain focused on what truly matters. The resources below are here to help you plan a celebration that is intentional, deeply meaningful, and free from unnecessary pressure.

How to

Take the Stress Out of Planning

Between decision fatigue and family dynamics, even intimate weddings require a plan to keep stress away.

Planning your wedding can feel like a daunting task—especially if you’ve never planned an event like this before. With so many possibilities, it can be hard to know where to start. But before you dive into the details, take a step back and picture what you want your wedding day to look like. What matters most to you? What do you want to include—and just as importantly, what do you not want? Defining your priorities early on will give you a clear roadmap, making the rest of your planning process smoother and more organized.

Every wedding day is unique. While some couples plan a luxurious celebration, completing most of the items on a traditional checklist, others embrace the simplicity of focusing only on what matters most to them. Your elopement or intimate wedding can be as simple or elaborate as you want, and no matter where you are in the process, there’s always a way forward.

The checklists linked below outline a 12-month planning timeline, but I’ve helped couples plan meaningful, well-thought-out elopements in just a few weeks. So if you’re starting later, don’t stress! These guides are flexible and can be tailored to fit your unique vision and timeline.

How to

Make Your To-do List

The best planned wedding days start with the big picture.

When it comes to choosing where to elope, narrowing down your options can feel overwhelming. Colorado alone has hundreds of wedding venues, but when you add in Airbnbs, hidden gems, and millions of acres of public land to explore, the options seem virtually endless. Whether you dream of a rooftop, a mountaintop, a sand dune, or a secluded forest, there’s a destination for every kind of celebration.

The beauty of eloping in Colorado is the number of incredible locations available to you, from iconic, world-renowned sites to secretive, off-grid destinations. Best of all, you don’t have to be an expert to make this decision! Whether you're looking for an easily accessible spot or a secluded location with a scenic hike, Colorado is filled with diverse options that cater to all types of couples.

Close your eyes and picture your wedding day. You’re there, looking at your soulmate, about to say "I do." Where are you? Do you picture a sunset over the mountains? A quiet lakeside ceremony? Strolling through lamplit streets? Whatever your vision, there’s a location out there to match for your wedding day.

From epic outdoor adventures to cozy, intimate settings, I have extensive local expertise, connections, and a passion for helping you find the perfect spot. Once you’ve defined your vision, we’ll take into account important factors like weather contingencies, budget, accessibility, amenities, and any necessary permits. Don’t worry about getting lost in the details. The guides below are a great place to start.

How to

Choose Where to Elope

From mountains to deserts, Airbnb's to national parks - I've got ideas to share.

One of the biggest decisions when planning your elopement is choosing when to say "I do." While there's no right or wrong time of year to get married, there are a few key factors to keep in mind when choosing your Colorado wedding date.

Each season offers something different, but one factor often overlooked is the role of sunset in shaping your wedding day plans. The position of the sun and length of the day changes throughout the year, with sunset times varying greatly between seasons. These changes may seem like small details, but they can significantly affect the flow of your ceremony, portraits, and reception. A summer wedding gives you more time to celebrate before the sun goes down, while a fall or winter wedding date brings an earlier sunset with a cozy, intimate evening.

Beyond sunset timing, think about your priorities and the environment you want for your ceremony. Elevation plays a big role in temperature, especially in Colorado, where the temperature can drop dramatically as the sun sets. Additionally, if your goal is to avoid large crowds when eloping on public lands, planning around the off-season could help you find a quieter, more intimate spot.

Ultimately, choosing when to elope comes back to your vision and priorities. Whether you're looking for summer’s wildflowers, winter’s glittering snowfall, fall’s vibrant foliage, or spring’s flowing waters, we can collaborate to find a time that aligns with your vision. For more details on each season and helpful tips for navigating Colorado weather, check out the guides linked below.

How to

Choose When to Elope

With 4 beautiful Colorado seasons to choose from, find what speaks to you.

When planning your intimate wedding, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is deciding who to invite. With micro weddings and elopements, the goal is to invite the people who truly mean the most to you—those who have been there to support you throughout your relationship and who make you feel most yourself. Alternatively, maybe your vision is to have no guests at all and spend your wedding day fully focused on your soulmate.

Narrowing down your guest list is a crucial part of the planning process since your guest count will directly impact your budget, the locations available to you, and even your timeline. I’m here to offer tips for narrowing down your guest list and navigating any potential challenges that may arise in the process. Whether you’re wondering how to include your dog, your children, or other family members, I’ve helped many couples through these steps and can guide you with a plan that makes sense for your intimate wedding.

How to

Choose Who to Invite

Whether you want to celebrate "just us" or include your favorite people (or 4-leggeds!) - the choice is yours.

With an elopement or micro wedding, the usual rules of traditional weddings go out the window—this includes your approach to vendors and budgeting. You can hire every vendor you'd expect to find at a larger wedding or you can keep things simple by including just a few high priority vendors.

Understanding what vendors you'll need and what you can do without is an essential step in the budgeting and planning process. Whether it’s knowing which questions to ask or choosing the right vendors to bring your vision to life, these guides will walk you through each step, so you can plan with confidence. You’ll also find tips for tracking your expenses, organizing your finances as you go, and an example budget.

The resources below provide guidance on the best ways to structure your spending and ensure your celebration is memorable, stress-free, and true to your vision. For more detailed advice, tips on hiring vendors, and how to stay organized with your budget, be sure to check out the helpful links below.

How to

Budget & Hire Vendors

Set your budget and hire your wedding day helpers with these information-packed resources.

Your elopement or micro wedding should reflect your values as a couple. Whether it’s a commitment to wellness, sustainability, or simply staying true to your unique tastes, your wedding day should be a celebration of who you are.

If your values center around wellness, you can create a celebration that feels good for both your mind and body. This could mean choosing food and drinks that align with your beliefs, curating an experience that supports your well-being, or even planning a dry wedding if that feels right for you. Your wedding day should be a space where you feel comfortable and celebrated, and that includes making choices that support your lifestyle.

And if sustainability is important to you, your elopement can be a chance to do your part for the planet. I’m passionate about helping couples create eco-friendly weddings that minimize waste and leave a minimal carbon footprint. The average wedding generates over 400 pounds of waste and contributes to more than 60 tons of CO2 emissions. But with an elopement, you can flip that narrative by planning a celebration that aligns with your environmental values.

Ultimately, this is a day to embrace what you're passionate about, to celebrate your love in a way that makes you proud, and to enjoy this milestone in alignment with your beliefs. From planning a dry wedding to implementing sustainable practices, it’s all about the values that are close to your heart. So, take the time to incorporate those values into your celebration and make your wedding day a true reflection of who you are.

How to

Incorporate Your Values

Start here for a wedding day that reflects your values as a couple.

Once the big decisions are behind you, it’s time to start dialing in the smaller details—and don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of guides, checklists, and inspiration to make this part easy. From creating your family photo shot list to figuring out what to pack for your big day, I’ll help you tackle it all without any stress.

If you're inviting loved ones, we’ll create a photo shot list that keeps group photos organized (and quick!) so you can get back to celebrating. During this time, you’ll also start considering how you want your ceremony to look—do you want to include an officiant or self-solemnize (a legal practice in Colorado that allows you to wed without an officiant or witnesses)? Would you like to share a first look or private vows? Want to do portraits before or after your ceremony? These are the kinds of choices we’ll work through together to shape a day that feels right for you.

Once everything is in place, all that’s left to do is enjoy the day you’ve carefully crafted and put so much thought and intention into. It’s your moment—make the most of it!

How to

Finalize the Details

Read more for inspiration and final reminders as you near "I do."

Your elopement or micro wedding marks the start of an incredible adventure, and there are so many ways to continue celebrating and keep the excitement alive. If you don’t plan to take your honeymoon right away, you can still take some time to explore and create special memories together. Whether that’s turning your celebration into a wedding weekend or extending the joy of your day with a memorable activity, your options are endless. If you're wondering what activities you can include after you elope, I’ve put together a list of ideas below to help you.

When the celebration is over, one of the best ways to keep your memories alive for years to come is with a wedding album. Envision years from now, curling up together on the couch, favorite beverage in hand, reminiscing about your journey. You can pull out your album, filled with your smiles, happy tears, and belly laughs, and relive the magic all over again. It’s not just for you—it’s a keepsake you can pass on to future generations to share the story of your love.

How to

Decide What's Next

After all, your wedding day is only just the beginning.

Now You Know How To Elope!

I truly hope these guides help you plan a day you’ll look back on with pure joy. If you’re feeling inspired and ready to start mapping out your perfect elopement, I have even more inspiration and helpful resources on my blog to assist you every step of the way. When we work together to plan your intimate celebration, we’ll cover it all, making sure each detail is given the attention it deserves.

With my years of experience in the wedding industry and deep local expertise, I’m here to guide you through the process and ensure that your micro wedding or elopement is everything you’ve dreamed of and more. I’d love to start helping you whenever you’re ready. Fill out my contact form below, and we can start planning a celebration as unique and unforgettable as the two of you!

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Don’t feel like you have things fully figured out? No worries! Most couples who inquire with me don’t yet know their date or location.
If you can dream it, we can create it.