Getting Married in Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park, Colorado


Colorado is a self solemnizing state, which means no one has to be in attendance at your wedding, for you to be legally married! This can be a total private and peaceful experience for just you and your significant other! Instead of other people signing your marriage license, like an officiant and two witnesses, just you two need to sign...although there is a spot reserved on the document for special paw prints, incase your dog or cat are in attendance (no, that's actually real, and really cute).

The closest location to RMNP to pick up a marriage license is here, in Fort Collins. An appointment is required prior to picking up your marriage license.

If you plan on bringing a group of family or guests into the park with you for your vows/wedding ceremony, a ceremony permit will be required by the National Park Service. That can be applied for through this link. RMNP staff have always been incredibly quick and helpful with getting couples their needed permits. If just the two of you will be getting married in the park, alone, no permit is required.

Due to the increasingly high volume of visitors in the park, RMNP requires a timed entry permit for access between May 24 - October 14 . If you'll be riding with me to your elopement location, this is not necessary to have. However, if you are riding separately or bringing multiple vehicles for guests, please make your timed reservation here.

rocky mountain national park

Lodging Near RMNP & Estes Park, Colorado

The closest airport to fly into is Denver International Airport. DIA is roughly 50 minutes from Loveland, and 90 minutes from Estes Park/RMNP. The trip between Loveland (or Fort Collins) and RMNP will require a 30(ish) minute drive through Big Thompson Canyon, which is an amazing place to spot elk and wild sheep. The canyon road is paved, but twisted, so plan for some slowdowns between the two towns.

The main national park entrance is in Estes Park, however there are lots of lodging options closer to bigger cities. Make sure your makeup artist travels to the city you're staying in before solidifying your plans.


ESTES PARK:


LOVELAND/FORT COLLINS (closer to Interstate 25 and Denver International Airport):


Hair & Makeup Artists // Florists



FANCIFUL FLORAL

PROVISION FLORAL

LACE AND LILIES

YARROW AND SPRUCE


Finding the Perfect Dress...maybe last minute?


Here are some amazing options for ordering dresses when you're on a tighter timeline, or are trying to deal with as little planning as possible. I always recommend ordering more than one gown, if you're concerned about finding the perfect size. An unaltered dress can always be returned!



Colorado: Things to do, Places to Eat, Stuff to See:


The Grizzly Rose: dancing, live music

Sundance, dancing: live music

Loveland Chophouse: personal favorite steakhouse in Colorado

Henry's Pub: comfort food and casual dining

Downtown Fort Collins: fun shopping, patio dining

Georgetown Loop Railroad: train excursions, mine tours

White Pie: great pizza, fun and modern environment

Horse Tooth Reservoir: kayaking

Downtown Estes Park: Candy shops and eclectic shopping




Looking for something you're not seeing here?


Your elopement day is supposed to be about YOU and your amazing experience. If you have a dream goal, crazy idea, or a request that seems too "out there", lets see what we can make happen. From champaign pops to having a tattoo artist as apart of your day, my goal is to make sure my couples feel like their wedding day was everything and more than they imagined.

Looking for something you're not seeing here?


Your elopement day is supposed to be about YOU and your amazing experience. If you have a dream goal, crazy idea, or a request that seems too "out there", lets see what we can make happen. From champaign pops to having a tattoo artist as apart of your day, my goal is to make sure my couples feel like their wedding day was everything and more than they imagined.

The differences between sunrise, and sunset in RMNP

SUNRISE


The sun will rise facing the mountain peaks. This will create a pink and coral hue on the mountain side as the sunlight brightens them, which is beautiful to experience, especially on your elopement day. The park is the most quiet at sunrise, and the morning light can be enjoyed for an hour or so before the sun is up, and an hour or two after it has fully risen.

If you will be involving a makeup artist in your day, make sure they are willing to accommodate a sunrise timeline. The mornings can be pretty chilly, even in the summer, so plan ahead with some layers if needed. For an idea of how a beautiful day like this can look, check out Troy and Jayme's RMNP sunrise elopement.

SUNSET


Because of the large mountains on the west wide of the park, the sun will go down about 45 minutes prior to the seasonal sunset time. The last few rays of the day always cast a beautiful gold haze in the valleys at the mountains base, and the park quickly quiets down around sunset. Once behind the mountains, the sky will tend to stay icy turquoise blue for long enough to capture some amazing photos between the sun setting and the moon rising. If you are involving other vendors in your day, like a makeup artist or musician, scheduling can be much easier than sunrise. I typically recommend starting makeup midafternoon, so it feels fresh for your evening vows and photos. For a peek at a sunset micro-wedding, check out Kassi and Matt's beautiful day in the park.

YOUR ELOPEMENT CHECKLIST:

1) Park permits, if applicable

2) marriage license appointment

3) makeup artist

4) wedding gown

5) florist

6) travel and lodging

7) grooms attire

8) rings

9) wedding night dinner reservation