Your Complete Mountain Elopement Planning Checklist

Here’s a checklist for planning a mountain elopement in any season in Colorado, with time estimations for each item to ensure everything runs smoothly:

Choose your destination:

• Choose a mountain destination and town in Colorado that holds significance to you.
• Choose a date. Consider factors like scenery, weather, and availability of accommodations.
• Reserve accommodations

Choose your attire:

• Decide if you’re buying or renting your dress, suit, and shoes.
• Start shopping for layers (jackets, wraps), jewelry, and other accessories.

Determine your overall budget:

• Make a spreadsheet using our Budget Elopement Calculator
• Track your expenses and spending on the spreadsheet

Create a guest list:

• Decide if you want any witnesses or totally private
• Decide on the number of guests present.
• Consider whether you want to inform close family and friends before or after the elopement.

Book your key vendors:

• Photographer (book early as we often fill up quickly and if you’re here now reading this, photography is probably the most important to you).
• Hair & Makeup Artist (important to secure especially in remote areas).
• Officiant (confirm their availability for your elopement date and location).
• Florist (start discussing your bouquet and other floral needs).
• Catering or Private Chef (if you’re planning a celebratory meal).
• Music (DJ, musician, or playlist preparation).
• Cake (connect with local bakeries for a small, personalized cake).

Three Months Before

Plan your adventures:

• Research and decide on the activities or excursions (hiking, skiing, hot air balloon ride, etc.).
• Check for permits or special reservations required for specific locations.

I’ve created a local activities guide and a legal guide to Eloping in Colorado you can download here! 

Finalize attire decisions:

• Purchase or secure rentals for your dress, suit, shoes, and accessories.
• Schedule fittings to allow time for alterations.

Two Months Before

Coordinate logistics:

• Plan travel arrangements for yourself and any guests or vendors.
• Confirm bookings with all vendors (double-check contracts and deposits).
• Research local dining and activity options for your stay.

Prepare personal touches:

• Write your vows or draft your ceremony script.
• Choose personal mementos or items for the day (letters, gifts, etc.).

Use our Vow Writing Guide and template when you’re writing your vows!

One Month Before

Confirm details:

• Reconfirm travel plans, lodging, and vendor schedules.
• Finalize your ceremony timeline and share it with vendors and guests.
• Schedule a trial run for hair and makeup (if possible).

Plan for altitude:

• Purchase Emergen-C, Advil, and O2 canisters if necessary.

One Month Before

Pack and prepare:

• Pack your wedding day attire, accessories, and shoes.
• Include essentials like extra layers, sunscreen, lip balm, and water bottles.
• Pack appropriate clothing and gear for the season, including layers, outerwear, and footwear.

Check the weather:

• Monitor the forecast and make adjustments to your attire or plans if necessary.

Travel tips:

• Stay hydrated and acclimate to the altitude as soon as you arrive.

The Week of Your Wedding

Pick up your marriage license:

• Ensure you have the necessary documents and that you go on a week day.

Finalize and relax:

• Review your vows, ceremony script, and timeline one last time.
• Spend time doing a fun, low-key activity to ease any stress.

Day Before

• Lay out everything for the wedding day (attire, accessories, etc.).
• Get a good night’s sleep and stay hydrated.

The Day of Your Wedding

• Review timeline
• Do something to get moving, like go for a walk, yoga, or an easy workout
• Relax, embrace the natural beauty of the mountains, and cherish the intimate experience of your elopement.

One Week After

• Announce that you’re married through photos on social media and consider ordering announcement cards to send to friends and family.

This timeline gives ample time for each step, keeping stress levels low while ensuring nothing gets overlooked.