Our Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Packages
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our most requested elopement sites. It’s not surprising, given its reputation for offering the most spectacular mountain vistas in all of Colorado. We offer elopement packages in Rocky Mountain National Park for couples that want a stress-free small wedding experience with a stunning backdrop of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Gorgeous mountain backdrops and serene lakes await you for your elopement at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Planning a wedding–even a small one–can be stressful if you don’t live in the area. We’ll handle all the details for you. We’ll even apply for your park permit on your behalf so you don’t have to deal with all the red tape.
What’s in our Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Packages?
Our packages contain the following:
- Location Consulting so you can choose the best site for you within the park.
- Full coordination services from beginning to end.
- A professional wedding officiant.
- Assistance with obtaining your Colorado marriage license.
- Professional elopement wedding photography.
- Stunning bouquets and boutonnieres from our florist in Estes Park.
- Bridal hair and makeup services.
Why Book your RMNP elopement with us?
Blue Sky owners Jeremy Myers and Maureen Thomson are locally-based elopement specialists and we’ve been offering elopements in Rocky Mountain National Park since 2002–even before Covid made them trendy! We’re a small, family-owned business. It’s just us and our coordinator extraordinaire, Heather Miller, along with our local wedding vendors. We offer a seamless elopement wedding experience that includes:
- Gorgeous locations with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains.
- Hiring and assigning all of your wedding vendors.
- Gorgeous wedding photography by our Estes Park photographer. And if you’re worried that you’re awkward in front of the camera, you can relax. Not only are our photographers technically experienced, they are also great at setting you at ease. Your job is to effortlessly enjoy each other and the day. The photographer’s job is to capture it all for you.
- Managing all the details. We just want you to pick out something amazing to wear, book your transportation, show up and have a blast. Heather will take care of all the moving parts and she’ll send you a wedding-day timeline in advance so you’ll know exactly how the day will unfold.
- Locally-based, topnotch wedding vendors.
- Consistent, timely communication so you’re never in the dark about what’s going on.
Eloping in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park offers a variety of predesignated elopement wedding sites; these are the only sites where elopements are allowed within the park.
Elopements sites at Rocky Mountain National Park include backdrops of lakes, rocky outcroppings, waterfalls and or course our fabulous Rocky Mountains. And fortunately, most sites require only minimal walking, so they’re perfect if you have any guests who aren’t able (or interested!) in hiking for any length of time in order to witness your wedding vows.
Rocky Mountain National Park elopement permits
All elopements at Rocky Mountain National Park require a permit. At the present time, the cost is $300. To make it easier for you, we will add the cost of the park permit to your Blue Sky elopement package fee and obtain the permit for you. It’s just one less detail you have to fuss with.
Other things to know about eloping in Rocky Mountain National Park
The maximum amount of guests for a wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park is 30, and this includes the couple and vendors. Therefore, you’ll be capped at 26 guests if you have a photographer and an officiant. Rocky Mountain National Park limits the number of permits they will issue in a calendar year (and they sell out quickly). Permits, if available, can be obtained up to 12 months prior to your wedding. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis based on the date applications are received by the park.
Note that even though we obtain a permit for your Rocky Mountain National Park elopement, you and your guests will still need to pay the park entrance fee on the day of the wedding. Currently, that fee is $25 per vehicle.
All elopements held at Rocky Mountain National Park require general liability insurance. Blue Sky Elopements carries this policy and will cover your elopement under our policy at no additional charge to you.
Rocky Mountain National Park is open for weddings 365 days of the year.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a four-season Colorado elopement venue.
Places to elope in Rocky Mountain National Park
Blue Sky Elopements serves the following elopement sites in Rocky Mountain National Park:
- 3-M Curve
- Copeland Lake
- Lily Lake
- Upper Beaver Meadow
- Sprague Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park does have other elopement sites available (see the full list here), but we choose not to serve some sites because they are too busy and crowded (like Bear Lake) or they are more suited to larger weddings (like Moraine Park Amphitheater).
Reasons NOT to elope in Rocky Mountain National Park
Yes, you read that right. Eloping in Rocky Mountain National Park is not for everyone. We believe in giving you all the facts and allowing you to make your own (fully informed!) decision. There are some definite disadvantages.
Rocky Mountain National Park is crowded.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the busiest national parks in the country, and parking and access may be challenging for some sites–especially in summer. Park attendance was already at an all-time high in 2019, and once Covid hit, visits to Rocky Mountain National Park soared off the charts. Parking can be a nightmare. If you choose to get married during a busier time of year, you may find yourself with a less-than-secluded experience for your ceremony. It can also substantially increase the time you, your guests and your vendors may wait in line at the entrance to the park.
No dogs allowed
Rocky Mountain National Park does not allow dogs at any of its elopement wedding sites. If it’s important to you to have your dog at your wedding, we’ll need to suggest an alternate site.
Elopements in Rocky Mountain National Park require a permit
The permit cost of $300 plus $25 per vehicle might be out of your budget–especially since there are other equally beautiful sites outside of the park that are less expensive. (Note: if you book your Rocky Mountain National Park elopement package with us, we’ll add the cost of the permit to your package and obtain it for you.)
Since Covid, Rocky Mountain National Park is limiting the number of wedding permits it issues. Your preferred date might not be available.
No drones allowed
Rocky Mountain National Park does not allow drones. If you want a video of your special day, the videographer won’t be allowed to include any drone footage.
A wedding permit does not guarantee an exclusive site
You cannot reserve Rocky Mountain National Park elopement sites for the exclusive use of your wedding. Scheduled park programs and activities may be taking place at the same time and in the same general area.
Another key point to note is that Rocky Mountain National Park does not accept permit applications more than 12 months before the date of the wedding. If you’re planning in advance, you won’t be able to secure a permit until the one-year-to-go mark.
Construction may take place unexpectedly at any time or location throughout Rocky Mountain National Park. Because construction is considered a critical need, it may impact areas within the ceremony site locations at any time. Rocky Mountain National Park does not offer refunds for weddings that are impacted by this.
Also, the fine print on the permit states, “This permit may be revoked at the discretion of the Superintendent upon 24 hours notice.” Yikes!
No chairs or arches permitted
An elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park does not allow chairs, arches or signage. The permit explicitly states, “No banners, streamers, or hanging objects will be allowed for the event. Nothing shall be attached to any natural or historic object or any National Park Service sign, bench, post, building, or facility. Equipment such as tables, chairs, carpets, tents, floral displays, and generators cannot be used in the Park due to fragile ecosystems. A few portable chairs under special circumstances, such as elderly or handicapped guests, are permitted.”
The bottom line
Eloping in Rocky Mountain National Park is not without its challenges.
If you want an outdoor Colorado elopement venue that is more secluded–or has fewer overall restrictions–we can make recommendations. Please check out our Breckenridge page for similar mountain backdrops without the crowds or permit fees.
If you have your heart set on eloping in Rocky Mountain National Park
No worries. It’s your wedding. If you want Rocky Mountain National Park, then Rocky Mountain National Park you shall have. We just want you to be fully aware of some of the challenges.
One way to escape the crowds at the park is to have a winter elopement. The park is very quiet between November and April. Rocky Mountain National Park is magical when it’s covered in snow. Also, many of the park’s elopement sites are maintained–and therefore accessible–in the winter. Lily Lake and Sprague Lake are perfect for winter elopements in Colorado.
What’s next?
We’d love to help you plan your elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park. Send us an inquiry with as much info as you have, and we’ll send over a custom proposal.
More Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Inspiration
- Rose and Shawn’s winter elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park
- Chrissy and Jason elope in Rocky Mountain National Park
We’re husband and wife team Maureen Thomson & Jeremy Myers and we love elopement weddings. (We had one ourselves!) Accordingly, we and our crew of talented local wedding professionals have been putting together elopement weddings filled with laughter and happy tears at Rocky Mountain National Park since 2002.
