Garden of the Gods
Elopement Guide
Garden of the Gods is a unique + Surreal Landscape
Right outside Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is a park with red rock formations jutting out of the green foothills. It's a stunning backdrop – which makes it an amazing place to get married!
Why should you elope at
Garden of the Gods?
01/
Jaw-Dropping Views
Garden of the Gods not only has stunning red rock formations to explore, it also has stellar views of Pike's Peak, a 14er (one of Colorado's mountains with an elevation over 14,000 feet).
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Amazing Ceremony sites
The park has multiple beautiful ceremony sites to choose from. And a lot of them are easily accessible, even for guests with mobility issues!
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Easy Travel & Accommodations
The park is only an hour from Denver International Airport, and 30 minutes from Colorado Springs Airport. It's also nestled between two adorable towns – Manitou Springs & Old Colorado City.
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Did I mention it's free?
Garden of the Gods generously allows small, short wedding ceremonies at no cost. They just recommend you donate to support the preservation of the park!
Not sure how to do this?
Howdy! I'm Sam, Your
Garden of the Gods Elopement
Photographer & Planner
Not only do I regularly plan and photograph elopements and weddings in Garden of the Gods, it's also one of my favorite places to explore! I'm lucky to live right around the corner from the park. So I've got all the info you need to know for a perfect Garden of the Gods elopement!
Hiring your elopement photographer + planner is the perfect first step in planning your Garden of the Gods elopement – even if you aren't 100% sure of when or where yet! I’ll help you through every step of the process, from picking a time of year/date, to choosing a spot with amazing views, to securing any necessary permits, to finding other vendors & planning wedding outfits that are perfect for adventuring.
Hopefully the information below will help you decide if Garden of the Gods is right for your elopement! Either way, you can always book with me + I'll give you a custom list of locations based off your dreams!
We're gonna chat about all of this:
Where To Elope in
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods has six ceremony sites for elopements and weddings. They're each beautiful, with different stunning backdrops. Some are best for just-the-two-of-you elopements, while others can accommodate plenty of guests. So let's go over the pros and cons of each spot!
High Point Overlook
This ceremony site a personal favorite of mine, as I think it has some of the best panoramic views in the park! It has great views of the Central Gardens from afar, as well as Pike's Peak.
The site has a maximum of 50 people, although I'd personally recommend no more than 15 guests at this spot. It's also perfect for a just-the-two-of-you elopement!
This spot is easily accessible right from the parking lot, but does require walking on slickrock to reach the best views.
Jaycee Plaza
Jaycee Plaza is a big circular space in the Central Garden area. The large stone patio area is perfect for friends and family to gather for an intimate ceremony.
This site also has a maximum of 50 people, and I think Jaycee Plaza is actually a perfect spot for a larger guest count!
The plaza is easily accessible from the largest parking lot in the park, which is ideal if you're including guests in your day.
Sentinel Plaza
Sentinel Plaza is a gorgeous part of the Central Garden area, with towering red rock formations surrounding the space.
The site has a maximum of 25 people, but I think it's best for no more than 15 guests, or a Garden of the Gods elopement with just the two of you.
The plaza is a short walk from the nearest parking lot, but the path is completely paved.
Three Graces Plaza
Three Graces Plaza is another favorite of mine, with 360-degree views of sheer red walk walls surrounding the ceremony site.
Like Sentinel Plaza, this site has a maximum of 25 people, but I think it's best for up to 15 guests.
Three Graces Plaza is a short walk from the nearest parking lot. The path is paved most of the way, but once you reach the plaza, you'll have to cross some slickrock to get to best spot.
Scotsman Picnic Area
Scotsman Picnic Area isn't my favorite Garden of the Gods ceremony site, because it doesn't have the views of the some of the other options.
However, one benefit is that there are picnic tables at the site, and it can comfortably accommodate up to 25 guests.
The picnic area is a short walk from the parking lot on a well-maintained dirt path.
South Spring Canyon Area
The South Spring Canyon Area also lacks the towering red rock views of some other sites. You can see Pike's Peak from this spot, but not much of Garden of the Gods itself.
It is one of the larger ceremony spots in the park, however, with up to 50 guests and a few picnic benches.
Like most of the sites, this area is just a short walk from the nearest parking lot.
Did one of these locations
strike your fancy?
Reach out to me to start planning your Garden of the Gods elopement!
Adventuring at
Garden of the Gods
Without the structure of a traditional wedding day, we have the freedom to do whatever you want.
There are so many fun things to do both in Garden of the Gods itself and the surrounding area. That means there's endless options to adventure before and after your ceremony!
You can pick activities that feel true to you as a couple and allow you to have fun as newlyweds, while capturing some one-of-a-kind photos.
Below are some of my favorite things to include in a Garden of the Gods elopement itinerary – but your elopement timeline will be completely customized to you!
01/
Have a ceremony with a red rock backdrop.
Colorado is a self-solemnization state, which means you don't need an officiant or witnesses for your wedding ceremony. So you can have a super private, sentimental vow exchange in front of a gorgeous Garden of the Gods backdrop.
Most of my couples will share personal vows, exchange rings, and then go in for a kiss! But your ceremony can be completely personalized to you and your partner.
02/
Share a picnic with your partner.
You've still gotta eat on your wedding day! Grab a charcuterie board from town and bring a cute blanket to sit on. Or, take advantage of the picnic tables at some of the sites in Garden of the Gods.
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Go on a hike.
Garden of the Gods has some pretty cool hiking trails we can explore! Some of my favorite spots in the park require a little bit of a hike to explore.
Check out the Garden of the Gods website for a list of hiking trails, or grab a trail map from the visitor center!
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Rent a bike (or an e-bike).
If you'd rather tour the park on wheels than on foot, there are several companies nearby that rent bikes (electric or human-powered).
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Explore Manitou Springs or Old Colorado City.
These are the two towns closest to the park, and the both are adorable! They've got great spots to grab a drink or a bite to eat. Plus lots of shops for souvenirs!
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Venture up Pike's Peak.
Pike Peak is a nearby 14er (one of Colorado's mountains with an elevation over 14,000 feet). It's popular for hiking, but there's another cool way to get to the top.
The Pike's Peak Cog Railway is the world's highest cog railroad. You can ride it up to the summit, where there's a visitor center with a shop, restaurant, and exhibits.
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Go horseback riding.
Horseback riding is another great way to explore Garden of the Gods! The park has a horse-friendly trail map, and Academy Riding Stables does guided horseback tours.
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Visit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Want to feed giraffes on your wedding day? You totally can! Just 8 miles from Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has giraffes, grizzly bears, and lots of other critters to check out. Just make sure to reserve tickets ahead of time!
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Go rock climbing.
Garden of the Gods has a whole lot of rocks, and you can climb a lot of them! The park's website lists the areas where climbing is permitted.
And if you're a rock climbing newbie, you can book a guided climbing excursion with Front Range Climbing.
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And so much more...
Genuinely, the list could go on forever! There's a million things to do in this area, which makes it a great wedding destination.
When you book me as your Garden of the Gods elopement photographer, we'll come up with a completely custom itinerary based on what sounds most fun to you!
When to elope at
Garden of the Gods
When should you elope at Garden of the Gods?
Garden of the Gods is gorgeous – and totally different – during each season!
Whether you want snow dusting the red rocks, or bright green hills in the background, there's no wrong time to elope in Garden of the Gods.
Take a look my blog post for all the details about eloping in Colorado during any time of year! Or keep scrolling for a breakdown of each season in Garden of the Gods.
Spring
Spring is a beautiful time to elope in Garden of the Gods! From March to May, the area has mild temperatures, snowy mountain peaks, and wildflowers.
Fall
Fall is also an ideal season to elope at Garden of the Gods if you want great temperatures! From mid-September until November, the average temperature is perfect, and you'll see bright fall foliage.
Summer
Summer is peak tourist season, and it's HOT. Sunrise elopements are still pleasant, but I wouldn't recommend planning a ceremony for any other time. It's too busy and you'd be sweatin'.
If you're set on a summer elopement at Garden of the Gods, I'd recommend a sunrise ceremony here, followed by a mountain adventure in the afternoon/evening (honestly, the best of both worlds).
Winter
Winter at Garden of the Gods is BEAUTIFUL. Red rocks and snow? Count me in. While it can be chilly, most of the best spots in the park are only about five minutes from a car (so we can warm up between activities).
Elope on a weekday!
One of my biggest pieces of advice for couples choosing when to elope is to pick a weekday! Unlike with a traditional wedding, you don't have to worry about guests' schedules, so there's no reason to limit yourself to weekends.
Weekdays in Garden of the Gods will have significantly less crowds. The park can definitely get busy, especially during the summer. If you want a good shot at privacy for your elopement, pick a weekday, and consider having your ceremony in the early morning.
Got a season in mind for
your elopement?
I'd love to chat about all the pros and cons and help you pick the perfect time of year for your Garden of the Gods elopement!
Traveling to
Garden of the Gods
One big perk of a Garden of the Gods elopement is that the park is right outside Colorado Springs. This makes planning things like travel, housing, and food super easy! Here's all the info you need to plan your route to Garden of the Gods.
How to Get to Garden of the Gods
Flying In
Colorado Springs is the closest airport to Garden of the Gods (about 30 min away). It's a smaller airport, but you can check out the map of nonstop destinations.
You can also fly in to Denver International Airport from anywhere in the world, rent a car, and drive about an hour down to the park!
Road Tripping
The drive to Garden of the Gods passes through a lot of other pretty scenery! A road trip with your partner is a great way to kick off your elopement.
You could roadtrip out to here so you can bring your pet(s)! This area is super pet friendly, and they can be your witness. Worth the drive!
Where to Stay Near Garden of the Gods
Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City are the two closest (and cutest) towns to Garden of the Gods. I'd recommend staying in one of these towns for easy access to the park! Here are some cozy options for places to stay near Garden of the Gods:
- Garden of the Gods Resort has amazing views and private cottages
- The Cliff House at Pike's Peak is a historical converted house in Manitou Springs
- The Mining Exchange Hotel is a lux hotel in downtown Colorado Springs
- Old Town Guesthouse and Holden House 1902 are cute B&Bs in Old Colorado City
- And don't forget to check out vacation rentals on Airbnb & VRBO!
Rules for Garden of the Gods Ceremonies
Compared to many other parks and venues in Colorado, Garden of the Gods is a super easy place to have an elopement or microwedding. There's no permit needed, you just show up!
But, the park does have a few rules for wedding ceremonies. These rules ensure we're protecting the incredible nature and keeping the park safe for all guests.
01/
Ceremonies must be "small and brief."
The park doesn't give any specific guidelines for what counts as a small, brief ceremony – but you'll probably want to avoid a big wedding party or a long ceremony with lots of readings. A simple, private vow exchange is perfect for a Garden of the Gods elopement!
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No receptions allowed – except for picnics at the Scotsman or South Spring Picnic Areas.
These two spots are not my favorite ceremony sites (more above), but they are great places to share a picnic with friends and family after your ceremony!
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Absolutely no alcohol.
You can't bring alcohol into the park – but you can grab a drink at a cool bar in Manitou Springs or Old Colorado City after you're done exploring!
04/
No decorations or furniture.
You can't bring any sort of decor or furniture like tables, arches, or tents to the ceremony sites.
However, you are allowed to bring in chairs for elderly or disabled guests, and a few ceremony sites have tables or benches.
And like most nature elopement spaces, you can't throw confetti, birdseed, or any other objects.
05/
Don't block off any areas of the park.
Having a wedding ceremony anywhere in Garden of the Gods doesn't grant you exclusive use of that site. You can't block off areas or restrict access for other park visitors. This includes parking spots!
06/
Stay on established trails.
This is not just a park rule – it's also one of the most important Leave No Trace principles for any elopement in nature!
So that everyone can keep enjoying the park for years to come, it's critical to stay on trails and solid slickrock surfaces, and to not trample any vegetation.
how to Plan Your
Garden of the Gods Elopement
If this guide has convinced you that a Garden of the Gods elopement is right for you, but you’re not quite sure where to start and feeling overwhelmed by the options, don’t panic! I’ll break down the steps to planning your dream elopement and do my best to make the process as stress-free as possible for you and your partner.
Step One:
Contact Me
First things first, fill out my contact form! No worries if you don’t have all the details figured out yet – reach out to me with your ideas, and I can help walk you through the rest of the steps from inquiry to elopement day. I pride myself on being not just an elopement photographer, but also a local expert, planner, and my couples’ support system as they navigate the elopement planning process.
Step two:
Pick a Time & Place
This is where I come in as your on-the-ground local expert. I'll help you choose between the six ceremony site options in Garden of the Gods based on your preferences and priorities. If one of the sites above has already piqued your interest, awesome! But I can also provide behind-the-scenes insights about each site to help you choose the perfect location for your elopement.
Step three:
Find Other Vendors
If your dream elopement includes florals, hair and makeup, an amazing picnic, or even a rock climbing or biking adventure, I can provide tailored recommendations for vendors to make it all happen! I have great relationships with many local vendors and experience with many of the hotels, restaurants, and rental companies in the area (because I live here!!).
Step four:
Get Your Marriage License
If you’re planning to apply for a marriage license in Colorado, make sure you’re familiar with all the rules and regulations! Garden of the Gods is located in El Paso County, and the county clerk and recorder is in Colorado Springs. You must fill out a marriage license application online first, and then appear in person together to pick it up.
Because Colorado is a self-solemnization state, you don't need an officiant or witnesses to elope in Garden of the Gods! (Your dog can even "sign" your marriage license as your witness if you want.) For more info on self-solemnization and rules for Colorado marriage licenses, check out my guide on How to Get Legally Married in Colorado.
Step five:
Elope!
With all the planning out of the way (and me on your team to tackle any last-minute emergencies), all that's left to do is have the adventure of your lifetime with your person.
Fill out my contact form below to start chatting – no matter where you are in the planning process!
Let's chat!
