Estes Park Wedding & Elopement Guide
Table of Contents
Ok, so you’re planning an Estes Park elopement or micro wedding?! I’m buzzing with excitement for you.
Estes Park is the perfect Colorado destination for weddings because:
- It’s easily accessible from Denver International Airport (only about a 1.5 hour drive)
- Incredibly beautiful scenery including alpine lakes, pine forests, open meadows, and lovely rivers
- Tons of accommodation options – you can even lodge where you get married!
- Accessible (and beautiful) year-round
- Outdoor activities galore (don’t worry, there are indoor activities, too!)
- Excellent local wedding vendors
What I love about Estes Park is that there is a little something for every taste here. From endless mountain trails to downtown shops, you’ll find something you love to do!
This guide has everything you need to plan your elopement or intimate wedding here in the Rocky Mountains. We’ll break down the best wedding vendors, reception spaces, and favorite things to do while you’re here for your wedding or honeymoon!
You ready? Let’s go.
Estes Park Marriage License
Estes Park has a county clerk office where you can pick up your marriage license! It’s located near the high school track & stadium at 1601 Brodie Ave. Estes Park, CO 80517.
You can schedule an appointment at this office up to 21 days in advance. Both parties need to be present to pick up the license with valid identification. The cost of the marriage license is $30 and it’s valid for 35 days once issued. You can find out more information and set up your appointment at the county clerk website here.
Best Estes Park Elopement Locations
Rocky Mountain National Park
- Outdoor, all-natural, scenic ceremony site locations
- $300 permit, timed entry included
- Dog-friendly
- Up to 30 guests
Learn all the ins and outs on how to have your wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park here.
Hermit Park
- Beautiful open space with mountain views
- Lovely pavilion available to reserve for your wedding ceremony + celebrations
- Dog-friendly
- Photography permit + reservation required
View a Hermit Park intimate wedding with sunrise elopement hike here.
Lake Estes
- Beautiful lake and mountain views
- Option to reserve a pavilion
- Dog-friendly
- Photography permit required or special use permit required depending on group size
Mary’s Lake
- Small lake with mountain views surrounded by sandy shoreline and rocky terrain
- Small picnic tables available
- Photography permit required or special use permit required depending on group size
Best Estes Park Intimate Wedding Venues
The Landing at Estes Park
- Quiet ceremony space along the river
- Indoor and outdoor reception spaces
- Lodging on site
- Located just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park
YMCA of the Rockies
- Multiple ceremony site options
- Indoor and outdoor reception spaces
- Lodging on site
- Endless activities and outing options for guests
Estes Park Resort
- Lakeside ceremony site
- Indoor and outdoor reception spaces
- Lodging on site
- Restaurant on site
Looking for more wedding venue ideas? Check out the list of my favorite Estes Park Wedding Venues with options including everything from outdoor DIY spaces to private event-friendly lodging to luxury venues to how to get married in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Best Intimate Reception Spaces
Avant Garde
- Up to 200 guests
- Beertending services
- Food truck parking
- Lovely outdoor patio space and indoor seating as well
Bird’s Nest & The Nest Above
- Up to 70 guests
- Option for buffet stations or seated meal
- A beautiful mountain modern space
The Barrel
- Up to 150 guests indoors
- Up to 75 guests outdoors
- Lots of available yard games
- Food truck parking
Hermit Park Pavilion
- Up to 150 guests
- Available 10am-8pm
- Open meadow space for ceremonies beside the pavilion, beautiful aspen grove surrounding the pavilion
- Gas fire pit and charcoal grills
- Campsites and cabins available within the park
- Great hiking + mountain biking nearby
- Horseshoes and sand volleyball available
- Electricity available upon request
- Restrooms on-site
View a Hermit Park wedding + celebration here.
Historic Mountainside Lodge at YMCA of the Rockies
- Up to 120 guests, the lodge sleeps 38
- This is an all-in-one type of space available for 3 or 4 night buyouts
- Incredibly scenic ceremony site + reception space
- Chairs + tables included
- Available June-September
Lake Estes Pavilion
- Up to 120 guests
- Parking for 30 vehicles
- $395/day, available from 11am-9pm
- Food truck parking
- Covered pavilion + lakefront lawn space
- Public restrooms within a short walk
- Electricity available at pavilion
- Music/DJ allowed
Landing at Estes Park
- Up to 120 guests
- Beautifully updated indoor and outdoor reception space with mountain views
- Ceremony space available on the lawn, along the river
- Lodging available on-site
- Food truck parking
- Available up to 24 months in advance
O’Connor Pavilion
- Up to 350 guests, seating for 140 people (picnic tables)
- Horseshoe + volleyball pits on site
- Covered pavilion and beautiful open meadow space for ceremonies
- Available late-May to late-September
- $3,000/day, 9am-10pm
- Restrooms on site
- Electricity available at pavilion
- Music/DJ allowed
Taharaa Mountain Lodge
- Up to 50 guests
- Beautiful indoor reception space with stunning views overlooking Estes Park
- Available for ceremony + reception, or reception only
- Buffet style meal
- Lodging available on-site
Venue on the Rocks
- Up to 160 guests
- Beautiful setting along the river with a pond and lovely fall foliage
- Riverside ceremony site
Wedding Vendors
Caterers
Desserts
Dog Concierge
Florists
- Fanciful Floral & Weddings – A very favorite Estes Park wedding florist and planner!
- Enchanted Florist
Hair & Makeup Artists
- A Vow to Artistry – Traveling adventure elopement hair & makeup artist
- Rotella Beauty – Danielle is a wonderful hair & makeup artist who works in Estes Park often. She will even accommodate sunrise weddings and elopements!
- Glammed Up Designs – Traveling hair & makeup artists who who work in Estes Park and also accommodate sunrise starts.
- Estes Park Bridal Company – Local Estes Park hair & makeup artists
- Glacier Lily – Local salon & boutique in downtown Estes Park
- Something Borrowed – Local Estes Park hair & event stylist
Photographers
- Story Maker Photo *Inserts shameless self-promotion here*
Of course, if you’re looking for an elopement or micro wedding photographer, I’d love to meet you! Find more information on my photography packages here, and inquire here when you’re ready to book.
Planners
Private Chefs
Videographers
Best Lodging for Couples & Guests
Black Canyon Inn
- Updated, comfortable suites + rooms available
- Conveniently situated near downtown Estes Park
Della Terra Mountain Chateau
- Luxury suites and cabins available
- Located near the Fall River entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Popular wedding venue
Lake Estes Resort
- New cabins for groups
- Rooms in the lodge overlooking beautiful Lake Estes
- Great location with easy access to bike trails and downtown
- Popular wedding venue
The Landing at Estes Park
- Lovely riverside property with lodge rooms or individual cabins
- Located near the Beaver Meadow entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park
McGregor Mountain Lodge
- Lovely individual cabins located near the Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park
- LGBTQ+ friendly
Romantic RiverSong Inn
- Quiet and secluded inn tucked along the river near the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park
- Unique rooms and buildings with tons of character
- Great spot for an elopement or romantic getaway
Seven Keys Lodge
- Historic building and rustic cabins with incredible views
- Excellent nearby hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park
Stanley Hotel
- Historic building with beautiful grounds
- Shows, dining, and tour options available on-site
YMCA of the Rockies
- Excellent for large groups
- Lots of available activities including zip-lining, horseback riding, rollerskating, ice skating, hiking, fishing and so much more
- LGBTQ+ friendly
Favorite Coffee Shops
Coffee on the Rocks
Excellent spot to sit outside by the pond, feed the ducks, and enjoy your coffee in a natural setting. While you’re there, go next door and crack open a geode at Red Rose Rock Shop.
Inkwell & Brew
Lovely coffee spot with a cute shop on the lower level – perfect for buying a new journal, artwork, or greeting cards. They also have a small patio space and cozy upstairs seating area. Bring your favorite game (or borrow one of theirs) and enjoy the view.
Kind Coffee
Wonderful coffee spot conveniently located in downtown Estes Park along the Riverwalk. Grab your favorite drink (or ice cream!), and sit by the river and enjoy.
Best Breweries, Wineries, & Cocktail Spots
Avant Garde
Excellent beer, frozen rose, and a wonderful outdoor seating area with regularly food trucks and live music.
The Barrel
Tons of wonderful beer on tap! Conveniently located in downtown Estes Park. Swing by and enjoy their outdoor picnic tables, food trucks, or head indoors for table games.
Ember
Waterfront dining on Lake Estes! Go for sunset and be treated to excellent views + a great vibe. Even if you’re not joining them for dinner, grab a drink and sit out on the lawn around their firepits.
Lumpy Ridge Brewery
A brewery in an old gas station with music bumping. This is a great spot to go for food trucks, live music, and awesome views of Lumpy Ridge (and the fireworks on the 4th of July!). While you’re in the area, visit The Bull Pin just behind the brewery for bowling or arcade games.
Seven Keys Lodge
Favorite spot for cocktails with buzzing hummingbirds and perfect mountain views. Enjoy their patio, and plan to visit around their live music nights.
Snowy Peaks Winery
Ready for a little wine tasting? Swing by Snowy Peaks, an award winning winery, and enjoy a tower of wine tasters. You can even choose some charcuterie snacks from their store to enjoy.
Outdoor Activities in Estes Park
Biking
Rent bicycles or e-bikes at the Estes Park Mountain Shop and take a cruise around the bike trail at Lake Estes! Not only that, there are trails that stem from here so you can really get some extra mileage in. Head up the Fish Creek Trail, or even downtown!
Boating
Lake Estes Marina offers lots of activities! Rent a four wheel surrey car and drive it along the lake’s bike trail, or head out on the water by renting a pontoon, kayak, or pedal boat!
Fishing
This area is known for incredible fishing! In town, you can find some great fishing spots near Lake Estes, or head into Rocky Mountain National Park for more backcountry spots! Sprague Lake and Moraine Park are great easy-access fly-fishing locations. If you’re looking for a guided experience, reach out to our favorite guides at Sasquatch Fly Fishing.
Hiking
Obviously Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are known for iconic hiking trails!
If you’re looking for dog-friendly hikes in Estes Park, check out Lily Mountain, Crosier Mountain, and all the trails in Hermit Park Open Space! There’s also a great dog park in town near Lake Estes.
Horseback riding
What more Colorado way to experience the mountains? We love riding at Elkhorn Stables! They have talented and friendly guides, and their trails offer amazing views of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Jeep tours
A great way to see Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park is by a local Jeep tour company! You can do a guided tour with Green Jeep Tours, or rent your own Jeep or UTV through Backbone Adventures. This is a great group activity, and a fun and unique way to get to your elopement location, too!
Mountain coaster
Did you know that Estes Park has a mountain coaster? It’s pretty fun and the views at the top are top-notch. For discounted tickets, swing by the Estes Park Mountain Shop.
Indoor Activities in Estes Park
Arts & crafts
Bear & Bee has amazing art class offerings! From throwing pottery, to learning the art of stained glass! The owners and staff are great–you’re gonna love them!
Movie theater
A perfect activity for when those summer afternoon thunderstorms roll in! Head over to the Historic Park Theater for a show and some popcorn.
Performances & Shows
Visit Estes Park keeps a list of upcoming shows and performances around town! The Stanley Hotel also offers an amazing illusionist show called Aiden Sinclair’s Underground (highly recommend). If you’re up to it, you can also sign up for a ghost tour here.
Looking for fun pre-built date ideas while you’re in town?! Check out this article: 13 romantic date ideas in Estes Park.
Your Local Estes Park Micro Wedding & Elopement Photographer
Hey, I’m Amber! Local Estes Park, Colorado resident for the last 8+ years. This is my favorite place in the world, and one of my favorite things to do is share it with visitors.
If you’re looking for a photographer to collaborate with you and help design a completely unique wedding experience in the mountains, you’re in the right place. Find more information about my elopement & micro wedding packages here. And when you’re ready to do this, reach out below and let’s meet!
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