Aspen Elopement & Intimate Weddings

Just the two of you, or the ten people who matter. A mountain, a meadow, or the deck of your rental. I help you plan the day, pick the spot and time the light, then photograph it start to finish.

aspen-elopement-ceremony

    1. Tell me the plan. Your date, guest count and the feel you want. Not sure where? I'll suggest locations for the season and the size of your group.

    2. We plan it together. Location, timing, light, weather backup, permits, and introductions to local officiants, florists and hair and makeup if you need them.

    3. The day. I arrive early, scout the light and stay out of the way during the ceremony. Then portraits while the light is good.

    4. Your gallery. Fully edited images in a private online gallery within 2 weeks.

    • Maroon Bells: the most iconic backdrop in Colorado. Ceremonies use the Maroon Bells Amphitheater, booked through the Forest Service. Shuttle-only in summer and fall, so timing matters.

    • Ashcroft: a ghost town and aspen groves up Castle Creek Road. Gold in mid-September, quiet on weekdays.

    • Independence Pass: 12,000-foot views, wildflowers in July. Open roughly Memorial Day to early November.

    • Aspen Mountain: ride the gondola up for a ceremony above town, summer or winter.

    • Downtown Aspen: brick alleys and Victorian storefronts. Works in any weather.

    • Your rental or a private venue: a deck, a fire, a view. Not every elopement needs a trailhead.

    • Marriage license: available from any Colorado county clerk, including Pitkin County. No residency requirement and no waiting period. Use it within 35 days and return it within 63 days of the ceremony.

    • No officiant needed: Colorado allows self-solemnization. You can sign your own license, no officiant or witnesses required.

    • Location permits: Maroon Bells Amphitheater ceremonies are reserved through the Forest Service on recreation.gov. Other public sites have their own rules. I'll tell you what your location needs and when to apply.

  • "He went to the original trail where my husband was going to propose and scouted it out the day of because there was a blizzard… On the day of our wedding, Darren was an absolute professional. He arrived early and stayed late." — Haley & Ben, engagement and wedding, Colorado

    "Darren Bridges was beyond spectacular on our special day! … Darren had great recommendations on places for those of us having a destination wedding as well." — Shannon & James

    • Do we need an officiant? No. Colorado lets you sign your own marriage license.

    • Do we need a permit? Depends on the spot. Maroon Bells needs a Forest Service reservation; private property needs only the owner's OK. I'll walk you through it.

    • How many guests can we have? Anything from just the two of you to around [20] people.

    • What if the weather turns? We build a backup into the plan, indoor or covered, and adjust on the day.

    • Can you recommend vendors? Yes. Officiants, florists, hair and makeup, and dinner spots.

    • When should we book? Summer and fall weekends go first. Enquire as soon as you have a date.

Let's plan your Aspen elopement. Tell me your date, guest count and where you're staying. I'll reply within 24 hours with availability and ideas.

Check your date

⭐ 5.0 on Google · In Aspen since 2004 · Intimate weddings since 2014

Couple standing on rocky ledge with sunset and mountains in background.
Two people posing outdoors on a rocky ledge with a mountainous landscape and trees in the background at sunset.
Bouquet of white roses and greenery against a sunset backdrop with silhouetted trees.
Bride and groom posing outdoors in formal attire with a mountain and greenery backdrop.
Six people clinking glasses of champagne in a toast at a celebration event.
Couple in wedding attire sitting on grass with champagne and glasses in foreground.
A bride and groom dressed in formal attire, with the bride wearing a white fur hood and holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers, standing outdoors in a snowy landscape.
A man and woman dressed as a bride and groom sitting in a field of yellow flowers with pine trees and mountains in the background, wearing floral crowns and green scarves.
Pair of white bridal sandals next to a box containing lace garter, handkerchief, gold jewelry, and decorative items on a wicker surface.
Bride and groom embracing outdoors with mountains in the background.
A couple in formal attire embracing on a deck, overlooking mountain landscape at sunset, with greenery decorations on the railing.
A bride with blonde hair styled in loose waves, wearing a white lace wedding gown with open back, stands outdoors with a mountainous landscape and greenery in the background, eyes closed, in a peaceful pose.
Bride and groom smiling at sunset on a wooden deck, with the bride holding a bouquet and wearing a white fur shawl.
A woman in a white dress looks at herself in an oval mirror, with her hair styled up. She stands in a room with wooden door frames and a gray curtain.
Person in a suit having boutonniere pinned on jacket lapel, indoors, with blurred background.
A couple in wedding attire posing in a snowy landscape with snow-covered mountains in the background.
A couple holding hands in front of a scenic mountain lake, surrounded by lush green forests and snow-capped peaks under a bright blue sky.
A bride in a white lace wedding gown and a groom in a black tuxedo pose together indoors with large window panes and wooden framing in the background.
Yellow and white flower bouquet on a wooden post with a scenic mountain lake background.
Close-up of a couple exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony, with a floral arrangement behind them.
Bride and groom standing on a terrace with scenic mountain and forest view, red brick buildings in the background.
A bride and groom dancing in a ballroom at a wedding reception, with guests seated and standing nearby.
A newlywed couple, a woman in a white dress and furry white shawl and a man in a black suit, sharing a moment and looking at a mountain range sunset from a wooden overlook with greenery in the foreground.
A woman in a wedding dress holding a bouquet of flowers standing on snow in a mountainous landscape with pine trees under a clear blue sky.
A newlywed couple standing on a wooden deck at sunset, with the groom in a black tuxedo and the bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers, both smiling.
A bride and groom standing outdoors on a sunny day, dressed in wedding attire. The groom is in a black tuxedo with a bow tie, and the bride is smiling with her eyes closed, wrapped in a white fur cover, holding a bouquet of pink, white, and cream-col
Close-up of a person in a dark suit with a white shirt and black bow tie, receiving a white floral boutonniere on their lapel, indoors with blurred background of people and windows.
A couple holding hands by a lake with snow-capped mountains and green forest in the background.
A bride and groom standing on a brick balcony with a mountain backdrop, holding hands and smiling at each other during their wedding photos.