Boulder Colorado is such a unique place. Not only is it home to the stunning Boulder Flatirons, there are so many things to do and amazing places to eat! It is named one of the best places to live (Trust me it is true. I lived there for 5 years and am always dreaming of moving back!). It is also the perfect place for a Colorado elopement! If you want to get married in the foothills of the Rocky mountains that is nice and close to the Denver International Airport, then this Boulder Elopement Guide is for you!
When in Boulder, including outdoor activities in your elopement day like hiking, rock climbing, and even paddleboarding might be what you think of first, but there are also so many things to do if an adventure elopement is not what you are looking for. You can still enjoy all of the beautiful Flatiron views, and you can also hang out at a brewery and walk around Pearl Street Mall! Boulder is the perfect spot for an outdoorsy adventure elopement or a city elopement!
If you need any additional information about eloping in Boulder, please reach out here! Since I lived in Boulder for five years, I can definitely share some insider tips beyond what you will find in this guide!
Boulder Elopement Guide to LOCATIONS
When planning your Boulder elopement, you will need to consider your options for locations for your ceremony and photos. If you are including guests in your day you will also want to consider locations for a little reception as well! Most areas listed below will require that your photographer has a Boulder OSMP Permit. Some areas will also require additional permits and reservations which I will list below, but make sure you check on all the rules and regulations for each location. Talk to your Boulder elopement photographer so you know have taken all the necessary steps to get married in Boulder, CO!
List of Locations
- Sunrise Amphitheater
- Artist Point
- Chautauqua Park
- Lost Gulch Overlook
- Halfway House
- Rembrandt Yard
- Other Local Gems
Sunrise Amphitheater
If you are looking for a ceremony location with guests, then Sunrise Amphitheater is the perfect spot for you! It can even accommodate up to 100 people (shared with Stone Shelter and Wood Shelter capacity). With built in seating and beautiful views of the city and the pine tree covered mountains, it is a top choice for eloping in Boulder! There is also a latrine available. You do need to make a reservation to use this spot for your ceremony. There are time blocks for one hour and for three hours, ranging in prices from $100-$400 depending on whether you are a Boulder resident or not.
Artist Point
Artist Point is a beautiful spot with sweeping mountain views, similar to those at Lost Gulch Overlook (see below). This spot is great for just the couple and maybe 2-4 closest family members, but definitely no more than that. The views are seriously stunning, and golden hour at sunset is incredible! At this spot there are also picnic tables near the overlook area as well as closer to the trailhead parking. So, you can enjoy a snack and cake cutting! This location is only available from May through October because the end of the road to reach it is close from November through April. If you want a winter elopement in Boulder with similar views, see Lost Gulch Overlook below!
Chautauqua Park
Chautauqua Park has the quintessential view of Boulder’s Flatirons! I typically recommend this particular spot if it is just you and your partner exchanging vows. Following Leave No Trace Principles is particularly important here because it is such a popular location and you want to make sure to stay on the trails, which would be difficult to do with a larger group. It is so beautiful here in every season. The Flatirons covered in snow is my personal favorite!
Lost Gulch Overlook
If you are looking for sweeping mountain views, then Lost Gulch Overlook is definitely the spot for you! Drive past Chautauqua Park up Flagstaff Road and then just a short walk from the parking lot, you can see beautiful views of Longs Peak and the Indian Peaks off in the distance, while you stand at the top of this mountain overlook! This is another spot that I would only recommend without any guests. It is a very popular location so I would not suggest eloping here on a weekend, including a Friday!
Halfway House
Halfway House is another perfect spot for an elopement in Boulder with guests! You can even set up chairs and an arch on the rocky paved area. It has a capacity of 49 people. In addition there is a latrine and picnic tables for you to use! Parking can be limited here so I highly suggest that as many of your guests carpool as possible. This is a great spot if you want to have your reception or dinner at Flagstaff House, which is right across the street!
Rembrandt Yard
The Rembrandt Yard is a great spot to host a microwedding up to 50 guests. You can spend your day exploring or you can use this indoor space for your ceremony as well as your reception!
Boulder Elopement Guide to WHEN TO ELOPE
Boulder is one of those places that has great weather pretty much year round! In fact, Boulder has 300 days of sunshine on average in a year! If you want wildflowers and greens to pop, then I would recommend late June into July. If you want cooler weather, then the spring and fall months are a great option! Even in the winter, while there could be snow, there is no guarantee of snow on the ground. It just depends on whether there was a recent snowfall or not.
When choosing your wedding date for a Boulder elopement, I highly suggest Monday through Thursday. Weekends can get quite busy. In addition to the day, time of day is also very important. If you want to avoid crowds in this popular city, then sunrise is your best bet! Alpenglow early in the morning hitting the Flatirons is pure magic! Sunset is a great option too, but will be more busy than sunrise.
Boulder Elopement Guide to BEST PLACES TO EAT
Unlike some mountain towns, Boulder has countless locations to go for delicious meals on your elopement day! Whether you are looking for a more fancy meal, or more laid back options there is something for everyone. As someone who lived in Boulder for five years, here are a few of my personal favorites.
- Dushanbe Tea House (They have best Chai ever!)
- Chautauqua Dining Hall (Stunning views of the Boulder Flatirons.)
- Brasserie Ten Ten (I had my own wedding rehearsal dinner here!)
- Sanitas Brewing (You can even host private events here.)
- Flagstaff House (You can have events and your ceremony here too!)
ADDITIONAL LOGISTICS AND TIPS
- If you are flying in for your elopement, you will likely fly into Denver International Airport.
- Be sure to have all necessary permits. Talk to your photographer about this!
- Boulder is a very popular location so I usually recommend avoiding weekend elopements if possible.
- Parking in some areas can still be tricky on the weekdays so plan plenty of time to find parking!
- Boulder is home to University of Colorado, so try to avoid planning your elopement on prime football game dates to avoid traffic throughout the city!
- Unlike another popular location for elopements in the area (Rocky Mountain National Park), Boulder is very dog friendly if you want to include your fur baby!
- There are other shelter rentals for ceremonies besides the ones I discussed above that you can check out here!
This guide is so helpful and love all of the example images of the different locations!
What a great guide and beautiful photos!! So helpful for anyone elopement planning – love it! 🙂
Love all of the locations and photo examples, such a great guide for anyone considering eloping in Boulder
Great information, and now I’ve put Lost Gulch Overlook on my map for visiting this summer. Love the wildflower fields in front of mountains!
Boulder is so beautiful, and I love how you included shots of each location. This is such a helpful guide.