The Rocky Mountains and Mountain West regions are home to some of the most picturesque national parks in North America, which makes them the dreamiest destinations to host an elopement. While national parks are perfect places for a romantic elopement, there are a few things to take into account during the planning process to ensure a seamless, legal wedding ceremony. Read on to discover our top tips for eloping in a national park across the Rocky Mountain and Mountain West regions!
Why Choose a National Park for Your Elopement?
National parks are the perfect alternative for couples looking to host a more intimate wedding surrounded by true natural beauty. While most wedding venues across this region have beautiful backdrops, there’s something about saying “I do” amongst towering mountain peaks, waterfalls, deserts and forests. Your elopement at a national park is the perfect choice as a memorable, affordable alternative to traditional weddings for the adventurous in love.
One of the most important pieces of planning an elopement in a national park is gathering the correct legal licenses and permits. You will need to research the marriage license requirements for the region, state or county that you will be married in. Most county clerk’s offices require that both you and your spouse-to-be are in attendance when purchasing the marriage license. National Park Services requires you fill out a Special Use Permit for your ceremony in any national park. Costs vary from $75-300 and your permit must be approved by the National Park Service before you can plan your elopement. Some national parks only host a certain number of events per year, so make sure to apply early!
There are plenty of gorgeous national parks across North America that are great choices for hosting your elopement, but we’re lucky enough to have some of the best ones across the region right in our backyards. It’s important to make an informed choice of location depending on what scenery you’d like, accessibility and popularity. Choices like Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Tetons or Yellowstone are all increasingly more popular than most national parks.
Once you pick the national park for your elopement, now it’s time to take into account the best local vendors. Photographers, officiants, elopement planners and florists are all important vendors to include in walking you through the planning process and aiding you in creating your dream elopement. Make sure your wedding day looks are finalized and are versatile to withstand outdoor elements while still looking glamorous. Your elopement will be successful thanks to the proper amount of planning and research of weather, vendors and most picturesque spots to serve as the backdrop for your dream wedding day.
Leave No Trace & Respecting the Land
Always remember the Leave No Trace principle when it comes to the planning and execution of your elopement in a national park. Respect the land and the natural beauty it’s providing you for your elopement.
Eloping in a national park is about more than just saying “I do” surrounded by breathtaking landscapes: it’s about creating a wedding day that feels true to you, filled with adventure, intimacy and meaning. By planning ahead, honoring park guidelines and embracing the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains and Mountain West, your elopement will be as seamless as it is unforgettable.
