Imagine having the perfect wedding day, where you and your partner can do whatever you want. You can! Self-solemnization in Colorado makes getting married your way easier than ever.
Self-solemnizing your wedding means you don’t need an officiant or any other ordained person present for you to legally get married. You and your partner can simply get your marriage license, sign it yourselves, and have your dream wedding day.
Whether you’re getting married in Colorado with loved ones or planning an elopement, self-solemnizing can help make the process stress-free and enjoyable!
In this article, I’ll discuss how you can marry yourselves and have the best wedding day ever in Colorado.
Why Self-Solemnize Your Marriage
Not sure if self-solemnization is the best option for you? Let’s look at why marrying yourselves can be an excellent option!
It’s easier than a traditional wedding
Self-solemnization in Colorado means you don’t have to deal with the stress of a traditional wedding. You can have a simple wedding perfectly planned for just you and your partner or have a bigger ceremony and invite guests if you’d like.
Colorado’s marriage license and self-solemnizing process is easy for anyone, whether you’re a resident or not. I’ll discuss the steps for applying for and receiving your marriage license below.
It’s intimate and personal
Many couples who self-solemnize choose to elope so they can enjoy a private ceremony and a day filled with intimate and meaningful activities. My husband and I did this, and we celebrated with loved ones after the wedding.
With many amazing places to elope in Colorado, it’s easy to choose your perfect spot, whether you want a hiking elopement, adventure in the mountains, or a ceremony at a venue.
Family and friends can still join you
Even if you don’t want to have a just-us elopement, you can still self-solemnize with guests.
There are many incredible options for a big or small wedding in Colorado. You can also elope and then celebrate with family and friends afterward.
The legal requirements are straightforward
Colorado is one of the easiest places to legally get married. It’s one of few states where you don’t need an officiant or witnesses. I’ll share more about the legal steps below.
Your dog can sign your marriage license
One of the most fun reasons to self-solemnize your marriage is that your dog can join and be your witness. Dog-friendly elopements and weddings are some of my favorites. Many couples enjoy having their dog sign their marriage licenses with their paw prints, and it’s adorable!
It’s budget-friendly
Self-solemnization is ideal if you’re planning an affordable elopement. You can pay $30 for your marriage license and exchange your vows at a free or inexpensive venue.
Some of the best places in Colorado for a budget-friendly wedding or elopement are Garden of the Gods and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Is self-solemnization legal in Colorado?
Self-solemnization is legal in Colorado, and it’s one of two states where there are no restrictions.
No matter what U.S. state you’re from, you can solemnize your own marriage in Colorado, making it easy to marry your partner with little to no stress.
How to Self-Solemnize Your Marriage in Colorado
Self-solemnization in Colorado is pretty simple by following the steps below.
Step 1: Apply for your marriage license online
Read the Colorado marriage license requirements, then complete your online application, which is relatively straightforward. Although applying online isn’t required, it does save you time.
Note that these resources are with the Denver County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. However, your marriage license application is suitable for anywhere in the state.
Step 2: Go to a Colorado County Clerk’s Office
You’ll go to any County Clerk’s Office to pay your marriage application fee of $30 and receive your application. For most offices, you’ll need to make an appointment before going.
Each person needs to be present when going to get your marriage license, and you’ll both need the following documents:
- A valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license, military ID, passport, etc.
- A birth certificate if your ID doesn’t show your date of birth
- Proof of divorce or being widowed, if applicable
Step 3: Get married within 35 days
You’ll receive your marriage license the day you go to the County Clerk’s Office. Once you receive your marriage license, you must get married within 35 days.
After your wedding, you must bring your marriage certificate and license for recording within two months.
Self-Solemnization Ceremony Ideas in Colorado
Just because you’re marrying yourselves in Colorado doesn’t mean you can’t have a special experience! There are so many unique elopement and wedding options throughout Colorado.
Fun self-solemnization ceremony ideas include:
- Enjoy an adventurous elopement: Spend the day exploring, taking photos with your love, and exchanging your vows. Crested Butte and Telluride are both incredible places for an adventurous elopement in Colorado.
- Keep it simple: If you prefer simplicity, you can have a low-key ceremony with your love, then celebrate with just your partner or include loved ones, too.
- Have a traditional wedding: Even if you’re self-solemnizing, you can have a ceremony with guests if you’d like! Brainard Lake near Boulder and Town Ranch in Crested Butte are stunning places for a wedding ceremony in Colorado.
If you want help planning your perfect self-solemnization Colorado wedding or elopement, contact Among the Pines Photography – that’s me! Not only can I help you plan your big day, but I can also take pictures of all the special moments.
Self-Solemnization in Colorado: FAQs
Learn more about marrying yourselves in Colorado with answers to common questions below.
Is self-solemnizing the same as a traditional marriage?
Self-solemnizing allows you to legally marry, just like a traditional marriage. The only difference is that when you solemnize your own wedding, you don’t need a third party, like an officiant present.
What vows do we use when self-solemnizing?
If you’re marrying yourselves, you can use traditional vows or write your own vows. You can also do a mix of both. Whatever feels authentic for you and your partner!
Can I get married the same day in Colorado?
In Colorado, you can get married the same day as you get your marriage license. This makes getting married incredibly convenient, especially if you’re traveling and don’t have extra time to spare or you’re planning a last-minute wedding.
Can a friend marry you in Colorado?
If you’d like a friend to marry you in Colorado, you can! With self-solemnization, anyone can perform your ceremony. Whether you want a loved one or no one present, your ceremony can be whatever you want. This is one of many perks of getting married in Colorado!
What if I prefer to have an officiant marry me and my partner?
Although self-solemnization is legal in Colorado, you can also have an officiant or any other ordained person marry you.
I’m also ordained and can act as an officiant and your photographer if you’d like. Curious to know more? Let’s chat!
Self-Solemnization in Colorado: Conclusion
I hope you found this article helpful and are excited to get married in Colorado!
Marrying yourselves or going the traditional route are both excellent options. Self-solemnizing can keep the process simpler and more affordable, while a traditional ceremony can also be special. What’s most important is enjoying a day that’s perfect for you and your love!
If you’d like help planning your special day, let’s chat. I’m a Colorado wedding and elopement photographer who can support you during the planning process, help you have a fun and stress-free experience, and capture stunning photos of your big day.
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
