You’re livin’ the dream
now let’s get your elopement ceremony squared away
It’s kind of the dream to be getting married outside, with your love, surrounded by nature. But when you forge your own path for your wedding day and you don’t have any rules to follow, it can feel a bit confusing. What do you do? What will your self solemnizing elopement ceremony even look like?
Not many people have witnessed a self solemnizing elopement ceremony. They’re extremely special. As a Colorado elopement photographer, I’ve witnessed hundreds doing this full time since 2020, and i’m happy to be here to help you decide what yours could look like.
In this guide we’ll cover self solemnizing and what that means when you chose to have a Colorado elopement, ideas for what to include in your elopement ceremony, and I even provide a self solemnizing elopement ceremony guide to help get you started on planning your own ceremony.
The goal: Have your vows written, and an idea of what your elopement ceremony is going to look like well before your elopement day gets here! And i’m going to help you do that.
What is self solemnizing?
Self solemnizing is the process of two people becoming legally married without requiring a third party to sign, officiate, or approve the marriage.
If you’ve found yourself wondering what is eloping and how does it all works, self solemnizing is one of the ways couples actually make their elopement happen.
Self solemnizing is a law in the state of Colorado (and some other states) that allows you to get married without an officiant, and without witnesses. You can technically just marry yourselves. You put your two signatures on your marriage license, and that’s it! (+ your pups paw print if you are eloping with your dog! 🐾 ) Most of my couples take advantage of this law and decide it’s better to not hire an officiant to keep their elopement ceremony as private as possible.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But Kelly, is this even legal?” Well, my friend, the answer is a resounding yes! Several states, including Colorado, recognize self solemnizing as a valid way to get hitched. No more waiting for your cousin to become an ordained minister – you can be your own officiant, and save some cash in the process.
Self solemnizing your own elopement ceremony is your chance to throw out the rulebook and create a ceremony that’s uniquely and unapologetically you. Want to recite Star Wars vows while dressed as Jedi knights? Go for it! Want to incorporate a ritual that involves lighting sparklers and screaming your love from a mountaintop? Why not have some fun! (please do this, i’d love to photograph this!)
With the help from me and this blog, you’ll be well on your way to having the wedding adventure of a lifetime.
Where is Self-Solemnizing Legal?
One of the biggest questions couples have is: can we actually do this where we’re getting married? The answer depends on the state but Colorado is by far the easiest place to self-solemnize, which is a big reason it’s so popular for elopements. The best part? You can self-solemnize anywhere in Colorado which means all of the best places to elope in Colorado are fully open to you, whether that’s in the mountains, at a national park, or somewhere completely off the beaten path.
There are a few other places in the U.S. where some version of self-solemnization is allowed, like Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, Montana, and California, but the rules can be a little more specific depending on the county or type of license.
If you’re planning to elope somewhere outside of Colorado, it’s always a good idea to double check the local laws before making a plan.
a quick note: if having a completely private, officiant-free ceremony is important to you, Colorado is hands down the easiest place to make that happen.
Best Time of Year to Self-Solemnize Your Elopement in Colorado
You can self-solemnize your elopement in Colorado any time of year, it really just depends on the kind of experience you want.
Each season brings something a little different. Summer brings wildflowers, access to the most scenic mountain passes, and long days that give you plenty of time to hike or reach more remote locations without feeling rushed. Fall brings cooler temperatures, and some of the best colors of the year. A Colorado winter wedding can be really beautiful with snow-covered landscapes, but it does come with colder temps, never know what the weather might do, and more limited accessibility. Spring can be a bit unpredictable, you could get a beautiful warm day, or it could be raining, or cold and snowing.
as a colorado elopement photographer who has photographed hundreds of elopements, i think the best time of year to self solemnize your elopement in colorado is in the summer or fall
How to Self-Solemnize Your Marriage (Step-by-Step)
If you’re planning a self-solemnizing elopement, this is the part where things go from “this sounds amazing” to “okay, how does this actually work?” The good news: it’s way simpler than you might think.
here’s exactly how to self solemnize your marriage, step by setp:
(just FYI, when a couple books one of my elopement packages, I walk them through all of this step-by-step when planning their elopement)
1. Get your marriage license
First things first, you’ll need a marriage license. When eloping in Colorado, you can get your marriage license from any clerk and recorders office, and then take it anywhere in the state to sign. You just need to return your marriage license to the same clerk and recorders office you got it from by either dropping it off or mailing it in. There’s also no waiting period in Colorado, so you can literally pick it up and get married the same day.
2. Fill Out the Basic Info (but don’t sign it yet)
Your license will include sections for your names, date, and location of your ceremony. You can fill most of this out ahead of time if you want, just make sure you don’t sign anything until after your ceremony.
3. Have Your Ceremony (however you want)
This is where you get full freedom. You can follow a loose structure (like vows, rings, a kiss), or keep it super simple and just read your vows to each other. There’s no officiant, no script you have to follow, and no one telling you how it should go. It can be 2 minutes or 20 — emotional, lighthearted, private, or shared with guests. There’s no right way to do this.
4. Sign Your Marriage License
After your ceremony, you’ll sign your marriage license together, and this is the moment it becomes official!
5. Return Your License
Once it’s signed, you’ll need to return your marriage license to the same office you got it from (usually within a couple of weeks — your clerk will give you the exact timeline).
After that, you’re legally married 🎉
Self Solemnizing Elopement FAQ’s
Do you need an officiant to self-solemnize?
Nope. That’s the whole point of self-solemnizing. You don’t need an officiant at all. You’re able to marry yourselves, just the two of you, without anyone leading the ceremony.
That said, if you do want someone to lead your ceremony (a friend, family member, or even just for the experience), they can easily get ordained online.
Do you need witnesses to self-solemnize?
In Colorado, you don’t need witnesses either, just the two of you.
That said, you can still include guests if you want. They just don’t have to sign anything or be involved in a legal way.
Can you self-solemnize in national parks?
Yes — but you’ll still need to follow that park’s permit rules.
Even without an officiant, and even if it’s just you two, many national parks require a special use permit for wedding ceremonies. If you’re planning a Rocky Mountain National Park wedding or elopement, there are specific rules and designated ceremony locations you’ll need to follow.
Is self-solemnizing only for “just us” elopements?
Not at all. You can self-solemnize with zero guests, or with a full group of family and friends. It works for both. The only difference is that no one is required to legally marry you.
Do you sign your marriage license before or after the ceremony?
After.
Your ceremony can be as simple or as detailed as you want, but the legal part of signing your marriage license happens once everything is said and done.
Can your dog sign your marriage license as a witness?
Honestly… yes 😂
In Colorado, since witnesses aren’t required, your dog can “sign” your license with a paw print if you want to include them in a fun way. Just be sure to double check the county rules of where you’re getting your marriage license from. At the time I was writing this, it’s allowed, but it’s good to double check the rules again!
What if we mess something up on the marriage license?
It happens more often than you’d think, and it’s usually fixable. The best thing you can do is double check everything before you turn it in, and if you’re unsure about anything, your county clerk’s office can help walk you through it.
Can we still have a structured ceremony if we self-solemnize?
Absolutely. Just because you can skip the structure doesn’t mean you have to. A lot of couples still include things like vows, rings, readings, or even a full ceremony flow — just without an officiant.
Ideas for your Self Solemnizing Elopement Ceremony
Write Your Own Vows
There is no better way to really personalize your self solemnizing elopement ceremony other than writing your own wedding vows. By personalizing the promises you’re making to each other, your ceremony is going to feel a lot more authentic, and really bring you into the moment and ground you vs. doing all the traditional vows.
Incorporate Personal Touches
Incorporating a personal touch is a great way to really represent your relationship during your ceremony, and how to make your elopement special. What’s something the two of you really enjoy? Are there any little things the two of you do, or any pieces of your relationship that you want to bring into your ceremony? It’s so fun seeing what couples come up with. It can be something simple, or something grand, but either way it will be so meaningful and a great element to add to your day. Years down the road, it’ll be so fun to look back at your elopement pictures and remember everything you included in your ceremony. So what could it look like?
some ideas of personal touches to include in your self solemnizing elopement ceremony
- Music. Are either of you a musician? Maybe bring your instrument and perform a song. Or maybe the two of you could sing a favorite song together? If you’re not a musician, but there is a song you’d love to play, you can borrow my JPL Bluetooth speaker from my Gear Garage. My husband is a musician, so when we eloped, he brought a guitar and sang me my favorite song. It’s one of those memories i’ll never forget.
- Other forms of art. Painting. Drawing. Weaving. Is art an important part of your relationship? Incorporate it! Maybe you want to decorate your “Just Married” signs out in the wilderness together? Or you could create any piece of art together and have it to look back on. I had one couple paint the landscape of the lake and mountain backdrop of where they said their vows. Creating momentos during an elopement ceremony can be super fun, and it’s just a great way to make an additional memory to look back on.
- Reciting a poem or a favorite piece of literature. Maybe there is a poem that reminds you of your partner that you’d like to read. Maybe it’s a poem you wrote and want to read it out loud to your partner?
- Drinks. Who says that alcohol is only for before or after a wedding ceremony? If you want something to sip on while having your ceremony, then do it!
- Dancing. Everyone has heard of the “First Dance”. But what if the “First Dance” doesn’t mean much to you, and you just want to dance during the middle of your ceremony? Think about the vibe you want to set for your ceremony. Playing a tune and getting jiggy with it can be a great way to set the tone. Or maybe you just love dancing and you two put together a choreographed dance?
- Pets. If you’re planning on eloping with your dog, in the state of Colorado you can actually have your dog “sign” your marriage license with a paw print! I’ve also had couples bring really cute outfits for their dogs, or even a decorated collar. Pets are part of the family and can be a really special element to add to any elopement ceremony script. Read our blog on what to pack for an adventure elopement that includes a section all about what to pack if you’re bringing dogs!
- Letters from friends and family. Have your friends and/or family write you letters for the two of you to read during your self solemnizing elopement ceremony. This is also a great way to include those closest to you without them physically being present.
- Rock stacking. Stack a rock for each promise made.
Unity Ceremony
Are you wanting to include a unity ritual during your elopement ceremony? A unity ceremony is a ritual performed by the couple during your ceremony that represents becoming a union. There are many different kinds of unity ceremonies, but they all represent the two of you committing your lives to one another.
Unity Ceremony ideas
- Lighting candles
- Planting trees
- Pouring sand
- Mixing water
- Sand pouring
- Handfasting
- Wine box ritual
Tip: This doesn’t have to be something you’ve heard of before. If you’re more on the goofy side, think of something completely off the wall that is just so silly, and never done before that it’s sure to make you two laugh and smile.
Acknowledge the Past, Present, and Future
Take a moment during your elopement ceremony to really bring light to your whole relationship. More than likely, your entire relationship hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies. You two have come so far to get to this exact moment. Talk about where you’ve been in your relationship, where you are right now in the present, and who you want to become as people and as a couple in the future.
Include Your Guests
Very few people can say they’ve witnessed a unique wedding ceremony such as an elopement. Your guests will be so honored they were invited to such an intimate affair. Asking them to be included in the ceremony will be a huge honor.
Ideas for Including your Guests During Your Elopement Ceremony
- Have your guest share memories of the happy couple
- Ask your guest to read a piece of literature
- Ask your guest to share their marriage advice
- Have everyone gather in a circle for prayer or a symbolic ritual
- Give each guest a role. For example, the Maid of Honor holds the flowers, the Best Man holds the rings, etc.
- Take time during your ceremony to speak to each guest. Tell them what they mean to you, and how happy you are they are there with you
- Take time to take photographs with each guest, and one picture with everyone
If you’re reading this and thinking “this is exactly what I want, I just don’t know how to pull it off”, i’ve got you. Reach out to me by filling out the form on my contact page, and i’ll be in touch. From there, i’ll give you everything you need to get the process started, and i’ll be here for you every step of the way to bring your dream elopement to life!
What to Include in Your Elopement Ceremony
must haves for any elopement ceremony
There are a few elements of an elopement ceremony that I would suggest not skipping over. No matter how unique your elopement ceremony ends up being, you’ll still want to:
recite vows
rings
say “I do”
first kiss
Of course, this is your big day, and if any of these sound lame to you, then kick it to the wind and feel good about it! Your elopement ceremony is yours and only yours. I’m here for it and will be happy with whatever you decide to do!
The “Just Us” guide
Elopement Ceremony Guide
A self solemnizing Elopement Ceremony guide For Those Choosing to Get Married Just the Two of Them
Starting It Off – The Introduction
With just the two of you, this might seem unnecessary, but having a starting off point is a simple way to let each other know you’re ready to start the ceremony. The wedding day jitters are real, and you’ll want to know if your partner is ready, and visa versa. Some ideas of a self solemnizing elopement ceremony introduction could be:
Self Solemnizing Elopement Ceremony Introduction Ideas
- Holding hands. Some couples naturally want to be close to their partner and hold hands during an exchange of vows, so taking your partner’s hand could be a great way to start things off. You can decide that once you hold hands, that’s your signal that you’re ready to start your elopement ceremony.
- Verbally making it known you’re ready. Saying simple words like, “are you ready?”, “let’s do this”, “I can’t wait to marry you!” can be a great starting point, and a really sweet moment to just take a few deep breaths, look into your partner’s eyes, and be completely present for what’s to come.
- Playing a song and walking down “the aisle”. If you’re wanting to keep some traditional aspects of a wedding ceremony alive for your elopement ceremony, consider playing a song and walking down “the aisle”. Some people still want their partner to see them in their wedding attire for the first time by walking down an aisle, which can totally be set up in the wild!
Readings
Now that you’re ready to get started, ease into your ceremony by doing a few readings before your vows. Poems, lyrics, literature, passages, it could be anything! Think about your relationship and what would make the most sense for this part of your elopement ceremony.
Wedding Vows
The most important part of the ceremony. Your vows. The promises you are making to each other. Be prepared that this part of the elopement ceremony could get very emotional, especially if you’re writing your own wedding vows.
Exchange of Rings
The exchange of rings during a wedding ceremony is a tradition that goes back thousands of years. It symbolizes the promises you are making to each other. Exchanging rings during an elopement ceremony can be quick without saying anything while putting rings on each other’s fingers, or you can recite a reading while exchanging rings. If you decide you want to recite a reading while exchanging rings but don’t know what to say, here are a few ideas:
Ideas For What To Say While Exchanging Rings
- Explain what the ring means to you in your marriage, there is a traditional, “with this ring, I thee wed”. Or you can say something like, “Let this ring be a symbol as my promises i’m making to you today.”
- Have the exchange of rings be where you say your “I Do’s”. While your partner is putting the ring on your finger, they would ask you, “Do you take me to be your partner for life?” In which you would respond, “hell yes!”, and your partner would then slide the ring on your finger. Then you do the same back to your partner.
Declaration of Consent, the “I do’s!”
This is the part of your ceremony where you get to say, out loud, “yes, I’m all in.”
In a more traditional ceremony, an officiant is required to hear both people say “I do.” When you’re self-solemnizing, that requirement goes away but a lot of couples still choose to include it, because it’s such a grounding, intentional moment.
The Kiss
The kiss.
No cue. No audience. Just you two, exactly where you’re meant to be.
Unity Ceremony / Personal Touches
Totally optional, but if you’re deciding to add any personal touches like a Unity Ceremony, this would be the best time to do it! See above for ideas and suggestions for adding your own personal touches to your elopement ceremony.
Making It Official
This is the time to make your marriage legal, sign your marriage license! And don’t forget to have your dog sign your marriage license too 🐾
The Closing – Presenting Yourselves As the Newly Married Couple
You are MARRIED! However you want to step into that moment is completely up to you — champagne, happy tears, a quiet hug, or something a little more chaotic. There’s no right way to celebrate this moment.
Hi, i’m Kelly
an adventure elopement photographer based in Grand Junction, Colorado
I live right in between some of the most incredible landscapes in the southwest, which means I can get to places like Moab, Ouray, Crested Butte, Breckenridge, and Telluride in just a couple of hours. Whether you’re dreaming of desert views or mountain peaks, I’m already nearby and ready to help you bring it all together.
Reach out to me today by filling out the form on my contact page. I can’t wait to hear from you, and help you and your boo get hitched in the great outdoors!
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