Colorado Courthouse Wedding Guide

where, how and what to expect

Why choose a Colorado courthouse wedding?

There are so many reasons couples are choosing courthouse weddings over traditional weddings.

Maybe you're planning something simple before a larger celebration.

Maybe you want to skip the stress entirely.

Maybe you'd rather spend your money on traveling together than centerpieces.

Whatever your reason, courthouse weddings offer:

  • A relaxed, low-stress experience

  • More flexibility

  • Significantly lower costs

  • Freedom to celebrate your own way

  • Beautiful opportunities for authentic photographs

And honestly? They're incredibly fun.

A woman riding a yellow motor scooter with sunflowers and rainbow ribbons, leading a group of smiling people in front of a historic courthouse building, with leafless trees and a clear sky in the background.
Two women laughing and smiling, standing outdoors in front of a building with wooden accents. One woman has short hair and is wearing a white blazer and matching shorts, with tattoos on her legs. The other woman has long, curly hair, is wearing a white lace dress, and is holding a bouquet of flowers.
LET'S CHAT
A joyful couple dressed in wedding attire walking down the stairs outside a courthouse, holding hands and smiling.
A couple in wedding attire hugging and smiling in front of Chaffee County Courthouse. A bicycle with a 'Just Married' sign and flowers is in the foreground.

How to Get Married at a Colorado Courthouse

Step 1: Get Your Marriage License

Colorado makes getting married refreshingly simple.

You'll need:

  • Valid government-issued ID

  • Both partners present (or follow county requirements if applicable)

  • Marriage license fee

  • An appointment with your local County Clerk (recommended in many counties). Click here to get started.

One of the coolest things about Colorado is that you can legally self-solemnize, meaning you don't need an officiant or witnesses if you don't want them. That's one reason Colorado has become such a popular destination for intimate weddings.

Step 2: Decide How You Want to Get Married

There isn't just one way to have a courthouse wedding.

You could:

  • Have a judge perform your ceremony

  • Self-solemnize

  • Sign your paperwork at the courthouse and exchange personal vows somewhere meaningful afterward

  • Invite a handful of family members or keep it just the two of you

There isn't a wrong choice.

Step 3: Choose Your Location

Colorado has several beautiful courthouse options, but remember—you don't have to stop at the courthouse.

Some favorite locations include:

Denver City & County Building

Classic architecture, iconic white columns, and beautiful steps for portraits.

Civic Center Park

Perfect for greenery, skyline views, and a little breathing room after your ceremony.

Your Airbnb

Get ready together.

Exchange private vows.

Pop champagne afterward.

Nearby Mountain Overlook

Finish your day watching the sunset somewhere that feels like you.

LET'S CHAT

I wish that I could give Ivy 1,000 stars, but it still wouldn't be enough to thank her for our beautiful elopement photos!

vibe check...

elopement salida and buena vista
Stylized illustration of green leaves with black accents on a black background.

When I began looking for a photographer, I knew that I would need a few things from them: I needed a photographer who was willing to shoot an elopement shoot in Salida and Buena Vista, I needed someone who was okay with us shooting in multiple different locations, and someone who could light both me and my husband in flattering way as an interracial couple.

Ivy is caring and made us feel comfortable right away. She is creative and knows the way to pose her subjects and how to frame the photos perfectly.

“

Lynn

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Simple doesn't have to mean ordinary.

    Some of my favorite additions include:

    • Private handwritten vows

    • Fresh flowers

    • Champagne picnic

    • First dance in the park

    • Dinner with your closest people

    • Renting a vintage car

    • Booking a cozy mountain cabin afterward

    The best part is that your day gets to look exactly how you want it to.

  • Yes! Colorado is one of the few states that allows self-solemnization, meaning couples can legally marry without an officiant or witnesses.

  • Absolutely. Whether it's just the two of you or twenty of your favorite people, many couples choose whatever feels right for them. Guest limits may vary by courthouse, so it's always worth checking in advance.

  • Definitely—and I highly recommend it. Some of the best images happen after the paperwork is finished when everyone can simply enjoy the moment.

  • Colorado welcomes out-of-state couples, and Colorado marriages are legally recognized throughout the United States.