Glenwood Springs Elopement: A Practical Guide (With a Little Heart) — Shay & Andrew

Glenwood Springs Elopement

Glenwood Springs is where Shay and Andrew chose to make their marriage official: a quiet courthouse morning to file the paperwork, then a small forest ceremony that felt both private and timeless. Below is a practical, step-by-step guide based on their Glenwood Springs elopement, with notes and moments you can borrow for your own intimate Colorado wedding.

Before the day — legal basics and planning

1. Marriage license appointment
   • Call the Garfield County Clerk’s office ahead and schedule an in-person appointment to apply forthe marriage license. Colorado requires an in-person application but imposes no waiting period, so you can often marry the same day you apply.
   • Tip: Bring valid photo ID for both partners and any required divorce or name-changedocumentation if applicable.
2. Self‑solemnization (you can officiate yourselves)
   • Colorado permits self‑solemnization, meaning couples may legally exchange vows without a third‑party officiant. Shay and Andrew chose this for an intimate, personal ceremony.
   • Tip: Decide beforehand who will complete and sign the marriage paperwork immediately after the ceremony, and confirm filing procedures with the clerk’s office.
3. Witnesses and filing
   • Colorado does not require witnesses for the marriage certificate. Still, confirm the county clerk’s specific process for returning the signed license. Shay and Andrew recorded their marriage at the courthouse in their hoodies before heading into the woods.

Location, permits, and vendors

1. Choosing the spot
   • Public lands (parks, overlooks, trails) sometimes require permits for ceremonies or professional photography. Shay and Andrew’s chosen forest spot did not require a photography permit; always check with the land manager or park service for current rules. (Or your photographer!)
   • Tip: If you want a truly private feel, scout locations early and confirm access at the time of year you plan to elope. Some places are not accessible in winter or shoulder seasons. 
2. Photographer and vendors
   • If you hire a professional photographer, verify whether their work is considered commercial (which can trigger permit requirements). For casual, non-commercial images, many trailheads and local areas allow photography without a permit — but rules change, so call ahead.
   • Tip: Share timing and weather concerns with vendors so everyone arrives prepared for cold, wet, or windy conditions.

Timing and weather — practical considerations

1. Light and timing
   • Plan your photography around golden hour or alpenglow for the most dramatic mountain light. Shay and Andrew timed their photos to capture the mountains’ glow at dusk.
   • Tip: Allow extra time for travel, changing footwear, and brief pauses to warm up if needed.
2. Cold-weather prep
   • Even in spring or fall, mountain air can be sharply cold. Shay and Andrew chose to stand barefoot for part of their ceremony, and temperatures dipped below 40°F by the end. Bring warm layers, hand warmers, and a dry blanket for between shots.
   • Tip: Consider wearing hiking boots in winter vs pumps to avoid discomfort or hypothermia risk during longer sessions.

The ceremony — keeping it intimate and legal

1. Simple, meaningful vows
   • Self‑solemnization invites focused, personal vows. Keep the ceremony short if it’s cold, but makeevery line intentional — a few meaningful sentences can carry more weight than a long script.
   • Tip: Practice your vows aloud once before the ceremony so nerves don’t lengthen the exposure to cold.  Don’t practice too much, because then you may sacrifice real emotion.
2. Signing and recording the license
   • Immediately after exchanging vows, complete and sign the marriage license per countyinstructions. Confirm who will return the license to the clerk for recording. Shay and Andrewcompleted recording at the courthouse that morning, ensuring the legal work was done beforetheir forest ceremony.

Practical checklist (based on Shay & Andrew’s day)

• Call the county clerk to schedule an in-person marriage license appointment.
• Bring photo IDs and any required legal documents.
• Confirm self‑solemnization steps with the clerk.
• Scout ceremony location and confirm permit requirements.
• Book a photographer and verify commercial permit needs.
• Plan timing around alpenglow/golden hour.
• Pack warm layers, hand warmers, and a blanket.
• Prepare vows.
• Sign and return the marriage license to the clerk’s office for recording.

Final thoughts

Shay and Andrew’s elopement is a reminder that marriage can be both legally simple and emotionally profound. With a few appointments, sensible planning for permits and weather, and a clear plan for filing the license, a courthouse morning and a forest ceremony can become a day full of quiet meaning — and gorgeous light.

Congratulations to Shay and Andrew — for choosing each other, for brave bare feet in the cold, and for a ceremony that sounds wonderfully theirs.

 

 

Check out this same location at sunrise! 

Here is another self officiating ceremony. 

Quick reference: Colorado marriage license — what you need to know (requirements, ID, non‑resident rules).