Provides wedding officiant and ordained minister services in Denver, Colorado.

Ask Michael, an ordained minister in Denver, author, and podcast host to preside over your wedding ceremony in Colorado today!

Colorado Mountain Elopement Officiant for Luxury Alpine Weddings


Private Colorado Elopements in the Mountains, Alpine Lakes, and High-Altitude Wilderness

For couples who envision exchanging vows beside a crystal-clear alpine lake, on a windswept ridge above treeline, or in a secluded mountain meadow at sunrise, a Colorado mountain elopement offers intimacy without compromise.

Michael Moody is a Colorado wedding officiant and ordained minister specializing in premium mountain elopements within seven hours of Denver — including Aspen, Telluride, Vail, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Estes Park, Boulder, Golden, Ouray, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Each ceremony is custom-written and intentionally designed for couples who value privacy, natural beauty, and a refined experience in extraordinary landscapes. Michael focuses on meaning, refinement, emotional architecture, and intentional ceremony design of your dream wedding. Contact him today, and he will help you bring it to life!


Premium Colorado Elopement Locations (Within 7 Hours of Denver)

Whether you prefer a moderate scenic hike or a more rugged backcountry ascent, Colorado offers some of the most iconic elopement destinations in the United States:

Alpine Lake Elopements

  • Blue Lakes (Ridgway / Telluride)

  • Ice Lake Basin (Silverton)

  • Maroon Bells (Aspen)

  • Brainard Lake (Boulder)

  • Emerald Lake (Rocky Mountain National Park)

Mountain Pass & Overlook Ceremonies

  • Loveland Pass

  • Independence Pass (Aspen)

  • Guanella Pass (Georgetown)

  • Kebler Pass (Crested Butte)

  • Boreas Pass (Breckenridge)

Luxury Mountain Town Elopements

  • Telluride

  • Aspen

  • Vail

  • Crested Butte

  • Breckenridge

  • Boulder

  • Golden

Every location is evaluated for privacy, permit requirements, seasonal accessibility, lighting, and hiking intensity to ensure a seamless and elevated experience.


Premium Colorado Elopement Packages

Designed for couples seeking a refined, guided, and meaningful ceremony in the Colorado mountains.

Intimate Alpine Ceremony

Starting at $1,495

Ideal for couples who want a beautifully written ceremony in a scenic mountain setting.

Includes:

  • Custom-written elopement ceremony

  • Personalized vow guidance and refinement

  • Marriage license signing

  • Location planning consultation

  • Permit guidance (if applicable)

  • Vendor coordination with photographer

  • Travel within 2 hours of Denver

Adventure Elopement Experience

Starting at $2,400

For couples hiking to a secluded alpine lake, summit overlook, or remote mountain location.

Includes:

  • Custom luxury elopement ceremony

  • In-depth planning consultation

  • Personalized vow writing support

  • Timeline design for optimal lighting (sunrise or sunset)

  • Coordination with photographer

  • Trail and accessibility planning

  • Permit research and assistance

  • Travel within 4 hours of Denver

  • Limited weekday and off-season availability

Destination Colorado Mountain Elopement

Starting at $3,800

For iconic destinations such as Telluride, Aspen, Crested Butte, and multi-day mountain experiences.

Includes:

  • Fully customized ceremony script

  • Comprehensive planning and strategy calls

  • Vendor collaboration

  • Location scouting guidance

  • Permit navigation support

  • Timeline creation

  • Travel anywhere within 7 hours of Denver

  • Priority booking dates

Videography services are not included but may be coordinated with preferred vendors.


Colorado Elopement Planning Considerations

Permits & Regulations

Many locations such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Maroon Bells, and Blue Lakes require special use permits. Early planning is essential.

Seasonal Strategy

  • Summer: Wildflowers and alpine lakes

  • Fall: Golden aspens (Telluride, Kebler Pass)

  • Winter: Snow-covered peaks near Breckenridge and Vail

  • Spring: Quieter access near Boulder and Golden foothills

Altitude & Accessibility

Locations range from 8,000 to 12,000+ feet. Hiking ability, acclimation, and safety are prioritized in planning discussions.


Why Couples Choose a Colorado Mountain Elopement

  • Privacy without a guest list

  • Elevated, meaningful ceremony experience

  • Iconic backdrops without ballroom formality

  • Ability to hike to a secluded alpine lake

  • Luxury adventure instead of traditional reception

A mountain elopement is not a smaller wedding. It is a deliberate, refined choice.


Colorado Elopement Officiant Serving

  • Denver

  • Boulder

  • Golden

  • Rocky Mountain National Park

  • Breckenridge

  • Vail

  • Aspen

  • Telluride

  • Crested Butte

  • Ouray

  • Silverton

  • Frisco

  • Estes Park

  • All Colorado mountain regions within 7 hours of Denver


Begin Planning Your Colorado Mountain Elopement

If you are considering a luxury Colorado elopement in the mountains — whether a sunrise alpine lake ceremony or a private Telluride ridge experience — begin the conversation early to secure seasonal availability.

Schedule a consultation today!


About Michael Moody

Michael Moody is a Denver wedding officiant and ordained minister, serving couples across LoDo, RiNo, Highlands/LoHi, Cherry Creek, Washington Park, and Capitol Hill—and throughout Colorado, including Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Vail, Aspen, and Estes Park. He’s the author of Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of The Elements of Being podcast, bringing a calm, thoughtful presence to every non-religious ceremony. Michael also provides same-sex marriages and integrates many ethnic and cultural traditions into his celebrations. Since 2012, he has officiated over 300 weddings, earning consistent recognition, including the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award (2023), Three Best Rated “Best Business” (2024, 2025, 2026), and Quality Business Awards USA “Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, CO” (2024). Michael’s 2 years of acting with the Guerrilla Theater Troupe in 1999 and 2000 have undoubtedly prepared him to improvise whenever and wherever needed.


Why Denver Couples Choose Michael

  • Local expertise: Deep familiarity with Denver neighborhoods, venues, and vendor teams.

  • Personalized ceremonies: Tailored scripts, readings, and vows that reflect each couple’s story.

  • Professional guidance: A clear process, steady leadership, and a warm, confident delivery.


Philosophy & Ceremony Approach

Grounded in health, happiness, and mindfulness after 20 years of study in psychology, Michael’s approach as a Denver ordained minister centers on presence, meaning, and connection. His writing and speaking draw on the optimism of the couples he serves and the character of the communities he calls home. Michael believes that marriage strengthens each partner—creating the energy and passion to take on goals that might not be pursued alone. Every ceremony is crafted to honor that strength: authentic, inclusive, and focused on the love that brought you together.

Wedding Officiant

Michael Moody, Denver Wedding Officiant and Ordained Minister in Denver and the many Colorado Towns / Photo Credit: Elevate Photography

 

Experience You Can Trust

Since 2012, Michael Moody has combined a holistic background in health, mindfulness, and communication to publish his book and serve as a trusted Denver wedding officiant and ordained minister for hundreds of ceremonies. Couples describe his celebrations as personal, memorable, and genuinely unique—crafted to sound like you.

See the proof: Explore Michael’s ordained minister reviews to hear directly from Denver and Colorado couples.



“Truly, a marriage based on a foundation of trust, faith, and commitment will make your marriage successful no matter what. Trust to keep you open and honest with each other. Faith in each other to allow you to overcome doubt and adversity. Perhaps most importantly, commitment to keep you true to the promises you make to each other today.”


Ordained Minister Denver

Ordained Minister Denver


“As you do these things, your love will continue to grow and flourish. Your burdens will seem lighter because you divide them; your joys will become more intense because you share them; Your marriage will make each of you stronger so you will have the energy and passion to do things you might not choose to do alone.”


Wedding Ceremonies in Colorado

Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Littleton, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Vail, Aspen, Estes Park, Golden, and more. If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please get in touch with Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!



 

"I am so happy we had Michael Moody officiate our wedding! He did an amazing job! From the outset, Michael was very professional and helpful. He sat down with us, helped us organize our entire wedding ceremony, and provided great advice on the order of everything. He even provided us with sample readings and vows, which were awesome! He was very responsive with all our emails and answered all our questions as well. And on our wedding day, Michael was phenomenal! He ensured that everything was in order and that everyone involved in the wedding ceremony knew their roles and responsibilities, making the whole process stress-free. He did a wonderful job tailoring the wedding ceremony to just what we wanted, and we couldn't have been any happier with the whole thing."

- Selina K.

Wedding Ceremony at the Sanctuary Golf Course

Wedding Ceremony at the Sanctuary Golf Course / Photo Credit: Elevate Photography


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Denver, Colorado Office (By Appointment Only)