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.
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.”
“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.