Can you marry yourself in Colorado? Yes, it’s call Self Solemnization.
Colorado is THEE raddest place to get married, and the easiest. Couples can officiate their own wedding through something called Self Solemnization. Self-Solemnization means you can marry yourself without an officiant or witnesses.
Solemnization Meaning
“Okay, Kenzie, but what does this actually mean?”
YOOO, It means you can literally go pick up your marriage license, visit an epic spot, say those kickass vows, sign that license, and turn it back it. BAM – you’re friggin’ married. Bring your fur baby, they can sign your license as a witness. Yes, I’m not kidding. Colorado is amazing, do you need more reason to elope here? You could quite literally go on a hike and come back married. Most importantly, you can have a wedding day that’s intentional and unique.
How to Self Solemnize in Colorado
Self Solemnizing is super simple!
- Pick a county to pick up your license from. Denver County is usually busy so choosing a nearby county would be more likely. Click here to see more info!
- Apply for your marriage license within 35 days of your elopement. It’s $30 and it requires both parties social security numbers & form of identification.
- Say I do and Marry yourselves anywhere in Colorado through Self Solemnization.
- Send the license back within 63 days of your elopement.
Benefits to Self-Solemnizing Elopements
This might sound bias, but self solemnization has so many benefits that it outweighs any negatives. For instance:
- No awkward Agenda – Most officiants have a script or a list of things they’ll be saying to “MC” your ceremony. Sometimes they’re too religious for your liking and sometimes they might just be a little awkward. Sometimes, they just don’t fit you and bae. By cutting out the need for an officiant, your agenda is the only agenda that matters.
- Your Dog can sign as a Witness – YES! As if Colorado could get any cooler, it’s cool with your fur baby being a bigger part of your elopement day. In other words, just call your fur babies your babies of honor.
- Endless Epic Adventures – Renting a badass jeep to explore Telluride? Hiking up to the top of a 14er? The adventures are endless because there is no one else to worry about but you two.
- A Friend can lead the Ceremony – Have a friend or family member that played a huge part in your relationship? Ask them to lead the ceremony! They do not have to get ordained or know any cheesy scripts. After that, they can go ahead and sign your marriage license too if you’d like.
- Your Ceremony is up to You – You can plan an elopement that lasts only a few minutes or a full hour. You can say your vows out loud or have a silent ceremony with exchanged letter. For instance, some couples like to signify their vows through a private dance or exchanging poems.
What does it look like to self-solemnize?
It can look however you’d like! I know it can seem weird to almost be your own MC but here are some examples of what couples have done. As a result, the options can be incredibly overwhelming. Here’s some ideas to start:
- Vows are exchanged, then Champagne is popped! (With Leave No Trace in mind of course)
- Write letters to each other and exchange them at the location. These letters can be read back to back or in private at the AirBnB before seeing each other.
- If you invite friends or family, create an itinerary for them. Sometimes there are readings or some sweet words by family members.
- Reading of the vows, epic kiss, champagne toast, and a sweet little picnic. To conclude your elopement, couples love to cuddle up in a kick-ass cabin in the mountains or explore many breweries here in Colorado.
Self Solemnization is beautiful because it keeps your agenda at the forefront, allows you to stay focused on your story, and leaves the judging out of the equation. I help all my couples plan their sweet self solemnizing ceremony so they can focus on the fun stuff.
Self-Solemnization FAQs
Is our marriage legal in all states if we self-solemnize?
YES! As long as the marriage license is from the state that allows self-uniting marriage, you’re legally married everywhere. To clarify – it doesn’t matter where you’re from, you can self solemnize in Colorado and go home married.
Can we still have an officiant even though we are self-solemnizing?
Yep! Your officiant doesn’t even have to be ordained to “officiate” your wedding, so there is more room to make your ceremony unique and special to you and bae by choosing someone who is special to you.
COVID-19 ruined our original plans. We want to self-solemnize now and have a traditional wedding later, is this possible?
Absolutely! You’ll just be legally married already at your traditional wedding celebration so there won’t be a need to sign another marriage license or have another ceremony. I highly recommend hiring a kick ass videographer like Tasha Joy Media or Castlehouse Videography to film your ceremony to show at your more traditional wedding or celebration later!
Can we have guests at our self-solemnization ceremony?
Yes! This does not affect your self-solemnization whatsoever.
Self Solemnizing is such an empowering way to make the best day of your life everything you want it to be and nothing that you don’t. A memory only you and bae will have, or maybe you share your self-solemnization with a few loved ones. Self Solemnization removes the need for unnecessary, performative, “wedding traditions.” As a result, your “I do” day becomes something special and intentional for the both of you.
Take back your wedding day.
Does self-solemnizing sound perfect for you and bae?
"Hiring McKenzie to photograph our wedding was single-handedly the best decision we made when planning our wedding. Wedding planning and vendor research was so stressful, and once we had Kenzie, she stepped in as support and helped us with narrowing down things that were important to us and to figure out what we really wanted. wish we could get married over and over again just to recreate these and work with Kenzie again! "
Nadia + Daniel
"You will not find another wedding photographer who has the McKenzie signature style- she can capture the absolute beauty of the area and people all at once. She can shoot in a variety of settings and lightings and the photos are all gorgeous. One of the main reasons we booked McKenzie was the fact that she showcases a diverse clientele and finds beauty in all beings- something not all photographers can say.As a plus size bride who was extremely worried about looking back at my wedding pictures with dread that I wouldn't look like those gorgeous girlies on Instagram- this meant so much to me. "
Sydnie + Nathan
"When we got engaged, we searched near and far for an elopement photographer - & we met with several different photographers but none felt right until we met McKenzie. My husband, my dog and I are avid hikers - we wanted a beautiful hike and view, but it was also very important that we could be our authentic selves and intimately celebrate our 10 years together in the way we wanted. I'll be honest, I was shy about wanting to elope (ya know, family opinions and such), but McKenzie made us feel so comfortable in our decision. She wholeheartedly welcomed us being.. us! We couldn't have asked for more."
