Self-Solemnization – Marry Yourself in Colorado

You can marry yourself in Colorado through something called self-solemnization. 

Colorado is THEE raddest place to get married, and the easiest. Couples can officiate their own wedding through self-solemnization, which means you can marry yourself without an officiant or witnesses. 

What is self-solemnization? 

“Okay, Kenzie, but what does this actually mean?” 

YOOO, self-solemnization means you can literally go pick up your marriage license, visit an epic spot, say your vows, sign that license, and turn it back it. BAM – you’re friggin’ married. If you want, your fur baby can even “sign” your license as a witness! Only certain counties allow it, so keep reading for more on that. Colorado is amazing – 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-solemnization is super simple! 

1. Pick a county to pick up your marriage license from. Denver County is usually busy, so I tell my couples to go to a different county that’s close by, like Jefferson, Adams, Douglas, or Arapahoe counties. Click here to see more info! Arapahoe and Denver County do NOT allow your dog to sign with their paw print. 

2. Apply for your marriage license within 35 days of your elopement. It’s $30, plus a 2.5% fee if you use a credit or debit card, and requires a social security number and form of identification from both you and bae. 

3. Say “I do” and marry yourselves anywhere in Colorado thanks to self-solemnization! 

4. Send the license back within 63 days of your elopement. 

Benefits of Self-Solemnization for Elopements 

There are so many benefits to self-solemnization in Colorado. For example: 

• No awkward agenda. Most officiants have a script or a list of things they’ll be saying to guide your ceremony. Sometimes it may be too religious for your liking or they might just be a little awkward. By cutting out the need for an officiant, your agenda is the only one that matters. 
   

• Your dog can sign as a witness. YES! As if Colorado couldn’t get any cooler, your fur baby can play a big part in your elopement or wedding day. But remember, if you got your marriage license in Arapahoe or Denver County, your doggo will NOT be allowed to sign for you. 
   

• Endless epic adventures. Renting a badass jeep to explore Telluride? Hiking up to the top of a mountain? 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 need to be ordained or know any cheesy scripts. After that, they can sign your marriage license, too, if you’d like. 
   

• Your ceremony is up to you. You and bae can plan an elopement that lasts only a few minutes or a full hour. Say your vows out loud or choose a silent, intimate ceremony by exchanging letters. 
   

What does self-solemnization look like? 

Self-solemnization can look however you want! I know it might seem weird to be in charge of your own ceremony, but here are some examples of what my couples have done in the past. 

• Vows are exchanged, then champagne is popped! (With Leave No Trace in mind of course) 
   

• Write letters to each other and exchange them at your ceremony spot. These letters can be read standing back-to-back or in private before seeing each other. 
   

• If you invite friends or family, find a way to include them in your ceremony. They could do a reading or share sweet words about your relationship. 
   

• Share your vows, seal the day with an epic kiss, toast champagne, and enjoy a sweet little picnic. To end your elopement day, couples love to cuddle up in a cozy cabin in the mountains or explore some of the many breweries in Colorado. 

Self-solemnization ceremonies are beautiful because the keeps your agenda at the forefront, allow you to stay focused on your story, and leave any judgment out of the equation. I help all my couples plan their ceremonies with self-solemnization in mind, so they can focus on the fun stuff. 

Self-Solemnization FAQs 

Is our marriage legal in all states if we choose self-solemnization? 

YES! As long as the marriage license is from a state that allows self-uniting marriage, you’re legally married everywhere. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, you can still choose self-solemnization 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. This gives you more flexibility to make your ceremony unique and special by choosing someone who is important to you. 

Our original plans got ruined. We want to self-solemnize now and have a traditional wedding later. Is that possible? 

Absolutely! You’ll just already be legally married at your traditional wedding celebration, so there won’t be a need to sign another marriage license or have another ceremony. 

Can we have guests at our self-solemnization ceremony? 

Yes! Guests do not affect self-solemnization whatsoever. 

Self-solemnization 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. It removes the need for unnecessary, performative “wedding traditions,” letting your day be something special and intentional for the both of you. 

Does self-solemnizing sound perfect for you and bae? 

---

Does self-solemnizing sound perfect for you and bae?