Rules & Etiquette for Rocky Mountain National Park Weddings: Elopement Dos and Don'ts

Jul 25

Rocky Mountain National Park weddings are currently increasing in popularity. This is because couples are able to have their wedding ceremony in some of the most picturesque locations for the low price of $300. If you're willing to hike far enough, you will be able to exchange your vows, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and majestic lakes.

If you, too, are one of those lucky couples, here is a comprehensive list of small wedding dos and don'ts with some etiquette tips for your Rocky Mountain National Park wedding.

Things To Do At Your Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding

A significant difference between a normal wedding venue and the Rocky Mountain National Park is that the latter is a national treasure. Around 4.5 million people visit the park every year, and a hefty portion of these are wedding parties. So, while you are enjoying your special day with your dearly beloved, you must stay conscious of your surroundings.

Adhere To Park Rules

The park rules are set so that the parks are well-preserved and the wildlife and other visitors are well-protected. Especially since most of nature is in danger due to careless human behavior, neglect and pollution, we must take extra steps to protect natural jewels such as the Rocky Mountain National Park. If you feel at least a little bit of love for the place that would make your wedding day so special (trust me, you will), help the future generations enjoy these majestic spaces too.

Keep In Your Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Permit In Order

You must keep your Rocky Mountain National Park special-use wedding permit with you at all times, with each person in your wedding party keeping copies with them at all times. These permits must be produced every time a park ranger asks to see them when they're making their rounds.

You must also always remember that your reservation is only valid for two hours. After that, you and your wedding party have to finish up the wedding ceremony. But, don't worry, you are allowed to stay as long as you'd like to take your wedding photos.

Remember That The Park Is Still a Public Domain

Just because you have a Rocky Mountain National Park wedding permit, it does not mean your wedding ceremony site will be exclusive to only you and your wedding party. Other guests are free to roam in and look. Though this might make it feel less intimate, visitors often look at you in delight, not judgment.

But, a sign in Lily Lake Pond informs you of your right to ask non-wedding guests to leave the premises as long as you still have your Rocky Mountain National Park permit.

Things Not To Do At Your Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding

As stated before, the Rocky Mountain National Park is not a private wedding venue but public property. There are certain rules to follow when having your small wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park. Following these shows your decency as human beings and also adherence to park laws.

Leave No Trace Policy

This policy is a practical application of the concept that you love the Rocky Mountain National Park (and other public spaces) so much that you want to leave them in the same condition that you found it in. This consists of,

Staying off sensitive environments that stray off from the given trail
Taking what you brought with you - including décor, food and scraps
Not picking wildflowers and plants
Not feeding and approaching wildlife
The consumption of alcohol is not allowed in the park
The consumption of cannabis is not allowed in the park
Dogs are only allowed in Rocky Mountain National Park in specific areas, and must be kept on a leesh at all times.

No Loud Music
The Rocky Mountain National Park has dictated that music cannot be above 60 decibels so as not to disturb the general peace. Not even your officiant is allowed to bring sound amps or mics.

Rocky Mountain National park
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Bonus Etiquettes Tips For Small Weddings

Weddings, big or small, aren't just about the union of two people. There are a lot of moving parts, many people involved, feelings to consider, decisions to make etc. etc., even when having a small wedding; people often tend to forget basic etiquette or simply not know it exists. So, here are a few bonus etiquette tips for small weddings.

Don't Forget To Take Care Of Your Wedding Party

Your few chosen wedding guests are spending time and money by coming to your Rocky Mountain National Park wedding and devoting their whole day to your happiness. So, depending on your budget, give them a small token or gift of appreciation. This can range from necklaces to a gift basket of sweet treats.

The more intimate your wedding is, the more important this rule is, as you've chosen only a few people that matter the most to you to come to witness one of your happiest moments.

Feed Your Vendors

Your wedding photographers, officiants, planners and anyone else you hire for your special day will be working all day long to make your wedding as magical as possible. Even if the vendor does not stipulate in their contract that the clients must provide a hot meal (which they often do), it's good etiquette to prepare them a meal beforehand if they will be onsite for the entire event.

Be sure to ask your vendor if they have any allergies and dietary restrictions and provide their meal accordingly.

Send An Apology Note To Those Who Couldn't Make The Guest List

One of the most stressful things about planning your small wedding is determining who'll end up on your guest list. It would be delusional to think that feelings won't get hurt, especially if a person who was normally close to the couple doesn't make the cut.

To remedy this potentially catastrophic situation, send apology notes to the people who were expecting a wedding invite but didn't get one. This displays that you were thinking of this particular person and that it hurts you, too, for not being able to invite them. Potential recipients of the apology note would be extended family members, friends who are part of your outer social group and neighbors that you are close with.

Throw A Second Party

After your Rocky Mountain National Park wedding, with all its elaborate expenses and details, are over, you could organise a second party. This would be a casual get-together hosted a few weeks after the wedding and honeymoon, where you get to be a bit more liberal with the guest list. And the greatest part is that it wouldn't have all the financial burden or stress of inviting them to the actual wedding.

A truncheon or a backyard barbeque would suffice to help spread your newfound joy of married life while still making your guests feel wanted and cared for. Just make sure they know that gifts aren't necessary and it is their presence that counts.

Final Words

There are a lot of things to take into consideration when having your small wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park. But the most important thing to remember is that having a wedding means having to be conscious of other human beings' emotions and be considerate of one's surroundings.

This is even more important to keep in mind as you have been given the rare chance of having your dream wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park for extremely low prices. Following the above etiquette tips for having a small wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park is a surefire way to have an amazing wedding experience being a decent human being.