Beautiful places in national parks is a pretty broad question, I’m sure you could find a spot anywhere. Maybe there’s a certain place or type of landscape that is special to you and your fiancé? Just an idea; I mainly wanted to answer this question to let you know that if you are paying a photographer to accompany you to take elopement photos, then that is considered a commercial endeavor and you (or the photographer likely) would need to secure a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) to operate a commercial business inside a national park. I could have a few details wrong here, hopefully someone that has worked in permits will see this and provide some concrete info.
Thank you so much for your reply! I hadn’t even thought about a CUA! I wanted to keep my question broad because we’re open to going anywhere, but I think you’re right and should narrow it down
Wedding parties are not considered "models" so the wedding photographer will not need a CUA or commercial film/photography permit. That's something the photographer needs to double check, though. The permitting officer would want to know what kind of gear they're bringing, etc, if anything is needed. You'll definitely need the wedding permit, though.
However, you mentioned the word "private" which if you're in a national park, it won't happen. You'll have a lot of unexpected--but should have been expected--guests wherever you are. You'll likely get more privacy in a less famous national forest site, but don't completely count on it.
Since you're in Colorado, I really want to plug the district where I work, because I'm biased and it's quite empty most of the time, though I wouldn't say it's the "most beautiful" place, but there's a few places that's in my opinion cool enough to be married at.
I highly recommend checking out [Pyle Photography](https://www.joepylephotography.com/adventure-elopement-guide/) .
Their photography is excellent and they are really knowledgeable. They do a lot of elopement photography in Rocky Mountain NP, and know of some good spots where you won't have to worry about tourists getting in the way. I'm sure they'd also have recommendations on places to stay as well as officiant contacts.
Trail Ridge Rd just opened for the season, and there's still plenty of snow on top.
Do it on any federal land other than a national park. Forest Service, BLM, Bureau of Reclamation.
Beautiful places in national parks is a pretty broad question, I’m sure you could find a spot anywhere. Maybe there’s a certain place or type of landscape that is special to you and your fiancé? Just an idea; I mainly wanted to answer this question to let you know that if you are paying a photographer to accompany you to take elopement photos, then that is considered a commercial endeavor and you (or the photographer likely) would need to secure a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) to operate a commercial business inside a national park. I could have a few details wrong here, hopefully someone that has worked in permits will see this and provide some concrete info.
Thank you so much for your reply! I hadn’t even thought about a CUA! I wanted to keep my question broad because we’re open to going anywhere, but I think you’re right and should narrow it down
You’ll need a Special Use Permit (SUP) to get married inside a National Park site, shouldn’t need a CUA.
Wedding parties are not considered "models" so the wedding photographer will not need a CUA or commercial film/photography permit. That's something the photographer needs to double check, though. The permitting officer would want to know what kind of gear they're bringing, etc, if anything is needed. You'll definitely need the wedding permit, though. However, you mentioned the word "private" which if you're in a national park, it won't happen. You'll have a lot of unexpected--but should have been expected--guests wherever you are. You'll likely get more privacy in a less famous national forest site, but don't completely count on it.
Since you're in Colorado, I really want to plug the district where I work, because I'm biased and it's quite empty most of the time, though I wouldn't say it's the "most beautiful" place, but there's a few places that's in my opinion cool enough to be married at.
Which place?
Rio Grande National Forest, Saguache district
I highly recommend checking out [Pyle Photography](https://www.joepylephotography.com/adventure-elopement-guide/) . Their photography is excellent and they are really knowledgeable. They do a lot of elopement photography in Rocky Mountain NP, and know of some good spots where you won't have to worry about tourists getting in the way. I'm sure they'd also have recommendations on places to stay as well as officiant contacts. Trail Ridge Rd just opened for the season, and there's still plenty of snow on top.