Mountain Wedding Venues in Colorado You May Have Overlooked
My List of Underrated Colorado Wedding Venues in the Mountains
There are multiple mountainous wedding venues in Colorado that you will consistently see on social media, Pinterest, or other “Best Of” guides. Today, I want to focus on beautiful wedding venue options that you may not have considered! Some of these are traditional wedding venues that offer space for larger crowds, while others are small and for micro-weddings or elopements. The main takeaway I want you to know is that there are so many options for where you can married in Colorado!
Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort (a.k.a., A-Basin)
Venue: Arapahoe Basin
Capacity: 200 Guests
Price: Starting prices range from $7,000-$15,000
The first venue on our list in Arapahoe Basin, A-Basin for short! Riding the chair lift to your ceremony site, a beautiful outdoor deck to enjoy cocktail hour on, and an classic ski lodge to host your reception – it has it all. Most people automatically think of places like Aspen, Vail, or Breckenridge as ski resorts to get married at, but A-Basin offers a close commute from the Front Range, an intimate setting, and cheaper costs than other resorts.
From my view, you’ll be hard pressed to find a venue with better picture opportunities. Riding the chair lift with your spouse, walking around the mountain basin with wildflowers, or even a short drive to the top of Loveland Pass – there are photographic gems everywhere!
Blue Coyote Ranch
Venue: Blue Coyote Ranch
Capacity: 128
Price: Starting prices range from $4,500-$13,000
Blue Coyote Ranch is the hidden gem of mountain properties. It has lodging, 360 degree views of the valley it’s nestled in, and the ideal mix of personal space while being close to town. It sits just a mile from downtown Salida which makes for easy access if guests stay off-property, and the owners are a wonderful, local couple who are incredibly well versed in the area!
From a photography standpoint, having mountain views in every direction is never a let down!
Redstone Inn
Venue: Redstone Inn
Due to it’s proximity to Aspen, this choice makes the list because it’s somewhat off the beaten path. Redstone, Colorado is unique hidden gem of The Roaring Fork Valley. Located 15 minutes outside of Carbondale down Highway 133, this is the ideal historic venue. In the summer you have access to the beautiful Crystal River, natural hot springs, and dozens of trails. In the fall, this canyon shines with the colors of changing cottonwoods and aspens, which makes it one of my favorite wedding venues in Colorado.
The hotel is equipped with a bridal chalet, plenty of rooms for guests, a restaurant, and a pool. This is one of my favorite areas for weddings and elopements – especially in the fall!
Balistreri Vineyards
Venue: Balistreri Vineyards
Capacity: 250 Guests
Price: Starting prices range from $1,800-$2,100
Nestled in the north side of Denver’s commercial and industrial neighborhood hides Balistreri Vineyards. From the moment you enter the reception hall you feel like you’ve been transported into another world all together, and with a huge, green yard area for ceremonies, you’d never even know that the neighborhood is mainly office buildings and warehouses. Their wine in fantastic, and they have a myriad of other bonuses like overflow parking, a picture-perfect cellar, and a adorable bridal suite!
National Forest
Venue: National Forest Land!
Capacity: Varies
Price: Varies
There are many parts of our National Forest and Parks system that have become quintessential venues for weddings and elopements, but most people don’t know that you can still have a marriage ceremony in most areas of national forest! Depending on the group size, different permits are required, but if you’re having a smaller wedding this may be the perfect option for you!
These photos include scenes from White River National Forest, Arapahoe National Forest, and Summit County!
Boulder County Open Space Shelters
Venue: Boulder County Open Space
Capacity: 50-100
Price: $100-$400
If you’re not looking to venture too deep into the mountains, Boulder County has you covered. There are multiple Open Space shelters that are regularly used for weddings like the Sunrise Amphitheater or Halfway House (pictured here)
With other photo-spot opportunities like Chautauqua Park or Lost Gulch Overlook, these options are for couples who want to still have access to town but still have their wedding in a natural environment. I grew up a block away from Chautauqua so it always has a special place in my heart!
Honorable Mention – Airbnb’s!
Venue: Airbnb
Capacity: Varies
Price: Varies greatly
Airbnbs have been a reliable option for years now to host a small to medium sized wedding. Even if it can’t accomodate all of your guests for lodging, many are still large enough for a ceremony, a reception, and any other activities you may want! In these two examples we have the opposite sides of the spectrum. One, a farmhouse outside of Boulder; the other, a ski-in-ski-out mansion in Breckenridge.
