Best Small Wedding Venues In Colorado
Best Small Wedding Venue in Colorado
Affordable. Outdoor. Lodging. Adventure. Love. Colorado’s got it all when it comes to stunning venues for small weddings and elopements. If you’re dreaming of saying “I do” surrounded by mountains, lakes, and maybe a moose or two (respectfully at a distance), you’re in for a treat.
Why You Should Elope in Colorado
First let’s talk about why you want to elope in Colorado. The biggest and best draw of it all is Colorado’s natural majesty. It might be a bit cliche, and might sound a bit corny, but Colorado is truly MAGICAL. It’s got everything you could want. Whether it’s a cozy cabin elopement for 2 or a 20 mile hike up and down 14ers, Colorado has your back.
Two other awesome reasons – your fur-babies can legally witness your marriage license and you can even self-solemnize, meaning you don’t need an officiant!
Quick Picks for Your Dream Venue
Affordable Wedding Venues
Sapphire Point Overlook
• Sunrise Amphitheater
• Dillon Reservoir Pavilion
• Garden of the Gods – Jaycee Plaza & High Point
• Maroon Bells Amphitheater
• Lily Lake
• Windy Point Campground
• Halfway House
Outdoor Wedding Venues
• The Observatory at Alta Lakes
• Sapphire Point Overlook
• Julia’s Deck
• Top of the Pines
• Vail Wedding Deck
• Lunch Rock at Winter Park Ski Resort
Venues with Lodging
• The Lodge at Breckenridge
• San Sophia Overlook
• Bristlecone Inn
• Tigiwon Community House
• Main Street Station
Affordable Wedding Venues
1. Sapphire Point Overlook
• Pricing: $120 for a two-hour reservation.
• Guests: Up to 35.
• Availability: Year-round, but high demand in summer and fall.
2. Sunrise Amphitheater
• Pricing: $100–$400.
• Guests: Up to 150.
• Availability: Book early, especially for peak season weekends.
3. Dillon Reservoir Pavilion
• Pricing: $300–$1,500.
• Guests: Up to 100.
• Availability: Year-round; weekends book up quickly.
4. Garden of the Gods – Jaycee Plaza & High Point
• Pricing: Free for small ceremonies. Permit required for groups over 15.
• Guests: Jaycee Plaza fits up to 50; High Point is best for smaller groups.
• Availability: First-come, first-served.
Outdoor Wedding Venues
1. The Observatory at Alta Lakes
• Pricing: $2,000–$9,500 depending on guest count and season.
• Guests: Up to 45 outdoors; up to 12 for indoor events.
• Availability: Year-round for small groups, mid-June to mid-October for larger groups.
2. Julia’s Deck
• Pricing: Free for small gatherings; permitting may apply.
• Guests: Best for groups under 20.
• Availability: Accessible seasonally based on snow conditions.
3. Top of the Pines
• Pricing: $500–$3,000 depending on group size and event type.
• Guests: Up to 200, though smaller groups enjoy a more intimate vibe.
• Availability: Summer and fall only.
4. Lunch Rock at Winter Park Ski Resort
• Pricing: Starts at $2,500 for private event spaces.
• Guests: Up to 120.
• Availability: Summer and winter options; gondola access required.
Venues with Lodging
1. The Lodge at Breckenridge
• Pricing: $2,500–$8,000 depending on the package and season.
• Guests: Accommodates up to 75.
• Availability: Year-round.
2. San Sophia Overlook
• Pricing: Packages start at $4,000.
• Guests: Up to 250 (though it’s perfect for smaller gatherings).
• Availability: Summer and fall; gondola access required.
3. Tigiwon Community House
• Pricing: $300–$500.
• Guests: Up to 50.
• Availability: Summer only; 4WD access required.
4. Main Street Station
• Pricing: Packages vary; inquire for details.
• Guests: Accommodates up to 200, but smaller weddings fit perfectly.
• Availability: Year-round.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Small Wedding Venue
Planning your Colorado wedding involves more than picking a pretty spot (although, let’s be real, they’re all gorgeous). Here are some key factors to consider to ensure your big day goes off without a hitch:
1. Privacy
• Many outdoor venues, like Sapphire Point or Garden of the Gods, are semi-public, meaning you might share the space with hikers or visitors.
• For exclusivity, venues like The Lodge at Breckenridge or San Sophia Overlook offer private event options.
2. Cost
• Colorado offers options for all budgets, from free spots like Lily Lake to luxury experiences at San Sophia Overlook. Decide what works best for your vision and budget.
3. Season
• Summer and fall are peak wedding seasons, especially at mountain venues like Maroon Bells or Julia’s Deck.
• Winter weddings are magical but may require 4WD or gondola access for venues like Lunch Rock or Tigiwon Community House.
4. Accessibility
• Consider how easy it is for guests (and vendors!) to reach the venue. Remote spots like Alta Lakes Observatory are breathtaking but require planning for transportation.
• For ease of access, venues like Dillon Reservoir Pavilion or Main Street Station are great choices.
5. Permits & Restrictions
• Many outdoor venues require permits for ceremonies and professional photography, like Sunrise Amphitheater or Top of the Pines.
• Review any limitations on decorations, sound, and guest capacity.
6. Weather & Backup Plans
• Colorado’s weather can change in an instant. Always have a Plan B in case of rain, snow, or wind (looking at you, mountain peaks!).
By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll not only find the perfect venue but also ensure your wedding day is smooth, stress-free, and as epic as the Colorado views.
Why Colorado Is Perfect for Small Weddings
Colorado’s natural beauty provides a stunning backdrop no matter where you tie the knot. With options ranging from budget-friendly to luxurious, you’ll find a venue that fits your vibe, your budget, and your guest list.
Whether you’re envisioning an intimate ceremony on a mountaintop or a cozy celebration at a lodge, Colorado has it all. Plus, by following Leave No Trace principles, you’ll keep the state as magical as you found it.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your partner, your hiking boots, and your “we’re doing this!” energy, and make your wedding day unforgettable.
We’ve broken down the best venues into affordable, outdoor, and venues with lodging, because we know you’re trying to have the wedding of your dreams without losing sleep (or your wallet). Let’s jump in like Ted Lasso hyping up his team before a big game.
How to Choose Your Elopement Location
Now that you’ve learned about some of the most beautiful places to elope in Colorado, you’re probably wondering, how do we pick? Here’s a quick step by step process:
Step 1 – Dream Big
Step 2 – Make a list of locations
Step 3 – Logistics / Money / Timing
Step 4 – Narrow down the selection
Step 1 – Dream Big
First and most important – you’ll want to spend some time talking about your ideal elopement day. What does it feel like? What’s the weather like? The season? What’s the scenery? Do you have mountains in the background, beaches, hills, desert? Once you figure out these important details you can move to number 2!
Step 2 – Make a List of Locations
Once you have your list of ideal elopement feels, you can start creating a list of which locations match those details.
Step 3 – Logistics, Money, Timing
Now that you have your list of locations, start looking up the logistics. Where exactly are they located? Can you get to them? If you have guests coming, can they get to that spot? Are permits needed, and if so, can you obtain them? What’s the total cost of locking down this location between permits, travel, lodging etc…
Step 4 – Choose your Locations!
Once you’ve answered all those questions you’ll have a pretty condensed list of the best places to elope in Colorado for you and your boo! One last thing to consider is backup locations. Adventures in nature can always encounter unforeseen changes, like road closures, trail closures, adverse weather. So when choosing a place, choose one that has favorite backup locations close by!
Want A Free Guide & Checklist to Plan Your Elopement?
This Guide and Checklist was created to make your life a whole lot easier – so you can just focus on being present and enjoying the moment!
Download the Ultimate Elopement Planning Guide and Checklist
HINT HINT – HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PLACES TO ELOPE IN COLORADO
Talk to an expert at Colorado elopement locations – like me! Hey, I’m Adam and my biggest joy is helping you create the best damn day of your life. Colorado and it’s mountains are my home, so you’re in good hands when you ask me about locations. Feel free to reach out for a free chat and to learn more 🙂
How To Elope In Colorado
Eloping in Colorado is super easy! The two most common ways to elope are 1. Legally 2. Commitment Ceremony.
Legally getting married in Colorado is very easy. You will want to contact a county clerk in Colorado to obtain a marriage license. You’ll need to sign and return it and then boom, ya married! One of the coolest things about Colorado is that you don’t need to legally have witnesses or an officiant for your wedding. That’s right, you can self-solemnize!
If you don’t want to legally get married, you can always have a commitment ceremony.
Here are some guides on how to do all three:
1. How to Get Married in Colorado
2. Ultimate Guide to a Commitment Ceremony
3. Can You Marry Yourself? Self-solemnization Guide
When to Elope In Colorado
The seasons in Colorado are very distinct and will really have a big say in how you experience your elopement day. So let’s dive into the different seasons:
1. Summer Elopements
Summer is one of the most fun times for an elopement. It typically has the most comfortable weather in the mountains – warm during the day and cool at night. The Milky way is at it’s most glorious in the summer. The lake ice has melt and there’s no snow. You can expect afternoon showers and thunderstorms in the mountains, but otherwise you’re looking at one of the best times to elope.
2. Fall Elopements
Fall can be a magical time in Colorado. The trees start changing colors, especially the Aspens! You get waves and waves of golden leaves for as far as the eyes can see. The weather is a bit less warm during the day, and much cooler at night. The days start getting shorter. You can expect snow to start being a regular friend in the mountains starting in mid October. The later you go the more we get into mud season where the ground alternates between mud, snow, wet, dry, cold, making outdoor adventures a little bit more difficult to plan.
3. Winter Elopements
Winter elopements offer tons of fun activities and things to do! Don’t let the cold weather (and it can get very cold at high altitudes) deter you. This is prime time for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiles, warm cozy cabins, dogsledding and more! I also personally think the mountains are the most gorgeous during the winter. This is a great time to get married!
4. Spring Elopements
Spring elopements are a bit tricky in Colorado. The heaviest snow falls in February and March, with occasional big snowfalls in April. May and June tend to be mud season in much of the mountains. As the days get longer and warmer, the snow starts to melt, causing muddy trails. The trails fully melt out sometime in June (it’s impossible to know exactly when), with higher altitude trails melting out sometime in early July. There are still plenty of adventures to love and places to go! Spring is for the truly flexible who want magical experiences.
Weekday VS Weekend
I always encourage my couples to choose an elopement day on a weekday. The trails have fewer people so you get more of an intimate experience. You can still do a weekend, just expect far more people to be present. Sometimes other vendors cost less for a weekday service as opposed to a weekend.
Sunrise or Sunset?
This is both a personal preference and logistical question. Some locations are better for one or the other based on their position within the mountains. Some locations work best for sunrise because they bask the mountains with sunrise, and vice versa. As for personal preference – some people are morning peeps, and love to wake up early and are down to adventure early to start their day. Other’s would prefer to coast easily into the day and have a romantic sunset. Sunrise’s tend to be more adventurous because ya gotta wake up super early and won’t see your location until the sun rises.
Meet the Best Colorado Elopement Photographer for You
Hi there! I’m Adam, and my favorite thing in the world is helping couples just like you plan their perfect Colorado elopement. Whatever your ideal day looks like, I’m here to help you make it happen.
If you’re ready to start planning or just have some questions to decide which elopement package is right for you, I’d love to hear from you.