5 Stunning Outdoor Wedding Venues in Colorado
You’ve found your soulmate. You’ve decided to get married. And, you’ve chosen the spectacular backdrop of Colorado to say “I do.”
Now comes the fun part of deciding on exactly where you want to exchange vows.
If you’ve Googled “Colorado Wedding Venues”, you’ve probably found pictures of scenic places like the Holy Cross wedding deck on Vail mountain. Or the wedding deck at The Little Nell.
Beautiful? No doubt. But what about all of the other options?
Well, here’s a few!
As a native and resident Coloridian - and from one nature-lover to another - here are some of my favorite outdoor wedding venues to help you narrow down your search.
Telluride San Sophia Overlook
The Telluride San Sophia Overlook is all about the experience. And, the first experience you and your guests will encounter is the stunning gondola ride up to the overlook.
Once you've made it to the top of the San Juan Mountains, you’ll find yourself surrounded by spruce trees and snow-capped mountains - which your (up to) 200 guests will get to view comfortably from the grassy amphitheater. And, you and your wedding party from the wooden platform deck.
After the ceremony, you’ll ride the gondola back to town. And, should you be looking for a delicious meal and comfortable environment for your reception, might I suggest one of Telluride’s flagship restaurants, Alreds.
But, not so fast. Because the best experience San Sophia has to offer is its sunsets.
Lots of locations in Colorado have stunning views, but truth be told, the lighting is terrible. But not at San Sophia. Because unlike other places where you're located in a valley where the sun sets behind the mountains, you're parallel with the horizon. Basically, you’re equal with the sun. Which means you get true sunset photos that result in some of the most picturesque wedding portraits I’ve had the privilege of taking. But don’t just take my word for it - see for yourself in Ross & Taylor’s gallery.
For those whom Colorado is a destination wedding location, note that Telluride is a six hour drive from Denver. And for me, or any Denver-based photographer to photograph there, will require some overnight lodging. But if you ask me, the light and views, and the fact that you don't have to bushwhack your way up the mountain to get there, makes it absolutely worth it.
Steamboat Flying Diamond Ranch
If 3,500 acres of serenity speaks to you, then the Flying Diamond Ranch might be your wedding venue of choice.
Located three hours from Denver and nestled within the Rocky Mountains, this lovely ranch features plenty of pretty places to tie the knot, mingle over cocktails, and dance the night away with a rockin’ DJ or band. And, with various lodging options, it’s as good a place as any to consider if you’re looking to host not just a wedding but to create a wedding weekend.
On property, you'll find separate cabins for you and your wedding party to get ready in. When it’s time for the ceremony, host your nuptials at the mountain view site located on the sloping grassy field where wildflowers bloom in the spring. From there, we can get photos in the meadow, then take a stroll to the aspen grove for cocktail hour and tented reception.
Having worked at the Flying Diamond Ranch a number of times, the staff is always friendly and accommodating, often offering to transport us around the venue so that you can get the photos you want - wherever that may be. And, in a timely manner.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch
For couples looking for a full wedding weekend experience, Devil's Thumb Ranch is also a great venue to consider.
Drive 75 miles from Denver and have this full-service resort and spa to yourself and your guests (should you want). Enjoy the mountains as your backdrop, ranch-to-table dining, and outdoor activities aplenty.
Similar to iconic properties like Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming, Devil’s Thumb serves as your weekend gathering HQ, providing all of the venues, lodging, and entertainment you could possibly desire.
There is spacious lodging, a Terrace ceremony site, the High Lonesome Barn reception venue, 35 guest rooms, a self-serve wine station, an outdoor patio and firepit, after-party areas, and so much more. You can even have miniature horses deliver local beer to your celebration!
The area itself is breathtaking as well. It's all tall peaks and sweeping valleys that make for stunning wedding photos. Devil's Thumb is actually a rocky outcropping (i.e., peaks) above the ranch. The Ute and Arapaho Native American tribes named it such after settling a feud they had had for years. Basically, burying the Devil and leaving only his thumb as a reminder of the evils of war.
Whether you find yourself on this side of Colorado at Devil's Thumb, or on the other side at Brush Creek Ranch, you’re guaranteed a multi-day, destination experience your guests won’t forget.
Piney River Ranch is the kind of place that's known more to locals than to tourists as it’s where people go during the summer to get away from town and connect with nature. So, if you're looking for that kind of experience, you'll definitely want to head into the mountains and down the back roads to this beauty of a venue.
But here's the thing: Piney River really is off the beaten path. It takes an hour to get there on a primitive road. And once you leave the town of Vail, navigation stops working. But, there is lodging on site. And the views make it totally worth it. In fact, the Gore mountain range is often confused for the Swiss Alps with its high mountain peaks, wildflower meadows, and scenic lakes.
An important thing to keep in mind when considering Piney River is that it is only open and accessible from June 21st until the last Saturday in September.
It is also worth mentioning that ceremony photos are backlit and portraits aren’t always taken in front of the mountains. This is because of the way the ceremony site is set up and how the sun sets in the west. Ceremony portraits will be backlit with the sun behind them. And I usually end up taking family and couple portraits in areas other than the ceremony site for lighting reasons.
There are a lot of beautiful outdoor wedding venues located in the mountains outside of Denver. But the further outside of Denver you go, the more logistical issues involved, like weather and transportation. But Spruce Mountain is the perfect culmination of striking mountain ranges and location.
Located in the foothills of Larkspur just an hour outside of Denver, it overlooks the Gore mountain range. So, you and your guests get the full destination, mountain wedding experience without the commute.
The venue is separated into the upper and lower ranch, with each having a variety of ceremony and reception locations. Indoor spaces have a lodge or barn feel and can be decorated in whatever style you like. And there is plenty of room for dancing and live entertainment.
For outdoor spaces, you can choose from a courtyard area, a garden, a lakeview terrace, or mountainside. Each of which offer ample opportunities for picturesque wedding photos.
Spruce Mountain is best if you want more flexibility with things like wedding design because their spaces are a blank slate. So, if you have a big vision and want to stay close to Denver, then this is the location for you.
Any one of these outdoor wedding venues in Colorado has something special to offer - namely the grandiose backdrops. But the venues themselves are truly stunning when it comes to getting the wedding photos you hope for.
If you have any questions about these locations, let me know. I'm happy to chat with you about how we can capture your wedding story at whichever venue you choose.