Our Thoughts on Winter Weddings in Colorado
There are two seasons for weddings in Colorado. With or Without Snow, but we can assure you, it’s always going to be be beautiful. Our weather is actually pretty mild and our winters aren’t nearly as bad as some think. While the snow is cold, it rarely gets unbearably cold.
With the proper attire and timeline, we can help make your day memorable and enjoyable at the same time.
With that said, we absolutely love adventurous couples that go all in on a winter wedding in Colorado. Finding the right venue, large or small, for your winter wedding can be a challenge. Not all venues have locations for indoor ceremonies. Certain venues have winter restrictions. The logistics involved for a winter wedding aren’t necessarily more difficult, but just different. Some mountain towns, like Vail & Breckenridge, are better suited for transportation and lodging than say Estes Park or Idaho Springs.
Every winter, from November till March we photograph anywhere from 5 to 10 winter weddings, which gives us a fair bit of knowledge of what works and what doesn’t.
How to Plan a Winter Wedding in Colorado
- First, you’ll want to find a venue that fits your estimated guest count. We’ve found that winter weddings are usually smaller, so you may not need massive ballroom.
- Second, make sure you are okay with the cold. A lot of our winter wedding photos may look warm and fun, but some of them have taken place when its single digits outside. We can be quick and make our portrait time as efficient as possible, but we can’t make it any warmer.
- Third, consider hiring a wedding planner. Sometimes it may seem that there is less to plan with a winter wedding, but things like transportation and access can be completely different versus the summer months. We have a list of our favorite winter wedding planners.
- Fourth, proper footwear is key. Once the toes get cold, it’s nearly impossible to warm them back up. Your fancy shoes you’ve been dying to wear on your wedding day might have to wait until we’re completely done with outside portraits.
- Fifth, plan for delays. Our highways and roads are lined with out-of-state drivers that can change a 1-hour drive into 3 or 4. Make sure you and your vendors are close to the venue the night before. Having a mountain pass in between you and your venue is a bad idea.
Our Favorite Winter Wedding Venues in Colorado
- Beaver Creek Lodge
With the lodge being in the heart of Beaver Creek, its fun for your guests, easy to get to and includes lots of ceremony options. The Chapel at Beaver Creek is a short walk away, but there are plenty of other Beaver Creek Wedding Venues to choose from as well. The staff, rooms and reception […]
Read More... - BlueSky Breckenridge
Located on the Breckenridge Ski Resort, BlueSky Breckenridge is a premier ski resort wedding venue. The lodging, staff and location make this venue an easy experience for you and your guests. Whether you are local or planning a destination wedding, BlueSky can accommodate either. With Sawmill Reservoir close by, as well as Boreas Pass, the […]
Read More... - Devil’s Thumb Ranch
As one of Colorado’s premier wedding venues, this place has it all. With on-site lodging for you and your guests, you can make a weekend out of your wedding day or travel in from one of the surrounding towns. Devil’s Thumb Ranch is situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, secluded from any distractions. […]
Read More... - Donovan Pavilion
In 2003, the town decided to purchase 50 acres of space just west of Lionshead to build out an event space. The Donovan Pavilion, while owned by the Town of Vail, doesn’t feel like your average municipal wedding venue. It is nestled in the forest, all the while being right on the South Frontage Road, […]
Read More... - Keystone Ranch
Nestled just outside of Keystone, CO, and only a few minutes from the interstate, Keystone Ranch is a quaint little venue that offers both intimate small and large weddings. In the winter months, the venue is limited to the smaller lodge. In the summer months, the ranch is quite expansive with plenty of outdoor ceremony […]
Read More... - Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
Walk out the back doors and your standing on the slopes of Beaver Creek Resort. We’ve photographed weddings at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek in the winter and summer. We’ve even had couples ski down the slopes, straight into their wedding ceremony. There are several ceremony locations onsite that allow for large or small guest […]
Read More... - Saddleridge
You would be hard pressed to find a venue with such history and authenticity. SaddleRidge in Beaver Creek has some of the most unique pieces of history, including Buffalo Bill’s desk and one of three George Washington paintings used for the dollar bill. The reception hall is wide open with tall vaulted ceilings and enough […]
Read More... - Sapphire Point
The Sapphire Point Overlook is a beautiful little spot close to all the major ski resorts. The views are some of the best in Colorado as it looks over Dillon Lake, on to the Tenmile Mountain Range. You’ll need to provide all your own amenities, but if you are looking for an intimate, do-it-yourself wedding, […]
Read More... - Spruce Mountain Ranch
The Ranch has several options for ceremony and reception sites and can service a very large wedding. The property is beautiful, well maintained and has a great vibe. You can theme it chic, western or modern. The cabin is our favorite of the two wedding prep and reception spaces. Overall, Spruce Mountain Ranch is a […]
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