everything you need to know about getting hitched

Thinking about getting married in colorado?
Who wouldn’t?! Colorado has everything for weddings - gorgeous mountain views, rivers, forests, lakes - anything for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
Denver, Colorado and the surrounding areas are unmatched for any wedding day or elopement.
Thousands of weddings happen in the Denver area every year. Denver and the surrounding areas have countless venues for large weddings, endless locations for elopements, and a zillion spots to explore for engagement sessions. If you’re looking for a place to say your vows that will take everyone’s breath away (literally, at 5280 feet elevation), you came to the right place.
If you’re looking for a Colorado city to get hitched in, there are the classics - Denver, Boulder, or Colorado Springs. If you’re hoping to explore more of the iconic mountain towns, some personal favorites are Crested Butte, Telluride, or Silverton. But deciding to get married here is just the first step. If you’re looking for all the information you could possibly need for planning your Colorado wedding or elopement, here it is. I’m about to deliver.
Buckle up.
Below I’ll tell you everything you’ll need to know for planning your Colorado wedding, from venue recommendations to vendor referrals. I’ll share some inspiration photos, informational blogs, and give you every other kind of advice you could think of from a seasoned wedding pro. Let’s get into it.
By the way: Hi, I’m Courtney
Mountain girlie, travel enthusiast, appreciator and practicer of analog photography
Here’s all you need to know about getting married in denver, boulder, or colorado springs, colorado:
What is the front range in colorado?
The Front Range technically refers to a specific region of the Rocky Mountains that spans from Wyoming down into Colorado, but if you were to ask anyone local to Colorado, the Front Range is referring to the area East of the Rockies, ie. Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs etc. If you were to look at map, the Front Range would be including any of the cities or towns that span from Boulder all the way south down the interstate 25. That’s a lot of ground to cover, I know, but I’ve sussed out the best wedding venues, vendors and everything in between so you don’t have to.
What’s the Weather like in Colorado?
Sun sun sun, most of the time. It’s been said that Denver gets an average of 300 days of sunshine per year and after spending a couple years here, I’m inclined to believe it. With elevation comes unpredictability, though. Denver’s elevation is 5280 feet above sea level (the Mile High city!) and Colorado Spring’s elevation is about 6,035 feet so even sunny days can randomly produce some rain or even snow flurries. Never fear, though. It is easy to prepare for Colorado weather! I always recommend traveling with layers, even in the summer months, and also sunscreen. Always sunscreen.
What is the nightlife like in colorado?
The nightlife in Colorado is… interesting. In Denver proper, a good amount of the population is made up of young professionals so on the weekends you can find folks out for drinks late into the night, but during the week or even on weekend days, you can expect folks to be largely enjoying the great outdoors. Think hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. If you like craft beer (shoutout to my Oregonian friends) then Colorado certainly has some great brew options for you, as well as lots of yummy local non-alcoholic beers for the sober folks! Colorado also has an incredible live music scene - I’m sure you’ve heard of the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater - so if you’re planning a visit or hoping to head out here for your nuptials, I would suggest seeking some tunes! Either way, whether you’re looking for the nightlife or hoping to keep it low key, you won’t be lacking.
What is there to do in the front range?
Colorado attracts so many people for so many reasons, but to keep it short (or tall): mountains.
According to the Colorado Tourism Industry Reports, 90 million people visited Colorado in 2022 (with the majority attributed to Denver and front range counties). That’s a hell of a lot of people coming to play in the mountains, jam out at Red Rocks, or get married! There are endless lists of things to do in the Front Range but I’ll blast off my favorite few:
In Denver proper, I always show people around the RiNo Art District! It’s a charming and walkable neighborhood with ever evolving and changing murals so there is always some new art to see. There are also lots of places to stop for food, drinks or some shopping. One of my favorite stops is Denver Central Market for lunch and a coffee or pastry.
If you’re looking for some more mountain vibes, obviously I have to recommend a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s unmatched.
Keep an eye on the Red Rocks Amphitheater page for live tunes, but if you want to skip the bigger venue and find some smaller acts, just browse ticketmaster for local venues!
If hiking is what you’re after, there are endless trails around Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs, but one of my favorite areas so far is Garden of the Gods. While you’re down south, you can also checkout Pikes Peak, one of the famous 14’ers (or 14,000 ft peaks in Colorado). In the summer months you can drive to the top and get the same views without the grueling hike.
Long story short, there are near-endless activities for you and your wedding party in the Colorado Front Range.
Analog Wedding Photography in colorado
Hold On To What Matters
Your job is to get married however the hell you want. Mine is to document it as honestly and authentically as possible.
colorado was made for analog photography.
The smooth, warm tones and jaw-dropping landscape pair perfectly with the grain and grit of film photography. All of these come together to create instantly timeless collections that you and your family will cherish forever.
Curious about analog photography? Contact me and let me tell you all about it!
Why add analog to your Colorado wedding?
Film captures landscapes and nature in a way that digital can’t replicate, making it perfect for Colorado.
All your film scans get digitized and added your wedding gallery, giving it a nostalgic, vintage flare.
Imagine having polaroids like these to show your kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews?! Timeless.
When all is said and done, it’s the photographs and the memories we keep. Analog is forever.
Want to learn more about my film offerings for your Colorado wedding?! Click the button below to read all about film, analog, Super8 video and more.
Front range colorado Wedding Venues
Whether you’re looking for a desert vibe, a mountain landscape or a forested backdrop, Colorado has a variety of different locations that will work for your wedding aesthetic.
Here are some of my favorite wedding venues in Denver, Boulder or Colorado Springs:
The pines at genesee
Located in Golden, Colorado (about 25 min from the heart of Denver), The Pines is perfect for something accessible but still outdoorsy. They have multiple options for outdoor ceremonies and indoor receptions, and they offer full service amenities to keep it simple for planning.
Boettcher mansion
Also located in Golden is Boettcher Mansion, a historic mountain lodge that embodies true Rocky Mountain aesthetic. They have a multitude of locations for ceremonies and receptions of all shapes and sizes, and the surrounding landscape is breathtaking. Getting married in a piece of Colorado history?! Priceless.
The farmette
The Lyons Farmette is a flower farm and event space located about 15 minutes outside of Boulder and when I say this place is quintessential Colorado, you better believe it. It’s a gorgeous farm property with a renovated barn space making it perfect for weddings of all kinds.
Denver Botanic gardens
Who doesn’t love a botanic garden?! Personally I think the Denver Botanic Gardens is the best option for a wedding smack dab in the heart of the Mile High City. If you’re going for more urban vibes but still love having nature close by, the Denver Botanic Garden is the perfect compromise, plus it makes accommodations easy for you and the family being so centralized.
Spruce Mountain Ranch
South of Denver but north of Colorado Springs is an enormous and gorgeous property known as Spruce Mountain Ranch. If you’re going for an elevated “ranch” vibe with mountain views for your wedding then this is the one. They can accommodate all sizes of weddings, which makes it easy to have a big ol’ party! This location would definitely lend better to large/traditional weddings, but I do think you could get away with a more intimate event if you love the property (hard to argue with their views).
Space annex
If you’re looking for something, well, totally opposite of the ranch aesthetic, then Space Annex is an awesome option. Located in the Baker district of Denver, this art/event space would be perfect for the folks who want a more urban vibe. Alternatively, if you’re thinking an elopement in the mountains suits you best but you still want a party later, Space Annex makes a fantastic reception venue!
Garden of the gods
I’ve always been a sucker for the look of a white dress against a red rock desert backdrop, and that is what Garden of the Gods delivers. I know that people don’t often imagine Colorado as the picturesque desert climate, but you might be surprised. If you love the desert vibe as much as I do, Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is perfection.
Needless to say, Colorado has a lot of phenomenal venues to choose from (and believe me that isn’t even half of them)! No matter which venue you choose, you can’t go wrong. Looking for more wedding venue suggestions or have questions about the ones I listed above? Let’s chat!