2-Day Crested Butte Micro Wedding at Peanut Lake
Discover how a 2-day micro wedding let this adventurous couple have it all: a meaningful ceremony with 30 loved ones at Peanut Lake, followed by an epic day of wildflowers, jeep adventures, and golden hour photos across Crested Butte's stunning alpine landscapes.
Nicole and Matt first approached us in the Fall of 2024 to plan their adventurous elopement for May of 2025. Originally, they had planned a big wedding back in Texas, where they live, for Memorial Day weekend of 2025, but as they started putting down deposits and making all of the arrangements for this large event, they quickly realized that it wasn’t resonating with who they both are and their priorities for their wedding experience.
These two are born adventurers who love being outside together exploring! They quickly realized that the big wedding scene wasn’t for them, and that’s when they reached out to us!
On our first consultation call, we became fast friends as we discussed their hopes & dreams for this intimate experience with their close friends and family members tucked away in the mountains of Crested Butte. We decided that summer, July specifically, was going to be the best time of year for wildflowers, and all of the things they wanted.
We all left that call feeling super excited and aligned with the vision of an adventurous day full of stunning vistas, sweet family moments, and time for the two of them to truly soak in the entire experience!
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to have a unique and adventurous experience without burdening your guests or leaving them out all together, Nicole and Matt’s story is a perfect one for you! Keep reading to hear more about their 2-Day experience in Crested Butte during peak wildflower season!
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If you’re planning a micro wedding in Colorado and need inspiration, we also recommend checking out these guides & stories!
Their priorities for their Crested Butte wedding experience
Since they decided to pivot their plans from a big wedding, Nicole and Matt were very clear on their priorities for this smaller, elopement experience. Here are some things that were really important to incorporate:
Epic mountain views & a new place – Both Nicole and Matt were interested in Crested Butte for their elopement because it was a new place for both of them! Matt grew up in Colorado and had explored much of the state, so it was important that they found a place, like Crested Butte, that was new and exciting.
Wildflowers - Nicole was sooo excited about wildflowers. She knew that Crested Butte was known for wildflowers and wanted to incorporate these stunning blooms into as much of the day as possible. Her bouquet was even made of local wildflowers, and it turned out absolutely gorgeous!
Adventure - They also knew that they were up to an adventure! They love fly fishing, camping, and hiking. One of their goals as a couple is to hike all the hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, so it made sense to them to include adventurous activities into their elopement days. Crested Butte ended up being a great spot for them because there were tons of hiking options, and 4x4 trails for amazing adventures. They also extended their trip so they could have a honeymoon adventure too with lots of hiking, camping, and fly fishing!
Why a 2-Day Experience worked for them
As we chatted more about their priorities, we quickly realized that a 2-Day experience would be a perfect fit for their vision and overall vibes. Although they wanted to elope and get epic photos in the mountains together on a hike or more rugged adventure, both Nicole and Matt couldn’t imagine their wedding without including some really close friends and family members.
A two-day experience allowed them to have both experiences without making any sacrifices.
Day 1 - was all about getting married and embracing time with their loved ones. The location was still epic and beautiful, but we kept it close to town so it was easier for guests to access, and we didn’t require any of their guests to hike or take a sketchy 4x4 road to get to their ceremony site.
Day 2 - was all about exploring epic spots, adventuring, and beautiful photos with incredible sunset lighting. We spent the whole afternoon and evening exploring epic locations around Crested Butte, giving them ample time together as just the two of them to soak in their first day as a married couple.
Both Nicole and Matt loved this 2-day setup because they valued the photography side of this experience and wanted to maximize the golden hour lighting as much as possible. By spreading the event across two days, they also didn’t feel rushed or pressured in the slightest because they had plenty of time to connect with their people, prepare for the days, and live in the moment. It was truly the best of both worlds for them, and the exact opposite vibes of what they had originally planned in Texas with their big wedding.
How we helped and pivoted their experience one-week before
We were involved in helping plan their elopement from the very beginning, offering location recommendations in Crested Butte and local vendors, but the true defining moment of the planning process was when their guest count doubled in size the week before their elopement.
Originally, they had envisioned about 15 people coming, and so we had planned the ceremony on public lands. One week before their elopement, Matt called me to say that all 30 people they had invited as a courtesy ended up RSVPing “yes” without them realizing it! So, we needed to pivot fast. Here’s what we had to figure out:
Ceremony site: The biggest concern was where to have the ceremony. Because there were far too many people for public lands, we needed to find something that was still available, reservable, reasonably priced, and could accommodate the group size. This proved to be quite tricky.
After a lot of hunting and weighing the few options I found for them, Nicole and Matt ended up settling on Peanut Lake for their ceremony site. This site is a reservable piece of land through Crested Butte Land Trust that allows events up to 100 people. The spot was thankfully still available for their date, and was super easy to book and confirm, even at the last minute. It ended up being perfect for them, and a great pivot that allowed for them to spend even more quality time with their guests that day than we had originally planned.Timeline Adjustments: We also had to make some major changes to their timeline due to the ceremony site changes, and group size increase. Instead of opting for more portraits after the ceremony as originally planned, we decided it made more sense for Matt and Nicole to stay with their guests, and lengthened the amount of time we adventured the next day. This change ensured that we had ample time to get all of the sunset, adventurous portraits that Nicole and Matt wanted for their final gallery.
Highlights of their 2-days in Crested Butte
There were so many great moments during Nicole and Matt’s 2 days in Crested Butte, but some of my favorites were:
Their emotional first look: These two love each other so much, and it showed when Matt first saw Nicole in her wedding attire. I was tearing up, it was so sweet and special!
Private, Lakeside Vows: Although their family and friends were present for the ceremony, Nicole and Matt wanted to ensure they had private time on their wedding day to share their vows together. Peanut Lake was a beautiful backdrop for this after everyone headed to their reception site.
An epic jeep ride to a stunning sunset location: Day 2 was all about the adventure, so Nicole, Matt and I loaded into their rented jeep and explored Crested Butte stopping at multiple locations along the way. The sunset we experienced was magical, and we barely saw anyone during our time in the high alpine. It was truly surreal, and so fun!
Blue Hour Lantern Photos: To end their 2-Day experience, we stayed out past sunset for blue hour photos with lanterns. This was something Nicole had dreamed about since she started planning their elopement, and it did not disappoint. Between their cowboy hats, the lanterns, and the stunning moon, we were all giddy with excitement and gratitude about the experience and how perfect it turned out.
Conclusion
Nicole and Matt’s 2-day experience in Crested Butte was amazing and full of adventure. Although there were some last minute pivots, it all worked out in the best way possible, and still kept their original vision intact. I’ll never forget how happy we all were on top of that mountain at the end of their second day, and I feel so lucky to call these two friends, not just past clients.
Hopefully you found the story of their elopement experience both helpful and inspiring! If you're looking for help to plan your own small wedding in Crested Butte, we'd love to chat with you to see how we can support you!
Crested Butte Micro Wedding Photos
Keep scrolling to see Nicole and Matt's micro wedding gallery at Peanut Lake and around Crested Butte!
Vendors:
Photo/Planning Help: Trail Magic Elopements
Ceremony Site: Peanut Lake, Crested Butte Land Trust
Florals: Sundrop Floral Design
Cake: Cake Crumbs Bakery
Reception Site: José Crested Butte
Planning your own Crested Butte Micro Wedding and need help?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A Colorado wedding Photographer and Planner!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Micro wedding planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
Granby Ranch Small Wedding in the Summer
Looking for small wedding inspiration in Colorado? See how Paige and Britt planned their dream micro wedding for 30 guests at Granby Ranch with full-service planning, 8-hour photography coverage, and unique touches like lawn games and a ski lift entrance—all while keeping the process completely stress-free
Paige and Britt approached us in January with a dream to get married with incredible mountain views in Colorado in July. They have the sweetest love story, and fond memories of exploring Colorado together and the Grand Canyon early in their relationship. From our first consultation call, we clicked immediately due to our shared love of national parks, hiking and beautiful views, and board games. I knew this was going to be a really fun and special day.
Flash forward to July – their wedding day was so sentimental and memorable. Nestled in the mountains of Granby, near the Grand Lake side of Rocky Mountain National Park, they shared their vows with stunning views of the national forest, and got to celebrate with about 30 guest in total, a cluster of their families and closest friends. It was exactly what they had envisioned back in January on our first call!
If you're looking for inspiration for your own small wedding in Colorado, Paige and Britt's day is a perfect example of mixing time as a couple, and intentional time with family. Keep reading to learn more about their priorities, and how we helped take all the planning logistics off their plate for a stress-free experience!
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If you’re planning a micro wedding in Colorado and need inspiration, we recommend checking out these guides & stories!
Priorities for their small wedding
All of Paige and Britt's priorities for their small wedding were related to the overall experience of the day. They wanted to keep things simple and beautiful, so that their guests could relax, but also have a cool travel experience in a new place!
A small guest list: Neither of them were looking for an extravagant day, so they knew they wanted to keep the guest list to less than 30 people. It ended up being the perfect size to keep the experience intimate, without missing out on inviting any of their most important friends and family.
Very relaxed flow: They wanted to keep things sentimental and casual so the pressure wasn't placed on them to perform. Instead of a traditional DJ and dance floor, they loved the idea of playing lawn games with their friends and kids, and board games later into the night. It was important to them that the food was quality, because they both enjoy eating at new restaurants and cooking yummy meals together at home.
A low-stress planning process: Finally, as super busy professionals, both Paige and Britt wanted to keep the vibe of the event and the planning process as stress-free and intentional as possible. They didn't have excess time to plan and work through logistics, so they leaned on us to do most of the heavy lifting, which is exactly what we're here for!
How we helped them with their priorities
Full-Service Planning:
Since they are both so busy raising kids, and live in different cities, they opted for a full-service planning experience with Becca, the planner on our team so they could step back and keep the planning process super simple. She took their vision from our first kick-off call and ran with it to find them the perfect venue and vendor options that fit within their priorities.
Because they were so busy, Becca didn't need to have many planning calls with them, but utilized questionnaires and guides with personalized recommendations and links to ensure that the process was seamless on their end.
Day of Coordination:
They also included day-of-coordination services from Becca to keep everything streamlined the day of the wedding. Granby Ranch, their venue, does require a day-of-coordinator, however, our package had already included this from the beginning because we knew the best way to keep their priorities in place while also respecting their busy schedules, was to have a coordinator around to manage all of the logistics on the day.
Having Becca present day-of also kept Paige, Britt, or any of their close loved ones from having to manage any of the setup/takedown, or liaise with the venue coordinator.
8 hrs Photography Coverage:
From their initial inquiry, it was clear that photography was a service that both Paige and Britt were looking to invest in, because they knew that it was the best way to ensure all of their memories from the day were captured. They were excited about their wedding gallery telling the full story of both of their days from getting ready moments, all the way through their reception with candids of them and their guests playing board games.
We settled on an 8hr package for them, because it allowed time for the full story of their day to be captured, AND also gave them a small chunk of time before the ceremony for some private time alone to do a first look and private vows.
It was the perfect amount of time for them, and definitely a popular package that we tend to recommend for micro weddings!
Highlights from their Small Wedding at Granby Ranch
There were so many tear-jerking moments during this incredibly sweet wedding day, but we did want to mention a few highlights of the day to help get you inspired by their story!
Private vows at the top of a mountain:
Paige and Britt were so excited to have epic mountain views for their ceremony, but they also wanted to have time together, just the two of them, to acknowledge this huge milestone in their lives, and share their private vows with each other.
The time they set aside for themselves at the top of the mountain was absolute perfection. It was the perfect way to ground them both before the ceremony, and connect as a couple before they promised each other forever.
Family moments with their kids:
Both Paige and Britt are parents and one of our favorite parts of their wedding day was the different ways they celebrated their children through little gifts, hugs, and a unity ceremony during the wedding ceremony to symbolize the joining of their two families.
Entering Cocktail Hour from the Ski Lift:
Granby Ranch is a ski resort, so one of the coolest parts about getting married there is that after the ceremony, the couple and all of their guests get to ride down to the reception on the ski lift! Paige, Britt, Becca and I all had the best time riding the lift down and taking pictures of everyone with the "Just Married" sign! Their guests ran to greet them as they approached the lawn, and it was such a moment of pure joy that couldn't be replicated.
Corn hole Tournament & Board Games:
One last highlight was Paige and Britt battling together in a game of corn hole with their kids during cocktail hour. They love playing games together and as a family, and getting to see them both in their element on the best day of their lives was absolutely priceless!
Real 8 hr Small Wedding Timeline
Here is what Paige and Britt's 8hr timeline looked like for photography coverage:
1:00pm Riding up the ski lift to get final getting ready touches in the yurt
2:00pm First look and Private vows/portraits
3:00pm Group Portraits and candids with close family & friends pre-ceremony
4:00pm Ceremony
5:00pm Cocktail Hour and lawn games
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Desserts & toasts
8:00pm Dances & Board Games
9:00pm Coverage ends
Conclusion
Paige and Britt's day was truly one for the books, because it was full of intention and fun! We loved how much they wanted to incorporate their families and games - it made it such a unique and meaningful day for them and us as witnesses.
Hopefully you found the story of their small wedding both helpful and inspiring, and if you're looking for help to plan your own small wedding in Colorado, we'd love to chat with you to see how we can support you!
Granby Ranch Small Wedding Photos
Keep scrolling to see Paige and Britt's small wedding gallery at Granby Ranch!
Vendors:
Venue: Granby Ranch
Flowers: Fallen Leaf Floral Co
Officiant: Kelly Robbins Weddings
Planning your own Colorado Micro Wedding and need help?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A Colorado wedding Photographer and Planner!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Micro wedding planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
Colorado Wildflower Elopement Guide 2026: Best Locations and Timing
Wildflowers are the #1 request we get from couples eloping in Colorado! In this guide, we're sharing our favorite wildflower locations, the best months to visit, how to beat the crowds, and all our local tips for planning the wildflower elopement of your dreams.
Wildflowers are easily the most discussed topic when we're chatting with couples who want to elope in Colorado—well, besides epic mountain views, which in Colorado are almost a given. Colorado is known for its wildflowers, from the state's iconic Columbine to tons of other native species that brighten up the high alpine during the summer months. It's an absolutely magical sight that even I, as a local, still can't get enough of, so I honestly can't blame anyone for wanting to get married while they're in bloom!
Since this is such a hot topic, I thought it would be helpful to consolidate resources on planning an epic wildflower elopement, along with answers to frequently asked questions from real couples!
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Other Guides
If that's not enough information, you can check out these guides for more Colorado elopement tips and inspiration:
Best Time of Year for Wildflower Elopements
Spring is typically the time for flowers in most locations around the US; however, seasons are a little different here in the Rocky Mountains! Wildflowers don't start blooming until the summer months, when snow has finally melted in the mountains and there's plenty of moisture and sunshine for them to thrive.
Pro Tip: If you're coming from out of state and you're worried about the "heat of summer," I guarantee that the pleasant 72-degree average in the mountains will change your mind :) Summer is the best time of year here, I promise.
The best months for consistent wildflowers are July and August, since earlier season timing can vary year to year depending on snowmelt and alpine conditions. If you're looking for wildflowers for your elopement, here's when we'd recommend:
Mid to Late July
Mid to late July is consistently amazing for wildflowers across the high alpine areas of the state. If you're interested in lower elevation areas, we'd recommend early to mid-July since summer starts earlier there. Late July is truly the best—the flowers are popping off in all types of locations!
Early August
Early August is peak wildflower season, especially in the high alpine areas. You can expect fewer crowds at this point as well, since popular locations and towns are starting to clear out as kids go back to school and tourists return to work. This is probably our favorite time for elopements in general!
Best Colorado Locations for your Wildflower Elopement
Wildflowers bloom across the state, so we definitely don't want you to feel locked into a certain location just because you want wildflowers. However, we wanted to showcase some popular locations for wildflower elopements. They're popular for a reason—the wildflowers are incredible in these areas!
Crested Butte
Crested Butte has been coined the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado," so it's no surprise that it tops the list for best wildflower elopement locations! If you're looking to elope among the wildflowers, this quaint mountain town really has it all—stunning views right from town, hiking, off-roading, waterfalls, alpine lakes, camping, coffee shops, delicious restaurants, and so much more!
Crested Butte elopements are best suited for: Couples looking to adventure in multiple scenic spots but who also want to be pampered and will take advantage of all the boutique amenities and experiences this little town has to offer!
San Juan Mountains (Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Lake City)
The San Juan Mountain range includes areas like Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton, and you can't go wrong with any of them when considering wildflower adventures! This range has some of the best alpine lakes (Gatorade blue!), waterfalls, and insane mountain passes that in the summer are covered in wildflowers for anyone willing to explore.
San Juan elopements are best suited for: Couples looking for an epic and wild Colorado elopement experience, whether that's hiking together or taking a private jeep tour to multiple incredible locations (waterfalls, dramatic mountain passes, crystal blue alpine lakes) and really carving out the adventure of a lifetime!
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park and its nearby town, Estes Park, are well-known classics in the Colorado elopement space, and for good reason! The park is dazzling during wildflower season, and there are tons of areas to explore after your ceremony—either in the park or somewhere nearby!
Rocky Mountain National Park elopements are best suited for: Couples looking for a classic Colorado elopement experience or who have sentimental ties to the park or Estes Park. These elopements are getting trickier with permitting limitations, but they're still incredible!
Hidden Gem Locations
As a local Colorado elopement planner and photographer team, we've done all the research for you and have plenty of other locations—close to and completely separate from this list—up our sleeves that provide a stunning and private elopement experience!
Colorado Wildflower Elopement Tips
We're all about keeping elopements stress-free and enjoyable here at Trail Magic, but there are still some important things to consider when planning your wildflower elopement. Here are some of our best tips and recommendations for keeping things safe, easy, intentional, and fun!
Tip #1: Leave No Trace
We're all about Leave No Trace here at Trail Magic because keeping our public lands beautiful for everyone to enjoy is a top priority! When it comes to wildflower elopements, it's essential that you stay on trails at all times and avoid treading through wildflower fields. Picking wildflowers on public lands and trails is also prohibited.
Tip #2: How to Avoid Crowds
Wildflower season is probably the most popular season for elopements and tourism in Colorado, so well-known locations and trailheads are typically full of crowds. However, we have a few tips for finding amazing, off-the-beaten-path locations that keep the crowds at bay:
Weekday elopements - The best way to avoid crowds? Go when they aren't around, which is on weekdays!
Elope at sunrise or sunset - This tip benefits your photos as well. Many tourists tend to enjoy the trails and outdoor areas only in the middle of the day, so a great way to beat the crowds is to elope at sunrise or sunset (or both!). These are also the best times of day for incredible photos, so it's truly a win-win recommendation!
Hike to your location - The best way to avoid wildflower crowds is to find a less popular trailhead and hike to your location. This extra effort loses so many people—you'd be surprised! There are plenty of mountains in this state where you can find absolute solitude if you're willing to strap on your boots!
4x4 drive to your location - Hiking not your thing, but still up for an adventure? One of the best things about Colorado is the accessibility to amazing, off-the-beaten-path locations that are reachable by 4x4 roads. Rent a jeep or plan a private tour with a jeep company for a truly epic and private experience in some insane locations!
Tip #3: Eloping with Guests
If you're planning to elope with guests during wildflower season, make sure they know about Leave No Trace principles and are prepared for an outdoor wedding experience. When choosing a location with guests, it's important to note public land permitting requirements and recommendations. A local elopement photographer and planner are your best resources for this type of elopement, keeping things safe and beautiful for everyone!
Tip #4: Booking & Planning Timeline
Because of its popularity, we recommend booking and planning your wildflower elopement sooner rather than later! Typically 4-9 months in advance is ideal, especially when trying to book lodging and vendors on popular dates or in popular locations.
Tip #5: Vendor Considerations
It can be tricky to find vendors in these popular wildflower locations because of the demand and travel requirements to get to these spots, so start your searches early and consult with a local elopement photographer and planner for personalized recommendations!
Colorado Wildflower Elopement Packages
These tips will definitely help you get ahead on your wildflower elopement planning, but if you find yourself wanting extra help, we've got you covered!
Wildflower elopements are our specialty here at Trail Magic, and we've put together custom elopement packages that make planning them incredibly easy and stress-free. Some things our packages can include to make your experience amazing are:
6-hour to multi-day photography options to capture the full story of your day and trip
Full-service planning from a certified wedding planner who specializes in elopement experiences and knows the best timelines, tips, and vendors for your perfect day
Day-of coordination so your day flows seamlessly without you (or any of your guests) having to worry about anything
Aesthetic picnic setups based on your preferences for an unforgettable (& yummy) elopement activity!
Need help planning a wildflower elopement? We got you!
Hi! We’re Becca and Hannah, an Elopement Planner and Photographer based in Colorado that specialize in wildflower elopements that are stress-free, beautiful, and meaningful!
If you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
Green Mountain Falls Wedding
M&W’s intimate wedding in Green Mountain Falls was a day full of laughter, intentional family time, and climbing on boulders! If you’re curious about how to fill a day with fun activities, and include your family, we definitely recommend reading the full story of their day here for inspiration!
Megan and Will had their small wedding at an Airbnb in Green Mountain Falls this past March. Colorado is a special place for both of them - Will grew up in the area, and his family is still nearby, so it made sense for them to plan their intimate gathering in a place both accessible, and meaningful to their relationship. They decided to keep things simple by only inviting their immediate families to the wedding, and it turned out to be exactly what they were looking for; a beautiful, laid back day, surrounded by their favorite people and nature.
In this post I’ll be sharing all of the information about their small wedding in Green Mountain Falls, so you can determine if Green Mountain Falls is the perfect area for your wedding!
Are you thinking about having a micro wedding in Colorado but need some help or inspiration? We also recommend checking out these guides!
Including Family in Your Green Mountain Falls Small Wedding
Megan & Will’s Approach
Megan and Will made a conscious decision to keep their guest list small. They included only immediate family members, creating space for intentional time with everyone. Since they live far from their loved ones, this time together was non-negotiable.
Their approach was beautifully simple yet meaningful. They played board games together, cooked lasagna as a family, and Will's mom even did Megan's hair. They had an intimate creekside ceremony with readings from both of their siblings, and even had s’mores around the fire afterwards.
This intentional family focus transformed their wedding from a performance into a celebration. Guests weren't just observers but active participants in every moment. The smaller group allowed for deeper connections and created life-long memories for everyone involved.
If you’re thinking about ways to include your family in your Green Mountain Falls small wedding, consider planning activities that bring everyone together such as:
Board games, yard games, or video games
Group cooking
Sentimental activities such as sharing letters, old photograph albums, or telling stories
A family hike or excursion in nature
Activities like this inspire deep connections and conversations, while also keeping your people engaged. The most important thing to remember when planning things to do is to choose activities that reflect your personalities and values as a couple. If you plan the day around those things, you’ll ensure that your wedding feels uniquely yours, and not forced!
Where to Have Your Green Mountain Falls Wedding Ceremony
While Megan and Will chose their Airbnb property for their ceremony, Green Mountain Falls offers lots of options for ceremony locations in nature, so you get to decide what type of scenery and environment is best for you. Here are some of your options if you’re choosing to get married in Green Mountain Falls:
Garden of the Gods - Its dramatic red rock formations create a unique backdrop for vows. The park offers multiple ceremony spots that are first come, first serve, and free. Many couples choose this location for its accessibility and iconic Colorado beauty.
North Cheyenne Canyon Park - The park features meadows, forests, and mountain views that capture Colorado's diverse landscapes. Several ceremony sites accommodate small groups while maintaining privacy and natural beauty.
Pikes Peak - Whether you drive to the summit or choose a lower elevation spot, the mountain provides stunning views for adventure-seeking couples.
Colorado Springs - The town has lots of small wedding venues. These range from historic buildings to modern event spaces, giving couples options beyond outdoor ceremonies. Many venues specialize in intimate gatherings and can accommodate your specific vision.
Outdoor Activity Ideas for Your Green Mountain Falls Wedding
Megan and Will both agreed that nature was an integral part of their relationship, and so, they wanted to be sure to include it as a major part of their wedding day. They chose their Airbnb intentionally because it was immersed in the mountains, and had a beautiful spot on site for their intimate ceremony. As a bonus, the property was connected to miles of hiking trails, and also had lots of nooks to explore. We had a blast climbing over all of the boulders on the property during their couple portraits. They both love rock climbing together, so it felt completely natural to them to climb around in their wedding attire, finding the best views and standing on the most impressive rocks together. Megan even ditched her shoes for most of the photos, so she could have a better grip on the rocks, and feel more comfortable!
While climbing might not be your thing, Green Mountain Falls is tucked into the mountains, with access to all kinds of amazing outdoor recreation activities. Although Megan and Will stayed on their Airbnb property, there are so many ways to fill your special day with outdoor activities off-site of any venue or vacation rental property to further expand your wedding experience. Here are some outdoor activity options for your Green Mountain Falls wedding:
Hiking - There are so many places to hike in and around Green Mountain Falls! Trails range from easy walks to challenging climbs, accommodating all fitness levels. If this is up your alley, consider incorporating a sunrise hike or sunset walk into your wedding timeline if you’re looking for incredible photo opportunities and fewer crowds. The Seven Bridges Trail offers a particularly beautiful option with creek crossings and forest views.
Water activities (kayaking, paddle-boarding, boating, fishing) - Green Mountain Falls has access to multiple reservoirs that provide opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing with incredible mountain views. These activities work perfectly for bachelor or bachelorette parties or post-wedding relaxation with family.
Pikes Peak - Pike’s Peak is one of Colorado’s most famous 14,000ft mountain peaks. You can hike, drive, or even take a Cog train up to the summit. The views are absolutely incredible, and there are lots of stops you can take along the way to fill up a whole day together in the mountains. This would be a cool activity for couple portraits or private vows with just the two of you, or an activity to share with some of your guests!
Garden of the Gods - even if you’re not getting married here, Garden of the Gods is worth a visit. The park's unique geological formations provide incredible photo opportunities and accessible hiking options.
Local waterfalls - there are lots of different waterfalls in the area that create romantic settings for photos or quiet moments together. Helen Hunt Falls and Silver Cascade Falls are easily accessible and provide stunning natural backdrops. These locations work beautifully for engagement photos or post-ceremony portraits.
Green Mountain Falls Wedding Photos
Megan and Will had the best time during their Green Mountain Falls wedding, because they intentionally built the day around spending quality time with their closest people. They planned a wedding that was so them; full of laughter, simplicity, climbing rocks in their wedding attire, being goofy with their siblings, and creating life-long memories without having to perform for a huge crowd of people. It was such an honor to be welcomed so whole-heartedly into their family for the day, I know that it’s a wedding I will never forget!
Green Mountain Falls was the perfect setting for them, because it was close to their people, beautiful, and accessible. I hope this post all about their day has inspired you to check out Green Mountain Falls for your own wedding! Keep scrolling to see a glimpse into their gallery!
Airbnb Venue: Cabin at Pike’s Peak Falls
Photography: Trail Magic Elopements
Inspired to plan your own Colorado elopement or micro wedding?!
Planning your own Colorado Micro Wedding and need help?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A Colorado wedding Photographer and Planner!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Micro wedding planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
Colorado Summer Elopement Guide - Updated for 2026!
Want to know the best season for eloping in Colorado?! Summer! There’s so many things to do for your elopement in the summer, and there is still time to plan an absolutely epic day fin 2025! Check out this guide to learn all about the best locations, lodging ideas, timeline examples, and activity inspiration for your summer elopement!
Summer in Colorado is absolutely breathtaking. The mountains are in full alpine glory with rushing rivers, endless fields of wildflowers, green grasses, and long days with beautiful sunrises and sunsets. It’s the perfect season for being outdoors with moderate temperatures and accessible mountain roads (both paved & for off-roading). It’s no wonder it’s the most popular season for couples to visit and elope - summer has it all!
As a Colorado Elopement Photographer and Planner, we've helped countless couples create their dream mountain ceremonies allowing them to have the perfect summer elopement without the stress from the planning process! Best of all? The planning process doesn’t have to take that much time.
There's still time to plan your perfect 2025 summer celebration, even if you're just starting your planning journey, and we created this guide to help you get started!
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Looking for more Colorado summer inspiration? We got you!
When to have your Summer Elopement
Summer in Colorado brings unique charm to both city and mountain areas. The season unfolds differently across elevations, creating diverse opportunities for your elopement day. Here is a breakdown of what each summer month looks like and all the different advantages for eloping couples:
Early June in the foothills overlooking Nederland
Early June mountain pass near Dillion
June
June is considered early summer with mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers in the lower elevations. Mountain passes begin opening, though some high-elevation trails may still have snow. Lower elevations like the foothills and metro areas, have lots of greenery and flowing streams from snowmelt. June is great for quieter trails and better lodging availability.
July dispersed camping area within 2 hours of Denver
July wildflowers in Estes Park
July
July is considered peak summer conditions with warm days and cool nights. Afternoon thunderstorms are regular, but clear quickly, creating dramatic skies perfect for photos. Wildflowers are at peak, especially in areas like Crested Butte, known as Colorado's Wildflower Capital. July is great for alpine lake adventures, or longer off-roading or hiking experiences.
Secluded August sunrise hike to quiet alpine lake
August mountain pass in Rocky Mountain National Park
August
August is an underrated month in Colorado for elopements! It has similar long, warm days and cool nights to July, but lower tourist crowds and fewer afternoon thunderstorms. Mountain trails and roads reach peak accessibility, allowing for full-range of outdoor activities! August is great for stargazing, and high alpine trail experiences with more solitude.
Overall Pros of a Summer Elopement
Still not convinced? Here are some other pros of summer elopements from a Colorado local!
Mild Temperature: Temperatures rarely exceed 80°F in the mountains making it perfect for outdoor celebrations
Trail Accessibility: Nearly all trails and mountain passes become accessible, offering unlimited location options
Water Access: Water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding become available for unique activity options
Seasonal Road Access: Driving mountain roads requires no special vehicle or equipment, making planning easier
Long Days: Extended daylight hours allow flexible ceremony timing and multiple activity options
Wildflowers: Peak wildflowers give you a magical vibe
Best Colorado Summer Elopement Locations
It’s hard to go wrong with locations in the summer, but we put together a list of some of our favorites and their nearby airports!
Mountain pass in the San Juans.
Mountain Lake outside of Boulder.
Mountain Pass near Winter Park.
Near Denver International Airport
(Locations within 2 hours of Denver)
Boulder - blends outdoor adventure with urban amenities. The Flatirons create dramatic ceremony backdrops and are incredibly close to town, so you could easily hit up a restaurant or local brewery after your ceremony!
Nederland - offers easy access to Indian Peaks Wilderness without the crowds. It’s a perfect for couples seeking solitude, accessibility to longer hiking adventures, and even those looking to backpack for their elopement!
Estes Park - provides the perfect gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. There is plenty of wildlife to see, large, accessible lakes to explore, and drivable high alpine roads for epic photos.
Near Aspen or Gunnison Airports
(Locations within 4 hours of Denver)
Aspen - delivers luxury amenities amid spectacular mountain scenery. It is home to the famous Maroon Bells accessible by shuttle reservations. There are also some well known mountain passes for photos nearby as well as dispersed camping areas for more solitude.
Crested Butte - is the wildflower capital. It has a very laid-back mountain atmosphere with lots of off-roading adventure opportunities to share private vows with no one else around. The town is also super charming for a post-elopement dinner or brew!
Buena Vista - combines mountain views with Arkansas River adventures. The views from town are spectacular and there are so many big mountain adventures to explore nearby with the Collegiate Peaks, hotsprings, and alpine lakes.
Near Montrose Airport
(Locations within 6 hours of Denver)
Telluride - combines Victorian charm with stunning mountain views. It’s wellknown for it’s box canyon setting that creates unforgettable ceremony backdrops. The free gondola in town offers unique photo opportunities and easy mountain access.
Ouray - known as the "Switzerland of America," offers dramatic cliff walls and historic hot springs. This area is great for a jeep rental to explore nearby mountain passes and hidden waterfalls without having to hike!
Silverton - provides authentic mountain town vibes with fewer tourists than better-known destinations. The Alpine Loop offers incredible backdrops for adventurous couples.
Mountain pass near Crested Butte
Short hike near Georgetown
Arapahoe National Forest
Colorado Summer Elopement Inspiration
There are no right or wrong answers to what you can do for your summer elopement experience. If you love the outdoors, you’ll love being here and there is no shortage of places to explore! Here are some activities we recommend for eloping couples, that pair perfectly with the summer season!
Best Activities for Summer Elopements in Colorado
Hiking - Hiking on your elopement day allows you to access intimate views and landscapes that are less accessible and more private than popular spots off roads. There are options in Colorado for every type of hiker based on your preferences and skill level!
Camping - Camping under the stars is such a romantic way to spend your first nights as newlyweds! There are many dispersed camping areas that can offer unique landscapes and complete privacy off the grid. You could also opt for more luxury glamping options available for upscale experiences.
Jeep tours - Jeep tours are incredible options for couples looking to access remote mountain locations without strenuous hiking. There are some roads that are fine for renting your own vehicle, but you can always hire local guides to ensure safe passage and hidden gem spots! Jeeping is an awesome option if you want to bring guests to a more remote ceremony location.
Making breakfast burritos and coffee before the sun rises.
Enjoy coffee together in complete privacy before eloping
Swimming - Ever thought about jumping into or swimming in a crystal clear alpine lake? Why not add it into your elopement day timeline?! Many lakes offer complete solitude for morning ceremonies - you can share private vows and then hop in the water to relax before a picnic breakfast!
Kayaking - Kayaking and/or paddleboarding is such a fun elopement activity to create a dynamic day. There are many lakes where you can paddle, and you can even bring your own inflatable kayak to almost any alpine lake in the state! Many outfitters provide equipment rentals too!
Fishing - If fishing is your vibe, it’s an awesome activity to share together during your elopement. Fishing allows you to it back and enjoy quiet moments together in nature. There are lots of locations that allow walk-in access to prime spots too!
Have an outdoor picnic - Alpine picnics elevate your celebration with gourmet meals in spectacular settings. Interested in this? Let us know! We offer alpine picnics for elopements as add-ons to our elopement packages!
Example timelines for your Colorado Summer Elopement
Sunrise Mountain Pass Elopement:
4:30 AM - Hair and makeup begins at your cozy mountain cabin
6:00 AM - Drive to trailhead
7:00 AM - Hike to ceremony location at the top of the pass
8:00 AM - First look and private vows as alpenglow starts on the mountains
8:30 AM - Intimate ceremony with family & friends who drove up to meet you
9:00 AM - Celebration picnic with guests and couples photos around the ceremony spot
11:00 AM - Return hike with stops for additional photos
1:00 PM - Afternoon adventure activity (guided jeep tour)
6:00 PM - Intimate dinner celebration at local restaurant with guests!
Afternoon Lake Elopement:
10:00 AM - Relaxed breakfast and preparation at Airbnb
12:00 PM - Hair and makeup
2:00 PM - Scenic drive to alpine lake
3:00 PM - First look
4:00 PM - Lakeside ceremony with closest friends & family
4:30 PM - Paddleboard adventure together
6:00 PM - Sunset photos on nearby trail with mountain views
7:00 PM - Private chef-prepared dinner at Airbnb
9:00 PM - Stargazing, campfire with s’mores and hottubbing at your Airbnb
Lodging Inspiration for your Colorado Summer Elopement
Colorado is home to so many unique places to stay from ski chalets and Airbnbs, to glamping tents and free dispersed campsites under the stars! We wanted to share a few examples to show what your lodging could look like if you decided to elope out here in Colorado!
Disclaimer: Please read the listings carefully - none of these properties are “event friendly” and would only be able to accommodate group sizes that match their listings. It is unlikely that you will be able to host parts of your day at these properties unless your guest count falls within their allowable group size. If you’re looking for event friendly rentals, check out our blog all about Airbnbs for your Micro Wedding!
*Images courtesy of the vacation rental listings
Pioneer Retreat at Moose Lodge (14)
Alpenglow Cabin at Twin Lakes (4)
Lookout Lodge near Alma (10)
Broken Rod Lodge near Lake City (8)
Lakefront Getaway Idaho Springs (7)
Cielo Vista near Ouray (8)
Planning your Colorado Summer Elopement
Planning Checklist
We know that planning an elopement this summer may seem overwhelming BUT here are a few steps to get you started:
Book your key vendors (photographer & planner) as soon as possible - these folks will help you with all the rest of the planning steps, so the sooner you can find the people best suited for your plans, the better!
Choose your location and secure necessary permits - secure venue space if needed for guest count (12 or more typically)
Plan accommodation and transportation
Book other vendors (food, hair & makeup artists, florists, officiant if needed, etc..)
Create a weather contingency plan with indoor backup options
Arrange adventure activities and equipment rentals if needed through local outfitters
Order wedding attire and any necessary outdoor gear/attire needed
Plan timeline around best light and weather conditions
Write personal vows
Arrange special details (decor, sentimental items)
Have the best day ever!
Including Guests in your Colorado Summer Elopement
Eloping doesn’t mean you have to run away with just you and your partner! It’s ok to include your closest family & friends, and honestly, most of our couples do! We recommend limiting guest counts to 10-12 people to keep the experience incredibly intimate and to also allow the most flexibility for ceremony spots on public lands. As soon as guest counts get higher than 12 people, it gets tricky to maintain safety and leave-no-trace principles on trail.
Guests can be a wonderful addition to your elopement plans and timeline, however, they also come with additional logistics. Always consider your guests ability levels and accessibility needs when choosing ceremony and guest location sites. Thinking about including guests at your elopement? Check out our guide all about How to Elope with Guests (coming soon!)
Small wedding at Garden of the Gods in July
Cost of your Colorado Summer Elopement in 2025
Colorado elopements typically range from $7,000 to $15,000, depending on choices and scale. Key expenses include:
Photography: $3,000-$6,000 for full-day coverage
Planning services: $2,000-$4,000 for full-service support (booking other vendors, coordinating the flow of the day, etc).
Vendors (hair, makeup, officiant): $1,000-$2,000
Activities and permits: $500-$1,500
Attire: $1,000-$3,000
Accommodation: $200-$1000 per night depending on how many guests you are looking to host
Transportation: $300-$800 for mountain-ready vehicles
Colorado Marriage License: $60
If you want to learn more about the cost breakdown for an elopement in 2025 check out our blog all about How Much it Costs to Elope in 2025 written by our elopement planner, Becca!
Money Saving Tips
Although these intimate elopement experiences aren’t always the cheapest option for getting married, there are some ways to save significantly!
Choosing less popular dates or weekdays
Choosing ceremony locations on public lands (as long as guest count is small enough)
Limiting guest count to reduce logistics, and activity/food costs
Selecting accessible locations near amenities
Combining ceremony and honeymoon activities
Hiring an elopement planner to help manage your budget and all logistics with you!
Colorado Summer Elopement Packages
Custom elopement packages that include full-service planning, day-of-coordination, photography and more!
Don’t know where to start with planning your own summer elopement in Colorado? That’s what we’re here for! Our services are perfect for helping you have a low stress, beautiful elopement because they include:
6hrs - multi day photo coverage, so there’s time to cover the whole story of your event without feeling rushed
Full-service elopement planning - you don’t have to know all of the best ceremony spots or vendors because we do!
Day-of Coordination - your day managed seamlessly so you & your guests can sit back & relax!
Sound like your perfect day? Learn more about our pricing here!
Ready to plan your own Colorado Elopement?
There’s still plenty of time to plan your Summer 2025 elopement! The possibilities for your day are endless from jeeping up to a remote mountain pass to chilling playing corn hole at a local brewery with your guests. While popular dates are booking quickly, having an experienced planner on your side can help you create a magical celebration in no time, with low stress!
If you’re ready to hit the ground running, we’d love to help! Reach out today so we can get the process started!
Planning your own Colorado Elopement?!
Hi! We’re Becca and Hannah, an Elopement Planner and Photographer specializing in intimate weddings that are rooted in meaning, adventure, and community. We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting! Colorado elopements are our absolute favorites, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
How Much Does it Cost to Elope in 2025?
Planning an elopement for 2025 but unsure how much it will cost? This guide breaks down some things to consider when building your elopement budget, including vendors and how much they cost, including guests, choosing your location, and more!
Building Your 2025 Elopement Budget
Let’s be real- weddings are not a cheap event. It seems the second that something is deemed “wedding” related, the price tag increases tenfold. With the average traditional wedding cost escalating by the day, it is no surprise that one of the key reasons couples are choosing to elope is to cut some costs. So how much can you expect to spend on your elopement?
Elopements can be executed on a wide range of budgets. Ultimately, you can pay for the cost of your marriage license and get hitched at the courthouse if that is what you envision. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your priorities, and the experience that you want your wedding day to be. We are firm believers here at Trail Magic that choosing to elope does not mean that you have to sacrifice creating joy-filled memories of your once-in-a-lifetime day. There are still costs to consider, and services that we recommend choosing to invest in to bring your dream day to life, and to make sure it is beautifully documented for years to come!
Curious how to build your elopement budget, and what costs you can expect to pay? Keep reading for professional advice from an experienced elopement planner!
Identifying your priorities
The first step in planning your elopement budget is to identify your priorities for your elopement experience. The best way to do this depends on you, and how your planning brain works. Some different ideas include:
Journaling your dream day
What do you want to do?
Where do you want to be?
How do you want to feel?
Creating a spreadsheet
Identifying different potential vendors/components of a wedding day
Rating them on a scale of 1-10, from least to most important to your vision
Having conversations with your partner
Bouncing ideas off of each other
Listening to what your partner envisions for the day
Researching
Reading about different types of elopements
Reading blog posts about actual elopements
Reading about couples’ real life elopement experiences
Ultimately, no one can tell you what your priorities are for your elopement day. One of the most beautiful things about elopements are the unique nature of them, and how specifically they can be catered for your individual love story. Is it essential for you that you elope somewhere there are beautiful sunset views, because that is how you ended your first date together? Do you want a bouquet of lilies because they were your mom’s favorite flower? Do you envision a meal cooked by a private chef after your ceremony? It can happen!
When you feel like you have your general vision and priorities in mind, write them down in the most direct, tangible way possible. This will help you to gain an understanding of exactly what you need to be able to accomplish fulfilling your vision. For example, if your vision is…
… photos with your sister as she helps you get ready for your ceremony.
You should write down…
… photographer to cover getting ready moments, nice place to get ready at.
Or
… having a mountain top picnic & cake-cutting after your vows.
You should write down…
… a cake from a local bakery, a vendor that will set up your picnic for you.
Spelling out your priorities in this fashion will help you identify what services you need to research as you organize your budget!
Researching your Vendors
Once you have identified what vendors you may need, the next step is to get an idea of the price range of what each vendor can cost. You don’t need to select any vendors in this step. In fact, the more vendors you look at per category, the better idea you are going to have of what your budget will look like.
What vendors are most common in the elopement space? We would say the number one most popular elopement vendor across the board is an elopement photographer. Some other popular vendors include hair & makeup artists, videographers, officiants, planners, and florists, amongst others! Let’s break down some average costs associated with these potential vendors.
Elopement Photographers
The largest chunk of your elopement budget will likely be spent on photography services, and for good reason! Choosing to document your day with beautiful images is not only a great way to have keepsakes of your special day forever, but it is a great way to share your day with the people you love who were not present!
When researching photographers, I’m sure you’ll come to find that there is a very wide range of price points that photographers start at. Ultimately, you’ll find that for an experienced photographer, prices will generally fall in the $3k-$7k+ plus range, with some more luxury/niche photographers charging $10k+ for their services. Although this seems like a large investment, these photographers are there for the entire experience of you elopement, from location recs & timeline planning to delivering a full experience day of, to curating a stunning gallery of your day.
With a photographer, as well as all of the following vendors as, you are paying for a wealth of experience, artistry, and refined skills. Keep in mind that the price is often a reflection of the quality of the craft!
Hair & Makeup Artists
Not every bride opts to have a professional do their hair and makeup for their elopement, but many do! In places where elopements are very popular, you can even find Beauty vendors that will meet you at the trailhead! What we see most often is artists who come to the vacation rental our couples are staying at to get them all dolled up there. Depending on your distance from the actual salon, if the salon has any service minimums, if you would like trail services, etc, costs can vary. I would estimate that you can expect to spend $500-$600 on your wedding hair & makeup.
Videographers
If you would like further documentation of your day beyond photography, videographers are an awesome addition to your day! They’ll tag along for the elopement adventure, and create a film capturing the most magical moments for you to watch and re-watch for years to come! Videography services generally start at a minimum of $1500, and typically range in the $3-4k range, with some options exceeding $6-7k. Some important things to look for in an elopement videographer include the length of video they create, if they offer drone footage (if that is of interest to you!), and package lengths.
Officiant
Whether or not you need an officiant for your ceremony is dependent on your location (i.e. if you’re getting married in Colorado, you can self-solemnize), many couples opt to have one to lead their ceremony. In many places, you have the option to choose a friend or family member to officiate, given they are willing to get ordained for you. However, if you are choosing to invest in a professional, it its likely that you can expect to spend around $500+ for these services. How much you spend is also dependent on personalized you would like your ceremony to be, how far your officiant is traveling, and how many hours you are expecting their services for (which is generally not super long, but if they are hiking a mile to your ceremony location, that is something to keep in mind!).
Planners
I know what you’re thinking… a planner… for an elopement? But as the elopement industry grows, and the meaning of elopement evolves into less of a spontaneous act that defies the wishes of your family and more into an intentional, private way to spend your wedding day together, planners are stepping in to help! As an elopement & micro-wedding planner myself, I believe that couples choosing to elope are just as deserving of a relaxing and stress-free wedding day and wedding planning experience as couples choosing the traditional route! An elopement planner will help you with all additional vendors, help you location scout & choose your ceremony spot, help with accommodations, work with your other vendors to create the perfect timeline for your day, and will often provide day-of-coordination services to bring your vision to life. Depending on the extent of services you are seeking, you can expect to spend between $2k and $5k for elopement planning services. Your planner will also help you to build your overall budget, and to stick to it!
Florists
Although most couples seeking florals for their Elopements are not looking for the full floral shebang that weddings entail, we still love recommending local florists to our couples for their bouquets, boutonnieres, and ant decorative florals they may wish to include (stunning arch, anyone?). Although the cost of your flowers relies heavily on the extent of your vision, you can expect to spend around $200-300 on your bridal bouquet, and $30 or so on a boutonniere. If you are looking for something more large scale, like arch decor, you can expect to spend up to $700-$1k for partial displays, and $4-$5k for fully designed arches. Florals can be done on a wide range of budgets, though, and there are other options to investigate. We also love dried florals, and silk florals (especially for spots that don’t allow real flowers!).
Choosing Your Location
Location is often the biggest price difference between elopements and traditional weddings. Realistically, you can spend as little as $0.00 on your ceremony site, a jarring juxtaposition from the thousands that many venues start at. Of course, not every location is free to get married at, so let’s chat about potential costs!
Permits
The first step when you are interested in eloping somewhere is to research whether or not the site requires a permit. If it is on National Park Service land, it is pretty much a guarantee that it will. These permits vary quite a bit in price, with permits in parks like Great Smokey Mountain National Park costing $50, and permits in Rocky Mountain National Park costing $300. These permits also do not include park of parking passes required to get into/be in the parks, so that is something to consider as well!
Venue
When it comes to public land, there is no guarantee that although you got the necessary permits to reserve a site, you will be the only people there. There won’t be another couple eloping there, but you cannot guarantee full privacy from the general public. For this reason, some couples opt to book private spaces, like an Airbnb accommodation, or a natural, but privately owned venue like Weddings Over Waterfalls in Western North Carolina. Although these options are going to likely cost more than utilizing nearby public land, the guaranteed privacy is important to couples who opt for this route. We’ll break down some more vacation rental costs in the next section.
Accommodations
Once you have selected your ceremony site, the next move is to select where you’ll stay for your elopement experience. The majority of couples we work with are eloping a little ways from their home, or wish to have a different space to celebrate their wedding experience. We love vacation rentals for this purpose, because they can provide a bit more seclusion than a hotel stay would. Obviously these can hugely vary in cost, with some smaller spaces in less popular areas starting at $100-$200/ night, while more luxury rentals in more popular places can start at $500+ a night. It is important to know when booking your accommodation if you are looking to elope or have any photos/video taken on the property, so that you can ensure that is allowed on the premises before booking!
Eloping With Guests
As with any wedding, the guest count of your elopement will affect the overall cost. It can be a bit difficult to define what exactly the line is with guest counts and qualifying as an elopement, but here at Trail Magic Elopements, we generally classify an elopement as having less than 10 guests. So how does including guests impact your overall budget?
Dining
If you are planning to celebrate your elopement with a nice dinner out, a reserved private space, or some other form of small “reception,” including guests will up the costs associated. Of course this is not always the case, and sometimes a guest (or multiple guests) will pitch in to split the bill, but make sure you have budgeted ahead of time with the expectation of covering this cost.
Accommodation
Something we see fairly often in the elopement space is couples choosing to book an accommodation that will comfortably fit part or all of the group they are inviting to their elopement. Renting out a larger space will increase your budget by a fair bit, with the cost of 3-4+ bedroom house often starting at closer to $500 or $600/ night, and going up from there. Another thing to consider in this situation is if you’ll be stocking the fridge, providing food for the length of the stay, etc.
Limitations on Land & Vendor Limits
It is important to keep in mind when eloping with guests that not every ceremony site and vendor is going to have the same definition of an elopement. When including guests, you may end up having more limitations on certain locations, and may want to prioritize booking a more private, venue like space to ensure comfortability for your guests.
Ultimately, your elopement budget is entirely up to YOU and YOUR priorities for your day. For some couples, this looks like $5,000, and for others this looks like $15,000. At the end of the day there are no wrong answers if you are following your heart and vision. We always encourage our inquiring couples to reflect on what their priorities are, and how they want to remember their big day in the years to come. We believe that your love story is worth investing in, and just because you are choosing to have an intimate affair does not mean you need to skimp on the things that will make it beautiful and memorable. This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of day to celebrate your once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and that alone deserves the very best!
Planning your own Elopement and need some help?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A North Carolina and Colorado based wedding Photography and Planning team!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Elopement planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
9 Colorado Airbnb Wedding Venues for Micro Weddings
If you’re thinking about having your Colorado micro wedding at an Airbnb or rental property, this blog is for you! We’ve compiled 9 beautiful properties ranging from $500 - $5000 per night to give you a sampling of all the great rental properties around Colorado that allow weddings. It’s the perfect guide to get you started on planning the Airbnb wedding you’ve been dreaming about!
Airbnb weddings have been gaining popularity, specifically in the micro wedding community in the past 5 years. It’s not hard to figure out why - who wouldn’t want their wedding venue to include amazing views, privacy, and built-in accommodations for part of or even their entire guest list?!
As a Colorado Micro Wedding Photographer and Planner, we’re no strangers to couples looking to host their small weddings at Airbnb or vacation rentals! Personally, we think they are some of the best weddings ever! But, we know it can be difficult to find the perfect rental, so keep reading to learn more about Airbnb Wedding Venues in Colorado!
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Looking for more Colorado micro wedding inspiration? We got you!
Tips for your finding your Colorado Airbnb Venue
Our best advice for finding your Colorado Airbnb wedding venue is to start your search with a clear strategy. Look for properties that welcome events. Check their maximum guest capacity. Verify they can handle both your ceremony and overnight stays. Here are some of our top tips for finding an amazing Colorado Airbnb venue:
Choose your preferred Colorado region first: Think about what types of views you want. Are you looking for something waterfront? Mountain views? If you know a bit more about what you’re looking for, it can help narrow down your search.
Know your overnight guest count: This number helps narrow down suitable properties quickly.
Consider hiring a micro wedding planner: Planners can provide pre-vetted venue options and know the area. This saves countless research hours for you to focus on other parts of your wedding! **We have over 80 event-friendly vacation rentals saved in our client portals and love sharing new finds with our couples!
Colorado VRBO Weddings
Many couples overlook VRBO. This platform often works better than Airbnb for wedding venues. VRBO has an “Events Allowed” search filter. This saves valuable planning time. As a platform, Airbnb limits hosts on whether they can allow events or not. VRBO doesn’t have the same restrictions.
Planning your Colorado Airbnb Wedding
When it comes to planning your Colorado Airbnb wedding, success requires a lot of attention to detail. Many crucial elements aren't obvious in property listings, and there are lots of logistics to consider.
Below is a basic checklist, but if you want to learn more, we recommend checking out our full guide How to Plan An Airbnb Wedding in 2025 - coming soon!
Your Colorado Airbnb Wedding Planning Checklist
Review all event policies carefully: make sure to check guest limits on the listings, understand parking rules and limitations, and note any special event fees.
Connect with local rental companies: You'll need tables, chairs, and backup weather equipment. Most vacation rentals don’t offer these types of items.
Understand local ordinances: many Colorado mountain towns have occupancy limitations, event insurance requirements, and noise ordinances.
Create the site layout: understand the limitations of the house. Maybe the ceremony needs to be offsite, or a reception dinner venue would be better.
Secure your vendors & communicate openly with the hosts: keep communication open and make sure vendors, like caterers, florists, etc are aware of where the property is located. Since many of these properties can be remote or require high clearance vehicles to get to, it’s best to be open with your vendors and plan accordingly. Communicate everything with your hosts so they consent to all elements of your event!
Cost of your Colorado Airbnb Wedding
Let's break down the numbers. Event-friendly properties in Colorado vary widely in price. Most range from $700 to $3,000+ per night. Although there are more budget-friendly options available if you’re willing to sacrifice some amenities. Premium properties cost more during peak seasons.
On average you can expect to spend around $5,000 for a wedding-suitable property to sleep about 10-12 guests. This typically covers a three-night minimum stay. Final costs depend on property, guest count, and any event fees that can vary in price.
Best way to manage costs? Hire a Micro Wedding Planner
One of the best ways to manage the cost of your Airbnb wedding is to hire a wedding planner, specifically one with expertise in these types of micro weddings. A planner can help reduce overall expenses by bringing vendor relationships, knowing how to negotiate, and helping avoid hidden fees. They will also be your partner during the planning process, keeping you accountable to your outlined budget and helping cut costs on non essential items.
Best Colorado Airbnb Venues for a Wedding
Below are 9 examples of vacation rentals you can rent around Colorado to host your micro wedding! I’ve arranged them from lowest average nightly cost to highest to help with budgeting!
Disclaimer: At the time of publishing all of the listings are vacation rentals that allow events. However, I recommend that you check the listings carefully to find information regarding rules, guest limits, and additional fees and always reach out to the hosts before booking or assuming your event is allowed at the space!
Lower Budget Options
Vega Lake Retreat
The Wapiti Retreat
Gunnison Home
Vega Lake Retreat | Book It
Location: Collbran, Colorado
Nightly Price in Summer 2025 - $425
Max Event Attendees: ask host for details
Sleeps: 20
What we love about this property: This property is a great blank canvas for a micro wedding with beautiful views of Vega Lake, one of Colorado’s State Parks! You could have the ceremony overlooking the lake from the lawn or even travel down the state park for your ceremony and then come back to a candlelight reception dinner with twinkle lights on the outdoor deck. A great option for the lower nightly cost, while still accommodating most of your guests!
The Wapiti Retreat | Book It
Location: Walden, Colorado
Nightly Price in Summer 2025 - $490
Max Event Attendees: 30
Sleeps: 16
What we love about this property: We love the remote and ruggedness of this property. It has beautiful floor to ceiling windows perfect for getting ready or indoor photos, but also has a sweeping property with lots of places to explore. It would be perfect for hosting an intimate wedding with stunning mountain views. This cabin is also close to miles of beautiful hiking trails for a private adventure just the two of you!
Gunnison Home | Book It
Location: Gunnison, Colorado
Nightly Price in Summer 2025 - $543
Max Event Attendees: ask host for details
Sleeps: 19
What we love about this property: This home is a cozy little spot close to areas like Crested Butte, Gunnison, and the mountain passes in between Crested Butte and Buena Vista. It would be a great house to have a cozy outdoor reception that is paired with a ceremony out in a more epic, nearby mountain location. It’s also a great option to keep costs for your lodging lower, while still being able to house quite a few people with you!
Mid-Range Budget Options
Secluded Mountain Retreat
Creekside Quakie Cabin
Crestview Ranch
Secluded Mountain Retreat |Book It
Location: Dolores, Colorado
Nightly Price in Summer 2025 - $570
Max Event Attendees: ask host for details
Sleeps: 34
What we love about this property: This property is stunning and remote, the perfect place for an intimate mountain retreat with your favorite people! It has secluded mountain views and a meadow a short walk from the house with benches and an arch for hosting a stunning ceremony among the aspen trees. This is a beautiful place for a quintessential Colorado fall wedding for a very reasonable price!!
Creekside Quakie Cabin |Book It
Location: Durango, Colorado
Nightly Price in Summer 2025 - $840
Max Event Attendees: 15
Sleeps: 15
What we love about this property: This property is gorgeous and would be perfect for a small group gathering or outdoor dinner after an elopement ceremony up in the mountains. It’s surrounded by forest giving you and your loved ones privacy to enjoy each other's company tucked away in nature.
Crestview Ranch | Book It
Location: Grandby, Colorado
Nightly Price in Summer 2025 - $1545
Max Event Attendees: 50
Sleeps: 25
What we love about this property: This property is huge! There is so much space to sleep most of your friends and family, and the hosts are very familiar with micro weddings. There are lots of things like tables, chairs, ceremony arch etc..included in the event fee that will save you on costs from other rental companies. Plus the ranch has mountain views and a sweet little lake in front!
Luxury Options
Alta Lakes Observatory
High Country Lodge
Crested Butte Mansion
Alta Lakes Observatory | Book It
Location: Telluride, Colorado
Nightly Price in Summer 2025 - $2000
Max Event Attendees: 50
Sleeps: 12
What we love about this property: Alta Lakes is more than just a home rental, it’s an investment in a full mountain experience! This property has an alpine lake right off the patio where you can paddle with your new spouse right after your ceremony! It’s an amazing spot to celebrate with your favorite people in a rustic, mountain setting with tons of accessibility to Telluride, and other outdoor activities in one of the most beautiful spots of Colorado!
High Country Lodge | Book It
Location: Breckenridge, Colorado
Nightly Price in Summer 2025 - $3599
Max Event Attendees: 50
Sleeps: 25
What we love about this property: This property is beautiful all year long and set up for hosting weddings. You’re tucked away outside of Breckenridge with gorgeous mountain views, it doesn’t get more “Colorado” than this! Not to mention there is lodging and space for so many of your people to stay on site! Worth the high price point if you’re looking to house people in a beautiful mountain setting and have a bigger event with facilities.
Crested Butte Mansion | Book It
Location: Crested Butte, Colorado
Nightly Price in Summer 2025 - $4500
Max Event Attendees: 40
Sleeps: 23
What we love about this property: If you’re dreaming of a quintessential and luxurious Colorado micro wedding without having to leave the property of your Airbnb, this property is for you! It has all types of amenities (including a private pickleball court!), stunning mountain views and incredible windows for beautiful photos inside and out of the home. If you have the budget to rent this home for your wedding weekend, I guarantee you (and your guests) won’t regret it!
Hidden Gems
This post has some amazing properties that we highly recommend, BUT as an intimate wedding Planner and Photographer team, we love providing our clients with even more recommendations, including our favorite local hidden gem spots! If you’re interested in learning more, contact us here!
Colorado Airbnb Wedding Packages
Custom Micro Wedding packages that include full-service planning, day-of-coordination, photography and more!
Don’t know where to start with planning your own Airbnb wedding? That’s what we’re here for! Our services are perfect for helping you have a low stress, beautiful wedding at vacation rental because they include:
6hrs - multi day photo coverage, so there’s time to cover the whole story of your event
Full-service micro wedding planning - you don’t have to know all of the best spots or vendors because we do!
Day-of Coordination - your day managed seamlessly from setup to tear down so you & your guests can sit back & relax!
Sound like your perfect day? Learn more about our pricing here!
Conclusion
There are so many different types of properties for micro weddings in Colorado, but it’s always good to check multiple listings and talk with the hosts until you find the best spot for your unique event! These types of wedding also aren’t as cost-effective as they may seem upfront, but they can be extremely beautiful and intimate for your group of people. I hope you found this post helpful in starting to plan your dream intimate wedding!
Planning your own Colorado Airbnb Wedding?
Hi! We’re Becca and Hannah, a Micro Wedding Planner and Photographer specializing in intimate weddings that are rooted in meaning, adventure, and community. We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting! Intimate weddings at vacation rentals are our absolute favorites, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
Brainard Lake Engagement Photos in the Fall
Check out Karryn & Rob’s engagement session at Brainard Lake Recreation area! Learn about what activities they chose, and all the tips for planning an amazing engagement session at one of the most stunning spots in the front range!
Nestled in the mountains just behind Boulder, Brainard Lake Recreation Area provided an amazing backdrop for Karryn and Rob's adventurous fall engagement session, full of yummy food, a gorgeous sunrise, and their favorite game to play as a couple. It was such an authentic and laid back session, I hope it inspires you to plan something similar for your engagement photos!
Keep reading to hear the story of their day and how you can plan an amazing Engagement Session at Brainard Lake in Colorado!
Looking for more Colorado engagement inspiration? We got you!
Navigating Brainard Lake Timed Entry Reservations
Brainard Lake is a stunning and accessible location near the Denver Metro area, which means it is popular for photographers and hiking enthusiasts alike! In recent years the park service has started a timed entry reservation system to help manage crowd levels and keep the area protected for future enjoyment!
The Timed Entry system can be a bit confusing and can change year to year, so here are the basic things you need to know for 2025:
Timed entry reservations operate from June through mid-October. In 2024 the main Brainard Lake gate closed for the season on October 13th.
Entry times are available in interval time frames from 5am - 8pm, 7 days per week.
Reservations are for a particular parking lot in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.
Reservations are available to purchase for $16 on recreation.gov (America the Beautiful and Interagency Passes can be applied to the reservation to lower the fee)
If you’re planning an engagement session for Brainard Lake Recreation Area during the summer or fall months, I’d suggest reserving your timed entry ticket sooner rather than later because they do sell out quickly, especially on weekends. In addition to booking our entry tickets early, Karryn, Rob, and I opted to arrive at the gate by 6am to enjoy sunrise and avoid the mid-morning crowds.
Arriving before sunrise at Brainard Lake Recreation Area
After a 4am wake up call, Karryn and Rob arrived at Brainard Lake with camping chairs, a portable stove, and all the fixings for their traditional breakfast ritual. The decision to begin their session before sunrise gave us lots of time to enjoy the area without crowds and allowed us to witness a beautiful sunrise while eating warm breakfast burritos and chocolate chip muffins!
The morning didn’t go without a couple amusing mishaps. One of Karryn and Rob’s favorite things to do together is make their morning coffee and Karryn made sure to bring their favorite brand with them for the session. Unfortunately, when she was about to pour it into their cups, the kettle toppled over onto the rocks and we lost the whole pot! She ended up saving a little, but it made for a big laugh & a promise to visit their favorite coffee shop in Nederland after the session.
Cooking breakfast, skipping rocks, and playing some Cribbage
My favorite part of Karryn & Rob’s engagement session was their decision to incorporate activities that genuinely reflected their relationship. Instead of solely focusing on posed portraits, I got to capture the story of their morning engaging in their favorite pastimes. It allowed for incredible images full of sweet, candid moments.
One thing Rob insisted we do was set up the Cribbage board. It’s a tradition they've maintained on their camping adventures together, so he wanted to capture that. Their cribbage game became some of my favorite photos of the session because it was full of laughter and playful banter that perfectly captured their dynamic relationship and shared value of having fun together.
Essential Tips for Your Brainard Lake Engagement Session
If you’re looking to have your own engagement session at Brainard Lake, here are my top tips for a memorable experience like Karryn & Rob:
Best time of Day
The optimal timing for engagement photos at Brainard Lake typically falls within the golden hours – either just after sunrise or before sunset – for a beautiful, soft light across the lake and mountains.
*Pro tip: My personal favorite time of day is sunrise because of the direction of the light and mountains. You get that dreamy pinkish alpine glow on the peaks behind you!
Best Season
Brainard Lake Recreation Area is open year-round, and there truly isn’t a bad time to visit.
Summer season ranges from June - mid October
Summer season is best for hiking all of the different trails in the area and parking closest to the lake. Bring your kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard for a truly memorable experience!Winter season is from Mid October - June.
If you visit in the winter, you have to park at Gateway Trailhead and walk 2 miles into the park to reach the lake. Don’t let this discourage you though, it’s a spectacular place to snowshoe!!
Weather & Climate
Brainard Lake is tucked deep in the mountains at 10,000+ ft above sea level. This means that weather conditions can change rapidly at this elevation, so bringing appropriate layers and weather-proof gear ensures comfort throughout your session regardless of unexpected weather shifts.
Always come prepared and if you’re unsure, hire a local engagement photographer that knows the area and can help you with all the preparation & advice!
Multiple Locations for all types of adventurous couples
While Brainard Lake offers accessible shooting locations directly from the parking area with no hiking required, numerous trails provide opportunities for more adventurous couples seeking varied backdrops, from dense pine forests to pristine alpine lakes like Mitchell Lake and Lake Isabelle.
Tips for candid, beautiful photos
Incorporating meaningful activities that reflect your relationship, as Karryn and Rob did with their breakfast preparation and cribbage game, can help create natural, relaxed moments that translate beautifully in photographs.
Karryn and Rob's engagement session at Brainard Lake exemplifies how incorporating genuine interests and activities can transform a photo session from a potentially awkward experience into a fun, goofy, and natural celebration of your relationship. The success of their engagement photos stems from their willingness to be truly themselves – making breakfast burritos at altitude, playing their favorite game, and simply enjoying each other's company in one of my favorite spots in Colorado. I hope their story serves as inspiration for you and your mountain engagement session!
Looking for a Colorado Engagement Photographer to help you plan an amazing session?
Looking for your own Brainard Lake Engagement Photos?
Hi, I’m Hannah!
I’m a Colorado Elopement photographer specializing in meaningful adventure sessions and elopements. I’m all about documenting moments, emotions, and experiences and care about the process and feeling of our time together just as much as the final images!
If you’re looking for a photographer to capture your love, let’s chat! Reach out here to schedule your free consultation with me!
Colorado Springs Micro Wedding
B&C’s micro wedding in Colorado Springs was such a warm, intentional, and beautiful celebration. They chose to get married in Garden of the Gods and celebrate with their closest friends and family at multiple venues around downtown in the Springs.
Breanna and Chase celebrated their micro wedding in July of 2024 in Colorado Springs! It was an incredibly laid back day full of candid moments with their closest family and friends. They were so intentional in the activities, experiences, and people they chose for their day, and it showed in how the day flowed from start to finish. I’m so excited to share the images and story of their day below!
Are you thinking about having a micro wedding in Colorado but need some help or inspiration? We also recommend checking out these guides!
A laid back timeline and style
The aspect of B & C’s day that stands out to me was their laid back timeline and style. Nothing about the day from getting ready, to an intimate cocktail hour, to their ceremony, felt rushed or stressed. They owned their day and kept their guests close so that there was never a reason to push on to the next activity. Everyone was included from start to finish, and with all of this time, it was easy to capture the sweet in between moments that unfolded as everyone interacted.
Blending traditional and unconventional
B & C didn’t ignore all aspects of a traditional wedding, but really found a harmonious blend of tradition and modernization. Here are some examples of how they shook up the wedding traditions to make them their own!
Instead of getting ready separately, they were together during these moments of the day. C was in and out of the bridal suite as B was getting dressed and it let them both soak in the time with their close people!
They had a sit-down cocktail hour with their guests before the ceremony. Instead of using this as a time to run away and do photos, they built in more time to spend with their guests at a local brewery, Phantom Canyon. It was a great time for conversation and snacks!
Instead of having speeches, they allowed every guest to say a few words. Towards the end of the night, B & C opened the mic up to all of their guests to speak. They went around the table sharing memories, words of wisdom, and excitement for the newlyweds!
Multiple Locations & Transportation
B & C’s day included multiple locations for all of the guests, so they decided to charter a bus to take the group from place to place. This proved to be really handy because no one had to worry about parking, or waiting on someone who hadn’t arrived. When the bus arrived, we knew everyone was there and ready!
Having multiple locations helped the day feel unique and exciting. From getting ready, to cocktail hour, to the ceremony and finally the reception space, the day truly felt like a story, and everyone on the bus had an amazing time!
Here are the spots they used for their Micro Wedding in the Springs!
Getting Ready: Mining Exchange Hotel
Cocktail Hour: Phantom Canyon Brewing
Ceremony: Garden of the Gods
Reception: Mining Exchange Hotel
Inspired to plan your own Colorado Micro Wedding?!
Planning your own Colorado Micro Wedding and need help?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A Colorado wedding Photographer and Planner!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Micro wedding planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
Best Colorado Small Wedding Venues
Looking to have your small wedding in Colorado but unsure where to start looking? Look no further! We've compiled a list of 20+ of our favorite micro wedding venues in Colorado in well-know towns like Estes Park, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Crested Butte and Vail. The venues range from boutique bed and breakfasts to unique river lodges, and even accessible mountain gardens! You will definitely have all the inspiration you need to start planning the Colorado small wedding of your dreams!
When it comes to finding the perfect spot for your Colorado micro-wedding, the options can be a little bit overwhelming. Sure, many of the larger, more traditional venues are off the table, but a whole new world of possibilities is open to you. As the intimate wedding industry grows, many unique places are leaning in and offering up their spaces for people like you to host your intentional day. From small bed and breakfasts, to unique mountain top overlooks, to flower gardens and unique western style saloons, keep reading for some of our favorite Colorado small wedding venues!
Table of Contents Show
Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, right outside of Estes Park.
Estes Park Small Wedding Venues
Capacity: Depends on venue option but ranges
What we love about this spot:
Recommend the Historic Mountainside Lodge Package
Sleeps up to 38 people on site
Private Covered pavilion access
Lodge access (3-4 night packages)
Ceremony site access (seats up to 120 people)
Private, mountain views
Capacity: 60
What we love about this spot:
Is a versatile, cute space where you could host a ceremony, reception, or rehearsal dinner (or all 3 events!)
Venue provides lots of helpful materials for an intimate gathering, but also allows you to customize the space to your liking
Could have a ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park and use this venue as a reception space!
Capacity: 120 guests
What we love about this spot:
Exclusive use of the property for your event
Onsite accommodation for you and guests
Gorgeous riverfront Ceremony location
Option for rehearsal dinner or whole wedding experience
Capacity:18 guests
What we love about this spot:
Comprehensive packages ranging from 2 person elopements to a small event with guests
Ability to buy out the property for guests to stay
Cute decor and activities on site for a very cozy, intimate vibe to your day
Riverfront Ceremony location
Capacity: up to 150 guests
What we love about this spot:
Affordable, outdoor location with views of Long’s Peak
Beautiful outdoor views!
Versatile space for a ceremony and outdoor reception
Reservable for day-use
Boulder Flower farm, photo courtesy of their website.
Boulder Small Wedding Venues
Capacity: 125 guests
What we love about this spot:
Seasonal access - spring through autumn
Private experience for a thoughtfully curated small event
Access to the barn, gazebo, lawn, and meadow for events
Beautiful views of the front-range
Ability to include fresh produce from farm into your meal
Capacity: max 100, better suited for smaller gatherings
What we love about this spot:
Fining dining restaurant with stunning views of the Boulder Valley
Patio opening up to the views where ceremony can be hosted
Space for reception/dining post ceremony
Award winning chef & food!
Capacity : 40 guests for micro weddings
What we love about this spot:
Versatile industrial space
Speakeasy lounge for appetizers, cake and cocktail hour
Ceremony location
Access to nearby trailheads for photos
Capacity: up to 100 guests
What we love about this spot:
Blank canvas outdoor venue on an actual flower farm
Access to lots of green open space, patio space, and a historic grape arbor
Flower budget from the farm for seasonal florals
Optional day-use of the indoor farmhouse on site
Capacity: 100 guests
What we love about this spot:
Accessible seasonally, April 30 - October 31st
Outdoor amphitheater perfect to rent for your intimate ceremony near Boulder
Outstanding views off Flagstaff Mountain overlooking Boulder
Wheelchair accessible elopement location
Extremely affordable to rent, minimal decor options
Capacity: 49 guests
What we love about this spot:
Available year-round
Stone patio with great views of Boulder Valley
Inside covered seating for about 40 people
Wheelchair accessible
Affordable to rent for day use
Colorado Springs Small Wedding Venues
Seven Minute Springs Gazebo & Ampitheatre
Capacity - varies
What we love about this spot:
Adorable outside space to rent with a historic gazebo
Affordable and close to Colorado Springs for a reception dinner elsewhere
Accessible for guests
Capacity: 30-150 guests
What we love about this spot:
Option for a micro-wedding reception and cocktail hour space after outdoor ceremony
Offers guest rooms for couple to stay on site
Lots of items included in venue packages
Views of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods from inn
Capacity: depends on space
What we love about this spot:
Unique, trendy urban hotel
Lots of unique outdoor and modern spaces for events
Catering menu available
Outdoor yard has lots of space for games and laid back reception vibe
Capacity: depends on space
What we love about this spot:
Recently renovated, boutique hotel in downtown Colorado Springs
Unique room features
Reception spaces, trendy alley-way, and gorgeous hotel lobby for a very unique and comfortable micro-wedding experience
Capacity: 50 guests
What we love about this spot:
Rustic pavilion space right on a lake reservable on Recreation.gov
Close to Colorado Springs, Woodland Park and lots of other activities
Perfect for a small outdoor gathering with water activities or outdoor games
Sopris House, courtesy of Eleven's website
Crested Butte Small Wedding Venues
Capacity: 200 guests
What we love about this spot:
DIY wedding venue that can be transformed fully into your vision
Affordable prices for micro-weddings
Gorgeous mountain backdrop
Space for reception and ceremony
Capacity: 40 guests
What we love about this spot:
Bed & Breakfast Inn with lodging options for your guests!
A perfect place for a sit down dinner after a private ceremony
Quaint and charming spaces, perfect for a romantic fall or winter backdrop
With an event more than 10 people, a buyout of lodging is required
Capacity: 10-12, ask for more details
What we love about this spot:
10 room luxury inn with mountain rustic charm
Cozy environment for an intimate wedding experience with lodging
Perfect for evening activities, small dinner after a ceremony out in nature
Capacity: 40 - 100+ guests depending on room booked
What we love about this spot:
Modern Colorado Saloon
Pub and Taproom that also hosts guests in their loft suites
Has multiple unique,spaces for hosting your reception or cocktail hour including their patio
Capacity: 50 for sit down dinner
What we love about this spot:
A venue with lodging available for 18 guests
Historical charm inn with Wild West facade and luxurious interior design
Perfect for a sit-down dinner or cocktail reception!
Summer season May-Mid October, Winter season Mid December - Mid April
*Available for use along with Sopris House if desired
Capacity: 25 guests for sit down patio dinner
What we love about this spot:
Smaller venue option right next to Scarp Ridge
Intimate four bedroom home with a private saloon and outdoor patio
Perfect for a smaller event while still providing the same historic charm
Summer season May-Mid October, Winter season Mid December - Mid April
*Available for use along with Scarp Ridge if desired
Tigiwon Community House, courtesy of Recreation.gov
View from the house, courtesy of Recreation.gov
Vail Small Wedding Venues
Capacity: up to 200 guests
What we love about this spot:
Beautiful indoor/outdoor venue space with pond access, grassy lawns, and ample patio space for a more intimate event
Different rental options included
Great blank canvas space for a beautiful event
Capacity: varies
What we love about this spot:
Small rustic cabin house reservable for day-use on Recreation.Gov
Nestled into the mountains with gorgeous views and wildflowers in the summer
A DIY space for a rustic, private ceremony and/or gathering post ceremony in the mountains
Indoor/outdoor space for gathering
Julia’s Deck - Mount of the Holy Cross Observation Site
Capacity: 30 guests
What we love about this spot:
Reservable by calling the Holy Cross Ranger District
Affordable, private observation deck for a small gathering
Beautiful views of the mountains
DIY space for a small gathering/picnic following ceremony
Of course there are many more options available for your Colorado small wedding, but we hope this has given you some ideas and inspiration! If you are in the process of planning your micro-wedding, reach out to us here! We would love to chat.
Planning your own Colorado Small Wedding? Let’s chat!
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! As your Colorado small wedding planning & photography team, we’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony. We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting! Elopement planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!