Colorado is one of the most naturally-beautiful places in the world. The majestic Rocky Mountains comprise approximately fifty percent of the Centennial State, which makes for an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. It also makes Colorado one hell of a good place to have a wedding. So, with the multitude of picturesque wedding venues throughout the state, how do you go about choosing one for your wedding? Where do you even start your search? That’s the question I had to ask myself before sitting down to create this list. With so many amazing options, it’s no easy task to narrow down the best Colorado wedding venues.

That said, if you choose one of these ten amazing venues for your wedding, you absolutely will not regret it. (Still need more options? Check out our larger venue guide!)

Without further ado, here is our list of the top 10 best Colorado wedding venues (in no particular order).

1) Purgatory Resort

Purgatory is a ski resort situated just north of Durango in the San Juan Mountain Range. It’s a long drive from Denver, but it’s well worth the journey if you’re in the market for a Durango wedding. In fact, its remoteness is what makes it so magical. There’s a feeling of isolation that provides a really cool vibe for the weddings here. Also, it’s so far from any sort of light pollution that’s it’s the perfect location to capture photos of the stars, like we for this Purgatory wedding.

2) Camp Hale

Located just outside of Vail, between Red Cliff and Leadville, Camp Hale was developed during World War II as a training facility for the 10th Mountain Division, a specialized infantry trained for fighting in mountainous and arctic conditions. And now you can have your Vail wedding there. How. Cool. Is. That? Check out Kelly and Chris’s epic Camp Hale wedding to get just a taste of the views from this epic Colorado venue.

3) Stanley Hotel

While Colorado is most well-known for it’s plethora of natural beauty, the Stanley Hotel is probably the most recognizable manmade landmark in the state. The 100+-year-old hotel, which lies just a few miles outside the gate to Rocky Mountain National Park, served as the inspiration for Stephen King’s 1977 novel, the Shining. You can now take “ghost tours,” get lost in the hedge maze, or have a glass of whiskey at the iconic bar. And, our course, you can have a really, really cool wedding here. 

4) TenMile Station

Situated at the base of Peak 10, a little less than halfway up the mountain at Breckenridge Ski Resort, a TenMile Station wedding affords majestic views of the surrounding snowcapped peaks. And with this Breckenridge wedding venue situated at just over 10,000 feet above sea level, you never know which season you’re going to get, which keeps things fresh for your photographer. The last wedding we photographed at TenMile was on June 21st (the summer solstice) of this year… and it snowed.

5) Grand Hyatt Denver

The best thing about the Grand Hyatt Denver is the incredible view of the Rocky Mountains to the west. And since it’s located right in downtown Denver, your guests won’t have far to travel from the airport. It’s kind of a “best of both worlds” type of venue. Mountain views without the hassle. Also, this is one of the best wedding venues in Denver to watch the sunset. Check out Tova and Aaron’s Grand Hyatt Denver wedding to see more photos!

6) Pine Creek Cookhouse

Aspen is a cool little town, but some the best spots to take photos in the area are just a bit further afield. Located less than 15 miles south of Aspen, just past the ghost town of Ashcroft, Pine Creek Cookhouse is an amazing log cabin restaurant and wedding venue that lies in one of the most picturesque mountain valleys in all of Colorado. And that’s really saying something! Check out this Pine Creek Cookhouse wedding to see more.

7) Devil’s Thumb Ranch

For those looking for a rustic vibe, but who still require all of the amenities, a Devil’s Thumb Ranch wedding is perfect. A working horse ranch located just north of Winter Park, the venue’s slogan says it all: “Welcome to a tucked-away haven of pure, untamed wonder – a place where yesterday’s views and values intersect with today’s adventures and comforts.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.

8) Planet Bluegrass

Planet Bluegrass has to be one of the most unique wedding venues we’ve ever had the pleasure of shooting during our wedding photography career. It’s first and foremost a music venue and every Planet Bluegrass wedding we’ve shot has been complete with a live band. Plus, the North Sant Vrain Creek runs through the property, which brings a nice cool breeze to those long, hot summer weddings.

*Note: If you’re unable to book a Planet Bluegrass wedding for whatever reason, I’d recommend checking out River Bend directly across the street. It has a very similar look and vibe – the only difference is they impose a noise ban due to the proximity to residential areas, so you have to have either an acoustic band or a silent disco for your reception.

9) Mile High Station

Most of the best Colorado wedding venues are in the mountains, but there are some really great urban wedding venues in Colorado as well. Mile High Station is located just south of the Broncos’ stadium and has a really cool urban chic vibe. It’s housed in an old steelworks building and is unlike any other wedding venue we’ve ever shot. Check out Emily and Ben’s Mile High Station wedding to see more photos!

*Note: Mile High Station now has a twin venue called Ironworks which is just across the parking lot!

10) Beaver Creek Lodge

There are a ton of wedding venues in Beaver Creek, but the Beaver Creek Lodge is the one we shoot most frequently. The hotel is super cool, the restaurant is amazing, and it’s just a stone’s throw from the main chairlift, which makes it super easy to go up the mountain for photos. Check out this Beaver Creek wedding to see more photos!

*You’ll need a ski pass (or a day pass) to ride the lift.

Thanks for taking the time to read out list of the 10 best Colorado wedding venues! But we’re just scraping the tip of the iceberg here, so be sure to check out databases (below) for more. Happy wedding planning!