Example: Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Example: Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Home to vast mountains, breathtaking views, scenic blankets of snow, and outdoor activities galore, Colorado has shaped up to be a go-to destination for weddings. Choosing the white, mountainous state for your wedding offers a substantial range of options for both indoor and outdoor weddings.
With Colorado’s weather changing drastically from December to March, it’s more common to get married in the summer months when there are plenty of sunny days to go around. Regardless of the season, Colorado has a variety of venues to help you experience the picturesque beauty of the mountains year-round.
Specializing in ceremonies held in the great outdoors, as well as charming wedding chapels, Colorado weddings are most commonly held in Denver, Aspen, Colorado Springs, Western Slope, and Boulder/Fort Collins.
Denver, a vibrant and young town, and the capital city of Colorado, has several neighborhoods to explore for your big day. Cherry Creek, known for its chic, upscale restaurants, up-and-coming arts district, and first-class shopping, stands minutes from Downtown Denver. Its proximity to Colorado’s most populous city drives its allure during wedding season. Other key trends in the city of urban sophistication include vintage-themed weddings, interactive food stations, bold-colored cakes, and stocking up on Colorado’s drink specialty—beer. Finally, an average trip to the altar in 2014 in Denver ran $27,000 and included the reception, bride’s dress, groom’s attire, ring, flowers, photography and music.
Aspen, Vail, and the High Rockies refers to the region of Ski Resort towns in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Home to year-round outdoor activities, historical landmarks, and high-end dining and shopping, these towns has 300 days of sunshine and has adopted a ‘locavore’ movement, primarily choosing to cater local, organic foods, when available. Vail is the more accessible of the two towns, as it is only a two and a half hour drive from Denver. Aspen is mere miles from the renowned Maroon Bells, two infamous and striking mountaintops changing colors each season, where couples escape to to capture their wedding photos.
Colorado Springs is a city situated in the eastern portion of Colorado. Couples commonly choose to tie the knot near Pikes Peak, one of the most famous mountains in the United States, and use the mountains as a backdrop for their wedding. Other popular areas include Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Garden of the Gods Park, and even a cave entitled Cave of the Winds.
Western Slope is home to several fruit farms and has become one of the fastest growing cities in America. Common venues to host beautiful ceremonies include Canyon Wind Cellars, an award-winning winery, Avalon Theatre, a facility with prohibition-era charm, as well as several other hotels, resorts, and wineries.
Boulder and Fort Collins has breathtaking views of the famous Flatirons and will absolutely astonish your guests with its beauty. Sitting at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is known for its western history, vibrant culinary scene, and vast outdoor activities. Popular wedding styles include outdoor weddings and mountain weddings.
Off-peak wedding season generally begins in December when temperatures drop, and last until March. Elements to consider when planning an off-season wedding in Colorado include cold weather and extreme blizzard conditions. That being said, prices for venues don’t necessarily drop off-season as ski resorts generally thrive on the weather conditions. One pro to choosing an off-season month for your wedding in Colorado is that you’re not competing with thousands of other couples for vendors and venues. Additionally, less weddings in the off-season leads to a higher likelihood of receiving discounts from photographers and wedding planners.
Taking into account the venues, rentals, and venue services, the average cost per guest in Colorado range between $60 to $150. Sales tax in the state is 2.9% and service charges are generally 22%. Note, the sales tax and service charges are not included in the quoted cost of the wedding.
In order to obtain a marriage license in Colorado, you’ll need to apply at least one month in advance of your wedding, provide copies of your birth certificates, tax information, social security information, as well as proof of ID and age. The cost for a marriage license is $30 cash. You’ll also be required to complete a marriage application form.