Where do you envision getting married in Colorado?
Perhaps it’s on a ranch with your ceremony backdrop overlooking the snow capped mountains and canvas tents for your guests to glamp in under the stars.
Perhaps it’s in a quaint chapel in the heart of town with an outdoor tented reception to follow.
Perhaps it’s in a ballroom at a luxury resort with an elevated culinary experience.
Or perhaps you have no idea and you need someone to help you find the perfect venue.
No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a little something for everyone in Colorado. Here’s a few of our top picks, ranging from historical log cabins to the latest and greatest 5-star resorts.
Small Wedding Venues in Aspen
Hotel Jerome
By far one of our favorite properties in Aspen, Hotel Jerome embodies the character of Aspen’s mining heritage. The hotel occupies one of the oldest buildings in town, while keeping true to the elevated style of their parent company, Auberge Resorts Collection.
The indoor ballroom of the hotel naturally caters to weddings of 50 guests with access to an outdoor courtyard – great for an intimate ceremony or dinner, cocktail hour, or a cigar bar with lounge furniture. While also having various spaces for even more intimate celebrations, such as penthouses fit for 20 people or less.
One of the perks of these smaller spaces is their easy access to the Bad Harriet bar (which is perhaps the most exciting feature of the hotel!) Bad Harriet is like being transported back to the 1920’s and walking into a speakeasy – with a hidden door and long staircase down to the basement. It makes for a great place for a formal after party or casual nightcap after the reception has ended.
Little Nell
Just picture it: Your closest friends and family boarding a silver gondola to the top of Aspen mountain for your ceremony rehearsal. After your rehearsal, you take a short walk over to the Aspen Mountain Club for an intimate plated dinner on their spacious patio overlooking the sprawling mountainscapes. Then, after dinner, you join the rest of your guests at the Agex Tavern for a casual welcome party with fun stations of your and your partner’s favorite foods
And that’s just the start of the weekend.
Sounds amazing to us!
At the Little Nell, you can expect a 5-star customer service and culinary experience. And because everything is on site – from guest rooms to the spa to your ceremony and reception – there’s a true convenience factor for your out of town guests.
Small Wedding Venues in Beaver Creek
Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch
A quick walk or shuttle ride to Anderson Cabin for a wedding party luncheon or an intimate ceremony and dinner for 40. An outdoor tented wedding reception for 50 on the resort lawn. A 20-30 person dinner on the Skier Bridge… The Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch is your mecca for everything.
It’s beautiful on every avenue. And as you would expect from a Ritz Carlton property, the staff goes the extra mile for you and your guests.
We’ve done countless weddings and celebrations at Bachelor Gulch (here’s just one stunning Bachelor Gulch wedding we’ve planned and designed), and we’ve built incredible relationships with the staff over the years. In turn, it makes our jobs easier and your experience even more enjoyable.
SaddleRidge
Once the executive retreat for (and designed by) Ralph Lauren, SaddleRidge is now a premier and highly desired on-mountain resort in Beaver Creek.
The property includes both event space and several multi-level, multi-bedroom villas – perfect for your wedding party and/or family to stay in throughout the weekend.
The property also includes a lot of character and history (calling all you history buff couples out there!) For example, one of the three publicly-displayed George Washington paintings hangs above the fireplace. And the retreat is home to an original Annie Oakley gun and Buffalo Bill’s original desk.
It also holds one of the most beautiful, grand wooden staircases and the quirkiest set of mix-matched rustic chairs.
For your ceremony, you’ll find the Chapel at Beaver Creek nearby. Or, if you prefer to stay on property, you can host your ceremony outdoors or in the main dining space. Which is exactly what we did for a wedding a few years ago – transforming the main dining area from a ceremony to a dinner, where guests recessed up and down the staircase to enjoy cocktail hour outdoors on the patio.
Mirabelle
One word (well, two) comes to mind when we think of the Mirabelle: Hidden gem.
Owned by Nathalie and Master Chef Daniel Joley, the Mirabelle was once a residence that was transformed into one of the oldest restaurants in Beaver Creek – which we feel adds a quaint charm and warmth to the space.
For being an intimate venue, it has quite the variety of spaces – ideal for a rehearsal dinner or full wedding. From the beautiful front lawn, perfect for a ceremony of approximately 50. To the back deck, seemingly built for cocktail hour, an intimate ceremony, or winter dinner with festival lights, heaters and cozy blankets set for 20. And, of course, the main dining area, that can host 50 guests and a small trio or quartet of musicians.
This venue is ideal for anyone envisioning a homey backyard, yet elevated, environment. All with a delightfully amazing culinary experience… Like you’re being served by a gourmet Chef in your own home… That never disappoints.
Trappers Cabin
Beaver Creek isn’t necessarily known for roughing it. And Trappers Cabin proves that.
Located on-mountain and right off the cat tracks, the cabin sleeps approximately 15, and is the epitome of what you would consider cozy Colorado. Just insert you. Curled up with a blanket by the fire. Looking out through the windows into the aspen groves.
It’s one of our favorite little cabins to bring in a private caterer and host a beautiful bridal luncheon, bachelor party, family reunion or micro wedding reception of 15 or less on the front deck.
Allie’s Cabin
Also located right off the cat trails, Allie’s Cabin is one of the smaller on-mountain cabins in Beaver Creek. One with a gorgeous view! Its windows and walls being the only thing separating you from feeling like you’re in the middle of the forest.
If you’re a member of the Beaver Creek Club, you’ve probably eaten lunch and/or dinner there many times. But what you may not know is that it’s also available for private use.
The outdoor deck and inside dining area easily accommodates a small wedding of 50+ people with an area for a small group of musicians or band.
But besides the view, what makes this space so attractive to couples is that you don’t have to do much with decor. It’s simple. Unique. Beautiful. It only needs a few decorative enhancements here and there.
Small Wedding Venues in Vail Valley
Four Seasons, Vail
We love Four Seasons Vail for many reasons. Similar to the Ritz Carlton, they’re a namesake. You can expect an elevated experience from guest rooms and event space to food quality.
While the pool area is popular for larger weddings, the ballroom is perfect to use for both your small wedding ceremony and reception of up to 50 guests – cutting the room in half with beautiful floor-to-ceiling drape. This would be a perfect option for a small winter Colorado wedding.
Their restaurant, Flame, is one of our favorite private dining rooms in town, accommodating up to 20 guests. It is available for a partial or private buyout and includes an outdoor terrace.
What’s not to love?!
Don’t miss Alexa and David’s real wedding at Four Seasons Vail.
The Sonnenalp
We just can’t help it. When we think of Vail… We think of the Sonnenalp.
Vail Village was originally designed after the town of Zermatt, Switzerland. The Sonnenalp, located in the heart of Vail Village across from the Vail Chapel, embodies just that.
Family owned, the hotel includes three restaurants. One of which, Ludwig’s, is used privately for events. Comfortably seating 20 guests, with wooden and glass walls and copper accents, our couples use this private dining room frequently for wedding party luncheons or an intimate rehearsal dinner.
But the true showstopper of the restaurant is it’s retractable roof – picturesque for a reception of 50 guests – that overlooks the outdoor lawn by the river used for ceremonies.
Larkspur
From the West Lawn – overlooking the iconic Gore Range, best used for your ceremony or tented reception. To the patio – waiting to be decorated with festival lights and lounge furniture. To the Great Room and the Wine Room – to be used for various events throughout the evening… There’s a lot of flexibility at this venue.
Originally a restaurant that now focuses on private events, the culinary experience at Larkspur rivals what you would expect to receive at a 5-star resort or restaurant. And that’s why we highly recommend this venue to couples who desire that level of craftsmanship and sophistication. As well as its attention to detail only white glove service provides.
With multiple parking and transportation options, ranging from on-site valet to the complimentary Vail shuttle to privately arranged transportation… We feel like we could just go on-and-on about this unparalleled venue.
Small Colorado Wedding Venues Off the Beaten Path
4 Eagle Ranch
If you’re looking for something a bit more casual and rustic… 4 Eagle Ranch might just be your place.
We love recommending 4 Eagle Ranch as a nice change of pace from the other events that make up your wedding weekend. Like, a casual, ranch hand rehearsal dinner of cornbread and chili, corn hole on the lawn, a horse-drawn sleigh ride and acoustic guitarist around the campfire. Followed by a more formal wedding the next evening.
Or, if you envision a truly western wedding, we recommend the outdoor gazebo, overlooking the snow capped New York mountain range. And Nelson Cabin for an intimate 20-person reception.
To top it off, host your bachelor/bachelorette weekend on property and stay at the Collective Retreats: The ultimate under canvas lodging experience.
Cabin 9000
Located in Wolcott, approximately 20-25 minutes from Vail, Cabin 9000 is perfect for the couple or host seeking total isolation.
It’s classic and simple, yet more rustic in design – giving off a more personal feeling. And it was recently renovated to maintain its original personality but with more elevated features.
Because it’s a more intimate home, we love using it as a getting ready facility for a beautiful outdoor ceremony of 20 overlooking the hillside followed by heavy hors d’oeuvres and/or a dinner inside the main living area.
And while it’s great for couples looking to get away for their wedding weekend, it’s also well-suited for bachelor/bachelorette celebrations (sleeping up to 14), birthdays, wedding showers, and rehearsal dinners in which we can arrange a private caterer.
Eaton Ranch
Holy macaroni… This place is heaven!
Formerly the homestead of Earl Eaton, one of the founding partners of Vail, this private and family run ranch is what true Colorado is all about. With a hint of something different.
When you first arrive at Eaton Ranch, you travel up a long, dirt road to be greeted by a perfectly manicured lawn in which your sail cloth rehearsal dinner or reception tent is set upon. Off to the side is the original cabin, where your wedding party can get ready. Then, as you make your way up the hill to your ceremony, you find yourself surrounded by some of the largest aspen trees known to exist.
It’s so peaceful. So quiet. And so Colorado.
Which venue do you feel lines up with your vision best? Let us know here, and let us bring your wedding day vision to life.
Considering a small, intimate, or micro wedding in Colorado?
Our sister company, Little Valley Weddings, specializes in incredible small wedding experiences.
You might also like:
Twitter
Pinterest
Facebook
Share On
Leave a Comment