First things first, in case you’re new to micro weddings! You might be wondering, what is a micro wedding, anyway? A micro wedding is nothing more than a tiny version of a traditional wedding, often having between 1-50 guests (with an elopement being defined as a union without any guests).
Truly, the only thing that defines a micro wedding is the size of the guest list.
I’ve been watching more and more couples pivot from having a big wedding to a small wedding for a few years now. As people learn about micro weddings, they’re drawn to the intimacy and intentionality that comes with planning an event with just your closest friends and/or family.
Just under 20% of weddings in Colorado have a guest list with less than 50 guests according to The Wedding Report. So while the majority of weddings still fall into the category of average size, there are still quite a few choosing a more intimate setting.
Colorado is perfect for small weddings for a lot of reasons: gorgeous ceremony and reception locations no matter where in the state you’re getting married, tons of camp and retreat style venues and lodges that make for a perfect weekend or destination wedding, great weather year-round, and more.
Colorado is home to incredible outdoor wedding options with the Rocky Mountains running along the western side of the state and so much public land, including National Parks and Monuments, State Parks, and BLM land perfect for intimate ceremonies and occasionally, receptions.
Pretty sure everyone knows what I am talking about here. Those Colorado mountain views make a killer backdrop for any wedding.
Colorado’s weather is relatively mild year-round, even in the winter! Yes, it can be cold, but winter creates a cozy, romantic atmosphere for any couple who love that season. Summer is incredible with
We’ll get into this a little more further down in the guide, but the options for wedding pros of all types and venues is endless. The wedding industry in Colorado has totally embraced the idea that micro weddings are here to stay and so there’s no shortage of options when it comes to building your perfect wedding team!
Check out some of my top recommendations below.
One of the best trends I’m seeing is longer wedding weekends. Rent out one of Colorado’s many camps or lodges and have a micro wedding that extends for several days. Since Colorado offers so much to do, you can plan a pretty epic wedding weekend.
There’s a misconception that Colorado is super cold….probably because when people think about Colorado they think about skiing and the snowcapped mountains (not a bad thing to be known for!)
I covered this in depth in another blog more broadly. Having a Colorado micro wedding does put you on the upper end of costs, but it can be well worth it if you’re looking for a gorgeous place to get married. The average cost of a micro wedding nationally is $15,000, but in Colorado I would expect to spend between $20,000 - $30,000.
I spent $18,000 on my small wedding in Colorado but I kept it super simple and rented an Airbnb for my venue so I would say mine was definitely on the low end in terms of cost.
As I mentioned before, Colorado has some of the best small wedding venues. With the Rocky Mountains running all the way through the state, you’ll be hard pressed to not find a gorgeous venue.
Public lands in Colorado are all around and make for some incredible options when it comes to your micro wedding location. Hosting your ceremony in one of these incredible locations is a great way to exchange your vows with a gorgeous backdrop without the expense of a traditional wedding venue. Here are some things to know about having your event intimate wedding in one of those locations
First, we strongly recommend hiring a wedding professional like a planner or photographer who is familiar with the location. Each park has its own set of rules and so having an expert to lean on, make recommendations, and help with logistics will ensure your planning process and your wedding day go smoothly. Be sure to check out our recommended micro wedding pros below.
A lot of public spaces require permits or reservations, and the rules vary so I recommend tracking down the appropriate government website for details once you find a location you like.
Most places make it very easy to obtain the necessary permissions, but in some cases space is limited so you'll want to be sure to book your location or get your permit as soon as you can. Again, this is where having a wedding pro with experience is so helpful.
Please be respectful of our public lands and follow leave no trace principles. Stay on paths and walkways when possible, respect the landscape, pack out your trash, and respect wildlife. Bonus points for hiring a Leave No Trace certified wedding team!
Whether you’re looking for mountain views or a garden setting in the city, here are a few ideas for small wedding locations from around Colorado, along with links to real micro weddings that have happened there!
The Front Range of Colorado includes all the cities and towns that line the eastern side of the Rockies, from Pueblo and Colorado Springs to the south, through Denver and Boulder more centrally, and finally up to Loveland and Fort Collins on the north end. These towns and cities all reside on the plains offering sweeping views of the entire mountain range that runs the length of the state.
The views, the accessibility and proximity to DIA, Denver's major airport, along with seemingly unlimited venue and wedding vendor options, make the Front Range a popular choice for many couples.
Situated in the heart of the Rockies, you'll find the ski towns many are familiar with: Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Frisco to name a few. Similar to the Front Range, Summit County towns are relatively accessible, many of them within a 2-hour drive of Denver.
While there are less traditional wedding venue options, there are tons of vacation rentals and outdoor spaces that could make for a perfect micro wedding ceremony or reception location.
As the name implies, the Western Slope consists of the towns along the western edge of the mountains. This area of the state is more rural, and in my opinion, has some of the most spectacular scenery and adventure opportunities in the state.
Here you'll find Grand Junction, Montrose, Glenwood Springs, Telluride, Ouray, and Crested Butte. This area of the state boasts natural hot springs, world-class skiing, peach orchards, and even its own wine country. If you're coming in from out of state, flying into Montrose or Grand Junction makes this part of the state really easy to get to.
Dillon Lake Marina is a perfect spot for a Colorado micro wedding, especially if you’re looking for mountain views at an affordable price. Bonus: it’s on a lake and it’s located not too far from Denver making it a great option for a wedding within 2 hours of DIA!
This location has grown increasingly popular over the years and for good reason. Similar to Dillon Lake Marina, Sapphire Point Overlook looks over the same body of water and mountain range. You can’t host your reception here, but it’s a great option for an intimate wedding ceremony spot with mountain views.
Garden lovers will not want to overlook the amazing possibilities at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The Woodlands Mosaic solarium is absolutely dreamy, creating an intimate space within the garden perfect for weddings with 50 guests or less.
If you know Colorado, you know that late summer brings incredible wildflower fields and Crested Butte is the shining star when it comes to locations to take advantage of them.
If a small wedding location in Colorado with the absolute best mountain views is on your inspo board, Ouray might be calling your name. Surrounded by mountains dubbed the Switzerland of America you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere else that fits the bill as well as Ouray does.
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