Top Mountain Towns for Everything Else on Your Wedding Weekend- from a Wedding Planner
- Michele Venter
- 29 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Colorado’s mountain towns are basically the supermodels of wedding destinations—stunning, dramatic, and guaranteed to steal the show. But like any diva, they come with a few quirks. Many are far from the city of Denver itself and the nearest airport, so your guests might feel like they’re embarking on an epic quest just to get to the welcome party. Then there’s seasonality: some towns only wake up in summer, others only come alive in winter, and a few seem to hibernate whenever they feel like it. And don’t forget accommodations—one minute you have charming lodges and boutique hotels, the next you’re competing with a fly-fishing festival or a CU Boulder game and everything is booked solid. Choosing the right mountain town is all about balancing the beauty with the quirks—and making sure your happy with the weekend being everything you envisioned, and guests thinking the journey for their yearly was totally worth it.
We've done many weddings all over Colorado over the last 5 years and we have a top 3 list of the best places in the mountains to venture for your wedding based on time of year, things to do for you & your guests & more!
1. Breckenridge
Best for: Active guests, families, nightlife lovers. They have a few bars/restaurants that stay open for late night live music for after parties.
Best Season: All year around!
How far from Denver International Airport (DIA): approx. 2 hours. Will need a rental car
Why it’s great beyond the wedding:
Stunning historic downtown with breweries, boutiques, and great restaurants
Tons of activities year-round: alpine slides, hiking, biking, fly-fishing, camping, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and more.
Strong mix of lodging options from condos to luxury resorts, Air BnB's — great for guests with varied budgets
10-15 mins away from Lake Dillon, Keystone, Silverthorne outlets, etc.
A decent amount of wedding vendors that are local- florists, hair & makeup artists, photographers, small rental companies; you won't have to travel many vendors in from Denver
Venue Shoutout: Ten Mile Station - rustic-meets-modern mountain lodge sits high on the slopes of Peak 9 in Breckenridge’s ski resort — giving you those sweeping mountain and alpine-valley secluded views that scream “Rocky Mountains".
Breckenridge works beautifully because it has something for every type of traveler, from adventure junkies to “I just want a spa day” guests.
Minor downfalls:
Not many wedding venues that are not part of the slopes
Very rustic aesthetics
Many of the "venues" are within the hotels/resorts
Air BnB and VRBOs do not allow for weddings.
2 hours from Denver International Airport (DIA)
One of the tallest peak towns sitting at approx. 9600 ft.- some can experience altitude sickness
2. Estes Park
Best for: Nature lovers, families, wildlife fans
Best Season: Summer/ Early Fall (mostly, a summer town). LOTS of venues to choose from with different aesthetics.
How far from Denver International Airport (DIA): approx. 1.5 hours. Will need a rental car.
Why it’s great beyond the wedding:
Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, offering wildlife viewing, lakes, hiking, and scenic drives (don't forget to make a reservation online)
Stanley Hotel- where The Shining & Dumb & Dumber was filmed
Classic mountain-town charm with river walks, taffy shops, breweries, and local cafes
Tons of activities from Memorial Day to Labor Day: shopping, restaurants, golfing, fishing, kayaking, camping, horseback riding; Good for guests of all ages — plenty of easy, moderate, and challenging activities (minigolf, slides, lake-life)
Fall weddings get elk rut season, which guests love to experience
Venue Shoutout: The Landing at Estes Park - A locally-owned riverside lodge + retreat tucked just outside the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park — so you get the comfort of a refined lodging spot while being minutes away from wilderness, hiking, wildlife, and all the classic mountain-town charm.
Estes Park is ideal for a wedding group that wants classic mountain Colorado with super-accessible outdoor beauty.
Minor downfalls:
Only 1-2 bars open past 9pm for night life
SUPER high volume of tourists in the summer (number 1 tourist attraction in the Mid-West)
Not many "chain" hotel options- lots of small motel options & Air Bnbs
Not many transportation options for wedding guests/Uber or Lyft
3. Buena Vista
Best for: Small town charm, scenic views, outdoor enthusiasts
Best Season: Summer (not a winter town). A few beautiful venues to choose from with all different styles in aesthetics. How far from Denver International Airport (DIA): approx. 2.5 hours. Will need a rental car.
Why it’s great beyond the wedding:
Breathtaking box-canyon scenery — one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the U.S. - 360 views
Mountain Princeton Hot Springs- 20 mins away
Free gondola between Telluride and Mountain Village (a huge crowd-pleaser)
Music, film, and arts festivals typically in the summer
High-end dining, jeep tours, waterfall hikes, river hikes, kayaking/rafting, fishing, camping
Venue Shoutout: Surf Hotel - European-chic boutique style with Colorado mountain charm: modern, stylish design and décor meet rustic-mountain-town vibes with an in-house restaurant / bar and its next to the river.
Buena Vista feels like its own magical small-town world — perfect if you want your guests to feel like they’re on a destination-style getaway.
Minor downfalls:
Only 1 bar open past 9pm for night life
1-2 hotel options, however, many air bnbs
Not many transportation options for wedding guests/Uber or Lyft
Not many "fancy" restaurants
Long travel/mountain driving from Denver airport
These are just a few of our favorites! Please feel free to reach out and book a consultation with your local Urban Event wedding planners to learn more about our beautiful Colorado wedding towns.
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