Whether you’re searching for an intimate ranch-style wedding venue, a small celebration spot near a ski resort, or a quiet lakeside elopement site, this guide is full of some of Colorado’s best small wedding venues. As a Colorado photographer who loves helping couples find the perfect place for their special day, I’m excited to share some of my favorite small wedding venues across the state. Keep reading to find YOUR dream I Do location!

01. Piney River Ranch || Vail, Colorado 

Located in White River National Forest, Piney River Ranch is a private, 40-acre ranch just a few miles from Vail. The rustic yet luxe wedding venue has an in-house caterer with ranch-style cuisine and many picturesque ceremony and reception spaces. 

Capacity: up to 200

02. The Manor || Vail, Colorado 

The Manor is a spacious and sophisticated wedding venue located in the heart of Vail. This venue has a variety of versatile spaces, including a garden ceremony spot for vows and a trendy bar and patio area for cocktail hour. 

Capacity: up to 250

03. Julia’s Deck ||  Vail, Colorado 

Easily accessed by a short hiking trail, Julia’s Deck is an outdoor wedding ceremony spot that’s stunning for sunny Summer weddings. Located at the Mount of the Holy Cross, Julia’s Deck requires a reservation in advance. It is equipped with three wooden benches for small, seated ceremonies. 

Capacity: up to 30

04. Tigiwon Community House || Near Vail, Colorado 

Tigiwon Community House is a large day-use cabin with a beautiful indoor stone fireplace. The cabin looks out onto White River National Forest and requires a reservation in advance. The Tigiwon Community House is ideal for quiet Summer celebrations with close family and friends and is one of the most rustic Colorado small wedding venues on this list!

Capacity: up to 100

05. Maroon Bells Amphitheater || Aspen, Colorado 

The peaks of the Maroon Bells are some of the most photographed in Colorado. Couples can say I Do beneath the Rockies most infamous mountain tops at Maroon Bells Amphitheater. While a reservation is required well before your wedding, the fee is only $200 to secure your ceremony date and spot. It’s also a great dog-friendly wedding venue!

Capacity: up to 50

06. Sapphire Point Overlook || Breckenridge, Colorado  

Sapphire Point Overlook is located just outside Breckenridge and looks out onto the beautiful blue Dillion Reservoir. A two-hour reservation slot is required to say vows at this ceremony spot, costing $120. Time slots book up fast, as it’s a popular event location. While on-site parking is limited, the overlook is accessible and less than a five-minute walk from the parking lot. 

Capacity: up to 35

07. Windy Point || Breckenridge, Colorado 

Windy Point is a pristine lakeside ceremony site located on Dillion Reservoir. A reservation is required well in advance to host your wedding here, but it can quickly be booked online! This ceremony spot is excellent for Summer weddings, with a picnic-style reception followed by celebratory s’mores and drinks. 

Capacity: up to 100

08. Beaver Creek Wedding Deck 

Nestled in the central Rocky Mountains, Beaver Creek Wedding Deck is a mountaintop venue accessible via the Centennial Express lift. Guests can hop aboard a ski life chair or gondola and ride to Spruce Saddle Lodge. Once at the lodge, guests can walk or shuttle to the wedding deck for a vow ceremony overlooking White River National Forest. 

Capacity: up to 200

9. Peanut Lake || Crested Butte, Colorado 

Peanut Lake is an incredible outdoor micro-wedding venue situated alongside one of Colordao’s most beautiful alpine lakes. In Summer, couples and guests will enjoy warm, sunny days, blue skies, and wildflower blooms. In Fall, temperatures are milder, with snowcapped mountain peaks in the distance and colorful autumn aspen leaves. Peanut Lake is one of the most beautiful lakeside spots on my list of the best Colorado small wedding venues!

Capacity: up to 100

10. Harmels on the Taylor || Crested Butte, Colorado 

Harmels on the Taylor is the perfect place to reconnect and unwind while celebrating with the ones you love. This Colorado small wedding venue has three ceremony/reception spaces: The Meadow, Cabin #100, and The Cookout Grounds. The Meadow is located right along the Taylor River, making it one of Colorado’s most peaceful ceremony spots to say I Do.

Capacity: up to 150

11. San Sophia Overlook || Telluride, Colorado

Telluride is one of Colorado’s most popular ski towns, home to some of the most spectacular mountain views in the state. San Sophia Overlook is a unique outdoor venue accessible at the San Sophia Gondola Station. The wooden deck platform and grassy guest seating area overlooks the Rockies’ stunning natural landscape. 

Capacity: up to 250

12. The Observatory at Alta Lakes || Telluride, Colorado

For couples who want a true Colorado experience during their wedding celebration, The Observatory at Alta Lake is a serene Colorado small wedding venue in the remote wilderness of the San Juan Mountains. This ceremony spot is ideal for cozy celebrations with close family and friends. 

Capacity: up to 45

13. Top of the Pines || Ouray, Colorado

Top of the Pines is a scenic, outdoor micro wedding venue in a vast alpine meadow overlooking the San Juan Mountains. Offering a private ceremony space and overnight camping sites for adventurous couples and guests, Top of the Pines is the perfect wedding venue for outdoor enthusiasts. Top of the Pines is the most incredible camping and ceremony spot duo on my list of the best Colorado small wedding venues!

Capacity: up to 50

14. Gold Mountain Ranch || Ouray, Colorado 

Located high above the city of Ouray, Gold Mountain Ranch is 1,200 acres of private ranchland, offering couples the opportunity to say I Do with secluded mountain views. The ranch has an exclusive lodge, The Wilmont, for couples and features many outdoor spaces, including a lawn ceremony location. 

Capacity: up to 40

15. North Star Gathering || Idaho Springs, Colorado 

North Star Gathering is a modern and majestic small wedding venue in the Rocky Mountains. Less than a 45-minute drive from Denver, North Star features a variety of celebration spaces, including a geodome, wedding loft, and cocktail deck that overlooks the Continental Divide. 

Capacity: up to 170

16. Rhize Weddings || Pikes National Forest 

Nestled amongst a 42-acre Aspen grove, Rhize is a serene mountain escape for couples looking to celebrate their marriage with close friends and family. Couples can say I Do at one of the property’s many ceremony spots, my favorite being Eagle Nest Wedding Deck, which looks out onto a sweeping mountain valley.

Capacity: up to 40

17. Shaw’s River Ranch || Salida, Colorado 

Shaw’s River Ranch is an elevated, rustic ranch microwedding venue with breathtaking mountain and water views. The ranch has unique ceremony locations, such as a waterfall, a pond ceremony site, and a wildflower meadow. It also has a tavern and a heated patio cocktail space. 

Capacity: up to 150

18. The Lofthouse || Black Forest, Colorado

The Lofthouse is a hidden gem micro wedding venue nestled amongst the towering pine trees of Black Forest, Colorado. The Airbnb is full of Scandinavian modern charm, offering couples and guests a warm and private place to celebrate while surrounded by nature.

Capacity: up to 10

19. Pikes Peak Ranch || Colorado Springs, Colorado 

Located on 110 acres of pristine wilderness, Pikes Peak Ranch is an ideal ceremony backdrop for any luxurious, ranch-style wedding. The property has a tree-covered reception space, a cocktail hour patio, two getting-ready suites, and a panoramic outdoor ceremony patio. Secluded cabin accommodations are also available on-site. 

Capacity: up to 250

20. Arrowhead Golf Club || Littleton, Colorado

Red sandstone rock formations are one of the many natural features that make Colorado an unforgettable wedding destination. From inclusive catering packages to incredible red rock views, Arrowhead Golf Club is a great venue for golf enthusiasts or nature lovers. The venue features an outdoor garden ceremony space, an indoor reception space, and an outdoor tent pavilion.

Capacity: up to 200

21. The Realm || Denver, Colorado

The Realm is a bright, vibey venue located near downtown Denver. The venue has over 2,500 sq. ft. of indoor venue space and a 1,000 sq. ft. outdoor patio. The Realm is also completely customizable, with flexible pricing and a large, in-house furniture inventory included with each booking. The Realm is the most versatile ceremony location on my list of the best Colorado small wedding venues!

Capacity: up to 130

22. Sparrow Hawk Ranch || Boulder, Colorado

If you’ve always dreamed of planning a barn wedding with mountain views, look no further than Sparrow Hawk Ranch. Located on a 35-acre private ranch, this charming and rustic Colorado small wedding venue has incredible mountain views, a catering facility, indoor/outdoor ceremony options, and more. 

Capacity: up to 125

Ready To Elope In Colorado?!

If you’re ready to plan the wedding of your dreams, I’m here to help you find the perfect Colorado small wedding venue for your celebration! As your Colorado photographer, I’ll help ensure your special day is stress-free. I’ll assist with venue recommendations and help with things like timelines, vendor suggestions, and planning logistics! You can take a peek at my Colorado elopement packages here and share your vision for your wedding day through my contact form. Also, check out my guide, How To Plan A Microwedding, if you need some planning guidance and inspiration!

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