In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Colorado.
Weddings in Colorado: What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a breathtaking destination for your wedding, look no further than Colorado.
With its soaring mountains, crystal-clear lakes and rivers, and lush green valleys, Colorado is an outdoor paradise that will take your breath away.
And with so many stunning locations to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to exchange your vows.
Whether you’re dreaming of a mountaintop ceremony with the snow capped Rockies in the background or a more intimate affair surrounded by gorgeous wildflowers, a Colorado wedding is sure to be unforgettable.
No matter if you exchange vows in a rustic log cabin or at the top of a mountain, you and your guests will be treated to stunning views.
So start planning your dream wedding today – in the beautiful state of Colorado!
But first: you need to know where in the world Colorado is…
Where is Colorado?
Colorado is one of the west-central U.S. states. It is located astride the Rocky Mountains and shares its borders with the states of Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Utah.
Area: 104,094 sq mi (269,603 sq km), Population: (2020) 5,773,714, Capital: Denver.
Colorado Facts To Know:
- Language: English
- Currency: U.S. dollar (USD)
- Airports: Denver International Airport (DEN), City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)
- Official Tourism Website:https://www.colorado.com/
- Driving side: Right
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Colorado for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Colorado
Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Colorado:
1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests
Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Colorado or closer to home.
You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.
Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:
- How To Pick A Date For A Wedding?
- When To Send Out Save The Date For Wedding?
- How To Write Date On Wedding Invitation?
2. Decide on a budget
When it comes to having a Colorado wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.
But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:
- How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget?
- What Is A Good Wedding Budget?
- How To Decorate A Wedding Reception Hall On A Budget?
3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget
No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.
Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Colorado:
4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details
A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.
Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Colorado
Colorado Weddings: Key Information
Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.
To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Colorado:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in Colorado?
- What are the marriage requirements for Colorado?
- What is the weather like in Colorado?
- What should you pack for a trip to Colorado?
- What things are there to do in Colorado?
- What are the best Colorado wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in Colorado Cost?
In Colorado, the marriage license cost is $30.
Both parties must present proof of identity – a picture ID with date of birth like a driver’s license, state ID card, or valid passport.
In order to get a marriage license in the state of Colorado, the two of you will need to submit your application in person at a county clerk and recorder’s office.
This map shows the location of the County Clerk and Recorder’s office based on the zip code or street address.
Marriage license may be obtained in any county, regardless of where the ceremony will take place, as long as it takes place in Colorado.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Colorado
You can self-solemnize in Colorado. This means that you and your partner are able to lawfully marry one other in the state of Colorado by signing your own marriage license and do not need the services of an ordained officiant to perform the ceremony.
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old
- No witnesses are needed to get married in Colorado, however since there are 2 witness signature lines on the marriage license, you can have people sign it.
- The license is valid for 35 days from the issue date, and has to be filed within 63 days.
- Blood tests are not required.
- If you apply for a marriage license and have all the necessary paperwork on hand, you may be married the same day.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in Colorado, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
- All additional documents (like a certified copy of your birth certificate) need to be translated into English.
- If either applicant is divorced, the following information is needed: date of divorce (month/day/year), place of divorce (city and state/country), type of court for the divorce
- If either applicant is widowed, the following information is needed: date of death (month/day/year), and place of death (city and state/country)
Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.
What Is The Weather Like in Colorado?
Denver’s climate is notoriously unpredictable, so picking the ideal time to come may be challenging. If you must choose a period, we recommend the transitional seasons of spring and fall, namely mid-May through early June and mid-September through early October.
However, unless you plan on skiing, the summer is the greatest time to explore the Colorado Rockies.
What should you pack for your trip?
If you are visiting in the winter be sure to bring a fleece jacket, long-underwear, water-resistant coat, jeans and snow pants.
In the spring or fall T-shirts, rain jacket, light fleece, jeans and shorts should do, but also bring a thicket jacket for the evenings.
If you decide to go in the summer, pack a light jacket, T-shirts or tank tops, shorts, jeans, hiking pants, swimsuit and warm clothing for camping. In short, when in doubt think – layers!
Colorado Weather By Month
Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Colorado:
Average Temperatures in Colorado
The table below shows the average temperatures in Colorado each month:
Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
January | -7.4 | 7 | -0.2 | 19 | 45 | 31.6 |
February | -6.8 | 7.6 | 0.4 | 20 | 46 | 32.7 |
March | -2.5 | 13.2 | 5.4 | 28 | 56 | 41.6 |
April | 1.1 | 16.5 | 8.8 | 34 | 62 | 47.8 |
May | 6.4 | 21.8 | 14.1 | 44 | 71 | 57.4 |
June | 11.7 | 28.6 | 20.2 | 53 | 83 | 68.3 |
July | 15.7 | 32.2 | 24 | 60 | 90 | 75.1 |
August | 14.6 | 30.8 | 22.7 | 58 | 87 | 72.9 |
September | 10 | 26.4 | 18.2 | 50 | 80 | 64.4 |
October | 2.8 | 18.5 | 10.6 | 37 | 65 | 51.2 |
November | -3.3 | 11.6 | 4.2 | 26 | 53 | 39.5 |
December | -7.6 | 6.7 | -0.4 | 18 | 44 | 31.2 |
Year | 2.9 | 18.5 | 10.7 | 37.3 | 65.2 | 51 |
Average Rainfall in Colorado
The table below shows the average rainfall in Colorado each month:
Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
January | 10 | 0.4 | 4 |
February | 10 | 0.4 | 6 |
March | 20 | 0.8 | 6 |
April | 45 | 1.8 | 9 |
May | 55 | 2.2 | 10 |
June | 50 | 2 | 8 |
July | 55 | 2.2 | 8 |
August | 40 | 1.6 | 8 |
September | 35 | 1.4 | 6 |
October | 25 | 1 | 5 |
November | 15 | 0.6 | 5 |
December | 9 | 0.4 | 4 |
Year | 370 | 14.6 | 80 |
Sunshine Hours in Colorado
The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Colorado each month:
Month | Average | Total |
January | 7 | 215 |
February | 7.5 | 215 |
March | 8 | 255 |
April | 9 | 275 |
May | 9.5 | 290 |
June | 10.5 | 315 |
July | 10.5 | 325 |
August | 10 | 305 |
September | 9 | 270 |
October | 8 | 250 |
November | 6.5 | 195 |
December | 6.5 | 195 |
Year | 8.5 | 3110 |
What To Wear in Colorado? (Packing Tips)
It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.
We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Colorado so that you can make the most of your time there.
- Warm clothes: First and foremost, make sure to pack plenty of warm clothes, as the weather can be quite chilly in Colorado, even in summer.
- Comfortable shoes: You’ll want to pack comfortable shoes for walking, hiking, or any other activities you have planned.
- Camera: Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture all your memories of this beautiful state.
- Map and compass: If you plan on hiking in the mountains, be sure to bring along a map and compass (or GPS device) so you don’t get lost.
- Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
- Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
- First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
- Finally, remember to pack your sense of adventure, because Colorado is full of fascinating places to explore!
Things to Do in Colorado
There are many different things to do in Colorado, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Denver Botanic Gardens
- Garden of the Gods
- Colorado National Monument
- Mount Evans
- Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum
- Flatirons
- Main Street in Breckenridge
- Maroon Bells
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Pikes Peak in Pike National Forest
- Million Dollar Highway
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Best Colorado Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Colorado?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in Colorado
- The Little Nell
- Garden of the Gods Resort and Club
- The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park
- Gorrono Ranch
- The Sunrise Amphitheater
- Lyons Farmette
- Hotel Jerome
- The Observatory at Alta Lakes
- The Manor House
- Saddleridge at Beaver Creek
- Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation
- Ski Tip Lodge
Hotels in Colorado
- The Catbird Hotel in RINO
- Origin Westminster a Wyndham Hotel
- The Oxford Hotel Downtown Denver
- Imogene Hotel
- Residence Inn by Marriott Steamboat Springs
- Hotel Maverick
- Woodlands on Fall River
- The Nightingale Motel