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Real Weddings: Colorado Couples Share Their STorieS5

15 Themes

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&Picture-Perfect Cakes, Florals, Honeymoon GeTaways more

7 BRidal GOWNS that will leave youBreathless

, 24 .dlmweddings.com

plan | venues

Go off the beaten path for a memorable locale

By J u l i e B i e l e n B e r g

, 24 .dlmweddings.com

Wedding VenuesColorado

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, 25 . denver life weddings

Colorado has always been a much sought-

after destination for weddings. Many venues with opulent

accommodations and iconic views dot the state. Hop off the

beaten path to one of these luxury settings for your wedding.

Peruse these ideas and venues for creative Colorado nuptials.

DuDe rAnCHeSDude ranches provide the perfect backdrop for

summertime weddings. With scenic views of majestic

mountains and trees, you can have yourself one spectacular

summer wedding. Dude ranches have so many family-friendly

activities to offer in the summer, including river rafting, fly

fishing, mountain biking, hiking, nature walks, hay rides,

country dancing, cookouts, spa treatments and more. And, yes,

s’mores are readily available for an evening treat!

The best time to book a summer dude ranch wedding

is Memorial Day through Labor Day to ensure moderate

temperatures. And it’s likely you’ll still see some snow-capped

peaks for a beautiful photo backdrop. Latigo Ranch outside

of Kremmling has hosted a number of summer weddings

throughout the years. With multiple cabins for guests, a three-

floor social hall, wandering llamas and some of the best darn

home-cooked food the high country has to offer, Latigo is

certainly off the beaten path and one heck of a destination.

Smith Fork Ranch in Crawford also makes for a stellar

summer wedding. “It’s an intimate destination wedding—close

family and friends of the bride and groom can stay in cozy

cabins on our historic ranch. We have luxurious authentic

western accommodations for up to 28 people, and, guests can

enjoy full use of ranch amenities, the lodge, dining areas and

grounds for summer fun,” says Margot Harter, reservations

and ranch experience manager.

MOunTAin MAgiCPosh resorts at the base of the mountain or boutique

hotels in Aspen book quickly. Investigate a date in April, May

or June–Colorado’s shoulder season–for a wider variety of

options. Don’t forget to book special treats for your wedding

“It’s an intimate destination wedding—close family and friends of the bride and groom can stay in cozy cabins on our historic ranch...”

-Margot Harter, reservations and ranch experience manager

at Smith Fork Ranch

Photo courtesy of latigo ranchplan | venues

, 26 .dlmweddings.com

plan | venues

weekend such as organic cooking classes, group yoga, guided

hiking tours, town history tours and jewelry- or pottery-

making classes.

At the base of Colorado’s famous ski slopes are the Park

Hyatt Beaver Creek, Vail Cascade Resort & Spa, Sheraton

Steamboat Springs, The Peaks Resort & Spa in Telluride, St.

Regis Aspen and WestWall Lodge in Crested Butte. In resort

towns, brides and grooms will find plenty of options for hair

and makeup, gathering spaces, caterers, florists and other

high-demand services. Plus, the backdrop of a ski resort at

your wedding, even during the summer, is breathtaking. Book

during the right time and guests can access the mountain

via chairlifts and gondolas for a special treat. You can even get

married at the top of most of these resorts’ mountains.

Ponder these ideas for inspiration: “Steamboat Springs

is an amazing slope-side mountain destination. Wedding

parties can even visit Strawberry Park Hot Springs or golf at

Rollingstone Ranch, which is also owned by the Steamboat

Sheraton,” explains Kristal Eckley, director of sales at the

Sheraton Steamboat.

“Why not marry in the spring and choose from a

plethora of free activities to entertain your guests, such as the

Spring Back to Vail, Taste of Vail and Vail Music Festivals,” states

Kristen Texler, public relations & communications manager

of Vail Cascade Resort and Spa. “Take advantage of the longer

days in spring and get married on our heated deck. Treat your

guests to a crisp night of stargazing without any noise or light

pollution! You can even host your intimate gathering around

One of the most iconic places in Colorado to get married in Colorado, The Broadmoor hosts 75-100 weddings a year. However, few people realize that their incredible holiday light display is up through March, making a picture-perfect backdrop for any nuptial. Book in January or February and take advantage of the lighter guest traffic. “We can do some great custom cooking classes—we have a great grilling/cooking class demo with dinner—wine pairing dinners with our sommeliers, yoga classes, golf, spa, tennis, fly fishing and art classes; the list goes on for pages,” says lindsey Wildman Suggs, catering manager of The Broadmoor.

The Broadmoor

Photo courtesy of Steamboat Sheraton

, 27 . denver life weddings

our huge fireplace with two-story picturesque windows as the

backdrop.”

OriginAl, MeMOrABle AnD nATure-inSPireD

Have you always had a passion for relaxing and soaking

in a hot tub? Take it to the next level and book your big day

at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort in Nathrop. They do

more than 60 weddings a year! With a new spa, dozens of hot

spring pools, luxury cabins and lodge rooms, guests will have

endless fun pool-hopping and soaking in the incredible views

of Mount Princeton.

Photo courtesy of Mount Princeton H

ot Springs resort

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Other VENuES to COnSideR

Crooked willow Farms, The Venuelarkspur, crookedwillowevents.com

denver botanic GardensDenver, botanicgardens.org

Four seasons hotel denverDenver, fourseasons.com/denver

Four seasons resort VailVail, fourseasons.com/vail

rembrandt yard event CenterBoulder, rembrandtyard.com

della Terra Mountain Chateauestes Park, dellaterramountainchateau.com

Glen eyrieColorado Springs, gleneyrie.org

lionscrest Manorlyons, lionscrestmanor.com

Tapestry houselaPorte, tapestryhouse.com

Gateway Canyonsgateway, gatewaycanyons.com

hyatt regency denverDenver, denverregency.hyatt.com

The ritz-Carlton denverDenver, ritzcarlton.com/denver

seasons blissBroomfield, seasonsbliss.com

silverthorn PavillionsSilverthorn, silverthorne.org

st. Julien hotelBoulder, stjulien.com

Telluride ski resortTelluride, tellurideskiresort.com

Villa ParkerParker, villaparker.com

The westin riverfront resort & spaVail Valley, westinriverfrontbeavercreek.com

blackstone Country ClubAurora, canongatecolorado.com

black bear Golf ClubParker, canongatecolorado.com

plan | venues