What Time of Year is The Best Time To Get Married in Colorado: A Photographer’s Perspective
Finding The Perfect Season For Your Colorado Wedding
Many Colorado landscapes create stunning backdrops for you and your partner to say “I do”. Also, with Colorado’s landscape diversity, from creekside and canyon venues, dramatic mountaintops, golden aspen groves, desert oases, and botanical city wonderlands, it creates wedding venue goals and also lots to consider, i.e., climate, elevation, etc. With four distinct seasons, choosing the best time can feel tricky, as the seasons vary depending on whether you at looking at venues in Denver proper, in the Colorado foothills (smaller hills and mountains falling between the Dillon/Frisco area and Denver), or in the mountains, because yes, snow still resides upon some mountain tops in July. As a Denver-based wedding photographer, I’ve captured love stories in every season, and I can’t wait to help you decide which season feels best to you.
Before you get started
Before you start reading through this guide, know that no matter when you get married, Colorado can have inclement and beautiful weather days. So, whatever season you choose, embrace its beauty and create a weather plan so that on your wedding day, you can stay present no matter what the weather brings. Second, get a feel for your and your partner’s preferred season by asking yourselves if you want dreamy snowfall, golden fall foliage, or lush summer greenery for your wedding backdrop. Lastly, discuss with each other how temperature regulation and elevation will affect your ability to enjoy your wedding, whether you face extremely high or extremely cold conditions.
Winter Weddings in Colorado (December – April)
If getting married atop a snowy mountain, with soft snowflakes dusting your partner as you exchange vows sounds magical, I’d suggest a winter Colorado wedding. The best month to have a winter wedding may surprise you. If you want the highest probability of snow, I’d recommend choosing March or the first week of April for your wedding month. While we often think of November-February as the snowiest months of the year, some years, like the winter of 2026, prove you can’t bank on snowfall until a good amount of time into winter. While having a winter wedding at the end of March or the beginning of April might feel backwards, given the mountain snow retention at high elevation and the warmer winter tips due to the time of year, these months make an excellent time for a winter mountain wedding.
If you want to avoid crowds, consider saying “I do” in December or early April. If you want a winter wedding in the city of Denver or in the foothills (Boulder, Golden, Morrison, or Evergreen), while I cannot guarantee snow (again, looking at you, winter 2026 - the driest winter Colorado has seen in 50 years) I would consider reserving a date for your wedding in February and March.
Pros:
If in the mountains, a great chance for a snowy wedding photos
Lower vendor prices and venue discounts
Fewer tourists and more intimate celebrations
Cons:
Freezing temperatures (especially in the mountains!)
More packing and prep work to make sure you’re comfortable
Road closures and unpredictable storms
Shorter daylight hours for photos
Best Locations for a Colorado Winter Wedding:
The Surf Hotel makes for a luxurious winter retreat in the very adorable and sophisticated Buena Vista. If your guests want to enjoy a fun day trip, they can take a quick 30-minute to 1-hour drive to Crested Butte or Mount Princeton Hot Springs. Check out these ski photos on film after a winter wedding at the Surf Hotel. Another bonus of a winter wedding at the Surf Hotel? You get to skip I-70 and take the highway less traveled, 285, which means way lower odds of your guests getting caught in the ski and winter traffic that bogs down I-70 (like we’re talking about sometimes 4-7 hour delays on i-70 on winter weekends).
Evergreen Lake House – A charming lakeside winter venue with a frozen lake, made for a cute ice skating in your wedding attire moment. Evergreen Lakehouse also makes a great winter wedding venue because you don’t need to spend too much time on I-70 to get there, and the small town feel of Evergreen will charm the boots off your guests
Hotel Jerome – If you’re willing to brave I-70, Hotel Jerome and the surrounding beauty of Aspen, Colorado, create a quintessential, elegant apres ski wedding backdrop. As traveling takes 3-4 hours without ski traffic, getting married here will incur extra fees if you want any of your vendors to travel from Denver to Aspen. Winter Pro tip: Your guests will thank you if you provide warm drinks, blankets, and/or hand warmers for a partially outdoor winter wedding. Pro tip #2: Definitely have a backup indoor space in case of extreme weather!
Spring Weddings in Colorado (May)
Colorado’s overall spring climate varies a lot. The type of weather and blooms you’ll encounter depends on the elevation of the town you’d like to get married in. You’ll find lots of mud in late April - May in Vail, Dillon, RMNP, and even foothill locations like Boulder. Meanwhile, trees start blooming mid to late April in Denver, and you won’t deal with as much mud in Denver as you would in the mountains due to the snow-melting power of a lower elevation city. I would skip booking an outdoor venue from mid-April to the end of May in the mountains and from the end of March to mid-April in Denver to avoid mud season.
If you want to embrace spring blooms in April look for venues in Denver proper, i.e., the Botanic Gardens, Cheesman Park, or The Grant-Humphreys Mansion, as venues 30 minutes outside of Denver, i.e., Evergreen, Colorado, or Boulder, Colorado, will be cooler and won’t have blooms until late April and early May, and the Mountain flowers wont bloom until mid-late June.
Pros:
Mild temperatures in late May
Spring blooms and fresh greenery
More vendor and venue availability
Cons:
Unpredictable weather (snow, rain, and sunshine—sometimes all in one day!)
Muddy conditions in early spring
Inclimatic weather and seasonal availability will make some high-elevation locations inaccessible
Best Locations for a Colorado Spring Wedding:
The Oaks in Castle Rock – A stylish and modern golf club venue in Castle Rock, featuring some stunning trees for your ceremony backdrop
The Grant Humphrey’s Mansion - A historic venue in the city of Denver with beautiful architecture and grounds
The Manor House - The goldilocks of venues, this space looks beautiful in every season
Denver Botanic Gardens - The romantic antique architecture amongst stunning foliage makes the Woodlands Mosaic Solarium at the Denver Botanic Gardens one of my favorite venues of all time. While the Woodlands Mosaic Building can only hold 50 people, if you decide you want an intimate, vintage, secret garden vibe for your wedding, look no further. If you love the vibe of the Mosaic Building but want to invite more than 50 guests to your wedding, you can also use the Mosaic Building for your engagement photos. If you still want the botanical feel with a larger guest count, the Orangery or Romantic French Gardens make great contenders for your wedding venue at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
The Chautauqua Dining Hall - If you’re going to get married in mid-May to early June, I cannot recommend this adorable and scenic venue enough.
Spring Tip: If you choose an outdoor venue, consider renting a tent or having an indoor backup plan in case of unexpected showers.
Summer Weddings in Colorado (June – Mid August)
For lush landscapes, golden sunlight, and long days, couples favor Colorado summers for their wedding over all other Colorado seasons for a reason. June through early August offers the most predictable weather (note this often includes short afternoon rain showers in the mountains), making this time of year ideal for outdoor celebrations. The very end of June and early August bring peak wildflower season in the mountains, creating a colorful, picture-perfect setting.
Pros:
Warm weather and long daylight hours (sunsets after 8:30 pm!)
Lush greenery and peak wildflower season
Great for mountaintop ceremonies and outdoor receptions
Cons:
Afternoon thunderstorms (especially in July)
Popular venues, photographers, planners, and caterers book fast (reserve early!)
Higher vendor prices due to demand
Best Locations for a Colorado Summer Wedding:
The 10th at Vail – Gorgeous mountain views with summer wildflowers
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Cherokee Ranch and Castle provides not only a unique castle venue, but also unmatched sunset mountain views.
Copper Mountain - Another gorgeous mountain top with a newly renovated mountaintop gazebo and affordable condos for your guests to stay on campus.
Highlands Ranch Mansion - A beautiful property just outside of Denver with lush green grounds reserved just for you and your guests
Della Terra Mountain Chateau – A dreamy, luxurious mountain wedding spot
North Star Gatherings - While you must rent buses to transport your guests, this private mountain venue’s views and vibes make it worth it for many couples.
Lyons Farmette & River Bend – Perfect for an intimate garden-style wedding
Summer Tip: Always have a rain plan!
Fall Weddings in Colorado (September – November)
The golden aspens and crisp air make fall pretty spectacular in Colorado. You can count on the colors peaking in late September to early October, painting the mountains in vibrant yellows and oranges. Mild weather makes fall an ideal season for outdoor weddings as well. Every year, the dates of “peak leaf peeping in Colorado” change slightly, but you can find a general leaf peeping guide below!
Fall Foliage Guide For Colorado Fall Photos
Early to Mid-September - Aspen, Crested Butte,
Mid to Lake September - Lake Dillon, Summit County, Breckenridge, Etc.
Late September to the First Week of October - Nederland, Brainard Lake, Golden Gate Canyon
Early October to Mid-October - Boulder
Mid-October to Late October - Denver
Pros:
Stunning fall foliage for wedding photos
Mild temperatures (not too hot or cold)
Less chance of summer rainstorms
Cons:
The short peak season for fall colors (leaves can change within days, and you could end up surrounded by naked trees and bare, snow-less mountains if you book at the tail end of “peak foliage”)
Earlier sunsets mean less natural light for evening ceremonies.
Popular dates book fast due to demand. Mid-September to the first week of October are the dates that book the quickest, as many trees shed their leaves in the foothills and beyond by the first few days of October. If you want to have a fall wedding in Denver (I recommend the Manor House for a picturesque fall Denver venue), you can book just about any date in October. You’ll want to wait until October to book, as early September in Denver has a bit of an ugly in-between feel, with dead grass and trees just about to change.
If you don’t like the idea of snow, you’ll want to book your wedding date in September, as snowfall can happen as early as October.
Best Locations for a Fall Wedding:
Piney River Ranch
San Sophia Overlook in Telluride
Vail Nordic Golf Club
The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa - If you want a more spooky vibe, check out this gothic Brown Palace and Spa wedding.
Camp Hale
The Manor House - If you want your wedding in late fall and don’t mind that the foliage has fewer aspens, and more beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red oak and maple trees.
Fall Tip: If you’re planning a fall wedding, book your venue early! The inconsistent weather makes the peak fall foliage window unpredictable, so choose a location you love, no matter the foliage.
The Best Season to Get Married in Colorado? It’s Up to You!
At the end of the day, the best season to get married in Colorado depends on your vision, your comfort with weather conditions, and your dream aesthetic. Your selection also depends on how long of an engagement you want and how much you want to prioritize the vibe of a particular season. If you wish for wildflowers and sunshine, go for summer. If you crave fall foliage and cozy vibes, opt for late September or early October. Looking for a winter wonderland? Bet on the weeks at the end of January through the first week of April (if you want to host your wedding in the mountains).
No matter what season you choose, Colorado’s natural beauty will make your wedding unforgettable.
Want to talk more about all things weddings and how those relate to Denver and Colorado wedding photography? Let’s chat! Reach out today, and let’s capture your love story in the perfect season for you.
