An Aspen wedding gives you the chance to celebrate in one of Colorado's most beautiful mountain towns, with incredible scenery, exceptional venues, and an experience your guests can enjoy long after the wedding day. Whether you're planning a mountaintop ceremony, an elegant hotel reception, or a celebration surrounded by aspen trees, there are so many ways to make an Aspen wedding feel special.
As an Aspen wedding photographer, I love how much variety this area offers. You can have the convenience and service of a five-star resort while still incorporating the mountain landscape that makes Colorado such a memorable place to get married. Aspen also has a personality of its own, with a historic downtown, excellent restaurants, and a culture that goes well beyond skiing.
If you're considering Aspen for your wedding, this guide covers the best venues, when to get married, what to budget, and a few planning tips I've picked up from photographing weddings in the Colorado mountains.
Table of Contents
- Why Get Married in Aspen, Colorado?
- The Best Aspen Wedding Venues
- What Makes Aspen a Great Choice for Couples?
- The Best Time of Year for an Aspen Wedding
- Things to Do During Your Aspen Wedding Weekend
- Insider Tips for Planning an Aspen Wedding
- How Much Does an Aspen Wedding Cost?
- Finding the Right Aspen Wedding Photographer
Why Get Married in Aspen, Colorado?
Aspen has a reputation for beautiful weddings, but what makes it such a great destination is how much it offers beyond the scenery.
The Mountain Views Are Incredible
The Elk Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop throughout the year, from summer wildflowers to golden aspen groves in the fall. With four ski mountains surrounding the area, there are plenty of ways to incorporate the landscape into your wedding day.
You don't necessarily need a mountaintop ceremony to take advantage of the scenery, either. Many Aspen wedding venues have beautiful outdoor spaces or mountain views right on the property. That means you can have a comfortable, well-planned celebration and still make time for portraits outside.
Aspen Has Its Own Character
Unlike a resort built entirely around tourism, Aspen has a historic downtown and an established arts and cultural scene. Victorian buildings sit alongside designer boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, giving the town a distinctive feel.
There is also always something happening throughout the year, from the Aspen Music Festival to summer food and wine events. For couples hosting a destination wedding, that gives guests plenty to explore during their free time.
Luxury Without Feeling Overly Formal
Aspen is home to some of Colorado's most recognizable luxury hotels, including The Little Nell and Hotel Jerome. You can plan a sophisticated wedding with exceptional service, beautiful accommodations, and a thoughtfully designed reception.
At the same time, Aspen is still a mountain town. The atmosphere is relatively relaxed, even at its most upscale. That balance is part of what makes it appealing to couples who want an elevated wedding without feeling like the entire weekend needs to be formal.
Four Distinct Seasons
One of my favorite things about Aspen is how different it feels throughout the year. Summer brings wildflowers and outdoor activities, fall brings golden aspens, and winter turns the area into a snowy mountain destination. Spring is quieter, with a mix of lingering winter conditions and the transition into summer. Each season offers a different experience, so choosing when to get married is one of the most important decisions you'll make.
The Best Aspen Wedding Venues
Aspen has a range of wedding venues, from mountaintop ceremony sites to historic hotels and private ranches. Here are a few favorites to consider as you start planning your Aspen wedding.
The Little Nell
The Little Nell is known for its mountaintop Wedding Deck, where you can exchange vows with sweeping views of the Elk Mountains.
MOLLIE Aspen
MOLLIE Aspen is a modern boutique hotel with a rooftop terrace and a more intimate feel, making it a great fit for smaller weddings.
Hotel Jerome
Dating back to 1889, Hotel Jerome combines historic character with elegant event spaces just steps from downtown Aspen.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort
The St. Regis offers a full-service luxury resort experience with indoor and outdoor event spaces for larger celebrations.
Aspen Meadows Resort
Set across 40 acres, Aspen Meadows pairs mountain views with distinctive Bauhaus architecture and plenty of space for guests to spread out.
The Gant
The Gant has condominium-style accommodations and event spaces, making it a comfortable option for couples planning a wedding weekend with family and friends.
Pine Creek Cookhouse
Located in the Ashcroft Valley outside Aspen, Pine Creek Cookhouse is surrounded by alpine scenery and offers a more rustic setting for a mountain wedding.
T-Lazy-7 Ranch
T-Lazy-7 Ranch offers a classic Colorado ranch setting with open meadows, mountain views, and outdoor event space.
Want to compare locations, event spaces, and guest capacities? Read my full guide to the best Aspen wedding venues for more details.
What Makes Aspen a Great Choice for Couples?
Beyond the venues themselves, Aspen offers a lot of flexibility in how you plan your wedding.
You Can Create a Full Wedding Weekend
A destination wedding gives you more time with your guests, and Aspen is an especially good place to make the most of that. You can plan a welcome dinner downtown, spend the wedding day at a mountain venue, and meet everyone for brunch before they head home.
Because Aspen is walkable once you're in town, guests can explore between events without needing a packed schedule. If you have friends and family traveling from different parts of the country, that extra time together can be one of the best parts of the experience.
You Can Combine Resort Comfort With Outdoor Scenery
Some couples worry that a mountain wedding means sacrificing comfort or convenience. Aspen makes it possible to have both.
You can get married at a luxury hotel with a well-planned reception and still take portraits on the mountain or among the aspen trees. You don't have to turn your wedding day into an adventure excursion to make the landscape part of the experience.
The Photos Can Feel Different From One Wedding to the Next
Aspen offers a lot of variety for photography. A wedding at Hotel Jerome will look and feel different from one at T-Lazy-7 Ranch, and a ceremony at the top of Aspen Mountain offers a completely different backdrop from a garden celebration downtown. That variety is one of the reasons I love photographing weddings here. The setting can reflect your personal style rather than making every wedding look the same.
You Can Make the Weekend Enjoyable for Every Guest
Not everyone wants to spend their entire trip hiking or skiing, and Aspen has plenty to offer guests who prefer a slower pace. Between downtown shops, art galleries, restaurants, and spa experiences, there are options for different interests.
For a destination wedding, I'd share travel details and lodging recommendations early, especially if you're getting married during a busy season. If your venue is outside downtown or involves a gondola or other special transportation, explain those logistics ahead of time and consider arranging transportation where needed.
I'd also leave some breathing room in the schedule. Offering a few activity suggestions rather than organizing every hour gives guests the freedom to explore at their own pace while still making time for the wedding events.
The Best Time of Year for an Aspen Wedding
There isn't one perfect season for every couple. The best time for your Aspen wedding depends on the atmosphere you want, the venue you've chosen, and what you'd like your guests to experience.
Summer Weddings in Aspen
Summer is one of the most popular seasons for an Aspen wedding. The mountains are green, wildflowers bloom at higher elevations, and outdoor venues are in their element. It's a great time for mountaintop ceremonies, garden celebrations, and tented receptions. Guests can also enjoy hiking, scenic gondola rides, golf, and outdoor dining throughout the weekend.
The main consideration is the weather. Summer afternoons can bring thunderstorms, and conditions at higher elevations can change quickly. I recommend building flexibility into your timeline and having a clear backup plan for outdoor events.
From a photography perspective, I love the variety summer offers. You can photograph the wedding at the venue and then step into the mountain landscape for portraits without needing to travel far.
Fall Weddings in Aspen
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to get married in Aspen, especially if you love the golden color of the aspen trees. The exact timing varies with weather and elevation, but late September is often a popular time to plan around fall foliage. The scenery can be incredible for portraits, and the cooler temperatures create a different atmosphere from summer. Fall is also a great choice for couples who want an outdoor ceremony without the feel of peak summer.
The trade-off is that fall color is never guaranteed on an exact date. If golden aspens are important to you, work with your planner and photographer to choose a date range that gives you the best chance of seeing them, and keep your plans flexible.
Winter Weddings in Aspen
Winter is a beautiful choice for couples who love snow and want their wedding to feel like a mountain getaway. Aspen's ski culture becomes part of the experience, and guests can spend their free time skiing, snowboarding, or exploring the village.
Winter weddings can be especially striking indoors, where candlelight and warm interiors contrast with the snowy landscape outside. You'll want to plan transportation carefully and allow extra time for guests to move between locations in winter conditions.
Spring Weddings in Aspen
Spring is a quieter and more transitional season. Early spring can still feel like winter, while late spring brings the shift toward summer. This can work well for couples who prefer a quieter visit and are flexible about outdoor activities. However, some seasonal venues and activities may have limited availability during this period, so check your venue's operating dates before choosing a wedding date.
Things to Do During Your Aspen Wedding Weekend
One of the best parts of hosting an Aspen wedding is giving your guests a reason to stay a little longer. There are options for people who want to spend every free moment outdoors and for those who would rather explore town at a slower pace.
Summer Activities
During summer, guests can ride the gondola up Aspen Mountain, hike a local trail, or visit the Maroon Bells area for some of Colorado's most recognizable scenery. Reservations or permits may be required for certain activities, so encourage guests to check the current rules before making plans.
Downtown Aspen is also worth exploring. Guests can browse boutiques and art galleries, enjoy a long lunch, or find a patio for drinks. The Aspen Music Festival and other seasonal events can make a fun addition to the weekend, depending on the dates.
Fall Activities
Fall is a great time for scenic drives and walks to see the changing aspens. Guests can explore downtown, enjoy the cooler weather, or spend an afternoon at a restaurant before the wedding festivities begin.
Early fall can also be a good time for hiking and golf, depending on conditions. Because seasonal business hours can change, it's worth checking availability in advance.
Winter Activities
Skiing and snowboarding are obvious choices for winter guests, but they aren't the only options. Visitors can shop downtown, enjoy a spa treatment, book a scenic experience, or meet up for après-ski drinks.
A Slower Day in Aspen
Not everyone wants to plan an outdoor adventure, and Aspen is a great place to enjoy a slower day. A relaxed itinerary might include coffee, browsing the shops and galleries, a long lunch, and dinner somewhere special.
This is particularly useful for wedding guests who are arriving from out of town. Giving people time to settle in before the wedding can make the weekend feel much less rushed.
“Sierra cares so much, not only as a photographer, but also as a person. She wants you to have the best day possible and will do everything to ensure that happens.
She is very detailed, listens to what you say you want, and makes the process of getting photos taken a relaxed and fun experience.
We are so happy with her work on both our engagement and wedding photos and the experience with her as a whole. Her work speaks for itself but she truly is such a kind and caring person and working with her was a key part of the wedding process."
Sierra H.
Insider Tips for Planning an Aspen Wedding
After photographing weddings in the Colorado mountains, there are a few things I always encourage couples to consider when planning an Aspen wedding.
Book Your Venue Early
Aspen is a popular destination, and the most sought-after venues can book well in advance, particularly for summer and fall dates. If you have your heart set on a specific property or want to marry during peak fall color, start your venue search early. Booking early also gives you more time to secure your preferred vendors and help guests make travel arrangements.
Choose Your Season Before Finalizing the Details
Your season will affect much more than the scenery. It can influence venue availability, travel logistics, guest activities, and the overall atmosphere of your wedding. Think about whether you picture wildflowers, golden aspens, or snow before choosing your date. That will help you narrow down venues and build a timeline that makes sense for the conditions.
Plan Around Afternoon Weather
Summer mountain weather can change quickly, particularly later in the day. Afternoon thunderstorms are a real consideration for outdoor ceremonies and mountaintop events. Work with your planner and venue to create a backup plan, and ask your photographer about the best time for portraits. Earlier in the day can offer beautiful light and more flexibility, although the ideal schedule depends on your venue and the rest of your wedding plans.
Give Guests Time to Adjust to the Altitude
Aspen sits at a high elevation, and visitors coming from lower altitudes may need time to adjust. Encourage guests to arrive with enough time to settle in before the wedding, drink water, and avoid packing their first day with strenuous activities. This is especially helpful if you're planning welcome events shortly after guests arrive.
Think Through Transportation and Lodging
Aspen is more remote than many wedding destinations. Guests can fly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport or travel by road, but schedules, weather, and seasonal conditions can affect their plans.
Reserve room blocks early, share travel information with guests, and make sure everyone knows how they'll get between the hotel, ceremony, and reception. This is particularly important for venues outside downtown or at higher elevations.
Build Time Into Your Photography Timeline
The scenery is a big part of why couples choose Aspen, but you don't need to spend hours away from your guests to take advantage of it. I recommend deciding in advance which portraits matter most to you and building enough time into the schedule to create them without rushing. Your photographer can help you choose locations that fit your venue, timeline, and the kind of images you want.
How Much Does an Aspen Wedding Cost?
Aspen is generally a high-budget wedding destination, particularly if you're planning a large celebration at a luxury hotel or a well-known mountain venue. Your total cost will depend on your guest count, wedding date, venue, and the level of service you want. Beyond the venue and catering, remember to account for photography, planning, florals, entertainment, rentals, and any additional transportation or setup needed for a mountain location.
Guest accommodations can also be expensive during popular travel periods, so your date may affect how easy it is for friends and family to find lodging. Rather than relying on a single budget estimate, request detailed proposals based on your plans and ask about service fees, taxes, and additional costs before making decisions.
Finding the Right Aspen Wedding Photographer
Choosing your venue and season will shape a lot of your wedding plans, but your photography is what will help you remember how the day felt. The views are part of the story, but so are the moments with your family, the energy of the reception, and the details you've spent months planning.
As an Aspen wedding photographer, I love helping couples make the most of the setting while keeping the experience relaxed and true to them. Whether you're planning a mountaintop ceremony, a celebration at a historic hotel, or an outdoor wedding surrounded by golden aspens, I want your photographs to reflect both the beauty of the place and the people who made the day meaningful.
If you're planning an Aspen wedding and looking for photography that feels natural, elevated, and personal, get in touch to tell me about your plans. I'd love to hear what you're envisioning and help you create a wedding gallery that brings you back to the experience for years to come.
