As you begin to plan your wedding in Colorado, you may begin to wonder… “What is the best time to get married in Colorado?” If that’s you, and you searched that online and wound up here, welcome! That’s exactly what we’ll be discussing. While there is no wrong answer to what time of year is best, there are some things to consider as you begin to think about what date to set for the big day.
The Best Time to Get Married in Colorado…
To Save Money: December – March
While the winter is peak ski season in Colorado, it is considered “off-season” for weddings in Colorado. Getting married in the winter is much less sought-after, especially outside of ski resorts, and can sometimes save you money on venue fees and vendors who offer deals for the off-season. If you’re dreaming of a winter wonderland wedding, or open to the idea to save some money, it’s definitely a season to consider!
For Wildflowers: July
If you’re seeking a backdrop of fields of wildflowers for your wedding, you’ll want to go with July. This is when the flowers are in peak bloom and the safest bet for having the most around at the time of your wedding. Wildflowers are most commonly found at higher elevations, too, so you’ll want to look to places like Aspen, Telluride, Crested Butte, etc. for your venues.
For Fall Colors: September-October
The fall colors in Colorado usually begin to appear in the first half of September, and at higher elevations are usually peaking around the third to last week of September. Down at lower elevations like the front range or Grand Junction, fall colors begin later and last into October.
Peak Wedding Season: May-October
Most weddings in Colorado happen between May and October, and most weddings at higher elevations occur from June-September. If you’re planning a wedding at higher elevation, know that there are a lot of other couples also seeking those places and those vendors for your date. Don’t stress about that, but it does mean you need to book early! To make this easier, we recommend hiring a planner (hi there!) and/or having a longer engagement and time to plan. That way you can research places and professionals and get in early to book your favorites.
In the Desert: October-April
Here in Grand Junction, we have a more “high desert” climate than the mountains, and our wedding season can be a little different than the rest of Colorado. If you’re planning a wedding on the Colorado National Monument, down at the Gateway Canyons Resort, or other more desert areas around GJ, planning a wedding in the fall or spring (or winter if you’re up for it!) is a much more enjoyable experience for you and your guests. It can reach highs of 115° in the summer here, so choosing a cooler month helps to avoid the stress of heat and gives you more pleasant hours in the day.
For Festivals: June-October
Most of the popular wedding months in Colorado are also host to popular festivals. If you’re looking to plan your wedding so that guests can also check out your favorite local festival, or if you’re looking for a date to avoid so that hotel blocks aren’t all booked up, be sure to check the local area event calendars to be informed about what’s happening in the area on the dates you’re considering. Some towns are essentially shut down during a festival, while some act as a great wedding weekend activity for guests to enjoy while they’re in town.
Hopefully these tips for the best time to get married in Colorado have given you some ideas and some things to consider as you plan your wedding date. If you’re looking for a wedding planner to help you navigate this and many other decisions to come, drop us a line and let’s chat!