Part of living in the gorgeous state of Colorado means we experience all four seasons and all the distinctive qualities that come along with each one. In the world of Colorado weddings, summer and fall are the dominant seasons. With warm days, crisp evenings and enchanting foliage that changes colors with each month, it’s easy to see why so many couples seek out a select few months for their wedding celebrations. However, for those willing to take on a bit of adventure, the winter months bear magical qualities of their own that are too often overlooked.
Having had a winter wedding myself, all of these worries felt very real at one time. Both my husband and I have lived in Colorado since we were children, so the mountains are where we feel most at home. Because we wanted to have an intimate wedding, we chose to get married in Whistler, B.C., in December!
Besides my own, I have had the pleasure of planning and designing many winter weddings in Colorado that have further solidified my love for them. Lindsay and Garrett, whose wedding photos are featured here, chose to get married in March in Telluride. They had family members traveling to Telluride from the Front Range, Kansas and Texas, and the bride had hoped to give her guests a magical, snowy experience.
That’s exactly what they got. With a beast of a blizzard whipping around them, the wedding guests were transported to Gorrono Ranch in the middle of a ski slope via snow sleigh. The bride and groom themselves arrived at their venue on a snowcat. Not only did these transportation methods add an experiential element in the day, but it also allowed guests to avoid driving in the winter conditions. Because of the snow and wind, we made a last-minute choice to hold their ceremony indoors
The main tip of choosing a venue for your winter wedding is ensuring that there is a backup ceremony space in the case of adverse weather. Lindsay and Garrett chose a venue that had a stunning outdoor deck and equally romantic fireplace inside, so the change was easy to make. Upon arrival, guests were greeted with hot chocolate and boozy cider and the shivering from the outdoor weather melted away.
There is something undeniably intimate about being together in a cozy lodge with a blizzard surrounding you. Perhaps your winter wedding will be a perfect sunny day, like my own, but you can be sure that as long as you are enthusiastic about your Plan B, whatever the day brings won’t disappoint.
On a practical note, the winter months can be advantageous for your budget. Because it is a slower season, most venues price differently for peak season and off-season months, which could translate to substantial discounts on your dream venue. There is also a higher likelihood of being able to assemble your dream vendor team during the off-season since schedules are often more open and flexible.
For couples looking for a shorter engagement, setting their sights on a winter wedding means less stress of finding venues and vendors who are available. Most of the couples we have the privilege of working with are traveling to Colorado from other states and countries. To make the most of the lengths their guests have gone to be there, it is common to have a multi-event weekend with different events and celebrations each day.
Rather than having the wedding day alone, which often means guests coming in the day before or even the day of, guests will likely arrive more than a day before the wedding. By planning your wedding weekend schedule this way you build in a bit of wiggle room if the weather takes a bad turn. Guests will be able to arrive with time to spare and get settled in and enjoy whichever winter paradise you’ve selected.
Mountain towns like Vail, Aspen, and Telluride may see fewer weddings during the winter months, but there is no shortage of excitement and electric energy since you will be there during the ski season. During peak season of summer and fall, mountain towns are highly desirable for weddings, which means a high probability of seeing other wedding groups throughout the weekend, which can make your celebration feel less private or special.
There is no better feeling than being the only newlyweds around in your winter wonderland! Inherently, living in Colorado means the winter months can bring beautiful bluebird days and then a blizzard the next. It can feel like a risky game of weather roulette, however, depending on how you frame the unpredictability in your mind and with your guests, you can end up with a truly breathtaking celebration unlike any you or your guests have experienced before.
Planner and Designer: Revel + Bloom
Website: RevelAndBloom.com
Instagram: @RevelAndBloom
Photography: Jessica Christie Photography
Website: JessicaNChristie.com
Instagram: @Jessica_christie
Venue Gorrono Ranch
Website: TellurideSkiResort.com
Florist: 3 Leaf Floral
Website: 3LeafFloral.com
Instagram: @3LeafFloral
Gown: Simone Carvalli
Website: SimoneCarvalli.com
Bridal Salon: The Bridal Collection
Website: TheBridalCollection.com
Instagram: @TheBridalCollection