10 Reasons Why Colorado is the Best State to Get Married In

It should come as a surprise to absolutely no one that, in my humble opinion, Colorado is THE best state to get married in. As a wedding and elopement photographer who grew up in the state I have a little bias here, but also a TON of experience that showcases exactly what I mean! I don’t want you to just take my word at face value though, which is why today we’re here to cover 10 reasons why I feel that Colorado is the best state to have your wedding in. Let’s dive into it!!

Groom wears a white embroidered jacket as he kisses his groom in a black suit and brown cowboy hat with a mountain view in the backdrop during their Colorado Elopement Ceremony.

1. More Than Just Our Mountains

The first point I want to make when describing why I feel Colorado to be the best state to get married in is the unparalleled beauty found throughout the state. Now the first thing that always comes to people's minds when discussing Colorado’s fantastic landscapes are our epic mountain views. While Colorado is famous for its mountains, and they really are wonderful, there is so so SO much more to explore and enjoy throughout the state!! You can find majestic red rock formations, pristine and tranquil lakes, hidden waterfalls, vast sand dunes, and more all throughout Colorado! There are so many one of a kind locations and experiences you can find in Colorado that make it ideal for celebrating your wedding here!

2. Self Solemnization is a Thing

While not something that’s exclusive to Colorado, self solemnization is a factor that makes eloping or having your wedding here much more appealing! For those who haven’t heard the term before, self solemnization is basically a law that allows couples to get married to one another in Colorado without the need of having any witnesses or an officiant present for the ceremony. Check out my article on self solemnization for a deeper dive into how it all works!

I love self solemnization for a few reasons. The first being that it makes Colorado an ideal state for couples to elope in as they can handle all the legal aspects on their own! I’m also a fan of self solemnization for more traditional weddings as well as it gives the couple more flexibility. One example of this is you can have your best friend officiate your ceremony without them having to go through the process of becoming ordained. Things like this can add another layer of personality to a wedding day that I am ALL for!!

Bride ina silvery white dress holds hands with a groom in a turquoise blue suit as they walk through a forested area for outdoor wedding portraits in Colorado.

3. Tons of Activities

Colorado is home to many destination weddings throughout the year. As couples and their loved ones make travel arrangements to fly to the Centennial State they’re likely to make an extended stay of the trip to enjoy themselves. Of course the main event of the trip is the wedding day, but part of what makes Colorado such a fantastic state to get married in is what you and your guests can do outside of the wedding itself!! Colorado is an outdoor enthusiast's DREAM. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, Jeeping, snowshoeing, skiing, canoeing, and more, if you can think of it you can do it in Colorado!

There’s more to the state though than just our outdoor activities. Colorado is also home to a wide array of towns and cities to explore and enjoy! From sprawling cityscapes, to quaint and charming small towns, and everything in between. Whether you want to check out some of the local breweries, shop around at the mom and pop shops, or take a trip to the museum, there’s plenty for anyone and everyone to enjoy here in Colorado!!

Bride and groom cross the street in a smalltown while looking at each other for romantic wedding portraits in Colorado.

4. The Epic Base Camp of Denver

Speaking of sprawling cities, the capital city of Denver is the ideal home base for anyone traveling to Colorado for a wedding! The city is a fantastic option for the basecamp of your travels for a number of reasons. First is that the city itself has a TON to see and enjoy within it. A vibrant art scene, live music, delicious restaurants, plenty of lodging to choose from, and so much more. There’s no shortage of things to do and entertainment to enjoy within Denver, but its incredible location makes it so that you can easily find adventure just outside the city as well.

Red Rocks Park, the Denver Foothills, and Rocky Mountain National Park are all just a short drive from the heart of the city and only scratch the surface of what there is to explore nearby! The cities of Boulder and Colorado Springs are also close if you’re looking to experience more of the Colorado city life!! Finally, Denver is home to some of my all time favorite wedding venues in the state. I actually wrote an article talking about 10 of my favorites in detail, which you should definitely check out! Getting married in Denver while also staying in Denver is a great way to ensure that you and your guests have the simplest and least stressful experience possible for your Colorado wedding!!

5. Plenty of Places Outside of Denver

While Denver is a spectacular city, and an ideal location for the basecamp of your stay in Colorado, there are so many other places throughout the state that can provide just as wonderful of an experience! Whether you choose somewhere pretty established like the city of Boulder, head the route of a small town like Telluride, or really get off the beaten trail and opt for a camping adventure, Colorado is sure to provide a phenomenal experience for you and your guests regardless!

Bride and groom's back faces the camera as they kiss while walking down a street in Downtown Boulder, Colorado for romantic autumn wedding portraits.

6. Easy Access for a Destination Wedding

We’ve talked about the beauty of Colorado and its sheer volume of activities to enjoy as the main draws for having a destination wedding here, but there’s another great reason to choose the Centennial State to get married in. The Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the largest in the country, meaning practically any and every major airport travels to or through it. This makes traveling to the state a breeze!! Once here though there’s no shortage of options either. Depending on how far from DEN you need to travel you can either rent a car to get around, or book a connecting flight to one of the regional airports to limit your driving as much as possible. This accessibility is something I adore about Colorado as I truly believe everyone should get the chance to experience this wonderful state to the fullest!!

Bride and Groom stand on the side of the road next to their vintage getaway car with trees and mountains in the backdrop in Colorado.

7. Wide Variety of Wedding Venues

I already talked a bit about some of the different wedding venues you can find throughout Denver, but with how gorgeous the different landscapes of Colorado are it shouldn’t be surprising to find out that there’s an insane variety of venues throughout the state! You can find historic mansions, barns that are cozy, chic, and everything in-between, majestic mountain views, and more throughout the state. Whatever setting you want to get married in, I can assure you Colorado has you covered!! For a taste of just some of these fantastic venues check out my favorites that you can find in the mountains around the state!

Groom dips the bride in sleeved white gown in the middle of the street in Denver, Colorado.

8. An Amazingly Talented Network of Wedding Vendors

There’s more to creating the perfect wedding day than just finding the right venue. One of the largest factors in crafting the wedding day of your dreams is putting together a talented team of vendors to bring your vision to life! Lucky for you, Colorado is home to some of the top talent in the wedding industry to choose from. I always recommend booking local vendors when planning a destination wedding due to their experience, their understanding of how weddings work locally, and their connections to other vendors in the area.

As an example, I’ve been lucky enough to meet and get to know a number of immensely talented wedding vendors throughout my years of photographing weddings in Colorado. When couples book me to document their day they often have questions on some of the other vendors they should book. By booking me as their photographer they can now rely on my recommendations for other vendors as I’m able to vouch for these industry professionals with firsthand experience! It’s a fantastic way to find vendors you can trust to do everything in their power to bring your wedding day to life! For more information on the different vendors you need for a wedding day, and when to book them, check out this article.

Bride in a non-traditional floral wedding gown kisses her groom as they ride on a ski-lift in Colorado for their wedding ceremony in Colorado.

9. Beautiful for Every Season

Colorado is beautiful year round, and I’m not just saying that because I live here! Each season has its own appeal to it, something I’ve actually talked about at length in a previous article. Whether you want a picturesque summer day, a gorgeous wedding in the midst of the fall colors, a wedding in a winter wonderland, or a day where you can experience the Colorado landscapes blooming after the winter, each is as beautiful as the last! This consistent level of beauty makes it so that no matter the season you choose to get married in Colorado, you’re sure to have a one of a kind celebration!!

Bride and Groom kiss under a beautiful flower arch overlooking a lake in Colorado during the summer.

10. A Laid Back Atmosphere

The final reason to get married in Colorado is something that you can’t really see, instead you have to feel it. Growing up here in Colorado I’ve heard repeatedly throughout the years from people that visit how incredibly laid back the state feels. The people are down to earth, easygoing, and really make you feel at ease the moment you arrive. It’s an atmosphere of relaxation and calmness, which almost seems counterintuitive considering the high octane activities the state is famous for, but it’s true!!

It’s a feeling that I love to hear my couples talk about, as when you live here it sort of becomes the norm. Hearing an outside perspective notice this thing that is so fundamental to the way your home makes you feel is always a humbling experience, and often reminds me of how lucky I am to call this place my home!

Bride and Groom stand under an arch during their indoor Jewish wedding ceremony in Colorado.

That just about does it! If you’re ready to start planning your own wedding day here in Colorado and would like me to document the day be sure to send me an inquiry today. Together we can start the planning process and iron out the details so you’re ready to celebrate your love in the fantastic state of Colorado!!