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Top 3 Reasons to get married in Aspen, Colorado:

Oh, the Food!
If you are looking for amazing culinary experiences then this is the place for you to sit down and enjoy the foodie experience. With some of the world’s best chefs in Aspen, it’s a place to indulge.
Skiing!
The whole reason we go in the wintertime! The best skiing at Aspen and Snowmass to keep you busy all season, year after year!
Hiking!
The best way to really get out into the Elk Mountain Range is to just pack up your bag and hit the trail! Find the best peaks, hot springs, and aspen groves Colorado has to offer.

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Aspen’s Location and History:

Aspen is about a 4-hour drive from Denver International Airport but has a large airport of its own but it’s also the most dangerous airport to land in. Located in the White River National Forest it’s surrounded by the beautiful Elk Mountain range.

The Ute Indians inhabited Aspen before the booming silver mining town arose. Then when the silver went south the Paepckes revitalized the town with their philosophy of mind, body, and spirit, called The Aspen Idea. This is a hot spot for celebrities to visit for the food and luxury stores. Aspen is also known for hosting for the x-games, music festivals, and film festivals.

Aspen’s Best Wedding Month:

Want to know when you're more likely to have the wedding of your dreams in the season that you're craving?!?! Well, the weather can be pretty unpredictable in Colorado! I'm here to give you the best possible chance for having a Aspen skiing wedding or Aspen summer wildflower wedding or a Aspen fall wedding. These months are based on years of what I've witnessed but as you know, every year is different based on the amount of snowfall we get.

Aspen’s Best Skiing Wedding or Elopement - March
Aspen’s Summer Wildflower Wedding or Elopement - August
Aspen’s Fall Leave Hiking Wedding or Elopement - September

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Aspen’s Wedding Venues:

Aspen such a quaint little town but it has a lot to offer and a lot of variety. You can choose from rustic ranches to modern decks to luxurious overlooks, take a look at some of the top picks below.

Pine Creek - A beautiful wedding venue in Ashcroft, about 30 minutes from downtown Aspen. The ceremony meadow is surrounded by Aspen trees. This is a summer and fall mountain venue that can accommodate large weddings and in the wintertime can accommodate intimate dinners with a sleigh ride ski or snowshoe adventure to the cabin.
Aspen Art Museum - A modern place to get married in the mountains, with fantastic mountain views from their outdoor ceremony deck. It’s perfect in town venue to get married with a love for art.
Holden / Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum - Looking for a rustic barn venue? This one is in such a beautiful spot, tucked in the mountains. The barn is actually a really informative museum so it can’t be used for events but the grounds are very well suited for tents to host your wedding reception.
ACES - Rock Bottom Ranch is a working farm and ranch that teaches sustainability. It’s a beautiful property to say, “I Do!” under a large tree then dine alfresco under the open barn.
Dunbar Ranch - A perfect spot for a luxurious outdoor wedding on the lake surrounded by mountains. There is 160 acres of pristine wilderness for you to choose from for your wedding ceremony. You have three houses on the property, I love the little lakehouse and think it’s just perfect for the newlyweds to take over for the weekend!
Hotel Jerome - If you want to experience Aspen, you have to go to Hotel Jerome, it’s an icon! This hotel has seen everything since the silver mining days, oh, if only the walls could talk! With nine venues to choose from, you can be inside or outside for your ceremony and reception. They love large weddings and intimate elopements to celebrate love.
Viceroy - Have your beautiful ceremony on the lawn next to the chairlifts and mountain views. Then have your cocktail party next to the pool and your dinner in the ballroom. Make your wedding day a complete party and make sure to jump in the pool for your sendoff!
T-Lazy-7 Ranch - I’m loving this ranch wedding feels with all the views you could ask for! Get married with the maroon bells as your witness and gather your friends and family for some quality time around the fire after the tented reception.

Aspen Ceremony Locations:

What's a ceremony location without a gorgeous view? Aspen has it all take in the views and the mountains check out these three ceremony location options.

The Wedding Deck - This is the perfect summer or fall ceremony site with amazing views!! Sitting at 11,212 feet elevation you are giving your guests a gift of riding up the gondola with views of the Elk Mountain Range. You can have your reception at The Little Nell or head back to the base of the mountain.
The Wedding Overlook - This is a perfect winter overlook for an intimate wedding! You also get the joy of riding up the gondola And taking in the winter wonderland Magic!
Maroon Bells - This is a location from a postcard! It has a beautiful Lake right in front of the iconic Maroon Bells. You got a really be on top of booking this one on time as they get snatched up within minutes of releasing. Once you see it you'll know why it's all the rage. you can't have your reception in this National Forest but it's a great spot for your ceremony in nature with guests. Then you can head back to Aspen to party the night away.

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Aspen Eats:

Element 47 - This five-star restaurant will have your taste buds asking for more. This Little Nell restaurant is worth the hype!
Ranch Room - Western comfort food is calling your name after a big hike! Sit back and relax at this locals bistro.
Meat and Cheese - This half Market half restaurant might see you everyday of your trip if you're a cheese lover like me. They also have charcuterie boards to go if you're in a rush or want to just bring it on your hike.
Aspen Brewing Company - Stop by to get some delicious beer! With at least 13 seasonal beers to choose from, they’ll have something up your alley! Rember to get that charcuterie board to go to bring to the brewery!
Nakazawa Aspen - Just because we are not seaside doesn’t mean the best sushi can’t be had! This Tokyo-born master sushi chef will change your life.
Francesca’s - If you’re looking for the best handmade empanadas and fresh pasta your have arrived to the right place. I’m not sure if I personally want to eat both in one sitting so I might have to just go twice!

Aspen Places to Stay:

For such a variety of places to choose from to rest your head after an adventurous day in Aspen. Whether you want to be with your friends and family all day, get a huge house or condo or if you're looking for something on the more intimate side there's plenty of hotels, lodges and intimate airbnb's for you to choose from. Below you'll find a few of my favorite hotels, lodges, and airbnb's.

The Little Nell - You can pretty much do anything with the little now for your wedding and that includes staying with them. They have fantastic accombinations for you and your family to feel right at home.
Hotel Jerome - You can also stay in the oldest hotel in Aspen which is pretty darn cool. A Living Museum some might say! It’s historic, swanky, and modern all at the same time!
Marriott - Y’all know the Marriott is keeping guests cozy with fireplaces and it’s world-renowned service.
Lime Light - A modern hotel right in the heart of downtown Aspen. DeSoto is going through Renovations this summer but will be back in business fall of 2021. We're looking forward to seeing it!

Aspen Activities:

The very best thing about being in a cute little mountain town is that you have full access to everything outdoors. The main problem is going to be wanting more days in the mountains to do all the fun activities.

Hiking - One of the best ways to see the mountains all year round! There’s great trails from your doorway to some wonderful overlooks and aspen groves, of course!
Mountain Biking - There are plenty of trails to access around Aspen, downhill, and singletrack!
Skiing & Boarding - So many tracks to make! You can take the gondola right from town, park your car all week long!
Fly Fishing - The Roaring Fork River runs right through town and offers so many great places to fly fish.
Snowshoeing - If you want to slow down in the snow, it's great to take in the views at a slower pace.
Rock Climbing - There are tons of routes to try close by.
Ice Climbing - It’s a great place to get into it with tons of spots nearby.
Ice Skating - A great way to have an excuse to get a cup of hot chocolate!
Dog Sledding - Love puppies and wintertime? Then you should go dog sledding!
SnowMobiling - The best way to see the Maroon Bells in the wintertime!

Aspen Festivals:

While festivals are a fantastic town celebration, sometimes they can make wedding and elopement planning a bit difficult because of lodging, parking, and day of transportation. It's always best to know what festivals or celebrations are happening in the town that you choose to have your wedding so you can plan accordingly. Part of the planning accordingly may be that your guests partake in the festivals! I mean how cool would it be to have your wedding day and then go to a beer fest with all your guests the next day!