The Best Wedding Venues in the Western Slope. A guide to Western Colorado's top wedding locations
Updated: Dec 4, 2020
One of the most attractive features of getting married in Colorado is that we have almost every imaginable background at our fingertips. Whether you love epic mountain ranges covered in snow, sprawling vineyards with lush green vines, flat-topped red rock mesas, or sandy deserts filled with cacti, you can find it in Western Colorado. Our amazing scenery makes this a perfect place to get married, whether you are a Colorado local, or have never been here before. We have just as much variety available in wedding venues, which range from rustic barns surrounded by wide open space to the one-of-a-kind landscape found on the Colorado National Monument. You can venues for every price point from luxury, to practically free. Join me on a little tour of Western Colorado's best wedding venues, from Montrose and Ouray to Grand Junction, Palisade, Glenwood Springs and beyond!
MOUNTAIN VENUES
If there is one thing Colorado is known for, it is our beautiful mountains. If you want to say "I do" on top of a mountain, you can't find a better place. Instead of spending a premium to hold your wedding in an exclusive ski town like Vail, Aspen, or Telluride, consider these nearby locations with just as much mountaintop "wow" factor for a fraction of the price tag.
What I love about Powderhorn Mountain Resort:
- Off the beaten path and much less crowded than larger mountain resorts
- Easily accessible from Grand Junction or Denver
- Beautiful mountain views and tree lines
- Great weather year-round
- More affordable than luxury ski resorts
- Great outdoor dining and reception area
Powderhorn Mountain Resort website
What I love about Thunder Mountain Lodge:
- Lots of access to outdoor recreation
- Beautiful mountain and lake views
- Cabin rentals for getting ready and lodging
- Create your own look with decor and rentals
- Accessible for DJ
- Affordable
Thunder Mountain Lodge website
Colorado is full of mountain lodges and campgrounds perfect for hosting weddings in the outdoor wilderness, and this is just one example. The benefit about being in the great outdoors is that you can dress the natural landscape up any way you want to bring your desired wedding look to life.
VINEYARD VENUES
Wine lovers know there is no better place to get married than amongst pretty rows of grapes growing in romantic perfection. Colorado might not be the first place you think of for a vineyard wedding, but the elevation and sunny weather in the western side of the state make it ideally suited for growing grapes as well as our famous Palisade peaches. If an orchard or a vineyard wedding appeals to you, western Colorado's venues offer an experience like no other.
What I love about Maison la Belle Vie:
- On-site suite for getting ready
- Convenient ceremony site
- Smaller venue for more intimate wedding
- Lots of indoor and outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy
- Delicious catering with French cuisine
- Easily accessible
Maison la Belle Vie website
What I love about Wine Country Inn:
- Wedding party and guests can stay on-site before and after wedding
- Conveniently located near freeway exit
- Beautiful vineyard and views of Mt. Garfield
- Designated ceremony site
- Lots of amenities available on-site
Wine Country Inn website
What I love about Two Rivers Winery:
- Conveniently located near downtown Grand Junction, Colorado
- Offers lodging for wedding party
- Views of the Colorado National Monument
Two Rivers Winery website
BARN VENUES
Colorado is home to all of the cattle and cowboy boots you can imagine, and if that is your style, you are in luck!
What I love about Vista View Events:
- Out of the way, secluded location
- Beautiful 360 degree scenery
- Bridal getting ready room and full kitchen on-site
- Multiple ceremony site locations
- Elegant barn setting
Vista View Events website
What I love about Orchard River View:
- Built entirely for weddings with every detail in mind
- Full bar service
- Gorgeous outdoor space for ceremony
- Wood interior with getting ready area restrooms
- Plenty of space to host large weddings and events
What I love about Antler Ridge:
- Secluded setting on a sprawling piece of property
- Guest suite on site for getting ready
- Ceremony location by pond
- Large barn holds lots of wedding guests
- Beautiful sunsets for taking photos in the evening
Antler Ridge Barn Venue website
DESERT VENUES
If the sand and the wide open space of the desert call to you, then western Colorado is where you want to be. The Cacti. Red rock. Mesas. They are all so magical and unique to the Western United States, and they make for a one-of-a-kind wedding experience. Grand Junction, Colorado is home to the Colorado National Monument, a mini Grand Canyon filled with beautiful views, herds of Bighorn sheep, rock formations, and twisty trees. If you aren't afraid of heights, this is a great place to set up a ceremony and say "I do" amid the splendor of the desert scape in front of you. Ceremonies on the Colorado National Monument are as simple as getting the required permit, and picking out your favorite spot. Try to plan your ceremony just before sunset for the most epic experience.
What I love about Colorado National Monument:
- Looks amazing year-round
- All you need is a simple permit
- Pick your favorite scenic view
- Unique desert landscape
- A short drive from Grand Junction, Colorado
Although it is not technically in Colorado, our next location is just a short drive away. Moab, Utah is home to a unique desert landscape filled with red rock sands and amazing arches that make for a dramatic wedding backdrop. Couples getting married in Moab are limited only by their imagination, as there are endless possibilities for locations that will be uniquely yours. If you are adventurous and free-spirited with a love for the outdoors, Moab is the perfect place for you. Coordinate with a wedding planner or photographer to scout out a spot that will be picture perfect for your ceremony in the desert, and be prepared to be amazed by the scenery around you.
What I love about Moab, Utah:
- Endless options for outdoor ceremonies
- Beautiful desert background
- Unique arches
- Boho feel
- Remote and uncrowded
- Access to adventure and outdoor recreation
Check out Under Canvas Moab for lodging ideas
Tucked away in the middle of Unaweep Canyons you will find a secluded retreat known as Gateway Canyons Resort. The canyon formed by two creeks has some of the most beautiful red rock formations you will ever see, and the resort itself is a luxury destination of its own. With beautiful accommodations, pools, restaurants, and every imaginable outdoor recreation opportunity from horseback riding to helicopter rides, Gateway Canyons is a picture perfect place for weddings.
What I love about Gateway Canyons Resort:
- Completely secluded location
- Luxury accommodations
- Gorgeous 360 degree views
- On-site restaurant
- Spa and pools on location
- Access to outdoor adventures
- Wedding coordinator on-site
Gateway Canyons Resorts website
HISTORIC VENUES
Colorado has a rich and beautiful history, and these classic wedding sites pay tribute to the past while remaining beautiful locations for couples getting married there today.
What I love about Hotel Colorado:
- Beautifully maintained historic setting
- Antique architecture and details on site
- Accommodations available for bridal party and guests
- Brides suites are spacious and beautiful
- Updated reception areas
- Lovely landscaping and grounds
- Courtyard for ceremony with romantic fountain