BLOG
Whether you are renewing your vows, tying the knot in an intimate ceremony or planning a destination wedding with 300 guests, southwest Colorado offers an exquisite array of jaw-dropping wedding sites. We’ve hand-picked nine fairytale locations with scenic mountain backdrops out of a storybook.
1. TOP OF LIFT ONE AT PURGATORY RESORT | Durango, Colorado
An alpine meadow where the Paradise, 7th Heaven, and Upper Hades runs intersect with incredible views of the San Juan Mountains.
above images by Allison Ragsdale Photography
2. DANTE’S AT PURGATORY RESORT | Durango, Colorado
A secluded mountaintop setting with spectacular views of five surrounding mountain ranges.
above image by Allison Ragsdale Photography
above image by Ginger Moose Photography
3. CASCADE VILLAGE | Durango, Colorado
Hold your ceremony in a meadow surrounded by nature with stunning views of the Needles Mountain Range.
above image by Jenne Anne Photography
above image by Shutterfreek
4. EUREKA LODGE | Silverton, Colorado
Once a miners hotel, now a rustic venue. This stunning location is on the Alpine Loop just above the ghost town of Eureka.
above images by illuminarts
5. TOWN OF SILVERTON | Silverton, Colorado
Tie the knot in this historic and charming alpine town high in the San Juan Mountains.
above images by illuminarts
6. DOUBLE R RANCH | Mancos, Colorado
This wilderness location above Jackson Lake is surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest. You are off the grid with zero light pollution. Bring your tents or rent the log cabin and yurts.
7. RIDGEWOOD EVENT CENTER | Hesperus, Colorado
Recite your vows on a lush lawn framed by cottonwoods facing the La Plata Mountains.
above image by illuminarts
above image by Aspen Groen
8. BOYCE MEADOWS AT PURGATORY RESORT | Durango, Colorado
The Needles Mountain Range provides the backdrop as you exchange vows in one of Purgatory’s most peaceful settings.
above image by Shutterfreek
9. ENGINEER MEADOW AT PURGATORY RESORT | Durango, Colorado
This location is nestled in an aspen grove framed by the rugged peak of Engineer Mountain.
above image by illuminarts
View more ceremony locations
Lanee & Brian | July 15, 2017
From the bride: Our wedding style was fun and whimsical with bright vibrant colors, balloons and pom-poms. The rainbow was our color palette from hot pink to lime green to purple to electric blue. We love to dance, so we got married under a disco ball. We also love to dress up and go to costume parties. We asked our guests to join in the fun and wear bright colors and fancy hats.
THE CEREMONY
We got married at my grandmother’s house, where I spent part of my childhood. We crafted the ceremony ourselves. We asked only the kids in our family to be part of our ceremony. I walked down the aisle to the Sesame Street theme song, it was my favorite show as a little one. We wrote our own vows together and delivered them via alternating lines. We also did a handfasting, in which our parents laid the ropes over our hands.
We LOVED getting married under a disco ball!
THE RECEPTION
We had incredibly good food, served on farmhouse tables under a beautiful white tent, a last minute addition because of the threat of rain. The décor was simple with Peruvian striped colorful runners and tons of copper vases with wildflowers. Our table vases were all upcycled glass bottles we spray painted copper. The dessert table was decorated with our mascot: a rainbow colored unicorn piñata. We had an adorable and incredibly fun custom painted canvas as the backdrop for our photobooth. We also had square dancing, with a live band and caller, our guests loved it.
ADVICE
Focus on what IS going right and not what isn’t. There will be SO much beauty, love, and fun to put your attention on.
THE WEDDING TEAM
Photographer: Illuminarts
Caterer & Flowers: The Yellow Carrot
Guest Lodging & Transportation: Sky Ute Casino
Ellie & Andy | River Bend Ranch
From the bride: I have always dreamed of an outdoor wedding with the San Juan Mountains as a backdrop. Durango have some of the most breathtaking views in the world! Your guests have the opportunity to make a real vacation with their trip and enjoy all the activities that the Durango area has to offer. Our guests rafted the Animas River, rode the Alpine Slide at Purgatory, visited Mesa Verde National Park, went on hikes in the mountains and enjoyed the shops and restaurants on historic Main Street.
THE PLANNING
The Durango Weddings Magazine was one of the first things my mother and I looked at when we began planning. It was a great tool to help us get over the initial overwhelming hurdle of planning a wedding. It listed many venues that we looked into, as well as the one we finally settled on. It gave great resources for food, music, flowers, and everything else you need. My mother attended the Durango Wedding Expo twice, our 18 month engagement allowing for plenty of planning.
THE CEREMONY
Most of the ceremony Andy and I were just giddy and ready to be married already, we actually started 7 minutes early because I was tired of waiting. At one point, Andy eagerly interrupted my dad before he finished reciting vows for him to repeat. The crowd had a good laugh and it was nice to know that he was just as excited and impatient as I was. My dad reminded him to slow down and that we had our whole lives ahead of us to be together.
LOOKING BACK
I was so adamant that I didn’t want to see Andy until I was walking down the aisle. In hindsight, I wish we had done a private first look, it would have been nice to have some quiet time with Andy before the festivities. Also, I would have taken the wedding party photos before the ceremony. It took a lot of time away from our time with our guests during the reception.
THE RECEPTION
The reception was just a few feet away from the ceremony in the barn style hall. The guests enjoyed lawn games and a fun photo booth during cocktail hour.
MEMORABLE MOMENT
Andy and I had a private dinner on the deck away from the reception area. It was one of my favorite parts of the whole day; with all of the craziness of the wedding, it was refreshing to slow down, gaze into each other’s eyes, and enjoy the moment.
THE DECOR
My mother and I cut and sewed the 300 feet of bunting flags that hung throughout the venue. The back wall of the barn was covered in twinkle lights. They made a beautiful backdrop for great photos and the flags added dimension, color, and a sense of joy to the space. We wanted the wedding to be a big celebration of love. The lights, dancing and festive bunting flags just added to the celebratory aspect of the day!
THE DANCING
We started off the dancing with “Hava Nagila”. The groomsmen and my brothers hoisted Andy and I up in chairs while our guests sang and danced around us. The rest of the evening was a blur of loved ones, dancing, and ended with a sparkler send off.
ADVICE
When it comes to the big day, give yourself lots of extra time. Take the time to relax and talk to your guests. Most of all, plan to do a private dinner! Having even a few quiet moments with your new husband is so very special.
Walking through a tunnel of lights and smiling faces was a wonderful way to make our exit. The greatest joy was driving away with my new husband holding my hand.
THE WEDDING TEAM
Venue: River Bend Ranch. Not only does the venue offer beautiful views, Dave, the host and caretaker, was our hero. He allowed us to visit the venue for planning and brainstorming numerous times and was ready and willing to do anything to assist us!
Favors: We ordered honey sticks from Honeyville to share some local sweetness with our guests. The ordering process was simple and easy. The favors inspired some guests to visit Honeyville and enjoy all the other products they have to offer!
Napkins: Durango Party Rental made renting easy.
Photographer: Allison Ragsdale Photography | DJ: Aiko Aiko Sound | Caterer: CJ’s Diner
View this wedding in the 2018 issue
Katie & Brian | 07.15.17 | Purgatory Resort
From the bride: Brian and I have spent many family trips in Colorado, and now vacation there every year together. The views are breathtaking. We are most in our element while in Colorado. As we started to discuss the location of our wedding, an outside ceremony on top of a mountain in Durango seemed perfect for us.
My favorite detail was the giant floral bouquets that stood on pedestals.
THE CEREMONY
We invited only close friends and family to our ceremony, it made the evening so special to us.
ADVICE
Take time to think about your vision for the wedding, and once you have an idea, execute it. Don’t spend too much time mulling over different options, you’ll never make a decision if you think too long over all the possibilities.
LOOKING BACK
I would have planned a farewell brunch with our guests the day after. We both wanted to spend more time with our friends and family before we left for the honeymoon.
THE WEDDING TEAM
Venue & Food: Dante’s at Purgatory Resort. Beautiful location, can’t beat the views and the food was amazing!
Hair & Makeup: Hair Fusion. They were so great, did a wonderful job, and were so fun and relaxed. It made the day of really easy and stress free.
Photographer: Ginger Moose Photography
Florist: Bloom House Oklahoma
View this wedding in the 2018 issue
Wedding inspiration from Southwest Colorado delivered to your inbox every month!
SOCIAL
Visit our sister magazine:
