We all know that Colorado has some amazing wedding venues with sweeping mountain views, but our state also has plenty more to offer in terms of scenery for your wedding day.
If you love the idea of incorporating water into your wedding day as much as we do, you might find that a lakeside wedding venue is the perfect fit. There are over a dozen fantastic venues in Colorado that offer lakes and/or ponds on site for portraits or for a dreamy backdrop to your ceremony. And we’ve put the ultimate list together for you!
Estes Park Resort
Located right in the heart of Estes Park, you can have a lakeside ceremony at Estes Park Resort. Although the sidewalk alongside the lake is open to the public (so it’s pretty likely you’ll have people walking around behind you during the ceremony), it’s a very easy to access location with both lake and mountain views. Your guests can also stay overnight at the resort, which makes it a great spot for destination weddings or for guests coming in from out of town.
And one of the best perks: you’re close enough to Rocky Mountain National Park to get some portraits taken there during your wedding day as well!
Check out this Estes Park Resort wedding we photographed last summer!
River Bend Ranch, Durango
Looking for something on the western side of Colorado? River Bend Ranch in Durango may be the your dream wedding venue!
This ranch venue is great for laid-back and relaxed couples who want a more casual yet romantic wedding day. They’ve got mountain views, a private lake, on-site lodging, and access to activities like yard games, paddle boating, and horse-carriage rides!
Rocky Mountain National Park
For smaller wedding ceremonies and elopements, Rocky Mountain National Park has some fantastic lakefront locations to consider: Bear Lake, Copeland Lake, Lily Lake, and Sprague Lake. You’ll want to make a reservation as far in advance as possible, since the park books up quickly, but you’ll have better luck (and fewer crowds!) on weekdays.
See some of our photo samples at RMNP:
An Engagement Session at RMNP with a Stunning Sunset
RMNP Elopement Portraits in Summer
Or head over to see Jennie Crate’s Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Guide!
Maroon Bells, Aspen
The Forest Service has roped off the shoreline at Maroon Bells, but it’s still a stunning place to say your vows. They have the Maroon Bells Amphitheater available for reservations up to one year in advance, or you can hike up to Crater Lake for a small ceremony if you prefer to be closer to the water.
Take a look at this Maroon Bells Amphitheater elopement, or watch this wedding highlight film at Maroon Bells to see the leaves changing color in fall!
Our friend Jennie Crate also has a guide to Maroon Bells online here.
Photo Credit: Jennie Crate
Piney River Ranch, Vail
By far one of THE most stunning wedding venues in all of Colorado is Piney River Ranch near Vail. It’s a private, 40-acre venue on the edge of Piney Lake and sweeping views of the Gore Range mountains. If you’re planning a destination wedding to Colorado, this should be at the top of your list.
Jennie Crate has a great guide to getting married in Piney River Ranch!
Photo Credit: Jenny Crate
Strawberry Creek Ranch 9N, Granby
Another fantastic lakefront wedding venue in Colorado is Strawberry Creek Ranch 9N! You’ll have full access to the entire wedding venue on your day, including access to the barn (with room to accommodate up to 200 guests), a ceremony site with mountain and lake views, and a patio deck with string lights to set a romantic mood.
Lodge at Crestview Ranch, Granby
Also located in Granby is The Lodge at Crestview Ranch. The gazebo for ceremonies is right alongside their own private pond, and the ranch offers indoor reception spaces to stay comfortable even when harsh weather hits outside. You can also stay overnight in the Lodge, since it sleeps 45 people comfortably.
Photo Credit: Nat Moore Photography
Lake Catamount Ranch & Club
Off the beaten path, Catamount Ranch is located in Steamboat Springs and has one of the largest pieces of water out of any wedding venue in Colorado, with a private lake that takes up over 500 acres! Between on-site catering, a historic cabin on the property, and views of the lake, aspen trees, and mountains in the distance, there’s lots to love about this one.
Sapphire Point
Although this spot isn’t a traditional wedding venue, Sapphire Point Overlook is a very popular location located near Dillon and Keystone in Colorado with both lake and mountain views. Whether you’re planning a small wedding ceremony with less than 30 guests, or want to have an elopement ceremony separate from your bigger celebration at another venue later, it’s a beautiful spot to say your vows. One of the best parts is that it’s typically open year-round, so it’s great for any season! Head on over to see this guide to Sapphire Point by Jennie Crate.
View some photos from this Sapphire Point elopement to see what the area looks like in winter!
Vista View Events at Open Heart Ranch, Rifle, CO
If you’re looking for a premier waterfront wedding venue with tons of space and some of the best views around, check out Vista View Events! There’s a beautiful getting ready suite for you and your wedding party, and a wide open reception area indoors to avoid your guests feeling crowded. Our favorite aspect of this venue, though, is the waterfront patio, which has views overlooking the Grass Valley Reservoir. You can even get some beautiful wedding portraits along the forested trails on site!
Baldoria on the Water, Lakewood
For a location in the Denver metro area, there’s Baldoria on the Water. This waterfront venue has a small pond in the backdrop of the ceremony area, and a large patio with a pergola that’s just perfect for cocktail hour. And when the night starts, everyone can head inside to the main ballroom, with over 5,500 square feet and an open dance floor. Head on over to see this wedding guide for Baldoria on the Water by Jennie Crate.
[Video displayed here had their reception at Baldoria after a ceremony at Red Rocks]
Point Park, Grand Lake
Maybe a cute Airbnb rental is a better fit for your small wedding or elopement, but you still dream of saying your vows by the lake. Point Park in Grand Lake is such a beautiful spot for small ceremonies, and easy to access! It’s also close enough for you to head to Rocky Mountain National Park from the west entrance, where you can get some stunning sunset portraits at Trail Ridge Road!
Camp Hale, Red Cliff
What about a lakefront wedding venue with mountain views and a lot of history? Once used as the training grounds for Army soldiers during World War II, Camp Hale is now a gorgeous place to say “I do.” It features a ceremony island on the lake, a large reception tent, and log cabins for overnight rentals. The views from here can’t be beat!
Hallam Lake ACES, Aspen
Support environmental studies in Aspen by renting out the ceremony space alongside Hallam Lake at ACES for your big day! Also known as Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, this nature preserve at Hallam Lake is a quaint and rustic backdrop is a hidden gem in the ski town of Aspen. And like most other areas in the Rocky Mountains during September, the fall colors give this place a warm and inviting feel even as the temperatures start to drop.
View all the other photos from this Hallam Lake ACES wedding!
Perry Park Country Club, Larkspur
Right in the middle between Colorado Springs and Denver, Perry Park Country Club has a lot to offer couples looking for a lakefront venue with mountain views. Not only do you get to celebrate your day along the shores of Lake Wauconda, you can also get access to the historic manor house, sights of red rock formations like the ones at Garden of the Gods, and tall pine trees.
Evergreen Lake House, Evergreen
Managed by the town’s Park & Recreation department, the Evergreen Lake House is one of the best lakefront venues in Colorado for sure. Although summer is one of our personal favorite times of the year here when everything is lush and green, this venue is open for rentals between mid-March and the first week of December. Imagine having your ceremony by the lake with mountain views in the background, combined with a log cabin style building for your reception space!
Photo credit: We, The Light Photography
Lake House at Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village
Want access to a large lake with a truly beachside vibe? Take a look at the Lake House and Marina at Cherry Creek State Park. The building has enough space for up to 400 reception guests, or you can have a smaller 10-person celebration with only your closest friends and family.
Ski Tip Lodge, Keystone
The Ski Tip Lodge at Keystone Resort is a cute B&B that doubles as an award-winning restaurant your wedding guests will love. It also has plenty of history: in 1947 it became Colorado’s first ski lodge! With a ceremony on the lawn, you can have the backdrop of the lake and mountains behind you, followed by a reception either inside Ski Tip or under a tent on the lawn.
Mountain View Ranch by Wedgewood, Pine
And last, but definitely not least, is another favorite of ours: Mountain View Ranch. Like all other Wedgewood properties, couples have the ability to get a pretty inclusive package through the venue, which definitely makes the planning process easier. This location in particular has such a wide variety of scenery for photo opportunities, from the lake’s dock and tall pine trees, to the mountain and rock cliffs in the distance.
Check out other wedding photos at Mountain View Ranch we’ve done!
Hire a Wedding Photo + Video Team to Capture it All
Skyewater Photo + Film is a photography and videography team based in Washington that specializes in destination and outdoor weddings all across the US. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful wedding video or an adventurous photographer, contact Skyewater Photo + Film for your big day!
