Welcome! I'm Kelsey! The owner of Greenhouse Creative Studios. I'm a photographer based in the mountains of Summit County, Colorado. Excited to share with you some of my favorite photos and stories!
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Mountain wedding venues in Vail, Colorado
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Vail, Colorado, makes for one of the most popular destinations for ski trips, mountain getaways, but also mountain weddings! Amazing skiing, luxury amenities, and gorgeous Colorado views. From skiing and snowboarding, hiking and mountain biking, your friends and family will fall in love.
As a Colorado wedding photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to see the most gorgeous weddings and wanted to share some of my personal favorites!
Eagle County is roughly 2-2 1/2 hours from Denver International Airport. While it’s a bit of a drive, there are many ways of transportation to and from DIA. There’s also a small, local airport in Eagle. Encourage your guests to arrive a few days early to enjoy all that Vail & Colorado have to offer.
If you’re looking for insane mountain views with a touch of glamping flair, Piney River Ranch is your place. Gosh, I love this venue. They have it all with their views, lake, canoeing, camping, hiking, and cabins. It’s perfect for couples who love the outdoors and want an EPIC view.
A bit of a trek to get to, as it’s a bumpy, long dirt road about a 45-minute drive outside of Vail, Colorado. If you can handle a touch of ruggedness, this is your place.
Capacity:
up to 200 guests
Availability:
June-September
Pros
Indoor/outdoor
Epic views
Cons
Hard to get to – 45-minute drive on a dirt road
Remote – no cell service
Camp Hale
Camp Hale is another one of my favorite wedding venues! A gorgeous private space tucked away in the mountains outside of Vail and Leadville.
The ceremony ‘island’ is the perfect backdrop to tie the knot, and their tent is the perfect way to incorporate the outdoors, the mountains, but stay dry in the elements.
Bonus points for the stocked pond so your guests can fish during cocktail hour.
Pros
Incredible Views
Tented Reception
On-site cabins
Lots of fun activities for guests, like fly fishing or archery, during cocktail hour
It’s right outside of Vail, farm animals, cute, quaint, and rustic. Luxury yurts are available on-site for your friends and family to stay after your wedding.
Horseback riding, sleigh rides, carriage rides, off-roading, and wine tasting. What more do you need?
Pros
Indoor/outdoor
Fun property with farm animals, wine tasting, horseback riding, etc.
The Vail Golf Course is a gorgeous wedding venue tucked away from the hustle and bustle, but still close to the main villages of Vail. The ceremony takes place on the ‘wedding island’ on the golf course.
If you’re looking for a chapel or a church in Vail for your wedding, the Vail Chapel is a gorgeous chapel right in the heart of Vail with so much character and charm!
If you’re staying in Downtown Vail, it’s very walkable around the village areas. Vail also has a free bus, and many of the hotels offer a shuttle. It’s still an hour and a half from Denver, so you’ll either want to rent a car or book a shuttle to get to the mountains. There are so many places to explore, so I would recommend renting a 4-wheel drive car. There are Uber or taxi services, but they’re limited and not always reliable.
What’s the best time of the year
Is a winter wonderland wedding your dream? December through March is your window. If you’re not into the idea of your guests wearing thermal underwear under their suits, summer is incredible. Late June through September is peak summer. Want something a little quieter and okay with changing weather and restaurant closures? May, October, and November are known as ‘mud season’ with fewer crowds, but sometimes not much is going on.
Where to stay
There’s a lodge, condo, or Airbnb to fit every style and budget. Just remind your guests to book early, especially if you’re getting married during peak ski season or summer festivals. Check out this list of hotels and places to stay in Vail!
My photography journey started in 2009 when I fell in love with documenting moments and capturing people in their element.
12 years ago, I moved to the amazing little mountain town of Breckenridge, Colorado, from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Wild to say I've photographed over 300 weddings and portrait sessions all over. I started this small but mighty team of local mountain photographers to capture whatever season of life you're in.