A Real Colorado Mountain Wedding (Without the Venue Price Tag)

Carolyn + Scott

Carolyn and Scott's June wedding in Summit County, Colorado proves you don't need a traditional venue to pull off a gorgeous mountain celebration. With the right Colorado wedding package, a scenic reservable deck with mountain views, trusted vendors, and a private restaurant dinner, they said "I do" in style—without the stress or the sticker shock.

You want the mountain backdrop. The wildflower florals. The happy tears and the cake cutting.

What you don't want? A $15,000 venue rental that requires a 200-person minimum and a year-long waitlist.

Good news: you don't have to choose between beautiful and affordable. Carolyn and Scott figured that out—and their June 28th mountain wedding in Summit County, Colorado is proof. Here's how it all came together.

How Did Carolyn + Scott Find the Right Ceremony Site for Their Summit County Wedding?

Getting Started
Carolyn and Scott came in knowing what mattered to them:  mountain views, a ceremony spot their elderly guests could actually reach, seating—real seating for their guests (not "stand in a meadow for 30 minutes"), and a location they could reserve without stress.

They started their planning journey with the Ceremony Site Report—a $300 service where Wendee researches and delivers a personalized PDF of at least five to ten curated ceremony sites, matched to a couple's priorities, guest count, accessibility needs, style, and budget. The report also includes planning tips, lodging suggestions, and restaurant recommendations, along with (and this is the best part), a personalized video message explaining the report and best recommendations from Wendee. 

Think of it as skipping two weeks of Googling and going straight to the good stuff. For Carolyn and Scott, the match was the Frisco Wedding Deck—a reservable outdoor deck in Summit County with panoramic views the Ten Mile Range. Accessible. Scenic. Stunning in photos.

Start your planning the smart way. Order a Ceremony Site Report — the $300 fee is credited back when you book a package.
Once Carolyn and Scott locked in their site, the real fun began. Their Small Wedding Package covered everything they needed in one tidy customized bundle:
  • Photography with your choice of 7 professionals from our network, three and a half continuous hours of coverage, with all high-res images delivered in an online gallery
  • Florals by Stefanie Hofmeister Design — wildflower-inspired arrangements in yellows, reds, and greens with ruby accents, a bridal bouquet, boutonniere, two ceremony arrangements, and loose blooms to fill 36 bud vases
  • Cake from La Patisserie Francaise — a two-tiered showstopper with a chocolate-rum-raspberry top tier and a chocolate-amaretto-praline bottom tier (yes, it was as good as it sounds)
  • Officiant — Carolyn and Scott chose to bring their own friend as their officiant, which Colorado fully allows
  • On-site coordination — Wendee handled cake and flower pickup, setup at the ceremony site, the Bluetooth speaker for ceremony music, a mobile emergency kit, umbrellas, and the full day-of timeline
  • 15 wooden benches rented and set up at the Frisco Wedding Deck, seating up to 30 guests comfortably
The night before, the group gathered at a local Frisco brewery for a relaxed welcome reception—a great way to bring everyone together before the big day without any extra planning stress.

What Does a Custom Weddings of Colorado Package Actually Include?

The Planning

What Does a Summit County Small Wedding Day Actually Look Like from Start to Finish?

The Wedding Day
This is the part couples always want to know.  So here's the real, unfiltered rundown of Carolyn and Scott's day.
2:30 p.m. — Hair and makeup finished, Carolyn got dressed at the family's VRBO in Breckenridge. Photographer Kathryn Kim arrived to capture the details: the dress, the jewelry, the boutonniere pinned on Scott.
3:15 p.m. — The couple shared a private first look, just the two of them and the photographer. Then immediate family joined for a few pre-ceremony portraits before everyone headed to the Frisco Wedding Deck.
4:00 p.m. — Thirty-two guests settled onto wooden benches as the ceremony began. The kids walked in first. Scott walked with his mom. Then Carolyn was escorted by both parents down the aisle to "Sleep on the Wing" by Bibio. Their friend officiated. Vows were exchanged with mountains peaks of the Ten Mile Range framing the scene.
4:30 p.m. — Celebrations, license signing, and group photos at the site.
5:00 p.m. — Guests headed to a Breckenridge restaurant with a private back room reserved just for the group. Carolyn and Scott stayed back with Kathryn for golden-hour portraits around the lake.
6:00 p.m. — The couple arrived at the restaurant to a quick speech from dad, a ceremonial cake cutting, and dinner. End of coordination. Beginning of the best night of their lives.

This is how our 3.5-hour Small Wedding Package flows—and why couples tell us it feels effortless.Want a day that runs just like this? View our Colorado wedding packages and pricing.
Short answer: yes, significantly. Rather than renting a traditional reception venue—which can easily add $4,000–$12,000 to your budget—Custom Weddings of Colorado guides couples toward restaurants with private dining rooms. You get a beautiful, catered experience without the venue overhead. The restaurant handles the food, the service, and the ambiance. You show up and enjoy it.  It's one of the smartest budget moves we recommend, and Carolyn and Scott's group had a fantastic private dinner because of it.

​Our Colorado Wedding Packages — Built for couples who want less stress and more mountains.  Custom Weddings of Colorado offers three package tiers for Summit County, all including photography, florals, cake, officiant guidance, planning services, and on-site coordination:
Package
Guests
Duration
Starting at....
Elopement
up to 10
1.5 to 3.5
$4,300
Hybrid
up to 15
2.5 to 3.5+
$4,800
Micro-wedding or small wedding
up to 40
3.5+
$5,400
ADD-ONs:  Popular add-ons include wooden bench rentals ($400–$500+), extra photography time ($300/half-hour), wedding party florals ($150/set), ceremony rugs ($100+), and rehearsals ($300).  The $300 Ceremony Site Report fee? Credited back at booking.
​
Ready to see your custom number? Build your instant quote here or book a discovery call with Wendee.

Is Booking a Restaurant Private Room Cheaper Than Renting an Event Venue for a Small Colorado Wedding?

The Restaurant Approach

Ready for Your Own Mountain Micro-Wedding Moment?

Carolyn + Scott wanted something with mountain views, accessibility, seating, reservable, drama-free and low-stress—and that's exactly what they got. If that sounds like your kind of wedding, let's talk..  

Our all inclusive Colorado wedding packages include everything you need: photography, florals, coordination, cake, officiant, and all the behind-the-scenes magic that makes your day perfect. You bring the love; we'll handle the rest.  Let's chat about creating something as beautiful and stress-free as Carolyn + Scott's! 

More From Carolyn + Scott's Colorado Wedding Package

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Frisco Wedding Deck a good choice for couples with elderly guests? The Frisco Wedding Deck is a reservable outdoor venue with flat, wide  accessible pathways—no steep hikes or uneven terrain. Wooden benches can be arranged for seating, making it comfortable for guests of all ages and mobility levels. The mountain views are stunning without requiring anyone to work (hike) for them.

How do Colorado wedding packages from Custom Weddings of Colorado work? Custom Weddings of Colorado offers bundled packages that include photography, florals, cake, officiant services, planning guidance, and on-site coordination. Couples choose their package tier based on destination, guest count and desired coverage time, then work with Wendee to customize details.

How does the Ceremony Site Report work, and is it worth it? The Ceremony Site Report is a $300 service where Wendee researches your needs—accessibility, guest count, style, budget, location—and delivers a personalized PDF with at least five to ten vetted ceremony site options (plus, she sends its with a personalized video with her top recommendations and explains why). It's fully credited toward your wedding package if you book. Most couples say it saves them hours of research and takes the guesswork out of one of the hardest decisions in the planning process

Do Colorado wedding packages include the dinner reception? Dinner is not included in the package price, but restaurant recommendations are part of Wendee's planning guidance. Custom Weddings of Colorado connects couples with restaurants that offer private rooms or dedicated spaces for small groups—a far more affordable option than renting a traditional event venue.  Pricing can range from pizza joints ($30+ per person) to 7-course top-of-the-mountain establishments ($200+ per person)

How far in advance should couples book a Colorado mountain wedding? Popular ceremony sites in Summit County can book up quickly, especially in summer. Carolyn and Scott visited in person in January to secure their June date. In general, six months to a year ahead is a smart timeline for peak season dates.

Can a friend or family member officiate the ceremony in Colorado? Yes. Colorado allows self-solemnization, which means couples can marry themselves or have a loved one perform the ceremony. Custom Weddings of Colorado can walk you through exactly how to make that work, or connect you with a professional officiant from their network.

What is included in the onsite coordination service?Onsite coordination through Custom Weddings of Colorado includes cake and flower pickup and delivery, ceremony setup, Bluetooth speaker for music, a mobile emergency kit, umbrellas, and a second coordinator at the ceremony site (for benches) when needed. It's the kind of behind-the-scenes support that keeps the day running without the couple ever having to think about logistics.

Can we use a vacation rental as our reception venue for a Colorado micro-wedding?  Absolutely..... with caution.  Many of our couples, including Crystal and Tony, pair a ceremony at a scenic mountain site with a private gathering at a vacation rental. It keeps things intimate, flexible, and often more affordable than a traditional reception venue.  One major caveat:  get approval from the home owner in advance if you plan to host a group event.  The reason why Crystal and Tony were able to do it is because their guests didn't go over the number of guests the vacation house could sleep *AND* they got approval. 

Do I need a permit for a Colorado mountain wedding?Sometimes yes, sometimes no—it depends on your site. Many popular spots on public lands (like national parks and forests) require a special-use permit, while other locations don't need one at all. The good news? We handle this for you. When you book a Colorado wedding package, we know which sites require permits, the fees involved, and how to secure them, so you're never stuck sorting out paperwork.

What should we budget for outside the Colorado wedding package? Your package covers planning, photography, florals officiant, cake and onsite coordinations.  A few things fall outside it, so plan for.... 

  • Travel: flights, lodging, and a rental car
  • Attire: your dress, suit, and accessories, rings
  • ​License: generally runs $30 to $40 in Colorado
  • Hair and makeup
  • Dinner: your reception meal at a restaurant
We guide you with trusted recommendations from past couples, so you're never guessing. Working with a specific budget? Just let Wendee know and we'll tailor things to fit.

What add-ons can we customize in our Colorado wedding package?  Plenty! Your package covers the essentials, and you can dress up your day however you like. Popular add-ons include:
  • Ceremony arch: $1,000+
  • Benches or chairs for seating: $400–$650+
  • Ceremony rug: $100+
  • Garland: $20–$50 per foot
  • Macarons and extra desserts: quoted to fit
  • Floral sets for your wedding party: $150 per set
  • Other florals: centerpieces, ceremony arrangements, corsages, etc. 
Have a vision we haven't listed? Just ask—other add-ons are usually possible.

What's the weather like for a Colorado mountain wedding?  Mountain weather can shift quickly, so it pays to plan ahead. Summer and early fall bring warm days and golden light, though afternoon showers pop up now and then. Spring and late fall are cooler and can surprise you with snow. We come prepared with umbrellas and even loaner furs to keep you cozy, and we help you pick a date and time that gives you the best odds for beautiful conditions.

How do Colorado destination weddings work for out-of-state couples?  Beautifully—and easily. Most of our couples travel in, and we make the whole process simple from afar. We handle planning, vendor coordination, and day-of logistics remotely, guiding you with small, manageable steps. We also share trusted recommendations for lodging, restaurants, and hair and makeup near your ceremony site. You just book your travel and show up ready to celebrate; we take care of the rest.

Ready to start planning your stress-free mountain celebration? Reach out to Wendee and we'll help you find the perfect Colorado wedding package for your day.
Colorado-wedding-package-planner
Lead Planner & Ordained Officiant, Wendee Vezzetti (M.Ed.)

Micro-Wedding Vendor Credits

​All-inclusive Package (includes):
  • Photographer: Kathryn Kim Photography
  • Venue: Frisco Wedding Deck in Summit County, Colorado
  • Planner: Wendee (contact) with Custom Weddings of Colorado
  • Onsite Coordinator: Wendee Vezzetti
  • Officiant: friend of the couple
  • Florist: Stefanie Hofmeister
  • Baker: LaPatisserie Francaise
Other Vendors to Budget Outside of the Package:
  • Food/Beverage: Arum Restaurant
  • Lodging: AirBNB in Breckenridge, Colorado
  • Hair & Make: Weemala Hair & Makeup