Destination Weddings in Western Colorado & Eastern Utah: Your Ultimate Planning Checklist

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Jan 10

If your dream wedding includes snow-capped peaks, golden aspen groves, or a ceremony framed by red rock arches, Western Colorado and Moab, Utah, may be exactly what you’re looking for. These destinations are breathtaking, but planning a wedding here comes with unique logistics that can quickly overwhelm couples who aren’t local. At Kosi Events, we’ve planned countless celebrations for couples who travel in from around the country, and we know what it takes to turn a once-in-a-lifetime vision into a stress-free reality. This ultimate planning checklist will help you prepare for a destination wedding in this stunning region.

Choose Your Perfect Location

The first big decision is where to host your celebration. Western Colorado offers a diverse range of backdrops. Couples love the relaxed elegance of Carbondale and Basalt, the luxury of Aspen’s mountain resorts, and the iconic mountain views of Telluride. Ouray and Ridgway provide a charming mix of hot springs, historic hotels, and dramatic mountain landscapes, while Montrose offers convenience for guests flying into the nearby airport. Just a few hours away, Moab, Utah, creates an entirely different aesthetic: a desert adventure wedding framed by massive sandstone cliffs and open skies. Each location has its own personality, so working with a local planner can help you match your style with the setting that feels right.

Finding Your Venue

Now that you know where, it’s time to find your dream venue. Across Western Colorado and in Moab there are a variety of traditional wedding venues, private properties and VRBO’s, as well as off-grid BLM locations. Each style of venue comes with pros and cons, so choosing your venue can either make planning more difficult, or simplified. Choose a venue that offers rentals, catering and bartending services and you’ve just saved yourself multiple vendors. But if you want the freedom to create a unique and one-of-a-kind wedding, a venue that offers a blank slate for you to build upon might be a better fit, even if it means more work.

Plan Guest Travel & Lodging

Guest experience is one of the most important aspects of a destination wedding. Western Colorado has several accessible airports, including Grand Junction (GJT), Montrose (MTJ), and Eagle/Vail (EGE). Guests traveling to Moab often fly into Salt Lake City (SLC) or Grand Junction before making the scenic drive. Because many of these towns are small and have limited accommodations, it’s crucial to reserve room blocks or vacation rentals well in advance. We usually recommend booking lodging nine to twelve months before the wedding to ensure your guests have a comfortable stay. Providing transportation options such as shuttles or group vans is also an excellent way to reduce stress for guests unfamiliar with mountain or desert roads.

Consider Weather & Seasonality

Colorado and Utah are known for dramatic seasonal shifts. In the high country, snow can linger into June, wildflowers bloom in July, and fall foliage paints the mountains gold in late September. Winters bring their own cozy magic but also challenging travel conditions. In Moab, the desert heat makes summer weddings difficult, so spring and fall are the most popular times to marry. No matter when you choose, it’s important to consider how weather will affect your ceremony timing, photography, and guest comfort. We always create backup plans for outdoor events so couples feel confident no matter what the skies decide to do.

Work With Local Pros

Finally, one of the most valuable steps you can take is hiring local professionals who understand the area. From navigating winding mountain passes to knowing which vendors will actually deliver quality in small towns, there’s no substitute for local knowledge. At Kosi Events, we pride ourselves on being the bridge between couples and their dream destination. Our team anticipates challenges, builds strong vendor teams, and manages all the moving parts so you can focus on enjoying your wedding day.

Check out our wedding planning and micro wedding packages to learn more about how we can help you to make your destination wedding a success.

Conclusion

Planning a destination wedding in Western Colorado or Moab is both exciting and complex. By choosing your location carefully, securing necessary permits, considering travel logistics, and preparing for the weather, you set yourself up for success. With the right planner at your side, your destination wedding will feel seamless, joyful, and unforgettable—just as it should.