A Colorado mountain wedding is unforgettable, and it comes with a few things a city wedding doesn’t: thin air, fast-changing weather, gondola rides and venues that end the music early. Here’s how to plan live music so the night goes smoothly.
Know your drive times
From Denver, Estes Park is about 1.5 hours, Breckenridge about 1 hour 45 minutes, Vail and Beaver Creek about 2 hours, Steamboat Springs about 3 hours, Aspen 3.5 to 4 hours, and Telluride about 6 hours. Farther venues usually mean band lodging, so ask for a quote that includes it.
Plan for weather
Summer afternoon storms are common in the high country. If your reception is outdoors, ask your venue about a covered stage or tent, and make sure your band has a weather backup plan.
Ask about power and access
Some venues are reached by gondola or lift and have strict load-in windows. Ranch and barn venues may have limited power. A good band will send its power needs and stage plot ahead of time so your venue or rental company can plan.
Check sound limits and end times
Resort and mountain venues often have earlier end times or sound limits. Build your timeline backward from the cutoff so the dance floor peaks before last call.
Book early for peak season
Summer and early fall weekends fill first, and July wildflower season in Crested Butte is especially popular. Winter weddings work around ski-season events.
Town-by-town guides
We put together pages for the most popular mountain wedding towns, with venue types and planning notes for each: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Aspen, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, Estes Park and Crested Butte.
Little Moses Jones is a Denver-based six-piece band with our own sound engineer, and we’ve played Colorado mountain stages including Music on the Mountain at Glenwood Caverns and Burro Days in Fairplay. Check your mountain wedding date.