Marrying in Aspen
Aspen sits at 7,908 feet in the Elk Mountains of Colorado and operates as a luxury wedding destination across two completely distinct seasons. Summer from June to September brings wildflower meadows, the Maroon Bells backdrop (two 14,000-foot peaks reflected in a glacial lake, the most photographed mountains in Colorado), and evening temperatures in the 50s that make outdoor dining comfortable well into the night. Winter from December to March brings fresh powder, ski-in ski-out ceremonies, and apres-ski receptions that no other American destination replicates.
The Little Nell is the anchor property. As the only five-star ski-in ski-out hotel in Aspen, it occupies the base of Ajax Mountain and manages the most prestigious wedding calendar in the Rockies. The hotel's Gold Medal restaurant, its private event spaces, and the mountain access it provides make it the default choice for couples who want the complete Aspen experience without logistical compromise.
Hotel Jerome, opened in 1889, and the St. Regis Aspen provide two additional five-star options with distinct personalities: Jerome is the historic social center of the town, while St. Regis offers the most formal luxury product in the market. Both have established wedding programs and multiple event spaces.
The Maroon Bells, 12 miles south of downtown, require a shuttle or private permit and are accessed through the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. They are not a wedding venue in the conventional sense, but several planners have negotiated photography-only access for first-look and portrait sessions that use the lake reflection as a backdrop.
The seasons
- Best
- Quieter
5 Star view Our reading of the wedding year, from the months below.
- Best months
- June to September (summer) and December to March (winter)
- Shoulder season
- June and September for summer; March for winter (spring skiing)
- Peak season
- July and August for summer; December and January for winter
Both seasons are fully operational for weddings. Summer has a broader outdoor ceremony window. Winter has the ski-in ski-out format, warming hut receptions, and fireplace dinner atmosphere. The shoulder seasons of June and September have lower rates with near-identical conditions.
Daylight and sunset
The bar runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of each month. A ceremony is usually timed an hour or two before the sunset shown.
Calculated From the coordinates of Aspen, local time, for 2027.
Ramadan and Eid
For couples and guests who observe them, the dates to plan a wedding around.
| Year | Ramadan | Eid al-Fitr | Eid al-Adha |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 8 Feb to 8 Mar | 9 Mar | 16 May |
| 2028 | 28 Jan to 25 Feb | 26 Feb | 5 May |
Calculated From the Umm al-Qura calendar. The observed dates follow the sighting of the moon and can fall a day either side.
The areas of Aspen
Downtown Aspen
The 4 blocks of Galena and Cooper Avenue, luxury retail, restaurants, Hotel Jerome, The Little Nell at the mountain base, walkable.
Snowmass Village
Maroon Bells
12 miles south, wilderness permit access, photography backdrop, not a ceremony venue.
Basalt and Roaring Fork Valley
30 to 45 minutes downvalley, some estate properties for couples who want rural seclusion at lower price points.
What venues are like
Wildflower Meadow Ceremony
Summer ceremonies in high-altitude meadows above 9,000 feet with Elk Mountain backdrops, several outfitters coordinate access.
Hotel Grand Ballroom
Jerome and St.
Apres-Ski Reception
Warming huts, fondue bars, and private ski lodge format for post-ceremony receptions, the signature Aspen winter format.
Airports and transfers
- New York John F. Kennedy (JFK)
- Newark Liberty (EWR)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Orange County John Wayne (SNA)
- San Diego (SAN)
- Santa Barbara (SBA)
- Palm Springs (PSP)
- Boston Logan (BOS)
- Miami (MIA)
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is 4 miles from downtown with seasonal direct service from LAX, DFW, ORD, DEN. Some routes require a connection through Denver. Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) is 70 miles west (1.5 hours by car) and serves as an overflow for high-demand weeks. Denver International (DEN) is 4 hours by car over Independence Pass (closed winter) or via I-70 year-round.
Marrying legally in the United States
Applies to: Marriage law is set by each state
The United States has no single national marriage law. A couple obtains a marriage licence in the state where they will marry, through that state's vital records office or its county offices, and the licence expires between 30 days and a year after issue, depending on the state. Age, waiting periods, identification, witnesses and who may officiate differ by state, so the couple should check the state they choose.
- 1Before travelling
Check the state's rules
Contact the vital records office in the state where you will marry for its requirements, including the identification it accepts from non-residents and any waiting period.
- 2Shortly before the wedding
Obtain the licence
Apply for the marriage licence in the state of the ceremony. A licence expires within 30 days to a year depending on the state, so time it close to the date; if it lapses before the wedding, a new one is needed.
- 3The day
The ceremony
The wedding takes place in that state, and the licence is completed and returned for the certificate to be issued, as the state directs.
- Governing law
- each state
- Licence
- from the state of the ceremony
- Licence validity
- 30 days to a year, by state
- Travelling couple
- ESTA or visa needed to enter
Already married at home?5 Star view
Because the licence and law belong to the state, many couples marry legally at home or at a courthouse and hold the celebration here with a ceremony of their own choosing. A ceremony with no legal effect needs none of the steps above: the venue and the planner arrange it.
Who needs a visa
Travelling from the United States
American citizens travelling within their own country need no visa, ESTA or entry formalities: the usual identification for domestic travel applies, and the couple apply for a licence in the state where they will marry.
Travelling from the United Kingdom
British citizens need an ESTA or a visa to enter or transit the United States. ESTA is for travellers under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business, and needs an e-passport; the passport must be valid for the length of the stay. You may not be eligible if you have been arrested, have a criminal record, have been refused entry or deported, have overstayed before, or were in certain countries (including Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen since March 2011, or Cuba since 12 January 2021); in that case apply for a visa. An ESTA does not guarantee entry.
Other nationalities
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries travel with an approved ESTA and an e-passport, for up to 90 days. All other nationalities need a US visa applied for through the US embassy or consulate in their country.
The state decides who may marry and how. The marriage law of the state of the ceremony applies, and the couple should confirm it with that state's vital records office.
Reference USA.gov: marriage licence guidance (usa.gov/marriage-certificate). U.S. Customs and Border Protection: ESTA and Visa Waiver Program pages. U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Visa Waiver Program requirements. gov.uk: USA entry requirements. All read 2026-10-21. Checked 21 October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the authority that will marry you before you book.
Accommodation
Aspen has 4 five-star properties and a small number of boutique options. Private chalet rentals are significant for large groups.
At the table
Aspen has one of the strongest mountain restaurant scenes in the world relative to its size. The Aspen Food and Wine Classic (June) is one of the top culinary events in the country.
Element 47 at The Little Nell
Gold Medal wine list, the highest rated wine program in Colorado, contemporary American tasting menu, private dining for wedding parties.
Cache Cache
30-year Aspen institution, French bistro, private room, the classic rehearsal dinner venue.
White House Tavern
Landmark 19th-century building, sandwich and brunch culture, beloved by locals.
Meat and Cheese
Farm-to-table, small plates, excellent wine selection, Aspen's most relaxed upscale dining.
What planners tell couples
Altitude Acclimatization
Aspen sits at 7,908 feet. Some guests experience altitude sickness, particularly in the first 24 hours. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Recommend guests arrive a day early, hydrate well, and avoid heavy alcohol consumption on arrival night. The town pharmacy stocks altitude medication.
Winter Road Access
Independence Pass (Highway 82 east of Aspen) closes from November to May due to snow. In winter, all ground access is via I-70 and Highway 82 west from Glenwood Springs. The ASE airport is frequently affected by weather delays; build flexibility into travel schedules.
Aspen Food and Wine Classic
If your wedding falls in June, confirm dates against the Aspen Food and Wine Classic (AFWC), typically third weekend of June. Hotel rates spike and availability drops to near zero during this event. Either embrace it as part of the experience or choose a different June weekend.
Private Chalet Staffing
Full-staffed private chalet rentals include a private chef, housekeeping, and butler service. Arrange through a dedicated Aspen concierge company at least 6 months ahead.
