How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in Colorado? A Reality Check Budget Guide (2026)
Last updated: February 24, 2026
If you are planning a wedding in Colorado, you have probably done two things at the same time:
Saved a lot of inspiration online.
Tried to match that inspiration to a real budget.
That is where the stress shows up.
Here is a truth the wedding industry does not say loudly enough: a big chunk of what gets published and shared is not “average.” Styled shoots, magazine features, and viral Pinterest weddings often reflect luxury budgets because luxury details photograph well and get clicks. So even if you have a strong budget, like $75,000, you can still feel like you are “falling short” compared to the highlight reel.
This post is here to make the money side feel clear, not mysterious.
So what do weddings cost in Colorado, really?
First, the data point people quote.
The Knot’s 2026 Real Weddings Study reports an overall U.S. average wedding cost of $34,200, with an average of $31,000 for Colorado and $31,000 for Denver (their city and state figures are for ceremony and reception, and exclude the engagement ring).
Zola’s First Look Report also projects the average cost of a 2025 wedding at $36,000.
Those numbers are not “fake,” but they can still feel useless, because an average combines everything from a courthouse signature to a full-scale Saturday event. Even The Knot breaks spending into very different brackets, including couples under $15K, mid-range budgets, and weddings over $40K that average much higher.
What I see in real planning conversations in Colorado (Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and mountain towns) is that your guest count and your level of hosting drive the number fast. The Knot’s own data reinforces that guest count is a major cost driver, with an average cost per guest reported at $292 and an average guest count of 117.
So instead of chasing one “average,” I recommend starting with a budget framework.
The 45% rule that keeps budgets from exploding
A simple guideline that helps couples plan early:
Try to keep Venue + Food + Bar at 45% or less of your total wedding budget.
Why? Because the rest of your budget still needs to cover the full vendor team and the real logistics: photography, florals, DJ or band, rentals, attire, transportation, stationery, tips, planning, and a buffer for surprises.
If you do nothing else after reading this post, do this math.
Formula:
Max Venue + Food + Bar = Total Budget × 0.45
Max Catering Budget = (Total Budget × 0.45) − Venue − Bar
Budget math using our Saturday pricing (100 guests)
Let’s use our venue’s (Vista View Events) actual Venue Rental and Hosted Full Bar numbers. Here is a clear example using a 100-guest wedding on a Saturday.
Your fixed starting point
Saturday venue rental: $7,125.00
Hosted full bar for 100 guests (includes 3.9% Sales Tax): $5,402.80
Venue + bar total: $12,527.80
Per guest (at 100 guests), that is $125.28 per person before food.
What about catering?
Couples can see catering quotes all over the map because “catering” can mean very different things (drop-off, buffet, plated, staffing, rentals, service charges, and more). Nationally, The Knot reports an average catering cost of about $80 per person.
In Colorado, depending on service style and what is included, it can be lower or significantly higher than that. The point is not one perfect number. The point is building a budget where catering can fit without squeezing everything else.
Three real budget examples using the 45% rule
All examples assume:
100 guests
Saturday venue rental: $7,125.00
Hosted full bar: $5,402.80
You want Venue + Food + Bar to stay at or under 45% of the total
Example A: $60,000 total wedding budget
45% of $60,000 = $27,000.00
Max catering budget = $27,000.00 − $12,527.80 = $14,472.20
Per guest (100) = $144.72 per person
Example B: $75,000 total wedding budget
45% of $75,000 = $33,750.00
Max catering budget = $33,750.00 − $12,527.80 = $21,222.20
Per guest (100) = $212.22 per person
Example C: $100,000 total wedding budget
45% of $100,000 = $45,000.00
Max catering budget = $45,000.00 − $12,527.80 = $32,472.20
Per guest (100) = $324.72 per person
Notice what this does: it turns vague fear into clear decision-making. You can look at a catering proposal and immediately know whether it fits the bigger plan.
If catering costs X, what total budget does that imply?
Same fixed costs ($12,527.80 for venue + bar), and you are using the 45% guideline:
Catering $10,000 → total budget about $50,061.78
Catering $15,000 → total budget about $61,172.89
Catering $20,000 → total budget about $72,284.00
Catering $25,000 → total budget about $83,395.11
This is why couples can feel whiplash. A menu decision does not just change food, it can change the entire wedding budget.
Example Wedding Budgets (100 Guests, Saturday) Using the 45% Rule
These examples use a simple guideline: Venue + Food + Bar should stay at or under 45% of your total wedding budget.
They also use our real numbers for a Saturday wedding with 100 guests:
Venue: $7,125.00
Hosted full bar for 100 (tax included): $5,402.80
Venue + bar total: $12,527.80
Everything else below is estimated to show how a full budget can come together. You can adjust any line item based on what matters most to you.
$60,000 Total Wedding Budget (Example)
What this level often looks like: A well-hosted wedding with intentional choices. You will likely be more selective with florals, décor, and add-ons, but you can still create a beautiful, guest-friendly day.
45% target for Venue + Food + Bar: $27,000.00
Venue + bar fixed: $12,527.80
Catering target (to keep 45%): $14,472.20 (about $144.72 per guest)
Catering: $14,472.20
Venue: $7,125.00
Bar: $5,402.80
Month of Coordinator: $1,950.00
Tips: $1,800.00
Extra money for surprise fees: $3,250.00
Table linens: $1,200.00
Florals: $5,000.00
Photography: $6,500.00
Videography: $3,500.00
DJ/Music: $2,500.00
Hair + Makeup: $1,800.00
Guest transportation: $2,500.00
Additional decor: $1,300.00
Stationery: $500.00
Cake/Dessert: $1,200.00
Total: $60,000.00
$75,000 Total Wedding Budget (Example)
What this level often looks like: More breathing room. You can typically increase comfort and hospitality, invest more in design, and upgrade photo and video coverage without the budget feeling tight.
45% target for Venue + Food + Bar: $33,750.00
Venue + bar fixed: $12,527.80
Catering target (to keep 45%): $21,222.20 (about $212.22 per guest)
Catering: $21,222.20
Venue: $7,125.00
Bar: $5,402.80
Month of Coordinator (exclusive planner): $1,950.00
Tips: $2,200.00
Extra money for surprise fees: $4,900.00
Table linens: $1,500.00
Florals: $6,000.00
Photography: $7,500.00
Videography: $4,500.00
DJ/Music: $3,000.00
Hair + Makeup: $2,200.00
Guest transportation: $3,000.00
Additional decor: $2,500.00
Stationery: $600.00
Cake/Dessert: $1,400.00
Total: $75,000.00
Coordinator note: At this budget level, Month of Coordination can increase depending on wedding day complexity and logistics (more vendors, rentals, transportation timing, multiple spaces, and tighter timelines).
$100,000 Total Wedding Budget (Example)
What this level often looks like: High-touch hosting. This is where you often see premium catering service styles, more rentals and design installs, more transportation logistics, and a larger vendor team overall.
45% target for Venue + Food + Bar: $45,000.00
Venue + bar fixed: $12,527.80
Catering target (to keep 45%): $32,472.20 (about $324.72 per guest)
Catering: $32,472.20
Venue: $7,125.00
Bar: $5,402.80
Month of Coordinator (exclusive planner): $1,950.00
Tips: $3,000.00
Extra money for surprise fees: $4,500.00
Table linens: $2,500.00
Florals: $9,000.00
Photography: $9,000.00
Videography: $6,000.00
DJ/Music: $4,000.00
Hair + Makeup: $3,000.00
Guest transportation: $5,000.00
Additional decor: $4,000.00
Stationery: $900.00
Cake/Dessert: $2,150.00
Total: $100,000.00
Coordinator note: At this budget level, Month of Coordination often increases because higher budgets typically bring more moving parts and tighter logistics.
Coordination is commonly required, and it should be in your budget
Many Colorado venues require at least day-of or month-of coordination. Vista View Events requires a minimum of Month of Coordination through our exclusive planning partner, Chelsea Cholas Wedding Planning. For Month of Coordination their company offers a special rate of $1,950 to our couples, which is lower than the national averages (hooray!) you’ll see listed below.
Cost varies by market and scope, but here are two grounded reference points:
The Knot reports averages like $1,400 for day-of coordination and $2,200 for month-of coordination (national averages, based on their study).
Zola’s guidance lists day-of coordination in the $1,200 to $2,500 range and notes wider ranges for partial and full planning.
Note: Day-Of or Month-Of Coordination is not Full Wedding Planning. If you want/need Full Wedding Planning, your cost here will be higher. Don’t know the difference? Check out our blog post here, where we explain the difference between a Month of Coordinator and a Full Wedding Planner.
In our opinion, coordination is not optional in practice. It is how timelines stay on track, and vendors can do their jobs well on your wedding day.
The cheapest part of getting married in Colorado is the legal part
Colorado is refreshingly straightforward here.
Garfield County (where our venue is): You can get your marriage or civil union license through the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder, with offices in Glenwood Springs (109 8th St, Suite 200, 970-384-3700) and Rifle (195 W 14th St, Building D). The Clerk notes appointments are requested, and lists weekday office hours as 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you need certified copies later for name changes or paperwork, Garfield County’s request form lists $1.50 per certified copy. Witnesses are not required in Garfield County (or in Colorado in general).
In Denver, a marriage or civil union license costs $30, and the city also notes that self-solemnization does not require witnesses or an officiant.
Jefferson County explains self-solemnization plainly: both parties sign the license; you are married; the officiant is not required.
A kind, clear takeaway
If your inspiration looks like a six-figure wedding, it does not mean you are doing anything wrong. It means the internet is showing you the most photogenic version of reality.
If you want a budget that feels steady, start with this:
Pick your guest count.
Price your venue and bar.
Use the 45% rule to back into a catering number.
Protect room for coordination (so you can actually enjoy the day) and the rest of your vendor team.
If you want, share your guest count and your all-in budget target, and we can help you run the same math to fit your exact plan. Send our team an email at hello@vistaviewevents.com.