Between the anticipation, celebrations and everything in between, your wedding day can feel like it passes in an instant. Here’s the good news: Vail’s alpine landscapes, mountaintops and seasonal scenery each bring something different to your wedding photos. Whether you prefer candid moments or guided portraits, these are locations a Vail wedding photographer can use to create the photos you’ll smile at years later.
Let Vail’s Alpine Scenery Be the Star in Your Wedding Drone Photography
Piney River Ranch
Kiss the idea of ground-level photos goodbye and turn to drone wedding photography for a wider perspective on Vail’s natural scenery. Here you’ll follow Red Sandstone Road deep into Mother Nature before reaching Piney River Ranch. When you arrive, groves of aspens blanket the hillsides while the Gore Range rises just beyond.
Toward the back of the ranch, Piney Lake comes into view beneath the surrounding peaks. The two of you will start your photo session on the waterfront deck before strolling hand-in-hand among the grass and eventually paddling onto the lake in a rented canoe. As your photographer’s drone buzzes overhead, everything comes together in a single frame from one angle to the next.
Shrine Pass
If you’re hoping to capture an aerial view of Vail in its full splendor, Shrine Pass may be the setting you’re looking for. Less than a half-hour drive southeast of Vail, the parking lot is a good place for touch-ups before heading into the meadows. Flaxen, coral and violet-hued blooms color the landscape, with Mount of the Holy Cross and the Gore Range visible in the distance. The farther you make your way across the area, the quieter it becomes, with little more than the breeze moving through the wildflowers. The scenery is certainly photogenic, though the drone knows who the real stars of the shots are.
Note: Drones are not permitted on or above Vail Mountain.
Mountaintop Views & Feel: On Deck
The 10th
For another among-the-peaks location, The 10th’s private deck offers panoramic views of the valley with waves of mountain silhouettes softening toward the horizon. Hop aboard Gondola One (#1) for a ride to the venue, watching evergreens slip beneath the cabin as you climb higher. Once your sky-high chariot comes to a stop, follow the path to the deck, where the backdrop is already camera-ready. Then, continue into the grass to bring more of the surrounding terrain into focus.
Holy Cross Event Deck
Still drawn to higher elevations but want to feel closer to the mountains? A ride up Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19) brings you to the Holy Cross Event Deck, with the lookout just steps from the arrival point. Along the paved walkway, cool air drifts by as layers of forested ridges lead the eye toward the Gore Range, with Vail Valley below and plenty for your photographer to work with before even reaching the ceremony site. After spending time at the overlook, step into the nearby open area for photos that feel more immersed in nature.
Insider Tip: Before scheduling your shoot, check each venue’s calendar to ensure no weddings or other events are taking place that day.
Vail Wedding Photo Spots by Season
Vail Covered Bridge
Let fall and winter join the photo shoot with locations like Vail Covered Bridge. Acting as the gateway to Vail Village, the historical landmark has Gore Creek rushing below, adding to the peaceful feel of your session. In fall, vibrant autumn color wraps around the bridge, brightening your images with fiery reds and golden yellows, while the interior creates a rustic portrait setting framed by weathered wood.
Winter brings its own magic with holiday lights glowing around the bridge, a wreath tied with a cherry-red bow overhead, and snow-covered rooftops and pine trees dusted in white. There may not be any mistletoe above you, but it’s hard to imagine a better place to steal a smooch while your photographer captures the moment.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
If your time in Vail occurs during the height of summer or into fall, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens offers no shortage of photo opportunities. Set beside Gore Creek, the high-elevation botanical garden blooms with a range of columbines, hot-pink veronicas and rare alpine plants. Around each bend, winding pathways and tucked-away garden spaces create new backdrops for your wedding photographer to work with. Aspens bring a different kind of beauty to the gardens, especially in autumn when they take on a warm, luminous glow.
Behind the Lens: Local Vail Wedding Vendors
Ready to start planning? These local Vail wedding photographers and videographers know the area best and can help bring your photo vision to life:
Photographers: Townsend Photography, Nisha Louise Photography, David Gillette Photography, Michael Rawlings Photography, Two Elk Studios, Tom Cohen Photography and Brooke Heather Photographer
Drone Photographers: Whitney Rae Photography and Toni Axelrod Studios
Videographers: Gold Heart Weddings, Fully Committed Films and Love Story Collective