Looking for a mountain wedding destination that’s as unforgettable as your love story? Vail delivers alpine beauty, charming venues, world-class cuisine and endless summer adventures for you and your guests to enjoy.
Imagine welcoming your friends and family to cocktail hour alongside a rushing creek with fairy lights twinkling overhead. Plus, think of all the fun you and your guests will have getting massages, shopping and exploring the villages before or after the big event.
Read on and get inspired with ideas for your summer wedding in Vail.
Dining Spots Pre-Wedding & Post-Wedding
Vail Rehearsal-Dinner Venues
Whether you’re looking for an intimate meal with your wedding party and close loved ones, a larger celebration with a mile-long guest list or a special something in between, Vail has numerous options to create your ideal rehearsal dinner. Here are some highlights:
At Matsuhisa, event spaces include the open-air Mountain View Terrace (seats up to 75), the secluded Nobu Room (seats up to 40) and the peak-facing Mountain View Banquettes (seats up to 24). If your dinner party is no more than 14 people, we suggest the cozy Fireside Lounge set beside a three-sided stone fireplace.
For smaller gatherings, Sweet Basil can host your dinner in its Front Room (seats up to 21), which looks out onto Vail Village’s iconic cobblestone streets, the Semi-Private Alcove (seats up to 18) at the back of the Private Dining Room (seats up to 45) with large windows overlooking the lush banks of the Gore Creek. Or buy out the entire restaurant for a fine-dining affair for up to 100 people. Learn more about this MICHELIN-recommended restaurant.
With its spacious layout, Grand Hyatt Vail offers a range of rehearsal-dinner spaces for any number of guests. Choose from elegant ballrooms for well over 100 people to creekside spots with alfresco dining for a more intimate party of 40.
Want to go all out with your Colorado mountain wedding theme? Consider a ranch-style dinner, complete with breathtaking peak panoramas at 4 Eagle Ranch. You’ll love the history and rustic charm of the Nelson Cabin and Carriage House, both with seating for around 80 guests each.
For the ultimate pre-wedding dinner experience, surprise your loved ones with a meal curated by your own private chef. It’s a great way to accommodate specific dietary needs while creating a personalized menu with all your favorite flavors. Plus, you can keep the setting laid-back and intimate by hosting it at your private vacation rental.
Cocktail-Hour Venues in Vail
Another option for welcoming out-of-town guests is a cocktail-hour party, because who doesn’t enjoy a specialty cocktail, craft suds or a fruity mocktail after a day of traveling.
With its wide selection of sumptuous wines and inventive drinks, Root & Flower is an ideal locale to gather with loved ones visiting for your special day. You’ll love its chic, yet intimate atmosphere with mood lighting, turquoise accent walls and sconce lamps shaped like plants. Buy out the bar and have it all for you and your guests — up to 60 people.
At Chasing Rabbits, you can choose the space that best suits your group’s vibe and size. Embrace a 1920s speakeasy setting at Moon Rabbit for up to 70 guests or opt for upscale elegance amid back-lit bookshelves and tiered chandeliers at The Library (up to 48 guests). For more space without skimping on the atmosphere, rent out the classy Restaurant (up to 105 guests) or go big and take over Rabbit Hole (up to 250 guests) for arcade games galore and a marque-style bar.
Farewell Brunch Spots
Round out your dream mountain wedding with a decadent post-nuptials brunch at a hotel, which many offer as part of their wedding packages.
Choose Manor Vail Lodge for a buffet-style breakfast with morning-remedy stations for mimosas or bloody Marys and food-station options, including a build-your-own-parfait bar. Or lavish your guests with delicious breakfast dishes crafted by the Antlers at Vail’s in-house chef. At the Sonnenalp Hotel, select your breakfast spot from spaces like the indoor/outdoor terrace at Ludwig’s Restaurant, the intimate Grand Bavaria Room adjacent to the Gore Creek or the alpine-themed Swiss Chalet.
Dining Recommendations for Your Guests Between Events
Between wedding festivities, guests can indulge their taste buds at some of Vail’s world-class eateries. In the mornings, try local brunch spots with craft cocktails, hearty chicken-and-waffle sandwiches or Nutella-filled crepes. Later, you can bask in the sunshine on an outdoor patio or refuel with classic Bavarian dishes. The villages also boast a variety of kid-approved dining options along with romantic restaurants for couples.
Lodging for the Wedding Party & Guests
When looking for places to stay during a wedding, often friends and family prefer being close to the event venue. Thankfully, many accommodations around Vail make room arrangements easy with designated blocks for wedding guests. See below for just a few of Vail’s lodging options.
Bespoke, yet cozy, Tivoli Lodge Vail offers stately rooms and suites with picturesque views of the mountains or village. Between events, wedding goers will relish borrowing from the fleet of electric bikes (lodge guests only), soaking in the hot tub or relaxing around the fire pit.
The Evergreen Lodge at Vail is a comfortable and more affordable choice with a plethora of amenities. Guests will love swimming in the heated pool, eating at the on-site restaurants and scheduling tension-easing massages.
Set in the heart of Lionshead Village, Arrabelle at Vail Square is within walking distance from all the delights of town and various wedding locales. Check out nearby restaurants, browse art galleries and local boutiques, take the kiddos to Sunbird Park or hitch a ride on the Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19).
Stay with your guests in the lap of mountain luxury at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail where you’ll find every convenience, from private poolside cabanas to a sophisticated hotel bar, all set against the backdrop of skyscraping peaks.
Activities for Before or After the Wedding
The villages are bursting with natural beauty and exciting activities, especially in summer, so it’s no surprise that guests may want to explore it for themselves. Arrive a few days early to take in the sights or stay the week for a mini getaway. Read our activity list and get ideas for things to see and do in Vail no matter your time frame:
If you have a day . . .
Talk a walk around the Betty Ford Alpine Garden for stunning examples of Vail’s alpine greenery. During summer, it’s an excellent place to see vibrant wildflowers or listen to the trickling of waterfalls from a comfy bench. Looking to explore? Seek out some of the villages’ hidden gems and find treasure troves of unique mementos and souvenirs — perhaps a last-minute gift for the happy couple. On Sundays, the Vail Farmers’ Market & Art Show is a can’t-miss event filled with Colorado-grown produce and handcrafted wares.
If you know your schedule in advance, book a relaxing massage or spa treatment. It’s the perfect prep for all the upcoming group photos or a great way to ease your weary dance muscles after a night of boogieing.
In the evening, check out Vail nightlife for craft bevvies at breezy terraces and live music spots like Shakedown Bar. If you’re visiting midweek (hint: it’s the best time to explore Vail in summer!), check for upcoming Hot Summer Nights concerts and other special events.
If you have a couple days . . .
Vail is home to miles of trails that wind across high-mountain meadows, craggy ridges and shimmering aspen stands. Take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Vail Mountain, then hike, mountain bike or e-bike along these gorgeous routes to make your way back into the villages.
Seeking outdoor activities at a slower pace? Try out the verdant links at Vail’s world-class golf courses or play a casual round of putt-putt with holes named after Vail wildlife. At the Colorado Snowsport Museum & Hall of Fame, history and sports buffs alike can examine artifacts from Vail’s winter-sport heroes, like Mikaela Shiffrin, and dive into the history of the famed 10th Mountain Division. Afterward, join a one-hour historical walking tour around Vail Village.
Brides, grooms and their wedding parties can join the Vail fun, too! What better way to bond with your bridesmaids and groomsmen than a cocktail-mixing class (maximum of 15–20 people) at Archetype Distillery.
If you have a week . . .
As summer weather sets in, Vail’s surrounding creeks and rivers fill with cascading snowmelt, creating a water adventure park for whitewater-rafting enthusiasts. Experienced outfitters offer excursions that range from mild to wild to accommodate all levels of paddlers. For anglers, it’s a great time to test out the Gore Creek’s trout-filled waters or learn from local experts on a guided fly-fishing trip.
On land, thrill seekers can explore the less-traveled side of Vail with an off-roading adventure. You and your crew will relish driving across rugged terrain and stream crossings to discover breathtaking panoramas in Vail’s backcountry. Or opt for a ride filled with endless views of towering 14ers, sapphire lakes and vast canyons along the Top of the Rockies scenic byway. In and near the villages, you’ll also find a lineup of seasonal special events, including Bravo! Vail Music Festival, Vail Wine Classic and Vail Dance Festival.
Learn More About Planning Your Wedding in Vail, Colorado
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- Create your ideal autumn wedding in Vail
- Get ideas for a romantic honeymoon in Vail
- Start dreaming about planning your anniversary in Vail
Hero image photo credit to @elizabethsamuelphoto courtesy of CrowdRiff.