Buena Vista Wedding & Elopement Guide
Top 3 Reasons to get married in Buena Vista, Colorado:
White Water Rafting
Have the time of your life in a boat, floating down the river! It’s challenging and thrilling with some relaxing in between, the perfect activity for all your family and friends after your wedding!
Hot Springs
Soak it up, take deep breaths and enjoy yourself. With great views from the hot springs it’s a great way to relax and take in the mountains.
Hiking
Oh my, there’s so much to hike to! You can hike to beautiful alpine lakes or bag a few of the Collegiate Peaks that you can view from downtown Buena Vista.
About Buena Vista
Buena Vista Location and History:
Buena Vista is located in a mountain valley right on the Arkansas River. Its name even means “beautiful view” in Spanish. Settlers were attracted to this valley because of all the water available for agriculture. Then, it was a major town on the wagon route from all of the silver and gold mines. Then a major railroad stop for travelers. I think back in the day, it was a bit of a party town, with 68 bars to choose from.
Buena Vista’s Best Wedding Month For:
Want to know when you're more likely to have the wedding of your dreams in the season that you're craving?!?! Well, the weather can be pretty unpredictable in Colorado! I'm here to give you the best possible chance for having a Buena Vista snowy mountain view wedding or Buena Vista summer wildflower wedding or a Buena Vista fall wedding. These months are based on years of what I've witnessed but as you know, every year is different based on the amount of snowfall we get.
Buena Vista’s Snowy Mountain View Wedding or Elopement - March
Buena Vista’s Summer Wildflower Wedding or Elopement - August
Buena Vista’s Fall Leave Hiking Wedding or Elopement - September
Buena Vista’s Wedding Venues and Elopement Ceremony Locations
Buena Vista’s Wedding Venues:
There are three great wedding venues in Buena Vista. From resorts that have it all, to intimate experiences, like you're at home, all with an amazing view.
Surf Hotel - Nestled in South Main right on the river the Surf hotel is the perfect Resort for being in the middle of it all. you guys can search on the river all day and have the perfect options for your ceremony and reception right there at the hotel.
River and Tree - the closest thing to being at home but better. at the river and tree home you can host your intimate ceremony reception or rehearsal dinner in the backyard. it's a great intimate home venue.
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs - If you want to make sure you have the ability to soak on your wedding day then hosting it at a hot springs is the answer. Mount Princeton Hot Springs has a few venues to choose from for your ceremony and reception, all with amazing views!
Buena Vista Ceremony Locations:
when I think of Buena Vista I often think of white water rafting, I feel like it's the hub for Colorado. that's why I'm having your adventure wedding on the river is just perfect in Buena Vista! if you're not a river rat is also tons of other options for your ceremony locations including hiking and even more adventurous things, check out the list below!
Rafting
Via Ferrata
Hiking Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Area
Hiking Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area
4x4 up the Mountain
Buena Vista Eats and Stays
Buena Vista Rehearsal Dinner or Buena Vista Reception Sites:
There’s not alot of large group venues in Buena Vista besides the wedding venues above. These venues below are perfect for intimate dinner gatherings.
House of Rock Kitchen - with a wide variety of Healthy foods to choose from everyone in the family will find something that they love.
Eddyline Brewery - Y'all know I have to have a brewery on here, with how much I love beer! Eddyline Brewery is one of my favorites in the valley!
Buena Vista Places to Stay:
For such a variety of places to choose from to rest your head after an adventurous day in Buena Vista. Whether you want to be with your friends and family all day, get a huge house or condo or if you're looking for something on the more intimate side there's plenty of hotels lodges and intimate airbnb's for you to choose from. Below you'll find a few of my favorite hotels, lodges and airbnb's.
Surf Hotel - The perfect modern hotel in a small town full of luxury and adventure!
South Main Rentals - Perfect vacation homes in South Main to gather your crew!
Surf Chateau - If you need a little more room than a hotel room but not a kitchen, these are perfect for ya!
River and Tree - This home is great to gather your friends and family at. You can also host some or all of your events here!
Buffalo Peaks Lodge - A fantastic bed and breakfast for you and your family. I think the best part is the breakfast!
Elk Mountain - Stay at a real ranch in log cabins to get a real feel for the colorado ranch lifestyle.
Downtown Jacobs Building - Stay in a historic building for the weekend, and be close to it all.
Adobe - Tuck yourself in at this adobe home that will fit your whole family with views of the collegiate peaks.
Deer Valley Ranch - Nestled under the white cliffs is a resort ranch with lodges and cabins to choose from. There’s rock climbing and horse back riding right at your fingertips.
Buena Vista Activities and Festivals
Buena Vista Activities:
The very best thing about being in a cute little mountain town is that you have full access to everything outdoors. The main problem is going to be wanting more days in the mountains to do all the fun activities.
Hiking
One of best ways to see the mountains all year round! You are surrounded by 14ers if you still need to bag a few!
Mountain Biking
There’s plenty of trails to access around Buena Vista. With tons of trails on the east of the Arkansas River. If you get bored, then there’s tons of other trails to explore within a short drive.
Fly Fishing
The Arkansas River runs right through town and offers so many great places to fly fish when it’s not running too fast. There’s also a ton of other creeks to explore!
Snowshoeing
If you want to slow down in the snow, it's great to take in the views at a slower pace.
Rock Climbing
Lots of Trad climbing available to get you pumped.
Via Ferrata
If you want to feel like an incredible on the wall without having to learn to climb, then definitely do the via ferrata. A non-technical way to get high up on a mountain wall without learning how to climb the crux.
Paddle Boarding
Take an adventurous SUP river trip.
Surf
Get on the river like a beach boy!
Off-Roading
A little bit more relaxing way to explore the mountains. It’ll get my adrenaline shooting high with a four-by-four vehicle on the side of a cliff.
Rafting
Go down the river with a big group of friends on a raft for an adrenaline rush! And some great quality time with fantastic views.
Buena Vista Festivals:
While festivals are a fantastic town celebration, sometimes they can make wedding and elopement planning a bit difficult because of lodging, parking and day of transportation. It's always best to know what festivals or celebrations are happening in the town that you choose to have your wedding so you can plan accordingly. Part of the planning accordingly may be that your guests partake in the festivals! I mean how cool would it be to have your wedding day and then go to beer fest with all your guests the next day!
Rapids and Grass Beerfest - June - If you love going down the river, listening to bluegrass while drinking beer, you’ve gotta go!
Seven Peaks Festival - September - This three day camping music festival would be a grand after party!
FIBArk - June - A white water festival that’ll get everyone excited, make sure to watch the hooligan race!