Average wedding cost in Colorado
Updated Oct 16, 2026
A wedding in Colorado costs about $27,000 to $40,400 (Zola Wedding Cost Index, March 2026). Nationally, couples spent $34,000 on average (The Knot 2026).
$313 a guest
- Venue and rentals$8,325
- Catering and drinks$6,800
- Music and entertainment$2,378
- Flowers and decor$2,378
- Photography$1,784
- Everything else$9,635
Merriwell estimate for Colorado
| Guests | Estimate | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $23,900 | $19,100 to $28,600 |
| 100 | $31,300 | $25,100 to $37,600 |
| 150 | $38,800 | $31,000 to $46,600 |
The sum: $16,450 plus $150 a guest, times 99.6%, Colorado's price level for services against the US average (US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024). 20% either side for the range.
A typical split
| Venue and rentals | 28% | $8,764 |
| Catering and drinks | 23% | $7,199 |
| Cake and desserts | 1% | $313 |
| Photography | 6% | $1,878 |
| Videography | 4% | $1,252 |
| Music and entertainment | 8% | $2,504 |
| Flowers and decor | 8% | $2,504 |
| Dress, tux or suit | 4% | $1,252 |
| Hair and makeup | 1% | $313 |
| Wedding rings | 5% | $1,565 |
| Invitations and paper | 1% | $313 |
| Officiant and marriage license | 1% | $313 |
| Transportation | 2% | $626 |
| Wedding planner | 4% | $1,252 |
| Favors and gifts | 1% | $313 |
| Tips | 3% | $939 |
Merriwell's starting split (a blend of The Knot's 2026 figures), applied to our 100-guest estimate.
Marriage license in Colorado
- Fee
- $30 in Denver
- Waiting period
- None
- Valid for
- 35 days
Check with your county clerk: fees and rules change, and many are set by each county. We checked Denver Clerk and Recorder on Oct 16, 2026.
The busiest and the cheapest times
Saturday evenings cost the most. A winter weekend or a weekday can save 20-30% on most vendor costs (Zola, March 2026). Ask your venue for its off-peak prices.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a wedding cost in Colorado?
- Zola's Wedding Cost Index puts a Colorado wedding at $27,000 to $40,400 (Zola, March 2026). The Merriwell estimate for 100 guests in Colorado is about $31,300.
- How much does a wedding for 100 guests cost in Colorado?
- About $31,300 by the Merriwell estimate ($25,100 to $37,600): a fixed part plus $150 a guest, times Colorado's price level for services, 99.6% of the US average (US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024).
- How much is a marriage license in Colorado?
- $30 in Denver Fees can change, so check with your county clerk. We checked Denver Clerk and Recorder on Oct 16, 2026.
- Is there a waiting period to get married in Colorado?
- None. The license is valid for 35 days. Check with your county clerk before you plan around it.
- How can we spend less on a wedding in Colorado?
- Fewer guests makes the biggest difference. Zola says a winter weekend or a weekday can save 20-30% on most vendor costs, and that Saturday evenings cost the most (March 2026).
Average wedding cost in every state
Sources
- Zola Wedding Cost Index, Zola, Mar 6, 2026. Zola's own planning data and a survey of 720 couples. Checked Oct 16, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (Services: other): Colorado (FRED series CORPPSERVEOTH), US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Feb 19, 2026. Prices in each state against the US average (100), 2024. Checked Oct 16, 2026.
- The Knot 2026 Real Weddings Study, The Knot Worldwide, Feb 18, 2026. More than 10,000 US couples married in 2025. Checked Oct 16, 2026.