Picture saying your vows on a private ranch, surrounded by 1,200 acres of stunning mountain scenery. That’s what a Gold Mountain Ranch wedding offers, tucked into the San Juan Mountains above Ouray, Colorado, at over 9,000 feet.
As a Colorado-based wedding and elopement photographer, I love this property for couples who want to tie the knot in an intimate outdoor setting. The ranch is perfect for elopements and small weddings, with two unique spaces to choose from.
In this guide, I’ll cover what a Gold Mountain Ranch wedding costs, what’s included, when to book, and how to plan your day.
How much does a Gold Mountain Ranch wedding cost?
Pricing starts around a few thousand dollars for an intimate elopement at Gold Mountain Ranch. A small wedding with full access to the property and accommodations can cost up to $20,000.
The exact cost of your Gold Mountain Ranch elopement or wedding depends on:
- Guest count – Your elopement can be up to 12 guests or a wedding with up to 40
- Day of the week – Weekday ceremonies usually cost less, which is ideal if you’re working with a budget
- Season – Peak summer months typically cost more than spring or fall
- Access – Gold Mountain Ranch offers unique experiences and access alongside your wedding, which can include activities and accommodations
- Length of stay – Multi-day weekends cost more than a single-day booking
- Photography – With my wedding packages, I capture your wedding day and offer planning support to help you have a stress-free, fun experience
What’s Included in a Gold Mountain Ranch Wedding
A wedding at Gold Mountain Ranch is more than your typical wedding. It’s an experience meant to feel personal and connected to nature.
There are two potential spaces for your wedding: The Overlook House or The Wilmont.
The Overlook House is ideal for an elopement with the two of you and up to 12 loved ones. It includes two accommodation spaces for four guests total.
The Wilmont is designed for micro-weddings of up to 40 guests, with onsite lodging for 18 (or 22 if you add The Overlook House to your booking).
Whether you book The Overlook House or The Wilmont, your wedding also includes:
- Multiple gathering areas
- A hot tub, full kitchen, and yard games
- Access to onsite activities like via ferrata courses and horseback riding
- Planning support from the property’s team, including guidance on vendors and how to structure your itinerary
- A private setting with no other events on the property during your stay
Best Time to Get Married at Gold Mountain Ranch
Gold Mountain Ranch can be booked for your wedding from mid-May through October, and the venue is stunning no matter the time of year. It’s generally closed during winter and spring due to snow making it inaccessible.
June through August offers the warmest weather and is generally the most popular time to get married at Gold Mountain Ranch. September and October offer cooler temperatures and often have more availability.
Gold Mountain Ranch Wedding Packages
Every Gold Mountain Ranch package is customizable, created around the unique experience you’re planning. Whether you’re wanting an intimate elopement, full-day wedding, or multi-day celebration, your package can include your ceremony and reception spaces, onsite accommodations, and activities.
Planning Tips for Your Gold Mountain Ranch Wedding
Here are my top tips for planning an elopement or wedding at Gold Mountain Ranch:
- Determine your budget – This guides the whole experience, from your guest count to which accommodations and activities you add on.
- Choose your guest count – Whether it’s just the two of you or up to 40 guests, your number helps you pick the space that best fits your experience.
- Book the venue – Availability fills up fast during peak wildflower season and summer months, so book as soon as possible.
- Hire a photographer familiar with Ouray – Someone who knows and loves the area (like me!) can help with timeline planning and capture the best photos of your special day.
- Plan your activities – The venue offers outdoor adventure, wellness experiences, and curated activities that you can book in advance. There are also fun things to do around Ouray, like soaking in hot springs, Jeep tours, and hiking.
Gold Mountain Ranch Wedding: FAQs
How much does it cost to get married at Gold Mountain Ranch?
Cost depends on your guest count, dates, and lodging needs. An elopement usually starts at a few thousand dollars, while an intimate wedding can cost up to $20,000. With the ability to plan a custom experience, it’s easy to plan an affordable elopement or splurge on something more.
How many guests can Gold Mountain Ranch accommodate?
Gold Mountain Ranch has a max guest count of 40. The Overlook House hosts up to 12 guests, and The Wilmont accommodates up to 40 for a ceremony and reception.
Is there overnight lodging at Gold Mountain Ranch?
Yes. The Overlook House sleeps 4 people across two bedrooms. The Wilmont sleeps up to 18, with the option to add The Overlook House for 4 more.
When is Gold Mountain Ranch available for weddings?
The property is generally available from late May through October, depending on weather. Snow during spring and winter typically makes the venue unavailable during this time.
Can pets attend a Gold Mountain Ranch wedding?
Dogs are welcome with prior approval and a signed pet agreement. There may be extra fees and guidelines to follow. I love photographing pet-friendly weddings, so if your pup is a special part of the family, let’s find a way to include them in your day!
Plan Your Gold Mountain Ranch Wedding
Gold Mountain Ranch offers one of the most private, beautiful settings for a Colorado mountain wedding. It’s a stunning location for an intimate elopement, full-day wedding, or multi-day celebration.
As a photographer who absolutely loves Ouray, I’d love to help you plan and photograph your special day.
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
