Selecting the Perfect Menu for Your Colorado Mountain Wedding
Photo Credit: Josie V. Photography
Planning a breathtaking Colorado mountain wedding? Beyond the majestic Rocky Mountain vistas and stunning alpine scenery, Colorado's culinary scene offers an incredible array of options to create an unforgettable wedding feast.
At Spruce Mountain Ranch, we've mastered the art of crafting wedding menus that perfectly complement our state's natural beauty and enhance your special day.
Read on to see what we’ve learned over the years.
Seasonally Inspired Colorado Wedding Menus
Sourcing local cuisine in-season is not only an important part of establishing the overall vibe of a mountain wedding, but it can save couples loads of money. Here's our comprehensive guide to Colorado's finest seasonal offerings:
Spring Wedding Cuisine
Colorado's spring season brings an explosion of fresh flavors to your wedding table. Our local spring harvest includes an abundance of vibrant vegetables:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Artichokes
- Beets
- Carrots
- Fava beans
- Snap peas
- New potatoes
- Radishes
Enhance your spring menu with bright fruit accents like strawberry, lemon, mango, pineapple, grapefruit, or rhubarb. And as mountain streams thaw, fresh Colorado trout and salmon become perfect protein options for your celebration.
Summer Wedding Cuisine
Summer weddings in Colorado offer an incredible variety of fresh, local ingredients:
- Melons
- Peaches
- Plums
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Apricots
- Berries
- Green beans
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
A good rule of thumb for summer wedding cuisine is to keep it light and fresh.
When temperatures rise, wedding guests often prefer to graze or make their way around various interactive food stations as they mingle. Many couples are now embracing casual dining experiences, featuring authentic Colorado barbecue or gourmet food truck stations that encourage guest interaction.
Fall Wedding Cuisine
In Colorado, fall marks the beginning of “comfort food season” (which lasts until warmer temperatures return in early spring). As autumn colors paint our mountains, Colorado's wedding menus transition to heartier fare:
- Gourmet Mac & Cheese Bar
- Braised Short Ribs
- Elk Tenderloin
- Smoked Pork, Chicken, or Salmon
- Lamb Skewers
- Wood-Fired Pizza
- Seasonal squash and root vegetable specialties
Winter Wedding Cuisine
Cooler weather warrants more hearty comfort food. Embrace the cozy mountain atmosphere with these warm-the-soul winter dishes:
- Smoked Duck Flatbread
- White Truffle & Parmesan Fingerling potatoes
- Peppercorn Crusted Beef or Tenderloin
- Smoked Brisket
- Dijon Glazed Brussel Sprouts
- Vegetable Polenta Cabbage Roll
- Wild Mushroom Arancini
Although most fresh produce is generally “out of season” by winter months, you can still get your hands on high-quality winter squash, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, tomatoes, cauliflower, spinach, apples, carrots, cabbage, and beets.
Local Colorado Flavors & Ingredients
Now, how to make your wedding menu reminiscent of the Colorado flavor and culture? Showcase our state's culinary heritage with these distinctive local specialties:
- Steelhead Rainbow Trout
- Prime Top Sirloin
- Smoked Trout Cake
- Bison Braciole
- Whiskey-Smoked Pork Loin
- Green Chili & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken
- Lamb Shish Kebabs
- Palisade Peach Salads & Desserts
- Buffalo Sausage Bites
- Spicy Elk Sausage Skewers
- Buffalo Sliders
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Bison Meatballs
Caterer Featured: Biscuits & Berries Catering Co.
Common Wedding Menu Styles
When choosing your wedding menu, you have several style options to choose from:
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Plated dinner service: A formal multi-course dining experience that leaves guests feeling relaxed and pampered.
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Buffet-style dining: Self-serve dining that gives guests the freedom to pick and choose their favorite items, leading to less food waste.
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Stations & interactive food experiences: An increasingly popular wedding cuisine style, featuring specialty stations often attended by a chef.
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Family-style dining: Much like a Thanksgiving dinner, with large platters passed around the table, making them ideal for intimate wedding receptions.
Caterer Featured: Biscuits & Berries Catering Co.
Drink Pairings for Mountain Weddings
Picking appetizers and entrees is fun, but outlining the beverage section of the menu is an absolute blast!
Embracing the mountain wedding theme? Take the chance to show off Colorado’s unique style with Rocky Mountain-themed cocktails, local craft beers, or regional wines. Working with our exquisite drinks vendor partner, Peak Beverage, we’ve concocted a list of delightful Colorado-inspired signature cocktails ideal for mountain weddings.
Colorado-Inspired Dessert Options
And, of course, you can’t forget the grand finale of your mountain wedding menu: dessert! Complete your celebration with these mountain-inspired sweet endings:
- Palisade Peach Tart
- Lemon Ricotta Shortbread
- Assorted Mini Fruit Pies
- Blueberry Lemon Mousse Bite
- Pomegranate Maple Panna Cotta
- Mulled Wine Poached Pear
- Apple Bourbon Basque Cheesecake
- “Snow-Covered” Wedding Cakes
Choosing a Quality Local Caterer
Ultimately, your wedding menu options depend on the catering companies available near your chosen venue. At Spruce Mountain Ranch, your menu options are brought to life through our carefully selected catering partners. Take a “peak” at our elite selection of Colorado's finest wedding caterers, each chosen for their expertise in mountain celebration cuisine.
Spruce Mountain Ranch: The Perfect Venue for Your Colorado Mountain Wedding
Nestled in Colorado's majestic Rocky Mountain foothills, Spruce Mountain Ranch offers the perfect blend of stunning mountain views, elegant indoor spaces, and exceptional vendor partnerships for your dream wedding celebration. Schedule your complimentary venue tour today and discover why we're Colorado's premier mountain wedding destination.
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