Devil’s Thumb Ranch Wedding Venue: Expert’s Guide
A Devil’s Thumb Ranch wedding in Tabernash, Colorado is the kind of experience that feels equal parts mountain getaway, chic western dream, and full-weekend extravaganza with your favorite people. As a Colorado wedding photographer, I’ve photographed both summer and winter weddings at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, and every single time I leave reminded why this venue is so very special.
Located about 20 minutes from Winter Park and roughly 90 minutes from Denver, Devil’s Thumb Ranch gives couples that “deep in the mountains” feeling without making travel stressful for guests, especially those coming in from out of town. Let’s dive into the details about this gorgeously wild wedding venue.
About Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a full-service mountain resort that blends elevated western style with expansive Rocky Mountain scenery. Think wide open meadows, horses grazing in the distance, rustic-luxury barns, cozy indoor spaces glowing with candlelight in winter, and views that honestly don’t need much dressing up.
What makes this venue stand out is that it’s truly a full weekend experience. Between the onsite lodging, multiple restaurants, spa, outdoor adventures, and curated wedding events, couples and guests never have to leave the property — unless they want to.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch Wedding Ceremony & Reception Spaces
One of the biggest perks of a Devil’s Thumb Ranch wedding is the variety of ceremony and reception locations, which photograph beautifully in every season.
Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Spaces
For outdoor ceremonies, couples can choose between two scenic open-air locations:
Broad Axe Ceremony Site: This outdoor ceremony space is situated at the foot of the Continental Divide, offering panoramic views of a wide open meadow with the Rocky Mountains in the distance. This ceremony site is next to a horse field, so you may even get some friendly cameos in the background of your photos!
High Lonesome Ceremony Site: Perched on a hillside, this elevated terrace is connected directly to the High Lonesome Barn, which is the most popular reception space at Devil’s Thumb Ranch.
Both sites can accommodate up to 250 guests and offer those jaw-dropping Colorado mountain backdrops. (Pictured to the right: High Lonesome Ceremony Site)
High Lonesome Barn & Loft
This barn venue is a photographer’s dream with high ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and a wall of windows that fills the room with natural light and provides a scenic view of the mountains. It works beautifully for ceremonies, dinner, and dancing, especially during winter weddings when couples want cozy vibes without sacrificing views.
Additional spaces like the Broad Axe Barn, Timber House, and Axel’s Pavilion are commonly used for welcome receptions, rehearsal dinners, or brunches, allowing the entire weekend to flow seamlessly without feeling repetitive.
Why I Love Photographing Devil’s Thumb Ranch Weddings
From a photographer’s perspective, Devil’s Thumb Ranch is hard to beat. We never have to leave the property to get stunning photos — everything is right there. Mountain views, trees, open meadows, horses, a lake, and beautiful indoor spaces all within minutes of each other makes timelines feel relaxed and intentional.
The staff is also incredibly accommodating and organized, which always translates into a smoother day and more authentic, joyful photos. No matter the season, you truly can’t go wrong here.
Pro tip: If you’re getting married at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, I highly recommend planning to have a first look. Giving yourselves at least 45 minutes to explore the property together before the ceremony allows for incredible photos without cutting into time with your family and friends later in the day.
An Ideal Couple for a Devil’s Thumb Ranch Wedding
This venue is perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel like a shared adventure with their guests. If you love the idea of everyone staying together all weekend, skiing or relaxing at the spa, gathering for a welcome dinner, and ending with brunch the next morning — a Devil’s Thumb Ranch wedding might be exactly what you’re looking for.
It’s also ideal for couples drawn to a mountain chic, slightly western aesthetic, top-notch service, and breathtaking scenery without being too far from Denver.
How Much Does a Devil’s Thumb Ranch Wedding Cost?
Wedding pricing at Devil’s Thumb Ranch varies by season and level of customization. For summer and fall dates (June through October), site fees start around $40,000 with food and beverage minimums beginning at $80,000. Winter and shoulder-season weddings offer more customizable, à la carte options starting around $5,000 for events. Pricing is not based on a per-guest rate and is tailored to the overall wedding weekend experience.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch: At a Glance
Devil’s Thumb Ranch is an all-inclusive, full-service wedding venue. Couples have access to onsite lodging, in-house catering, getting-ready spaces, and rentals including chairs, tables, linens, flatware, and glassware. Packages are customizable and can include a rehearsal dinner or welcome reception, the wedding day itself, and a morning-after brunch.
The resort also offers year-round activities for guests, from hiking, fly fishing, and horseback riding in the summer to skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. There’s also a spa and multiple restaurants onsite, which guests love — especially for longer wedding weekends.
Location: Tabernash, Colorado
Address: 3530 County Rd 83, Tabernash, CO 80478
Phone: (970) 722-1197
Website: https://www.devilsthumbranch.com/
Capacity: Up to 250 guests (220 with a band)
Ceremony Spaces: Meadow, Terrace, Pavilion
Reception Venues: High Lonesome Barn & Loft
In-House Catering: Yes
Onsite Lodging: Yes
Getting Ready Spaces: Yes
Best For: Full-weekend, mountain chic weddings with out-of-town guests
Let’s Capture Your Devil’s Thumb Ranch Wedding
Planning a Devil’s Thumb Ranch wedding and looking for a photographer who knows the property inside and out? I’d love to connect. You can reach out here to chat about your plans, or take a look at Shelly + Tyler’s Devil’s Thumb Ranch wedding for more inspiration.
