Colorado Rocky Mountain Weddings
Everyone wants to get married in the Rocky Mountains. However, most are blissfully unaware of the challenges of having a Colorado Mountain wedding. On phone consultations, I am careful to advise and ask questions to determine logistical challenges. Many of these challenges clients did not consider. Even if you are local to Colorado, these are tips and need to know to consider.
Top Tips for Planning a Mountain Wedding
If you are a Colorado native, you probably are aware of I-70 traffic. It can take very little for the main pipeline to your venue to be a parking lot. From rockslides to wildfires, floods, blizzards and bike races, I’ve seen it all. I rarely will dare to go up after 10am on a weekend on I-70. It is no different for your Colorado rocky mountain wedding day. Have guests stay at the least the day before and after your day close to the venue.
This next tip is especially for out of state visitors. Altitude sickness can prevent some of your most important guests from attending your day. Another reason for that day before and after stay is to acclimate. Guests should also be aware that it is significantly colder in the mountains than Denver. The weather is also a bit more unpredictable as well. On Brett + Heather’s day, there wasn’t a Colorado wildfire but there was a lot of smoke from the California wildfires. Some of it is out of anyone’s control.
Another challenge to these Rocky Mountain wedding venues is their remoteness. For example, Piney River Ranch’s listed google address isn’t the venue’s address. It actually is a pin to the Forest service road where you start a 45 minute bumpy trip to the venue.
If you are getting married on top of one of the mountain’s ski resorts, you also have transport time up. You’ll need to know if it’s a gondola or ski lift, how many can fit, how long it takes to get up and ticket cost for each person. Then get those individuals their tickets. Be aware, many of the lifts also shut down at certain times.
Surprisingly, Colorado Rocky Mountain Weddings are not for the faint of heart. They are a lot of work but of course with a big payoff. Make sure you hire professionals to guide your day and make it a breeze.
Here is one of my favorite mountain weddings from 2021, Brett + Heather’s Beaver Creek Park Hyatt Wedding!
Vendors that made this day possible
Planner: Milk Glass Productions
Venue: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa and The Chapel at Beaver Creek
Photographer: Katie Corinne Photography
Videographer: Films About Love
Hair: Studio One7 Salon
Makeup: Makeup by Heather B
Dress Salon: Blue Bridal Boutique
Tuxes: Al’s Formal Wear
Dress Designer: Kenneth Winston
Florist: Newberry Brothers
Lighting: Lighting by Scott
Band: Denver’s The Radio Band
Cake: Maggie and Molly’s Sweet Life
Photobooth: social light colorado
Ice Sculpture: Colorado Ice Works -Sculptures and Cocktail Ice
Chairs: Charming Chairs
Linens: BBJ Linen
Invites: Paper Daisies Stationery
Rings: Trice Jewelers