How to Have a Destination Wedding in Aspen, Colorado
Thinking about having a destination wedding in Aspen, Colorado?
Here are some tips on how to have navigate the planning process for Aspen weddings.
Destination Aspen Wedding and Event Planning
Hire a planner local to the area! At K.Shannon Events, we are true locals - born and raised in Aspen, our lead planner knows the in-and-outs of Aspen, where the best views are, and how long to wait out a summer rain shower.
For a summer wedding or event, make sure to have a rain plan. Typically, we have afternoon rain showers in June, July and August, and an occasional snow shower in September. That being said, the showers usually last only about 20 minutes, so you can definitely wait it out. We always like to have a backup or rain plan though, just in case. Ask your planner (and reception venue) what their back up plan is in case of inclement weather for your outdoor ceremony and/or cocktail hour. Some venues are able to accommodate a ceremony and cocktail hour in another space for a back up, while some venues are not able to. If that’s the case, look into a back up ceremony location at a different venue, or even a clear top tent to rent. Plan to have not only sunblock and parasols for your guests at the ceremony, but also umbrellas!
Speaking of sunblock; we are closer to the sun here in the mountains, and even on a cloudy day, you will get a suntan (or burn). We always suggest having a sunblock basket on a table with the programs and water station, along with including sunblock and chapstick in a Welcome Bag for your out of town guests!
Altitude is something to take serious! The town of Aspen is 7,908 feet above sea level. Again, we are closer to the sun and less oxygen is up here! Include in your wedding website some tips to help with altitude sickness and drinking at altitude. We suggest including high altitude kits in the Welcome Bag as well - this includes sunblock, chapstick, water, mini oxygen cans, and high altitude pills, along with a bullet point list of recommendations to help with it. At altitude, one glass of wine or one cocktail really does affect the body differently than one glass at sea level. Combining alcohol with altitude (and Colorado-friendly cannabis) means you need to drink more water than you think, and don’t over-indulge! Some hotels also offer their guests Chlorophyll water (hello Hotel Jerome!). This water will help you boost your red blood cells and feel renovated.
Wear appropriate clothing: shoes (moreso for the ladies), and layers! Most weddings taking place in Aspen are outdoors and in the mountains (think: uneven ground, grass, rocks, etc), and therefore stiletto heels are not the most practical. We suggest for the bride, bridal party and guests to wear a stacked heel rather than stiletto. Also, we are in the mountains, therefore it still gets chilly at night. Wear and bring layers of clothing for the cooler nights. If you’re having your wedding at the the top of Aspen Mountain with The Little Nell, bring jackets and scarves for the 22 minute gondola ride back down the mountain at night (they do offer blankets, but alway best to be prepared). I helped another planner recently with a winter wedding at Pinecreek Cookhouse. Guests were taken to the venue by horse-drawn sled, and most of the women attending the wedding were in short dresses, no tights, 6-inch heels, and just a scarf. Seriously. For a winter wedding. In the snow. The horse-drawn sled down the mountain after the wedding was a cold one - it was a blizzard and we ended up getting 5+ inches of snow!
Reach out to us for more tips and tricks!
Weddings in the time of COVID-19 Pandemic
Like the rest of the world, the event industry has been hit hard with the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. While many large scale events in the Aspen area have decided to cancel their 2020 season, fundraisers, galas, and other events, weddings can still be held - just a bit different than originally imagined.
We have had many brides & grooms postpone their weddings to later in the summer season and even to the same date for 2021. Here are a few other ways to cope with COVID-19 wedding plans:
Virtual Weddings
Luckily, Colorado is one of the states that has legalized virtual wedding options and you can obtain your marriage license online! With that, the technology of platforms such as ZOOM can allow your family and friends to still witness your nuptials from a distance, and you can exchange vows in an intimate ceremony with a photographer to capture the moments!
Commitment Ceremonies
If you are in a state that does not have an option for obtaining your marriage license online, you can still exchange vows on your original wedding date (and stream to your friends and family), and then obtain your license once your local counties open for in-person transactions. You can also have a friend or family member be ordained to officiate your wedding, and host a small group of family/friends in an outdoor setting to witness your ceremony. Once larger events and gathering of groups of people are safe to be held, this is when you can host your reception and even do a “vow renewal” in front of your loved ones.
Just remember, Love is Not Cancelled! Click here to see couples who went through with their weddings, in a smaller and more intimate environment. (via The Knot).
Virtual Weddings
Micro Weddings
Rocky Mountain Bride!
We are so excited to see that our couple, Erin & Nick’s October wedding is featured on Rocky Mountain Bride! Check it out here:
https://www.rockymountainbride.com/blog/october-wedding-at-the-st-regis/
Luxury St. Regis Aspen Wedding
Erin and Nick held their beautiful wedding ceremony at the St. Regis in downtown Aspen on a moody October Saturday. Grey clouds and a little rain/sleet/snow made for some beautifully romantic photos, by Tata & Luca Studio.
Their intimate ceremony was held in the Mountain Plaza of the St. Regis, a quiet space nestled in the trees at the base of Aspen Mountain. Flower and Vine Aspen provided timeless, lush flowers in whites, ivories, creams and lots of greenery to compliment the space. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails in this space before walking across the street for the reception in the upstairs club level of Casa Tua. Here, guests dined around the grand fireplace with views overlooking Aspen Mountain (which just happened to have a light dusting of snow!) and danced the night away to the tunes of local DJ, DJ Dylan.
Behind the Scenes
I always try to stay out of the way of the photographers and videographers during events, especially weddings, but sometimes as a planner, you just can’t! I’m so happy that Tara Marolda captured these photos - a little peak of the “life of a planner”!
Real Wedding!
We just received some BEAUTIFUL photos of one of our favorite couples! The love they have for each other is so evident, it radiates through everyone around them! I was honored to have also made her veil and garter, using the lace from her mother's veil. Love and congrats to S&J!
Xx,
ZG Events
