Last week we had the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with the Colorado destination wedding options available in Estes Park. Situated at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is 1 ½ hours from Denver in north central Colorado. The town offers magnificent scenery, outdoor activities, and boutique shopping opportunities to entertain visitors.
Planning an intimate, rustic Colorado destination wedding for a September 2010 weekend; our Kansas City bride narrowed the site visits to those which best fit her vision.
Mary’s Lake Lodge and Resort offers couples a single location for ceremony, reception, and accommodations – from traditional hotel rooms to one, two, and three bedroom condominiums. Nightly entertainment makes this the “hot” night spot in this quiet mountain town. With an onsite spa this venue wraps the amenities into an appealing package.
A more remote ceremony option is the Sara Smith Outdoor Chapel at the YMCA of the Rockies. Just a short drive from the heart of Estes Park, this open air ceremony site pays homage to nature.
Another all-in-one location is the Estes Condos – Antlers Pointe, Bugle Pointe, and Creekside Suites. Flanking the Fall River, this property offers onsite outdoor ceremony sites. Wedding packages include a pole tent for the reception and can be customized to meet the couple’s needs. Accommodations include a hot tub or Jacuzzi tub in one, two, and three bedroom units.
You’ll feel on top of the world at one of the five outdoor ceremony sites offered by Aspen Lodge. Both the Longs Peak and Fireside Dining Rooms provide warm, intimate surroundings for receptions. For a twist, you can transport your guests between sites by wagon. Accommodations are also available onsite.
Those Estes Park venues we didn’t visit on this trip are too many to name. The options range from hotels steeped in history and tradition to the refreshingly new. For couples looking for the perfect spot for their Colorado destination wedding, Estes Park offers a cost effective alternative.
