If you plan to attend a wedding in the Colorado mountains, you may wonder how the high altitude could affect your experience. As Denver-based wedding planners, we have the answers you’re looking for! Read on to find out what altitude sickness is and how to avoid it so you can make the most of your time in our beautiful state. Are you planning a Colorado mountain wedding? Be sure to link this guide on your wedding website so your guests from lower elevations can reference it! Alternatively, print it out and include it in your wedding welcome bags. What is Altitude Sickness?At more than one mile above sea level, atmospheric pressure decreases, the air gets thinner, and less oxygen is available. It’s also colder and drier, and the UV rays from the sun are stronger. If your body struggles to adjust to these environmental changes, it could result in altitude sickness. Symptoms of altitude sickness include shortness of breath, a rapid heartbeat, nausea, headaches, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. However, in most cases, these symptoms pass within 1-2 days. If they last longer or worsen at that time, please consult a doctor. You can take the following precautions to minimize the effects of altitude sickness! How to Avoid Altitude SicknessIncrease Fluid IntakeThe drier air at high altitudes means you need to hydrate twice as much as you would normally. So, don’t forget to pack your reusable water bottle and drink up! Decrease Salt IntakeSalt dehydrates the body, so ditch the salty snacks and fuel up on dried fruit or dark chocolate when you need a bite. Reduce Alcohol and Caffeine IntakeAlcohol and caffeine will also dehydrate you, so it’s best to avoid them for at least one day after arriving until your body adjusts to the environmental conditions. Eat High Carbohydrate, Low Fat FoodsHealthy carbohydrates will fuel you with the energy you need to avoid altitude sickness and enjoy your weekend in Colorado. Think nuts, avocados, oatmeal, and whole-wheat bread. Moderate Your Physical ActivityIf this will be your first time visiting the Colorado mountains, we know you probably can’t wait to get out there and explore! But not so fast. Take it easy for at least one day after arriving to allow your body to adjust to the higher altitude before hitting the slopes. Bonus: Wear SPF and SunglassesWhile it won’t help you avoid altitude sickness, wearing SPF and sunglasses is also crucial at high elevations. The UV rays are much stronger here, so you could end up burnt if you don’t take the proper precautions! We hope these tips help you avoid altitude sickness and enjoy your visit to Colorado! In addition, we recommend arranging your itinerary so you spend 1-2 days in Denver (the Mile-High City!) before heading to your final destination. Doing this will allow your body to adjust to the elevation gradually rather than all at once. Do you have more questions about altitude sickness or what to expect when attending a Colorado mountain wedding? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Photo Credit:These six wedding trends will be on the rise in 2024! As wedding planners, we can’t wait to see more of these trends, especially since we’ve already seen some in 2023. It’s exciting to know our clients are ahead of the curve! Whether you love to embrace every trend or want to add some subtle modern touches to your classic wedding, you won’t want to miss these top wedding trends for 2024. 2024 Wedding TrendsSeated Bridal PartiesIf you’ve ever stood up for a wedding, you know how tiring it can be! Especially if you’re a bridesmaid wearing sky-high heels. What’s the solution? A seated bridal party! We love this trend because it prioritizes the comfort of your VIPs. They’ll thank you for the opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy your ceremony instead of standing still for 30 minutes straight. Moreover, seating your bridal party makes for clean ceremony photos that put the focus on the two of you. It’s a win-win! Bold and Bright Color SchemesWhile we love a classic neutral color palette, we’re excited by the rise of bold and bright palettes for 2024. Think vibrant turquoise, juicy tangerine, and Barbie pink! We especially love this trend for a summer wedding. You could go all out and incorporate bright colors throughout your wedding design, or you could introduce subtle pops of color in the little details like your jewelry, shoes, and table décor. Patterns and TextureIt isn’t just wedding color palettes that are becoming more bold. Brides are also incorporating more patterns and textural details into their wedding designs! One of our favorite ways to embrace this trend is with floral-patterned details like bridesmaid dresses and tablecloths. We also love adding texture to wedding tablescapes by mixing fresh flowers with dried elements. Veils Are BackFor a while, bridal veils fell out of favor, replaced by other accessories such as boho hats and flower crowns. But in 2024, the veil is back! And it’s not your mother’s veil, either. Nowadays, you can purchase a veil in almost any style and length to suit your unique style. There are also veils with fun details like pearls, Swarovski crystals, and lace that take this classic accessory from an afterthought to the star of your bridal ensemble. Textured and Colorful CakesAre you noticing a pattern yet? If you love bold colors, there’s no need to settle for a ho-hum white wedding cake! Feel free to embrace your unique style with colorful buttercream, watercolor textures, and edible accents like dainty pastel macarons. Inedible textural details like ruffles, lace, and pearls are also a lot of fun if you prefer a classic white cake with a twist. Exchanging Private VowsIf you prefer not to spill your heart out to your partner in front of all your guests, you aren’t alone. In 2024, more couples will exchange their vows one-on-one or in front of a small group of loved ones. This arrangement takes the pressure off your ceremony and allows you to share your heartfelt promises to your partner without fear of embarrassment or tripping over your words. It also makes quality time with each other on your wedding day a priority—as it should be! If you’re a 2024 bride, we hope you’re as excited about these wedding trends as we are! As your wedding planner, we’ll help you incorporate your favorite trends into your special day in a way that reflects your style and one-of-a-kind love story. Let’s connect to start planning your distinctive Colorado wedding today! While summer and fall reign supreme as the most popular seasons to get married, winter weddings are on the rise! This trend is especially noticeable in the beautiful snowy mountains of Colorado, where we’re lucky enough to plan weddings. However, if you’re planning a winter wedding in Colorado, there are some practical considerations you should bear in mind. We’ve created this guide to help you get started! P.S. Don’t forget to bookmark this page to access these tips throughout the planning process! Planning a Winter Wedding in Colorado: Your Ultimate GuideEmbrace FlexibilityIn Colorado, couples dream of exchanging their vows outside, surrounded by a snowy wonderland. Some venues have an all-season outdoor ceremony space, while others give you the option of opening large doors to create an indoor-outdoor feel. However, Colorado’s winter weather isn’t always compatible with either of those options. It’s crucial to not only have your “dream” plan A but also a plan B you LOVE! That way, you won’t be left disappointed on your big day if Mother Nature forces a change of plans. Do a First LookEven as first looks become commonplace, we understand some couples prefer to save the surprise for their ceremony. However, having a winter wedding in Colorado almost necessitates doing a first look. Daylight hours are significantly limited, so you’ll want to get through most of your portraits before your ceremony. Typically, that looks like doing a first look, followed by portraits, followed by the rest of the wedding day. Once you have your date, check when the sun will set. Then, build your timeline accordingly. Choose Your Photographer CarefullyMany couples hire a photographer because they love the brightly lit images they’ve taken at summer weddings. But if you’re planning a winter wedding, it’s crucial to consider that the lighting conditions will be very different (and, in many cases, not ideal). Accordingly, you should discuss this with prospective photographers on your discovery calls. Will they bring flashes? What is their experience shooting in winter or dimly lit areas? These questions will help you narrow your options and choose a photographer who can capture stunning images at your winter wedding. Have Honest Conversations With Your VendorsIf you’re having a winter wedding, it’s more likely that the weather won’t be ideal than in other seasons. With this in mind, you should initiate honest conversations with your vendors about the weather. Will they plan for bad roads, especially if your venue is remote? What can you provide to ensure they’re able to fulfill their contract? What additional services can they provide to ensure the weather doesn’t negatively impact your wedding? For example, your florist should keep your bouquet wrapped between pictures so your flowers don’t freeze. Having a clear understanding of the expectations on both sides will ensure no unnecessary conflict or misunderstandings. Get Weather-Appropriate RentalsIf you’re committed to having an outdoor ceremony, you’ll need to put extra thought into creating a comfortable environment for your guests. Renting blankets and umbrellas is one of our favorite ways to make an outdoor winter wedding feel cozy! We have clear umbrellas in our inventory at Sapphire Celebrations so you can provide comfort without sacrificing elegance. We also love renting umbrellas, shawls, and fluffy throw blankets from Weather or Not, a local Colorado business. Choose a Great Winter Color PaletteHaving a winter wedding means you get to choose a unique color palette! It’s the season to embrace the darker shades and jewel tones that usually get left out of summer weddings. Or, you could opt for a palette of rose and mauve tones, just in time for Valentine’s Day. We’ve included some palettes we love below that you can pin for inspiration! Colorado Wedding PlannerPlanning a winter wedding in Colorado comes with unique challenges. You must prepare for inclement weather, communicate clearly with your vendors, and plan your timeline to maximize the limited daylight. Our team of Colorado wedding planners is familiar with these challenges and can help you overcome them to have the winter wonderland wedding of your dreams! We would love to hear your vision and help you choose the planning package that best fits your needs. Send us a message, and we’ll schedule your free discovery call! Vendors: |
LET’S CONNECT TO START DESIGNING YOUR DISTINCTIVE COLORADO EVENT TODAY
Sapphire Celebrations combines the energy, perspective and creativity of two generations when planning weddings and events throughout Colorado. Founded by a mother and daughter team, Sapphire Celebrations reflects their Colorado heritage. With family roots dating back to 1907 and covering the northeastern plains and Rocky Mountain vistas, there is no team better qualified to plan your Colorado wedding or special event. Pamela and Angie are proud of the high level of service for which Sapphire Celebrations has come to be known. Two principal wedding designers and four event concierges take pride in exceeding the expectations of couples who entrust us with their wedding day. Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|