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Wanting to elope in Colorado

bluebonnet757bluebonnet757 member
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in Destination Weddings Discussions
My fiancé and I have decided to just do an elopement since I'm from VA and he from TX. I also have family in NY and in Spain and after months of trying to plan... we just want it to be the two of us. SO, I've always fantasized of a snowy, winter wedding and being close to CO, we decided to go there for it. I was just wondering if anyone from there (anywhere) could suggest some lovely places to look at. Basically resort area that could hold a private ceremony and dinner and maybe even a sleigh ride LOL. Anyway thanks for any and all help and advice! I greatly appreciate it!  :)
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Re: Wanting to elope in Colorado

  • WinstonsGirlWinstonsGirl member
    Knottie Warrior 2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers

    @CMGragain  
    @lyndausvi

    I believe you two are in Colorado??

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  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its
    edited January 2016
    I know people get married up on Snowmass and Aspen mountains.  I do not have a specific company, but a quick google search found elopement packages.   

    They have sleigh rides out of Aspen.  Or you can take a snowcat up to Lynn Britt cabin for dinner (Tuesday or Thursday nights).

    They have snowcat dinners at Cloud Nine on Aspen Highlands. (also open for lunch)

    You can have nice fine dinning lunch (Sir Elton John was there yesterday) at Gwyn's on Snowmass.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
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  • bluebonnet757bluebonnet757 member
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    Fantastic! Thank you for that information! @lyndausvi
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  • CMGragainCMGragain member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    edited January 2016
    I am on the western slope, and we don't get much snow here.  (Ha, ha!) Aspen and Vail are a two and a half hour drive, but they are pricey and touristy, especially Vail.  (Only city folks go there!)  @Lyndausvi is in the resort management business, and her advice is sound.  I'm sure if you PM her, she can give you more specific tips.
    httpiimgurcomTCCjW0wjpg
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  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its
    While I'm in the same county as Vail, it's on the other side of a mountain and 1.5 hours by car.  I've passed through on I-70 often, stopped for lunch, but do not know much about the area.      

    Vail is closer to Denver (2 hours or so).  It's often cheaper to fly into Denver then Eagle/Vail or Aspen.  It's also in general less expensive than Aspen.  It's more crowded too, because it's closer to Denver.      

    Aspen is more off the beaten path.   There is an airport.   Or about 4 hours from Denver (we often fly in/out of Aspen because it can often cost a lot less.  Although I have gotten good deals out of Aspen too.   

    Not sure your budget, but St Regis, Limelight and Hotel Jerome in Aspen are all good options.   Groupon has had deals for Snowmass lately.  Check them out too.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
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  • bluebonnet757bluebonnet757 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited January 2016
    Awesome! Thank you again. We don't really have a budget, but we aren't trying to go crazy either haha

    I have just been non-stop googling (even searching beyond CO) Just for that "perfect place" with a package that I'm happy with. My only little concern is arranging hair/make-up, not that I need super fancy, but I am also not skilled as a woman to do my hair and make up that well LOL

    Thank you all for the help! The search continues!
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  • CMGragainCMGragain member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    OP, this is Colorado.  It is windy here!  I changed my hairstyle to a simple bob when I moved from the east coast.
    If you  are planning an outdoor ceremony, your hairdo may not survive.  Have a back up plan.
    httpiimgurcomTCCjW0wjpg
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary 5 Answers
    Isn't Colorado one of those self-solemnizing states?  Where you don't even need an officiant?  If it's true, and you only need a hair/makeup person and a photographer, I'd just book those things while mentioning the word 'Wedding', everything else is just a 'Special Vacation.'  

    "Hi random hotel person, I've seen some photos online and I'd like to book your best suite for my anniversary weekend on the eleventeenth of Octember.  Do you know how I can book a sleigh ride or something equally romantic?"
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  • CMGragainCMGragain member
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    adk19 said:
    Isn't Colorado one of those self-solemnizing states?  Where you don't even need an officiant?  If it's true, and you only need a hair/makeup person and a photographer, I'd just book those things while mentioning the word 'Wedding', everything else is just a 'Special Vacation.'  

    "Hi random hotel person, I've seen some photos online and I'd like to book your best suite for my anniversary weekend on the eleventeenth of Octember.  Do you know how I can book a sleigh ride or something equally romantic?"
    You do need legal witnesses, and you must file the paperwork at the courthouse of the county in which you were married.
    httpiimgurcomTCCjW0wjpg
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  • ShesSoColdShesSoCold mod
    Moderator 5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its
    bluebonnet757 said:
    Awesome! Thank you again. We don't really have a budget, but we aren't trying to go crazy either haha

    I have just been non-stop googling (even searching beyond CO) Just for that "perfect place" with a package that I'm happy with. My only little concern is arranging hair/make-up, not that I need super fancy, but I am also not skilled as a woman to do my hair and make up that well LOL

    Thank you all for the help! The search continues!


    Since you said you were searching outside of CO, I'll suggest Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish, MT. H and I had planned to get married there (in the summer) and it's beautiful. They have a restaurant at the top of the mountain and the view is breathtaking. No sleigh rides that I know of, but the ski lift (and enclosed gondolas) up there are absolutely gorgeous. I believe they even have a salon in the little village at the resort.

    http://skiwhitefish.com/


    Image result for someecard betting someone half your shit youll love them forever
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary 5 Answers
    CMGragain said:
    adk19 said:
    Isn't Colorado one of those self-solemnizing states?  Where you don't even need an officiant?  If it's true, and you only need a hair/makeup person and a photographer, I'd just book those things while mentioning the word 'Wedding', everything else is just a 'Special Vacation.'  

    "Hi random hotel person, I've seen some photos online and I'd like to book your best suite for my anniversary weekend on the eleventeenth of Octember.  Do you know how I can book a sleigh ride or something equally romantic?"
    You do need legal witnesses, and you must file the paperwork at the courthouse of the county in which you were married.
    If your photographer has an assistant, they can be the witnesses.  Or you can ask the manager of the restaurant to witness, or something.

    I'm just saying that you tell the photographer that you're having a wedding.  And you tell your makeup/hair person that you want hair/makeup done for a wedding and the photography that goes along with that.  But you tell the hotel person that you're having an anniversary weekend.  And you tell the sleigh ride person that it's an anniversary event.  I mean, if you think you'll get a discount because it's your wedding day, go ahead an mention it.  But if they're going to jack up prices because two people are standing up in front of two witnesses to recite vows, I'd keep the word 'wedding' out of the meeting conversation.
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