There comes a time in your life when you feel as if all of your friends have decided to get married at once. I have been a bridesmaid more times than I can count on one hand and have flown across the globe to watch my friends wed. So when a childhood friend or a friend residing in Steamboat chooses to get married in Steamboat I always breathe a big sigh of relief. I don’t have to leave my summer paradise; I get to blissfully stay in my hometown and I know that the bride and groom have chosen a wonderful place to wed. I have been to more than a dozen weddings in Steamboat and there are so many ways to make your wedding special and spectacular. Highlighted below are a few of my favorite Steamboat weddings.
R & D live north of Steamboat Springs so when it came time for them to get hitched Steamboat Lake could not have been a better choice for them. They married on the shores of the lake and then sped off in a speed boat after the ceremony. A bus transported all of the guests from the lake to the Steamboat Springs Community Center for the reception. The Community Center is less expensive, but still equally as beautiful location as any in Steamboat to host a reception. It ‘s located right on the Yampa River and the lawn lends itself to relaxing outside while others dance the night away inside. Plus, the view of the sun setting over Sleeping Giant is simply beautiful.
Having been born in Steamboat, this bride could not imagine tying the knot anywhere else. K & M wed on the father of the bride’s lawn on Buffalo Pass. The wedding overlooked Strawberry Park below and the dinner was hosted in a tent in the backyard. The night culminated with a dance party in the barn. Though she had the luxury of getting married in her Dad’s backyard there are a number of ranches and barns in Steamboat that cater to western weddings. If you want to get married in a field and party in a barn, I suggest The Home Ranch, Vista Verde, Glen Eden Resort, or Midnight Ranch.
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There are a number of ranches and barns in Steamboat that cater to western weddings[/caption]
R & A decided to break from the traditional summer wedding in the emerald green fields of Steamboat and get married in a white winter wonderland. It only seemed fitting that the longtime ski racer and mountain enthusiast get married on the slopes. Clad in all white ski attire, the bride side by side with her dad skied down Tower Run to wed at the Vista Overlook while the guests and groom watched below. The snow came down gently on the couple as they said their vows. It was as if the snow gods blessed their wedding. Steamboat Ski Resort does an excellent job of catering to all types of weddings and can make just about any vision come true.
A summer wedding atop Mt. Werner is always one of my favorites. It is such a treat to ride the Gondola in the summertime, especially along with those who are doing it for the first time. A 15-minute ride up to Thunderhead gives impressive views of the Yampa Valley below. And the view from the upper deck of Thunderhead is home to the most amazing sunset vantage point in all of Steamboat. Thunderhead is a fantastic venue if you have several hundred people who will be in attendance. Plus, the aspen leaves flutter green in the summer and the golden hues in the fall make for an amazing backdrop.
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Thunderhead is a fantastic venue if you have several hundred people who will be in attendance.[/caption]
Rest assured that in Steamboat your guests will find plenty to do outside of your wedding. Whether it’s a trip to the rodeo, a ride down the river or ski slopes, a visit to the golf course or lake, a stroll down main street or a white knuckle mountain bike ride, your guest will have a delightful vacation. Lastly, should you decide not to get hitched in Steamboat, just remember there is no better place to honeymoon!
Sara Tlamka
Membership Director
Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association
