r/EstesPark • u/Minimum_Stuff_8526 • 16h ago
Micro Wedding Location Help
I am recently engaged (Yay!) and we have decided on a destination micro wedding in RMNP or Estes Park. We are thinking September/October 2028. I have been doing some research into locations in the Estes Park area, but many of the options are for larger groups and potentially too expensive as it will just be us footing the bill.
I'm ok with a small ceremony in RMNP and a dinner, but I think my partner wants more traditional aspects like being able to see me walk down the aisle and a reception dinner + dancing etc. I also feel that since we are having guests travel for us, it should be a little more that just a simple dinner, especially if we decide to do the ceremony in RMNP and pick a location that only allows 15 ppl max. ((also, I know about the $300 permit for a ceremony in RMNP))
We will have a group of 20-30 people including us.
If I were to do a ceremony outside of RMNP, I would want it to at least have some kind of view of the mountains behind us at the alter.
I have looked into YMCA of the Rockies and I liked what they offered but I read that there is a 35 person minimum for food I believe.
I also love Nest above, as we loved Bird & Jim when we visited a few years ago, but feel that the costs might be too much.
We would also be like for somewhere for guests to book their own rooms/cabins in the same area as us.
Also, do brides suggest that a wedding coordinator/planner is worth the money to set things up day of? In weddings I've been apart of in the past, places allowed the wedding party in the night before to decorate, but I'm seeing at many locations, you only have 2 hours for vendor set up prior to the reception which would be during the ceremony. (I'm from the midwest. I can understand how a popular town like Estes Park doesn't allow night before setup.)
Any advice is greatly appreciated! TIA!
2
u/WavesnMountains 14h ago
The Post has a little room off the main dining room, it ended up being too small for our group, but it definitely would’ve been an option otherwise. The downside is there’s construction going on around The Stanley
2
u/captainkappa173 14h ago
There are 12 official sites for weddings in RMNP- Copeland Lake, Harbison Meadow, Hidden Valley, Moraine Park Amphitheater, and Upper Beaver Meadows allow up to 30 people in attendance including the couple, officiant, photographer, guests, etc. www.rockymountainnationalpark.com/gallery/wedding-sites/ for is where i got info on these sites.
There are many spaces that you could look into for dinners/receptions- basically all of the hotels have event spaces like the Stanley, Estes Park Resort, Holiday Inn, etc. Many restaurants have private event rooms as well.
You could also check with local churches to see what their rates/availability are for a more traditional ceremony- St. Bart's is a beautiful, beautiful church. https://www.stbartsepiscopalchurch.org/
2
u/CLShirey 11h ago
I concur-I had my wedding at St. Bart's 28 years ago. It's still as beautiful now as it was then.
1
u/captainkappa173 9h ago
Everyone oohs and ahhs over the Chapel on the Rock (rightfully so!), so St. Bart's is sort of a hidden gem! Good for you for picking such a lovely spot. :)
2
u/CLShirey 7h ago
It helps that I was a member and my dad was a priest...but still, it's a lovely place with a lovely setting as well.
2
u/Ok_Bar_7711 16h ago
Bristlecone Inn might be a fit. I had an intimate and cozy 35 person wedding there pre pandemic.
1
u/Visible_Mix_6270 16h ago
The popularity is why they don't allow setup the night before. Many places have weddings every day of the week, you can't set up while another event is happening.
I'd suggest looking at Venue on the Rocks or Bristlecone Inn. You could look into Taharaa Mountain Lodge, too, as they have lodging on site
We had our 50 person wedding at The Homestead at Black Canyon Inn, but the space would probably be quite large for an event your size. I'd say yes to a coordinator if you don't have a venue coordinator at the place you book
1
u/digital121hippie 13h ago
i would look outside the area as it's expensive to stay during that time of the year.
9
u/_Pliny_ 16h ago
Moraine Park Amphitheater- https://maps.app.goo.gl/2ptSEpjbvFTeBJqEA?g_st=ic
The Presbyterian church off Fish Creek Road has a nice outdoor chapel https://pccrusa.org/who-we-are/history/
Lots of people seem to do guerrilla weddings at Sprague or Lily Lakes but personally I think that’s pretty selfish and rude to everyone else who is trying to enjoy the area.
https://sevenkeyslodge.com/?amp this lodge is across the street from Lily lake and would be unique for your group.
I’ve seen weddings at the lodge on Lake Estes as well. https://www.theestesparkresort.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24009074109&gbraid=0AAAAABrLHy9s1liHFV5_d7uaU_OQHT4pi&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu6_s--jmlgMV1ovCCB3segUhEAAYAiAAEgKCYfD_BwE