Just Engaged? How to Start Your Mountain Wedding Journey with Intentionality
Congratulations! If you’re reading this with a new sparkle on your hand after the holidays, take a deep breath. This is such a fleeting, magical window of time. Before the logistics of guest lists and venue tours take over, here are a few thoughts on how to navigate these first few weeks with intention.
In the San Juan Mountains, we do things a little differently. Planning here—whether it’s in Telluride, Ouray, or Crested Butte—requires a blend of high-level logistics and a deep respect for the environment.
Here are the three things I recommend each couple to focus on first:
1. Protect the "Engaged" Bubble
It is so tempting to start the spreadsheets the moment you’ve called your parents and all of your friends. My best advice? Don't.
Give yourselves at least a week (or two!) to just be engaged. Soak in the joy, the phone calls, and the excitement. This season of your life is short and sweet. When you look back at your wedding journey, you want to remember the feeling of the commitment you just made, not just the stress of the first weekend of planning.
2. Identify Your "We Have To Have This At Our Wedding!!!" Points
Before you look at a single price tag, sit down together with a glass of wine or go for a stroll and dream a little. Ask yourselves: When we look back on our wedding ten years from now, what are the three things we actually remember?
For my couples, the answer usually isn't "the perfect chair rental." It’s often:
The Experience: A breathtaking, high-altitude view that makes guests feel like they’ve escaped the world.
The Connection: An unforgettable, multi-course meal shared with their very favorite people.
The Energy: A live band or a specific atmosphere that keeps the celebration going until the last dance.
Once you know your top three priorities, every other decision—and your budget—becomes much easier to manage. You aren't just spending money; you’re investing in the parts of the day that truly matter to you.
3. Build Your Foundation Early
The mountain wedding season is spectacular, but it is also highly sought after. If you have your heart set on a specific Telluride lodge or a certain photographer's style, you need to move with purpose.
Securing your "Dream Team"—your planner, your venue, and your photographer—is the first step to a stress-free experience. As your planner, I’m here to be your local partner, navigating the tricky logistics of high-altitude Nuances so you can stay focused on the fun parts.
Getting these three pillars in place early sets a strong foundation, allowing you to breathe easy through the rest of the process.
