Tips for Planning a Mountain Wedding
The views? Breathtaking. The ambience? Magical. Saying I do surrounded by nature, with mountains as your backdrop, is a memory you’ll cherish forever. Think of it as embarking on an adventure away from the buzz of everyday life with your nearest and dearest to enjoy a truly special setting.
However, mountain celebrations require careful planning. You and your partner need to pay extra attention to specific details that may not be necessary for an indoor wedding, for example. Discover essential tips for planning a successful mountain ceremony below.
Mountain weddings are one for the books. The pictures will be stunning, and the experience will be unforgettable. To achieve the mountain wedding of your dreams, you need to prepare to tackle the unique challenges that come with it. Thankfully, with the right plans in place, you can have a blast.
Here are some potential hurdles to bear in mind and prepare for when planning:
Your dream mountain wedding awaits, with sweeping vistas and crisp mountain air. Now, all you need to do is put the right plans in place to make your celebration as successful and memorable as possible.
Keep the following mountain wedding tips in mind.
Mountain weddings are unlike any other. They require careful consideration of several factors. Before filling up your Pinterest moodboards with ‘wedding in the mountain’ ideas, do your research. Some public lands and national parks may require permits for weddings, and failure to obtain these permits can have severe consequences. Research permits and legal requirements to be on the safe side.
Mountain weather can change rapidly without warning. As you begin your planning, look into the weather patterns of the specific mountain venue you’re interested in. Find out what the typical weather is for the month you have in mind, and the backup plans you can explore for each condition.
While you can find answers to some questions online, speaking with the locals or staff at your proposed location is also helpful.
Book your dream venue well in advance. Popular mountain locations, like those near Denver, Colorado, have limited venues and high demand. Competition can be fierce. To avoid last-minute stress and disappointment, secure your preferred spot as early as possible.
Some of your guests will need accommodations before and after the mountain wedding ceremony. Some mountain wedding locations have a range of options you can explore, from cabins and cottages to hotels and resorts. In the absence of these options, research accommodations close to the venue and book them well in advance, as they tend to fill up quickly.
Mountains are a beautiful setting for a wedding, but they can also be treacherous terrain without the proper footwear. The last thing you want on your wedding day and after is to be nursing injuries from slips and falls. Plan to bring hiking shoes, as they will be handy when covering long stretches of bumpy or uneven terrain. You can always change into fancy shoes that complement your look when you arrive at your destination. Encourage guests to bring sensible footwear as well.
Getting married in the mountains means being exposed to the elements of nature. A crucial tip for planning a mountain wedding is preparing the essentials you’ll need to keep you and your guests comfortable and safe. Some nonnegotiables include sun protection and pest control.
Make sure to bring hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect yourself from harsh weather conditions. It’s not uncommon for pests to make uninvited appearances at a mountain wedding. You may not be able to stop them from simply existing in their natural habitat, but you can prevent them from disrupting your day and causing unpleasant experiences for your guests. It’s a good idea to invest in professional pest control services or plan for bug sprays and other repellents.
Altitude sickness can put a damper on even the most well-thought-out mountain wedding ceremony. Anyone, young and old, can come down with altitude sickness, which manifests with symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. When planning your mountain wedding, take measures to prevent altitude sickness for all attendees. Some recommendations include staying hydrated and spending the night at a lower elevation.
It goes without saying that you need a team of vendors who both understand the ins and outs of a wedding ceremony and have the required skills to navigate a mountain environment. From hair stylists who are experienced with styles that withstand wind to photographers and videographers who are suited for the rigorous climbs, everyone on the team must have what it takes to pull a mountain wedding off.
Whether you’re planning a mountain elopement or dreaming of a memorable wedding in Colorado’s mountains with family and friends, you need a photographer who is skilled to capture scenic views beautifully.
At Shutter and Sound, we love a mountain wedding and have extensive experience shooting them. Through the years, we have come to master vital details involved in a mountain wedding shoot, like lighting, location scouting and post processing. We also offer video packages to help couples like you capture the entire experience, including the stunning views, emotions and memories of a mountain wedding on film.
Get in touch by filling out our contact form and learn more about our services today.
