Congratulations! You're planning a Mountain Wedding!
Keep in Mind
Weather
-Some roads/ areas are closed due to snow/fire season. The website usually keeps this info updated on current conditions.
-Weather can change drastically in a short amount of time- come prepared.
-Sunsets can be up to an hour or more earlier, depending on where you are in the mountains. Keep this in mind for lighting/photo purposes.
Communication
There is little to no cell service in the park
-Be sure all parties have printed maps/directions to all important locations
-I definitely recommend visiting the site(s) you're hoping to use beforehand so you can get a feel for parking and how long the drive takes. Keep in mind, weekends and summer are usually the busiest times to visit the park.
Guest Count
Most wedding locations in the park only allow for a limited amount of guests
-Parking can be an issue at some locations. Some parts of the year, shuttles are available to popular locations.
-A smaller guest count makes it much easier to plan and execute a mountain top wedding.
Plan B
Like any wedding, there can be hiccups on the day of your event.
-Have a backup spot for portraits, just in case your original location is unavailable.
Food & Water
There are limited resources in the park and none in the national forest. Plan ahead and remember not to leave anything smelly or tasty in your car, because bears will find it!
Hiking attire
Even if you plan to wear pretty shoes for the ceremony or photos, you'll most likely be walking a bit to get to a destination, pretty spot. Hiking in heels isn't the greatest idea. :)
Motions Sickness
The are lots of twisting and turning on the way up... I recommend taking medication or motion sickness remedies if you are prone to getting sick. Even if you aren't, arrive a bit earlier to give your body time to adjust from the drive up.
Timelines
Depending on where you're hoping to go, what part of a mountain you are on greatly affects your lighting in the mountains. This is another great reason to visit the site ahead of time. Sunset can be 1-2 (or more!) hours earlier in some spots!
National Forest
If ample parking and bathrooms aren't something high on your list of needs for your big day, definitely look into tying the knot in the National Forest. This is the REAL wild, Wild West!
Plan on packing in (and out!) anything you might need for your day. Depending on how you plan to head up, you will might still be traveling through the National Parks, so you'll still be paying an entrance fee. Also, keep in mind that most roads to the Monument are closed during winter and early spring due to snow. I should add, these roads have also been closed the past few late summer/falls due to wildfire in the area. Fingers crossed we keep our clear skies and open roads this year!
