Our Venue

I figured I better put up some information on our venue, not just because we love it but also because I get a lot of questions about it from Colorado brides looking for just such a place.

Dave and I are getting married at the Wild Basin Lodge in Allenspark, CO. After spending several weekends (and a lot of money on $4.00/gallon gas) in Aspen and Breckenridge only to be disappointed by both the people and the outrageous prices, we considered the Estes Park area for our mountain wedding.

We knew that we wanted a quiet, outdoor wedding with a fantastic view. We also knew that we wanted a unique venue and vendors who were laid back and friendly (unlike the impersonal, money-driven folks at the large ski resorts!). Not wanting to justify a huge budget, but still wanting a memorable and elegant event with fantastic food, we stumbled on Wild Basin.

One of the most unique aspects of our venue is that they offer all-inclusive pricing that still leaves room for personalization. Included in a per head fee is a cocktail/appetizer hour, soft drinks, a champagne toast, salad and the dinner entree, linens, dance floor, cake cutting, staff, the bartender, and venue rental. It saves a lot of time and effort not having to contact individual vendors about linens and a dance floor!

Wild Basin offers two ceremony sites, each unique in their own way. It was an easy decision for Dave and I to choose the meadow site, which is tucked away behind the lodge and requires a short stroll across the river on a winding path to access.

We chose the lower room for our reception, which has a wrap-around deck on the river and a large, open feel.

After our ceremony at 3.45, our guests will go to the lodge for appetizers on the deck. Dave and I will enter the reception just before dinner, and everyone will enjoy a meal of Mint rubbed trout or Beef tenderloins in mushroom sauce with mashed red potatoes and seasonal veggies. After dinner we will start the festivities with cake, dancing, and a slide show, allowing guests to mingle and catch the sunset from the patio.

We attended a tasting in October and have been more than impressed with both the food and the staff, who pride themselves on being named repeatedly on being a Knot.com pick for 'Best Place to have a Reception.' Despite all of the wonderful amenities, personalization, and touches that they offer, Wild Basin Lodge is surprisingly affordable and when comparing costs will be thousands less than we would have spent elsewhere.

It's so exciting to be just 5 months out and start seeing things come together. We have such wonderful support from our friends and families and I can't wait to have everybody together for this elegant and rustic event.