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I have to admit, I’m not a wedding veteran. I’ve only been to a few, and the last one was over five years ago. But, if were going to a destination wedding as a guest, I’m guessing I would like it if the bride and groom gave me some recommendations on activities to do in the area. Our wedding, although not in Mexico or the Caribbean, happens to be a destination wedding for about 95% of our guests (including ourselves). And, while we don’t know the area extremely well, there are a few things we can recommend.
My favorite thing that we’re hoping our guests will do? Take a couple of extra hours and drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. From the airport, our venue happens to be in the middle of a big loop. Guests can either drive to and from the airport on the same two-hour windy mountain pass (also beautiful) or they can drive the two-hour road in and take the three-and-a-half hour long way out (or vice versa) through the park. Here’s what the most direct, two-hour route looks like on a map:
Here’s what that drive (through Berthoud Pass) looks like in person:
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Should our guests opt to take the scenic route, their map would look like this (notice how it connects the loop on the upper side of the map):
And here’s why we’re positive it’s worth the extra hour-and-a-half on the drive to or from the airport:
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Rocky Mountain National Park ranges from 8,000 feet to 14,259 feet at the top of Longs Peak. The 48-mile Trail Ridge Road passes along lunar landscape above the tree line before descending into alpine meadows and sheer cliffs. Trails, view points, and elk abound here.
About 30 miles before reaching Devil’s Thumb Ranch coming out of Rocky Mountain National Park lies the town of Grand Lake which is well-worth a gander. It’s full of restaurants, shops, galleries, and best of all, the brewery that is providing one of our local kegs, Wooly Booger.
We’re hoping at least a few of our guests will be enticed enough to explore.
What activities are you offering your out-of-town guests?
Coming from a Colorado girl……….You may want to advise your guests about altitude sickness. If they are coming from the “flat lands” going that high up in altitude right away can make a person sick. So they may want to save RMNP for a day after they have adjusted. And I totally agree with Grand Lake. It’s one of the best spots!
I loved RMNP! I hope your guests take advantage of being so close to the park - they definitely won’t regret it!
Rocky Mtn National Park is so worth it! I’d post pictures as you just did on your wedding website and maybe that will lure your guests in that direction.
We’re doing something similar by providing 2 alternatives to get between the ceremony and reception - one more straightforward, one more scenic - with the time for either. We’ll see what people are feeling.
We’ve posted all the local Tahoe goings-on on our wedding website for our wedding weekend. I know some people will be doing the Donner Summit Triathalon, Shakespeare in the park and other fun local activities…
Wow, what a beautiful drive — much better than the Schuykill Expressway our guests will get to “enjoy.” 
Sigh… I’m so JEALOUS you are getting married in the Rockies! I miss Denver and my mountains… I originally wanted to get married in Estes Park, but then I remembered that we’re poor college students and paying for the wedding ourselves!
Mr. Cookie and I were hiking up by Granby and RMNP a few weekends ago, and it was beautiful. Just like the pictures.
I’d echo AmberWaves about alerting guests to the altitude. Going from 5,280 feet (the elevation of Denver) to 14,259 feet in a single-day is really tough, even for locals. We had a guest get altitude sickness at 10,000 feet, the elevation of our venue, after being in Colorado for two days.
We suggested everything from minor league baseball to whale-watching to chamber concerts, and everything in between. As it turned out, they mostly went shopping or to the beach.
Miss cowboy boots, great post! We are getting married right around the corner from you and I think I’m going to steal your idea and suggest that guests drive back through RMNP.
We are also giving lots of water, snacks, sunscreen, and lip balm for our oot bags.
Sigh. Miss Cowboy Boot, can I please get an invite to your wedding!?
I live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains so I’m sure some of our guests will venture into the park and as they should. It’s absolutely beautiful in the spring!
From experience, I can definitely say the long way is worth it! I wish people had more time to take the scenic route to our wedding in Steamboat. We do have two guests that are going to tack on a trip through Rocky Mtn. Nat’l Park after the festivities.
We are doing a raft trip on Thursday for some family and friends, and then we’re having our rehearsal dinner at the rodeo. Those not invited to the dinner are welcome to join us for the rodeo afterward. I think it’ll make it a fun time.
Like you guys,m we are really looking forward to finding a way to get our out of town guests out into the community and landscape of mountains and streams we love. As much as I hate the idea of getting married out of town (drinking and driving?), I LOVE the idea of getting our guests out into the wilds of Montana 
(oh gosh, I just thought of a friend with a bear costume and how funny a prank that could be!)
Love this post! I have that same picture from Berthoud Pass (the second one). So pretty. My wedding is going to be right across the street from a RMNP entrance, so hopefully my guests will get to spend lots of time there. I agree with what’s already been said about altitude sickness; I live in Denver and I still get sick driving up to high altitudes…I think I’m just prone to getting sick, but it’s definitely something I’m concerned about when it comes to guests.
I am so so so jealous you’re getting married in Colorado. I definitely left my heart there and cannot wait to move to Denver.
I would definitely take the scenic route if I were a guest!
Yeah Miss Cowboy Boot! I’m getting married in downtown Denver and we’ve reserved a suite a Coor’s Field for the game that happens to be the night before our wedding. I also told them that if they have time to make the same scenic drive pointed out! I also told them about all of the museums and attractions of downtown Denver and how much they would cost, hours, website, etc…and of course the Denver Mint! Our guests will be primarily out of town as well. Many have not seen Denver. We’re so happy to be hosting them in our beautiful city!
so pretty! we have a whole slew of sightseeing days / foodie trips for our out of town guests (a third).
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Mrs. Cowboy Boot, Santa Fe Age and Occupation: 25, Magazine Editor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Artist and Whitewater Rafting Guide Engagement Date: April 28th, 2008 Wedding Date: October 2009 Venue: Devil's Thumb Ranch, Colorado About Me: I grew up in Los Angeles and have since lived in San Diego, Boston, Italy, Hawaii, New York City, and Santa Fe. I speak Italian and love pasta. My real passion is the outdoors, though. When I'm not at work, I'm snowboarding, hiking with my two dogs, mountain biking, surfing, cross-country-skiing, or boating New Mexico's rivers. Despite my boyish love for adventure, I'm a girly-girl at heart and am overly-excited to pull off the romantic, vintage-inspired, country wedding of my dreams.
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