Colorado: A Stunning Place for Weddings

A Telluride Wedding by Merrick Chase

Graduations, anniversaries, engagements, weddings. ‘Tis the season for gatherings—big and small—to mark momentous occasions. I’ve noticed an influx of people from all over the country to Telluride to celebrate milestones, especially weddings, now that the weather has turned beautiful. Telluride, in fact, has become quite the place for destination weddings year-round with perhaps the exception of mid-spring since the leaves don’t typically pop until late May. I frequently meet people in and around Telluride and Telluride Mountain Village—often on the gondola which joins these two towns—that are here for a wedding. Many of the couples that opt to have weddings here and in other parts of Colorado have no particular attachment to the area except for their love of its beauty, the perfect backdrop for making a special day even more awe-inspiring.

Another Spectacular Backdrop

The Girls Are All Here

Rustic Charm

Merrick’s Winter Wedding Shot at the Telluride Valley Floor

All in the Details by Merrick Chase

I see folks taking pictures, including lots of selfies throughout. Although when the big day comes, I’m sure they’re happy to have lined up a real pro to capture the grandeur of this stunning place like no one else. For a photographer of unparalleled talent, enlist Merrick Chase, from Merrick Chase Weddings and Telluride Photography. Merrick,  a Colorado-based professional photographer, travels throughout the state and sometimes beyond to immortalize magical moments forever. He specializes in Colorado mountain weddings and does a superb job with capturing the energy and emotion of the moment. “My style blends photojournalism—an on-the-fly approach—with a more formal, glamour/lifestyle focus,” Merrick says. “I like setting up a shot that’s like something you’d see on the pages of a fashion magazine. My primary concern is to capture my couples looking their absolute best on their wedding day, and when a bride and groom are willing to take a little bit of direction from me I can make them look even more beautiful in their images,” he continues.

Merrick and I chatted about this and I shared with him how my ex-husband, Stéphane de Bourgies, a professional photographer in Paris, taught me that candid shots—in the realm of true experts—are more of an illusion than a reality. Merrick agreed with me confirming that many of his shots—just like Stéphane’s—are done in such a way that they give the impression of being totally candid. Voilà, that’s your photo tip for the day. So don’t let anyone rush you the next time you’re trying to set up a picture. But better yet for the big stuff, engage a professional such as Merrick for your wedding or even for another fun, Colorado get-together moment. In addition to weddings, Merrick photographs all kinds of other special moments here in our beautiful Rocky Mountain state.

Toasting the Bride and Groom at the New Sheridan Hotel and Chop House Restaurant & Bar

The New Sheridan Hotel and Chop House Restaurant: A Splendid Setting for a Grand Affair

All Set at the New Sheridan/Chop House

When it comes to choosing the right venue for the wedding reception, rehearsal dinner, brunch and/or place of lodging, in this section I feature images from two of my favorite properties in Telluride:  The New Sheridan Hotel and Chop House Restaurant & Bar and Mountain Lodge Telluride.

Located in the town of Telluride, the historic New Sheridan provides an elegant, glittery setting for a party of any size as well as deluxe accommodations for guests. This is the place to be if you’re seeking grandeur inside and out. Set in the heart of T-ride on a main street backdropped by stellar views, the New Sheridan has served as the hub of Telluride since the late 1800s. Today—after an eight million dollar restoration in 2008—this destination- property dazzles more than ever before.

A Mountain Lodge Wedding During Colorado’s Golden Season

Wishing Upon a Gondola at Mountain Lodge Telluride

Wedded Bliss at Mountain Lodge Telluride

In Telluride Mountain Village, Mountain Lodge Telluride often plays host to people that may be holding their ceremony and reception elsewhere—in a mountain meadow for example—since they provide warm and convivial accommodations that include amenities such as full kitchens and a glorious pool area. Mountain Lodge also has a restaurant, aptly named The View, so the Lodge puts on lovely parties for wedding festivities of all kinds as well.

Wild Telluride Party on 4th of July During the Parade

The summer wedding season is just kicking off throughout Colorado, however, it’s still possible to plan a glorious mountain wedding for this fall or next winter. And, of course, it’s never too early to begin to think about next summer.

Thank you to Merrick Chase, from Merrick Chase Weddings/Telluride Photography, New Sheridan Hotel and Chop House Restaurant & Bar and Neil Hastings, from Mountain Lodge Telluride for the above images in this post.