For Destination Weddings, Place Makes Perfect.
From rustic to refined, today’s Western wedding is as much about the where as the when. The place and the party are paramount — perhaps second only to popping the question with a special stone. When you toast the happy couple, think about how far the destination wedding has come from the old days. And there’s nothing wrong with a modest setting, but if you should find yourself planning a destination wedding — or vow renewal or special anniversary, for that matter — here are some definitely not-dugouts that set the stage for celebrating wedded bliss in Texas, Colorado, California, Montana, and Wyoming.
Texas
Willowood Ranch & Chapel, Bells
Set among more than 350 acres of rolling hills in the rural countryside of North Texas you’ll find a lovely chapel, spacious event center, and seven cozy accommodation buildings. willowoodranch.com
The White Sparrow Barn, Quinlan
About 40 minutes east of Dallas in pastoral Union Valley, this dreamy venue boasts a beautiful big white barn, impressive oaks, and lush gardens. thewhitesparrowbarn.com
Y.O. Headquarters, Mountain Home
Once part of the historic Y.O. Ranch, this wedding venue has hunting, exotic wildlife tours, horseback riding, and Hill Country views. yoranchheadquarters.com
Colorado
Donovan Pavilion, Vail
Nestled into the mountainside near West Vail, this 5,200-square-foot timber and stone mountain lodge offers dramatic views and space that can accommodate large and small groups. donovanpavilion.com
Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Tabernash
Watch the sun rise over the Continental Divide and feast on locally sourced seasonal cuisine at this pine-scented, fresh-air Rocky Mountain getaway 65 miles from Denver. devilsthumbranch.com
Dunton Hot Springs, Dolores
When you rent this charming rustic town, you get mineral hot springs, dancehall and saloon, bathhouse, yoga studio, open-air chapel, spa treatment cabins, 13 hand-hewn luxury cabins, accommodations and meals for up to 44 guests, and access to ceremony sites that include a waterfall and nearby meadows. duntonhotsprings.com
Piney River Ranch, Vail
On the edge of Piney Lake at the foot of the Gore Range, this 40-acre private retreat with overnight lodging and on-site restaurant sits 12 miles north of Vail Village in the backcountry wilderness of the White River National Forest. pineyriverranch.com
Spruce Mountain Ranch, Larkspur
This ranch-style venue on 450 acres has two separate properties a mile apart, 30 minutes from Denver and Colorado Springs in the picturesque foothills, with Spruce Mountain as a backdrop and handcrafted details everywhere. sprucemountainevents.com
The Little Nell, Aspen
Transported three miles above Aspen on the Silver Queen Gondola, you’re a short walk from The Little Nell’s wedding deck at an elevation of 11,212 feet, with sweeping views of the Elk Mountain Range on the manicured terrace. thelittlenell.com
Click on the image above to view the slideshow.
California
Alisal Guest Ranch, Solvang
Elegant meets chic, barn meets ballroom at Alisal Guest Ranch in the heart of Central California horse country and Santa Barbara wine country. alisal.com
The Murieta Inn & Spa, Rancho Murieta
Enjoy golf-, dog-, horse-, and wedding-friendly Spanish hacienda-style luxury, nestled between rolling hills and the Sierra Nevadas, within walking distance of the largest equestrian event facility in Northern California. themurietainn.com
Dodasa Ranch, Valley Springs
In California gold country, the Dodasa Ranch offers rolling hills, oak trees, peaceful ponds, a covered pavilion, massive indoor stone fireplace, and cozy cabins. dodasa.com
The Barns at Cooper Molera, Monterrey
In the heart of vibrant and historic downtown Monterrey on California’s Central Coast, this rustically elegant venue dating back to the early 1800s boasts beautifully renovated barns and manicured grounds shaded by centuries-old oaks. coopermolerabarns.com
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Riverside
A luxurious mission/Spanish Colonial Revival-style landmark between L.A. and Palm Springs, this historic property has Golden Age of Hollywood/Old Europe charm, two on-site chapels, dozens of reception sites, grand architecture, palm-populated grounds, and photo-op backdrops everywhere. missioninn.com
Click on the image above to view the slideshow.
Montana
The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough
Design a dream rustic wedding in Montana: on the banks of the Blackfoot River, on horseback near Lookout Rock, in a meadow with a backdrop of the Swan Mountain Range, on Wedding Knoll with panoramic views of the ranch, under chandeliers in the Bull Barn, in a field under the stars, or at the property’s new Island Lodge at Salmon Lake. pawsup.com
Wyoming
Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga
Experience five-star luxury on a working ranch nestled on 30,000 acres of expansive, rolling wilderness in South Central Wyoming’s North Platte River Valley, just southeast of the historic town of Saratoga. It’s a place that claims beautiful red sunsets and starlit night skies as part of its authentic Western spirit and ambience. brushcreekranch.com
From the May/June 2019 issue. The C&I Western Wedding Guide is brought to you by Reads Jewelers.
Photography: (featured image) Courtesy The Little Nell, Courtesy Willowood Ranch & Chapel, Courtesy The White Sparrow Barn; (slideshow 1) Chowen Photography/Courtesy Dunton Hot springs, Courtesy Piney River Ranch, Elevate Photography/Courtesy Spruce Mountain Ranch, Courtesy The Little Nell; (slideshow 2) Mary Jane photography/Courtesy Alisal Guest Ranch, Courtesy the Murieta Inn & Spa, Courtesy Dodasa Ranch, Courtesy The Barns at Cooper Molera, Courtesy The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa; (diptych) Allison Lewis/Courtesy The Resort at Paws Up, Courtesy Brush Creek Ranch