How to Host an Unforgettable Wedding Weekend at Grand Lake Lodge

Planning an Extended Wedding Weekend at Grand Lake Lodge

Grand Lake Lodge, located on Colorado’s largest and deepest lake, is not only the ultimate weekend getaway, but it’s also the perfect location to host an extended wedding weekend! And, we cannot wait to share with you how you can host an unforgettable weekend for you and all of your fabulous guests!

Follow along for a complete sample wedding weekend itinerary at Grand Lake Lodge.

Getting There

If your guests are flying, the best airport is Denver International Airport (DIA). From there, you can opt to provide a shuttle for large groups of guests arriving at the same time. We recommend this option as the property is about 3 hours from the airport.

Grand Lake Lodge is only open from May to October so weather shouldn’t be much of an issue for those traveling. Unless, of course, Colorado gets an early September snow surprise.

Arrival — Thursday

Plan to have your guests arrive on Thursday, at the latest, so they have ample time to truly enjoy the property. Guests can always opt to extend their stay. There’s nothing like turning a wedding celebration into a vacation and Grand Lake Lodge is definitely the place to do that! Invite your guests for welcome cocktails, appetizers and s’mores on the Deer Deck for an evening soiree! Family and friends can mingle while enjoying the incredible view of the lake. Guests will appreciate this after a long travel day.

A welcome reception is always a great idea because no matter how big or small the wedding guest list it, it can often be difficult to spend quality time with all of your family and friends. An extra gathering during the celebration weekend will help you see and talk to more of your guests.

Friday

Take your mind off the details and enjoy a beautiful morning on Grand Lake with your friends and family. Choose to explore the marine by kayak, paddleboat or canoe. Your guests will appreciate that you and your fiancé took the time to create memories with them throughout the weekend. After laughing and splashing around in the morning sun, enjoy a relaxing lunchtime picnic or BBQ with everyone at Park Point on the water’s edge. A great place to refuel for the rest of the day’s activities.

Head back to your cabins to refresh, and perhaps take a short kitty-nap. Afterward, the wedding party will join you for an efficient, but fun rehearsal before joining the rest of the guests for a spectacular rehearsal dinner in the Moose Lodge. Moose Lodge is historically charming with antler chandeliers and a private deck to breathe in the mountain air. What we love about this space is that it’s a blank canvas meaning you can host a rehearsal dinner that fits your taste and theme.

Celebration — Saturday

While you and your wedding party are giggling and sipping champagne while getting ready, your guests will have a few hours to kill. Luckily, the quaint historic town of Grand Lake is the perfect place for them to check out. There, they can enjoy a much-needed cup of coffee and a scrumptious breakfast at Squeaky B’s or Sagebrush BBQ & Grill. Afterward, if they’re feeling up to it, they can enjoy an easy hike to Adams Falls which is just a short walk from the village center.

Guests will have plenty of time to freshen up before taking their seats at the Nuptial Knoll for your beautiful wedding ceremony. After I do’s, celebrate and dance the night away with a cocktail hour on the deck followed by a reception in the Pavilion Terrace.

For the night owls in the crowd, once the party begins to sizzle out, guests can sip on a late nightcap and bites in the Lodge Bar. Who wants to go to bed on an empty stomach? Especially after an evening of drinking divine cocktails.

Farewell — Sunday 

Before departing on your honeymoon, host one last celebration with all the family and friends who traveled near and far to be there for your big day! The Huntington House Tavern Dining Room, located in the main lodge, is the perfect spot for a farewell brunch. While you enjoy one last scrumptious meal with good company, you’ll also have a final glimpse at the incredible view of Grand Lake and the mountains beyond via the floor to ceiling windows.

While you and your new spouse plan to jet-set off to a fabulous honeymoon somewhere in the world, many of your guests may choose to extend their stay at Grand Lake Lodge and we couldn’t think of a better place to do so. Grand Lake Lodge offers a whole slew of recommendations for what to do in the area; kids and adults alike will be entertained for days.

To inquire about hosting your wedding weekend at Grand Lake Lodge, click here.

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