Colorado Mountain Wedding Venues: Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch

Does the phrase “natural luxury” come to mind when thinking about your dream wedding? If so, keep reading, because in this next installment of our Wedding Venues series we will be exploring all of the amazing benefits of “puttin’ on [a] Ritz…” Carlton Bachelor Gulch wedding! 

Photo: Munoz Photography

 

Who and where “is”  the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch?

For many, the Ritz Carlton brand and standard are synonymous with top-notch lodging. This legacy rings true and can be found in every detail at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch. The upscale, family-friendly resort boasts ski-in/ski-out access to Beaver Creek, luxurious on-site guest amenities, and 33,000 square feet of gorgeous indoor and outdoor event space. In speaking with staff, it was very important for this location to embody the opulence found in the surrounding scenery. The resort itself sits on National Forest land and, fun fact, is actually the second-largest wood cabin structure in the United States (how cool!)

Photo: Callie Hobbs Photography

What makes the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch a great Colorado wedding venue?

With so much space to choose from, this venue offers clients a lot of flexibility and versatility when it comes to planning the perfect wedding. The Bachelor Gulch team is extremely customer-service oriented and strives to create a unique and tailored experience for each of its couples. Whether you are seeking out a setting for a romantic elopement, or an extravagant celebration, this venue has five on-site locations that you can choose from, and you don’t have to pick just one!

Anderson’s Cabin

A truly historic site, Anderson’s Cabin sits just above the resort. It was the original home of one of the seven bachelors, John Anderson, who settled the area in the 1900s. This location is perfect for more intimate gatherings and elopements where guests most commonly come together for a cozy, fine dining experience. The cabin interior can serve up to 10 guests, but the exterior space can be used for smaller ceremonies and receptions for up to 70 people. This is also a great location for welcome parties or rehearsal dinners!

Photos Courtesy of Ritz Carlton

Skier’s Bridge

Aptly named for the space’s aesthetic, this location is most commonly used for ceremonies and can accommodate up to 285 guests. Depending on your overall guest count, you can also use the back portion of this area for cocktail hour or smaller receptions. Ceremony chairs are available on-site, but if clients are looking for a more specific style of chair or specialty wedding accessories, don’t hesitate to give us a call! 

Photo Courtesy of Ritz Carlton

Mountainside Terrace

Justin Chesney, Associate Director of Meetings and Special Events, expressed his fondness of this location because of its “blank space” characteristic. This paved terrace is complemented by stunning mountain views and really allows for clients’ and planners’ creativity to come into full effect. Most commonly, clients call on us to provide tenting, lighting, draping, decor, and/or specialty tableware accents and linens. The terrace is often set up for cocktail hour but can accommodate a ceremony of up to 250 guests and reception for up to 150. 

Photo Courtesy of Ritz Carlton

Ritz-Carlton Ballroom

Encompassing 7,010 square feet, this is the largest indoor location on-site. Truly embodying that notion of natural luxury, the room features elegant pine wood borders, ivory damask wall inlays, and wrought iron chandeliers. Parties of up to 350 guests are welcome, but the room has the ability to be subdivided to create smaller, more intimate spaces. The ballroom is one of two locations that is most commonly used for receptions. Here, clients call on us to provide those special touches found in unique tableware and linens!

Photo: Rachel Havel Photography

The Grand Lawn

Our personal favorite of the five spaces (but we’re probably biased :)) is the Grand Lawn! Located right at the base of the Bachelor’s Gulch Express ski lift, this is the second space most commonly used for receptions. It is here where we are able to lend our expertise to the fullest in providing a grand tent! 

Photo: Callie Hobbs Photography

The lawn is well manicured and flat, but tent flooring is highly recommended. While flooring does come with a more significant price tag, it provides a level, hardwood surface that saves you from having to worry about weather creating soggy/wet grass conditions, allows for your guests to wear their preferred footwear, and ensures a stable base for staging and dance floors. 

Photo: Rachel Havel Photography

Being that this is such a large location, we are able to accommodate most tent sizes. Keep in mind, though, that for larger tents flooring may be required due to the natural grade and slope of the lawn in certain spots. Aside from the tent itself, we offer lighting, draping, and decor services, and again can help you find those perfect specialty accents! Please note that a catering tent is also required!

Photo: Rachel Havel Photography

The lawn can accommodate up to 350 guests for receptions and up to 300 for ceremonies. When booking, be sure to talk to the staff about the days surrounding your date. For a tent with flooring we require two full days of set-up and two full days of the strike. 

Pro Tips: 

*The Ritz Carlton offers a variety of event equipment, including table options, chairs, a dance floor (can only be used outside if the tent has flooring!), staging, select linens, and tableware (china, glassware, flatware).

*Clients are required to use the Ritz for all food and beverage service, but all other vendors must be hired in (florist, band/DJ, photographer, etc.). Don’t hesitate to ask the Ritz team for recommendations. They have a very detailed preferred vendor list that they are happy to share and discuss!

*A month of wedding planner/coordinator is strongly recommended. And, for clients who have talented friends or family who are either in the industry or have offered to take on a role that is usually fulfilled by a specific vendor, take a florist, for example, please be conscious of how this duty will affect your guest’s experience day-of. Oftentimes having a guest pulling double duty can take away from their experience of your big day and can stretch one person thin, especially if they are part of the bridal party. 

Photo Courtesy of Ritz Carlton

When to have your Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch wedding?

Anytime! As you can see, there are so many options for indoor and outdoor events that you really can’t go wrong any time of year. The summer, however, is certainly the best time to take advantage of the outdoor spaces as Colorado is known for its fickle weather. 

Why we recommend the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch as a wedding venue

There are many reasons why we recommend the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch, but our top three are:

1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
2. Customer Service: bottom line, the Ritz Carlton team really cares about you and your event! They provide the gold standard when it comes to responsiveness, venue expertise, and hands-on partnership throughout your whole planning experience.
3. Versatility: Due to the sheer size of the resort, clients have the unique opportunity to handpick their favorite location, or several, which is pretty special!

Photo: Rachel Havel Photography

Planning a Beaver Creek Wedding?

Our team of event experts is here to help answer any questions. Contact us today or request a quote online. Browse our catalog to see products from these specific weddings. At Colorado Tents + Events, we are your local experts for Colorado mountain weddings – let’s start planning today!