August 25th
That’s the big day
Write it down, memorize it, remember it for the rest of your life. The ceremony (which begins at 5pm) and reception will be at Della Terra, which bills itself a “Mountain Chateau.” Whatever you call it, Della Terra is certainly a gorgeous spot way up in the Rocky Mountains, idyllic in every sense of the word.
If you’re wondering why we chose Estes Park, Colorado over anywhere else in the world, good question! We’re not sure ourself. It probably started when we first saw The Stanley Hotel (of The Shining fame) while looking for wedding venues, saw that it was in Estes Park, and it spiraled out of control from there.
Diana, myself, and a few others will be in Estes Park on Sunday, August 23rd. We plan on spending late Sunday/early Monday hiking, seeing the sites and adjusting to the altitude. You can read more about what we’ll be doing in the “To Do” tab up top. Just about everyone else plans on showing up the next day.
If you need a place to stay, check out the “Lodging” tab. If you need some travel hints, try the appropriately titled “Travel” tab. If you are here in a desperate search for a way to give us money, thank you. See the “Registry” tab.
The place
We decided on Estes Park, Colorado. It’s about an hour north of Denver, and very much in the Rocky Mountains. Here’s a link to the town’s Web site. One note - Estes Park is about 7,500 feet in the air - which isn’t Mt. Everest, but it’s plenty tall, especially for those of you coming from the mid/low state SC, or pretty much anywhere in Florida. We’ll try to have some altitude sickness remedies (mostly Ibuprofen) ready for you, just in case. *note - of course, Estes Park in on Twitter. Follow them here
To do
Sure, being at our wedding is the coolest thing you’re going to do all year, but there are other options in case you have to get out for a little while. Keep in mind, Estes Park isn’t about the nightlife - it’s about the wildlife (clever, I know), so here are some suggestions.
- Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park is the eastern edge of RMNP, and a 5-minute drive from downtown and Della Terra. Hiking, camping, arson, you’ll find it all here.
- White water rafting - Since we’ll be there months after the snowmelt, the white water will be more like a lazy river, but who wants to die in a river anyway. Diana and I might be taking this trip Monday, and you should come!
- Ghost tours at The Stanley - We’ve booked a ghost tour for 10 on Monday afternoon at 4:00pm. This is the hotel in which Stephen King wrote The Shining, so you wont want to miss it.
- Horseback riding - Yet another chance at fun. Most of you will only be in Estes Park for our wedding, but here’s another choice in case you decide to stay.
- Shopping - Diana made me include this one. The main drag in Estes Park has your choice of lame, sorta OK and super awesome shopping spots. There’s a cool coffee shop at one end of the strip (forget which), which roasts their own beans. It rocks.
- Dining - Plenty of choices, from local stream trout to solid Mexican food.
Lodging
There are no lack of places to hole up in Estes Park. Here are some of the places we’ve seen/stayed.
The Stanley - It’s a beautiful hotel with the most spectacular scenery in Estes Park. Even if you don’t stay here, you’ll want to visit. And yes, it’s The Shining hotel. $150 - $175
Della Terra - This is where we’ll be getting married, and they offer a number of rooms/rates. The most expensive are in the main building. Each room is amazing, and worth well over what they’re charging, but prices are still in the $225 - $295 range. If that’s too rich for your blood (and I don’t blame you), try their cabins. Much more affordable, and in the same spot as the wedding party. The cabins are perfect for those of you looking to share a room with 2 or 3 others. $125 - $200
Marys Lake Lodge and Resort - This one is a bit farther away from Della Terra, but not by much, and certainly has it’s share of great views since it’s located on a lake. $140-$200
Inn on Fall River - Cool place. We didn’t stay here, but it’s in the heart of downtown Estes Park, and well worth checking out. Also, prices are super awesome (or so their Web site says) $75 - $140
Travel
Do what you gotta do to get there, just be there.
Flying
The most obvious option for most of you is flying. If that’s your plan, Kayak.com is one of our favorite sites. It’s the same sort of thing as Cheap Air, Expedia, Travelocity and the rest, except it’s underground, which makes it cool.
For those of you leaving from South Carolina, forget about leaving from Greenville-Spartanburg Airport or that scary one in Columbia. Those are both expensive, and the rates are double what you’ll pay if you make the quick trip to Asheville, NC (45 mins from Greenville) or Charlotte (1.5hrs from Cola).
Train
There’s a 0% chance any of you will take this, but there’a a pretty nifty train ride option from the east coast to Denver. Amtrakwill take you from their stops in Jacksonville, Columbia or Charlotte, and three days later, drop you off in Denver. The fare is a ridiculous $350 each way, but that would be cool.
Walking
Because I can, that’s why. Thanks to Google Maps, I know exactly how long it will take.
Registry
Here are a few options for you guys:
Honeyfund.com - This is for those of you who really love us. We’re trying to make it to Barcelona for our honeymoon, and you can contribute to that quest here.
CB2 - A modern version of Crate and Barrel. Home wares are mostly on this list.
Williams-Sonoma - Pretty much for Jonathan, since he’s the kitchen slave. There’s a knife on this registry that will give you super powers if you buy it for him. Promise
Bed Bath and Beyond - It seemed like everyone else was registering here, so we did too. Not much on the list, but what’s there is important to us.
About us
Gather round, friends, for the story of Jonathan and Diana doth make an inspired tale.
Twas the year of our Lord 1193 (February 2002) in Barnsdale, South Yorkshire (Columbia, SC). Jonathan was but a simple yet strapping yeoman, cheerful and stout (in between majors and afraid of the sun), especially gifted in the art of the cudgel. Diana was a doting maid, daughter of the local Sheriff, known throughout the wood for her kind doings and she truly was fair in face and loin (that’s all true). The two met at a goodly fair (Math 113) organized by the brave Richard the Lionheart (some teaching aide who barely spoke english). True, thou hast never seen such colorful banners and even-handed archery matches as were met that day.
Whilst the fair progressed, under the cool shade of a mighty oaken tree, Jonathan and Diana first met over a cool pint of freshly-tapped ale at The Green Man pub. (they sat across from one another. assigned seats ftw!) For sooth, it was love at first sight. Diana immediately took Jonathan to be the most strapping man in the shire, tall in stature and daring in wits (he looked OK and was kinda mean). Jonathan considered her the fairest beast ever imagined by the Lord’s endless mind, and the perfect use of a rib (all that’s true).
Though they both knew their love to be a tainted love (way before that stupid song), and impossible by the common law dictating their every day, Jonathan and Diana met whenever possible, on the soft green mosses next to singing brooks and away in lofty boughs of tall birches (they studied together once or twice, it was pretty average for a while).
Eventually, once their love had been whispered from the lips and to the ears of every maidservant in the shire, and was known by every goodly resident of Barnsdale, the Sheriff caught wind of the lovers. Truly there had never been such a commotion in the shire! The kind Sheriff, however, took pity on the lovers and united them in a wedding that has since been immortalized in word and song, not to mention a few sculptures and busts (I have run out of room on this page. Basically, six years have passed and now we’re getting hitched!