For many couples, getting married in the Rocky Mountains is an easy choice. The mountains make for a stunning backdrop and it’s a fitting place to start off your adventure together as newlyweds. 

Now that you’ve chosen your destination, the next step is finding your vendors and determining the logistics of getting all your guests there. 

Local vendors play a big role in how your wedding all comes together. From the photographer, wedding planner, florist, caterer, hair designer, makeup artist, and more, there’s a lot to consider.

These are the players who you will share your day with, and whose energy will influence yours. They are the people you’re depending on to turn your wedding visions into a reality. 

Whether you live across the globe or an hour away from the mountains, it’s still a destination wedding. So when recruiting your dream vendor team, we recommend choosing local experts.

Here are the reasons why:

Home court advantage

A local vendor will have a better lay of the land than anyone traveling in. They likely have experience working with the venue, a wealth of knowledge about the surrounding area, connections that can save you hours of research, and recommendations on hidden gems. 

It’s especially beneficial to go local when it comes to choosing a planner, photographer, and videographer. Having feet on the ground makes it easy for them to scope out the venue or shoot locations in advance. 

They’ll know minute details like touristy areas to avoid, the best time of day for optimal lighting, and easy access points. There’s nothing like having a home-court advantage. 

Local vendors made for the mountains

It is only possible to be well prepared when you know what to prepare for. There are unique challenges that come with running events or doing photoshoots in the mountains. Having vendors who are prepared for the elements and have the gear, licenses, and permits to do their jobs well is essential.

For instance, if you want to incorporate adventure into your wedding or engagement shoots, a photographer or videographer who is accustomed to the wilderness is a big plus. You can bet that bear spray is a staple in their camera bag. 

Less stress

With all of the moving pieces involved in a wedding, having local vendors can ease the stress. You can travel lighter when your planner or local decor stylist has everything already there. Plus, your vendors will have a short commute so you don’t need to worry about travel delays that might keep them from showing up on your big day. 

Save for the honeymoon

Vendors from outside the area typically charge an additional travel fee to cover their extra time, accommodations, and transportation expenses. This can quickly add up if you have several vendors traveling to the location. Local vendors who live and work in the Rockies mean you save money on travel fees and accommodations. 

When you book Rocky Mountain Weddings & Events as your wedding or elopement planner, you also get access to preferred rates. We can forward these hotel and vendor discounts directly to you!

Support local vendors mean supporting local artists

The shop local movement is hardly a trend. It’s recognizing that investing in individuals at a local level builds up the entire community. This is why we at Rocky Mountain Weddings & Events are so passionate about connecting clients with local artists. 

We hand-picked boutique businesses that have a modern aesthetic and are dedicated to elevating the standard in the wedding industry. We are here to lighten the load of planning and connect you with good people.

Quality

We had to include this because it’s a common misconception about local vendors. These may be small mountain towns but they come with exceptional talent and raw creativity. When it comes to choosing your wedding vendors, go local – you won’t regret it.