5 Reasons to Get Married in Colorado Springs

We may be a bit partial to Colorado Springs because we already live here, but we truly believe that the best place to get married is in Colorado Springs. Historically, our facility was within walking distance of Pinecrest where Edwin James in 1820 first discovered the Blue Columbine. Here are five reasons we are sure you'll love getting married in Colorado Springs.

Amazing Views

Colorado Springs is known for beautiful scenery. The mountain views are spectacular, and the town is filled with historical and cultural charm. We are nestled at the base of Mt. Chautauqua, and we can't think of any better way to share our history and the majestic mountain beauty of our facility with you and your guests.

Great Honeymoon Destination

There are many beautiful destinations for your honeymoon, but if you want to stay stateside, you can't go wrong with Colorado Springs. Are you planning a destination wedding? You can plan it here, and then continue to stay in Colorado and learn more about our state. It's the perfect place for a couple who loves adventure. You can rock climb, hike, mountain bike and more. Not to mention, waking up every morning with the mountains outside your window is extremely romantic.

Create Breathtaking Images

Wedding photos that have been created in the beautiful Colorado Springs area are sure to impress even years down the road. Our facility is filled with stunning places to capture your big day, not to mention the surrounding locations around the town that will take your breath away.

Beautiful In Any Season

There are many areas that either boast beautiful summer weddings, or beautiful winter weddings, but in Colorado Springs, you'll find that every season is beautiful. Spring, summer, winter, and fall are all equally filled with splendor and majesty. Spring is budding with possibilities, while summer is filled with warm weather, beautiful flowers and trees, and spectacular scenery. Fall brings beautiful fall colors and in the winter we have a frozen wonderland that will sparkle and shine. Every season has beautiful appeal in Colorado Springs.

You Can Get Married at the BEST Wedding Venue in Colorado Springs

Of course, the final best reason to have your wedding here is because of our amazing wedding venue in Colorado Springs. We can't imagine a more beautiful setting than the Historic Pinecrest Wedding Chapel & Event Center. From the mountain chapel to our large event center, you will find just the perfect amount of beauty and charm that you've been looking for in a wedding venue.

The Historic Pinecrest

Have you been looking for the perfect wedding venue, and just not found what you're looking for? We would love to invite you out to our Colorado Springs wedding venue for a private tour. Our facility is ideal for your wedding no matter how large or small, and we would be honored to help you create a dream wedding. Visit our website to learn more, or call us at 719-357-8613 today!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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4 Ways to Bring Fall Into Your Wedding Flowers

Fall is finally in the air, and it's filled with the most romantic aromas! From spicy cinnamon and nutmeg to savory pumpkins and fresh falling leaves. You may also be smelling beautiful bouquets if you are planning your breathtaking fall wedding! At the Historic Pinecrest, we take every detail of your wedding seriously, from the beautiful Colorado Springs venue you've chosen, to the flowers you'll be carrying on your wedding day - that's why we have some fun ideas to make your bouquet unique and still perfect for the season.

Photo Credit www.LifeAtCloverHill.com

Fall Colors

Photo Credit: Brittany Dow

From beautiful, rich hues of dark purples and browns to the regal reds and fun oranges, you just can't go wrong with incorporating the beautiful fall colors in your bouquet and other floral arrangements. Here are a few flowers that are considered "in-season" for the Fall:

• anthurium
• bouvardia
• liatris
• Wheat
• goldenrod
• marigold
• chrysanthemums
• daisies
• roses
• carnations
• alstroemeria
• lilies

Fall Scents

Bouquet were originally carried for many of the reasons we wear perfume. They had a beautiful frangrance, and that's still true of them today. When thinking about a fall bouqet, you can incorporate details that really increase the scent of fall. Cinnamon sticks would be a lovely way to bring in the smell of fall, plus they would have a unique look and appeal in your floral arrangements. You can aslo include them in your table arrangements, and boutenieres.

Fall Shapes

Aside from adding cinnamon sticks to your bouquets and floral arrangements, you can also add wheat, acorns, and fall leaves. All of the details can be unique to bouquets and table arrangements, but that doesn't change the fact that they are absolutely beautiful and rustic when you see them. You can incorporate these into more than just your bouquet though - try adding them as decor around your Colorado Springs Wedding venue, from the guest book table, to the centerpiece in yoru head table!

Photo Credit: Wildberry Studio & Design

Fall Food

Have you ever heard of adding edible items to your bouquet? Well now you have! Take a few fall foods that you love and incorporate them into your bouquet. Apples and pumpkins are the items we specifically have in mind, though you could probably use small squash as well. You don't have to use them just in your bouquet either. You can hollow out pumpkins and use them as a vase for a bouquet, and place these around as centerpieces or decorations. You als can incorporate apples, by hollowing them out and placing tea candles in them, and then floating them in a bowl of water on your table. This can be a truly uniqe way to bring in aspects of fall into your floral arrangements, and when you're trying to acheive a rustic, romantic wedding, it could be just the touch you're looking for!

Best Wedding Venue in Colorado Springs

Fall is such a romantic and rich time to celebrate your big day, and we can't wait to see what beautiful ideas you create to celebrate your love. From the flowers to the food and everything in between, we are honored that you've chosen the Historic Pinecrest as your wedding venue. If you haven't found the venue of your dreams yet, we would love to invite you out to come tour our property. Visit our website to learn more about scheduling your tour!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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How to Include Your Mother-In-Law in the Wedding Planning

There are many things that will change after your wedding day, from a new name, new home, new roommate - and new family. This can be a wonderful addition, and sometimes it can be a challenging one, but sometimes your new in-laws just want to feel involved. One of your new family members has the worst reputation of all, and that's your soon to be mother in law. The woman who raised your dream guy or girl is now giving them away, and for many mother's, especially of the groom, this can be a hard transition, and even harder if your daughter in law doesn't like you.

As you're planning your wedding, don't forget that this is a day she's been dreaming of as well, and would probably love to be involved in. Here are a few ways to really incorporate your mother in law in the planning of your Colorado Springs wedding.

Ask Her About Wedding Traditions

Wedding traditions can be a great way to connect with your mother in law. Every family has different things they may do at a wedding, from wearing an heirloom ring for your something old, to perfomorming a fun old camp chant before partaking of a meal. You never know what they are until you ask, and we're pretty sure if you ask her, she'll be glad to tell you all about them. While you don't have to use the traditions she shares with you, it could be a greatw way to bond with your new family, and if it's a tradition there will probably be other members of the family that appreciate it as well.

Bring Her Along

If you'll be going to a cake tasting or gown fitting, bring your soon to be mother in law along! It can be a great bonding experience for the two of you. While you don't want to take away from memories being made with your own mother, you're now making memories with two mothers, so it can be fun to have her along. You could also go shopping with her for her dress for the wedding. If you have specific colors in mind, you can tell her, but it could be fun to let her pick out her own style so she shows up feeling beautiful and comfortable.

Set Aside Some Girl Time

Aside from making sure to include your mother in law in your wedding planning, one of the most important things you can do is invest in quality time with her. Your mother in law is probably going through just as many emotions as you are, and some could even be related to insecurity in her relationship with you. Give her some reassurance and include her, but also nurture that relationship!

Celebrate Mother-In-Law Day

At the Historic Pinecrest, we love to help you celebrate your wedding, but even more so, your family! Our wedding venue is a beautiful place to say your "I Do's" and also start a new relationship with new family that will be apart of your new life together. Do your family members need a place to stay during the wedding? We provide the Pinecrest Lodge which can hold up to twenty guests for your wedding in Colorado Springs. Let us help you host a dream wedding in our Colorado Springs wedding venue, visit our website to learn more about how you can secure your date.

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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How to Plan a Family Reunion!

Are you wanting to find a way to catch up with the members of your family, while also combining a great family vacation? At Historic Pinecrest, we aren't just about weddings and receptions, we also help host many other events, and family reunions are just one of them! Our Lodge is a perfect spot to host your next reunion because it not only has rooms to sleep in, but access to the kitchen, cozy living spaces, and even the event center if you're planning on hosting a big shindig.

A family reunion can take a lot of planning, sometimes even a year in advance, so here are a few tips to make the planning process easier and get the most for your efforts!

Start Planning Early

You can never start planning too early. Because many families consist of so many members, it can be challenging to get everyone together and find a date that works for the majority. If you start planning at least a year in advance, it can help ease that difficulty. When you've narrowed down a time of year that works better for people, like spring, summer, winter, or fall, then you can start picking a date.

While you can't please everyone, and there will most likely be some family members who have plans two years in advance that you can't work around, or even something sudden come up, by giving plenty of advance notice.

Delegate Planning Duties

Family reunions can be a LARGE endeavor to plan. From finding the best venue in Colorado Springs, to narrowing down who's helping with food, games, custom t-shirts, gifts, budgeting and taking money, there are so many details to be aware of. Don't try to handle it all on your own, and let your family feel like they're apart of the planning by including them. That's part of what makes your family so great anyway! They all have different skills and abilities, so you can use those to your benefit. Put the accountant in charge of the budget, if your nephew is a budding artist, let him help come up with invitations and t-shirt designs, if your aunt owns a restaurant, she could be a great resource to helping with the menu. Working together will make this event even more memorable.

Spend Time on the Guest List

Finally, pay close attention to the guest list. In fact, it would probably help if you had input from many members of the family. Like any event, there can be some difficult narrowing down who you're inviting and who you aren't - family reunions are no different. Are you wanting to limited extended family to just aunts and uncles? Or will this be a huge affair with second, third, and fourth cousins removed? It's important to decide what you'll do now, so it's easier to stick to it later.

Also keep in mind that as the family grows, you will have to decide which significant others you'll be including. Do you want to keep it limited to spouses and fiances while eliminating boyfriends/girlfriends? Or maybe only have it open to couples who have been dating for more than three years? It will be important to set the boundaries ahead of time, and make it very clear who is invited to keep as few feelings from being hurt as possible.

Family Reunion Venue in Colorado Springs

With nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, a full-service kitchen and high-speed Wi-Fi access, you can comfortably fit 20 guests in our lodge in Colorado Springs. Our beautiful venue is ideal for many different events, and your family reunion is one of them! If you haven't seen our lodge, you should visit our website and take a look! You can also give us a call and schedule a tour.

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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5 Tips for Planning a Delicious Wedding Menu

You've spent months planning and arranging all of the small details of your ceremony, the types of colors you'll use, and the smallest flowers that go in your bouquet. You've probably arranged and re-arranged the centerpieces to find just the right height, color, and feel - but you're not done yet. While you've been planning all of the visual details, there's still one of the five sense that needs to be addressed and that's the sense of taste! When you ask any guest what the best part of a wedding was, you will generally either hear that they loved the food and if they didn't love it, you'll hear that too! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you're planning a fantastic wedding menu for your guests.

Guess High, Not Low

You'll want to get your guest list lined out before talking with your caterer, and then as the date gets closer you'll give him the head count based on RSVP numbers. If you feel like the total number of guests is still a little shaky, though, you will always do well to guess higher rather than lower. Running out of food is not only a little embarrassing, but it can be a lot of added stress on you as you try to scramble and figure something out.

Think About Allergies

One of the kindest things a host can do is learn about the allergies of their guests. Many people have some form of allergy, whether it's gluten, shellfish, or peanuts. Sometimes it's odd things, like not being able to eat pork, or being allergic to mustard. While you don't have to plan your entire meal around allergies, you can talk to your caterer and see if they have alternatives for people with allergies. They will certainly feel special when there's a meal just for them. If you can't swing special food, just be sure to have the names listed on the food items to help warn people.

Choose Something That Everyone Loves

While you can have a meal full of rare delicacies at your wedding (and we certainly recommend doing whatever is special for you and your soon-to-be-spouse) sometimes it's also thoughtful to think of the majority of people who will be eating your wedding dishes. That's not to say you have to opt for burgers and mac & cheese, but you can always have some options in your menu that are familiar. If you're featuring a special Chinese dish that was passed down from your great-great-grandmother, you can also follow up with something familiar like cashew chicken!

Think About the Timeline

Happy guests are no hungry guests. Will you be taking photos of your wedding party and family after the ceremony and before the reception? Think about planning a small cocktail hour! Feature a fun beverage that is especially mixed for your wedding, and then include delicious appetizers. You don't have to provide so many that they get filled up before dinner, but enough that they'll be able to wait until it's time. You can also plan fun games, scavenger hunts, or bring out the DJ to keep them entertained.

Don't Be Afraid to Splurge

When you plan out your budget, don't be afraid to leave plenty of room for amazing food. While people will appreciate your decorations, it won't be a priority in their memories - and you can make a little go a long way! If your guests got to choose between beautiful hand drawn invitations and envelopes, or an amazing spread of food, we're pretty sure they would choose the food! This is your special day, and you should be able to make it everything you've ever wanted, but also remember that it's a party, and every good party needs a good spread.

Weddings in Colorado Springs

If you've just gotten engaged and you haven't chosen your wedding venue, consider scheduling your date with us! If you're looking for a wedding venue in Colorado Springs with charm, sophistication, and a really great team to work with, you've found it. We would be honored to help you plan your big day, and make it everything you've ever dreamt of. Let us help you plan your beautiful Colorado Springs wedding!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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Fantastic Fall Ideas For Your Wedding

With warm inviting colors, spicy fragrances, and delicious food, fall is a wonderful time to have your wedding! The crisp weather and the bright trees are also a wonderful advantage, especially at the Historic Pinecrest. Our beautiful mountain chapel in Colorado Springs is the perfect venue for your fall themed wedding, with our rustic feel and beautiful Colorado views. Here are a few beautiful ways you can incorporate the fall theme into your wedding day!

Fall Color Schemes

There are so many colors you can choose for your wedding, and fall weddings make it even more fun. You can go with bold, bright colors, or you can choose demure, soft, warm colors. No matter what you choose, we know your day will be amazing. Check out these beautiful colors from Katelyn James' Blog.

These color combinations are all of the warm, cozy colors that we love, paired with some really unique colors that really bring them out. Who knew that you could pair a harvest orange with shades of blue to create a rustic nautical? Or a seafoam green with orange to create a perfect fall feel without being too cliche. Check out these colors and let us know if you used any of them in your wedding!

Photo Credit: Katelyn James

Upper Left: Glasser Images
Upper Right: Clark Brewer Photography
Lower Left: Lucy G Photography
Lower Right: Carly K Photography

Fall Fashion Details

There are so many things to love about fall weddings because the crisp weather brings out the light sweaters and fun accents. You can also get really creative with textures and fabrics which photograph really well. You can still opt for nice suits for the groomsmen, or you can incorporate neutral colors in tweed or wool fabrics. For your bridesmaids, the sky is the limit. You can have them all wearing different colors or wearing the same. You can do short or long dresses in the fall, and you can mix and match with chiffon, satin, lace and more. Autumn is a great time to bring out the fabrics that are a little too warm in the summer, and take advantage of those beautiful styles.

Fall Food

The autumn season provides you the opportunity to pull out all of those savory flavors that you've been dreaming of all summer long. You can take advantage of the pumpkin and apple flavors in soups, salads, and desserts, and get creative with your cake too! You don't have to even have a standard wedding cake, you could do delicious pies with ice cream or smores with a fire pit. Bring out all of the warm, toasty drinks that people love with a hot chocolate bar, coffee, and apple cider too! Do you like naked wedding cakes? Rustic fall weddings always beckon the naked cake with its neutral feel and fall accents.

Fall Wedding Venue in Colorado Springs

Whether you're just finishing up your planning for a beautiful wedding this year, or you're planning well in advance for your fall wedding next year, we hope these pretty ideas got your creative side brimming with excitement about your big day. We would love to assist you in creating this warm, rustic, fall theme for your wedding, and help you create something magical. If you don't have your wedding date set, it's time to give us a call and find one that works for both of us! Visit our website to learn more about our wedding packages, and how to reserve your date at our beautiful Colorado Springs wedding venue.

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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How to Choose Engagement Rings, Wedding Bands, and More!

You'll say "I Do," make your vows, and exchange rings. The circle of the wedding band can also be compared to a symbol of eternity. The circle has no beginning, it has no end - infinity. Many cultures have different ways you wear the rings, sometimes on different fingers, maybe you won't even exchange rings at all. In this part of the country it is most common to wear your wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. They say it's because the vein in this finger is believed to lead directly to the wearer's heart.

No matter what finger you'll be wearing your ring on, you still have to find a ring that fits your perosnality and your lifestyle! Here are a few ways to find just the right bling for your wedding finger.

Think About Budget

Your budget should be one of the first things you consider when choosing a ring - and yes, the ring should be included in the wedding budget. There is an old adage that states a man should buy an engagement ring that is worth 3 months salary. That would mean if the man made $80,000 a year he should spend $20,000 on an engagement ring! Of course, there are so many options, and really no actual rule on how much you should actually spend on your ring.

Do Research

Your rings are truly an investment, so make sure you do some research before buying anything. Think about the colors of metals you want, and how they will go together. Consider the style and how it will look in 20 years. While it's okay to choose something that's currently trending, make sure you truly love it, as the idea is that you'll be wearing it for a lifetime. Do research on how to choose diamonds, and don't forget to find out if you can get a good warranty on your rings in case something happens.

Wedding Ring Materials

In the world of wedding rings, there are many different materials to chose from, and each one can be perfect, or not so perfect, for you or your spouse. There are a few things to consider as you choose the material of your wedding rings, and while color is important, you'll also want to think about the density of the metal and the types of work you and your spouse do. When your job keeps the amount of work on your hands light, you can opt for a softer metal like gold. If you'll be doing something agressive with your hands, like construction, you'll want something that can stand up to the pressure. Here are some of the most popular metals to choose from:

• Gold
• Silver
• White Gold
• Rose Gold
• Platinum
• Titanium
• Stainless Steel
• Sterling Silver
• Tungsten

Don't Forget

This can be a realy fun part of getting married, but don't forget that when it's all said and done, you could have at least $1000 on one finger, and something could easily happen to it. Make sure to get your ring insured. This can be quickly done through your home owners or renters insurance. You will just need to contact them and most likely send them the information on your ring. Many jewelry companies offer insurance, but it generally covers the stones should somethig happen, and possibly not the whole ring if it got flushed down the toilet, or misplaced. Look into each policy to see exactly what it covers.

Your Colorado Springs Wedding Venue

At the Historic Pinecrest, we know how exciting these next few months of planning are going to be. Whether you've just received your engagement ring or you've been engaged for some time, we would love to assist you on your wedding planning. Our beautiful mountain venue is surrounded by peaceful nature, and we're located at the base of Mt. Chautauqua. If you're looking for a beatiful mountain wedding venue, we would love to help you plan it. Don't forget that we have an ideal setting for a Colorado Springs destination wedding, visit our website to learn more.

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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