FAQs

Question

Am I invited to the wedding?

Answer

This is a weirdly complicated answer! The RSVP section of our website will ask you to enter your name; when it identifies you as a member of our guest list, it will ask you to RSVP to a number of events we are hosting as part of our wedding celebration. If one of those events is "Wedding", then yes, you are invited. If you don't see "Wedding" as an option, please read on... In order to minimize impacts to the natural resources in Rocky Mountain National Park, our NPS wedding permit only allows us to have a total of 30 people present at the amphitheater venue. This includes us, our kids, an officiant, and the photographer! So, unfortunately, we are only able to invite 23 guests to the wedding ceremony in the park. Please understand that this was a difficult choice for us, as we would love to have all our friends and family with us on this special day. That said - we are happy to invite you to the Cocktail Hour at the Stanley Hotel the evening prior, and we are thrilled to have you join us at the Dinner/Reception Thursday night! For those who are invited to the wedding, please RSVP as soon as possible. The sooner we know if you are unable to attend, the sooner we can offer your spot to another one of our loved ones who might be on the "wedding waiting list". We thank you all for your consideration and planning.

Question

When and how should I RSVP?

Answer

We recognize this may be a big trip for those of you coming from out of state, and it might take some time to get your flight, rental car, and lodging planned and booked. Please confirm your attendance as soon as you can (see the first question in the FAQ) but no later than May 1 so we can give the caterer our final head count. You can RSVP to us using any one of these methods: 1) Use the RSVP function on our website 2) Send either Jeff or Sabrina an email 3) Call or text either Jeff or Sabrina

Question

Where are you registered for wedding gifts?

Answer

We are not registered. Please DO NOT get us any wedding gifts. Your participation in our celebration and sharing your time with us is all the gift we need!

Question

What kind of weather can we expect in the Rockies in early June?

Answer

Great question! Good thing one of us is a certified consulting meteorologist! Early June in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain NP can be absolutely beautiful: low 70s during the day, mid 40s at night, light breeze, no rain, etc. But it can also change in an instant, especially at the higher elevations in the park. Storms can pop up anytime, including heavy rain or hail (or snow!) with thunder and lightning. Flash flooding can be an issue in mountain canyons. Our advice is to dress comfortably with layers, bring a warm coat and raincoat, a hat for sun and a hat for warmth, and walking shoes that can handle being wet. (Umbrellas are fairly useless here due to high winds.) We'll have our fingers crossed for temps in the low-mid 70s, wildflowers in full bloom, snow melted off (making mountain streams beautiful but treacherous), and wildlife abounding. Estes Park has plenty of shops where you can buy anything you might need (at a premium, of course, since it is a tourist town).

Question

What is the elevation in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain NP? Do I need to worry if I'm coming from sea level?

Answer

Denver is the "Mile High City" at 5280 feet above sea level. Estes Park is at 7522', so you'll definitely feel it when you are walking up a hill or stairs in town. The Moraine Park Amphitheater is about 8160'. Unless you're really hiking hard or climbing a steep grade you'll still have plenty of oxygen to feel comfortable. The Alpine Visitor Center at the top of Trail Ridge Road in the park is 11,796', which means the air is definitely thinner up there! There is a trail from the Visitor Center that takes you up to the summit at 12,005 feet (approx 0.6 mile round trip); even in great shape you'll huff and puff to the top, but the 360-degree views are worth it!! To help you avoid any symptoms of minor altitude sickness or general discomfort due to high elevation, do these things often and early so you can acclimate more easily: 1) Hydrate. Keep a bottle of water handy, drink it, refill it, and drink it again. (This will also help you if you are consuming caffeine and/or alcohol while at elevation.) 2) Rest before you are exhausted. It takes extra energy for your body to maneuver the higher you go since there is less oxygen for your lungs. Don't feel bad about it - take it easy for a day or two and you'll perk up soon. 3) Ibuprofen is your friend. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it's ok to take ibuprofen prior to and during a high altitude excursion to alleviate headaches. 4) Immediately go to a lower elevation if you feel nauseous, headachy, or have difficulty breathing. Usually people have no issue in Estes Park, but if you are going up above 11,000' keep an eye on how you feel and get to richer air as soon as you can. Now that we've scared you, please be assured that you will likely only feel the elevation when you are exerting yourself (hiking, climbing, running, etc). If you are doing normal day to day activities you probably won't notice much of a difference. (But do stay hydrated so the reception cocktails don't knock you down the next morning!)

Question

We're planning to spend a few extra days in Colorado. Can you give us some recs on where to go and what to do?

Answer

YES! As you know, we are great adventurers (especially Sabrina) and have tons of expertise on all the things that make Colorado... Colorado. Trails, camping, hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, breweries, distilleries, museums, historic railroads, ghost towns, wildlife, old mining towns, cuisine, art, culture... the list is big! Please reach out to us separately (email is best) and let us know what your interests, timeline, and budget might be, and we'll help you plan your amazing Colorado adventure (of course, with the highlight being our wedding festivities, right?)

Question

What if I have more questions?

Answer

We realize this might not be the easiest wedding to attend due to extensive and expensive travel, time off from work, national park restrictions, etc. If there is anything we can help you with to ensure you are able to celebrate our big day with us, please contact us via email or phone! Sabrina: sphena@yahoo.com 307-752-6710 Jeff: tardej62@hotmail.com 303-589-1029