The question isn’t “Should I get married in Park City?” The question is “When should I plan my Park City wedding?”
It’s no wonder we get so many inquiries from couples who want to schedule their Park City wedding. Along with its world-class skiing and winter sports, Park City offers breathtaking natural beauty year-round, plus fresh alpine air, fantastic food and service, and an intimate, small-town vibe. It’s the perfect place for a local or destination wedding.
But should you plan your Park City wedding when the mountains are draped in fall colors are when the slopes are deep in snow? Should you tie the knot when spring wildflowers are blooming or when the cool mountain air is a welcome relief from the summer heat? Every season in Park City has its pros and cons for prospective couples, but here are the factors to keep in mind as you think about when to plan your Park City wedding.
Winter Weddings in Park City
Park City attracts over half a million visitors every year, which is a lot for a small town of only 8,000 residents! Many visitors come for the great winter sports, of course, and the city can get pretty crowded in the cold months. Despite the congestion and other challenges, winter is still a lovely time to be married in Park City, especially for couples who have a special connection to our fair city. Maybe you met on the slopes and have fond memories of “shredding the gnar” together. Maybe you just want to cuddle up in a cozy cabin and enjoy a little solitude with your partner. Whatever you love about Park City in the winter, you can certainly find a one-of-a-kind nuptial experience here.
Tips for a Winter Park City Wedding:
· That same legendary snow that makes Park City a favorite winter destination can also present difficulties for couples who choose a winter wedding here. At the Kimball Terrace, we are only about 40 minutes away from the Salt Lake City International Airport, but when the roads get snowy and icy, it can take your guests significantly longer to make the trip. And if we get hit hard by a snowstorm, they may not be able to get here at all! If you have guests flying in from out of town, you’ll need to make sure you’ve accounted for the weather.
During the winter season when Park City bustles with tourists and ski enthusiasts, hotels and other services can reach their peak capacity, especially in January when the Sundance Film Festival comes to town. Make sure that your out-of-town guests have plenty of time to book their accommodations in advance.
Between November and February, the holidays place extra demands on everyone’s time and attention. During those months, some people just won’t be able to free up their schedules, so you can expect to see a higher dropout rate from your guest list.
Challenges aside, a Park City wedding in the winter is more than worth it! Call us biased, but we think that when the snow flies, our beloved town is nothing short of magical.
Spring Weddings in Park City
How does the saying go in Park City? “April snowstorms bring May snowstorms?”
We’re kidding.
Mostly.
While we do occasionally get snow in April or even May in Park City, the spring weather here is delightful. Our ski resorts typically stay open until mid or late April, which means that couples who choose a spring Park City wedding can have the slopes to themselves! Travel and accommodations are easier to handle once the heavy snows and winter crowds are gone. Plus, spring in the mountains is an especially romantic time of year. If you haven’t been here when the green starts to return and everything smells fresh and new, then you haven’t seen Park City at its finest!
Another of our favorite things about a spring wedding in Park City is the delicious array of local spring ingredients we love to incorporate into our menus. (Check out our strawberry-rhubarb semifreddo with candied dried rhubarb and pistachio crumble. A-maz-ing!)
Summer Weddings in Park City
Having just survived one of the hottest summers in history, we all know what a joy it is to escape the summer heat and retreat into the cool comfort of the mountains. The weather in Park City is consistently about ten degrees lower than down in the Salt Lake valley. That means that if you’re planning an outdoor summer wedding, your guests will be eternally grateful if you have it in Park City.
Unlike resort towns like Veil that basically shut down after the skiers leave, Park City has a thriving community year-round. Summer in Park City is jam-packed with recreational opportunities , entertainment, and events for you and your guests to enjoy, including…
Concerts with the Utah Symphony and a wide range of visiting artists
Over 450 miles of hiking and biking trails
Seven public and eight private golf courses
Watersports at nearby state parks
Fly fishing or river rafting on the Weber and Provo Rivers
Horseback riding
Hot air ballooning
The Alpine Coaster, Alpine Slide, and Olympic Park bobsled ride
In fact, Park City gets so busy in the summer that you’ll need to check local event calendars for any conflicts. For example, June’s “Savor the Summit” event involves a crowd feasting at a mile-long table that runs right down the middle of Main Street! While it’s a beautiful event and one of our favorites, you should be aware that a thousand people eating in the middle of the street can affect traffic patterns!
Similarly, Main Street is closed for the Park Silly Sunday Market every Sunday throughout the summer. It’s a delightful tradition and well worth experiencing, but make sure it doesn’t interfere with your wedding plans.
Although Park City doesn’t see quite as much tourism in the summer as it does in the winter, it’s still pretty hopping! We see a lot of summer weddings at Kimball Terrace and other Park City venues. While June and August are always in high demand, July is usually not quite as busy, so July might be a good time to fit in your Park City wedding.
On a side note, bear in mind that Utah liquor stores are closed on Sundays and certain state holidays, so your out-of-state guests might be surprised to find the stores closed on July 24th.
Fall Weddings in Park City
We’ve saved the best for last.
If you’re looking toward an outdoor wedding, you can’t ask for better weather than you’ll find in Park City in the fall. Cool, sunny days and gentle breezes are what you can expect. The aspens are vivid orange and gold; the scrub oak and maples are fiery reds. It’s hard not to fall in love in Park City in the fall.
In the hospitality industry, autumn and spring are known as the “shoulder months” because they lie on either side of the busy tourist seasons. But in the fall, the crowds are gone and Park City settles into a gentle calm that has everyone feeling at ease. People are just a little friendlier and more relaxed. The locals will tell you, fall is the time to see Park City at its very best.
Don’t get us wrong; there’s still more than enough to do in Park City during the fall. You just won’t have to fight traffic or worry whether you can squeeze in a reservation. You can also find some great local deals as the weather cools. Many hotels offer free cocktail hours, cheese tastings, or s’mores on the patio, or other fun promotionals.
Bear in mind that the sun sets early in the mountains, and it starts to get chilly here much sooner than in the valley. Check local sunset times, and talk to your planner about setting an appropriate schedule for the big day. If the party will be going late at all, you’ll need to provide sufficient lighting and heat.
General Tips for Planning a Park City Wedding
Schedule way early! Venues often book out a year or more in advance, so start scheduling as soon as you’ve decided on the general time for your Park City wedding.
Talk to your partner. It’s important that you both be on the same page about your visions and dreams for your big day before you dive into the details of planning.
Pick your venue first. Which venue you choose may determine what dates are available or what deals they can offer (e.g. lower rates on a weekday). Once you’ve shopped around and decided where you want to host your big event, then home in on the specifics of when.
Work with a planner. This is probably the single most important piece of advice we can give you about planning your Park City wedding. A local planner can help you find the best deals, avoid pitfalls, and make your celebration even more wonderful than you’ve imagined.
Book a caterer. Third in line after your venue and planner, you should lock in on your caterer. Some venues will have their own catering or offer a list of caterers they allow/prefer to work with. Popular caterers tend to book out far in advance, so don’t wait too long.
Account for weather. As pleasant as the weather usually is in Park City, it can change several times a day. If any part of your wedding celebration will be outdoors, make sure your chosen venue has a backup plan for inclement weather.
Think of your guests when choosing your date. Park City hosts a lot of destination events where the majority of guests are traveling, so a weekend—especially a 3-day weekend—is ideal. They should keep in mind that airports can be busier on weekends, and venues/vendors are likely to book out sooner on those dates.
Don’t get too many opinions. Finally, don’t get caught in the trap of trying to please everyone. Like most new couples, you’ll probably be offered all sorts of advice. Take everyone’s advice (including ours) with a grain of salt. It’s your wedding, so do what works for you and your partner. Huge celebration or small and intimate, mountaintop ceremony or ballroom party, it should all fit your style.
If we can help make your visions happen for your Park City wedding, please let us know! We’d be delighted to help.
