Planning your Park City wedding? If you’re searching for a venue that captures all the romantic charm of saying “I do” in the splendor of the Wasatch mountains, then this article is for you.
We asked eight of Utah’s top wedding planners for their tips on how to make the most of the gorgeous Kimball Terrace venue in downtown Park City. Here’s what they had to say.
A Uniquely Romantic Space
“I love that Kimball Terrace is located in the heart of Park City on historic Main Street,” says Michelle Cousins of Michelle Leo Events. “The views are great and it’s a prime location that includes easy access to everything in the surrounding area.”
Julia Puff with Plume Event Co. agrees. “Its premier location in the heart of Old Town is unbeatable, and its views of Main Street, Town Lift and Park City Mountain are unmatched.”
With floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on a 270-degree view of Park City and its famous slopes, plus an additional 1800 square feet of wrap-around balcony, Kimball Terrace is the perfect spot to soak up the romance of the mountains.
Pro Tip #1: Make the space your own.
Sarah Tucker of Marae Events says, “I love that Kimball Terrace is a blank slate for design. We can create an aesthetic that matches each client.”
“Kimball Terrace is…a clean slate that can be transformed to fit any vision,” agrees Julia (Plume Events Co.). But with all the limitless possibilities that Kimball Terrace offers, it’s up to you to decide how to make that space your own.
The key is to clarify your vision and to communicate your ideas to your planner.
“At first glance, Kimball Terrace feels like a neutral, modern space,” says Kaushay Ford at Kaushay and Co. Events, “but don’t let that lock you into a modern design!” When it comes to your Park City wedding at Kimball Terrace, the big, blue mountain sky is the limit.
Whether you want to keep your design contemporary and clean or cram it full of color, whether you’re planning an intimate affair or a giant blow-out party, if you can dream it, we can make it happen.
Pro Tip #2: Be Bold! Add color, lighting, and other strong elements.
“Consider bringing in bold, rich colors and accenting with black to tie into the black architecture in the space,” Kaushay (Kaushy and Co. Events) suggests. “This might look like a combination of pastels with black accents or rich, jewel tones with black strewn throughout the design.”
And don’t overlook lighting! “As with most venues, my biggest tip in Kimball Terrace is to bring in enhanced lighting elements to warm up the space and create a defined atmosphere,” says Julia (Plume Event Co.).
Colors, textures, flavors, moods, music, smells…there are countless bold choices that can liven up your Park City wedding. As Kristin Spear with Soiree Productions says, “Make sure all your senses are stimulated.
Pro Tip #3: Work with a planner who knows how to use the space.
“My number one tip would be that you should hire a seasoned, professional wedding or event planner, and it’s best to choose one that has done several events at Kimball Terrace,” says Shellie Ferrer of Shellie Ferrer Events.
Kristin (Soiree Productions) adds, “Work with a good event planner to make sure you have layers of great experiences and elements.” Kimball Terrace is a fantastic space with limitless possibilities, but it takes some know-how to make the space come alive.
Pro Tip #4: Make full use of the wrap-around terrace.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the venue is the gorgeous 270-degree wrap-around rooftop terrace. It is, after all, what Kimball Terrace is named for!
Julia (Plume Event Co.) says, “Weather permitting, the actual terrace is the crown jewel of this venue—make sure to incorporate this into a cocktail reception space or outdoor lounge to be enjoyed throughout the evening.”
“Do not skip the views from the rooftop,” Shellie (Shellie Ferrer Events) adds. “You will want to take as many photos as possible while you’re up there.”
Different seasons of the year present different ways to make use of the terrace. Madison Oliveria, the Kimball Terrace Venue Manager and a wedding planner with Culinary Crafts, says, “Early fall is a great time to host a dinner on our rooftop terrace, as temperatures are moderate and will keep guests comfortable, all with a stunning view of the fall colors!”
But don’t let cold weather stop you. “Many brides opt for a winter wedding, and our floor-to-ceiling windows make it appear as a real-life snow globe!” Madison explains. “As we typically capitalize on more of our indoor space in the winter, a smaller guest count works best here, so we can have space for both a cocktail hour and a seated dinner.”
Pro Tip #5: Use enter and exit points effectively.
“Think about the experience you want your guests to have,” suggests Kaushay (Kaushay and Co. Events). “Do you have a big instillation indoors that you want to have a big reveal? Bring your guests in through the outdoor patio to capitalize on the big reveal moment later in the evening.”
By the way, that patio entrance can be great for another purpose. As Kaushay points out, “The raised platform that leads outdoors is not a convenient space to place a dinner table, but it’s perfect as a stage! Setup your DJ or band there—just be sure not to block the entrance.”
“Another area of note is the grand staircase entrance,” Shellie (Shellie Ferrer Events) says. Since you can direct traffic so that everyone will be coming up those stairs, a few well-placed decorative elements can generate “a wonderfully romantic vibe for when your guests enter, and it creates such a great ambiance.”
Pro Tip #6: Use lounge vignettes to dampen echoes.
“Kimball Terrace can create a lot of echoes inside when guests arrive,” Kaushay (Kaushay and Co. Events) warns. “Consider bringing in two or three lounge vignettes with rugs throughout the space to help dampen the sounds.”
Pro Tip #7: Let Culinary Crafts do their thing!
As you plan your Park City wedding at Kimball Terrace, you should know that the venue has one exclusive caterer, Culinary Crafts. Hands-down the best top-end caterer in Utah, Culinary Crafts has won Best of State an astonishing 27 times, and in 2024 they won “Best Wedding of the Year” by the International Caterers Association. I guess what we’re saying is, there’s a reason the best wedding venue in Park City uses Culinary Crafts to do all their catering.
“The fabulous Culinary Crafts food experience and exceptional team are another reason I love this location,” Sarah Tucker (Marae Events) exclaims. “Each event director and staff member puts so much time and energy into every event planned…and for that, I am grateful!”
Madison (Kimball Terrace) loves Culinary Crafts so much, she had them cater her wedding. Part of what makes Culinary Crafts so great is that they make everything fresh using local products and local vendors. “They create a custom menu that is unique to you, all while highlighting local and seasonal fare,” Madison explains. “People come for their Park City destination wedding because they want the best of what Utah has to offer, and that’s what Culinary Crafts gives them.”
Pro Tip #8: Work with the weather.
“Always be sure to have a weather backup plan,” Shellie (Shellie Ferrer Events) warns. “Whether the sun is out or the snow is falling, you can always take advantage of what this venue has to offer, as long as you have the right plan set in advance.”
Kaushay (Kaushay and Co. Events) adds, “While the outdoor views are stunning, keep in mind that cool evenings aren’t uncommon in Utah most of the year. Plan for your guests to enjoy the evening air by purchasing throw blankets or ordering heaters to turn on when the sun goes down.”
Pro Tip #9: Be ready to handle city events, parking, ordinances, and permits.
“Being right on Main Street means that we see a lot of special events that take place throughout the year, right outside the building,” says Madison(Kimball Terrace). ”While this doesn't prevent us from hosting a wedding, these events may close down Main Street or create noise, traffic, etc. for a Kimball Terrace event. Make sure you work around events such as Park Silly Sunday Market (every Sunday in the summer months), Savor the Summit, Kimball Arts Festival, etc. You can check Park City Municipal's website for the calendar!”
“Check with the venue management about any permits or regulations that may apply to your event,” advises Kate Jones of Kate Elizabeth Events, “especially if it involves amplified music, outdoor structures, candles or alcohol service. Compliance with local regulations ensures a hassle-free event day.”
Parking also requires some planning. “Consider providing professional transportation for your guests that are staying off of Main Street,” Shellie (Shellie Ferrer Events) suggests. “Parking can be difficult to find on Main Street, especially in the evenings and on the weekends. There are several nearby lodging options, and that will allow your guests to walk to the venue if they’d like to. A great hotel to do a room block at for this venue is the Marriott’s Summit Watch.”
Pro Tip #10: Book well in advance.
Between Utah’s burgeoning wedding industry and Park City’s growing popularity as a wedding destination, Park City wedding venues are in high demand. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until venues are all booked up. Contact Kimball Terrace to learn more and schedule your Park City wedding.
Meet the experts (from left to right):
Kate Jones, Owner and Lead Planner of Kate Elizabeth Events
Michelle Cousins, Owner, Founder and Principal Designer of Michelle Leo Events
Shellie Ferrer, Owner, Founder, and Principal Designer of Shellie Ferrer Events
Kaushay Ford, Owner, Founder, Principal Planner and Designer of Kaushay & Co. Events
Julia Puff, President, Owner, Founder, and Principal Planner of Plume Event Co.
Madison Oliveria, Venue Manager of Kimball Terrace and Wedding and Sales Specialist with Culinary Crafts
Sarah Tucker, Owner, Founder, and Principal Planner of Marae Events
Kristin Spear, Owner and Senior Event Designer of Soiree Productions