By: JoAnn Moore, MWP, CWC, CGWP, CSSA Colorado and North California Mountain Wedding Planning Expert

1.Location- Mountain weddings  are like no other, from resort hotel venues to elegant chapels and mountain top wedding decks. The venue choice should express who your clients are and the theme of their wedding day.

2.Budget- Many mountain venues are located in resort towns, so your clients may find yourself paying resort prices. For example, a ski resort town during peak ski season can cost you twice as much as “off-season” dates.

3.Guest lists-Encourage your clients to consider their guests traveling to the mountains and educate them before they get there as to the effects of the higher elevation, high altitude sun exposure and the importance of hydration so they come prepared. Also be aware, their guests will travel to a destination wedding and stay longer than a weekend if it is a location they have not been to previously. Why not make it a vacation!

4. Weather-This can be a huge factor when considering an outside wedding site in the mountains. The weather at high altitude can change quickly, so you must have a plan B.Your plan B can be transforming your reception site into your ceremony site or if your ceremony venue is not time constrained, waiting out the storm might be an option as well.

5. Transportation-Curvy mountainous roads can be challenging at times. Your client’s guests will appreciate a prearranged shuttle service to get them around during the wedding festivities.

6. Time of year-When determining the time of the year of your client’s wedding, consider exposing your guests to something they don’t normally see. If they live where they don’t have an abundance of winter activities-snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, consider a magical winter wonderland location for example.

7. Vendors-Trust reputable vendors from the area to avoid paying transportation and accommodation fees. Mountain passes close at times due to weather, sometimes preventing vendors from out of the area from arriving on time. Local Vendors do know the rules, permits, and surroundings extremely well and are a wealth of insight and information for you. Your clients will appreciate your knowledge of issues that can arise with hiring from out of the area.

8. Lodging- Your clients will appreciate centralized lodging that is close to a variety of shopping, entertainment, and restaurants, as well as wedding and reception venues. Consider condo options for those guests that wish to stay longer.

9. Activities-Since this might be the first and only time for many of the guests to come to the mountains, provide suggestions for various activities for all ages and providing them with maps and other information. Hiking trails, golfing, rafting, fly fishing with a guide, and mountain biking to name a few for warmer weather activities. For winter, consider horse-drawn sleigh rides to a mountain dinner venue, ski or snowboarding lessons, and snowmobile tours.

10. Encourage hiring YOU as their wedding consultant-Wedding consultants familiar with the many challenges of mountain weddings will lessen the stress when it comes to hiring their vendorsand designingyour mountain elegant wedding with all the special touches that will make a mountain wedding unique and unforgettable