[ Vendor ] Q&A w/ Kevin Abernathy of Colorado Tents and Events - Breckenridge, Colorado Event Rentals

Today's blog is a sampling of what kind of advice you can expect to hear from local wedding pro, Kevin Abernathy of Colorado Tents and Events, a special event rental company that specializes in the mountain areas near Breckenridge, Colorado.  

Destination weddings in the Rocky Mountains use lots of local resources to pull all the pieces together, and renting items from trusted resources is a good idea.  They can help you save time and money.  And that's what brides and grooms can expect to do if they come to the first-ever Breckenridge Bridal Bash on June 1-3.

 [ breckenridge bridal bash ]

A tent outside the Elk Ridge Ranch, south of Breckenridge is dressed up with florals from Petal and Bean.

Q. Who are you and what’s your role in the Breckenridge wedding scene?

A. Kevin Abernathy with Colorado Tents & Events.  We are a full service party rental company specializing in outdoor events in the Colorado Rockies.  From tents, tables and chairs to china, glassware, flatware and more chances are we have the equipment you're looking for for your big day!

 

My personal experience, having been in the industry for just over 10 years, is a valuable resource to my clients especially when it comes to finding unique locations and talking through the logistics of each location to best fit each client.

 

 

Q. Any advice for couples planning their wedding in the Breckenridge area?

 

A. My biggest piece of advice is to make sure to plan your wedding around you, the wedding couple.  The wedding celebration is about your friends and families coming together to celebrate you, so if you can plan aspects that communicate your likes and who you are as a couple through food, through location, through flowers, through activities etc...then everyone get's to truly celebrate and experience the two of you.  This is not to say that you can pay no attention to certain details such as food and any special needs of your friends and family, however, don't plan the whole meal around those special needs...plan around the two of you and incorporate their needs.

 

 

Q. Ski or snowboard? What do you do in the summertime for fun?

 

A. In the winter I'm a skier...definitely  have not been enjoying as much as I should be...so that's the goal for 2012/2013, get on the slopes more.  In the summertime, I enjoy taking my dog Buddy out kayaking on Lake Dillon, camping with friends, hiking and my new found love of water skiing.

 

 

Q. Top 3 family-friendly hikes for families visiting for the wedding?

 

A. The biggest piece of advice would be to hold off on Quandary until after your wedding!  I had a client a few years ago where the "boys" went on the Quandary hike the day before the wedding and unfortunately the groom had come back with a few broken bones and was in a wheelchair for the ceremony.  Definitely a memorable experience for all involved, however, let's make other memories that are less painful!  

 

I don't really know the names of the trails, but there are some nice hiking grounds that take off from the Ice Rink in Breckenridge, there's the Blair Witch loop off of Tiger Road by the old Dredge Boat and a very nice hike is the Peaks trail from Peak 8 in Breckenridge to Frisco and then take the bus back to Breck.

 

 

Kevin talks to the local wedding pros from the Breckenridge Resort Chamber at the barn.

 

Q.  What’s an important factor that couples don’t want to overlook? 

 

A. So many times I've seen couples more stressed out about the whole process that they cannot enjoy it.  I would say to make sure to begin getting your ducks in a row early on so that you can have fun in the planning process and therefore ensure that your special day is fun and not a stressful experience.  

 

If you are a "control freak" perhaps this is a great opportunity to delegate to someone whether that be a friend or a professional wedding planner/coordinator to do this for you.  Make sure that both of you are involved in the planning together as you don't want a huge surprise on the day of, but also it's a great way for the two of you to enjoy each other while planning for this special day.  Please remember that you do not have to try and "out do" your sister's wedding or your cousin's wedding...those things won't ever matter 20 years down the road, however, capturing the essence of the two of you on your special day will.  

 

If that means having a celebration for 300 people or if that means a more intimate celebration of 30 people do what is best for you not just to get a "one-up" on someone else.  Finally, don't miss out on the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful space of Breckenridge.  

 

When you plan a "planning trip' make sure to add an extra hour or an extra day or two to enjoy all that Breckenridge has to offer.  Go for a small hike and plan a romantic picnic, visit the museums or mines if history is your passion, enjoy local art at the many galleries, take a moment to grab a local cup of java and sit on the natural rocks by the Blue River listening to the sounds of the water, walk up and down Main Street searching for those unique shops you know your friends and family members absolutely have to visit while they are here, catch the local entertainment at either of the local live theaters or a concert at the Riverwalk Center.  Whatever you do make sure to make it different from your routine back home so that your entire memory of your special day can be relived through pictures, stories and the moments you create together!

 

 

Please mention this blog to Angela Wirth of the Breckenridge Resort Chamber when you sign up!  Click on the logo at the top of the page to register.  And be sure to tell Kevin you read his advice at the bash itself.  See you there!