[Venue] The Lomax Placer Mine in Breckenridge, Colorado.

In today's blog we begin to examine one of the many historic sites scattered amongst the hills and valleys that we call Summit County.  Some are clinging to the hills in disarray, slowly fading into history, crumbling, due to years of exposure to an intense alpine sun. However, a few of these structures have been carefully protected by the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance.  This local organization focuses on historic preservation, oversees the local museums, organizes walking tours and much, much more than I can say in this sentence.  Check out the links I've shared throughout this blog to find out the scoop on these venues you won't find on any other site or blog.  

I saw that this year's BrideTide Top 100 Wedding Blog list, where you can find some really creative and fun inspiration, but none of them get down to the details of this mountain area like we do.  We probably won't every make any of these "lists" and to be honest, I don't care.  That's not why I started this blog, and if we do win some attention along the way, we'll gladly accept it and run with it, but until then, we'll do what we do best, and that's share what we know.  Our backyard.  This is where we live, work and play.  We want to help save you time and money, and you'll do just that with our expertise and experience.

In fact, that's exactly how this blog started.  We realized that too many of the "other" blogs had some pretty amazing stuff going on, but they didn't really help our clients solve their problems.  And what I mean by that is, find local resources, options and creative resources to help create the dream wedding that fits their own personal style, taste and of course, budget.  I hope this blog does that.  Ok, enough of that.  Let's get on to the good stuff.  But, wait, here's a cool photo of some Aspens changing colors to entertain you along the way.  This what Breckenridge looks like to me. You can see my Instagram feed by clicking here and refreshing the page.  I am working on integrating those into blog posts, so stay tuned!

The Lomax Mine is available as an alternative venue for a creative mountain bride and groom that want to turn a collection of funky cabins into a rustic wedding in downtown Breckenridge. It's just one of those places that you never really stop to check out as you drive up to Peak 8 at the Breckenridge Ski Resort, but that's what makes this place so great.  The Lomax Placer Mine Site  is a cluser of cabins, and back in the 1860's, was an active hydraulic placer mining operation.  Imagine the early mining days of Breckenridge.  No pavement.  Definitely no gondola or iPhones.  Just the elements, the clock ticking away, and money to be made.  The miners were hardy folk and lived their dreams by chasing gold into the area called the Golden Horseshoe, a local area where lots of gold was found.  Some of the camps became towns, including Breckenridge, while the rest faded away into local lore.

You see, there are many stories in these old buildings and cabins around town, and you have the opportunity to have some fun and use these spaces for your destination wedding in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.  The Lomax area can hold 75 seated guests and up to 100 standing guests.  Please contact Larissa at the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance to learn more about this particular venue.  Or, you can click here and start to learn more right now!

Described as both rustic and enchanting, this historic mountain setting is suitable for many types of gatherings, is in the middle of authentic cabins, a hilly, tree-filled mountainside with fairly close sides to create a private feeling.  You really are very close to the core downtown area, but this spot is pretty secluded with only one small drive and parking area.  Please consider transporting guests,  or rent lodging that is within walking distance.  Mine tours are also an option for your private party, so be sure to ask.  To learn more about the site rental details, click here to learn more.

What is so special about this spot?  Well, this was a placer mine.  And according to the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance's website, "the first mining operations in Breckenridge were placer, or surface mines. Using water under high-pressure, miners scoured mountain hillsides, collecting the released dirt and sediments from above and recovering gold deposits in long sluice boxes. The Lomax Mine was an active hydraulic placer mining operation in the 1860s located near Breckenridge’s downtown. Today, one of our expert guides will take you back in time to Breckenridge's early mining days.  Peer inside a miner’s cabin,  see and feel the original hydraulic mining equipment and even learn to pan for gold.  What you find is yours to keep!" 

If you spot these guys, you're standing in front of the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance. 

>> Attention Please: Photo &  Video Permit Required for this Location

Please adhere to the terms of use and regulations set for by the Alliance for any commercial uses.  Click here for more information regarding policy and to download the permit application.

[ Breckenridge Heritage Alliance ]

And, just because I like you for reading and scrolling down this far into this post, you're gonna get a sampling of what I see when I work the wedding scene in Breckenridge.  I'm seeing amazing Fall colors right now, lots of reds, oranges and yellows scattered among the hillsides.  Past their peak, now the yellow leaves are slowly dropping to the ground, heavy from the anticipation of ski season just around the corner.  Yep, the crazy mountain people are already watching the ski flicks, the snowmaking equipment is running (But, only when temps allow. I know this, as I froze my ass off as a snowmaker a few seasons.  I feel like I know these mountains better than most) and the freshman crop are arriving in town right about now with dreams of skiing and riding on the brain.

The tunnel of red in our front yard garden.

This view of the ski area is from Rubywood, a Paragon Lodging property management company specializing in luxury home rentals.

Almost everyday I got and grab a paper at the newspaper box right outside of the building that houses Carver's, Book Breck and the Thrift Store.  If you look down the street from here, you can see our shop's logo just on our sign just beyond the last yellow post of this yellow, red and green building.  It's directly across the street from Extreme Pizza, Jade Garden and the Steak and Rib.  The Warming Hut is just north of us, as is the gondola.  As I like to say, we're on the bike path between the gondola and the Gold Pan.  

When you go through the small garden just south of the Thrift Store and the Wellington Lot, you come to a private parking area, our barn, and the bike path just on the other side of us.  If you come in and say hi, I'll pull these doors shut for a cool photo backdrop, just like I did for Katie Girtman of Studio Kiva Photography, another longtime local Breckenridge wedding pro.  

We've been checking out venues all around Breckenridge, helping couples figure out the little details that make the biggest differences in overall impact, and helping make the dream come true.  That's what we do.  We are your local connection to the Breckenridge, Summit County and Vail Valley areas.  We have worked in this area for almost 20 years and aren't lagging behind, in fact, we believe we're leading the way and are progressive using technology, ahem, like blogs, to reach out and connect with our clients, other vendors, providing valuable resources and creative problem-solving ideas for couples needing help from a longtime local wedding pro. 

I took the photo above at an off-the-beaten-path wedding venue tucked in the hills of Breckenridge.  A private valley, saloon and mine await your wedding dreams.  Please contact me to ask me where the photo above is, mention this blog post, and I'll tell you.  It actually wasn't the Lomax Placer.  And if you if you want to know where the photo below was taken, well, I really couldn't tell you, as that's where we ended up when Dina was trying to remember a loop up on Baldy and got us lost for a few minutes.  And, nothings better than getting lost in the mountains with your best friend. I'm lucky enough to do it with my wife, business partner and best friend.  From one couple to another, we can help you figure out your own couple style, including a funky set of cabins tucked in the heart of one of the best mountain towns out there, we're here for you.