THE INSIDERS’ GUIDE TO ASPEN
We got to speak to a lot of Aspenites as we developed this month’s issue of Men’s Vows. We asked of all of them for their insider tips, secret escapes and off-the-beaten path recommendations. As Aspenites do, they were all generous with their information, but some of them shared with trepidation. As one said: “If there are too many insiders at this place, it is gonna stop being a best-kept-secret, won’t it?”
After a pause on our part, we’ve decided to let all of our readers in on these tips, spots and things to do, but not in on who shared them with us!! Every jewel in Aspen’s crown deserves to be experienced by one and all. So, here goes our eclectic list:
Last Supper Mass at St. Benedict’s Monastery followed by Chinese dinner at Ho’s Palace in Basalt.
Four-wheeling up Taylor and Cottonwood Passes.
Winter hiking to the Continental Divide – hike with caution and consult the park service before heading up Independence Pass.
Dinner at Meat & Cheese and cocktails at Hootch.
Hike to America or Cathedral Lake followed by lunch at Pine Creek Lodge.
Become friends with the salespeople in Aspen and do all of your luxury shopping, year-round, through them – local “salesfolk” are a lot less busy in off-season and are happy to do the shopping leg work for you, no matter where you live.
Plan all of your outdoor activities with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies to find outdoor group activities and have really off-the-beaten path outdoor experiences.
Come to Aspen during shoulder seasons and off-peak days of the week. You can have the full Aspen experience without the full Aspen experience price.
“Key West is just a beautiful little community that is so accommodating and full of unexpected character. You walk down the street with roosters running alongside, people lounging in a hammock with a Cuban coffee or mojito, making it a really special place in the US.” Read all about why Nick and Andrew chose Key West for their perfect destination gay wedding.
Riley & Grey is a design-minded wedding website service that meets the design and functionality expectations of everyday life. Riley & Grey makes it easy to design a site that is entirely about the aesthetic of the grooms’ using the site. As the company says about itself, they are here to make it easy for you to “do you!”
Ode à la Rose is a French florist/flower delivery company founded in NYC over ten years ago. Bastille Flowers & Events, a boutique floral and event design firm. Their two main offerings: 1. Bastille's fully custom, white-glove floral & event design – the best-in-class choice for upscale weddings; and 2. Ode's online a la carte ordering of centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, and more – the hassle-free option for tighter budgets that doesn't compromise on quality.
Nothing says romance more than a destination wedding that is steeped in history and nature. And for those for whom American history and nature is the clarion call, then Magnolia Plantation & Gardens near Charleston, South Carolina is your only choice for tying the knot.
Gay cruise: check. Ski Week: check. Mykonos: check. Black, White, Winter and Pride Parties: check. Having filled up the calendar with all the hot gay events and descended on the gay hotspots, what is a gay gent to do for something new? The answer is simple: Gay Surf Week: a week of surfing, yoga and wellness, and brand-new friendships hosted by Surf Synergy.
The Family Research Center at the University of Denver is conducting a first-of-its-kind study on married gay couples and is seeking US-based couples who are engaged or in the first year of their marriage to participate in this research. If you’re interested in participating in this paid research, please fill out this interest form.
To say: “I do!” in Key West is to get married in a decidedly casual manner. It is also likely one of the only places where qualifying that one’s planning, floral, catering or photography services are ‘gay wedding friendly,’ is not a requisite. Key West is where weddings are neither hetero nor homo. They are just… weddings! And whether your wedding is in front of hundreds of your nearest and dearest for a long, destination wedding weekend, or a handful of friends and family for a quick day-trip, Key West has it all for the gay wedding of your dreams.
What is it about the country’s most remote corners that attracts the curious, creative, and independent? Key West is the best destination to understand the alchemy of these magical escapes and why they, and especially Key West, have become havens for the gay community when they are looking for where to meet, wed, honeymoon, and vacation.
Rich in history, a wealth of biodiversity and most importantly, a warm, friendly, and hospitable population, Colombia is in many ways the embodiment of everything we hope to find in a gay destination in Latin America. And Out in Colombia is the best partner to help plan a memorable gay vacation or gay honeymoon there.
Read 6 tips for Kumo Productions selecting great photographers and videographers, and some things to consider to make you and your partner feel comfortable with your media team on the big day!