Weddings at Beaver Creek

Photo courtesy of Zackary
Oliphant Photography

When you think about your wedding day, what do you picture? For some, it’s two hundred people milling about in a decorated ballroom. For others, it’s a small reception with your closest friends and family. And for one young couple, it was Beaver Creek Reserve. Sarah Bodeau and her now-husband, Paul Brandt, chose Beaver Creek as their ideal spot for their special day.

Although there are numerous benefits to having an event in a space like Beaver Creek, what drew Sarah and Paul here was a combination of the amenities at the Reserve, and the personal connection they have with it. One of the selling points for them was the gorgeous scenery and the ability to bring in your own food. Whereas many event facilities have their own catering, Beaver Creek has its own industrial kitchen, allowing guests to bring in outside food and cook it on site.

Photo courtesy of Zackary
Oliphant Photography

Another benefit? You don’t need to stress about decorations. When asked what she would suggest to other brides planning outdoor weddings, Sarah said, “Everything was so gorgeous outside...so we didn’t have to worry about decorations that much. I used to work [at a] flower store here in Altoona, and some brides would get really caught up in all the details being exactly how they envisioned it.” The benefit of having an outdoor wedding is that you can rest assured because “no matter what, it’s going to look good because we’re outside.”

One particular thing that drew Sarah to Beaver Creek was the lifelong connection she and her family have had with the Reserve. As a child, Sarah came to camp here at Beaver Creek, attending Nature Sprouts, Nature Nuts, and Earth Detectives. While some of the memories may not be specific, Sarah says, “I loved getting to go to the nature center, seeing all the taxidermy...and looking at the animals. I remember hiking around Big Falls area. I’ve just always loved nature and being outside in the natural world, and I remember that inspiring that interest and a love of [nature].” It wasn’t just Sarah who had a relationship with Beaver Creek; she says, “My brother and sister did Nature Nuts and Nature Sprouts, too, and we would go hiking up there [at Big Falls] and snowshoeing.”

Photo courtesy of Beaver Creek

Not only did Sarah attend camps at Beaver Creek as a child, she is still supporting the Reserve today. Rather than having a traditional bachelorette party with her bridesmaids, Sarah came up with a unique idea, “Let’s do a fun run and a brunch or something.” Sarah and her friends decided to run in Royal Credit Union’s Charity Classic this past October, and when she realized that it was benefiting Beaver Creek, she decided it would be a perfect way to celebrate her upcoming wedding.

Photo courtesy of Zackary
Oliphant Photography

We are thrilled that Sarah and Paul’s wedding went so beautifully, and wish them the best of luck in the future. Are you interested in having an event at Beaver Creek Reserve? Contact bcr@beavercreekreserve.org for more details.