“Since the very first event at Ridgewood, our own wedding, and years before there was even a building or plan, just that incredible view and 100 straw bales, we knew what a special spot nature had created. We look forward to sharing it with you.”
– The Alford Family
The Ridgewood Event Center, with its mountain vistas, gardens, meadows, streams, and ponds, is a gorgeous location for all of your Durango events. Weddings, retreats, and other special events for up to 200 guests are our specialty.
Located in the scenic La Plata River Valley in southwestern Colorado, Ridgewood Event Center is minutes from Durango, Cortez, and Mesa Verde National Park. It’s also a short drive from Farmington and Aztec, New Mexico, Chaco Canyon, and The Four Corners Monument.
The tall windows of Ridgewood’s stone and pine structure offer panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, lush green meadows, ponds, streams, 100-year-old cottonwoods, and acres of heirloom flower gardens.
The Ridgewood Event Center is open from April through November for your destination wedding, reception, reunion, meeting, special events, or retreat. Let us help you make the planning easy and the day memorable.
COLORADO MOUNTAIN WEDDING VENUES
Ridgewood Event Center
Hand-hewn timbers, pine floors, deep wrap-around porches, and unobstructed views of the La Plata Mountains are just some of what makes Ridgewood Event Center stand out amoung Colorado mountain wedding venues. You will enjoy full and exclusive access to our commercial kitchen, private bride’s preparation room, and ample parking with handicap access.
In addition to the 1,500 square feet of interior space with expansive 12 ft. high ceilings, the center features a 1,000 square foot covered portal. Your reservation of the Ridgewood includes the use of our tables, maple chairs, linens, glassware, silverware, and china. Ridgewood is wheelchair accessible and has parking for up to 150 cars. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (970) 385-4537.
Ceremonies
Ridgewood Event Center aims to make all Durango weddings with us a dream come true. We offer many on site location options for your ceremony. Enjoy our cozy indoor and porch arrangements. Take in the spectacular views of the mountains from our outdoor areas. We also now have an enchanting riverside spot complete with hand-hewn seating for attendees. It’s a short stroll down a winding trail from the Event Center. Don’t forget to ask us about ceremonies under the Circle of Trees, our old-growth stand of cottonwoods, the largest in Colorado. We’d also be happy to recommend officiants or celebrants for your wedding. We here at Ridgewood Event Center take great pride in our attention to detail and outstanding service. We will go out of our way to make your special day complete.
Receptions
Choose a unique wedding venue in Colorado. Reserve your special day at Ridgewood Event Center. You might like to have your reception indoors after an outdoor ceremony. Or the other way around. Perhaps your guest list is large enough to need the entire grounds and tents too. All the choices are yours and we’re here—with almost 1000 weddings of experience—to help. We invite you to visit and tour the grounds and Center with all its porches, patios, and gardens. Walk the path down to the river and wander among the cottonwoods. Sit on our porch and enjoy our gorgeous mountain views. Whatever configuration you decide on, your rental fee always includes access to a complete catering kitchen and a convenient and private bride’s dressing room upstairs in the loft. Our 200 acre Colorado property will set your wedding apart.
What We Provide
Ridgewood Event Center is proudly among the beautiful places to get married in Colorado. Rental of the space includes exclusive use of the the building with its southern yellow pine floors, an 80 ft. long wraparound porch, flagstone patios, expansive lawns, and brilliant flower gardens. There is a private dressing room for the bride and her wedding party, a catering kitchen, beautiful restrooms, ample parking, and handicap access. Your rental fee also includes high quality tables, wood chairs, linens, glassware, silverware and china, and a professional staff for consultation, set up, and cleanup of your event. We can also provide a beautiful event tent and other items for an additional charge. It’s all designed to save you cost and hassle, so you can really enjoy everything about your wedding.
DURANGO COLORADO EVENT VENUES
Ridgewood Event Center
Our Ridgewood Event Center stands out among Durango Colorado event venues. It is difficult to compete with our beautiful location and ourstanding amenities. We have plenty of room for large parties of up to 200 people. The space is versatile. Our staff is available to help with nessasary preparations if needed. We are pleased to offer our facilities for a variety of events, including:
- Dinners
- Retreats & Reunions
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Meetings and Conferences
- Celebrations of Life
- Fundraisers
- Auctions
Call us at 970-385-4537 or email us at bluelakeranch@gmail.com anytime to discuss your event.
CHECK AVAILABILITY
Rental fees for our weddings in Durango, Colorado at Ridgewood Event Center vary depending on season and the size of your event. Our experienced staff will work with you to design an event that’s right for your tastes and budget. We invite you to tour our grounds and facilities in person or via video conference. Our venue offers exemplary customer service, on-site decor rentals, and many ceremony sites to choose from. Ridgewood Event Center strives to make every celebration perfect and unique to you.
Please contact us to arrange an appointment.
CONTACT AND MAP
Ridgewood Event Center is one of Colorado’s premiere wedding and event venues. We are located near the La Plata Hwy (CO HWY 140) 7.5 miles south of Hesperus (U.S. Hwy 160) and 0.3 miles north of the Wildcat Canyon Rd (County Rd. 141). The unmarked driveway is on the east side of Hyw 140 just north of a La Plata River bridge and the 16 mile marker. We provide ample parking for all of your guests with two lots on the property. Our striking, scenic location is perfect for any event. Revel in our mountain views or relax riverside on our hand-hewn seating.
We are here to make the most out of your special day.
Please call or email us:
(970) 385-4537
bluelakeranch@gmail.com
16000 Highway 140
Hesperus, Colorado 81326
What does the facility fee include?
The Ridgewood Event Center facility fee is based on an event lasting eight hours for 100 people or less. Events other than wedding or events lasting only a few hours can be individually quoted.
Our facility fee includes the use of our beautiful grounds and complimentary use of your choice of wedding sites. Ridgewood Event Center furnishings include high quality tables (for cakes, greeters, gifts, caterers, bars, the DJ, and guests), wooden chairs with padded seats, linens (napkins, skirts, and toppers for all tables), fine china, silverware, glassware (water goblets and wine glasses), a timeline consultation two weeks prior to your wedding, and staffing for your event. There is a $9.50/person charge for guests over 100, and an additional $150/hr for events lasting longer than eight hours. Tax is not included.
Your set up time is included in your 8 hour facility rental. One of our staff members will be present for your entire event to answer vendor questions and ensure your timeline for the event is executed.
The facility fee includes an event plan/timeline consultation prior to your wedding to assure a well-planned and coordinated event and set up of the facility. The fee also includes staffing for the set up and clean up of our equipment and the facility.
The facility fee includes the caterer’s use of our professional kitchen with a commercial six-burner stove, double refrigerator, dishwasher, large freezer, and 25 ft of prep counter space. The facility fee does not include the serving or clearing of any food or beverage. This may be arranged with the Ridgewood staff for an additional fee. It is the caterer’s and bartender’s responsibility to serve and clear. Our staff washes all the dishes as they are cleared to the kitchen, and will put away all Ridgewood equipment and dishes. Our professional kitchen allows the caterers to easily serve foods at correct temperatures and focus on the great food and service they are providing.
The Ridgewood Event Center can seat 100 people inside and 20 people on the porch. For larger events or events that need more elaborate set up and space, the Ridgewood has a stunning white 40ft x 60ft high peak tent with sides. There is also a choice in lighting: globe lighting around the perimeter, or Tuscany lighting draped throughout the center of the tent. This is not included in the base facility fee for 100, but can be rented for a very reasonable fee.
For events with more than 100 guests, there is an additional $8.50/person charge, and for events lasting more than eight hours, an additional $150/hr can be added.
When is your wedding season?
Our regular wedding season runs from May through October. We are also happy to arrange smaller weddings at our Blue Lake Ranch house throughout the year. For an earlier or later event, please inquire.
How do we reserve our date?
After you have toured the REC and chosen your date, we will need a signed contract and a $500 reservation deposit to secure the date. The reservation deposit will be applied to your final bill, which will include tax and any miscellaneous charges. The balance of the reservation deposit is then refunded to you one week after your event.
When is the facility fee due?
The facility fee (or first payment) is due nine months prior to your wedding date or 10 days after booking your event if that date is within the nine-month period. It is possible to arrange a payment plan. The entire facility fee is due two months prior to your event.
What happens if we need to change our date?
If we receive notice nine months prior to your wedding, your deposit will transfer to your new date. If we receive notice less than nine months prior to your wedding, we will be happy to move your wedding event to a new date, however the amount that can be credited toward your new date depends on our success in rebooking your original date.
What happens if we need to cancel?
If you cancel more than nine months prior to your original event date, your reservation deposit is refundable, less a $250 cancellation fee. Any facility fee that has been paid will be refunded in full. If you cancel less than nine months prior or after your event has been rescheduled, you are responsible for any damages suffered by the Ridgewood Event Center by the cancellation. Unless we are able to rent the Ridgewood Event Center for a similar event, these damages usually amount to the facility fee minus $500.
What is the maximum guest capacity of the Ridgewood Event Center?
The Ridgewood Event Center accommodates up to 100 guests inside, 20 guests on the patio, and our tent can comfortably seat 200. We have chosen to do weddings and events for up to 200 guests.
Do we need a wedding planner?
This is a personal choice. Many brides who are working or studying right up until their wedding feel they need this assistance. Brides planning destination weddings often need a planner. Many brides, however, want to plan every detail of their weddings and really enjoy the process. Our staff is also available for $50/hr to lend our expertise—we have assisted with over 750 successful weddings.
Included in our facility fee is one meeting with you or your wedding planner to discuss your event plan and timeline. This meeting is usually one to two weeks prior to your wedding. This is a time-tested guide for your wedding day and will cover the arrival of vendors, when and where they set up, how all of our equipment will be set up, and how your event will proceed. We pride ourselves on helping you avoid many common pitfalls associated with large events.
We will set up our equipment on your event day and be there two hours in advance to greet and assist your vendors. Our staff will be there during the event. If you think you may need our professional assistance in your planning, just ask.
Can we get married by the La Plata River?
Absolutely! We now have a Riverside Ceremony site. Our hand hewn log benches can seat around 100 people with plenty of room for additional chairs or standing room. There are beautiful groomed paths for your guests to enjoy along the river by the ceremony site. Because the La Plata River is also used for irrigation, the flow during the summer and fall can vary significantly. You don’t need to commit to the Riverside Ceremony site until the day before, just let us know your preference for location.
Does the Ridgewood Event Center provide food or alcohol?
For large weddings, we ask that you work with an outside caterer. For some small weddings and other events such as rehearsal dinners Blue Lake Ranch may be able to cater. When you rent the Ridgewood Event Center, your event is your private party, allowing you tremendous flexibility in food and beverage choices. You will be able to purchase and serve your own beverages, which has saved some renters thousands of dollars. You can also get very creative on your food choices and costs. Families also have the option of preparing food themselves and hiring servers, another way to have the foods you want at an affordable price.
What vendors do you recommend?
We have a preferred vendors list made up of regional vendors most of whom have done many events at the Ridgewood. We have worked with many others who have also done a superb job, so the list is not comprehensive. Once you’ve booked we’ll get the list to you and our staff can also make specific recommendations to meet particular requests.
Do we need a tent?
We recommend the use of a tent for weddings larger than 100 to 120 people. Many smaller weddings also choose to use a tent to allow for more set-up options. For instance, you may choose to seat everyone in the tent for dinner and use the entire event center for your dancing and party activities.
Is there a discount rate on rooms at Blue Lake Ranch if we have our wedding at Ridgewood Event Center?
Yes, if your wedding date is before Memorial Day weekend or after October 1 we will work on a discounted lodging package for you depending on the number of nights and the number of rooms that you will be booking. Even though we cannot offer a lodging discount during the summer months, please note that we have a reduction in our accommodation rates right after Labor Day. Also, if you book all the lodging, we can discuss rehearsal dinners, brunches, and other events at Blue Lake Ranch or at Ridgewood.
Do we have to book rooms at Blue Lake Ranch?
No, it is not required and some of our local brides don’t need lodging. Many brides and grooms will rent at least one room for two days and use the accommodation to get ready in and also spend the wedding night or two there. Unlike most small properties, Blue Lake Ranch has several accommodations that sleep 6 to 12 guests. These were designed with families in mind and have living rooms, fireplaces, gracious patios and decks, small kitchens and provide a great place for people to enjoy, not just sleep. A grand European buffet breakfast is included. So if you have out-of-town guests who would enjoy being just one mile from the Event Center at beautiful Blue Lake Ranch, please have them call Blue Lake Ranch to discuss: (970) 385 4537.
Is it possible to book all the rooms at Blue Lake Ranch?
Yes, The Ridgewood Event Center is an ideal location for destination weddings and out-of-town parties because of our great lodging. Blue Lake Ranch can accommodate 40-65 guests. When you have exclusive use of Blue Lake Ranch, we can provide other amenities such as bridal luncheons, rehearsal dinners, and picnic lunches, or help arrange tours, such as rafting, horseback riding, and 4×4 excursions. If you are interested in exclusive use of Blue Lake Ranch, it is best to book as soon as possible. Exclusive use before Memorial Day and for the month of October requires only a two-night rental. Exclusive use from Memorial Day to October 1 requires a three-night stay. There are special guidelines for booking groups or reserving all lodging on an exclusive basis, please call us at (970) 385-4537 for more details. At Ridgewood we think most weddings are actually two family reunions in addition to a wedding and there is not a better site for getting families together than the Ranch with its beautiful private setting and gracious and spacious accommodations.
Can we have our wedding at Blue Lake Ranch?
Absolutely! Blue Lake Ranch is ideal for small wedding parties of 2–50 people. Lodging is required. Please contact Blue Lake Ranch for details: (970) 385 4537.