Frequently Asked Questions

We're thrilled that you're considering The Little Nell for your destination wedding, and understand that you may have questions first. Please find our most frequently asked questions below and don't hesitate to contact us with any additional questions at events@thelittlenell.com. Once you're ready to start planning your dream Aspen wedding, submit a Request for Proposal and one of our event managers will be in touch with you.

What is included in the Site Fee?
The site fee includes so much, it is not just an ancillary fee! The site fee inclusions may vary slightly depending on the venue, however you can expect that the ceremony site fee includes: use of natural wooden folding chairs, a choice of acrylic or rustic “reserved” signs for family seating, chairs and an umbrella for ceremony musicians, fleece blankets for chilly evenings, access to a bridal dressing room on top of the mountain, bar space for the groom and groomsmen to gather on top of the mountain, a water station in the Gondola Building for guest upload, and a water station upon entrance to the Wedding Deck. The site fee for the reception will typically cover your five-star service needed to execute a flawless event such as service staff, bartenders, gondola attendants, restroom attendants, chef attendants, the dance floor (either wooden or white), staging for the band (in the Sundeck), one remote bar setup, existing tables and chairs, choice of custom floor-length white or ivory linen and napkins, white china, glassware, silverware, votive candles for dining tables, the cake cutting service and personalized printed menus.

Does the Gondola Fee apply to each hour of my event?
Yes. The gondola will run from the moment a guest (or vendor) uploads to when the last vendor downloads. The gondola fees do include staffing our on-mountain patrol and medical assistance for “just in case” moments and peace of mind.

Is a Wedding Coordinator Required?
Yes. Whether you opt for a full-service planner, month-of, or day-of coordinator - that is entirely up to you! The Little Nell will need to approve your selected planner to ensure they are a professional licensed third party planner with prior experience. Trust us when we say, they are worth their weight in gold! We are delighted to make personalized recommendations for you.

Can I select my own vendors?
Absolutely! You are welcome to bring in any vendor of your choosing, and if you don’t know where to start we are more than happy to make custom recommendations based on the scope of your event.

Is there an alternative mode of transportation up Aspen Mountain besides the Gondola?
Not exactly… The gondola ride is a quick and smooth 17-minute ride to the top, while the unpaved Aspen Mountain road is quite bumpy with many twists and tight turns. For these reasons, only vendors and mountain operations have access to this road.

Does the Food & Beverage Minimum include Service Charge, Taxes and Site Fee?
No. The food and beverage minimum that is cited is before tax and service charges and separate from the site fee and associated gondola fees.

Can we bring in an outside caterer?
There is no outside food allowed to be brought on our premises, but trust us when we tell you, we have an award-winning culinary program! The majority of our produce is grown right here in the Roaring Fork Valley and our seasonally-inspired menus are designed to reflect that. We partner with local farms and ranches, such as Emma Farms in nearby Hotchkiss, Colorado, who exclusively supplies The Nell with their award-winning Wagyu beef. Other purveyors provide pork, chicken, lamb, cheeses and eggs. For any guests that have specific culinary needs, such as kosher meals or Indian specific menu requests, we have invited guest chefs to the hotel to partner with The Little Nell culinary team to assist with executing your culinary vision.

Can we bring in our own alcohol?
Regrettably not. Due to Colorado State Liquor Laws, the hotel must purchase, provide and serve all liquor, wine and beer on our facilities. But don’t let that get you down! Did you have your heart set on serving a vintage Opus One? The Little Nell has a remarkable and prestigious wine program that allows us to source extremely rare and unique wines. That is, if we aren’t already aging the specific wine you’re looking for in our cellar that houses over 20,000 bottles.

Is there a noise ordinance I need to be aware of for outdoor events at the base of Aspen Mountain?
At the base of the mountain, the Aspen City noise ordinance is 11:00 pm.

What time can my event go until at the top of Aspen Mountain?
Events must conclude by 1:00 am.

How far of a walk is it from the Gondola to the Wedding Deck?
This walk is close to 200 feet. The path is paved the entirety of the way.

Can we have a ceremony on Aspen Mountain without a reception?
Unfortunately we do not offer ceremonies without the commitment of a reception.

Can I do an outdoor ceremony in the winter?
We would if we could all winter long, but there simply are not enough hours in the day to do this before the clock changes in the spring. Early in the winter (December – February), we can provide indoor ceremonies. From mid-March to mid-April, the sun stays high enough, long enough to have your gorgeous winter ceremony outdoors on our Outlook Ceremony Venue. For the summer and fall seasons, the Wedding Deck is available Memorial Day Weekend through the first week of October.

Will The Little Nell cater to my home or a different venue that allows?
Absolutely! It would be our utmost pleasure to bring The Little Nell’s five-star culinary program to the comforts of your home or any venue of your liking within the Roaring Fork Valley.

Can my dog come to the top of the mountain?
We thought you’d never ask! We love our V-I-Pups and would love to see your fur baby at the top of the mountain for your special day.