O'Connor Pavilion

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Our Wedding

It's a textbook romance story

Tess and Zach met on Hinge like any good millennial couple. Unknown to Zach at the time, Tess was moving to Washington DC at the end of the summer and wasn't planning on a long-term love. Well, one thing led to another and 3 months later they were crying in a car driving home from the Maroon Bells, which was supposed to be their last weekend together, and decided to give the long distance relationship thing a go. The next 3 years was a series of FaceTime dates, $50 Southwest flights between the two cities (it was nice while it lasted), and a growing bond that thousands of miles couldn't break no matter how hard they tried. Covid restrictions, cancelled flights, and different times zones be damned, if that can't keep these two apart then nothing can.

Tess and Zach

Photos

Q + A

Howdy friends, hopefully this answers all of your questions, but if not, message one of us and we'd be happy to help!

Welcome to Colorado

Some of y'all are comin' a real long ways, and we appreciate that! We recommend landing in DIA and renting a car. As much as we stan public transportation, it leaves a lot to be desired out here. It'll be about a 1.5-2 hour drive to Estes Park depending on traffic. It's a pretty drive though! Put on some John Denver and have yourself a main character moment. Just don't end up like him please.

Lodging

Fall River, the road leading up to the venue, is littered with vacation rentals, cabins, hotels/motels, chalets, etc. There are way more offerings than this, but these are the ones closest to the venue. Due to the venue being slightly remote, we highly recommend prioritizing these if you can.

Rocky Mountain Resorts

RMR owns the three properties below, and our guests can get a 5% discount at any of them. Use code 2026 Cameron Hudson Wedding. You have to call Jamie at 970-443-2544 to get that. She's very nice.

This is where Tess and Zach are staying and out of all the places on this list it is the closest to the venue. If you like what you see, please book here! We'd love to be neighbors for the weekend. There is a 3 night minimum but some guests have gotten that waived. It’s worth asking Jamie.

Fawn Valley Inn

This one is a little further from the venue, but still very close

Sunnyside Knoll

This one is a little further from the venue, but still very close.

Timber Creek Chalets

Other Offerings on Fall River Road

These are also fine looking options, you just don't get a discount. They are listed in order of how close they are to the venue.

Tied for Fawn Valley Inn for closest to the venue award.

McGregor Mountain Lodge

Also tied for closest to the venue award.

Wildwood Inn

The Evergreens On Fall River Cabins

Creekside Suites

Aspen Winds on Fall River

Boulder Brook on Fall River

Amberwood Estes Park Cabins

Pine Haven Cabins

There are like a dozen more, there's a lot, you get the picture

Other Offerings

This one is the furthest away from the venue, but if you wanna ball out and stay at a famous haunted hotel, we aren't going to take that from you. Just be prepared to throw down the big bucks.

The Stanley Hotel

Camping!

Aspenglen Campground literally shares a border with the venue. You will need to book this in advance, they do not take walk ups. There's also disperesed camping in the area.

Travel and Lodging

Oh man, are you in for a treat

Colorado is loaded with fun things and beautiful views. Here's a short list of our favorites.OR you can join our itinerary for the weekend. You came all the way here for us, and we truly can't tell you how much that means. Come hang out with us or do your own thing, the world is your Rocky Mountain oyster.

Tess & Zach's Wedding Weekend Itinerary

All are welcome!Check back closer to the date for times and updated plans.

Thursday, July 30th Time TBD- Zach is leading a Hobbit themed group bike ride up Trail Ridge Road. All ability levels and bikes (including e-bikes) welcome, just make sure to bring your climbing legs. You have to dress like a hobbit, that is required. Time TBD - Hang out in town, more details to come. Friday, July 31st Evening - Pizza Hang OutThere will be no rehearsal dinner, so we are just going to hang out our cabin at Fawn Valley Inn and make pizza. Saturday, August 1st This is the big day, obv. If you haven't figured it out by now this wedding is going to be pretty DIY. We'll be at the venue in the morning/afternoon setting up, decorating, probably day drinking, etc. Feel free to come and help out with that if you'd like. It's not expected, but you are more than welcome! Sunday, August 2nd Take in the last of your mountain morning air and come say goodbye, we'd love to see you before you head out!

Our Recommendations in Estes Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

It is one of the most beautful places in the world. Because of this, it's also one of the hardest to get in to. A timed entry system is required unless you want to enter in the early hours of the morning before they open. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Learn more about the timed entry system here</a>. Try to get the one that includes Bear Lake Road if you can. If you do one thing while you are here, this should be it. The ideal day trip is to drive Trail Ridge Road all the way to the top, and a hike of your choice. We're happy to make recommendations once you have secured your permit. Our venue is less than a mile from the Fall River Road entrance. You could also consider booking a horesback riding tour into the park from the stables next to our venue, if you're into that sort of thing.

Hikes Not in Rocky Mountian National Park

If you miss out on a pass or don't feel like waking up at the crack of dawn, we recommend these. There are also way more than this. <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lily-ridge-trail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lily Ridge Trail</a><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lily-mountain-trail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lily Mountain Trail</a><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lake-estes-trail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lake Estes Trail</a><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/panorama-peak-and-the-notch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Panorama Peak</a><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/homestead-meadows-to-irvin-homestead" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Homestead Meadows</a><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/kruger-rock-trail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kruger Rock Trail</a><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/button-rock-preserve-sleepy-lion-trail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Button Rock Dam</a>

Go Wildlife Watching

Elk just kinda wander around the town of Estes Park. It's fun to just walk/drive around and see what you can see. There's also great bird watching in the area. If you're really lucky you may see a moose or black bear.

Visit the Stanley Hotel

This is where they shot The Shining, if ya don't know (I know the whole thing wasn't shot here, don't "well, actually" me.) It's really pretty and fun to just stop in and grab a drink. You can also <a href="https://www.stanleyhotel.com/nighttour.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">book a ghost tour</a> if you're so inclined.

Eat Saltwater Taffy

There's like a dozen saltwater taffy shops in Estes Park for some reason. Huge news for all the saltwater taffy heads on the guest list.

Bop around town

Estes Park is a cute little mountain town once you look past all the cringey copy/paste gift shops. You can walk along the river, sit in the park, and enjoy the local fare. The food scene in Estes leaves a lot to be desired, but there are some hidden gems and cool local bars and breweries worth checking out.

Lake Estes

Like Estes is pretty and accessible. You can hike around it, sit on the beach, or rent a canoe or paddleboard. You'll also probably see some elk.

Fish

This section is specifically for like, three of Zach's relatives. I'm sure you guys are already planning to do this anyway. Just don't forget your fishing license, <a href="https://www.cpwshop.com/purchaseprivilege.page?_PageParam.displayCategoryID=251532604&amp;e4q=f09148d3-bf64-48ba-af78-4a6678f6766e&amp;e4p=07a95c79-9a9a-495a-999a-909341975837&amp;e4ts=1749249320&amp;e4c=aspira&amp;e4e=snasoco01&amp;e4rt=Safetynet&amp;e4h=5b06844702bfb72629b3a36019ade713" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">they are very easy to obtain.</a>

Rent a bike 

You'll never guess who wrote this one. Estes Park holds some of my favorites rides in Colorado. A bonus perk is that bikes do not need a timed entry permit for RMNP, just saying. There are endless roads and single track to be had. Just let me know where you're going cuz I'll probably want to join.

Things to Do within one hour of estes park

Drive the peak to peak highway to nederland

Highly recommend this drive. It's absolutely beautiful and you can combine this with the Lily Pond hike as it is on the way. The town of Nederland is super cool, with lots of nice places to stroll, sit, eat and drink. They even have a brewery called Busey Brews! There are some fantastic little hikes and trails around Nederland as well.

Brainard Lake Recreation Area

You'll also take the Peak to Peak Highway for this, but turn off in the small, quirky town of Ward. Brainard Lake Rec Area also requires a timed entry permit. Thankfully, these are much easier to obtain than RMNP permits. Brainard Lake is gorgeous. It's actually a network of lakes with a lot of hiking trails.

Day trip to boulder

Have you ever wondered what it'd be like to have a trust fund? Having a midlife crisis and thinking about doing a triathalon? Do you love artisinal kombucha and $25 burgers without sides? Boulder, CO might be the place for you. All joking aside, Boulder is famous for a reason and it is fun, pretty, and 50 minutes from Estes Park. It's worth going to if you haven't been. There are dozens of excellent hikes in the area as well.

Go to Buc-ee's

spending any time in denver?

We figure most folks who are traveling for the wedding will just come right to Estes Park, but if you do plan to spend any time in Denver, let us know! We have plenty of recommendations.

Things to Do

Registry

We're taking requests! 

Please add songs to the official wedding playlist. Bangers only. We reserve the right to remove any songs we do not consider to be bangers. <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6KH5wIwiWokUMhoCMck54r?si=rXqc6VipSw2IdpQal4xbvA&amp;pt=90202e16a9ed0d3fabbefaae01dedf03&amp;pi=4VviJr47SquFK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Add 'em here</a> So it turns out Spotify is DUMB and won't issue a live link to the playlist. Text either one of us for the link when you're ready to add songs!