4 Eagle Ranch

The Welcome Party

Western Bash at 4 Eagle Ranch

Splitwater Ranch

Grace and Alex's Wedding Day Celebration

Splitwater Ranch at The Big Tree

Arrival and Pre Ceremony Drinks by the River

Under The Big Cottonwood Tree alongside the Eagle River

Ceremony

Blue River Bar, The Mane Bar, and the Splitwater Ranch Indoor Arena

Reception

The Merriman Residence

Good-bye Breakfast & Coffee with Bride & Groom

Welcome to Our Wedding Weekend Website!

Dear Family and Friends, Colorado holds a very special place in our hearts. From Grace’s early years of skiing, hiking and fishing to the many trips and adventures here with Alex, the Rocky Mountains have been a backdrop for countless formative and special memories. Therefore, it fills us with great excitement to host our wedding ceremony at the heart of this serene and symbolic setting: underneath "The Big Tree" alongside the Eagle River on Grace’s family horse ranch. While the Ceremony (Aug 3) and Welcome Party (Aug 2) are very important to us, we also want to ensure that our guests enjoy a full weekend with ample opportunities to explore the magestic Vail Valley. In addition to all the natural beauty and sights, there are numerous restaurants, bars, shops, and countless outdoor activities in Eagle, Edwards, Beaver Creek, and Vail, so we have provided some information about the many things to do while you are here throughout our website. This includes information to find all the details you might need about where you’re going, how to get there, and what’s on the itinerary. We hope you find the mountains here as awe-inspiring as we do, and we look forward to you joining us for a celebration together with a fun ranch weekend! Thank you for your love and support, Grace + Alex

Our Wedding

We look forward to sharing more when we return from our trip to Japan.

Covid romance story coming soon!

Our Story

Photos

Whitney Merriman

Grace's Williams College alpine ski teammate

Isabel Torres

Hannah Hunsaker

Nicole Kirkpatrick

Neha Khalid

Kyle Tan-Kyi

Javier Ysart Egusquiza

Louis Bellman

Mark Giangiordano

Anna Sterling

Wedding Party

Hello Dear Friends and Family, Welcome to a wonderful weekend celebrating Grace and Alex and launching them into a wonderful life filled with love together. If you have questions and you need answers, may I please suggest that you reach out to me, Angie Merriman (MOB), for most things wedding and Vail Valley. I am the one in town and organizing most aspects of the weekend. With over 60 horses, lots of new construction, and horse show season - it might take me a long minute to respond but I promise I will. Please text me or email me your questions or if you need me to call you back, I for sure will as soon as I can. We are so excited to host you at the ranch - please know that we are under construction in some areas, and the property is older and beautifully imperfect, so don't mind our messes when you do get here. It's going to be fun and free flowing - just like Grace and Alex - so please embrace everything Vintage and all things ranch! My email is angellamerriman@gmail.com and my phone is 415-990-7704. Please know that the Merrimans and the Fortmanns realize what a trek it is for a destination wedding and while we are so excited to have those who can come, we do understand, love and appreciate those who are unable or have other obligations. So see you soon under The Big Tree. Love to Everyone!Angie and Dwight PREPARING FOR THE TRIP&nbsp;Vail’s slogan is “VAIL - Like Nothing on Earth”, and believe us, we think that’s true. We want you to enjoy every second of your stay. Here are some recommendations when preparing for your trip.&nbsp; High Altitude - HYDRATE BEFORE YOU COME!Vail and many locations within the Vail Valley are more than 8,000 feet above sea level and guests may struggle with altitude sickness. The ranches are both at around 6,000 feet. Altitude sickness can hit anyone regardless of physical condition or age. The most common symptoms include: headache, dizziness and nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, disturbed sleep. Staying HYDRATED is essential! We also recommend enjoy some healthy sugars and carbohydrates during the first day or two of your stay. We promise this will help as well. If you can, consider arriving early to give yourself a little time to adjust. Most usually feel back to normal after 24 hours have passed. The wedding location are at about 6000 feet. &nbsp;Also, please note that alcohol is way more potent at high altitudes. Don’t find out the hard way! When drinking, we recommend you alternate between a drink and a glass of water. One drink here equals two drinks at lower altitude.&nbsp; WeatherBefore your trip, we recommend checking the weather forecast for Gypsum, Colorado (zip code 81637) at <a href="http://www.weather.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.weather.com</a>. Colorado has more than 300 days of sunshine each year, so we are hopeful for a beautiful, sunny wedding weekend, but the weather is often unpredictable and can quickly change in the mountains. The temperature during the day may reach up to 80 degrees or even warmer, but nights on the mountain can get quite chilly (40-50 degrees).&nbsp;At high altitude, exposure to the sun is 40% greater than it is at sea level. Sunscreen (at least SPF 30) is recommended for all exposed skin, particularly the face, lips and neck. Be certain to protect your eyes with sunglasses. You will find the Vail Valley to be an arid climate, so hand lotion and lip balm are essential. We will have some backup sprays and lotions on on hand in case you forget.

PACK YOUR BAGS&nbsp;It is very important that you pack your suitcase with the appropriate apparel.&nbsp;Remember, you can always take off layers, so it’s better to “over pack.” &nbsp;Suitcase Must-Haves If You Are Doing More Than Wedding Events: SocksBathing suitShoes that are practicalShorts and t-shirtsComfortable pantsSunscreen (at least SPF 30)SunglassesHand lotion - its dry hereLip balm with SPFA hat to screen the sun&nbsp;We want you to have fun during your time in Colorado, and there are a variety of optional activities you can do on your vacation. Below are suggested apparel items for those of you who will be participating in outdoor activities.&nbsp;Pieces to layer from light to heavy:&nbsp;tank tops, t-shirts (short-sleeved and long)Comfortable shoesJeansRain and/or Warm jacketHat for sunSunglassesWater!Remember, cotton stays wet when it gets wet. Therefore, it is not recommended you wear cotton for outdoor activities with water.&nbsp; Cycling Fly Fishing GolfingPublic course in Vail and Eagle. Who do you know around here or reciprocal clubs?- Country Club of the Rockies- Eagle Springs- Cordillera- Eagle Vail Golf Club Appropriate shirt and shorts/pantsGolf shoesWaterproof, breathable jacket and pantsSynthetic or wool liner socksSunglassesSunscreen and Water! Hiking Backpack with snacks and plenty of water!Medium weight synthetic jacket or pulloverWaterproof, breathable jacket and pantsSynthetic or wool liner socksHatSunglassesSunscreenVessel for water:&nbsp;large water bottle or hydration systemHiking boots or appropriate shoes&nbsp; RaftingWetsuit, helmet, paddles, life jacket and splash jacket are providedWarm socks (wool works well)Shoes that stay securely on your feet and that you don’t mind getting wet. Sport sandals (that strap on), tennis shoes or water shoes all work well.&nbsp;FLIP FLOPS NOT RECOMMENDED.Swimsuit to wear under wetsuit or to wear with personal nylon short or pant.Sunglasses and strap to secure themSunscreenExtra layers such as lightweight polypropylene or quick dry clothing.Change of clothes and waterWe recommend you NOT where cotton on the river as it stays WET and will make you cold.&nbsp; Horseback RidingLong pants, like jeansSunscreenHatAppropriate shoes (no flip flops)&nbsp;like tennis shoes or hiking shoesCowboy boots are bestA long sleeve shirtLayers

Q + A

Transport | Air & Ground Transportation

Vail is located approximately 100 miles west from Denver and about 2 hours from DIA. All major airlines service the DIA daily, including:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;United Airlines <a href="http://www.united.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.united.com</a>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;American Airlines <a href="http://www.aa.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.aa.com</a>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Delta Airlines <a href="http://www.delta.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.delta.com</a>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Southwest Airlines <a href="http://www.southwest.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.southwest.com</a>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Frontier Airlines <a href="http://www.frontierairlines.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.frontierairlines.com</a> Driving Directions from DIA to Vail·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exit the airport on Pena Blvd.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Merge onto I-70 West via the exit on the left.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Continue on I-70 West until you reach Exit 176 – Vail. You have arrived! Between 2 hours to drive.

Denver International Airport

You can fly into Denver International Airport (DIA) or Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), and we’ve included information about both below. If you’re planning on renting a car, we recommend flying into DIA because the drive to Vail is absolutely gorgeous. If you’re not renting a car, you can still fly into Denver and catch a ride with Epic Mountain Express or another ground transportation provider (see Ground Transportation To/From Airport).

Conveniently located 35 miles west of Vail, two major carriers provide service to this airport on a seasonal basis:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;United Airlines <a href="http://www.united.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.united.com</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;American Airlines <a href="http://www.aa.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.aa.com</a>&nbsp; Driving Directions from EGE to Vail·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exit the airport, taking a left on Cooley Mesa Road.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Turn right onto Highway 6 eastbound, and follow it about five miles straight through one roundabout.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the second roundabout, take your third right (heading north).·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Take I-70 East for approximately 30 miles, until you reach Exit 176.&nbsp;You are in Vail! This is the closest airport to Vail.

Eagle County Regional Airport

Epic Mountain Express (EME) provides transportation directly to your hotel in Vail from the Denver International Airport. EME is a very professional and reliable shuttle service and a great option for those who do not need a car while visiting Colorado. For shuttle reservations and information, use the link <a href="http://www.epicmountainexpress.com/group_redirect?code=GEMINI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.epicmountainexpress.com/group_redirect?code=GEMINI</a> to get 15% off transportation.&nbsp;You may also call 970.754.7433. Other local options once in Vail include:&nbsp;High Mountain Taxi And Ride TaxiProvides service between EGE and Vail. We do not recommend trying to take a taxi from DIA! This is best within the Vail Valley/Eagle County.High Mountain Taxi - 800.524.5555Ride Taxi -&nbsp;970.949.1111&nbsp;Car RentalsAll major car rental companies are represented at DIA. Many car rental companies are represented at EGE as well.&nbsp;Uber is not a common option yet in Vail but they do exist inconsistently. Private cars or rental cars are the most prevalent options.

Ground Transportation To/From DIA and Eagle County Airports

Hotels & Lodging - Closest to Furthest in Order

With over 600 hotels in the Vail Valley and just as many VRBOs, it's hard to say which one to pick. We suggest that you go based off price, proximity to the events, and desired amenities. We hope that you will discover the perfect accommodation for our wedding weekend in the Vail Valley with our diverse array of hotel options. This is just a broad list of ranges from charming entry-tier accommodations offering cozy comfort and stunning mountain views to sophisticated mid-tier hotels boasting modern amenities and convenient proximity to our mountain Villages, to luxurious high-end resorts providing unparalleled elegance and impeccable service, there's a perfect fit for every guest. Explore the range and make your stay in the Vail Valley an unforgettable experience. NOTE FROM THE MERRIMANS: Dear Guests: Below we have listed a few hotel options starting with those closest to the wedding location in Eagle, Colorado. While there are no luxury accommodations "down valley" in Gypsum or Eagle it is only a 7-10 minute drive from hotel door to ranch and the price points will be the most reasonable. While they are not fancy they are convenient. There are plenty of good casual eateries in this small ranch communities of Eagle and Gypsum, such as Moe's BBQ, Wild Sage, El Segundo or Red Canyon Cafe. Moving on to the town of Edwards, home to the Merriman Family for the past 15 years, is the Riverwalk Inn and shopping area. Convenient, quaint and reasonable with very accessible walking to quick shopping and eating. This is a 25 minute door to door location to the ranch. Good spots are The Rose Cafe, Ed'z, Hovey &amp; Harrison, and Juniper. The best market in the valley is here called Village Market and an easy Starbucks. Moving on up valley to Avon and Beavercreek are many luxury hotels and lots of great dining. These locations have much to do in terms of shopping, dining, and exploring and most properties will be in the mid to high-end price point. This area is about a 35 minute door-to-door car ride. We would recommend the Westin in Avon or the Hyatt in Beaver Creek for its convenience to I-70 both east to Vail or west to the wedding festivities. And lastly, we have the incredible resort town of Vail, filled with many beautiful shops, fine dining, spas, fun outings, hiking, mountain biking, and literally hundreds of hotels. Most things here are in the higher luxury price points. Even if you don't stay here it is completely worth spending part of a day walking, hiking and looking around. Take a gondola ride to the top to see the incredible views. Too many options but to call just a few out try Matsuhisa, Mountain Standard, Almresi, and Swiss Chalet. The Red Lion, Bridgestreet Bar or Chasing Rabbits for late night fun and drinks. Please note that no rooms are being held at any hotels due to how many options there are in the Valley, and it does appear that most Vail Hotels will likely sell out over the weekend of our wedding, as summer is actually more popular than winter.&nbsp;Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you book early, we recommend by no later than June 10th if you know you are attending the wedding. We suggest if your going to rent a car or you are thinking about it, at least put it on hold so that you have secured transportation. If exploring other hotels or AirBnB, we recommend booking within Eagle, Edwards, Avon/Beaver Creek, or Vail so you can easily get to and from the wedding. All driving takes a bit longer than you would guess. Please feel free to text Angie Merriman (MOB) at 415-990-7704 if any additional information is needed - she will get back to you as soon as she can.

Best Western is location within the town of Eagle (5 miles from Wedding venue) and is in the entry-price category. The closest and reasonable.

Best Western Plus Eagle/Vail Valley

The Inn at Riverwalk is located within the town of Edwards (14 miles West of Vail and 20 miles East of Wedding venue) and is in the entry-price category.

The Inn At Riverwalk

Westin Riverfront is located within the town of Avon (10 miles West of Vail and 25 miles East of Wedding venue) and is in the mid-price category. This is a Marriott Bonvoy property.

The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon, Vail Valley

The Hyatt is located within the town of Beaver Creek (12 miles West of Vail and 27 miles East of Wedding venue) and is in the high price category. It is convenient walking to many shops and restaurants.

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort And Spa

Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch is located just outside of Beaver Creek (about 10 miles West of Vail and 25 miles East of Wedding venue) and is in the premier-price category.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

Evergreen Lodge is located within a very short walk to Vail Village and is in the entry-price category.

Evergreen Lodge at Vail

Gravity Haus is located within the Vail Village and is in the entry-price category.

Gravity Haus Vail

The Sebastian Vail is located within Vail Village and is in the mid-price category.

The Sebastian - Vail

Four Seasons Vail is located within Vail Village and is in the premier-price category.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail

Hotels & Travel

HIKING

MOUNTAIN BIKING

ROAD BIKING

Colorado Anglers

Sage Outdoor Adventures - Rafting, ATV & Snowmobile Tours

GOLF

Minturn Anglers

Vail Valley Anglers

Things to Do

Registry

Wedding Map

Welcome Party Directions

August 2nd, 2024

The Welcome Party is located at 4 Eagle Ranch in Wolcott, Colorado. Directions to 4 Eagle Ranch: <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/q9ZjcdE5eKrirPXX6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open in Google Maps</a> <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?address=4098%20SH-131,%20Wolcott,%20CO%20%2081632,%20United%20States&amp;auid=10662098610671598864&amp;ll=39.749628,-106.671404&amp;lsp=9902&amp;q=4%20Eagle%20Ranch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open in Apple Maps</a> Drive times from:Avon - 16 minBeavercreek - 20Eagle - 17 minEdwards - 15 minGypsum - 23 minVail - 24 min

Wedding Ceremony Directions

August 3rd, 2024

The Wedding Ceremony is located at Splitwater Ranch, which is Grace's Family's ranch in Gypsum, Colorado. Although reachable easily by road, there is no listed address that is correct for both Google Maps and Apple maps. Instead, please use one of the below links or copy/paste the coordinates into your map app of choice: 39.65 N, 106.9 W Directions to Splitwater Ranch: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=39.65,-106.9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open in Google Maps</a> <a href="https://maps.apple.com/?ll=39.650000,-106.900000&amp;q=14235%20Highway" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open in Apple Maps</a> Drive times from:Avon - 33 min&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Beavercreek – 38 min&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eagle - 14 min&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Edwards - 31 minGypsum - 14 minVail - 42 min Directions to Splitwater Ranch&nbsp;From I-70 W:Take exit 147 toward Eagle County/Regional AirportAt the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto Eby Creek RoadAt the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on Eby Creek RoadAt the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on Eby Creek RoadAt the traffic circle, take the 1st exit (turn right) onto Hwy US-6 WestFollow US-6 W approximately 5 miles to Eagle Ranch Road in GypsumTurn right onto Eagle Ranch Road (dirt road)located on the North side of&nbsp;&nbsp;US-6 between Caterpillar Rental and Napa Auto Parts.Go through metal horse gates (code: #0100), over the Eagle River bridge and make an immediate left onto West River Valley Road.Go until you dead-end at Splitwater Ranch located in the big red barns.The path to the celebration should be marked with signs and decorations.&nbsp;

Grace & Alex