Love Letters
rave reviews from our couples
We are thrilled to share reviews from our couples. A few quotes are below, but please look us up on The Knot, Wedding Wire and Google for many more reviews from happy couples. We were also named Top 20 Wedding Venues in Colorado by Wedding Vibes for 2024.
We are also honored to receive the premier accolades from The Knot as a member of the Hall of Fame as well as Best of Weddings for 2020 - 2024. We have also received Couples' Choice from Wedding Wire for 2020 - 2024 as well as Best of Zola for 2023 (first year) and 2024. We were also recently named Top 5 venues in Steamboat Springs by Wedding Rule as well as winning “Best of the Boat”
We have won more awards than the rest of the venues in Steamboat combined. But, we don’t rest on our laurels! Please schedule a venue visit with us to learn for yourselves!
(By the way — the “love” letters in the photo above are available exclusively to our couples. Contact us for info!)
Photo by Caitlin Steuben Photography
“La Joya Dulce is unlike any other venue in all the best ways and we are forever grateful for everything they did to make our wedding day a true fairytale.
There are no words to express how incredible our experience was having our dream wedding at La Joya Dulce. This was the first venue we ever toured and we immediately fell in love with it and knew this was the place we wanted to get married. Not only were we in love with the scenery and all the incredible property we also loved Kathie and everyone who works there. They truly treated us as family and we are so thankful for everyone at La Joya Dulce.
The planning process was amazing and stress free. Kathie provided incredible recommendations for vendors that met all our hopes and needs. I loved planning our wedding at La Joya.
The best part was our wedding weekend, this truly was a dream come true. The entire staff was so kind and helpful setting up and made everything run so smoothly, including the rehearsal dinner. The day of the wedding was a dream come true. We got ready in the most beautiful space and had a blast. When it was time to make our way down to the altar the staff was so supportive and kind, all while making us feel like their own family. Our guests could not stop raving about La Joya. We enjoyed a gorgeous ceremony outside, with cocktail hour up at the barn and a reception at the pavilion. It was absolutely perfect! Everyone would tell us as we were planning that something will not go as planned, but at La Joya that is not the case. Every detail was immaculate and we had the time of our life. We never wanted the night to end and neither did the guests. We truly believe this is the most spectacular venue in all of Colorado and our guests agree.”
– Katie & Cody
“Everyone was so attentive to us and our guests and it made the day even better than we imagined!
We had our wedding here in August and it was absolutely perfect! We used the barn for our dinner reception and had dancing outside next to the barn. The guests had a blast taking in the scenery and views around the ranch. We also had so many guests comment on how accommodating, helpful and efficient all of the staff at La Joya Dulce were. Everyone was so attentive to us and our guests and it made the day even better than we imagined! People also loved the touches around the ranch that made it the perfect mountain/outdoor wedding experience (the s'mores cart, the horses, etc).
We used Mandy, the in-house planner, to assist with the planning process. She was a joy to work with and it really helped to have someone on the ground there in Steamboat, as we live in Denver. She helped with selecting and hiring vendors and made the whole process a breeze. The day of, she made sure we had plenty of time to enjoy our day and that the day ran smoothly. Again, multiple guests and people in the wedding party had amazing things to say about her and just how easy she made the day. We could not be more thankful for all her help!
If you are looking for a perfect mountain wedding experience, look no further. We would do it here all over again!”
– Danica & John
Photo by Epic Photos & Video
Photo by Caitlin Steuben Photography
“I could go on and on in describing the level of guidance and assistance Kathie provided in helping me plan and pull off the wedding of my dreams.
The moment Kathie answered the phone, I immediately knew that my luck had changed. She was a breath of fresh air. Her energy and enthusiasm had me finally feeling like I should have been feeling all along in planning my wedding day-EXCITED!
Our small ceremony was emotional and included the children. We felt comfortable to be ourselves and truly enjoy the day. My family couldn’t stop commenting on the beauty of the place, and the welcome we Southerners had felt from Kathie. Kathie wore many hats that day: cake decorator, impromptu ceremony planner/director, veil adjuster, champagne and hot chocolate pourer-anything in the world that we needed-she anticipated and made it happen seamlessly.”
“It could not have been a more perfect setting for our wedding …”
We booked La Joya Dulce without visiting it first and it paid off as it could not have been a more perfect setting for our wedding. My husband and I got married there a few months ago and we are still hearing from guests how much fun they had and how beautiful the view was. Kathie, Loretta and the rest of the team were all incredible from their attention to detail, knowledge and professionalism. They provided us with many different options to customize the venue/schedule/atmosphere to fit our style and incorporated our own personal touches as well. We are beyond grateful to be one of the few lucky couples to get married there!
– Kaleigh & Joe
Photo by Skyewater Photo & Film
Photo by Caitlin Steuben Photography
“Choosing La Joya Dulce as our wedding venue was the best decision we could have made!
From the start of our wedding planning to the departure of our final guest, the La Joya staff meticulously crafted every detail, making our celebration an extraordinary experience.
The conclusion of our ceremony, perfectly timed to embrace the sunset, which gifted us with one-of-a-kind wedding photos against breathtaking views. The beauty of the entire venue left our guests in awe, and the conversations about it are still ongoing!
The barn, a harmonious blend of rustic charm and luxury, served as the perfect setting for our reception. Guests reveled in the enchanting ambiance, enjoying s'mores under the star as others danced.
The La Joya staff, attentive and knowledgeable, ensured that every moment unfolded seamlessly. Their recommendations for wedding vendors were spot-on, each contributing to making our day special and uniquely ours.”
– Allison & Garrett
“Huge thank you to Kathie and the LJD crew for making it the most magical day of our lives! We were extremely impressed by the extra care and attention they put into making our day everything we wanted and more.
Kathie is an absolute wedding professional. She guided us through the process step-by-step and made sure we had everything lined up well before the deadlines. She connected us with our incredible wedding planner, Angie Robinson, who ensured everything flowed seamlessly. We are eternally grateful to this entire team and are still floating on the memories. People are still talking about the perfect views and finishing touches that made this day so special. We would recommend Kathie and the LJD crew to anyone who is dreaming of the perfect mountain getaway for their wedding.”
Photo by Riveted Photography
Photo by Lindy Hickman Photography
“We loved our experience working with Mandy, Kathie, and the La Joya Dulce team. They make you feel like part of the family with the time and care they commit to making sure your wedding is everything you want and more.
Wedding planning required much more work and energy than we ever anticipated, and we are grateful to have teamed up with LJD to help us pull it off and take some of the weight off our shoulders. I left most decisions on creative details to Mandy, and she did a fantastic job. The views and atmosphere at the ranch are unbeatable. It was truly an incredible and absolutely unforgettable experience, and we couldn't recommend LJD more!”
"It was so magical having all of our friends and family together at such a beautiful venue.
People always warn that something will go wrong at your wedding, but at La Joya Dulce, we never felt that anything had gone amiss. The staff at La Joya Dulce was incredibly attentive and flexible to our needs on the day of the wedding, and made sure all of our guests had a great time too!"
Photo by Caitlin Steuben
Photo by Caitlin Steuben
“LJD seriously has the best ceremony site of any venue I have ever been to.
It’s large with plenty of space to move around on and it has really good flow for the processional. The aisle is wide so it has good space and the site is facing the perfect direction. Plus, the door opening for the bride is a special touch. Nobody else has what you have.
LJD is the only venue I have been to with actual infrastructure and room for people to have space to do things. The HUGE benefits of LJD are space and flow. You just don’t get that at other venues. Tents and outdoor spaces are tight. At LJD, you can be spread out, but it still feels intimate. And your prep areas? Are the BEST I’ve seen. Tons of natural light and space to move around in. No other place in the valley has worked as hard at improvements as LJD has, all while eliminating the cons. I just wanted to pass along why I love LJD so much and why I think it makes it really good for couples and vendors. You could charge twice as much and it would still be a deal!”
– Ben Saheb, videographer
“This wedding venue is amazing!
Kathie knows this industry and knew how to make the wedding day perfect! Mandy is a force of nature and made the day flawless. Our guests had a wonderful time, and we absolutely had the best time. All pieces of their property are perfectly thought out and beautiful! If looking at Steamboat for a wedding, this is hands down the best venue out there.”
Photo by Madeline J Studios
Photo by Silk and Sage
“Oh. My. Gosh. Where do I even begin in describing how INCREDIBLE LJD is.
My now husband and I chose LJD during the height of the pandemic in 2020. We chose it without visiting it and while it was a leap of faith, Kathie and Mandy had MULTIPLE zoom meetings with my groom and I answering questions. They went above and beyond before a dollar was spent or a contract was signed to ensure we felt comfortable. We knew without a doubt we were making the best decision out of any venue in Colorado. I hired Mandy Crabb for her full wedding planning service and would recommend her to every bride in the universe. Mandy was my peace through the craziness of planning a wedding and anyone can attest that once you get in her presence you just feel at ease. I was an involved bride with planning and Mandy helped me every step of the way by guiding my timelines and suggestions with her expertise and decor skills. However, on the day of, I just wanted to show up and have everything done. That is exactly what happened. The LJD crew went ABOVE and beyond making sure that every detail went off without a hitch the entire wedding weekend. Every table setting, flower, piece of cake, chair, etc., was arranged perfectly and I couldn't be more grateful. After the wedding, I had a number of guests contact me saying how incredible the staff were at LJD and how it was the most beautiful wedding venue they had ever been to. In short, if you are looking for a venue with breathtaking views, incredible customer service, and staff that are 100% invested in your day, this is the one! I promise if you book this venue it will be one of the best decisions of your entire life.”
– Katie & Gunther
“La Joya Dulce was a stunning wedding venue and we couldn't have asked for a better experience.
The views were amazing, the people were lovely, and our guests had a wonderful time! I loved that we could bring our own caterer & beverage, they had tons of decorations and so much space for everything and anything that you wanted to do. The wedding coordinator, Mandy is amazing, we love her!”
Photo by Photos by Memry
“The venue is unmatched. You guys are wonderful. Most venues honestly don’t care. You always go above and beyond. The couples have access to so much like the games and s’mores and signage and decor and stuff - that’s unmatched and saves them so much $$$s.
The problem with most couples is that they only do one wedding, lol. Which is a good thing in real life, but in the wedding world, there is so much stuff they don’t know about. So much stuff they would change or do differently if they knew, lol. And people undervalue places like yours. And more importantly? They undervalue people like you and your team. OH and the car and the horses and your sunsets and all … they just don’t get it!
I would say your only disadvantage, which is a positive for many, is not being on the Front Range or in Summit County. People, for whatever reason, make a big issue about going into Steamboat. But Steamboat is CLASSIC Colorado. Like before the traffic. It’s classic and rugged and beautiful. And you are already doing a great job of highlighting all there is to do AND how easy it is to get to. The guest experience is the best - and I’ve been all over the world.”
– Callie Riesling, photographer
Photo by Living Roots
“Don’t even hesitate to get married here! The staff is amazing and so helpful.
The views are out of this world. Since all of our guests had to travel for our wedding, we wanted to make sure to make their trip worth it and La Joya Dulce delivered! Everyone was saying (and continues to this day) that it was one of the most beautiful places they’ve ever been.”
Photo by Lizzie and Marco Photography
"La Joya Dulce is one magical place.
From the day we met Kathie, we felt nothing but love and happiness from her and her space. Kathie was so accommodating with our situation and you could tell that she not only cared about us as a couple, our vision as a couple, but also the magnitude of the event. On the day of the event, Kathie and her staff were incredibly supportive, professional, and VERY timely. Our wedding had a stunning backdrop that had our photographers and guests in awe. I am so grateful that we found such an amazing venue for our special day. It was absolutely perfect and I wish we could relive it. Thanks for everything La Joya Dulce and thank you Kathie for being one of a kind."
“La Joya Dulce could not have been more perfect an experience. From the first meeting, we loved the venue and the owners.
The breathtaking scenery and facility aside, the team was so supportive and helpful. They were truly excited to make our dreams reality. We were married on horseback by the owner, Kathie, and her words combined with the support of the staff made it a storybook day. I look at the photos and am amazed at how smooth and flawless the day went.”
Photo by Nate Duncan Photography
"A brief moment in time that became a memory I will cherish forever.
Thanks to COVID-19 our original wedding vision took a right turn, a hard left, then exited altogether. Our 250-person wedding quickly became 50, our indoor venue became outdoor, our dinner buffet became seated plates, our dance floor became a grassy knoll... you get the gist. Regardless of all the mishaps, in this moment, dancing under the starry night on our grassy knoll, I was able to take it all in. Our vendors did it. They pulled off the fairytale of all fairytales. Wherever you looked, bright sunflowers glowed under stringed lights, family and friends filled the dance floor, horses bounded across the sunset landscape, and laughter filled the air. ... This is what true, unadulterated happiness is.
After experiencing the incredible outpour of love in 2020, we had concerns about our 2021 ‘We Do Re-Do’ reception. ...There was no way this year could compare to 2020, right? Wrong. To this day, from the bottom of my heart, I cannot thank our venue and vendors enough for creating not one, but two fairytale weddings. ...I wouldn't trade our wedding experience (COVID-19 and all) for anyone else's. It was a dream I couldn't have even imagined on my own."
Photo by: Elevate Photography
Photo by Ashley Taylor
“La Joya Dulce is indeed the SWEET GEM of Steamboat Colorado.
We truly cannot say enough amazing things about our experience at this venue and with the La Joya Dulce staff. The location, gorgeous property, various venue options, organization, and impeccable service was absolutely above and beyond what we could have envisioned for our wedding day. … The venue offers not only multiple areas to host your events, but includes various and normally very costly event rentals such as tables, chairs, linens, bar tops, games, lots of wedding decor, and a very fancy trailer bathroom. … Kathie and her team did everything possible to make our day special, carefree, and enjoyable for our guests. We received so many compliments on our wedding day, and cannot thank La Joya Dulce enough for everything. … BOOK THIS VENUE NOW, you will get to have a supportive extended family to help plan your wedding from afar, an amazing place to host your guests, and the opportunity to enjoy every second of your special day.”
“I didn’t even want to wait until after our honeymoon to tell all the future Mrs. out there how incredible it was to celebrate our wedding at LJD!
… It’s absolutely stunning, all year round. ... There are so many great, beautiful venues out there, but I honestly don’t know that any of them could top the level of dedication Kathie and Mandy give to their brides. … Mandy exceeds every definition of a “day-of coordinator”- she is professional, reliable, and was an integral part of keeping things moving smoothly when the weather changed its mind the week of our wedding. Beyond that, Mandy brings a calm to the storm that is wedding planning, and is a great voice of reassurance when things get stressful. Kathie and Wayne (the owners of LJD) are the kind of people you who make you feel like family the day you walk in the door, and will go above and beyond in every way to make sure you have the day you have always dreamed about. I can’t say how happy I am to have taken the chance on this “pretty new” venue in Steamboat- our wedding day was just an absolute dream.”
Photo by Seedhouse Photography
Photo by Caitlin Steuben
“A wedding venue that will give you the wedding of your dreams.
We had a winter wedding in a place that had incredible views, unbelievably beautiful sunsets, pure white snow, a horse and sleigh, and an incredible staff. We were welcomed, offered anything we could ask for, and the whole process was easy. The ambiance of LJD felt warm, ranchy, and a place you wished you lived in. The day was truly a dream and they made it that way!”
“Kathie, Mandy, and the entire La Joya Dulce team are absolutely amazing! We were one of the couples impacted by 2020 covid restrictions and Kathie was gracious enough to allow us to come get married, as planned, with our very limited family and do the bigger wedding celebration the next year in summer of 2021.
Both times we were met with amazing professionalism, top-notch planning/time management of the many items that you have to juggle when planning a wedding, a beautiful setup, and just an overall sense of love and excitement from the team. Everyone is super easy to work with, has impeccable taste, and is there to make sure you have a fantastic, fun, memorable day. Hands down, the 2 best days of my life have been at La Joya Dulce!
The ranch is gorgeous and the Share to Love inventory is abundant and in great shape! It saved us hundreds of $$ on would-have been decor expenses. Kathie has made great relationships within the community in Steamboat, and we used several of her recommendations and those teams did not disappoint. We absolutely love this venue and everyone you work with while you are there! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!”
Photo by Rachel Erin Photography
Photo by Kate Ivy
“We were beyond impressed with our wedding at La Joya Dulce and experience working with Kathie and Mandy….
The property is absolutely amazing, beautiful and unique. …The view from the ceremony site is breathtaking, the barn is gorgeous, the bridal suite is amazing and the horses are a huge plus! Our guests loved taking photos and petting them during happy hour and we got the most amazing sunset photos with them as well. Kathie truly goes above and beyond for her guests. They provide an inventory of decorations that can be used, recommendations on vendors as needed, and answered any and all questions that arose during the planning process. … I would highly recommend hiring Mandy, the day of planner who also lives on the ranch. She was an absolute dream to work with. There was never a second that I did not feel comfortable with her running the show for us and I knew that she would make sure that everything was perfect- and it was! She is truly a shining light and amazing human and made me feel so at ease with any stress that I was feeling. Our wedding was our dream wedding and I wouldn't change a thing about that day. We had many guests say that it was "the best wedding they have ever been to". I would have to agree! I would highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for a barn/ranch wedding. Thank you again, Mandy, Kathie and Wayne! You will always hold a special place in our hearts as we remember our wedding day.”
“Even through a pandemic, working with Kathie, Mandy, and the entire team at LJD was such a fantastic experience.
We received a lot of communication from Kathie, especially once COVID-19 hit, and felt at ease throughout the final weeks leading up to our wedding. The entire experience was just a dream and we had such an incredible wedding day at La Joya Dulce! The pavilion was transformed into a bright, airy space for our reception. We had some truly magical photos taken in the fields at the ranch during golden hour. The ceremony space had unbeatable views of the Elk River Valley. All our friends raved about Mandy and how she was on top of everything. And as a bride, I was able to trust the team with any last minute details or problems, so that I could really just enjoy the day. We have a fond spot in our hearts for this place and the people.”
Photo by Hazel & Lace Photography
Photo by Cali Frankovic
“Kathie and her staff are amazing! They helped make our day better than we ever could have asked for. Even though it rained on our special day they had countless back-up plans to make sure our wedding day went without a hitch.
LJD is a top-notch operation. The facilities, vibe, views and different options are amazing. Having access to their extensive inventory of décor in the "share the love program" was very helpful for us to keep our costs down and not end up with a bunch of stuff we would never use again. Their staff was always right there when we needed something and happy to help and keep everything running calmly and smoothly. I can’t say enough good things about this place. If you are looking for a venue in Steamboat. Look no further. LJD is hands down the best!”
“To start? Our first venue fell through and my MOH found this one. It was meant to be.
We had a wedding planned for August, 2020, which had to be moved to 2021. Kathie worked incredibly hard and with another couple in order to accommodate us on the same date, which was important to us. Everyone who attended and traveled a long way to get there absolutely loved the venue and their amazing staff. The venue is picture perfect. The team is truly phenomenal; kind, accommodating, helpful, fun but professional. We could not have asked for a better venue or team for our wedding. I’d recommend them over and over and over again.”
Photo by Ryan Johnson
Photo: Danielle Zimmerer
“We planned our wedding in less than 6 months and the team at La Joya Dulce was incredibly flexible, helpful and instrumental in creating our perfect wedding.
… We were able to work with Mandy and Kathie to make our wedding exactly what we wanted. They were very helpful with coordinating with vendors and making sure every detail was perfect. … We were lucky to have great weather for the ceremony, outdoor cocktail hour and have the dance floor under the stars. It really was a dream! We were even able to include our dog in our ceremony and reception! The venue is so beautiful and it was so much fun to see our guests reaction to the site. One said ‘you guys are getting married in heaven’ and it really was! The day flew by and the timing was flawless thanks to all of the help from La Joya Dulce making sure that we took the time to create flexible timelines and think of each detail in advance. Our wedding day was truly unforgettable and we could not have done it without Mandy, Kathie and Wayne and the beautiful La Joya Dulce.”
“My husband and I love the mountains and knew we wanted to get married in Steamboat Springs, one of our favorite ski towns.
Since our home is in Texas, we booked our wedding and reception venue based on the pictures of the beautiful scenery and the owner, Kathie being very responsive and super friendly! When we finally made it out to the venue, the pictures didn't do it justice! The mountain views and the aspens were breathtaking, and our wedding day was perfect! So many great memories for us to cherish forever, thanks La Joya!”
Photo by Caitlin Steuben
Photo by Nina Larsen
“Kathie, Mandy and everyone at La Joya Dulce gave us the best experience I could imagine.
I always heard from other brides that there will be things that go wrong on your wedding day, but you just have to go with it. On our wedding day, everything was absolutely perfect. … EVERYTHING was how I envisioned it. From where to place things, wording on signs, decor, it was all perfect. It shocked me that they could take my vision and completely transform it into reality. They really were the BEST and I can't recommend them enough! Plus, my husband got to ride into our ceremony on a horse, so he will never forget the experience! After the wedding, we both couldn't stop talking about how great Kathie and Mandy were and how they really made the day perfect. Since our wedding, we have had so many friends come up to us to tell us the wedding was one of the best they've ever been to based on the views, the space, and the flow of the evening. So, in short, if you're on the fence, don't question it- they will make everything you plan come to life! Thank you Kathie and Mandy!!!”
“These people are seriously awesome.
We contacted them about five weeks out and they pulled everything together for us and kept us updated on all guidelines. The venue is amazing and Kathie and Mandy are the most detail oriented people on the planet. We had a beautiful wedding during COVID and I can only imagine what they can do when they aren't restricted.”
Photo by Kate Ivy
Photo by Kristen Hennke
“Our wedding at La Joya Dulce was truly a dream come true.
We got married in the fall of 2019 overlooking the Steamboat valley and all the gorgeous fall aspen trees. La Joya Dulce has an amazing 1939 Jaguar replica that I drove up to our ceremony in. One of my favorite parts about this venue is that you get the ranch for the entire weekend. We were able to set up Friday and make things exactly how we wanted them and then we had an amazing rehearsal lunch overlooking the ranch. The day of the wedding we had so many beautiful options for pictures. The barn was lit up for dinner and made dancing a blast. Above all the owner Kathie and the optional (but in my mind required!) wedding planner Mandy were truly amazing. Not only did they make the day special, they will be friends for life. If you want a venue with a ranch feel and true Colorado beauty I highly recommend La Joya Dulce.”
“La Joya Dulce provided the perfect wedding experience! From our tour to the wedding, we were blessed to work with such amazing people.
… The entire staff was extremely professional! Our guests could not stop complimenting them throughout our wedding. Not only do they make sure the day runs smoothly and on time, but they are so personal and friendly! … The venue is immaculate! The beauty of the location speaks for itself, but the facilities are the same way! The ceremony site was gorgeous and flowed easily into the barn and pavilion. The bathroom trailer was a luxury for guests! … The Share the Love inventory is a major perk. With so much to choose from, the items helped make the decorating easy. … We truly cannot say enough positive things about La Joya Dulce! We absolutely recommend the ranch to anyone!”
Photo by Michael Freas
Photo by Kristen Hennke
“Our wedding was beautiful and perfect. Kathie and Mandy worked to make every last detail perfect for us.
One of the things I wanted most was to use the horses. Kathie made it happen! During our rehearsal, she also had a great last minute idea to open the pavilion doors for my grand entrance down the isle. This past August we asked if we could go back there to celebrate our anniversary by the ceremony site since we live locally. We planned to eat our cake and drink champagne with a picnic blanket setup. Kathie and Wayne went above and beyond to have the horses out, the fire pit going and miss Daisy (the car) out for pictures. It was amazing! Definitely recommend this venue. Our family still has not stopped talking about how fun our wedding was!”
– Kristen & Mark
“My husband and I are SO happy that we chose La Joya Dulce (LJD) as our wedding venue!
The views are undeniably gorgeous and the property offers a variety of breathtaking backdrops for wedding photographs. The bridal suite offered lots of privacy from the rest of the venue and was a dream space to get ready in. We loved being able to use multiple indoor/outdoor spaces at LJD (we had our ceremony outside, dinner inside the barn, and dance party in the pavilion). Uniquely, LJD has an inventory of décor you can choose to use, which cut down on us having to purchase and transport so many various wedding items. For us, one of LJD’s major draws was that they only hold one wedding per weekend. Having access to the venue for three full days allowed for a more relaxed timeline and provided opportunity for us to more fully immerse ourselves in our wedding day and weekend! … Kathie, Wayne, Mandy were amazingly responsive, had great suggestions when we asked, and made our ideas and dreams come to life! … We chose to hire LJD’s wedding manager, Mandy Crabb, and couldn’t imagine choosing differently! She is a total gem! … I’d recommend LJD to anyone searching for a venue in a CO mountain town (and we’re biased, but Steamboat Springs is a magical place and our guests went on lots of local adventures). Our friends and family traveled from all over the US and we received so many compliments from them about our wedding and their experiences at La Joya Dulce! We have no regrets!”
Photo by Kari Geha
Photo by Myra Hernandez
“The love we have for La Joya Dulce and the staff is greater than we ever expected for a wedding venue!
Not only was our day perfect, the planning process was incredibly painless. The venue location itself is unparalleled with stunning views of the Elk River Valley nestled in hills surrounded by aspen. … This is the mountain/ranch location to beat! … The moment we set foot on the property, we knew this was where we would commit to one another. Kathie and Wayne make you feel like family. … They also come up with fantastic ideas like a surprise raid on a barn speakeasy! And Mandy! Mandy is a phenomenal day of coordinator (and really all the months leading up to lol!). She was ready to do whatever we needed to set up, she kept the entire day on track, and she was someone all of our guests enjoyed meeting. … La Joya Dulce is not just a wedding venue: it is a family who welcomes your guests warmly to their home to celebrate the best day of your life. We cannot wait to come back to Steamboat Springs and visit!”
"We absolutely loved working with them!”
From Emma - “Mandy, day of coordinator, and the entire LJD team were amazing to work with throughout the entire planning process. They are extremely organized and prompt when responding. Our dream day couldn't have happened without the help of Mandy and the LJD team. We absolutely loved working with them! Highly recommend booking La Joya Dulce for your special day.”
From Clark - “The ranch was beautiful and the staff was absolutely amazing. Seemed like every month leading up to the wedding there were more inventory items and benefits to choose from. Mandy made the process absolutely flawless and HIGHLY recommend using her for day of coordination. Can't say enough about how great it was working with the LJD team. Major thanks to Kathie and Wayne also.”
Photo by Macy Frances
Photo by Brad Livengood
“Kathie, Mandy and the entire LJD team have been nothing short of incredible. Our original wedding was affected by Covid-19 and they went so far above and beyond to not only allow us to have a small celebration on our original date but also reschedule into 2021 without hesitation. When they say you join the LJD family when you choose them as your venue, they mean it! It really feels like a family. We are so happy to have a team that is able to adjust to the situation and allow us to now have two weddings of our dreams!
AND there’s more!
After having our larger ceremony and reception at LJD a couple weeks ago, I wanted to provide an update on our full experience. Our second wedding and ceremony went absolutely perfectly. We were able to host our rehearsal dinner and full reception as planned and it was so stress free. Our guests were blown away by the venue and the beautiful view (and we were able to enjoy an amazing post dinner sunset before we kicked off the dance party!).
During the pandemic, Kathie and her team took full advantage of creating beautiful upgrades to the ranch including some additional decorations and a s’mores bar that we were able to use. We hired Mandy as our coordinator, and she helped with everything from timelines to a seating chart to making sure our vendors (some of whom arrived late) got to where they needed to be without disrupting our ceremony or other events. I also hired Mandy to do our florals and she did not disappoint! Another benefit of LJD is the use of the venue for the entire weekend. It was so nice being able to come back the next day for cleanup instead of having to deal with it the night of. The LJD staff did an amazing job of breaking down 90% of the decor and cleanup, which made the process even easier. I cannot recommend LJD enough!”
– Brittany & Keith
“There aren't enough words for how highly my husband and I think of La Joya Dulce as a venue, and more importantly, how amazing Kathie, Mandy and Wayne are as people and business/property owners.
When I first started looking for venues in early 2019 (planning for a Summer 2020 wedding), my typical experience with other venues was getting ~5 min to speak with someone. That was not case with La Joya Dulce. From the first call, I knew they were a different type of venue -- one that cares about their current, and potential future couples, immensely.
I could write a whole essay, but I'll give you the basic gist about how wonderful this venue and the people who run it are:
1) Pre-COVID, we were looking forward to a June 2020 wedding at La Joya Dulce. From my first call with Kathie, all the way to the point where we realized COVID was going to hinder our plans, she was always willing to take my calls, get creative, figure out new ways to go about things, and then eventually change direction. It was a stressful time for couples planning weddings, but I also know it was an extremely stressful time for small business owners in the wedding industry. Regardless of that, Kathie, Wayne, and Mandy were all wonderful, supportive, and again, willing to get creative, and we ended up figuring out a new solution. (It took four total tries, so thank you for your patience, Kathie, Wayne and Mandy!)
2) The venue is breathtaking! The view is out of this world, and everything is so well organized. When we finally got to have our party in July 2021, I 100% felt like everything was taken care of, and my husband and I had zero stress about how things were running. They do so much behind the scenes and truly make you feel at home.
3) La Joya Dulce does this wonderful thing called "Share the Love." This program is the best thing to happen to any future couple, and it felt even more especially after all of the craziness of COVID. Basically, once you decide to become a La Joya Dulce couple, you have access to a whole library of decorations previous couples have donated to the ranch. There are some "bigger" items that you have to pay a bit extra for, but compared to renting it from another spot, it's extremely affordable. And a goodly amount of the items are free once you decide La Joya Dulce is the place you want to get married.
4) They let you pick your vendors. This was HUGE for my husband and I! We were not impressed with other venues we had spoken to because of how expensive their services were to begin with + the fact that we would've had to go through them for food and alcohol (which they up-charged like crazy). With La Joya Dulce, we were given a list of "vendors we love" which was very helpful when it came to narrowing down our search, but we were also able to use our own vendors if we chose to do so. And we found out that NONE of those vendors are charged to be on the list! LJD wants you to have the vendors you want and they work hard to ensure that the entire team works together seamlessly!
Again, I could go on-and-on, but I'll end by saying this: I 1000% recommend this venue to any couple that's looking for a BEAUTIFUL venue, an AMAZING team of people to help make your day perfect, and an UNFORGETTABLE experience.
– Annie & Alex
Photo by Keisha McCutcheon ELEVEN 12 Productions
“It was wonderful! We were very pleased with the staff/owners and their willingness to help make our day special.
They knew all the right questions to ask, had many of the items we needed so we didn't have to rent, and were easy to get along with. … We had the ceremony out right at the edge of a little hill that looked down on the valley. Then we had the reception dinner in the barn. It was perfect! It was beautiful inside and had plenty of room for the bar, catering, cake and guests. Then we moved the party over to their pavilion where they had games and a dance floor set up. … I loved that we had access to the site the day before the wedding, Friday, to set up and get everything how we wanted it. … Then we had the site the day after the wedding as well so that when we were done partying we could leave and get some sleep. … I would get married here again in a heartbeat!”
“La Joya Dulce was an absolutely amazing venue to not only host our ceremony and reception but also our rehearsal dinner the night before.
The staff is very accommodating and we had so much fun. The flexibility that the venue allows for helped keep us stress free throughout the entire wedding planning process and the communication from the staff to us was awesome.”
Photo by Halle Madeleine
Photo by Wayne Jacobsen
“Kathie and Wayne at La Joya Dulce Ranch are incredibly supportive hosts for their stunning ranch outside of Steamboat Springs.
They invest so much time and energy into making sure your big day or special event is all that you dream. Their property consists of a gorgeous barn and large covered pavilion surrounded by horses in the fields with a view of Elk Mountain. I couldn't recommend this location more!”
– Steamboat Arts Council
Ready to experience La Joya Dulce for yourself?