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
“The atmosphere of LJD is truly breathtaking, and the love built in through careful curation is evident and tangible.
Kathie, Tommi, and the entire team at LJD made sure every detail was accounted for from the brand new chargers for plates to the vintage rug runway from cocktail hour to the reception. It truly was the best day of our lives with a backdrop our guests will never forget and won't stop posting about!
The team ensured our wedding experience was about all about US on our big day, which was so important to us. I couldn't have asked for a more thoughtful, diligent, and well rounded team on my wedding day.”
“We live here locally in Steamboat and it meant the world to us to be able to get married in a place we love so much.
Everything about this venue is amazing! We had the best experience and all our guests had THE BEST time. They truly put the bride and groom first while also providing an amazing experience for their guests.
The wedding day was stress free, as the staff are professionals and made the day seem seamless. My wedding coordinator, Kylie, was absolutely amazing and made us feel so comfortable. She was calm, cool and collected the entire time. The venue is beautiful, and the staff goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and confident about your big day! I would recommend La Joya Dulce to anyone.
A big shoutout to Kathie and Wayne as well, who let us use their 1950s Ford tractor as part of our ceremony and enter our rehearsal on our Harley motorcycle! They were very supportive and accommodating to all our ideas and even were both there to help document the day and take some amazing photos and videos we will cherish forever.”
– Hayley & Eli
Photo by Two One Photography
Photo by Kate Ivy Photography
“We had the fall wedding of our dreams at La Joya Dulce.
We knew the first time that we visited the ranch that we’d be getting married here. We had the privilege of working with Croix as our wedding planner. She was so kind, organized, and was incredibly accommodating to our busy schedules. She provided support every step of the way. Our big day couldn’t have gone better!
Kathie, Croix, and the entire La Joya team work so well together and ensure that everything goes perfectly. I can’t recommend this venue enough!
– Jenn & Rob
“We couldn't have had a better wedding experience than La Joya Dulce.
Kathie and Kylie were attentive to our needs, had great vendor recommendations and helped us pull off the wedding of our dreams in Steamboat! Our guests were SO impressed by the stunning views and the other perks--Smores cart, vintage car, vintage tractor, yard games, etc. It was truly an amazing day I will treasure forever!”
– Allie & Josh
“Thanks to La Joya Dulce we were able to give our daughter a wonderful Colorado wedding! We wanted a beautiful location, with stunning views, excellent service and to allow our friends and family to have a perfect celebration together! They did a great job and we couldn't have been happier!”
– Julia, Mother of the Bride
Photo by Amelia Ann Photography
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.”
“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!”
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!
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
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.”
“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
“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 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."
“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 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.”
“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 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!”
“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
"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
Ready to experience La Joya Dulce for yourself?