Home to Tomboy Mine (formerly one of the world’s greatest gold producers), Telluride, Colorado knows a thing or two about things that sparkle. Seated in a box canyon in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, the city is enveloped by towering peaks, thick forest and breathtaking waterfalls.

Take a gondola ride up to the top of the mountain and back down the other side, where you’ll find the charming city of Mountain Village, a European-styled alpine village of restaurants, boutiques and family-centered mountain activities. It is here you’ll find Madeline Hotel and Residences.

The Madeline, a luxury ski-resort for travelers with sophisticated taste, is a sensation – regardless of whether you visit in the summer sunshine or the wonderland of winter. As a four-diamond full-service hotel, the Madeline is the ideal place for couples to host their guests and tie the knot. A copy of “Tomboy Bride” by Harriet Fish Backus in your guests’ rooms is a unique wedding favor. Follow in the true footsteps of the book’s protagonist, and the miners that built the town of Telluride, by taking a 4×4 Jeep tour to an elevation of 13,500 feet. Touring the camp is just one of many outdoor activities you and your guests can enjoy in the days before and after you say your vows.

When it comes to your rehearsal dinner, there is no shortage of first-class selections. From the upscale cuisine of the Cosmopolitan, to the modern fare of Black Iron Kitchen and Bar, it is impossible to find a backdrop in Telluride that isn’t awe-inspiring. No other view can be compared to that of Allred’s Restaurant at St. Sophia Station (at 10,551 feet in elevation). In the evening, Telluride’s lights glow warmly in the valley below.

With farmers’ markets, original Victorian architecture, and a living history that abounds around every corner, Telluride is a treasure trove of quaint and cozy feelings. It’s no wonder this small town has caught the eye of many and stole the heart of every fortunate traveler who has visited.

Photos courtesy of (in order of appearance): Telluride Ski (1st, 4th and 5th) and Neno Zhekov (2nd and 3rd).

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Spring/Summer 2016 issue. You can order a copy here.