Elope-a-moon at The Inn of the Five Graces and Lake Placid Lodge
You’ve forgone the hundreds of guests, sidestepped the 
photo courtesy Inn of Five Gracesdozens of vendors clamoring for a dime, and successfully ducked the barrage of pastel colored taffeta bridesmaid dresses. But that doesn’t mean you’re left at City Hall. More and more brides and grooms seem to be opting for that “elopecation” – elopements combined with honeymoons – than ever before, and two Garrett Hotel Group Relais & Châteaux properties, The Inn of the Five Graces and Lake Placid Lodge, are helping those individuals skip the “big fussy wedding” and presenting couples with seductive elopement diversions, heightening the romance.
As Santa Fe celebrates its 400th birthday, excitement surrounds The Inn of the Five Graces, giving nuptials a whole new meaning this year. The popular Elopement Menu provides four colorful choices of distinctive ceremonies [$300 and up]. Couples who stay at The Inn of the Five Graces for three days or more will receive the wedding ceremony as a gift from the management. The elopement menu includes:
Native American Tradition – derived from Native American culture, drapes the couple with a single large white blanket to signify their happy union. Rituals of Buddhist Traditions - includes the symbolic ringing of a hand hammered Tibetan singing bowl and the exchange of silk khatas, or ceremonial scarves. New Beginnings: Let There Be Light - lighting a flame within a stone-lined circle, creating one burning flame, sanctified with sprinkles of tobacco, sweet grass and corn. Keepers of the Flame - the bride and groom light their own small candles, and then together, the couple lights a large single candle symbolizing the union of their lives.
From exceptional cuisine to a discerning staff, with its new Elopement Experience, Lake Placid Lodge has minded the details so couples can focus on what’s most important: each other.
Available for $3,999, the Elopement Experience includes: Three nights in a Lodge King room, upgrade if available • Made-to-order breakfast daily • Chilled champagne upon arrival • Fresh in-room flowers • Luxurious, monogrammed robes • Couple’s in-room massage • Ceremony flowers including bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutonniere • Private, post-ceremony custom-built Hacker-Craft Champagne Cruise on Lake Placid • Private dinner with personalized menu by executive chef, Kevin McCarthy and sommelier paired wines • Wedding cake for two • Full breakfast daily • Afternoon tea daily • All inclusive onsite seasonal activities.
The Inn of the Five Graces is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Reservations may be made by calling 505.992.0957 or visiting www.fivegraces.com. Lake Placid Lodge is in the heart of the Adirondacks in Lake Placid, NY. Reservations may be made by calling 877.523.2700 or online, www.lakeplacidlodge.com
The Point, Lake Placid Lodge, and The Inn of the Five Graces, all operated by The Garrett Hotel Group, are members of Relais & Châteaux, the prestigious international association of privately owned hotels and restaurants embodying the highest culinary standards and the French “art de vivre.”
Source: Simoneinc
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".