Today I’m bringing you something a little bit different than my typical wedding, elopement, or engagement gallery (which I’ve got plenty of on the blog): a guide to the top 8 Denver wedding venues to get married at in 2024-2025! With my upcoming move to Colorado, and wedding season coming up in a few months, I figured now would be the perfect time to highlight some of my favorite Denver wedding venues in Colorado’s beautiful capital city, from whimsical botanical gardens to boutique hotels in the heart of downtown.
First up on the list is one of the most iconic destinations in downtown Denver: Union Station. This historic landmark is not only incredibly picturesque and a very recognizable building in the heart of the city; it also serves as a breathtaking location to host weddings of all sizes! With a variety of versatile venue spaces to choose from, a talented management team through the Crawford Hotel, an elegant atmosphere, and even delicious in-house catering, Union Station is the ideal Denver wedding venue for couples looking for an elevated, all-inclusive experience. You’ll be able to welcome your guests into the Great Hall for a grand celebration under towering ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, and breathtaking archways, or into the Cooper Lounge for a more intimate celebration. No need to hire an outside caterer to serve your guests—the award-winning culinary team at the Crawford Hotel is ready to provide you with an elevated dining experience with curated menus that everyone is sure to fawn over. Getting married at Union Station means you also have a place to stay the night after at the hotel, so you won’t need to book any sort of transportation once the party is over!
There is truly nothing I love more than a wedding filled to the brim with greenery, whether that be a ceremony surrounded by the forests of the PNW or a reception inside of a tropical greenhouse in Denver. In this case, we’re looking at the latter, with the Denver Botanic Gardens as our second featured Denver wedding venue; specifically, the gardens’ York Street location.
Denver Botanic Gardens is a dream come true for any couple who feels most at home outdoors, surrounded by vibrant flowers exploding with color, lush greenery growing at every corner, and the sounds of nature blowing through the breeze. With a variety of different venue sites to choose from, you can plan anything from a whimsical garden celebration, to a romantic gazebo ceremony, to a luxe greenhouse reception—or anywhere in between!
If you’d prefer a bit more of a charming, rustic vibe over the whimsical garden atmosphere, fear not—Denver Botanic Gardens also has a Chatfield Farms location in Littleton, just outside of the city. This venue provides 700 acres of stunning land, boasting multiple farmhouses, barns, and incredible views of the Rocky Mountains all around. Learn more about this location here!
If you’re dreaming of a celebration full of grandeur, antique furnishings, luxurious details, and plenty of history, look no further than the Grant-Humphreys Mansion! This 1902 Beaux-Arts mansion is a killer Denver wedding venue for couples who are envisioning a timeless celebration brimming with elegance, historic charm, and expansive spaces to host their loved ones. With 10,000 square feet of indoor space to enjoy, as well as a large lawn for outdoor celebrations, the Grant-Humphreys Mansion offers absolutely everything a couple could need to put on the event of their dreams! From the formal dining room and its crystal chandeliers, to the living room and its grand staircase, to the lawn and its stunning views of the mansion, you’ll truly find everything you could possibly ask for in this iconic mansion. Every little nook and cranny was carefully designed and contributes to the elegant atmosphere that is well & ready for your unique affair.
Located in Littleton, abjustout 30 minutes southwest of Denver, the Manor House is yet another romantic mansion; this time, with an abundance of outdoor space set against the rolling hills of Dry Creek Canyon. If you’re envisioning a celebration in an elegant mansion but also want to enjoy the natural beauty that Colorado has to offer, the Manor House is really the best of both worlds. This Southern-style Georgian mansion boasts not only a breathtaking indoor space for your luxurious celebration (including a beautiful ballroom), but also panoramic views of the surrounding area, including downtown Denver—perfect for an outdoor ceremony with a dramatic backdrop. The fact that it is a full-service venue with on-site catering is a huge plus for couples, ensuring you have a seamless, magical celebration no matter what thanks to the team of professionals ready to serve you!
Can you tell by now that Denver is filled with historic hotels + mansions that you could truly never go wrong with? Up next is yet another boutique hotel in the heart of Denver, Hotel Teatro: an impeccably-designed hotel boasting plenty of historic charm, luxurious amenities, and even an award-winning restaurant for you to enjoy. Surrounded by mountain views and located close to many of downtown Denver’s biggest attractions, Hotel Teatro provides everything you’ll need for a seamless Denver wedding, from catering to event coordinators and more. You’ll be able to enjoy mouthwatering dishes and delicious cocktails from the on-site restaurant, The Nickel, for not only your wedding, but also your rehearsal dinner—say less, I’m in. Your guests will thank you for the unforgettable experience you’ve created for them at this romantic destination, whether you spend your time in the Wine Cellar, the Lobby Study, or anywhere else in this luxurious destination.
The Brown Palace is paradise for couples picturing a wedding experience full of timeless luxury, historic charm, and a unique atmosphere with spaces that have been around for over a century. Set right in the heart of Denver, the Brown Palace has everything you’ll need for a seamless, unforgettable wedding experience, including four-star cuisine for you to enjoy on-site, a luxurious spa for a little R&R, and distinctive wedding sites that can fit anywhere from 50 to 350 guests. Whether you’d like to host a grand celebration in the Grand Ballroom, or a more intimate gathering in the Brown Palace Club, you’ll have no shortage of stunning details, breathtaking murals, and warm furnishings that set the scene for a wildly romantic day.
Here we have yet another downtown hotel venue brimming with historic charm and sophistication—is anyone surprised? The Oxford Hotel offers an incredible venue for a fairytale wedding of any kind, from a 50-person gathering in the Sage Room to a 200-person party in the Grand Ballroom. Full of unparalleled luxury, historic flair, and local flavors (thanks to the expert chefs at Urban Farmer), this hotel makes it easy for couples to plan a day they’ll never forget—and with ease. You’ll be able to reserve room blocks for you and your guests to stay in, take private bridal yoga classes, participate in private whiskey tastings, even have a curated date night before the big day arrives. There are ENDLESS ways to customize your celebration at the Oxford Hotel and curate a truly unique, unforgettable experience for both you and your guests during every moment of your stay here!
The final venue on this list strays just a tad bit away from the typical boutique-historic-hotel-vibe we’ve gotten to know so well throughout this guide, but keeps with the theme of elegance, style, and grandeur. The Denver Athletic Club is an incredibly versatile and breathtaking space to host a wedding, which may be a bit of a shock when you hear the words “athletic club,” but trust me: the stunning Grand Ballroom and awe-inspiring rooftop speak for themselves. With a 9,000+ square foot outdoor Sundeck overlooking the city, an expansive ballroom with a glistening teardrop chandelier, and two unique spaces for a rehearsal dinner (a Billiards Room + a 1950’s, retro-style Bowling Alley!), the DAC and their team of wedding professionals have SO much to offer. Plus, you’ll also have access to the many top-tier facilities that the club provides to visitors, as well as plenty of things to do nearby in the city.
I wanted to throw in one bonus venue at the end here; it’s not technically in Denver, but it’s about 2.5 hours away and is absolutely worth the trip if you can make it. Surf Hotel is a boutique hotel in Buena Vista, Colorado, where you’ll find not only luxury abounding, but a sense of adventure and exploration amidst the natural beauty of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. With a focus on understated European elegance, luxury without pretension, and versatile, adaptable spaces, Surf Hotel is a dream for any couple looking to tie the knot at a romantic, upscale mountain venue. You’ll have your choice of a variety of unique venue spaces including the Ivy Ballroom, which overlooks the Buena Vista Whitewater Park, as well as the Courtyard, an enchanting outdoor space with a cozy fireplace and beautiful views. I cannot recommend this hotel enough, especially if you’re looking for a bit more of an escape outside of the big city!
Before you head off to plan your dream wedding in this spectacular state, I wanted to answer a few quick questions about the basics of getting married in Denver + marriage laws in the state of Colorado. Colorado is a VERY easy state to get married in (one of the easiest in the US) for a few different reasons: there’s no waiting period, no witnesses are required, and you can sign your marriage certificate yourselves 🙂 Keep on reading to get the details of what all that entails!
You need to be at least 18 years old to get married in Denver, or at least 16 with parental consent.
A marriage license through Denver County will cost you $30, and then there’s a fee of $1.25+ for any extra certified copies. If you don’t return your license to the county in time (within 63 days of your ceremony), there will be a late fee of $20, plus $5/day after 63 days (up to $50).
Colorado actually allows self-solemnization, so while you can have a regular officiant marry you (e.g. a priest, judge, or anybody else who is ordained), you can actually solemnize your own marriage. This means you don’t need an officiant OR any witnesses there to make your ceremony legal—you can do it all yourselves, and sign your marriage license yourselves. Such a cool option to have!
No witnesses required! Colorado is unique in that you could, in theory, have a COMPLETELY private ceremony if you wanted to, without an officiant or any guests to serve as witnesses. I recommend having your photographer and videographer along, of course, but they should be pros at staying in the background + keeping quiet during your private moments. How fun would it be to bring your dog(s) along and have them serve as your “witness(es)”—then sign the decorative copy of your marriage license with their paw prints? If I had gotten married in Colorado, you bet I would have done just that!
No, there is no mandatory waiting period for a marriage license in Colorado; you’re free to get married + use it as soon as you please.
Once your marriage license is issued, it’ll be valid for 35 days (a.k.a. you’ll need to sign it within 35 days of the issue date). Then, you’ll need to return the license to the county within 63 days of marriage to avoid any extra fees, and make it officially official.
Getting a Denver marriage license is a fairly simple process, especially since you can do it all online—no in-person visit to the county clerk’s office required! Below are the steps to getting your marriage license in Denver County:
For further information about getting married in Denver, head to the county’s website here.
Well friends, that is that; I hope you thoroughly enjoyed this guide to the top Denver wedding venues as we make our way into the new year. I’m over the moon that my husband and I will be moving to Denver in the near future, and am BEYOND excited to document couples + their love stories in this spectacular city! If you’re ready to create some Denver magic together, get in touch with me here—and it would be my honor to be your Denver wedding or elopement photographer 🤍
With this list compiled mainly of boutique hotels + historic charm galore, I’m sure you’ll be heading straight to Pinterest for all the elegant wedding inspiration. Before you do that, check out a few of my recent blog posts below that were brimming with luxury, elegance, and romance at every turn. These celebrations may have taken place in the Pacific Northwest, but I guarantee all of these top-tier vibes would translate seamlessly to any of these Denver wedding venues ✨