It’s 2018 and elopement-style ‘pop-up’ weddings are officially in. Maybe you’d rather buy a house than a party, or just don’t want all the fuss of a huge wedding and you’re thinking of running off to the courthouse?
Unfortunately, Denver’s county clerk is about as un-romantic as it gets – their staff is lovely, but who wants to get married in a cubicle farm when you could just as easily steal away to the beautiful marble columns of Cheesman Pavilion?
Photo Credit: ©Austin Drawhorn
All you really need is your partner and a marriage license – other guests, florals, music, food, drinks: optional. Minimal budget, zero stress! As a professional wedding officiant for Simply Eloped here in Colorado, I’ve performed elopement ceremonies for couples all over the state! Here are a few of my favorite cozy elopement spots in the Denver metro area!
PLACES FOR A POP UP WEDDING IN DENVER
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS [$$-$$$]
Photo Credit: ©Austin Drawhorn
The Botanic Gardens are stunningly beautiful every season of the year – the spring and summer blooms give way to autumnal foliage for a few weeks in the fall before getting their ‘Blossoms of Light’ makeover during the holiday season. In late winter, deep snows blanket the grounds, which provides the perfect opportunity for photos of a bundled-up cuddle session or an epic snowball fight. You can always warm up in the tropical conservatory: full of lush green foliage and open year round!
You’ll need to do a little planning ahead to pull off a Botanic Gardens elopement. In order to protect the delicate ecosystems featured in the park, they have some rules in place to regulate the activities taking place there. The most notable one is the necessity of booking a facility for at least one hour (that’s the ‘$$$’ part).
CHEESMAN PARK PAVILION [$]
Photo Credit: ©Austin Drawhorn
If you’re looking for a more spur of the moment party, or are operating under a slim budget, Cheesman Park may be the place for you!
Cheesman Park is my very favorite place to perform weddings in Denver! The towering marble columns overlooking a grassy meadow, a peek at the front range in the distance – it’s all so very beautiful and elevates a simple ceremony to a truly elegant affair. There’s no fee to use the Pavilion for a brief ceremony, but you may have to politely ask other patrons of the park for some privacy. If you’re feeling shy, just send your photographer/officiant/mom/maid-of-honor to ask on your behalf!
Psst.. Here’s a serious pro-tip: Once you’ve done the ceremony in Cheesman Park, you can pop over to the Botanic Gardens for a photo session (Permit required)!
CHATFIELD STATE PARK [$-$$]
Photo Credit: ©Austin Drawhorn
If you’re craving a little more space, but want to stay within the city limits, (and a reasonable elevation, which is important to consider for out-of-state visitors) Chatfield State Park offers spaces for a lakeside elopement with an incredible, wide-open view of the Rocky Mountains!
If the weather’s nice, I highly recommend bringing a canoe and paddling out for a champagne toast on the water, just the two of you! Chatfield does require permit for events in the park, and each car full of guests is subject to entrance fees at the gate.
Psst… Should you be feeling adventurous and want to travel outside Denver a bit, the rest of Colorado offer so many amazing spots to hold an elopement!
Sarah Smith
June 27, 2019 at 11:58 amI really appreciate your wedding location advice. My husband and I are trying to help my sister plan her wedding. The only things she has left to figure out are the location and who their minister will be.