Getting Married at Denver Botanic Gardens

This was my first time photographing a wedding at Denver Botanic Gardens.

I couldn’t believe how beautiful everything was! My couple, Caitlin and Chad, got married in May, and they were rightfully concerned about Denver’s chaotic weather. It was important to them to have a wedding venue that could shelter their 10 closest friends and family while providing a more upscale wedding experience. They chose the Woodland Mosaic and Solarium location at Denver Botanic Gardens, and it delivered everything they wanted and more.

Getting Married at Denver Botanic Gardens is for Couples Who:

Are looking for all the formal aspects of a wedding in Denver without the formal price tag

Want to host an intimate wedding (less than 30 people) or a huge celebration

Don’t want to drag their family an hour and a half outside of Denver to the mountains

Want a stress-free day by having their ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in one spot

The Cost of Getting Married at Denver Botanic Gardens:

There are 12 different indoor and outdoor locations at Denver Botanic Gardens that you can choose from for your wedding, and each one has a different cost. Prices start at $1,000 and go up to $8,000, and you can choose to reserve the space for either a half day or full day. Each spot can also accommodate way different party sizes – as few as 20 people and as many as 1,300. All sites are available seven days a week, but availability can vary based on the season. It’s honestly a ton of information to simplify, so your best bet is just to reach out and schedule a visit!

The Details:

Denver Botanic Gardens does have space on site for the bride and groom to get ready, but I do not recommend it. There are no windows, and it’s just a plain, beige room. If getting ready photos are important to you, listen up. When you look for lodging, find an Airbnb that has a space you love and can use for getting ready.

You won’t be the only one getting married at Denver Botanic Gardens on your date. Since they have multiple ceremony spaces, they will book multiple weddings on the same day.

The gardens don’t close to the public until 7 p.m., so there will be randos walking around throughout your wedding day. If privacy is important to you and bae, I really think the solarium location is your best option! It’s already in a pretty private spot, but they also block off the sidewalk that leads to it so no one can walk down there.

You’re free to set up your chosen wedding site however you want, within reason obviously. You will need to rent tables, chairs, etc., but you’re free to arrange things in whatever way makes sense to you.

For catering, you’ll be required to choose from their list of preferred and approved vendors.

If you want the beautiful flowers and greenery, the earliest I would recommend getting married at Denver Botanic Gardens is early May. Most things will still be brown and dead before that.

When you have your wedding at Denver Botanic Gardens, you also get access to the entire grounds for photos. It’s so much fun to run around and take gorgeous pictures while everything is in bloom.

Caitlin and Chad’s Day:

Chad and Caitlin had their ceremony and reception at the solarium, one of my top favorite locations you can choose from. In my opinion, it’s the best!

I met these two at the gardens, where they got ready and took a few photos together before the ceremony began.

Caitlin chose to do a first look with her dad before he walked her down the aisle. We snapped some family photos after they said “I do,” and then it was time for the sweetest little cocktail hour.

While Caitlin and Chad spent time with their family during cocktail hour, the rental company flipped the solarium space for an intimate dining experience.

You guys. I could NOT stop taking pictures of how beautiful the dining set up was. It was so lovely.

It was important to Chad and Caitlin to have a day that allowed them to spend time with their family. The day was so laid back and turned out exactly how they wanted.

One of Caitlin’s good friends spent the day with us, and she was SO helpful. If you have someone who knows you really well and makes you feel comfortable, I’m totally cool with them hanging out with us while we take pictures. The friend helped fix Caitlin’s hair, told Chad and Caitlin when to smile, and spoke up on things when she knew they wouldn’t. She really helped make their day even better.