How to Start Planning a Wedding in Denver: The first 12 steps
How to start planning a wedding takes skill if you want to minimize stress and wasteful spending. Getting engaged is one of life’s most exciting moments, but once the initial euphoria wears off, reality sets in: you need to plan a wedding. If you’re considering Denver as your wedding destination, you’ve made an excellent choice with such a diverse selection of locally owned wedding venues. Now let’s determine How to Start Planning a Wedding in Denver: The first 12 steps.
But where do you even start? Wedding planning can feel overwhelming, especially in a city as dynamic as Denver. Here’s your roadmap to beginning the journey from “yes” to “I do” in beautiful Colorado.
Step 1: Set Your Budget First (Yes, This Really is Important)
Before you fall in love with that gorgeous mountain venue in Aspen or start dreaming about huge fresh floral centerpieces, you need to establish your wedding budget. This isn’t the fun part, but it’s absolutely crucial. The cost of a wedding in Denver, CO can vary dramatically depending on your choices.
A typical Denver wedding ranges from $25,000 to $35,000, though you can certainly spend less or more depending on your priorities. Mountain venues tend to be pricier, while urban industrial spaces might offer more budget-friendly options. Consider what matters most to you—is it the venue, the food, the photography, the florals or the band? Allocate your budget accordingly.
Don’t forget to factor in Denver-specific cost savings like seasonal price savings or night of the week savings.
Step 2: Start a Guest List & Choose Your Wedding Party
Do you really need to invite 200 guests? Is it possible to get your guest count down to 150 or 100? If it is, this will save you a lot of money and give you more quality time with those you do invite. The reason is it gives you a more intimate wedding where you can actually spend time with your guests, unlike a large wedding with 200 people where you may not even speak with several of them. Once you get above 125 guests, in my 21 years of experience as a venue owner, it is so much harder for the newlyweds to find some quality moments alone at their wedding because they will get pulled and stopped all night long by their family and friends. It’s a fine balance if you only have 4 – 6 hours for your reception and dancing.
Photo by Amp’t Images
Choosing your wedding party is another important consideration. Again, from my experience, I have had many, many brides tell me they wish they had only chosen a few bridesmaids and had other important family members or friends help out in other ways. Yes, the more the merrier can also work out, but usually the benefits of having a smaller wedding party typically include less drama, less chance of someone dropping out, faster time at hair & makeup, quicker photo taking time, and fewer opinions; not to mention the cost savings.
If you have out-of-town guests, Denver’s altitude (5,280 feet) can affect some people. Provide them information about altitude adjustment, recommend arriving a day early if possible, and ensure they drink plenty of water and that you provide plenty of water. We once had a guest fly in from Florida the night before his friend’s wedding at our venue Bella Sera Event Center, and he hadn’t hydrated at all. He had to sit down frequently during the dancing.
Look into hotel room blocks in areas convenient to your venue. If you’ve booked your wedding at The Bella Sera, The Fairfield Inn & Suites Brighton has special rates for you to take advantage of. Be sure to mention our venue when booking.
Groomsmen
Photo by Logan Newell Photography
Bridesmaids
Photo by Amp’t Images
Step 3: Choose Your Season Wisely
Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter? Denver’s climate plays a huge role in wedding planning. Summer months (June through September) are peak wedding season months, with gorgeous weather but higher prices and more competition for venues. The biggest risks and disappointments with summer weddings in Colorado are the rain, the wind, and the heat. Imagine standing outside in 95 degree weather in a tuxedo, or spending hundreds of dollars on your hair and veil just to have the wind blow it all over. I may be biased with our indoor wedding venue in Denver, but I know the majority of brides are “not” ok with the backup plan if it dumps rain on their wedding day. I have heard too many horror stories, and spoken to far too many couples on tours to know that it truly is risky to “hope” for the perfect Colorado weather on your wedding day that’s a year away.
Winter weddings in Denver can be magical, especially with the beauty of the snow-capped mountains here, beautiful winter wedding decor options, and the cost savings you’ll find from most venues and vendors.
You may want to plan your wedding date around travel times for your dream honeymoon also. If it’s cheaper to travel to your dream island in the winter, then plan your wedding in winter.
Step 4: Start Building Your Wedding Timelines
Create two wedding timelines: one master wedding planning timeline working backward from your wedding date, noting when you need to book your venue, send invitations, finalize details, and handle last-minute tasks, and the second one for your actual wedding day timeline. There are so many amazing resources online and now you can even use ai like ChatGPT to help you.
Before committing to a contract, ask your venue and vendors how many hours include for both your wedding ceremony and reception before you begin creating your wedding day timeline. Determine if what they include will give you get enough time for dancing after dinner and all of the traditions you want to include; many don’t. You may need to add on additional hours or choose the “all day” option at some venues that hosts two weddings per day.
Step 5: Determine if you want an all-inclusive wedding venue or DIY
Venues off a wide variety of inclusions depending on their services or wedding packages offered, and it can be a bit confusing to determine what is valuable to you and what is not. The best advice I can give is to determine how much you really want to do and have time for when planning. The second thing is to find out the quality of the products and services a venue includes such as: the included DJ, the decor and centerpieces included, the photography, etc. Corporate venues can offer cheaper prices, but many times they cut the hours you get and their decor is very standard and simple. If you prefer decor that is more custom, a top-notch DJ, and longer hours, be sure to ask for reviews and list out your priorities before deciding on a corporate type venue.
If you want to know more about the benefits of what “all-inclusive Denver Wedding venues” can do for you, check out our blog article called Top Benefits of Choosing an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue in Colorado
Step 6: Start Your Wedding Venue Search
Now that you’ve listed out your top priorities for a venue and decided whether you want a DIY type venue or an all-inclusive wedding venue for your Colorado wedding, have fun and enjoy visiting several venues. Some things to put on your check list include: the location, # of hours you get for the reception, how much the venue helps with planning and creativity, style and look of venue, capacity, indoor vs. outdoor, catering flexibility, family-owned vs. corporate, and does it fit within your budget? List out your priorities, find out what your parents may be able to contribute financially, have your guest list in mind, and visit a handful of venues.
Your wedding venue is more than just a backdrop; it’s where memories are made. The right venue will enhance the theme and atmosphere you envision and accommodate your guests comfortably. With so many options available, from rustic barns to elegant ballrooms, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for before you jump in.
Questions to Ask During a Venue Tour
When visiting potential venues, it’s important to come prepared with questions. Here are some key ones to consider:
- What is the capacity of the venue?
- What is included in the rental fee?
- How many hours are included, and how many are for dance time at the end?
- Are there any hidden costs?
- Can we bring in our own vendors?
- Are there any restrictions we should be aware of?
- Is there a contingency plan for bad weather (if considering an outdoor venue)?
- How many events do you host in one day?
- Is there a backup in case of power failure?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- Can we do a food tasting before the wedding?
- How long will our vendors have to set up?
- Are there any vendors you don’t allow?
- Do you offer any planning tools that will be helpful?
- What types of decor do you include in the venue rental?
- Do you offer wedding planning services?
Be sure to also take note of the venue’s aesthetics, cleanliness, and overall atmosphere. Pay attention to how responsive and accommodating the staff is, as they will play a crucial role in making your wedding day run smoothly.
Denver offers an incredible variety of wedding venues, from rustic mountain lodges to sleek downtown hotels, historic mansions, Italian inspired wedding venues, and modern art galleries. Your venue choice will set the tone for everything else, so start here.
Popular Denver venue categories include:
Italian inspired wedding venues: like the reputable wedding venue in Brighton, CO – The Bella Sera Event Center
Mountain Venues: Perfect for couples who want dramatic natural backdrops. Places like Red Rocks Park or various mountain lodges offer breathtaking settings but may require more logistical planning.
Urban Venues: Downtown Denver has fantastic options like the Denver Art Museum, historic churches, or the historic Union Station.
Garden and Outdoor Spaces: Denver Botanic Gardens, Hudson Gardens, or various parks provide beautiful natural settings within the city.
Industrial and Unique Spaces: Converted warehouses, breweries, and art galleries offer modern, distinctive atmospheres.
In summary consider:
Budget, guest list, venue style, location, availability, services and amenities, and venue restrictions.
After visiting venues and gathering all necessary information, compare your options based on your priorities and what each venue offers. Don’t rush your decision—take the time to envision your wedding day at each place. Which one feels right? Where can you see yourself celebrating with your loved ones? Which venue owners or staff made you feel the most welcome?
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices and signed the contract, you can move forward with the rest of your planning with confidence and excitement!
Step 7: Determine your wedding reception style and decor
To determine your wedding reception style and colors, begin looking on Pinterest and online wedding blogs for inspiration. Many venues have dozens of photos on their social media platforms like Bella Sera’s Instagram. Once you have a vision, translate it into a color palette, floral arrangements, and decor that align with your chosen style.
Think about your everyday style, your favorite colors, and the type of atmosphere you enjoy. Consider your hobbies, interests, and any themes that hold special meaning for you and your partner.
The venue’s architecture, layout, and existing decor will influence your choices. A rustic barn might inspire a rustic or bohemian style, while a grand ballroom could lend itself to a more formal or elegant theme.
Research popular wedding themes like romantic, modern, rustic, vintage, or bohemian. Browse wedding magazines, blogs, and Pinterest for inspiration.
Your color scheme will set the tone for your reception. Consider colors that complement your venue and reflect your chosen style. You should also consider what you want your wedding party to wear first.
Consider how you will incorporate your chosen style into your decor, including centerpieces, floral arrangements, lighting, and signage.
Think about the ambiance you want to create with details like music, favors, and even the seating chart.
Your budget will play a role in the style and scale of your reception. Make sure your vision aligns with your financial constraints. Choosing an all-inclusive wedding venue in Colorado comes with decor perks too!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a wedding planner or designer who can help you bring your vision to life. Our Colorado event center includes gorgeous decor for both wedding ceremonies and receptions.
Step 8: Build Your Dream Team of Wedding Vendors
Denver has a thriving wedding vendor community, but the good ones book up quickly, especially during peak season. Start researching and reaching out to vendors early, or choose a venue that includes top-notch professionals.
Wedding Planner: While not essential, a local wedding planner can be invaluable, especially if you’re not familiar with Denver or planning from out of state. They know the city’s best vendors, can navigate local regulations, and understand Denver’s unique considerations like altitude effects on baking and décor.
Wedding DJ’s: choosing an in-house DJ can have a lot of advantages, but ask to see video of them in action. Always ask how many hours are included.
Entertainment: A band, caricature artist, magician, singer, etc.
Photographer: Whether you choose an indoor wedding venue or an outdoor venue, you want to see photos from your prospective photographer from the venue you choose. Not all photographers know how to shoot well in low lit romantic venues. If you choose outdoors for your wedding day, Denver’s natural beauty means you’ll want someone who can capture both intimate moments and sweeping landscapes. Look for photographers familiar with mountain lighting and weather conditions.
Decorator/Designer: Consider hiring a designer and a decorating team, and view their work on their social media first.
Wedding Caterer: Choosing a venue that includes catering is a big plus, and the cost savings are much grander than you think. Do your research about servers, transportation, gratuities, tax, dishwater, etc. before you decide on a caterer.
Florist: Local florists understand what blooms when and what works best at altitude. To save money, you can have your bridesmaids bouquets made very simply, and splurge on just the bride’s bouquet. Always ask how many flowers are included in the bouquet you’re purchasing. To save money you can also order corsages and boutonnière’s at Costco or Sams Club.
Special Effects & Lighting: Look into reputable companies who provide lighting and special effects.
Desserts: Many couples are providing much more than wedding cake for their guests. Take advantage of this fun time to attend as many “cake tastings” as you can before making any decisions.
Step 9: Plan for Denver’s Unique Considerations
Weather Backup Plans: Colorado weather can be unpredictable. Even summer afternoons can bring sudden thunderstorms. Always have indoor backup options for outdoor ceremonies.
Altitude Effects: Baking behaves differently at altitude, alcohol affects people more strongly, and some guests may experience altitude sickness. Work with vendors familiar with these considerations.
Transportation: If your venue is in the mountains, consider shuttle services for guests, especially if alcohol will be served. Mountain roads can be challenging for unfamiliar drivers.
Seasonal Accessibility: Some mountain venues may be inaccessible during certain times of year due to snow or road conditions.
Step 10: Find your wedding dress
Although many brides are super excited to get their dress right away, it may be wise to wait a little bit into your planning. The reason for this is that your style may change, your decor may evolve over time, and if you keep looking at dresses you risk finding something you like better later on.
Step 11: Decide on your menu and bar
Step 12: Plan Your Honeymoon and Travel Plans
.Now that you have most of the large ticket items planned out and set to a budget, it’s time to plan your honeymoon! Spend several nights watching YouTube videos like Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations or viewing Instagram pages that list resorts, cruises or beautiful destinations. Look for the most affordable, most exclusive, all-inclusive, and be sure to research the best months for weather to travel to your desired destination. Cruises can be great for honeymoon’s because everything is included and you don’t have to plan something else after doing all of your wedding planning. Believe it or not, you can get great deals on Costco Travel
Take a Deep Breath
Wedding planning, especially in a city as exciting as Denver, can feel overwhelming. Remember that this process should be enjoyable—you’re planning a celebration of your love story. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether from family, friends, and especially professional vendors if you don’t have the time or skill to create the wedding of your dreams.
Start with these basics, take it one step at a time, and trust that with Denver’s incredible natural beauty and outstanding vendor community, your wedding day will be everything you’ve dreamed of and more.
Now it’s time to take these 12 steps and start planning your dream wedding!
For more wedding planning advice and wedding planning tips, stay tuned to our blog for updates and insights to help make your special day as magical as you’ve always dreamed.
To book a tour with our all-inclusive Denver Wedding Venue – click here to Request a Tour
720-937-6337
Event center in Brighton, CO
Written by owner – Elisabeth Montoya
Locally owned wedding venues
We have been a locally owned Colorado wedding venue since 2004, offering the most caring and creative service for all of our couples over the past 21 years. Special thanks to some of the most amazing locally owned and operated venue owners in the country who continue to inspire and support us daily! Check out our locally owned venue partners…
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