Waterside venues are some of the best locations for weddings, and in Colorado, there are several worth considering for your wedding day! Listen to the sound of the running water in a creek or river as you take scenic couples portraits. Dip your toes in the water with your family and friends while you celebrate your reception. Or cool off in the shade during the peak of summer’s hot days! These riverside wedding venues are perfect outdoor options for the big day:
River Bend, Lyons
By far one of our favorite riverfront wedding venues in Colorado is River Bend in Lyons. It’s a great spot for outdoor summer and fall weddings, with beautifully manicured grounds, plenty of tall trees for shade, a permanent outdoor tent for receptions and dancing, a glamping tent and small house for getting ready spaces, and a patio with string lights right by the river for dancing under the stars. Hard to beat!
Planet Bluegrass, Lyons
Just down the street from River Bend is another option with similar views. Planet Bluegrass is also located right alongside the St. Vrain river, with similar canyon walls, but also has its own style of getting ready spaces as well as a large indoor ranch building. It’s a great space for couples who want to bring live bands to play on stage for the evening!
Camp Hale, Red Cliff
Although not right along the river, Camp Hale has a beautiful ceremony space surrounded by water that’s diverted from Eagle River. It’s a bit farther from most other cities, but this characteristic makes it an ideal spot for those wanting to truly get outside and away from other busier areas.
Boulder Creek Wedgewood, Boulder
Having worked at Boulder Creek a few times ourselves, we can definitely say the Boulder Creek location is one of Wedgewood’s best. Just a short drive away from downtown Boulder, this riverfront wedding venue has two outdoor ceremony spaces, one of which is right by Boulder Creek. They also have plenty of indoor space for backup options should the weather be less than ideal, as well as a permanent outdoor tent for receptions.
Blackstone Rivers Ranch, Idaho Springs
Located only about 35-40 minutes from Denver, Blackstone Rivers Ranch is a dreamy outdoor venue along Chicago Creek in Idaho Springs. Between the ceremony site right on the riverfront, lush tall trees and other greenery around, a nearby lodging option with cabins for you or some of your guests, and a large tent for outdoor receptions, there’s lots to love about this place.
The Golden Hotel, Golden
Want to be close to a downtown setting? The Golden Hotel has a riverfront patio along Clear Creek in downtown Golden, home to the Coors distillery and many other great places to turn your wedding day into a wedding weekend!
Fall River Village, Estes Park
One of the closest riverside wedding venue options to Rocky Mountain National Park is SkyView at Fall River Village. This venue is a modern yet scenic space, with lodging on the property for several of your guests, a rooftop patio with mountain views for your ceremony, and located near Fall River with some beautiful portrait backdrop options nearby, it’s one you won’t want to miss.
Surf Hotel, Buena Vista
Although the ceremony location at the Surf Hotel in BV is not exactly riverfront, it’s just across the street from the Arkansas River. The Surf Hotel is a chic, luxurious spot in an otherwise outdoorsy region of Colorado, and we love working here!
River Bend Ranch, Durango
Looking for a location on the Western Slope near the San Juan Mountains? River Bend Ranch is just north of Durango, and located right along the Animas River. The location itself is already one of the top scenic venues in Southwest Colorado, but the surrounding area also has plenty of activities to keep you and your guests happy all weekend long, from a ride on the train to paddling down the river.
Wild Basin Lodge, Allenspark
Looking for something rustic yet easily accessible? Wild Basin Lodge is right outside one of the entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park, but one that’s a lot less busy than the ones in Estes Park. The lodge provides two ceremony options, one with a view of Longs Peak and another with the St. Vrain creek in the backdrop.
Dallenbach Ranch, Basalt
While we have yet to visit this location, it looks like a stunning riverside venue in a hidden gem location. Dallenbach Ranch has one-mile of riverfront, and is only 30 minutes from Aspen, with cabins on site and views of the red rock walls along the creek.
Need help finding the perfect waterfront venue?
Skyewater Photo + Film is based in Washington and specializes in capturing water-centric weddings and elopements. And since we used to be based in Colorado, we know many of the riverfront venues across the Rockies! Whether you’re looking for a meaningful wedding video or an adventurous photographer, contact Skyewater Photo + Film for your big day!
