Our Guide to the Best Estes Park Wedding Venues

Do you dream of getting married in front of a nature scene so beautiful, it looks like a painting?

If so, there are plenty of places around Estes Park that can make your big-day dreams come true. Located at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, this picturesque town is filled to the brim with scenic vistas, sweeping panoramas and all the rustic charm your heart can handle.

All of these attributes and more make it the perfect spot to say “I do”. Thankfully, there is no shortage of Estes Park wedding venues to choose from.

Today, we’re taking a close look at the top local options to consider as you plan your event. Any of them would create the perfect backdrop for your ceremony and reception!

1. The Stanley Hotel

Let’s start with one of the grandest and most iconic places in all of Estes Park. The Stanley Hotel is a historic hotel located about five minutes from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Commissioned in 1907 by Freelan Oscar Stanley, inventor of the steam-powered automobile, the main hotel was completed in 1909, along with a concert hall.

Today, guests can still stay in classic, historic rooms within the hotel itself. Yet, that is only one of four on-site accommodation experiences The Stanley offers. There are also pet-friendly rooms at The Lodge at the Stanley, along with apartment-style residences for extended-stay guests. Some locals even live full-time in condominiums here!

The abundance of lodging options makes this an ideal spot to house your out-of-town guests. Anywhere you look on the property, you can find gorgeous views of The Rockies and nearby Lake Estes. 

There are myriad different event spaces on the hotel grounds, as well as a spa, property tours, and a gift shop. You can choose from intimate indoor spaces, the majestic MacGregor Ballroom, or one of the many outdoor spaces to host your wedding.

One of the most exciting options? The Pavillion!

Heralded as the newest and best wedding and events center in Northern Colorado, the Pavillion overlooks Long’s Peak and RMNP. Standout features include a 250-seat glass door auditorium and an 8,000-square-foot banquet space that leads out to a private pond. Other top spots around The Stanley include:

• The Music Room: Up to 130 guests
• The Pinion/Billards Room: Up to 80 guests
• The Concert Hall: Up to 200 guests
• The Library Room: Up to 50 guests

This is the ideal place to host all of your events, from early-morning preparations to late-night dance parties. Then, when it’s time to retire for the night, you can do so in pure opulence.

2.Della Terra Mountain Chateau

Located at the Fall River entrance to RMNP, Della Terra Mountain Chateau boasts nearly 15 acres of breathtaking mountainside scenery. The chateau itself includes 14 luxury suites, and there are also upscale mountain cabins nearby, ideal for larger families.

However, before you explore the lodging, be sure to check out all of the other amenities this spot has to offer.

There’s the on-site Essence Spa, as well as a dry heat sauna, movie theater, and nightly cocktails and appetizers at the Loft Bar. Green-built as an earth-conscious structure in 2009, Della Terra has always been family-owned and operated, as the attention to detail reveals.

There are both indoor and outdoor ceremony locations, as well as an on-site bridal lounge. You can even book a night or two for a luxury honeymoon you’ll always remember!

Indoors, The Celebration Place takes center stage. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning mountain views, it can comfortably accommodate up to 200 guests. In addition to the gorgeous natural sights, you can also make full use of a dance floor area, DJ area, full-service bar, live band spot, and gourmet kitchen.

Just upstairs, you’ll find The Gathering Place, an intimate area with two roaring fireplaces that would a great place to gather for an indoor cocktail hour right after your ceremony.

More of an outdoorsy couple? Della Terra also offers The Devotion Place, an outdoor event space with a raised brick stage, vineyard trellis, and dynamic views of MacGregor Mountain. There’s also an outdoor patio and cocktail deck!

3. Taharaa Mountain Lodge

For more than 20 years, visitors and locals alike have flocked to Taharaa Mountain Lodge to get away from it all. Both a world-class inn and a charming bed-and-breakfast, the Lodge is an elegant yet cozy place to exchange vows.

Located at the foot of Lily Mountain, it’s only a few minute away from town and RMNP, but you’ll feel like you’re in another dimension once you step foot onto the pristine property. 

The original Lodge was built in 1997, and the Great Hall was completed in 2006. Now, guests can choose from 18 luxurious rooms and suites to stay in. In 2019, Thad Eggen and Sandra Huerta, owers of the Twin Owls Steakhouse, purchased the Lodge. They plan to open the restaurant’s new location on the hotel grounds this spring!

Featuring two ceremony sites and a massive reception space (The Twin Owls Great Room), Taharaa Mountain Lodge is tailor-made for weddings and can accommodate up to 120 guests. There’s also a dance floor, DJ/band space, and fully-customizable food and beverage packages.

Want to take all of the stress out of planning your big day? Book a wedding package through The Lodge!

In addition to event space access, you’ll also receive two nights’ lodging in the spectacular honeymoon suite, as well as expert event management services, a scheduled rehearsal, and on-site dressing rooms. There are also smaller packages designed for up to 40 guests.

4. Black Canyon Inn

As you enter Black Canyon Inn, you’ll never believe you’re still in the Estes Park city limits. The vacation rental property is in a world of its own, surrounded by views of Lumpy Ridge, as well as the Black Canyon Creek area, Continental Divide, and MacGregor Ranch.

In 1927, the first log structure was built on the property, and guests can still stay there today. Over the years, there have been other buildings added, including four condominiums and an event space.

Today, you can choose between one-, two- and three-bedroom condo rentals, in addition to the original log cabin. The outdoor ceremony space, called The Wedding Pavillion can hold up to 175 guests. There’s also a beautiful indoor reception hall, scheduled to open in Spring 2020!

5. YMCA of the Rockies

When planning your Estes Park wedding, you might not think of the YMCA of The Rockies as an ideal venue, but hear me out. There’s more to this particular one than mini-golf and arts and crafts. 

The Y’s Estes Park Center features a variety of accommodations, including individual cabins, lodges, and inns. There are also several indoor and outdoor chapels, as well as many different ceremony spaces, including the Pine Room, Assembly Hall, and Walnut Room. Surrounded on three sides by RMNP, there’s not a bad spot on the property.

When you work with the Y’s events coordinator, you can select between the many wedding packages that this site offers, which can accommodate between 50 and 400 guests! There is also on-site catering, linen services, layout coordination, and more. 

One of the most popular and impressive is the Historic Mountainside Package, available from June to September. With it, you can rent out the Mountainside Lodge, which accommodates up to 38 people. Then, on your big day, you’ll have full access to an outdoor chapel, as well a covered pavilion that can hold 120 people.

6. The Landing Estes Park

Looking for an unforgettably unique wedding venue? Check out The Landing in Estes Park.

Located a few minutes from both Estes Park and RMNP, Elkins features an outdoor patio that offers incredible views of Longs Peak and Meeker Peak. Their ceremony space sits next to the river and their indoor reception area is a beautiful intertwining of rustic and elegant.

7. Retreat Venue at Dao House

Looking for an elegantly rustic venue that encourages guests to revel in nature’s playground? The Retreat Venue at Dao House more than fits the bill.

This 80-acre retreat center started out as a dude ranch and was converted into a Tai Chi retreat center around 2008. Now, it offers something for everyone, including outdoor adventures and creative artist residencies.

Located only seven miles from Estes Park, Dao House serves as a year-round reprieve for anyone looking to press the “reset” button and get back to a simpler way of life. The main lodge includes 36 guest rooms, and there are also a dozen cabins on the property.

The Retreat Venue can host up to 150 people and comes equipped with a bevy of services, including catering, linen rentals, A/V equipment, and more. You can choose from a variety of meeting spaces, ranging in size from 400 square feet to more than 2,500 square feet.

Want to make this an experience of a lifetime for your guests? Turn your wedding weekend into a wellness retreat with morning exercise classes, massage services, and a trip to the on-site oxygen lounge!

8. O’Connor Pavillion

Situated five miles west of downtown and only minutes from RMNP, O’Connor Pavillion is part of the greater Estes Park Events Complex. If you dream of exchanging vows beside a mountain stream, with mountains and meadows all around you, this is one of the best spots in Estes Park.

In addition to a covered, open-side Pavillion that can host up to 140 guests, you’ll also have access to a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, a fire pit, and more. In other words, it’s ideal for the active, outdoorsy couple who wants to celebrate in style!

There are also catering services available, and the space is set up to accommodate a DJ. One of the most affordable options on our list, this venue gives you that head-turning “wow” factor you want, without the price tag you don’t.

9. The Estes Park Resort

The Estes Park Resort opened its doors on Memorial Day in 2000. The only lakeside resort on Lake Estes, it quickly grew in popularity due to its panoramic shots of Twin Sisters, Longs Peak, RMNP, and Continental Divide. In 2010, it underwent a complete renovation.

At that time, The Waterfront Grille was added to the resort, along with a new, top-of-the-line fitness center. Now, it’s one of the top options for luxury accommodations in town, offering an expansive array of well-appointed rooms and suites. Your guests can choose from views of the garden, ridge, or lake!

It’s also one of the premier wedding venues in Estes Park. In addition to an elegant, on-site ballroom, there is also the sweeping Lakeside Pavillion. With 2,400 square feet of space, you’ll have plenty of room to host your crowd in this open-air space. 

Cozy up by the two-sided fireplace, mingle during cocktail hour on the lakeside deck, or dance the night away under the stars. Either way, this space is gorgeous. You’re also only steps away from the new home of Dunraven, one of the area’s most beloved Italian eateries!

10. Skyview at Fall River Village Resort

The Skyview at Fall River Village Resort offers one of the most jaw-dropping backdrops for a mountain-view wedding this side of the RMNP! Here, you can have a stunning rooftop ceremony with views of Longs Peak and the Continental Divide, all protected by an open-air canopy that allows your special day to happen, rain or shine.

The wraparound deck is also ideal for cocktail hour, and the vistas continue in the indoor reception area, where towering glass doors ofter uninterrupted views. Hosting a maximum of 110 guests, use of the Event Center is included when you book a comprehensive Wedding Package through the resort.

You’ll also have access to a caterer, recommended vendors, and resort staff who can make your event shine. One of the best parts? The resort will allow you two hours of complimentary access to its community room when you book an event. This is the perfect spot to host a next-morning brunch before jet-setting to your honeymoon destination!

Explore These Estes Park Wedding Venues Today

When you live in a place like Estes Park, there is no reason to settle for anything less than spectacular views, top-notch accommodations, and an impressive event space for your wedding.

Thankfully, these spots aren’t difficult to find in a charming town like ours.

Take a closer look at these Estes Park wedding venues as you plan the event of your lifetime. One of them could be the place you take your first steps toward forever!

Looking for someone to capture that moment and memorialize it forever? That’s where I come in. As one of the area’s top wedding photographers, I know how to find the right shots, poses, and backdrops to produce images you’ll want to look at for decades to come.

Contact me to connect and learn more about my services!