Denver Botanic Gardens Wedding & Elopement Guide for 2026
Hey there! My name’s Iver Marjerison.
I’m a Colorado-based micro-wedding planner and officiant, and over the years I’ve helped plan hundreds of small weddings and elopements across the state. This guide covers everything you need to know about getting married at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Denver Botanic Gardens is one of the most well-known small wedding and elopement locations in Denver, offering a structured, garden-style setting within the city. Unlike public land locations, weddings here operate under venue-specific rules, guest limits, and scheduled event windows, which makes planning more predictable — but also more detailed. This guide walks through what couples actually need to know before choosing Denver Botanic Gardens, including how ceremonies work, permit and venue requirements, the best times of year for a wedding in the gardens, guest considerations, and the real pros and cons of getting married here.
How Weddings and Elopements Work at Denver Botanic Gardens
Short version: Denver Botanic Gardens offers designated wedding venues that can be reserved by the hour or by the day. Some spaces are limited to ceremony-only events, while others can accommodate full weddings and receptions. All weddings and elopements require an advance reservation through the Gardens, and the wedding event is limited to the reserved designated site. However, after the ceremony, you can take photos elsewhere in the gardens.
Pros & Cons of Getting Married at The Botanic Gardens
Pros:
It’s beautiful!
Private ceremony sites that allow seating
No decorations needed! But you can if you want.
You can take photos anywhere in the gardens.
Conveniently located in the heart of Denver.
Cons:
No mountain views.
Expensive (relatively).
Limited availability—this is a popular spot!
They require you to use their caterers and bartenders (if you’re doing a reception).
How-to Book Your Wedding at the Botanic Gardens
Choose your preferred garden space and date
Denver Botanic Gardens offers several ceremony locations (below), each with its own guest limits, availability, and seasonal considerations.
Submit an inquiry form to Denver Botanic Gardens
You’ll request availability directly through Denver Botanic Gardens and receive details on pricing, rules, and next steps. Click Here.Confirm availability and sign the venue agreement
Once a date and space are approved, you’ll secure the booking with a signed contract and deposit.Hire your vendors
After the venue is booked, you can coordinate your officiant, photographer, and any additional vendors, making sure they comply with venue guidelines.Finalize logistics and timeline
Leading up to the wedding, you’ll confirm arrival times, setup rules, guest flow, and any restrictions specific to your ceremony space.Obtain your Colorado marriage license
This is handled separately through the county and is required for the ceremony to be legally binding.
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The Botanic Garden Wedding Sites
Woodland Mosaic
Max capacity 50 - 75 guests
This is the most popular wedding venue in the gardens! It’s best for just the ceremony, or a casual cocktail reception. Video
West Terrace
Max capacity 175 - 250 guests
Welcome garden
Max capacity 175 guests
Weird space, rarely the move for a wedding.
Water Garden Gazebo
Max capacity 30-40 guests
Pretty nice space for a small wedding ceremony. Video
Victorian Secret Garden
Max capacity 8-20 guests
Very small, but surrounded by greenery and plants—nice spot for an intimate ceremony! Video
UMB Bank Amphitheater
Max capacity 600-1300 guests
Largest venue in the botanic gardens, great for large groups and traditional receptions. Video
Romantic Gardens
Max capacity 250 guests
Most popular ceremony site for large groups—no reception space. Video
Sensory Garden Courtyard
Max capacity 8-150 guests
Kind of a strange space, not suggested for a wedding. Video
Orangery
Max capacity 100-225 guests
In a greenhouse, but not very photogenic in my opinion—not suggested for weddings. Video
Annuals Garden and Pavilion
Max capacity 120-250 guests
Large space with water and flowers, not great for weddings. Video
Botanic Garden Wedding FAQs
What is the best wedding location at Denver Botanic Gardens?
One of the most requested and visually striking ceremony spaces is the Woodland Mosaic, which offers a secluded garden feel and works especially well for small weddings and elopements. Denver Botanic Gardens offers multiple ceremony sites, each with different guest capacities and use restrictions.
What is the main greenhouse wedding location at Denver Botanic Gardens?
The primary indoor greenhouse-style event spaces are part of the Gardens’ managed event venues. Availability, capacity, and usage depend on the specific space selected and whether the event includes a reception.
How do you book a wedding at Denver Botanic Gardens?
Couples must submit a rental inquiry directly through Denver Botanic Gardens. You can start the process here.
What is the phone number and email for Denver Botanic Gardens weddings?
Phone: 720-865-3551
Email: private.events@botanicgardens.org
What is the maximum guest count for a Denver Botanic Gardens wedding?
Guest capacity depends on the ceremony site selected and can range from as few as 8 guests to as many as 250. Each location has a strict maximum capacity that cannot be exceeded.
What is the best time of year to get married at Denver Botanic Gardens?
Late spring through early fall is the most popular time, when gardens are fully in bloom and outdoor spaces look their best. That said, Denver Botanic Gardens is open for weddings year-round, with indoor and greenhouse venues making winter ceremonies possible.
Is alcohol allowed at Denver Botanic Gardens weddings?
Yes, alcohol is allowed, but with strict rules. Denver Botanic Gardens does not have a liquor license, so alcohol may not be sold and cash bars are not permitted. Alcohol must be served by one of the Gardens’ approved caterers and may only be consumed during the rental period (up to six hours). Beer, wine, mixed drinks, and champagne are allowed; shots are not.
For ceremony-only events, a single champagne toast is permitted and may be served by a guest over 21 using disposable cups. All alcohol must be removed from the property at the end of the event.
Can we have music or microphones during the ceremony?
Yes, but amplified sound is regulated. Outdoor ceremonies may allow microphones or limited amplified music in approved sound gardens. Audio/visual services must be arranged through the Gardens’ AV team or an approved provider in advance. Bluetooth speakers are not allowed.
Do we have to use an approved caterer?
For events with 50 or more guests, couples must use one of the Gardens’ approved caterers.
For events under 49 guests, couples may self-cater (such as bringing food from a grocery store or restaurant), but must handle all setup and cleanup themselves. Alcohol service still requires a Gardens-approved caterer’s bartender.
Are decorations allowed?
Yes, decorations are allowed with approval, but there are strict guidelines. Candles must be enclosed in glass containers, and items like confetti, rice, flower petals, glitter, or birdseed are not permitted. Nothing may be staked, taped, or placed in the ground.
Can we bring our own photographer?
Yes. Professional photography is permitted throughout public areas of the Gardens after the ceremony. No additional photography permit is required with a wedding rental.
Are children allowed at Denver Botanic Gardens weddings?
Yes, children are allowed, but they must be supervised at all times. Children are not permitted to touch plants, water features, or art installations.
Is parking available for guests?
Parking is available in the Gardens’ parking garage on a first-come, first-served basis and is not guaranteed. There is no valet parking, and overnight parking is not permitted. Rideshare or public transportation is strongly encouraged.
Are the gardens wheel chair accessible?
Most of the gardens are wheelchair accessible, but check with the gardens to confirm your specific ceremony site does not have any steps.
No. Drone photography and videography are not permitted anywhere on Denver Botanic Gardens property.
Are drones allowed for photography or video?
No. Drone photography and videography are not permitted anywhere on Denver Botanic Gardens property.
Is there a weather backup plan for outdoor ceremonies?
Weather backups are not guaranteed for outdoor event spaces at Denver Botanic Gardens. If you want a backup option, you may be able to rent a weather backup space in advance (based on availability) for an additional fee. It’s best to ask about backup options early, especially for spring and summer dates when storms are more common.
Can we do a wedding rehearsal at Denver Botanic Gardens?
Yes. Couples are typically offered a complimentary 1-hour rehearsal if desired. Rehearsals take place during public hours, are scheduled close to the event date (generally within about 30 days), and the ceremony space may still be open to visitors, so you’ll need to work around normal guest traffic.
Is there a getting-ready room or touch-up room available?
For wedding rentals, a complimentary wedding touch-up room may be available upon request, but it’s not guaranteed and depends on availability. When offered, couples typically receive up to 1 hour of use before the ceremony and the room must be fully cleared of personal items before heading to the ceremony.
Is smoking or vaping allowed at Denver Botanic Gardens?
No. Denver Botanic Gardens is a non-smoking facility, including vaping. Marijuana (including edibles) is also not allowed on site.
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