Colorful Wedding at the Denver Botanic Gardens | Claire + Stephen

One of my favorite wedding venues in Denver, and really throughout Colorado as a whole, are the Denver Botanic Gardens. The gardens have SO much appeal to them as a wedding venue. An incredible location in the heart of Denver, multiple spaces to choose from for celebrations of any size, and the lush natural beauty of its impeccable gardens all make this one of a kind venue a must consider for couples planning a Colorado wedding. Claire and Stephen’s wedding is the prime example of all of these features and I’m beyond excited to share the story of their day here with you all!

Getting Ready for the Day

I was so excited for this day, not just because I knew how fantastic a wedding at the Denver Botanic Gardens can be, but also because I have a bit of history with Claire. As the coordinator of the Fjällräven Classic USA 2023, Claire was the one who booked me as the official photographer for the event which was SUCH a fun experience. This made me all the more excited when Claire and Stephen reached out to have me document their wedding day! 

The wedding day itself began as I met up with Claire while the ever talented Kim J. Beauty was putting the final touches on Claire’s hair and makeup. One of my favorite aspects of wedding photography is being a part of a vendor team that works to bring our couples’ vision to life, and trust me when I say Claire and Stephen had an excellent vendor team! Once Kim was finished, Claire’s mother and sister each lent-a-hand to help Claire into her wedding dress before it was time to make our way to the Denver Botanic Gardens for the ceremony.

A Colorful Wedding Ceremony in the Denver Botanic Gardens

Claire and Stephen’s wedding was a colorful one, both in the metaphorical and literal sense. The different hues of their loved ones’ personalities all came together for a vibrant and passionate celebration of their love. As for the literal sense, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a more bold arrangement of florals, the perfect fit for a wedding at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Shoutout to Rowdy Poppy for the stunning florals! 

As the ceremony began there was an immediate and immense sense of joy in the air. Friends and family gathered underneath the Annuals Pavilion to watch as Stephen and his mother made their entrance. Everyone was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Claire, none more so than Stephen himself. As she made her way down the aisle her and Stephen both had the biggest smiles on their faces as they locked eyes. It was a beautiful start to the ceremony, and that beauty would carry on throughout. Laughter and tears of joy were in abundance, especially while Claire and Stephen were sharing their vows with one another. After officially becoming newlyweds it was time to get the party started!

Celebrating Their Wedding at the Denver Botanic Gardens

Claire and Stephen’s reception began with them joining their guests for cocktail hour at the Annuals Pavilion, the same gorgeous space they had their ceremony in. The staff of the Denver Botanic Gardens being able to flip the space to fit Claire and Stephen’s vision is yet another part of what makes this wedding venue so spectacular. It was important to both Claire and Stephen to be present for their cocktail hour, as their people mean the world to these two. They got the chance to mingle with their guests, take some family portraits, and enjoy the background music from the Diamond Empire Band before the three of us snuck off for some couples portraits.

An area where the Denver Botanic Gardens easily excel is the sheer variety of stunning areas that can be used as backdrops for your portrait photos. I had a blast exploring the gardens with Claire and Stephen, but my favorite moment was easily when the two had a private dance next to the water gardens. We eventually made our way back to the reception to rejoin the festivities so that Claire and Stephen could enjoy themselves the rest of the night. Some beautiful toasts, an epic dance party, and Claire and Stephen taking part in the Hora are just a few of my favorite moments that took place throughout the evening. To cap it all off the two had a sparkler and streamer exit, finishing off the night in style!

Check out some of my other blogs here for more love stories and wedding planning tips. For anyone looking to book me to document their wedding in Colorado send me an inquiry today so we can start planning your wedding together!

Vendors

Wedding Venue: Denver Botanic Gardens

Planner: A Touch of Bliss

Florals: Rowdy Poppy 

Bar Service: Peak Beverage

Catering: Rocky Mountain Catering

Live Band: Diamond Empire Band

Dress: Ana Be Bridal

Hair and Makeup: Kim J. Beauty