Are you a 2026 bride looking for the best Estes Park wedding venues?
Whether you’re a Colorado local or planning a destination Colorado wedding Estes Park is an amazing location to host your guests. Located less than two hours from the Denver airport, this charming town next to Rocky Mountain National Park flaunts some of Colorado’s most stunning mountain views. It’s a must visit for travelers from all over the world, an a gorgeous backdrop for the wedding of your dreams. As a wedding photographer with 10 years of experience, I’d like to share some of my favorite Estes Park wedding Venues for you to consider as you plan your Rocky Mountain wedding!
Black Canyon Inn
Boasting some of Estes Parks best views, the historic Black Canyon Inn will wow your guests while offering them a restful getaway. Although it’s near the heart of Estes, and just minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park, Black Canyon Inn’s situation, tucked into the hills behind the Stanley hotel makes it feel far from the bustle of the city. With two event locations and accommodations on site Black Canyon Inn offers stress free planning for your Estes Park wedding. Depending on which event space you chose this venue can accommodate between 100-200 guests and offers a quiet repose during (and after) the stress of planning a wedding.
Taharaa Mountain Lodge
Located just outside of Estes Park; Taharaa Mountain Lodge is stunningly situated. With lodging, made to order breakfast, and a spa located onsite, you and your guests can relax and enjoy the days leading up to (and following) your big day! With two ceremony sites you can choose an outdoor location just steps from the lodge, or an indoor area with a lodge feel and stunning overlook. Taharaa Mountain Lodge accommodates luxury weddings of 20-120 guests and offers an elegant option whether you’d like an indoor or outdoor location.
The Stanley Hotel
Best known for its role in The Shining, The Stanley Hotel’s stunning mountain backdrop is unparalleled. This historic Estes Park wedding venue is a beautiful building with beautiful grounds in a beautiful location. With a variety of event areas for weddings from 40 – 250 guests, The Stanley provides the convenience of an all in one location complete with rooms for you and all of your guests, indoor ceremony and reception spaces, and outdoor locations. Whether you’re looking for “…intimate spaces to grand ballrooms to outdoor venues with breathtaking scenery…” The Stanley has something to offer! It’s truly a must visit location.
Bristlecone Inn
Specializing in small ceremonies & micro-weddings, Bristlecone Inn is conveniently located right in the heart of Estes Park, just a block from downtown. The elegant reception room boasts views of the mountains and is ideal for weddings from 10-50 guests. They offer full service catering and event planning, including custom menu options, indoor/outdoor spaces and a full bar. This secluded, romantic venue brings together a cozy & elegant space for a small reception, rehearsal dinner, or post-wedding brunch and ensures a personalized experience for each of the couples they serve.
YMCA of the Rockies
Another of my favorite Estes Park wedding venues if you’re planning a larger wedding, YMCA of the Rockies offers multiple ceremony and reception areas that you can mix and match according to your taste and needs. “…From ceremony sites overlooking Rocky Mountain National Park to memorable reception sites that can accommodate up to 500 guests, Estes Park Center offers a wide array of indoor and outdoor Colorado wedding venues…”
They also offer hotel style accommodations and cozy cabin rentals for your wedding party or guests to use, including pet friendly rooms. The view of RMNP from Overlook Chapel is just one of the stunning options available, but keep in mind that the YMCA doesn’t allow outside catering.
Riversong Inn Retreat
Nestled by a creek on the outskirts of Estes Park, Riversong Inn Retreat is a charming venue, perfect for an intimate destination wedding. The cozy bed and breakfast has been serving couples since 1922, and is perfect for micro weddings of up to 20 people. If you’re planning a larger wedding, you can reserve the the venues 4 houses and 10 rooms for weddings of up to 200.
The quiet, peaceful setting provides your guests with a relaxing sanctuary just an hour and a half from the Denver airport, and their straightforward reservation process makes checking “book the venue” off your list quick and easy. In addition, Riversong Inn Retreat offers full catering, wedding cakes, custom floral arrangements, and wedding officiants.
Nest Above
Nest Above is an amazing location for your Estes Park wedding reception should you choose an offsite outdoor locations. Part of local favorite “Bird & Jim,” Nest Above is a newly built bakery & venue with a capacity of up to 70 guests. Nest Above offers a variety of high quality food options including everything from buffet dining to 5 course plated meals.
The rustic/industrial setting is full of light from a full wall of windows facing the mountains. And if Nest Above is too small for your wedding receptions it’s a great location for a welcome party or farewell brunch, and they offer discounts if you bundle multiple events!
The Pavilion
If you want to host a large wedding, The Pavilion boasts space for over 1,000 people. With ample parking, a large barn style reception area and a location near lake Estes this is one of the best wedding venues in Estes Park to accommodate a large gathering. A long list of other venue options available from their website includes Mrs. Walsh’s Garden & George Hix Riverside Plaza if you’d rather host your guests closer to downtown Estes Park. This space is the largest of the Estes Park wedding venues on my list!
The Lodge & Grove at Cheley
Since 1927 Cheley has hosted summer camps, and now offers a unique venue option for couples with spectacular views of Longs Peak. Only hosting weddings from August-October due to summer camps, this 800 acre Estes Park wedding venue is one of a kind, boasting aspen groves, mountain views, and a ranch like feel. Although the venue is outdoor they offer a tent reception area, dance floor, DJ area, and a catering tent. You’ll love the expansive views this land offers. It’s the perfect location if you want an outdoor wedding with amazing views.
Regardless of which Estes Park wedding venues you consider for your wedding, I highly recommend doing a post wedding couples session in your wedding attire in Rocky Mountain National Park!
We can arrange to meet in the park anytime the week of your wedding for some stunning photos of you and your partner to complete your mountain wedding photo gallery. Or, if you’re an adventurous couple you might prefer to plan your whole wedding in RMNP! Either way, I’d love to cheer you on and preserve these incredible memories from your best day ever!
Not sure if you want to get married in Estes Park? You can see more of my favorite Colorado wedding venues here!
