Lo & Ian chose Riverbend Lyons as their wedding venue for a few different reasons: they wanted all of their favorite friends to be able to stay onsite, they wanted a weekend that felt like a summer camp weekend, and they wanted the laid back, gorgeous atmosphere it offered with the canopy trees and the river. They got everything they wanted, and these are the same reasons it makes for one of my favorite venues of all time.
First of all, the team here is amazing. They also own The Farmette in Lyons, and together host two of the best event locations you could ask for in the front range. Paired with their home-grown florals through Plume & Furrow, and their amazing list of partnered vendors, they also help to make planning as seamless as possible.
Your wedding at Riverbend Lyons generally either takes place down by the river itself, or under the trees, and depending on when you plan your ceremony time, I’d consider moving it under the trees for better shaded light. The grounds offers getting ready locations and tiny huts for lodging on site through their tiny home partner company, so everyone is able to hang out, get ready together, and even stay onsite.
Lo & Ian’s wedding day started with getting ready, and straight to their first look. Photos were really important to Lo, and they blocked off plenty of time for us to explore together afterwards and take their portraits (something pretty rare on a wedding day, if not planned correctly!), and we spent the entire next hour together before their ceremony.
Their vows were the sweetest I’ve ever heard — really, and I attend a lot of weddings — and their families had us absolutely bawling through the ring warming ceremony. I mean, just look at Ian’s brother crying and clutching the rings — I lost it.
Some crazy winds moved their first dance under the tent, but usually this would also take place down in the ampatheatre down by the river. Instead, we did their silent disco dancing portion of the day here, and it was fucking bomb. I don’t know if you’ve attended a wedding with a silent disco in a while — or maybe ever? — but it was the MOST FUN that I’ve ever seen a dance floor, and personally experienced myself. It was interactive, guests were asking each other which song they were listening to, and it was full of silly goose energy, just absolutely splendid. They actually require this here because of a noise ordinance, but do NOT let that be a downfall for you — it was a major benefit of the day and the experience for everyone.
VENDORS
photo + super8 video @hennessyphotoco
venue: River Bend IG @lyons_riverbend
lodging: Wee Casa Lodging IG @weecasa
planner: Cherry Bomb Events IG @cherry_bomb_events
catering and bar: Sugar Pine Catering IG @sugarpinecatering
florist: Plume and Furrow IG @plumeandfurrow
rentals: Harvest Tables IG @harvesttablecompany
live music: Zoe Berman Music IG @zoebermanmusic
silent disco dj: Mountain Sound IG @mountainsounddj
hmua: LoLa Makeup IG @lolabeautydnvr
cake: The Happy Bake Shoppe IG @happybakeshopdenver
