One of the most-asked questions I get as a wedding and elopement photographer in Colorado is if I can recommend any dog-friendly wedding venues. First, let me just say that as a lover of my own two Australian Shepherds, there’s nothing more fun than the idea of having your dogs present on the day you get married! Having your dog(s) there with you is exactly the kind of energy you can add to make your wedding exciting and special!
To answer the original question, of course I have a list of some awesome wedding venues in the Denver/greater Northern Colorado area that are dog-friendly! I’ve compiled them here so you can save this post and browse each venue to get a feel for the vibe you might like on your wedding day.
I have 7 venues listed here, but know that there are lots more options! We can chat about more choices for a dog friendly venue if you’re looking for something different.
Dog Friendly Wedding Venues in Denver
Skylight
Starting off my list of dog friendly wedding venues in the Denver area is Skylight, located in the Arts District. This venue describes themselves as bright and modern! With white brick walls and concrete floors, this is the type of venue that’s a perfect blank slate for you to create and decorate a really personal event catered to you and your partner.
You can extend your wedding here onto an outdoor patio as well, which is an awesome breath of fresh air during your reception and cocktail hour. And, of course, there are no restrictions on your pets being able to celebrate with you!
Some things to consider about this venue:
- Capacity is 200 guests
- Skylight offers package add-ons in addition to the basics (tables and chairs) that you can optionally choose
- The parking lot is a little over a block away, and there is also street parking within three blocks of the venue
Upper Larimer
Upper Larimer is modern and urban, with a history dating back to 1888. Their space has a ballroom venue, an outdoor patio, and a house that can be used as getting-ready suites, a private dinner, etc.
Natural stone walls and wood ceiling frames give this space both a modern and historic feel, which is super unique! The spaces are wide open and full of possibilities!
Some things to consider about this venue:
- There is a parking lot on-site as well as free street parking
- This is an all-season venue ready to host your wedding at any time of year
- Upper Larimer has a list of preferred vendors and will not allow outside vendors that are not already part of their network
- The venue is fully ADA-compliant
- Indoor capacity is 340 and outdoor capacity is 220
Ironton Distillery
Ironton has one of the largest outdoor patios in all of Denver, which makes it an awesome contender on this list of dog friendly wedding venues! Hosting an indoor/outdoor wedding here can be done year-round, with cozy fire pits if it’s cold. The on-site distillery means you’ll get the best crafted drinks for your celebration, too.
There’s an art gallery, a “cocktail garden,” and a full restaurant and bar you can use for catering!
Some things to consider about this venue:
- The venue can hold up to 400 guests for a true party!
- You can have custom cocktails created just for your wedding
- There are 4 spaces on-site you can choose from for your ceremony, indoor and outdoor
- All dogs present must be on a leash at all times
Space Gallery
Another of my dog friendly wedding venues located in the Arts District! Art and wide-open modern spaces are the vibe here. A nice plus side is that you won’t have to do much of your own decorating — the gallery will already have its incredible art on display.
In addition to the indoor gallery space, there’s an outdoor mezzanine that you can use at your wedding, too. Live music and food trucks are allowed here for a super fun atmosphere! The entire space will be exclusively yours during your wedding, so it will be a fully private experience.
Some things to consider about this venue:
- Capacity is up to 300 guests depending on the floor layout you choose
- The mezzanine patio closes at 10pm, though your wedding reception can run longer than that inside!
- Free street parking right outside the venue!
- The gallery is rented by the hour, so your wedding can run as long as you want it to
Dog Friendly Wedding Venues in Greater Northern Colorado
Lionsgate Event Center
Lionsgate Event Center in Lafayette is a beautiful antique-inspired, historic venue with French touches. There’s a 1920s-era mansion (Dovehouse), a gorgeous vintage barn, and the Gatehouse, a ballroom space with an attached garden.
What I love about this venue (aside from the fact that it’s dog friendly, of course) is that you can hold your ceremony indoors or outdoors, and flexible options are super valuable when the weather can be unpredictable. It’s also nice to allow your reception to spill from an indoor space to an outdoor one for some fresh air and nice ambience!
Some things to consider about this venue:
- There are free-roaming chickens that live on the Dovehouse grounds, so it’s best to keep your dog on a leash if this is going to tempt them!
- The property is backed against a busy road, and while this won’t affect the atmosphere of your wedding day, it is good to be mindful of pups who wander (again, leashes are best here!)
- Your guest capacity will vary depending on the exact space you decide to book, but an estimate is between 150-350 people
- This is a wheelchair accessible venue
- Available year-round for booking!
Planet Bluegrass
Located in Lyons, Colorado, Planet Bluegrass is on the more “wild” side of my list of dog friendly wedding venues. And when I say “wild,” I mostly mean that the emphasis at this venue is on the beauty of nature, rather than anything urban or modern.
Cottonwood trees and redstone cliffs, wildflower gardens, and more make this a super tranquil and beautiful place to exchange your vows. It’s located along the St. Vrain River, which is the most gorgeous wedding backdrop.
Some things to consider about this venue:
- Capacity is 250
- Dogs are welcome at this venue specifically for ceremonies. After the ceremony, the venue asks that a handler or pet-sitter take them off the property.
- There is a wonderful camp & RV site nearby, Meadow Park, if you’re looking for a longer experience than just a one-day wedding
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Of all the dog friendly wedding venues in this resource, Dushanbe Teahouse is probably the most unique! The Teahouse, Creekside Patio, and Tea Garden can all accommodate your wedding. The Teahouse reflects an artistic tradition that is over 2,000 years old, with colorful ceramic paneling displaying the Tree of Life on the exterior of the building. The rest of the space is decorated using nature motifs — stellar, floral, solar, etc.
This is a great space to have your wedding if you’re particularly looking for exceptional food to share with your guests as you celebrate. Their menus emphasize ethnic cuisine that’s absolutely delicious!
Some things to consider about this venue:
- Up to 110 guests (perfect for a more intimate celebration)
- All food and beverage must be handled by the venue — no outside caterers
And there you have it — 7 incredible dog friendly wedding venues in Denver and the greater Northern Colorado area! Each of these venues offers something unique while allowing you to have your furry friends along. I can’t wait to hear about which space you’re most excited about! Reach out to me here for wedding photography at any of these amazing locations (as well as anywhere in the US!).
