Choosing the wedding and reception site is one of the most important (and often difficult) decisions an engaged couple will have to make in planning their wedding. The wedding venue sets the tone for the wedding by providing the backdrop for the wedding and complementing the chosen theme. Sites can be as varied in look and feel as couples’ personalities. Sites can be elegant, rustic or anything in between.
If you’re getting married in Colorado, there are some great options to choose from. But the discussion need not end with Denver and points south when it comes to selecting a wedding venue. Northern Colorado features some of the more unique wedding venues in all of the state. Since my photography business primarily serves the north metro area and northern Colorado, I decided to profile four of those in this article: Bella Sera in Brighton, the Chateaux at Fox Meadows in Broomfield, the Fountains of Loveland, and Lionsgate Event Centers in Lafayette. All offer a combination of on-site wedding ceremony and reception sites. More importantly, these venues offer something special for the wedding couple that sets them apart from the competition.
Bella Sera Event Center
Bella Sera has an old-world feel to it. Modeled after a Tuscan villa, the building transports you to central Italy from rural Colorado. Having housed a twin movie theater in its former life, the building just celebrated its 10th anniversary as one of Colorado’s chicquest wedding venues. The main attraction of Bella Sera is the ornate set of staircases that adorn the interior. The grand staircase just inside the front entrance features twin wrought iron railings leading to a second floor landing. The ceremony ballroom has twin, wrought iron staircase entryways for the bride and groom. The use of this separate ballroom, dedicated for a ceremony space, is another hallmark of Bella Sera. The room also has a walkout balcony for musicians or other ceremony elements. Multiple chandeliers hang from the ballroom ceiling. Couples can also project a custom-designed monogram on the wall during the ceremony.
The reception area features many unique touches, including a hanging cake holder available upon request. The bride and groom make their grand entrance as a married couple on yet another staircase dedicated to this purpose. Bella Sera offers countless centerpiece combinations to help customize couples’ weddings. The reception area can accommodate large wedding parties of up to 250 guests. Couples can utilize preferred vendors or choose their own. Bella Serra assigns an expert event director to each wedding to ensure that all concerns of the couple are taken care of.
Bella Sera is located at 45 Strong St. in Brighton, CO.
The Chateaux at Fox Meadows
Want to feel like a princess married in a castle? Then the Chateaux at Fox Meadows may be the perfect venue for you. Built in 1998, the Chateaux has been owned by the Cutler family and has hosted over 6,000 events and weddings since its inception. The three-story windowed atrium and grand, circular staircase are the hallmarks of this venue. The Chateaux exudes elegance. Given the abundance of natural light in the interior and its neutral color scheme, brides find it easy to transform the building to fit their needs. The Chateaux staff prides itself on customer service—it will not hold more than one event at a time. The Chateaux has both a large upstairs reception area plus a smaller downstairs area that can be rented for a cocktail hour or to create a separate space for young guests. It also has a large outdoor ceremony space. Couples can take advantage of the convenience of using one of the preferred vendors or choosing their own catering and other vendors.
The Chateaux is located at 13600 Xavier Lane on West 136th Ave. in Broomfield, just east of Sheridan Blvd.
The Fountains of Loveland
The Fountains prides itself on being northern Colorado’s premier wedding and event venue. You can combine an idyllic setting for an outdoor Colorado wedding with the classic ballroom setting for the reception. There are five different venues to choose from, including both indoor and outdoor settings. The outdoor locations, of course, feature the namesake fountains and provide stunning views of the Front Range. While the various venues can accommodate small or large gatherings ranging from the intimate to the grand, the centerpiece attraction is the Regency Ballroom. Accommodating up to 300 guests, the ballroom provides an elegant setting for a reception. Its showpiece Swarovski chandeliers highlight the room. The Fountains offers many choices to couples to customize the ballroom. The Fountains also features an on-site hotel, La Quinta Inn & Suites, for guests to stay at.
Nestled agasint the foothills near the entrance to Big Thompson Canyon, the Fountains is located in west side of Loveland on Highway 34.
Lionsgate/Dove House
Lionsgate Events Centers is situated on the site of an old dairy farm in Lafayette. Many of the original buildings have been incorporated into the events center, including a barn and silo. Lionsgate has been operated as an events center for almost 25 years, hosting over 7,000 weddings and events in that time. It is family-owned and has been owned by the same owner for that entire period. The events center has two separate venues—the Gatehouse and Dove House. The Gatehouse is the larger of the two venues, accommodating parties of up to 370 guests. The gatehouse and barn were originally part of the farm built on the property in 1910. This venue has an ornate outdoor ceremony area complete with water feature. Much of the interior of the Gatehouse has been imported from Europe, including its signature stained glass windows. The interior also features a copper-topped bar and an ornately carved wooden staircase. Its large, open dining area is the perfect place for a reception.
Dove House is the second venue located on the property. It is a historic mansion built in 1927. It has a completely different feel to it. It is smaller and more intimate, accommodating parties up to 150. The Dove House is more open and airy. The stately manor house has numerous windows, allowing natural light to pour in. The dining room has windows on multiple sides, adding to the open-air feel. Antique furniture graces the rooms along with two pianos. There’s even an old English phone booth in the courtyard. Dove House also has its own outdoor ceremony area.
At Lionsgate, no on-site catering is provided so couples have the flexibility of choosing any vendor they want. It also guarantees that more items will be included in its base price than any other wedding venue in Colorado. Tables, linens, centerpieces, and more are provided for all events without up-charges.
Lionsgate is located at 1055 S. 112th St. (its entrance is on Hwy 287) across from Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette.
So if you’re looking for a northern Colorado wedding venue, be sure to add these four sites to your list to consider.
Regensburger Photography is a full-service photography studio specializing in fun and fashionable wedding photography. Call 303-478-7586 to book a consultation with Regensburger Photography today.