The winter is my slower season so I have time to catch up on things like blogging and visiting new wedding venues that seem interesting. Blackstone Rivers Ranch is a new wedding venue in Idaho Springs Colorado. They had their first full wedding season last year. Big things are on the horizon for Blackstone Rivers Ranch. With so many people coming to do a Colorado destination wedding from out of state, they want something that offers the mountains and isn't 4+ hours away. Blackstone Rivers is it. You have mountains, pine trees, aspen trees (my favorite), a river, covered bridge, outhouse photo booth and one of the best lodges to have luxury bridal and grooms suites.
I loved the mix of modern styling and rustic. It's rather hard to pull off not having EVERY detail be wood and animal hides. There are numerous antique furniture pieces that I really enjoyed mixed in with homages to the old mining community that they are in. The owners used pickaxes for door handles. Super cool!
As you pull off the highway there is an old covered wagon with the Blackstone Rivers Ranch logo on it. You then pull into the parking lot along side the river which has several really cool seating areas. You then cross the river on a covered bridge leading to the lodge, ceremony site, and reception area.
There is the main building where the suites, wine tasting lounge, and restrooms are. There is also a "cold kitchen" for your caterer. Outside on the massive patio they put your tables and 3 tiered tent with lighting for your reception. I didn't get photos of it as it is the off-season for them currently.
Near the tent is your ceremony site along the river with log seating that is configurable and they will be adding another row for this year. The bride can enter from the covered bridge or from the lodge. Wanna get married in a church? No problem, you can just have your wedding reception here and save a little.
Inside the lodge are the suites. The brides suite is amazing. It has a huge mirror, a walkout deck, claw foot tub, and beaded wallpaper with gold leaf in it. Really neat. The grooms suite has a fireplace, mini bar, and the upstairs has a giant TV and leather couches.
There is also a small cabin called the Claim Jumper for four that you can rent via Airbnb.The couples having their wedding at Blackstone Rivers Ranch have first dibs at staying there and its included in a few packages that they offer.
The one downside is that there isn't lodging on-site but its only 41 minutes from downtown Denver so its not a big deal at all. The fact that you can get all these amenities and mountain style this close is a HUGE benefit. Its only 25 minutes from multiple lodging options in Lakewood or Golden and you can always hire a party bus to get your guests back to their rooms!
Colorado Wedding Photographer | Idaho Springs Wedding Photographer | Blackstone Rivers Ranch | Idaho Springs, Colorado
Winter | Idaho Springs | Wedding Venue
