Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms Wedding

Where is The Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms?

The Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is located in Littleton, CO. Their address is 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road.

From their site:

Chatfield Farms is 700 acres of what was once ranched by the Hildebrand and Green families. The site is nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and trees line the banks of the Deer Creek that runs through the facility.

Three farmhouses, two barns, farm structures and the one room Deer Creek schoolhouse remain on the property. One barn and farm house and the schoolhouse have been renovated to hold private events. Incredible views of the foothills and surrounding gardens can be seen from all locations.

What is the overall feel of Chatfield Farms?

Chatfield Farms is a working CSA that boasts several beautiful spaces for weddings. It feels rustic, relaxed, and with a nod to history. Plus, the grounds are extensive, so there is a definite feel of open space.

Practical Tips for Getting Married at Chatfield Farms

The gardens can host multiple weddings on a weekend, so be prepared to see other weddings guests on your big day.  But because there is so much space, you will still feel like your event is your own. For the most privacy, I would recommend renting the Green Farm Barn for your event.

For the most even lighting and open shade for your ceremony, consider having your ceremony on the side of the big red barn under the evergreen trees.

You can book a morning or an afternoon 8 hour time slot for your wedding. Or you can book a full 12 hour time slot for your day, which allows for the greatest flexibility in scheduling and ceremony time.

Chatfield Farms does not have a liquor license, so your caterer will have to provide the alcohol for your event. You are also required to use an approved caterer for the event. If you choose to go outside of the approved list, be prepared to pay a small fee.

Acoustic music is allowed throughout the grounds if the sound does not exceed a certain decibel at the property line. Outdoor music must end by 11pm.

Chatfield Farms provides a site coordinator, but you are required to have your own on-site representative who is in charge of making sure the event flows. This person cannot be part of your wedding party, or someone who has wedding day responsibilities. The Gardens recommends that you hire at least a day of coordinator for your event. If you’re looking for recommendations for planners, check out my list of best Colorado wedding vendors.

Some sites are not available during public events like the annual corn maze. See the brochure link above for seasonal restrictions on each space.

What season should I get married at Chatfield Farms?

Weddings can be hosted year round at Chatfield and the Gardens offers discounted rates for Fall and Winter Rentals. Spring, Summer and Fall are both really pretty times to be at the farm. Keep in mind that summer in Colorado can be hot and that there is no air conditioning in the Green Farm Barn or Deer Creek Stables.

Rental Spaces at The Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms

There are seven rentable spaces at Chatfield Farms, including three ceremony options, two reception options, and two getting ready spaces. The events department has created several packages options that best utilize the spaces. Keep reading for my take on the spaces and the ways you can combine them for your event! You can see the different package options available in the current rental brochure.

Green Farm Barn

The Green Farm Barn is my favorite reception space at Chatfield Farms. The red barn is iconic and a long standing symbol at Chatfield Farms. It seats 140 indoors for dinner and can expand onto the outdoor patio for dining and dancing. I love the ambiance of outdoor dancing under the market lights as the twilight fades to night. The barn is in the back part of the gardens so your guest can either walk or be shuttled from the parking lot by event staff.

Deer Creek Stables

This newer structure replaced the open air tent that used to sit in the space and it’s a welcome step up for receptions. It can seat 225 and can spill out into the grassy amphitheater for large events. The Stables are near the front end of Chatfield Farms and are just an easy walk from the main parking lot.

Prairie Garden Terrace

The best part of this space is the giant cottonwood tree that sits in the middle of the wooden deck. It’s draped with thousands of twinkle lights which adds a magical feel to the space. Many couples use it for dancing and cocktails and it pairs perfectly with the Deer Creek Stables. There is a fire pit in the area that adds an additional layer of cozy to this space.

Deer Creek School House

The school house is often used as a getting ready space for weddings being held at the Deer Creek Stables. It’s bright and open with good light and it’s in close proximity to the parking area.

Polly Steele Center

This historic house is the designated getting ready space for weddings at the Green Farm Barn. If available, the nearby Yurt is also an option for one side of the wedding party to get ready. The house features several open rooms, bathrooms, and a gorgeous screened porch that has great light. I recommend getting dressed on the screened porch because the light is so great. There is also a great grove of cottonwoods nearby that is perfect for outdoor portraits before the ceremony at the Green Farm Barn.

Open Air Chapel

Open Air Chapel is an incredible outdoor site nestled in the meadow with Deer Creek Canyon as the backdrop. It can be combined with either the Green Farm Barn or the Deer Creek Stables reception sites. Many couples who want to separate their reception from their ceremony, will choose this outdoor space. While the actual ceremony space is in the open sun, there are groves of trees nearby for family photos post-ceremony.