North Star Gatherings Wedding | Idaho Springs, CO

Why get married at North Star Gatherings

This newer venue opened in 2019 in the hills above the defunct North Star Mining Claim. Family owned and built, they’ve created a space that embraces the beautiful views of the continental divide, all while remaining about an hour from Denver.

It’s also solar powered!

North Star Gatherings is located at 3354 Little Bear Creek Road, Idaho Springs, CO 80452

From their site:

Ten years ago, two young kids got engaged and moved to Colorado, soon after looking for a wedding venue that didn’t exist: Something cozy, and modern, while still surrounded by mountain views without having to drive hours from Denver. In 2017, we found a perfect piece of land and began the two-year build process, opening on the heels of the pandemic.

The space can hold up to 170 guests, so it’s a great options for large mountain weddings.

What is the overall feel of North Star Gatherings?

The venue feels effortlessly peaceful and the owners are continually adding improvements that continue to add accessibility and function to the space. The main reception space is wide open, bright, and has a gorgeous fireplace that can be a great decor feature. The outdoor patio for ceremonies overlooks the trees and rocks, and there are some great places to capture the vast views of the Continental Divide on the property.

Where do we get ready for our North Star Gatherings wedding?

There are two getting ready spaces on the property. One, The Wedding Loft, is located in the main reception space, in a easily divided balcony, and the other is The Aspen House, located a short walk from the main property. The Aspen House is a tiny home with a covered porch, looking east over the mountains. Both spaces have charm and good decor.

What is the ceremony space like at North Star Gatherings?

The ceremony space is adjacent to the main reception space and has a roll up garage door that can be opened to allow the wedding party to walk in. While the aisle isn’t long, the views are spectacular. Up to 170 chairs will fit on the deck.

What is the reception space like at North Star Gatherings?

The reception space is large, clean, and bright, with tall ceilings and a balcony. There is a side patio that is perfect for cocktails, and there are endless possibilities for decorating in the blank canvas of a space. There is an inside bar, that also connects to the outside, so it can be used during both the cocktail hour and the reception.

Pro Tips for Getting Married at North Star Gatherings

There are a couple of ways to approach the property, depending on which direction you’re coming from, and part of it involves a dirt road. If there has been a lot of rain or its early in the season and roads are still a big muddy, the venue will let you know which way is best to approach from.

The getting ready spaces are nice, but they aren’t huge, so often people choose to arrive with hair and make up already done, so all they have to do is get dressed on site.

If you like photos that include rocks with views, there are some beautiful spots on the property that take advantage of this.

Leave time for sunset photos. Seriously, it’s a must!

Remember you’re at altitude. If you’re planning a wedding in the Colorado mountains, make sure to check out my guide for getting married at altitude.

The venue has a very convenient availability schedule right on their website, so you can know if your preferred date is available even before you visit.

Your event rental spans from 12:00noon to 11:00pm, but guests have to be out by 10:00, due to noise ordinances.

The venue requires that you work with a planner, but they do have options to hire an onsite planner if that feels like more of your style.

Pricing for a Northstar Gatherings wedding

May – October
Weedkays = $9100
Friday = $10,000
Saturday = $10,500
Sunday = $9,500

April & November
$9,100

The venue closes for the winter season because of snow the week before Thanksgiving. They reopen in April.