For over a century, the Broadmoor Hotel has served as an icon in the midst of Colorado Springs. With its trademark blush facade and its high-end amenities, it has attracted people from every corner of the globe to come and rest in luxury. As time has passed, this space has hosted celebrations as legendary as the building itself. As a Colorado Springs wedding photographer, I have gotten the chance to go behind the scenes of some of the best venues around. Here’s everything you need to know about planning your Broadmoor wedding!
About The Broadmoor Wedding Venue
1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
The Broadmoor Hotel is a luxury estate and wedding venue deeply rooted in history. The hotel was the brainchild of the philanthropist couple Spencer and Julie Penrose. The couple was married in England before honeymooning throughout Europe. Over the next three decades, they would carry on with their love of travel, staying at resorts all across the globe. Throughout each new journey, they would live it up! They dined at the best restaurants, splurged at renowned stores, and planned some of the most daring adventures. They traveled by steamships and Pullman train cars while building their personal collections. So, when it was time to create their own hotel, they used these trips as inspiration.
They opened the Broadmoor in the summer of 1918 and continually added to its offerings throughout their lifetimes. The site would have one of the first golf courses in the state, as well as 75 miles of horseback trails. There was an indoor riding arena, polo fields, and even a stadium for the rodeo Spencer started in 1937. Meanwhile, Julie created the Broadmoor Art Academy in 1918 to ensure both residents and visitors had access to fine art and music. Today, the spirit of the Penrose family lives on at the El Pomar Carriage Museum, created by Julie to show off the carriages they had collected. Throughout your stay at the Broadmoor, you can stop by and take a peek while getting a bit more insight into the city. You can also stop by the Pauline Chapel or the Penrose Heritage Museum to see more of the family’s personal artifacts.
The Broadmoor Today
Nowadays, the Broadmoor attracts wedding couples with the same adventurous spirit as the Penroses. Throughout your wedding weekend, they invite you to explore the area before relaxing in their incredibly comfortable rooms. This venue continuously receives glowing praise from wedding websites as well as couples who have chosen it for their celebration. The accommodations are also worth writing home about! The hotel has received a Forbes 5-star rating, is a certified AAA Five-Diamond venue, and is on the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List. When you choose this space for your wedding weekend, you can count on being absolutely pampered!
Details of the Grounds
With the Broadmoor, you can host every second of your celebration on the grounds, so you don’t have to worry about rushing anywhere throughout the day. While the venue does offer designated get-ready rooms, I always recommend booking a space at the hotel on the morning of your wedding. Lucky for you, the resort gives you tons of options, including rooms, suites, cottages, estate houses, and brownstones! With any of these spots, you are going to have tons of space to get ready with your party that morning. Wake up, pop open a bottle of champagne, and start the celebration with your best friends by your side! You can head down to the in-hotel salon, or you can have your hair and makeup artists meet you in your room before it’s time to get into your gown.
Outdoor Wedding Ceremonies At The Broadmoor
For your wedding ceremony, the Broadmoor has a number of spaces you can use. For those wanting an outdoor wedding, you will have several different backdrops.
Couples wanting the best view of Cheyenne Mountain are going to love the Lakeside Terrace. With this option, your guests will be right next to Cheyenne Lake, and the mountain will serve as your backdrop. You will be able to fit up to 200 guests.
If you would like something a little bigger, you can try the Mountain View Terrace. This space overlooks the Cheyenne Canyon and can fit up to 300 guests. The best thing about this location is the secluded location near Broadmoor West. Your guests are going to feel as though they’re in their own private world!
The Estate House Lawn is another popular outdoor location. Your wedding will take place with the 12,000-square-foot house serving as your backdrop. Your guests will be seated on the lush grass, and once your ceremony is over, you can set out yard games like croquet. This space can accommodate up to 200 guests. In order to access it, you must rent the Estate House for overnight accommodation.
Finally, the West Tower Lawn will be able to accommodate the most guests with space for up to 1,000 guests. The space is surrounded by pine, maple, and cherry trees, giving you a changing backdrop depending on the season.
Indoor Ceremony Options
For those who prefer some climate control, the Broadmoor has some incredible indoor wedding venues that still let you embrace the heart of Colorado Springs.
Micro weddings can take place in the Fish House. This rustic spot is typically a favorite of travelers coming to Broadmoor for fly fishing. You will be in an Adirondack-style cabin near the East Golf Course. Once you are done with your ceremony, your guests can head out to the back porch for drinks and a view! This space can host up to 24 guests.
For something slightly larger, you can use the Donald Ross Room Terrace, which has rooms for up to 70 guests. This space is located on the Broadmoor Golf Course and offers large windows that show off the neighboring mountains.
If you are wanting something a little more extravagant, the Fountain Room might just be your space. This room is located in the resort’s main building and celebrates the resort’s history. Your guests will be captivated by the legendary ceiling with its intricate details and gilded accents. Floor-to-ceiling windows show off the mountains while the room’s namesake fountain adds a touch of ambiance. This space can host up to 150 guests.
Religious Ceremonies are hosted in the Pauline Chapel. The church technically belongs to the Catholic denomination, but you can speak to the venue about hosting an interfaith celebration. This venue features religious relics Julie Penrose collected over the years. Saints grace the walls while the golden columns pay homage to the Spanish Missionary Style. The exterior has the same blush facade as the main Broadmoor building. It can host up to 100 guests.
Cocktail Hour
Once you have finished your wedding ceremony, it will be time for your Broadmoor cocktail hour. Many of the designated outdoor wedding spaces let you seamlessly transition to the next portion of your celebration and will provide you with everything you need. As your guests sample signature cocktails, they can play some lawn games or take a stroll around the property. For those hosting an indoor ceremony, you will be able to set up a bar on-site. You can also move this portion to an outdoor terrace so your guests can take in the surrounding nature. Both the Lakeside Terrace and the Mountain View Terrace work beautifully for this time.
Receptions At The Broadmoor Wedding Venue
Finally, it will be time for your reception. The venue offers ceremony and reception pairings to simplify your planning process. They will work with you to find the right spot to end your day.
The largest receptions will take place in Broadmoor Hall. This space can easily accommodate up to 1,000 guests. The room features high ceilings, neutral tan walls, and a red patterned carpet. They can add a dance floor to ensure your guests have a proper space to celebrate!
The Cheyenne Lodge is separate from the main hotel and offers a private terrace where your guests can go outside and catch a breath of fresh air. The room features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Colorado Springs. The walls are painted with a light shade of tan, and the carpets feature intricate yet neutral patterns. There is a dance floor, and you can add a stage if you’d like. This room is ready to host up to 250 guests.
If you want something a little more Parisian, you are going to adore the Lake Terrace Dining Room! This area can host up to 250 guests and draws inspiration from 18th century France. It has a separate area for food so you can have plenty of room for dancing..
The Main Ballroom can host up to 150 guests and offers the same French inspiration as the Lake Terrace Dining Room. Extravagant crystal chandeliers light up the area while the neutral colors invite you to bring in your own color scheme.
If none of these reception spaces speak to you, I would advise you to chat with the hotel. They offer a number of other spaces ready to accommodate micro and midsized weddings. I’m positive this resort is going to have the right spot for your party!
Photography Opportunities
With the Broadmoor, you are going to have plenty of space for your wedding portraits! For those who decide to rent out a cottage or an estate house, you will have a private lawn where you can take pictures alongside your wedding party. This is going to be the best spot to show off your entire look! We can also snap pictures indoors so you have candid shots of you celebrating with your besties.
I always recommend getting pictures outside the hotel itself. Of course, you need the chance to show off the venue, but you will also be able to add a wonderfully feminine flair with the iconic pink color. The lawns surrounding the hotel are meticulously landscaped, offering a lush and accessible spot to take your couple’s portraits. You can also use this space for pictures with family members of all ages.
Once your wedding is over, you will want to spend some time wandering around the lawn. Out here, you will find clearings that let you show off the mountains. It’s the perfect way to add some natural flourishes to your luxury wedding!
Wedding Details
With The Broadmoor, they are going to go out of their way to ensure you have everything you need for your perfect day. Here are a few of the perks they offer:
Guest Lodging: while Colorado Springs has lodging accommodations at all different price points, The Broadmoor gives your guests a way to stay in style! Your guests will be able to choose between several lodging options, and you can have your wedding party stay in your cottage if you’d like. The resort has a number of amenities, including a kids’ concierge, a salon, and several dining options. Your guests can also check out the golf courses, stop by the 20 retail shops, book a service at the five-star spa, and workout at the fitness center. The hotel is pet-friendly!
Cuisine: The chefs at The Broadmoor are some of the best around. Before your event, they are going to work with you to create a menu that will compliment your day perfectly. They also will take care of all the drinks and can handle the cake and the desserts.
Preferred Vendors: Over the years, the Broadmoor has built up relationships with industry experts. They will use their vendors to provide everything from flowers to entertainment!
Amenities: The venue will take care of all the extra details you will need. They have tables and chairs and can offer upgrades for those who’d prefer. They will handle the flatware, glassware, linens, and set-up There is valet-parking, and the grounds are accessible for people of all abilities.
I Hope This Helps You Plan Your Dream Broadmoor Wedding
With the Broadmoor wedding venue and Hotel, you are about to have the wedding of your dreams! Now, you just need the right person to help you document it. As a Colorado Springs wedding photographer, I adore working with couples to ensure they can have memories they will cherish for years to come. If you are looking for the person who gets your style, I would love nothing more than to sit down and have a conversation so you can decide if I’m the one for you. Send me a message today if you’d like to learn more!
