A guide to having a Chautauqua Lawn and Dining Hall wedding
Nestled at the base of Boulder’s iconic Flatirons, the Chautauqua Dining Hall offers a timeless and picturesque setting for your wedding day. With its rich history dating back to 1898, this venue seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern amenities, providing a unique backdrop for your special moments. Imagine exchanging vows under the canopy of century-old trees, followed by an elegant reception in the historic dining hall, all while surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty that makes Chautauqua one of Colorado’s most beloved landmarks. Whether you’re a local or planning a destination wedding, the Chautauqua Dining Hall promises an unforgettable experience filled with romance and beauty. Read on to discover everything you need to know about hosting your dream wedding at this Boulder wedding venue.
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Some details about Chautauqua Lawn and Dining Hall
| Location | 301 Morning Glory Dr, Boulder, CO 80302 | ||
| Price | Starting at $1300 | ||
| Capacity | 24-124 depending on venue selection | ||
| Getting Ready Suite | Cottages available for rent | ||
| Catering | In house | ||
| Included Rentals | Banquet tables, folding chairs, and standard ivory linens | ||
| DJ cutoff | 9:45pm | ||
Pros of a Chautauqua Lawn and Dining Hall wedding
- Right in the heart of Boulder, easy access to hotels and activities for your guests
- Beautiful mountain backdrop, the photo options are incredible
- Lots of in-house options (catering, chairs, etc.)
- Lodging options available for your guests
- Really great food options
- Indoor/outdoor cocktail space
- Large open dancefloor
Cons of a Chautauqua Lawn and Dining Hall wedding
- Parking can be extremely difficult, especially on a weekend.
- Cottages are a bit of a walk and the ceremony has a small walk to reception space
- You don’t have full access to the venue
- Folks might be on the lawn during ceremony and part of the Dining Hall is still open to guests
A tour of a Chautauqua Dining Hall wedding
Exterior
Chautauqua Dining Hall is a gorgeous historic building located right on the lawn of Chautauqua Green. There is a gorgeous wrap around porch and cute little details, which makes this venue feel like it belongs in Disneyland. There is a 5 minute, flat walk to the outdoor ceremony space. Depending on which cottage you stay at, there could be a 2-10 minute walk, potentially uphill.
Getting Ready
There are tons of cottages behind the venue available for rent. Each has it’s own unique decor and charm. All come with a parking space, which is worth the price alone since parking can be quite tricky, especially on weekends in the summers. Depending on the cottage, there might be a small uphill walk from the venue to the ceremony location.
Ceremony
Ceremonies can be held at a variety of different locations, but this wedding was held on the Green in front of the venue. It provides a gorgeous view of the Flatirons and plenty of space for up to 100 guests. Keep in mind this is still a public park so people spectating is probably likely.
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour is held outdoors in front of the dining hall. You can also use the indoor space where there’s another bar, in the event of inclement weather. There is plenty of space for a full bar and a variety of standing and seating room. It is right near the main parking and road, so you will have some traffic and cars going by.
Photo Locations
There are SO many locations for photos, depending on time you can get epic views of the Flatirons and even drive up Flagstaff mountain for an epic overlook. However, if you want to stay close by, the lawn is a gorgeous spot for photos. Some of my favorite photos were in and around the cottages.
Reception
The reception space is in a large tented space which provides a perfect backdrop for a myriad of decor choices. There is ample room for several larger tables as shown below and tons of natural light. Most couples will do toasts and cake cutting in this space and then venture into the adjacent room for special dancing and open dancing.
Dancing
There is a ton of room for open dancing in the room off of the tented reception space. There is a large stone fireplace and lots of cool, rustic decor that has a very quintessential Colorado feel.
View a full wedding day at Chautauqua Lawn and Dining Hall
Looking for even more wedding day inspiration? Take a look at Aubrey and Andrew’s May wedding day. This day featured a sweet first look, wedding party photos at the Flatirons, an outdoor ceremony on the lawn and a tented reception.
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