A guide to having a Upper Larimer wedding
As a Colorado wedding photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing love stories in some of the most breathtaking venues across the state. One that consistently stands out for its urban charm and modern elegance is Upper Larimer—a chic and versatile wedding venue in Denver’s RiNo Art District. If you’re looking for a space that blends industrial vibes with luxury, this might just be your dream venue.
About Upper Larimer
Upper Larimer is a sophisticated, open-concept venue with soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and dramatic steel beams that create the perfect balance between industrial and upscale. The large skylights and statement chandeliers add warmth and ambiance, making it an incredible setting for both day and evening weddings. The space is flexible, allowing couples to personalize their vision—whether you’re going for a romantic, boho-chic feel or a sleek, modern aesthetic.
Venue Details
- Capacity: Upper Larimer can accommodate up to 200 seated guests and 300 for a cocktail-style reception.
- Event Timing: Rental periods typically range from 8 to 12 hours, allowing ample time for setup and teardown.
- On-Site Amenities: The venue provides tables, chairs, a built-in bar, high-end lighting, and AV equipment.
- Catering & Alcohol: Outside catering is allowed, but vendors must be chosen from the venue’s preferred list. Alcohol service must be handled by a licensed bartender.
- Accessibility: The venue is fully accessible with ramps and restrooms designed for guests of all abilities.
- Dressing Suites: Private getting-ready spaces are available for the couple and wedding party.
| Location | 3034 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205 | ||
| Capacity | 200 seated | ||
| Coordinator | Can be added on | ||
| Hours of use | 8 hours (can add additional) | ||
| Rentals | Tables and chairs included for 200 guests | ||
| Parking | 22 included, on-site spaces |
Pricing
Upper Larimer’s pricing varies depending on the day of the week, time of year, and guest count, but you can expect venue rental fees to start around $6,000 – $10,000. This typically includes access to the space for setup and teardown, basic furniture, and lighting. Additional services, such as catering and décor, will be at an additional cost.
Pricing for a peak season, full day wedding
Updated for 2025, but for most up to date pricing always check directly with the venue!
| Saturday | $8,000 | ||
| Friday | $7,000 | ||
| Sunday-Thursday | $6,000 |
Pros of Choosing Upper Larimer
- Stunning Architectural Details: The venue’s industrial charm, combined with elegant touches like grand chandeliers and polished concrete floors, creates a unique and stylish atmosphere.
- Prime Location in RiNo: RiNo (River North) is one of Denver’s trendiest neighborhoods, filled with vibrant murals, craft breweries, and an eclectic arts scene. Your guests will love exploring the area before and after the celebration.
- Versatile & Spacious Layout: Upper Larimer offers a flexible space that can be customized to suit different wedding styles and guest counts. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand affair, the venue adapts beautifully.
- Indoor & Outdoor Options: With a stunning indoor reception space and an adjacent outdoor patio, Upper Larimer provides options for both indoor and al fresco celebrations.
- Built-in Lighting & AV: One of the best perks? The venue comes equipped with high-end lighting and AV capabilities, making it easy to create a seamless and immersive experience.
Cons of Upper Larimer
- Limited On-Site Parking: While the location is fantastic, parking can be tricky. Guests and vendors will need to rely on nearby parking lots or rideshare services.
- Difficult Lighting: Upper Larimer has a moody, a chic vibe– but that also means lighting can be a bit tricky for some wedding photographers. There isn’t a ton of natural light within the venue, so it’s imperative that your wedding photographer is capable with off camera flash!
- Booking Demand: This venue is highly sought after, so securing your date well in advance is essential!
A tour of a Donovan Pavilion wedding
Exterior
Located in the heart of Denver’s vibrant RiNo Art District, Upper Larimer welcomes guests with a stylish and understated industrial facade. The brick exterior, large windows, and sleek entryway set the tone for a contemporary yet warm atmosphere. The surrounding area features stunning murals, perfect for urban wedding portraits. While on-site parking is limited, guests can easily access nearby garages or use rideshare services for convenience.
Getting Ready
Upper Larimer provides private getting-ready spaces designed for comfort and style. These suites offer ample lighting (a photographer’s dream), full-length mirrors, and comfortable seating areas, making them perfect for pre-ceremony preparations and candid moments with the wedding party. These suites can be utilized for half the day (middle tier package) or the full wedding day (highest package). I recommend having the getting ready suite for the full day so you don’t have to stress about cleaning or moving your items.
Ceremony
The venue’s main space transforms beautifully for wedding ceremonies. With soaring ceilings, exposed brick walls, and industrial-chic chandeliers, the ambiance is effortlessly romantic. Couples can customize the space with floral installations, drapery, or unique lighting to match their wedding aesthetic. The venue’s flexibility allows for both grand aisle entrances and intimate, close-knit ceremonies.
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, guests can transition seamlessly to the outdoor patio or a designated indoor lounge area for cocktail hour. The space features stylish seating, ambient lighting, and a built-in bar, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. The RiNo location also offers opportunities for food trucks or unique bar setups, adding a fun and personal touch to the event.
Photo Locations
Upper Larimer is a dream for wedding photography. The industrial backdrop, dramatic lighting, and surrounding RiNo murals create endless possibilities for stunning portraits. Whether you want a moody, urban aesthetic or a colorful, artistic vibe, this venue offers a variety of settings to capture your love story in a unique and visually striking way.
Pro tip: Margot and Mark (featured in this wedding guide blog post) really wanted epic mountain scenery to show off their love for Colorado– but wanted a Denver wedding venue that was accessible for their guests. So they chose to do a mountain session before their wedding day. Epic mountain wedding photos with a stress free wedding day.
Reception
The main event space at Upper Larimer is where the magic truly happens. With a spacious open floor plan, high-end lighting, and polished concrete floors, the reception area can be designed to match any wedding style. From elegant long-table dinners to lively dance floors, the venue’s flexibility ensures that each celebration feels personal and unforgettable. The built-in AV system makes entertainment seamless, and the acoustics allow for an incredible live band or DJ experience.
Pro-tip: consider sneaking out during reception for a private sunset dance on the terrace. It’s a great way to get a private moment alone and reflect on the day so far!
Dancing
Once reception events have wrapped, the area can be transformed for open dancing. If there’s a larger event, you might need to remove some tables. But with most weddings, there will be plenty of open space already.
Pro-tip: consider surprising your guests with a late night snack! This could be a dessert food truck or station or even a catered surprise like fast food hamburgers!
View a wedding day at Upper Larimer
Margot and Mark’s July Wedding at Upper Larimer
If you’d like to view what a wedding day looks like, check out this gorgeous July wedding.
If you’re drawn to contemporary elegance with an urban edge, Upper Larimer is a fantastic choice. As a wedding photographer, I can say firsthand that the lighting, textures, and ambiance of this venue create some of the most stunning photo opportunities in the city. Whether you envision an intimate candlelit evening or a bold, artistic celebration, Upper Larimer offers the perfect canvas to bring your dream wedding to life.
Are you considering Upper Larimer for your wedding? Let’s chat about capturing your big day in this iconic Denver space!
Vendor Team
Venue: Upper Larimer Denver
Wedding Planner: Lauren with Right as Rayne Events
Floral: Layers of Lovely Floral Design
Late Night Dessert: Sweet Cow MooMobile
Catering: Good Foods
Wedding Dress: Miosa Bridal
Meet Leah
A Colorado wedding photographer and big fan of Upper Larimer
Hey there! My name’s Leah and I’m a Colorado wedding photographer based out of Denver (Broomfield to be specific).
I love candid moments, timeless edits and creating a luxurious and fun experience for all my clients.
In my opinion, your wedding photos should look how your day felt. So whether you’re having a huge wedding dancing until 1am or an intimate gathering with just your closest people, I want your photos to feel organic and authentic to your day.
I loved photographing this summer wedding at Upper Larimer, it’s truly one of my favorite Denver wedding venues. I love the exposed brick, the variety of photo locations and the gorgeous getting ready suite. If you’re planning an Upper Larimer wedding– send me an email, I’d love to photograph your day!
If you enjoyed this Upper Larimer wedding guide, here are some other posts I think you might enjoy!
How to be present on your wedding day
15 questions to ask your wedding photographer before you book
let's work together!
Contact Us!
I'm so excited to hear more about your vision! Send me a message and I'll get back to you within 24-48 hours!
