Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue: Why We Picked The Broadmoor
When planning a wedding, one of the most significant decisions is selecting the perfect venue. It sets the tone for your big day and creates lasting memories for you and your guests. My husband and I put a lot of thought into choosing our venue, and ultimately, we landed on The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Here's a breakdown of the four key factors that went into our decision and how the Broadmoor turned our fairytale wedding into a reality.
1. Location: A Place That Means Something to You
Your wedding venue should hold meaning for you as a couple. Whether it's your hometown, a city that played a significant role in your relationship, or a destination you've always loved, the location should feel special.
For us, location was very important. While we currently live in Kansas City and both grew up in Columbus, Ohio, neither place felt quite right for our wedding. We considered Columbus to make it easier for guests, but we knew we wanted something more meaningful.
That’s when we turned to The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs—a place that has been special to us from the very start of our relationship. It was the first place we ever vacationed as a couple, and we've made it an annual tradition to return. Hosting our wedding here gave us the chance to share our favorite mountain getaway with our family and friends.
The Broadmoor's stunning mountain views, world-class hospitality, and elegant charm made it the perfect setting. The staff went above and beyond to ensure every detail was flawless. Special shoutout to Katie Hogan, who was instrumental in making our weekend unforgettable!
2. Weekend Events: Making It a Memorable Experience
Once you’ve chosen your location, it’s time to think about the various events that make up your wedding weekend. For us, a destination wedding was ideal because it gave our guests a chance to feel like they were on vacation. To make their experience seamless, we carefully planned each event and chose Broadmoor venues that were close together or provided transportation to avoid the hassle of constant travel.
Where we landed:
Thursday
Kickoff Cocktails (A small happy hour for anyone checking in early)
Friday
Rehearsal Dinner
Welcome Party
Saturday
Ceremony
Reception
After Party
3. Venue Selection: A Variety of Stunning Options
One of the best things about The Broadmoor is its wide range of venues, each offering unique charm and breathtaking views. With Katie's help, we carefully matched each of our wedding events to a Broadmoor venue. Every space was thoughtfully selected to enhance the experience and give our guests a sense of the Broadmoor’s beauty.
We also prioritized convenience for our guests. Most venues were within walking distance, and the Broadmoor provided bus transportation for those that weren’t. Our goal was to create a stress-free experience, allowing everyone to focus on enjoying the weekend.
Here’s how our weekend unfolded:
Kickoff Cocktails: We rented one of the Broadmoor's charming townhomes to host a small gathering for early arrivals on Thursday evening. Guests enjoyed drinks and light bites, setting the tone for the weekend ahead.
Rehearsal Dinner: The Mountain Clubhouse was the perfect venue, offering breathtaking views of Colorado Springs. To transport our guests to the Amalfi Coast, we decorated with blues and yellows and served Aperol Spritz cocktails upon arrival. My husband’s favorite meal, chicken parmesan, was the star of the dinner. This night was also the perfect opportunity for our wedding party to give their toasts, keeping the reception speeches short and sweet.
Welcome Party & Gender Reveal: The Mountain Clubhouse stayed in use for our welcome party, which doubled as a surprise gender reveal! Three months before the wedding, we found out I was pregnant, and sharing this news with our loved ones was the highlight of the weekend.
Ceremony: We used Lakeside Terrace for our ceremony and it was a dream come true for our outdoor ceremony. Colorado weather can be unpredictable (it snowed the week before!), but we were lucky with a perfect sunny day.
Reception: The Lakeside Terrace Ballroom hosted our reception. This ballroom was big enough to seat all 178 of our guests and still provide room for a spacious dance floor.
After Party: To cap off the night, we headed to the Broadmoor’s bowling alley, PLAY, for an epic after-party. Complete with a DJ, late-night food, and unlimited bowling, it was the perfect way to wind down (or keep the party going!).
4. Budget: Prioritize What Matters Most
Budgeting is one of the most critical steps when choosing a wedding venue. It’s essential to outline your priorities and distribute funds accordingly.
For us, a killer band was a non-negotiable, while we were less focused on extravagant floral arrangements. By identifying what mattered most, we were able to stay within budget without sacrificing the elements that made the day uniquely ours.
The Broadmoor offers a range of packages and options, allowing couples to tailor their wedding to their vision and budget. Their team worked closely with us to ensure we achieved the perfect balance.
Choosing The Broadmoor as our wedding venue was one of the best decisions we made. The location was meaningful to us, the variety of venues allowed us to create a seamless weekend of events, and the staff’s dedication ensured every detail was perfect.
If you’re considering a destination wedding or simply want to host your big day at a venue that exudes elegance and charm, The Broadmoor might just be the perfect place for you too.
Here’s to finding the venue that makes your wedding dreams come true!