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Getting hitched? Here are some of Pueblo's best wedding venues to consider for the big day
Pueblo lovebirds who have decided to tie the knot have hundreds of choices to make before the big day, from where to get hitched to what to wear, who to invite, what to eat, what kind of flowers to use for decorating, and who to hire for photography.
When it comes to choosing the site, considerations often include whether the ceremony will be indoors or outdoors (or a little of both), as well as atmosphere, accommodations, staff, accessibility, and even parking.
Josh and Kristan Lepik of Lepik Photography have been capturing memorable moments of Puebloans' wedding events for the past 12 years. They've spent a lot of time gauging the pros and cons of wedding venues they've worked at and have shared blog posts on their website that help newlyweds-to-be decide where they want to hold their big event.
"We are trying to be that premier place to help choose venues. We started with a blog on the Abriendo Inn and the Union Depot and we are currently working on the convention center," Josh Lepik told the Chieftain.
The photographers' website also lists considerations to take into account for several different photography locations and sample pictures at each site. They even get into details like whether there is a parking fee.
When it comes to making the choice, sometimes multiple options get the nod.
"We had one couple that got married at a very tiny church and then the reception was in a backyard so neither place was great for photos," he explained. It turned out that Lake Pueblo was between the church and the reception, "so we went to the north entrance of the reservoir and there is a road off to the right with a half-circle parking lot and that's right by the water so that's where we took the photos."
"The good thing about Pueblo is that you can get anywhere in 20 minutes. We try to find unique places around Pueblo that can make it epic," Lepik explained.
The former passenger train station, built in 1889, is a red-brick marvel harkening back to the Romanesque era. A large banquet hall can accommodate up to 500 guests and is used for more than 200 events yearly, from wedding receptions to private parties.
"It is a great location, has a bridal loft for getting ready and plenty of photo opportunities," Lepik said.
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This circa 1906 blonde-brick four-story mansion offers a fairy-tale-like setting for weddings.
The Abriendo Inn is owned by Jeff and Cindy Baily. Cindy Baily has three decades of experience as a wedding planner and the couple hosts 10 to 12 weddings and receptions each year, ranging from 30 people inside to up to 325 people outside.
The inn has "obvious beauty both inside, with stunning woodwork, stained glass windows, and chandeliers, and outside with beautiful lawn, trees and a water fountain," Cindy Bailey said.
"There are plenty of rooms for all guests to get ready, and it's a beautiful property for taking lots of pictures," Lepik said.
"We offer clients a one-stop shop for their special day. Couples and guests can attend the ceremony and reception all in one place, eliminating the need to travel to a new location for each part of the event," Cindy Bailey explained.
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Surrounded by green meadows, aspen and pine trees, and breathtaking views of the Wet Mountain Range, Brush Canyon Ranch is a private, quiet mountain location that specializes in outdoor weddings. The facility is highlighted by a ceremony gazebo, a reception pavilion and cabin lodging.
"It is a great location with suites for both the bride and groom to get ready, plus it is great for photos," Lepik said.
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The 1997 convention center received major upgrades in 2019. The center can accommodate almost any budget and weddings ranging from 25 to 1,000 guests
With an in-house culinary team, the center staff can also handle the reception and feeding guests.
"It is one of the top places in Pueblo. They can accommodate any size of wedding with multiple rooms that can expand. It is in the heart of downtown with lots of parking and is easily accessible," Lepik said.
He pointed out the convention center has limited photo opportunities, "unless you drive a short distance or walk to the riverwalk."
Some other popular wedding venues in Pueblo include the , which is centrally located in the heart of downtown and provides nice shade; the , which has Industrial vibes, an outdoor patio and inside space; and the , which is a "wonderful riverwalk venue with plenty of parking where there are lots of photo opportunities," Lepik said.
Both and can be good outdoor-only wedding venues with "plenty of space for everyone, which makes them great for the ceremony and reception," Lepik said. "The only downside is they are fully outdoors, so weather will be the biggest factor."
Pueblo is also home to several other smaller event and reception halls and there are several other ranches that also host weddings in the county.
The Lepiks have worked to build up their business and that effort has won them Best of Pueblo Community Choice Awards for photography businesses for the past few years. They said one thing they've learned is that there are many great choices for photos in the community.
The old jailhouse, the Station at the Riverwalk, a public sidewalk with beautiful blooming trees in the background, the dome in Mineral Palace Park, and many other places can be ideal to capture memories of the big day.
"We got married at the top of the (Rawlings) library on Abriendo. You can rent out the whole rooftop of the library and it was insanely cheap," Lepik said.
"We felt like we were on top of the city, on top of the library on top of the hill on Abriendo. We had half indoor and half outdoor accomodations and it was truly cool," he explained.
More: How the Pueblo Convention Center set a new gross revenue record in 2024
Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@ or via X at Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Here are the best wedding venues in Pueblo, Colorado