Chatfield Farms is a landscape-first venue where the floral design opportunity lies in mimicry. Because the site is an active working farm and a botanical garden, the most successful arrangements look as though they were gathered from the surrounding 700 acres and purposefully placed.
We know this venue intimately. Designing here requires a deep understanding of the Colorado elements—specifically the late afternoon sun and the wind that sweeps across the plains. Large-scale structural builds often feel out of place against the expansive horizon; instead, we find that grounded, textural designs create the most impact.
The Spaces
Main Stables
The Stables offer a sophisticated take on the rustic aesthetic, featuring farmhouse chandeliers and crisp black trim. The retractable side walls are a major feature, but they turn the building into a wind tunnel if not managed.
- What works: Large-scale ground meadows placed at the base of the sliding barn doors. These create a “growing” effect that bridges the gap between the manicured lawn and the interior.
- Skip: Tall, top-heavy centerpieces on thin stands. When the walls are retracted, the cross-breeze can easily tip unstable arrangements.
- Watch out: The black trim and wood tones absorb light. Use flowers with high luminosity—whites, creams, and pale yellows—to ensure arrangements don’t disappear into the shadows.
Budget hero move: Focus your investment on a pair of floor-based “meadow” installations for the ceremony that can be moved to flank the sweetheart table or the main entrance of the Stables for the reception.
UMB Amphitheater Tent
This is a permanent canopy structure that provides a blank slate with a view. It is inherently casual but can be elevated with the right floral scale.
- What works: Low, lush compote arrangements that allow guests to see the gardens across the table. Use heavy ceramic or stone vessels to anchor the flowers against the wind.
- Skip: Hanging installations. The tent structure is not designed for heavy floral rigging, and the visual payoff is often lost against the twinkle-light ceiling.
- Watch out: The scale of the tent is vast. Tiny bud vases will look like an afterthought. Group them in “clusters” of three to five to create visual weight.
Romantic Gardens
This is the most traditional “garden” space at Chatfield, featuring stone walls and established perennial beds.
- What works: Filling the venue’s existing stone urns with seasonal, airy textures like cosmos, grasses, and ranunculus. This makes your wedding flowers feel like a permanent part of the garden.
- Skip: Traditional floral arches. The natural backdrop of the gardens is already quite busy; a heavy arch can feel like “too much on top of too much.”
- Watch out: Heat. This area is exposed. Avoid delicate “one-day” flowers like hydrangeas unless they are in a water-heavy installation.
What Works at Chatfield Farms
Ground-level “growing” installations. Mimicking the natural growth patterns of the surrounding botanical beds is the most sophisticated way to design here. Aisle flowers that look like they are sprouting from the grass are far more effective than shepherd’s hooks.
Textural, arid-inspired palettes. Lean into the Colorado environment. Incorporating dried grasses, succulents, or local “everlasting” varieties complements the high-plains vibe and stands up better to the low humidity.
Utilizing the stone architecture. The stone walls and staircases are natural pedestals. Instead of bringing in metal stands, nestle floral nests directly onto the stone to soften the hardscape and create an organic feel.
Low-profile reception designs. The draw of Chatfield is the view. Whether you are in the tent or the stables, keep table arrangements below chin level to ensure the landscape remains the star of the show.
Weighted mechanics. This is a practical necessity. Every outdoor arrangement at Chatfield must be weighted with sandbags or heavy stone bases. If a florist doesn’t mention wind management, they haven’t worked at Chatfield.
Budget Guide
| Tier | Investment | Floral Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $1,750 - $3,500 | Focus on high-impact personal flowers and a single statement ceremony moment, such as two large ground-based arrangements. |
| Sweet Spot | $3,500 - $6,000 | Full ceremony aisle coverage with low meadows, plus a mix of lush low centerpieces and bud vase clusters for the reception. |
| Full Experience | $6,000 - $10,000 | Statement installations on the Stables’ barn doors, lush ceremony floral, and full-scale compote arrangements on every table. |
| Statement | $10,000+ | Large-scale “immersion” design including floral-wrapped entrance gates, a fully flowered aisle, and a custom installation for the stable interior. |
Chatfield Farms is a venue that rewards restraint and intentionality; a few well-placed, high-impact moments always outperform a large volume of small, scattered arrangements.
Tips
Weight your bases. The wind at Chatfield is unpredictable and can be intense; ensure all ceremony markers and aisle flowers are weighted.
Lean into the season. The gardens at Chatfield change drastically from May to September; ask your designer to pull colors from what will be blooming in the beds during your specific month.
Repurpose with intention. Move your aisle meadows to the base of the Stables’ barn doors or the perimeter of the UMB Tent to maximize your budget.
Avoid sky-high structures. Massive arches often compete with the horizon line and get lost; keep your focal points grounded or asymmetrical to frame the view rather than block it.
Factor in the walk. This is a large property; ensure your floral team has a clear plan for transporting heavy arrangements across gravel paths and lawns.