Monarch Casino Resort Spa

Welcome Party

North Star Gatherings

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Goodbye Brunch

Our Wedding

Our Story

Photos

Alexandra 'Parsh' Parshall

Kevin Johnson

Kaylee Burns

Brandon Majmudar

Allison Hines

Connor Weber

Hannah Fields

Jace Strand

Valerie Escanilla

Jeremy Orenstein 

Mary Martinez

Logan Wilfong

Wedding Party

What airport do you suggest I fly into?

We suggest flying into either Denver International Airport (DEN) or Colorado Springs Airport (COS). Our weekend hotel block is located at the Monarch Casino Resort Spa which is an hour drive from Denver Airport or a two hour drive from Colorado Springs Airport. A car rental would be the easiest route of transportation from the airport to the hotel. However, from Denver Airport it is possible to take the RTD (train) to downtown Denver and then a bus to the resort. Below are the train and shuttle information links. <a href="https://www.rtd-denver.com/routes-services/airport" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Denver RTD</a><a href="https://casinoshuttle.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Colorado Shuttles</a>

How do I get from the hotel to the wedding venue?

Due to NO guest parking available at the venue, please see our wedding transportation page for current details.

What is the dress code for the wedding?

We’d love for our guests to embrace a 'Mountain Formal' style! We've included some inspiration above to help you brainstorm. Think formal, but with practicalities of a mountain setting. Choose an outfit that looks polished yet allows for layering—weather can be unpredictable, so staying warm is key! An emphasis at the wedding will be the beautiful wildflowers that grow in the Rockies during the spring and summer, so feel free to lean into the florals. For footwear, your personal preference is fine! However, there is a small walk from where the shuttles will drop guests to the venue, so please keep that in mind when choosing footwear. This may call for a block heel over a stiletto. Cowboy boots are allowed too! Please avoid white and white tones, thank you! We can't wait to celebrate with you in style!

What is the dress code for the welcome party and goodbye brunch?

Welcome Party: The dress code is elevated casual—think stylish but comfortable! Sundresses, dressy jeans with a nice top, or smart casual attire for men are perfect. Please note that leggings, sweatpants, and basketball shorts are not allowed, but dress shorts are ok. Goodbye Brunch: This is a much more casual gathering, so come comfy! We just want to enjoy a laid-back morning together before saying our goodbyes.

Are children invited to the wedding? 

We kindly request that our celebration be an adult-only occasion, with the exception of our immediate family’s children who are part of the wedding. We appreciate your understanding, and we look forward to a memorable evening with you!

How do I handle the elevation in Colorado?

Idaho Springs sits at 7,500 feet above sea level. Please plan on drinking plenty of water and limit strenuous activities for the first 24 hours. Signs of altitude sickness include headache, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness and shortness of breath. If symptoms are mild take tylenol, drink water, rest and do not drink alcohol. If symptoms are significant or severe please seek medical assistance.

What is the history of the town of Black Hawk?

Black Hawk, Colorado, was&nbsp;founded in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush, establishing itself as a mining settlement at the bottom of Gregory Gulch where the first lode gold was discovered in the area.&nbsp;Lode gold is gold that's found in a lode, which is a vein or deposit of metal-rich ore that's embedded in a rock formation or between layers of rock.&nbsp;Lodes are some of the most economically important gold deposits in the world. The town's name likely came from a stamp mill produced by a foundry in Rock Island, Illinois, which was one of the first mills brought to the region. Nathaniel P. Hill&nbsp;built Colorado's first successful ore&nbsp;smelter&nbsp;in Black Hawk in 1868. Due to its proximity to water, Black Hawk quickly became the "City of Mills" processing gold ore from nearby mines, making it a central hub for the mining operations in the area. The&nbsp;Colorado Central Railroad&nbsp;extended its line to the town in 1872. The town has been in competition for gambling revenue with its neighbor Central City since casinos opened in both towns in 1991. Gamblers from Denver pass the Blackhawk casinos before they arrive at Central City, and, as a result, Black Hawk has realized much more revenue from gambling than Central City. Famously, in 2010, Black Hawk banned bicycle use on most of the streets in the city. The ban was prompted by traffic following the change in maximum casino betting limits from $5 to $100. The penalty for riding a bicycle through Black Hawk was a $68 fine. In 2013 the Colorado Supreme Court overturned the citywide ban on bicycles.

What are some interesting facts about the Monarch Casino Resort Spa, Black Hawk? 

This is such a fun and unique property! It has a 24,000 sq ft casino and 23-story hotel tower. It opened on February 4th, 2000 by a company based in Las Vegas. It was sold to Monarch in 2012 and renovated and expanded in 2015. The casino features 1,100 slot machines, and Colorado's first live Keno game! This game has ancient roots and ties to the Great Wall of China. It is the same game that saved the Han and funded one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Monarch Chophouse and Bistro Mariposa are award winning restaurants, winning the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence! Spa Monarch features exception service and is ranked the #2 best spa in the nation voted by USA Today. Don't forget to visit the rooftop pool, it offers a breathtaking view of the Rocky Mountains!

Q + A

Monarch Casino Resort Spa offers an unparalleled experience in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Just 45 minutes from downtown Denver, the resort features luxurious accommodations, an expansive gaming floor, and a variety of dining options to satisfy every palate. Monarch Casino Resort Spa is providing our guests with a discount code for your stay. A shuttle service will pick you up and drop you off at the resort for ease of transport to and from our wedding. Thank you for celebrating with us! Please use the below link to reserve your room in our hotel block. To book a room type not listed in the room block, please call the hotel to use the discount. Also, when calling the hotel, please ensure you are talking to the Colorado property and not the Nevada property. When booking online, simply select the desired dates, it will let you select multiple dates even though it might appear to be sold out.

Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk

If a local Airbnb or another hotel work better to suit your needs for the weekend please feel free to stay where you are comfortable, however our only provided wedding transportation will be from Monarch Casino Resort Spa.

Accommodations 

Naturally formed, open air Amphitheatre consists of two, three-hundred-foot monoliths serving as a "stage" for musical performances.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

Native Jeeps offers expert-guided, custom Jeep tour adventures on the breathtaking mountain trails just outside Denver, Colorado. Guided tours, bring your own Jeep, or drive their rigs!They are the only permitted Jeep tour company with operations in Clear Creek County! As such, they offer truly unique tours only 30 minutes from Denver, 45 minutes from Breckenridge and under an hour from Vail!

Jeep Tours Colorado by Native Jeeps

Experience the wonder of ingenuity, technology, and entrepreneurial spirit that is the Argo Mill &amp; Tunnel with a guided walking tour. Situated in Historic Idaho Springs in the heart of Colorado Gold Country sits the Mighty Argo Mill and Tunnel, one of the most striking and prominent Heritage Landmarks in the American West. The Argo is a central character in the story of the Colorado gold rush and remains one of the largest, most well-preserved historic gold mills in the world.

Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel

Spanning more than 24 acres, Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street presents a wide range of gardens and collections that illustrate an ever-widening diversity of plants from all corners of the world. Distinctive gardens define and celebrate our Western identity and a unique high altitude climate and geography.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Rocky Mountain National Park brings the drama. It’s one of the highest-elevation parks in the United States, with peaks reaching to over 14,000 feet. All of that elevation change means exceptional scenery, too, from meadow valleys to evergreen forests to alpine tundra and even small cirque glaciers. You can hike to these awe-inspiring heights yourself or take Trail Ridge Road (only open during summer when plows can clear the snow) to Cottonwood Pass at 12,126 feet. Chase waterfalls, soak your feet in a crystal-clear lake, and keep your eyes peeled for elk, black bear, and bighorn sheep.

Rocky Mountain National Park

St. Mary's Glacier is stunning snowfield just outside of Idaho Springs. The 1.5-mile round-trip to the glacier is one of the area's most popular hikes, moderately difficult with rocky terrain and reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet. Keep an eye out for a spur in the trail that leads to a lovely waterfall.

St Mary's Glacier Trailhead

The Denver Museum of Nature &amp; Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for informal science education. A variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities help Museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Denver Union Station is an urban transit hub and a high-energy, mixed-use destination featuring James Beard, award-winning chef-driven restaurants, locally curated retail shops, and the luxurious Crawford Hotel. Union Station is Denver's most iconic gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

Denver Union Station

Things to Do

Registry

Due to NO guest parking available at the venue, we are excited to provide shuttle service for all of our guests! Transportation is provided by <a href="https://goldrushtransportation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gold Rush Transportation</a>.Shuttles will depart from the front of the main lobby at Monarch Casino Resort &amp; Spa at&nbsp;3:00 PM on June 14th. Return shuttles will begin departing from the reception at&nbsp;8:00 PM&nbsp;and will continue running until&nbsp;10:00 PM.

Rebecca & Matthew