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Helena, MT Wedding Venues: A Complete Guide for 2024

  • Writer: Floating Leaf Studios
    Floating Leaf Studios
  • May 4, 2020
  • 12 min read

Updated: Feb 15, 2024

This updated guide offers a complete list of wedding venues in Helena, MT. From rustic barn weddings to intimate backyard-type gatherings, spaces large and small, there is a space for everyone in this list.

Congratulations! You’ve said YES to the man of your dreams, and can’t wait to walk down the aisle. After your obligatory Instagram post announcing the shiny new piece of hardware on your finger, now the planning process begins.


Where to start? Typically the first decision that needs to be made is a wedding venue. It starts the domino effect of decisions leading up to your big day, and needs to be done before any other pieces can be put into place. The date, other vendor's availability, even lodging for your guests rely on where this decision.

Wedding venues in Helena, MT offer a wide range of options, and can be found for any sized group and any style of wedding, from the rustic barn wedding to the intimate backyard gathering. There are plenty of things to think about when choosing your perfect venue and questions to ask when talking with the venue, but this list of wedding venues will give you a perfect place to start.

SHADES OF GREEN

Contact: Ana Peterson

Phone: (406) 579-0743

Tucked on the edge of town, with direct views of Mt. Helena and the Sleeping Giant, this perfect venue makes even the biggest wedding party feel like an intimate affair.


A retired nursery, this venue is dripping with rustic charm, from a wooden shade house to old-growth cottonwood trees that provide reprieve from the warm summer heat. The south end of the property includes rows of aspen trees, which provide amazing photo opportunities for couples and wedding parties alike. Think of it as your own private sunset photo destination.

Each time we visit Shades of Green we feel like we are more part of the family, not just some vendor hired to complete a job




KLEFFNER RANCH

Contact: Denis and Stacey Young

Phone: (406) 495-9090

If you dream of a Montana barn wedding, Kleffner Ranch offers the premiere experience in the Helena area. The big red barn stands as a beacon in the East Helena valley, and Denis and Stacey help you create your perfect day.


With a creekside ceremony location tucked under decades old cottonwoods, it feels timeless as you walk down the aisle. The barn itself includes a room perfectly equipped for the bride to get ready, a fully licensed and insured bar, kitchen amenities including refrigerators and sinks, bathrooms with indoor plumbing, and plenty of rustic charm to create the reception of your dreams. Kleffner Ranch is a full service facility, with event planning capabilities (ask to see their barn basement with every wedding decoration you would ever need!), in-house catering and table / chair rental, and many preferred vendor connections to help bring your day to life.

A separate space nestled down by the creek, the pavilion is perfect for rehearsal dinners or smaller ceremonies any time of year, with air conditioning and gas heat.


There are so many picturesque opportunities around this property; it’s basically a photographer’s dream. And it’s proximity to town and easy access from the highway, you can’t go wrong tying the knot at Kleffner.


Check out this real wedding from Kleffner Ranch --> Heather + Nick




4-R RANCH

Contact: Tom and Patti Russ

Phone: (406) 459-7630

Imagine getting ready in a quaint farmhouse, with access to full kitchen and bath, and easy access to the entire property.

Imagine riding a tractor down the hill to a grove of aspens, where your wedding guests (and the man of your dreams) await you walking down the aisle. A cool summer breeze through the trees rustles the leaves above, while you recite your vows in similar fashion as generations before you did.

Imagine celebrating your reception in a tent on top of the hill, overlooking working hay fields and watching the sunset over the mountains while you crank the music up to ten with all of your favorite people in attendance.

You just imagined 4-R Ranch.


This working cattle ranch turns into a wedding venue that screams true Montana from the moment you pull through the barbed wire gate. Their season runs from the end of June to the first weekend of September, and your reservation goes from Friday afternoon through Sunday at noon, giving you plenty of time to setup your dream wedding.


SUMMER STAR RANCH

Contact: Starr Daw

Phone: (406) 461-2659


If you want an authentic Montana wedding experience, Summer Star Ranch is it. We always say the further you travel down a dirt road the better the photos turn out, and this venue makes that a true statement.


Turn left at the York Bar and head up the hill until you find this perfect area for an amazing party. With a full guest house for the girls and a fully furnished glamping tent for the guys (which could double as the couples suite after the party ends), get ready in comfort and have a secure place to keep all your things throughout the day.


They are currently putting the final touches on their own permanent barn facility to house your ceremony or reception, which will be ready by the 2019 wedding season. Built with wood milled from the ranch itself, talk about a perfect way to create an authentic experience for you and your guests.


Make sure to take travel time into account when booking Summer Star, as it is a 30-40 minute drive from Helena. Arranging shuttle services for your guests (from Helena Town Car, for example) is a great way to keep everyone happy and safe while celebrating with you.


All in all, this unique venue will make you and your celebration stand out from the rest.




U Diamond Barn

Contact: Jessicca Hamilton-Hottell


A relative newcomer to the Helena venue scene, the U Diamond Barn is nestled in the serene Helena Valley against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Helena.


This captivating Montana venue seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern conveniences, ensuring an unforgettable experience for your special event. No matter the season, the climate-controlled barn guarantees comfort, shielding you from winter snow, summer rain, or fire-season smoke.


Conveniently located just 12 minutes from Helena on Lincoln Road, U Diamond Barn captures the essence of Montana's beauty. As you admire the Elkhorn Mountains reflected in Lake Helena, be enchanted by the sight of registered Texas Longhorns grazing in the surrounding fields—an unexpected delight sure to mesmerize your guests and create stunning photo opportunities.


With 5,280 square feet of indoor space and ample outdoor areas, U Diamond Barn is the ideal setting for weddings. Accommodating up to 250 guests, they provide tables and chairs, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience. 


Offering options for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies, the venue provides a perfect setting no matter the season (or the weather). 


Check out this real wedding from U Diamond Barn --> Brittany + Damian




CABIN CREEK RANCH

Contact: Connie

Phone: (406) 449-5680



Literally at the end of the road, and befitting our theory about better photos happening at the end of the dirt road, this wedding venue offers one-of-a-kind shots. Nestled deep up the hill just NW of Helena, the open field where your ceremony occurs is something out of a magazine.


The bride gets ready in a spacious indoor bathroom, complete with mirrors. The dudes get the “Man Cave”, complete with Duck Hunt arcade games.


Other amenities include covered pavilion, pig roasting pit, fire pit and dance floor. They even offer overnight camping so your guests can safely enjoy your event!

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We have packages to fit most budgets and offer convenient payment plans, if needed. They also offer a 15% discount if you are a teacher, member of the military, EMT, law enforcement or fire department!




GRIZZLY GARDENS

Contact: Lynnette Sena

Phone: (406) 558-2549



A few dirt miles south of town up Grizzly Gulch, past the historic mining claims of Last Chance Gulch, sits a mountainous venue called Grizzly Gardens.

Their ceremony gazebo rests at the bottom of the hill, with stadium style seating up the grass for your guests to all have a perfect view. Descend down the staircase in true bridal fashion, just like the way you envisioned it growing up. With a covered dance floor and reception area, every couple gets to leave their mark by signing the wall around the dance floor.


There are multiple places for you to get ready on the property, making it easy to stay hidden from your partner prior to the wedding. And, a quick walk through the gate gives you great photo opportunities of the surrounding mountains and forest.




HISTORIC MARYSVILLE GENERAL STORE

Contact: Sonya Rosenthal

Phone: (406) 565-1985



This newcomer to the wedding venue scene has everything you would expect out of a historic mining town building. Old stone walls with metal decorated ceilings, our favorite part about this space is the windows. The light created by huge windows makes your photographer’s job a breeze and gives you amazing quality images throughout the event.


Two adjoining rooms complete with restrooms and kitchen area, this space is perfect for weddings in any season, with heat and vintage ceiling fans keeping you and your guests comfortable throughout.


Just a few steps outside the door gives you plenty of photo opportunities with historic mining buildings, and just a few minutes up the road drops you at Great Divide Ski Hill, with panoramic views and sunsets worth dying for.


Make sure to stop next door to the Marysville House for your first drink as husband and wife, and take advantage of the history of this perfect wedding venue on the hill.



CATHEDRAL OF ST. HELENA

Phone: (406) 442-5825



There are church weddings, and then there is weddings at the Cathedral of St. Helena. Grandiose, breath-taking and timeless are the only way to describe it.


Built in the early 1900s, this Helena landmark has been home to countless traditional Catholic ceremonies throughout the years. Stained glass windows, along with pristine marble pillars and acoustics that will send chills down your neck, the gravity of your day takes on new meaning in this venue.


As such, the popularity of this venue makes it one of the most coveted wedding spaces in town. Many weekends include multiple weddings, so make sure to stick to your schedule to make sure you have ample time to celebrate in this immaculate space.


Photo opportunities abound around this property, inside and out. Family and wedding party photos on the alter after the ceremony, and couples photos out front on the steps are some of the most classic and unmistakeable shots in any wedding venue in Helena.



WINDSOR BALLROOM

Phone: 406-414-7980


Located on the top floor of the Iron Front Hotel in historic downtown Helena, the Windsor Ballroom provides ample space for any event with an atmosphere of old world charm.


Tall ceilings, gleaming hardwoood flooring, and elegant original fixtures create a warm light and romantic atmosphere. Including a grand ballroom, separate banquet room, kitchen prep area, and a private street access elevator to the floor.



HELENA CIVIC CENTER

Contact: Byron Dike

Phone: (406) 447-8481


The phrase ballroom wedding is synonymous with this lavish wedding venue.

Located directly in the middle of Helena, the Helena Civic Center is the gold standard for indoor wedding venues. They service weddings for 200-600 people, and creates a stunning experience for everyone included. Outside caterer and bar services are allowed during your event, and the prep kitchen is available for any venue rental. Setup and tear down is included in the rental fee, which can save your back and your wallet at the same time.


Another awesome perk is having a staff member available at all times throughout your event. Whether you need help finding something or have questions about the facility, someone is there to help.




STAUBAUCH CREEK RANCH

Contact: Marie

Phone: (406) 227-6918



The allure of a barn wedding in Montana is a strong feeling inside many brides. Couple that together with real ranch life, this charming wedding venue tucked in the shadows of the Elkhorn Mountains provides the perfect setting for your perfect day.

Located half way between Helena and Townsend, the two-story barn is the focal point, with a renovated upstairs to allow for indoor ceremonies in in-climate weather. When the sun is shining you have an entire grassed area behind the barn with gorgeous aspen trees in the background. Your guests can get from the ceremony to the reception in roughly thirty steps, making this convenient for couples and guests alike.


The guest house, complete with full amenities, serves as the perfect getting ready location for brides. You don’t have to venture far for amazing photos, as any direction provides stunning views of the Elkhorns and the greater Helena valley.


The dance floor behind the barn is perfect for getting the boots to boogie, and leaving a camper in the front gives you a perfect place to lay your head after a night of dancing and drinking.



THE MONTANA CLUB

Phone: (406) 442-5980


This venue is history personified. The thought of the powerful people throughout Montana’s history that have graced it’s walls give you pause as you admire the richness that is the Montana Club.


Consisting of three floors, the entire facility or portions of it can be rented for your event, depending on the size of your event. The top floor creates an intimate wedding ceremony experience, with the second floor acting as the perfect reception space, adorned with piano and dance floor next to the full bar.



Carroll College

Contact: Kate Hogan

Phone: (406) 447-4407


A beacon of the college scene in Montana for over a century, this "Best in the West" Catholic college offers an incredible setting for any event (large or small).


A marvelous setting for weddings, rehearsals, or receptions, Carroll College offers a diverse set of options when it comes hosting your event.


All Saints Chapel (THE best indoor church setting in the state in our opinion) provides a gorgeous location for traditional Catholic weddings. Keep in mind, however, that approval and scheduling through Carroll College Campus Ministry is required to use the church as your venue.


The lawn in front of iconic St. Charles Hall, as well as next to Trinity Hall, offer stunning outdoor options when the weather is perfect. And, the Trinity Lounge and Perkins Center (located in the basement of the campus center) give ample space for when Mother Nature has other plans.


Your photographer will love all the picturesque backdrops all throughout campus, on-site catering and beverage services, abundant parking for all your guests, you will leave your event with nothing short of complete faith that you made the correct decision.



TIZER GARDENS

Contact: Donna & Brad Hart

Phone: (406) 933-8789

With over 3 acres of private gardens located just south of Jefferson City in the gorgeous Elkhorn Mountains, Tizer Gardens comes with built in flower arrangements. Roses, delphiniums and peonies are only just a few of the stunning blooms that will surround you and your wedding party throughout your perfect day. Feel free to bring some decorations, or simply rely on the breath taking beauty of the venue itself.


Nestled along the banks of Prickly Pear Creek, the lovely blossom covered gazebo in the main perennial garden has become a favorite with the sound of the creek accompanying your wedding vows. There are several locations around the property that can accommodate different sized groups, with capacity being as many as 200 guests.

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The staff at Tizer will set up your white ceremony chairs prior to your arrival, and assist your guests with parking as they arrive. Two rustic cabins are available on site for wedding party use, which means your entire group can be together all day long.

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The gardens are a wonderful setting for family and friends to gather and celebrate your memorable day.



LEWIS & CLARK COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Phone: (406) 442-5980


This venue isn't just for concerts and rodeos, folks. With multiple areas available that can house any size party, the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds would be a great, super reasonably priced location for a wedding or wedding reception.

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The Exhibit Hall provides options for the grand event, but the Entry Hall is a popular option as well. Indoor restrooms, access to kitchen amenities, and over 5000 square feet of space make this space ideal for your wedding reception.

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Don't want your guests on the road after tipping a few back at the reception? You can rent campsites on the premise for just $21 a night, and park your camper there for a safe place to lay your head after a night on the dance floor.

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Another amazing perk about this property is it's surprisingly stunning photo locations. With unimpeded views to the west, and great greenery just outside of the Exhibit Hall, the sunset photos that will take your breath away are literally only steps away.




Creekside Meadows

Contact: Monica Linkenbach


Conveniently located just 15 minutes south of Helena, this charming event space offers a lot of versatility in an easily accessible location.


When they say "all inclusive" they mean it.


Your full weekend wedding package includes access to the entire 15 acre property, sleeping accommodations for up to 20 guests, all the amenities (chairs, tables, linens, plates, glassware, etc), as well as an awesome sound system, outdoor power for food trucks and a ceremony site mere steps away next to the creek.


Built for small to medium sized weddings (up to 120 guests if outside), this event space is also perfect for the off-season small gathering where 50-60 people can enjoy indoor accommodations during the winter months.




Did you like what you saw in this blog? Are you looking for a wedding photographer? Reach out to us here and let's chat about your love story.


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