“It’s just starting to sink in I’m getting married to a rando.”
That quote from a Denver local about to walk down the aisle perhaps best explains the premise of reality TV show “Married at First Sight.” Season 17, filmed in the Mile High City, premiered on Oct. 18 and introduced viewers to five ready-for-love couples who pledged to be wed without ever having met their soon-to-be partners.
During the premiere, participants broke the news about their upcoming wedding to friends and family, who offered mixed reactions from excitement to extreme skepticism. One local’s mom went as far as to warn her son, “You should be nervous. You should be very nervous.”
As viewers got to know the people of Denver’s season of MAFS, they also got to know the city.
Here are 15 places we spotted in the season premiere. Keep up with new episodes on Wednesday evenings on Lifetime.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
What Denver montage would be complete without an aerial shot of Red Rocks? “Married at First Sight” was filmed during the winter, so viewers got a snowy view of the famous music venue.
City Park
Film crews would be remiss to pass up a shot of City Park against the skyline of downtown Denver and the mountains. Rest assured, they took advantage of that opportunity.
Cheesman Memorial
The pavilion at Cheesman Park, formally known as the Cheesman Memorial, is a quintessential locale for festivals, weddings and prom pictures. It’s also a fitting setting for some Denver B-roll. One cast member walks through while considering why she is still single.
Five Points
Several moments of B-roll showcase the train passing through the Five Points neighborhood, in front of the now-defunct Sherry’s Soda Shoppe on Welton Street.
Speer Boulevard Bridge and South Platte River
The iconic South Platte River and the Speer Bridge that provides drivers and pedestrians a path over it are featured in many instances for B-roll, whether as a transition or as a pensive place for cast members.
Local restaurants and bars
Cast members convened their friends and family at local bars and restaurants to break the news of their blind engagement, including one at so-called “steak and ‘tini night” at Del Frisco’s Grille in Cherry Creek and another at Dos Luces Brewery on South Broadway, which closed this summer. Several local haunts are also visible in the background throughout the episode, including Ace Eat Serve in Cap Hill, The Post Chicken & Beer and Little Man Ice Cream in LoHi.
Civic Center park
With its tall white columns and aura of prestige, Civic Center park appeared briefly as one cast member took a chilly jog through the area.
Elitch Gardens
While we wish the cast were riding roller coasters to get their marriage jitters out, Denver’s Elitch Gardens amusement park only appears in the background of one shot, quick and blurry.
Broken Carbon bike shop
Technically, this one is in Boulder. Cast member and someone’s soon-to-be husband, Cameron, co-owns a bike repair shop and he’s shown tinkering on bikes in a shirt with the Broken Carbon logo on it.
Suit Shop and Amanda’s Bridal and Tux
The couples go shopping for their formal matrimony attire at the Suit Shop in Denver and Amanda’s Bridal & Tux in Arvada. Can you hear the wedding bells yet?