Stunning Maroon Bells Wedding Location: Colorado's Top-Rated Wedding Venue for Dreamy Ceremonies and Memorable Nuptials
Out on a Limb with Maroon Bells Wedding Planning
Two years back, we dived headfirst into wedding planning, aiming to create the wedding of our dreams. Rolling the dice, we hit it big with an affair that surpassed our wildest expectations. Maroon Bells Amphitheater, nestled just beyond Aspen, Colorado's picturesque borders, was the setting of our fairytale, offering the perfect blend of nature, intimacy, and affordability.
Since navigating the labyrinth of Maroon Bells Amphitheater event bookings can be toe-curlingly nerve-racking, we're here to share our insights as a lifeline for fellow lovebirds planning the mother of all weddings.
Maroon Bells: Two Beauties in One
Known as Colorado's most photographed pair, Maroon Bells boasts Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak. Their distinctive red-tinted rocks earned them the moniker "bell," while their surrounding valley, Maroon Valley, offers a breathtaking reflection of these peaks in Maroon Lake.
Through the summer, mid-May to mid-November, the enchanting landscape of Maroon Bells becomes accessible via vehicles. However, during those warmer months—from June to October—vehicle access is reduced to combat environmental degradation due to the mounting influx of visitors. To preserve the area's essence for the delight of generations to come, the Forest Service has implemented environmentally friendly bus transportation as a prime mode of visitor transfer.
Maroon Bells Wedding Do's and Don'ts
- Steer clear of the seasonal edge - Avoid scheduling an event close to the opening or closing dates. Weather can play havoc with plans, leading to both postponements and late starts. Been there, done that!
- Hop on the bus - If your wallet permits, opt for a transportation company that caters to weddings. Alternatively, utilize the public bus system, but remember, guests will need to arrive early to accommodate for timely bus transfers. We've found that offering transportation makes the process easier for guests, as they need only park once.
- Go the extra mile - If you're new to the area, it's wise to hire a planner to assist with vendor organization and overall event coordination. For a smoother event, consider employing someone with local know-how.
- String it together - Hiring a string duet made our wedding that much more enchanting. We selected all the music, with the duet serenading guests as they arrived and providing a romantic backdrop for our first dance (the beautiful "What a Wonderful World").
- Give guests a time buffer - Post-ceremony, allow at least 30 minutes for guests to explore the stunning area and take their own photos. Be mindful of the time buses require and plan accordingly.
- Stay sun-ready - Encourage guests to come prepared with their umbrellas and sunglasses. While our wedding day was sunny, our guests' umbrellas provided valuable shade during the ceremony.
- Go Hands-Free - Ban tech at your ceremony to encourage full participation. We paid a pretty penny for our professional photographer and that’s just the way we wanted it! However, we allowed guests to capture photos post-ceremony, making all professional shots available for download through a Google Photos album.
The Heart of the Matter: The Amphitheater
Accommodating a mere 50 guests, the Amphitheater is an intimate, picturesque sanctuary overlooking Maroon Lake and Maroon Bells. Accessible by the public but also available for private bookings, planning an event here demands time, patience, and flexibility. We booked our July 2019 wedding date a year in advance.
Receptions are not permitted at the Amphitheater, requiring post-ceremony celebrations to be held elsewhere. Although beset by numerous constraints, these guidelines are in place to ensure the protection of the area for future generations to enjoy.
Parking and Transportation
When securing your date for the Amphitheater, you'll receive 5 parking passes for event day, which can be allocated for wedding-related vehicles like the bride's ride, the wedding planner's car, shuttle buses, and flexible options like deliveries from florists, photographers, and planner assistants.
Given the limited parking availability at both the ceremony and reception sites, it is recommended to hire a local transportation company to move guests from parking areas to the ceremony and reception venues. Be mindful of the shuttle schedule and the comfort of your guests during the trip up the mountain.
Securing Your Trip Down the Aisle
Visit Government Recreation's website to lock down your preferred date (they go on sale one year ahead) and pay the roughly $200 fee for the day. The Amphitheater is yours until 3pm. With your date secured, start planning your big day! Just know that you'll receive 5 parking spaces and pick up permits for those the day of the event at the Forest Service station en route to the Scenic Area. Emails with specific details will come closer to your event date. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all of the restrictions online before diving headfirst into the planning process.
- The breathtaking Maroon Bells, a pair of red-tinted peaks in Colorado's Maroon Valley, offers a perfect setting for adventure-loving couples planning a unique wedding, with wildlife, campgrounds, and hiking trails as part of the lifestyle in the heart of nature's embrace.
- When considering Maroon Bells as a wedding venue, it's crucial to steer clear of the seasonal edge, as weather can be unpredictable and might disrupt the plans, causing postponements or late starts.
- To avoid traffic congestion and minimize environmental degradation, guests can make use of the eco-friendly bus transportation provided during warmer months, with the option to hire a wedding-oriented transportation company for a smoother experience.
- For a truly enchanting event, consider hiring a string duet, similar to the one that serenaded guests at our wedding with a romantic first dance, or decorate the venue with elements inspired by home-and-garden themes to create an intimate, picturesque setting.
