Maroon Bells Amphitheatre — Attraction in Aspen

As an intimate wedding photographer, I am lucky enough to enjoy some of Colorado's most beautiful sites. However, few compare to that of Maroon Bells. There's a reason these are some of the most photographed mountains in North America!

A few things I love about photographing intimate weddings and elopements at Maroon Bells -

The reservation cost of $200 is an incredible value for such a stunning venue. Just look at those views! The amphitheater is easily accessible - just a short, paved walk from the park's entrance. The amphitheater is set apart from the main hiking trails, providing increased privacy for your ceremony. The amphitheater can seat up to 50 guests, accommodating everything from a "just us elopement" to a larger sized micro wedding.

A few things to be aware of when reserving Maroon Bells for your wedding day -

Reservations open 1 year in advance and book up FAST! Due to vehicle restrictions on Maroon Creek Road, only 5 vehicle passes are issued per event. You must pick up your passes the day before your wedding. Receptions aren’t allowed at the amphitheater, but can be hosted at the nearby East Maroon Portal Picnic site, a nearby restaurant, or nearby private estate. There is not much covering in the event of rain and you may want to have an offsite contingency plan in the event of lightning.

All-in-all Maroon Bells is undoubtedly one of Colorado's most iconic locations for your intimate wedding day and for good reason! It will forever be a...

We've photographed a lot of weddings at Maroon Bells and have picked up some insider tips! Here's the must-know information if you're considering getting married at Maroon Bells:

PERMITS: To get married at the Amphitheater you'll need a reservation which is available early June to early October. The permit is $200 and releases one year in advance at 8am MT. They book up VERY fast, pretty much the second they release. You have to be signed into this website and refresh the page until it lets you purchase. It's not unusual to have to try every day for a couple weeks!

PRIVACY: Maroon Bells is BUSY, there will be lots of tourists in the area. However, the Amphitheater is tucked above the main hiking trails, so there is some privacy allowed for the ceremony.

PARKING: The capacity of the amphitheater is 50 people. Your reservation comes with 5 parking passes, so you may need to hire a transportation company if you have a large guest count. The parking lot is a short ~5 minute walk from the amphitheater along a paved trail, but there is some incline.

PHOTOS: There's lots of stunning locations around Maroon Bells for your newlywed photos after your ceremony! Hire a photographer who's familiar with the area that can take you to all the best spots and can provide guidance on timing to ensure you get the best lighting for your photos.

There is also a Facebook group dedicated to couples planning their weddings at Maroon Bells called "Maroon Bells Weddings &...

My husband and I got married here 3 days ago and it was an experience of a lifetime. It doesn't get better than this and we will cherish this spot in Colorado forever. This is definitely a venue for individuals who are outdoorsy - ones that are willing to plan and DYI - oh and not afraid of dirt and bugs. We wouldn't have had it any other way. Simple...