A Micro Wedding at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is one of those places that ends up on people’s bucket list. But did you know they have their own wedding venue on-site? Kelsey and Glen’s micro wedding at the Red Rocks Trading Post Backyard was a perfect representation of how beautiful a wedding day at this iconic space can be.

A Bit About Red Rocks

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre features towering slanted red rocks, breathtaking mountain vistas, and sweeping views of the city in the distance. Just a short 20-minute drive from Denver, it provides easy access to a plethora of vendors and great restaurant options for your wedding day.

This remarkable location actually offers multiple spots for your micro wedding or elopement ceremony, both indoor and outdoor. For instance, pictured here, the Trading Post Backyard provides incredible views of the stunning Red Rocks formations in an intimate garden setting year round. Whether you’re drawn to its natural grandeur or its cultural significance, Red Rocks Park + Amphitheater is an extraordinary choice for your micro wedding or elopement.

A Red Rocks Trading Post Backyard Micro Wedding

Kelsey and Glen’s micro wedding at the Red Rocks Trading Post Backyard was an intimate and mindful celebration with approximately 50 guests. The fall weather couldn’t have been more perfect, as abundant sunshine added to the beauty of the day.

Crafting an Authentic Celebration: Prioritizing Experience and Fall Hues

What set Kelsey and Glen’s wedding apart was their emphasis on the experience rather than conforming to every Pinterest trend and passing fad. I also truly admired how they thoughtfully established their priorities for the day, ensuring that every element was intentional and contributed to the overall experience. Marina Damon of Leigh & Co. Events played a crucial role as their coordinator, and she was nothing short of fabulous. Her highly communicative approach added an extra layer of coordination and ensured that every detail was seamlessly executed.

For their wedding day color palette, Kelsey and Glen embraced the warm hues of fall, perfectly complementing the sunny weather. Their choice of terracotta and sage (my favorite combo!) brought a natural, earthy feeling to the surroundings. And I loved Glen’s green suit—it was a standout, adding a touch of uniqueness and style to the occasion. Against the backdrop of the iconic red rocks, the colors were stunning. And, let’s not forget – special credit goes to the talented florist, Anne Hartshorn of Idlewild Flower Farm, who did such an amazing job in enhancing the overall aesthetic.

Creating Moments, Easing Stress: A Relaxed Micro Wedding Timeline

The timeline for Kelsey and Glen’s micro wedding was intentionally relaxed, allowing ample time for portraits and moments to simply ‘soak it all in.’ As someone passionate about making wedding days stress-free, I find that creating an easygoing timeline is a surefire way to melt away a bit of the angst that can come with the big day.

To kick off the day, Glen arrived at the Red Rocks Trading Post Backyard approximately 20 minutes before Kelsey. I arranged their first look, which took place on-site. There are so many ways to do a first look, and none of them are right or wrong. But, there’s something about experiencing a private first look before the wedding that I just love. There’s no expectation or pressure to react a certain way—just authenticity and raw emotions at its finest.

One thing I particularly appreciated about Kelsey and Glen’s wedding day was the generous time they allocated for portraits. Following their heartfelt first look, we captured stunning portraits on-site at the Trading Post Backyard. We took full advantage of the striking Southwest architecture and the breathtaking views. After indulging in some time for these stunning couples portraits, we smoothly transitioned into capturing cherished family formals.

After capturing their family formals, it was time for Kelsey and Glen’s ceremony, which was officiated by their friend Paul. There’s something heartwarming about having a friend officiate your ceremony. It adds a personal and authentic touch, knowing that the officiant knows the couple’s story so well. Paul did an exceptional job, infusing the ceremony with warmth and personal anecdotes.

Furry Companions, Trailside Adventures, and Evening Celebrations

Post-ceremony, Kelsey, Glen, and their two furry companions headed upstairs at the Trading Post to sign their marriage certificate. The inclusion of their pups in this significant moment added a bit of extra fun. In fact, these four-legged witnesses were perhaps the most cooperative I’ve ever encountered. Kelsey and Glen even thoughtfully provided inkless ‘ink pads’ for the pups. This clever and clean solution ensured that the whole process was both mess-free and enjoyable for their adorable pups to do their very important task.

After signing their marriage certificate, Kelsey and Glen reunited with their nearest and dearest for a delightful champagne reception in the Trading Post Backyard. This provided a wonderful opportunity to capture some candid moments and some memorable photos of them with friends.

As the wedding venue rental time for the Trading Post Backyard concluded at 4 PM, Kelsey, Glen, and I ventured on a short drive to the West Side of the Trading Post Trail—my absolute favorite spot for breathtaking views.

We strolled from the Upper South Parking Lot, traversing my favorite stretch of the trail, until we reached Red Rocks Park Rd. The play of light on the red rocks during this walk made the photos even more striking. Amidst the journey, Kelsey embraced a bit of adventure, collecting a touch of “dirt in the skirt.” But let’s be real, would a Red Rocks wedding truly capture its essence without that iconic terracotta ombre?

Their limo bus picked them up midway down the trail on Red Rocks Park Rd. and whisked them away for their dinner reception at Tamayo with some entertainment by “The DJ Guy”.

Photographing Micro Weddings at Red Rocks

Photographing micro weddings at the Red Rocks Trading Post Backyard is a genuine joy for me. The towering rock formations at Red Rocks provide such a unique and stunning backdrop for intimate celebrations. This Colorado location offers extraordinary photo opportunities with how close you can get to the iconic rocks. And, along the Trading Post Trail, couples can even nestle right into the rocks, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere reminiscent of the beauty found in Moab, yet you are right down the road from downtown Denver. 

The flexibility of the Trading Post Backyard, available for reservation in shorter time increments, makes it an ideal choice for micro weddings with a reception at a separate location. This flexibility was perfectly executed in Kelsey and Glen’s celebration, where they opted for an on-site ceremony followed by an off-site reception.

Red Rocks, with its iconic views and reputation as a world-class live music venue, draws couples for various reasons. Whether you come for the landscape or for your love of music and epic music venues, I know you won’t be disappointed.

Something to remember when planning your Red Rocks micro wedding is that navigating parking at the Red Rocks Trading Post Backyard, especially during concert season, requires strategic planning. With potential challenges due to limited parking, especially on show nights, it’s advisable to arrange a guest shuttle for smooth access to the venue. 

Lucky for me, the venue manager’s vigilance spared my car from being towed in anticipation of an evening concert. In good news, she did inform me that Red Rocks typically tows cars into one of their large parking lots, so, while you may spend a few hours locating your car, you won’t be surprised by a large towing bill.

Plan Your Red Rocks Micro Wedding

Reflecting on Kelsey and Glen’s breathtaking micro wedding at the Red Rocks Trading Post Backyard, it’s clear that this iconic venue offers more than just stunning views and natural grandeur. The couple’s thoughtful approach, from prioritizing the overall experience over trends to having a friend officiate, created a very authentic, personal, and intentional celebration.

I’ll always be overjoyed when a couple chooses to tie the knot at this iconic Colorado location. If you’re thinking of taking full advantage of the amazing views and unbeatable convenience, get in touch, and let’s start crafting your Red Rocks micro wedding!