# Getting married at the Maroon Bells

> How to book a Maroon Bells wedding: the amphitheater permit ($200 a day on Recreation.gov, one year ahead), blocked weekend days, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

Canonical page: https://aspenprive.com/maroon-bells-wedding/  
Updated: 2026-09-29 · Publisher: Aspen Privé (local Aspen stay planning and concierge)

Ceremonies at the Maroon Bells use the **Maroon Bells Amphitheater**, booked on **Recreation.gov** for **$200 a day**, released **one year ahead at 8 a.m. Mountain time** on a rolling basis. Your reservation runs **8 a.m. to 3 p.m.** and includes **five vehicle passes**. It **can't be booked on Fridays or Saturdays in June, July and August, or Friday to Sunday in September**.

Details are from the Aspen Chamber's Maroon Bells wedding guide, checked September 2026. The Forest Service sets and can change the rules; confirm at booking.

## The amphitheater at a glance

- **Fee**: $200 a day, before taxes and fees.
- **Booking**: Recreation.gov, up to one year ahead, released at 8 a.m. Mountain time on a rolling basis. Prime summer and fall dates go immediately.
- **Your window**: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the site is open to the public after that.
- **Blocked days**: No reservations on Fridays or Saturdays in June, July or August, or Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays in September.
- **Parking**: Five vehicle passes into the scenic area are included. Everyone else arrives by shuttle or a driven vehicle with a pass.

## We plan everything around the permit (what Aspen Privé arranges)

Guest transport, the photographer, dinner at a residence, and everyone's travel around the 2027 airport closure. [Tell us the date](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=wedding).

## New management from 2027 (what Aspen Privé arranges)

Pitkin County takes over day-to-day management of the Maroon Bells from the 2027 season. It has proposed raising the amphitheater fee to $300 from 2028 (reservations for 2028 opening in 2027), pending Forest Service approval. 2027 bookings follow the rules published at the time of booking.

## East Maroon Portal picnic site

For a gathering afterwards, the East Maroon Portal picnic site on Maroon Creek Road takes up to 70 people, in a morning slot (10 a.m.–2 p.m.), an afternoon slot (3–7 p.m.) or both. Many couples hold the ceremony at the Bells and the dinner in town or at a private residence.


## What isn't allowed

No arches, PA systems, hanging lights, floating lanterns, released animals, fireworks or aluminum cans, and every decoration leaves with you. The setting does the work; the plan should be about timing, transport and weather.

Planning the whole weekend? Read [the Aspen destination wedding guide](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-destination-wedding/) and [wedding transportation](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-wedding-transportation/).


## Planning around the Bells

- **Book the date first**: Everything else follows the permit. Set a reminder for exactly one year before your date, 8 a.m. Mountain time.
- **Early light**: The famous reflection on Maroon Lake is best in the morning, which suits the 8 a.m. start. See [Maroon Bells reservations](https://aspenprive.com/maroon-bells-reservations/) for access rules for guests.
- **Guests and altitude**: The lake sits at about 9,500 feet. Guests arriving from sea level should have two days in Aspen first; see [the first 48 hours](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-altitude-first-48-hours/).
- **Weather plan**: Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms; ceremonies are safest before noon, with a fallback in town.
- **The rest of the weekend**: Drivers for guests, a photographer who knows the light, dinner at a residence with a private chef, and the 2027 airport closure factored into everyone's travel. See [Aspen in summer 2027](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-summer-2027/).

## Questions

**How much is a Maroon Bells wedding permit?**  
The amphitheater is $200 a day, before taxes and fees, booked on Recreation.gov.

**When can you book the Maroon Bells amphitheater?**  
Up to one year ahead, released at 8 a.m. Mountain time on a rolling basis.

**Can you get married at Maroon Bells on a Saturday?**  
Not in June, July or August (Fridays and Saturdays are blocked), nor in September (Friday to Sunday are blocked).

**How many guests can attend a Maroon Bells wedding?**  
The reservation includes five vehicle passes; the East Maroon Portal picnic site nearby takes up to 70 people for a reception.

**What time is a Maroon Bells ceremony?**  
Your reservation runs 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; mornings give the best light and the least weather risk.

## What Aspen Privé can arrange for this

Guests met and driven, a photographer for first light, dinner at the house with a private chef, and everyone's travel planned around the airport.

- [A private photographer](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-photographer/): A local Roaring Fork Valley photographer, English and Spanish speaking, for family portraits, couples, proposals, celebrations and private dinners, in town, at the house or out in the valley.
- [A driver for the evening](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=evening-driver) (From $210 per hour): A car and driver on call for dinner and the night out, so nobody hunts for a taxi at midnight.
- [Private chef](https://aspenprive.com/private-chef-aspen/): Dinner at the house, menu agreed in advance.
- [Private airport transfer](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-airport-transportation/) (From $195 per vehicle): From Aspen's airport to the door in a private SUV, timed to your actual landing.

## Sources (checked September 29, 2026)

- [Aspen Chamber: Maroon Bells weddings](https://aspenchamber.org/groups/weddings/maroon-bells/)
- [Aspen Times: Pitkin County will take over operations of Maroon Bells Scenic Area (Sept 2026)](https://www.aspentimes.com/news/pitkin-county-will-take-over-operations-of-maroon-bells-scenic-area/)
- [Denver Gazette: county approves Maroon Bells management plan (Sept 24, 2026)](https://www.denvergazette.com/outtherecolorado/2026/09/24/county-approves-plan-to-take-on-day-to-day-management-at-maroon-bells/)

## Related

- [Proposing in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-proposal/): Where and how.
- [Maroon Bells reservations](https://aspenprive.com/maroon-bells-reservations/): Access, shuttles and parking.
- [A celebration at the house](https://aspenprive.com/experiences/celebration-at-the-house/): Dinner and the evening, arranged.

To plan or request any of this: https://aspenprive.com/plan-your-trip/ · https://aspenprive.com/contact.html