The Only Sunrise Amphitheater Wedding Guide You Need
A Sunrise Amphitheater micro wedding. Photo: Jewel Afflerbaugh.
Published 12/17/20. Updated 2/10/25.
Everything You Need To Know For 2025 - And Packages Too!
A Mountaintop Amphitheater That Is Affordable And Beautiful
Sunrise Amphitheater on Flagstaff Mountain is a wonderful spot for a Colorado micro wedding.
Flagstaff Mountain is right on the edge of the city of Boulder, about a 25-minute drive from downtown, which makes this spot easily accessible while at the same time special and gorgeous.
The amphitheater is built right into the top of the mountain and nestled in a stand of old growth pines with a clear view to the east, thus the name “Sunrise”. You can have the quintessential sunrise ceremony there, or if you’re not for getting up that early, there are available slots all the way through 9:00 pm.
Incredibly, it only costs $400 to rent Sunrise Amphitheater from the Boulder park system ($300 if you live locally). That is an amazingly affordable amount for a beautiful mountain venue in Colorado!
February 2025 Spotlight: Emily & Nico’s Family Micro Wedding
(After the spotlight, read on for my comprehensive Sunrise Amphitheater Wedding Guide & Packages)
Photo by partner company Colorado Photographer Squad.
Our Latest Trail Notes From Sunrise Amphitheater
It’s February now and Sunrise Amphitheater is closed for the season from October 31st - April 30th, so what better time to reminisce about last summer with this beautiful photo from Emily & Nico’s family micro wedding.
These two brought seven close family members with them to celebrate. They opted for the perfect mix of “just the two of them moments” with a sweet first look on a private forested knoll just outside the amphitheater and romantic sunset photos after the ceremony, while also have family time for the ceremony itself on the Sunrise Amphitheater stage. To top it off, this photo highlights them showing of the choreographed dance which they practiced for months and rocked on the day-of. Not that you have to do that too, but wow, go for it if you’re inspired!
Did you know?
There are several ways to seat a small group of guests at Sunrise Amphitheater. They can sit on the stone seats built in to the amphitheater. Or, if you want a more intimate feel, you can bring chairs to put in the dirt circle closer to the stage, which is what Emily & Nico did.
Sunrise Amphitheater Wedding Guide & Packages For 2025
Everything You Need To Know
Photos by partner company Colorado Photographer Squad
A processional on the stone stairway.
All The Deets
Best Time Of Year: Available May 1st - October 30th yearly, with best time of year being June through early October.
Group Size: A max capacity of 120. Our groups tend to range from just the two of you or up to 50 guests because our couples love to keep it simple and intimate.
The Drive: A 25-minute drive from downtown Boulder up a beautiful, twisty, but paved and easy-to-drive mountain road.
The Walk: A long stone staircase straight down into the amphitheater, or for those who need to avoid stairs, there is a handicap-accessible ramp that goes around and down into the amphitheater, plus there’s also a gently -sloped dirt path on the other side of the amphitheater.
Permit: You purchase a Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks permit at this link to secure the amphitheater for your date.
A Micro Wedding At Sunrise Amphitheater In The Spring
Adorable Sunrise Amphitheater wedding flower girl.
A Micro Wedding At Sunrise Amphitheater In The Fall
Photos of Brooke & Buddy’s micro wedding by Jewel Afflerbaugh
Flagstaff Sunrise Amphitheater wedding ring exchange.
Sunrise Amphitheater wedding family photo.
Wedding party at Sunrise Amphitheater.
Local 2025 Tips & Tricks For A Sunrise Amphitheater Wedding
Timing Tip
Sunrise Amphitheater faces the east (thus the name sunrise) and is an amazing spot for an early morning ceremony. It also still somehow has beautiful lighting in the evening and we know of some great nooks where the sunset light still comes through even though the sun is setting on the other side of the mountain. Our couples will oftentimes do an additional photo shoot on the sunset side of the mountain too, just to get all the amazing photos they can. Bottomline, even though it’s called Sunrise Amphitheater, it really is a great spot at either sunrise or sunset.
Parking Tip
The parking spots at Sunrise Amphitheater are limited, so it’s best to have your guests carpool in as few cars as possible. Sometimes couples will even arrange for a fancy car to drive them up or a passenger bus to transport their guests. If you do drive up yourselves, the good news is that even though there is limited parking right at the amphitheater, there is an overflow lot that is just a five-minute walk away.
Budgeting Tip
The City of Boulder rents the amphitheater in one-hour time slots at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 am, then in three-hour time slots at 10:00 am, 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm. If you’re early morning people and like the idea of saving some money while also having amazing lighting and a stunning view, the hour-long morning time slots are only $150 whereas the three-hour time slots are $400.
Just The Two Of You at Sunrise Amphitheater Overlook
Sunrise Amphitheater was made for big events, but there’s a hidden gem spot right behind the amphitheater with not only a breathtaking view, but a pine and granite rock area that has a perfect spot for a small ceremony for two.
Whether it’s just the two of you and you love the idea of standing getting married at this overlook, or if you have a small group of family/friends and want a more intimate feel for the ceremony while still being able to rent out and thus reserve a spot on the mountain all to yourselves, this overlook tucked behind the amphitheater makes for a beautiful ceremony and photos.
Photos of Sedina & Dustin’s micro wedding by Jewel Afflerbaugh
Everything You Need To Know, All The Deets and Micro Wedding In The Spring photos by partner company Colorado Photographer Squad
Cover photo, Micro Wedding In The Fall and Just The Two Of You Overlook photos by Jewel Afflerbaugh.
To see other elopements at this location: Colorado Micro Wedding With Dear Friends
Meet the officiants and photographers who I’m partnered with Here
Sunrise Amphitheater Micro Wedding Packages
You can read all about our Colorado Elopement & Micro Wedding Packages at this link here where you’ll find detailed information about how we support you every step of the way in the months and weeks before your elopement, plus guide you for the smoothest, easiest and most beautiful experience on the day-of.
Our Sunrise Amphitheater packages not only include all of our typical elopement and micro wedding package services, they also include all our local intel for lodging and dining in Boulder, comprehensive additional vendor recommendations, a stress-free and simplified process, plus any special customization you might want.
Let’s Make It Happen
Hey it’s Lisa :) I’m an officiant, elopement expert and mountain girl at heart. I can’t wait to tell you all about these sweet mini adventures and how it all works.
Reach out using this handy form and I’ll send all the info to make your elopement day real, see if we’re a fit and hop on a call to lay out your dream day and package quote. Can’t wait to get to know you!
