The Oaks is one of my favorite wedding venues in Colorado. It’s tucked into the gorgeous rolling hills of Castle Rock, so it’s an easy drive for guests coming in from both Denver and Colorado Springs. The area’s famous castle-shaped buttes are on full display (along with the quiet, sweeping greens of Plum Creek Golf Course). This wedding venue is a truly picture-perfect space! But with the sun setting behind that gorgeous westward mountain range each night, Colorado can pose some unique lighting challenges. (Even in the most stunning venues!). Not to mention Colorado has the highest average elevation in the U.S., so the sun is awfully close by.

So let’s talk timing! I’ve been photographing Colorado weddings for more than a decade. So I’ve learned a thing or two about getting the most out of lighting and guest comfort. Getting married at The Oaks? Here are the best ceremony times (and times of the year) for your ceremony!

The Best Times of Year to Get Married at The Oaks

When it comes to the calendar, peak wedding season lasts from May through October. When it comes to The Oaks, I can narrow that down to two options to start. For a Springtime wedding, go for May/June. For a cozy autumn vibe, go with September/October. Both options offer the ideal balance of stable weather for outdoor lawn ceremonies and gorgeous natural backdrops. Both options feature warm temperatures, clear skies, and lush green golf course backdrops.

But my overall best pick? September. It’s widely considered the best overall month in Castle Rock, perfect for The Scrub Oaks outdoor ceremony site at The Oaks. You get fairytale views, daytime highs average in the upper 70s, and comfortable, cool evenings. Colorado’s frequent afternoon summer thunderstorms fade away by September. The crisp air provides bright, sharp lighting, and clear views of the iconic rock-topped Butte and surrounding landscape. Summer peak travel crowds drop off significantly, making local traffic and lodging easier for guests. Plus, you’ll have a more relaxed seasonal pace compared to the hectic mid-summer months.

Of course there’s something to be said for off-season months, too. If your heart is set on a winter mountain wedding, The Oaks offers a seasonal discount of 15% to 25% off the venue rental fee November-April. Your ceremony can move inside the vaulted timber ballroom or the foyer’s massive stone wall. The reception can move to the 230-guest ballroom, and your cocktail can be hosted in the art-deco inspired bar and lounge. There are plenty of other indoor spaces to utilize throughout your day, like the bridal suite and spa (yes, spa), the speakeasy, and the groom’s room, complete with a top-of-the-line Trackman golf simulator.

The Best Times of Day to Get Married at The Oaks

Standard evening rental slots at The Oaks run from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. My advice? Get married in the late afternoon, around 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. That way you’re sure to capture the best sunset light over the castle-shaped butte focal point, and the sun will peek perfectly through the scrub oak trees on the property. A 4:30 p.m. ceremony flows smoothly into a cocktail hour in the art deco lounge, followed by dinner and dancing in the ballroom before the venue’s 10 p.m. music curfew. Late afternoon avoids the peak heat of the day, and the golden hour light will hit the rolling hills just in time for outdoor photos.

The venue also offers a brunch time slot from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. if you prefer a morning vibe and discounted pricing, or you can opt for a full buyout from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., which gives all-day access to the bridal suite, spa, and groom’s golf simulator room all day without a rushed setup.

No matter your vision, The Oaks can make a perfect backdrop to the wedding of your dreams. Ready to talk details? I’d love to make your wedding gallery a timeless treasure, regardless of calendar timing!

Honoring family dynamics can be difficult. Thoughtfully honoring family dynamics at your wedding can be even harder! Let’s face it. Gathering this many generations and personalities in one place can cause drama. Even the smallest weddings can have tension between a guest or two! And there’s nothing like a big family celebration to highlight the absence of a late patriarch, or a staple in your life who can’t attend. The good news is, everyone likely wants the best and smoothest day for you. The even better news? There are things you can do to help make that happen.

Honoring family dynamics at your wedding often requires balancing boundaries with thoughtful inclusion, and the best way to go about it is with a concrete plan. So let’s talk! Here are some ways to honor the unique relationships in your life on your wedding day:

Strategic Seating and Processional

Being thoughtful with placement is the easiest way to avoid friction and make everyone feel included.

Divorced Parents. Utilize the traditional multi-person processional by letting step-parents and biological parents share different roles. You can seat the side with the most tension further away from the focal point, then utilize multiple family tables rather than one large, crowded head table. Establish clear boundaries, assign designated roles and communicate expectations early. (While you’re at it, address seating, photos, and toasts ahead of time. That way your parents know exactly what to expect, which allows you to focus on your celebration.)

Stepparents and Blended Families. Give everyone specific, visible roles outside of tradition. Honor step-parents by having them walk down the aisle, do a reading, or wear a special corsage/boutonnière. Above all, the most important thing is to include any children. A wedding celebrates the start of a new family unit, not just a marriage. Have your kids walk you down the aisle, stand by your side as (junior) bridesmaids/groomsmen, or act as ring bearers and flower girls. Incorporate a unity ritual like a sand ceremony, where each family member pours a different colored sand into one vessel, or do a family candle lighting.

Assign a “Buffer” or Host. Enlist an assertive, neutral family friend or day-of coordinator to act as a buffer for difficult personalities. That way you and your partner don’t have to worry about it! A wedding planner can be great for this. Just be sure any details and concerns are clearly communicated ahead of time. Make sure your host is discrete, and knows how you’d prefer conflicts to be resolved.

Inclusive Touches for the Ceremony

The best way to go about honoring family dynamics is to find special ways to celebrate the people who have shaped your lives. Here are some things you can include to highlight your special relationships:

Generational Tributes. Share anecdotes from your parents’ and grandparents’ love stories in the ceremony program or have the officiant mention them. Or wrap a grandmother’s engagement ring or heirloom brooch around your bouquet stem. Sew a piece of fabric from a parent’s wedding attire, a vintage handkerchief, or a loved one’s tie into the interior of your wedding suit or the hem of a gown. Create a dedicated table displaying framed wedding photographs of your parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents.

Family Traditions. Try to incorporate a meaningful cultural ritual, e.g. a traditional unity ceremony, or use a specific family heirloom during the day. Serve a loved one’s signature dish or cocktail. Ask a talented family member to play a specific processional song or have a relative read a poem or blessing that was used at their own wedding. At the reception, work with your caterer to feature a signature family recipe, like grandmother’s famous lasagna or a family-style dessert bar. Open up the dance floor for a multi-generational dance where you invite all married couples to join and see who has been married the longest.

Memorialize Loved Ones. Reserve a dedicated chair with a framed photo or flower for relatives who have passed away, or light a remembrance candle in a prominent place. Have parents or a close relative briefly talk about deceased grandparents during a toast to share a favorite memory of them with everyone. Pin a small, framed photo charm of a loved one on your suit lapel, tie, or bridal bouquet.

Bonus Tips for Honoring Family Dynamics at Your Wedding

Preventing drama is all about managing expectations. My number one bonus tip? Prioritize your vision. Remind yourself that the day belongs to you and your partner, and it’s entirely acceptable to hold boundaries and ignore unsolicited advice. Second, pick the right moments to have necessary, potentially awkward conversations. Talk to family members during calm moments—never in the heat of an argument. And last but not least, be sure to divide the responsibilities. To avoid being micromanaged, allow opinionated family members to own specific, contained tasks (like planning the rehearsal dinner or organizing the welcome bags).

As for the wedding photography? Of course I’ve got you covered! Check out my “Tips for Stress-Free Family Wedding Portraits” here.