You finally decided on the perfect destination wedding experience and chose a Red Rock wedding. But there are details you need to know to plan for having a wedding at Red Rock Canyon and this article gives important facts, tips and ways to make it a more comfortable and successful experience.
Compared to the Las Vegas Valley, there is typically a seven degree difference to prepare for in elevation and sometimes the difference can be greater. Each season brings its surprises. Here are a few seasonal tips for planning around the weather for a Red Rock Canyon wedding or photo shoot.
A Spring Wedding in Red Rocks
Spring Time Red Rock Weddings
The spring welcomes wildflowers in the lower elevations that pop out of the ground like butterflies from their cocoons. The remnants of winter chill the early morning. The wind picks up and the day is cool with clear skies.
If you don’t mind crisp air, a spring Red Rock wedding is beautiful among the wildflowers. Enjoy milder weather and sunshine between noon and mid-afternoon. Though cool, the sun’s rays can still burn your skin, so be sure to bring sunscreen.
The temperature steadily rises in spring. Click here for an hourly temperature guide from the official Red Rock Canyon site. This is an accurate and very helpful resource to keep updated on the weather.
In March, the high reaches 65° F. In April, the high is 73° F, and in May, the temperature reaches up to 82° F.
Springtime is a great time to get married at Red Rock Canyon however it may still be windy. As the colder winter conditions subside, there is an air conversion effect which causes increased wind to come in to the Las Vegas valley and surrounding areas. You may want to have your wedding in the valley at Red Rock Canyon. A great place to have your wedding ceremony that is more protected from the wind is at Ash Springs. It does require a small 10 minute hike to get there however. Being closer to the rocks does seem to provide more refuge from the wind than the Red Rock overlook or the Amphitheater area does.
Read our blog post about seasonal Las Vegas weather to prepare you before visiting Las Vegas.
Photo courtesy of WeatherSpark.com
A Summer Red Rock Wedding
Photo taken near Ash Springs by KK Photography
A desert summer requires sunscreen and grit. Only the strong survive. Temperatures can feel scorching in the 100’s. In June, the high starts at an average 93° F.
Definitely bring umbrellas and stay updated on the weather. There is no avoiding the heat and summer also brings a good dose of humidity when the monsoon season hits. Monsoon season in Las Vegas officially starts early to mid-July from early to mid-September. July and August are the most humid months in the Las Vegas Valley and Red Rock Canyon also experiences the same conditions if not worse. The mountain ranges there seem to attract in the storms.
To cope with the intense heat be sure to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Consider bringing an umbrella or parasol a part of your wedding day. Some brides now prefer to carry parasols and other personalized alternatives in the place of a bridal bouquet. Many of the allowed locations for weddings in Red Rock State Park don’t offer shade.
Whenever Custom Las Vegas Weddings plans your wedding, they will make sure your limousine provides bottled water and a glorious invention that pushes out cold air, commonly known as air conditioning. We definitely recommend getting an early start. Late weddings can be beautiful and when the sun isn’t directly shining on you it can seem less scorching, but the rocks still hold the heat of the day to be careful when sitting or lying on the rocks.
A Fall Red Rock Experience
Click here to view a Fall Red Rock Canyon Wedding Story and Experience
As summer temperatures fade, a fall Red Rock wedding will feature mild and lovely weather conditions. Mid-September, the entire month of October up until mid-November seems to be Red Rock Canyon weathers sweet spot. The weather is absolutely gorgeous. It’s a very comfortable temperature as a standard with low wind.
Monsoon weather is usually over by the 1st week of September and raises only the occasional concern. Don’t get caught in the rain near a body of water or you may end up in a flash flood.
It will be the responsibility of your Las Vegas wedding planner to guide you in getting the timing right for your wedding in the desert. In September the sun sets around 7 pm. By October the sun sets around 6:30 and the later in the month it’s around 6 pm. November brings a time clock change and clocks roll back an hour with sunset at 4:45 pm.
A Winter Red Rock Wedding
Photo taken near Calico Basin – Ash Springs
The winter weather at Red Rock Canyon tends toward chilly and sometimes wind accompanies the rain attracted to the mountain areas. Layering is strongly advised and bring a warm coat. You can find fashionable wedding cover-up garments that will keep you nice and warm. It is also advisable to bring a hat or wrap around for your head. The wind can be sharp and cold on some winter days.
From mid-January to the beginning of March Red Rock can experience periodic bouts of rain in the forecast. The mountain range tends to attract the storms. If you have a wedding scheduled when there is rain in the forecast it is advisable to keep a close eye on what is happening as flooding often occurs in the wash areas of Red Rock Canyon. The Bureau of Land Management controls the permits for weddings in Las Vegas. If there is any danger they will contact your Las Vegas wedding planner who is helping you and issue a warning. They will also work with the planner to reschedule the wedding if needed due to safety reasons.
In winter temperatures usually reach the mid-fifties by day, but warmer weather can occur. It’s best to have a winter Red Rock wedding in the early to mid-afternoon to take advantage of warmer temperatures.
From mild to cold weather, you don’t need to worry about sunscreen too much. Of course in winter the sun goes down earlier and ducks behind some of the tall mountain range by 3:30 to 4 PM. You will want to consider having your Las Vegas desert wedding earlier in the afternoon if you want to capture some warm from the sunlight to offset the cool weather. Even in the desert, blankets of snow cover the Red Rock Canyon mountains after a snowstorm and snowstorms do happen then.
Let Nature Inspire Your Wedding
Red Rock State Park is made up of 286 sprawling acres with stunning scenery. Trails meander through juniper and manzanita to the edge of Oak Creek. The creek travels around the park, enriching the riparian habitat with abundant wildlife and native plants.
Do be careful with the natural habitat at Red Rock Canyon. There are hefty fines in place established by the BLM for breaking the rules so don’t feed the burros. You also need to know that the desert tortoise at Red Rock is considered endangered and you must not stand within 5 feet of them or else there is a hefty fine.
This ancient and scenic environment provides several beautiful backdrops for a dream outdoor wedding in nature. Take advantage of warmer weather and walk the trails several months or a year before your wedding to get ideas about theme, color scheme and possible weather conditions.
Keep in mind that only certain areas of the park permit weddings and no weddings are permitted on the scenic drive. Custom Las Vegas Weddings is one company that is approved to perform weddings at Red Rock Canyon. They hold a permit for 3 of the designated areas to have a wedding in Red Rock. They will be able to guide you in very creative and romantic experiences at Red Rock Canyon.
Red Rock State Park visitor’s center website is a great resource and place to learn about the history of Red Rock. It is located at the entry of the scenic drive which is a must see if you have the time. You are instructed on the various life zones of the park, which include plant life, wildlife, history and archaeology. Make note of the plant life and colors you see. If you’re a fan of birds, bird walks and hiking trails abound. Remember to always leave the park as you found it.
Planning Wedding Attire around Red Rock Weather
- It’s a popular idea to showcase the backdrop of the scenic mountain range with a cactus bouquet or artificial flowers as natures alter. Have your Vegas wedding planner style your wedding at Red Rock and help you create your own unique vision to match the environment.
- Be creative and incorporate blush or pastel colors into your theme, bouquet and wedding attire or have Custom Las Vegas Weddings help you plan a Las Vegas desert wedding that will be very private and unique for you.
- Imagine the use of blue and yellow primary colors against the red rocks of the park. Blue, violet or silver hues would also look lovely in a winter wedding. Let the natural dusky hues bring out the wild romantic in you.
- You must keep your attire choices in mind as you plan around the weather. Don’t sacrifice your dream wedding wear, but do remain conscious of your fabric choices. Be prepared to carry wedding gown trains.
- Imagine custom-made vegan or leather boots or pastel color dress and tux styling for your wedding that match the desert landscape.
- If it’s a little rainy and muddy, you don’t want to sacrifice delicate and expensive shoes. Bring along an extra pair of shoes to walk the trails and put your expensive shoes in a carry bag or tote. Then when you are ready to start the planning for the wedding ceremony and photos get those beautiful shoes out and let your style shine. Don’t forget umbrellas or a stylish parasol.
- Layer up for chilly weather, and wear SPF makeup and sunscreen for hotter months. Umbrellas or parasols also come in handy to provide instant shade from the scorching sun.
Red Rock provides an inspiring landscape for a stunning destination wedding. Let nature inspire your Red Rock wedding, but keep the changing seasons in mind as you plan.
Contact Custom Las Vegas Weddings for more tips on navigating the changing weather at Red Rock during your Las Vegas wedding planning process. They will make sure you get there in style and comfort, so you can focus on making one of the most important memories of your lifetime.
Hello, we are planning to have a Red Rock wedding next March 2020 and after reading your article I am a bit concerned about whether it will be too windy or cold to have a wedding in March. We are expecting to have about 20 people attend and I want the occasion to be successful and not have any last minute surprises. What is your advice about the weather in March and can we have a back up plan in case the weather turns inclement?
Hello Silvia, Thank you for touching base with me. Your question is a very good and relevant one. You are correct, March tends to be very windy and there have been quite a few times we have been surprised in the spring by cold wind. You do take a gamble on the weather when you decide to have it in March. The mountain range that surrounds Red Rock Canyon tends to attract clouds and storms as well. My advice to wedding couples who plan to have a Red Rock Wedding is this. We keep an eye on the 5 day weather forecast at Red Rock and if the weather calls for rain or a cold spell we can book a wedding chapel as a back up plan. We do have access to a wedding chapel to rent out for a ceremony. If we do end up changing your plans to a chapel my suggestion would be to downgrade the large limo bus you need to go to Red Rock for 20 people to a smaller vehicle and do photos at Red Rock instead of the ceremony. That way you still have the photos but don’t have to worry about your guests comfort or a ceremony in the rain or wind. It will cost an extra amount to rent out the chapel of course but when you have an outdoor wedding that is a risk you do take with the weather. March and April can be very beautiful or have occasional cold snaps and wind. Get in touch with me and we can talk more about your vision and then I will make some recommendations.
I was looking over your Red Rock wedding page and considering having a wedding at Red Rock canyon this year. I’m glad you wrote this article because I had some similar questions. I found the article was very helpful and now I know which season we would attempt to have an outdoor wedding in Vegas. Thank you.
Hello Shelly, We definitely have had more rain than usual this year in the winter months. Sometimes winter can be quite cold and get snow but it’s unpredictable. At Red Rock Canyon the wind can be fierce in the open areas as the mountains attract the storms when they are in the area. Fortunately, we don’t experience much rain or storms 95% of year so it’s a gamble to have the wedding the winter or early spring when the winds are heavier. Let me know your questions.