Stain cedar deck

I have a cedar deck which I searched and researched got a bunch of test wood and different stains.  So as you see from the photos I wanted a light brown to enhance and provide protection to the deck.  I have used ready seal dark walnut on my fence in the past which I like the tone.  My local Home Depot had the pergolas with deck defender Oxford brown.  Decided to brush on Oxford brown.  My deck turned dark red!  The cedar post are one color, the cedar post are another color then the fence another.  I waited for 2 weeks to see if the color would lighten.  After the waiting decided to remove the color.  Used the Behr stain remover , then the cleaner and brightener.  Now I am using a orbital sander with 80 git.  Now it looks even better than when I purchased  the wood,  I love how it looks now.  When it gets we it looks yellow. What I would like to do it either use something just to protect the wood or some stain with a light brown enhancement.  Was going to use 2 part clear and 1 dark walnut of Ready seal. Please Help!! This is so much work to remove the stain I do not want to do it again.  The cedar on the gazebo will be retained with a darker brown.

Thank you!