Are you looking for a magical mountain town for your elopement? If so, you’re in the right place. As an elopement photographer, one of my all-time favorite locations is Crested Butte, Colorado. In this Crested Butte elopement guide, I’ll share the top reasons to elope here and the best venues, including hidden gems.
With never-ending mountain views, colorful wildflowers, fun activities, and countless elopement sites, the entire Crested Butte area is truly one-of-a-kind. Continue reading for the inside scoop on tying the knot in one of Colorado’s best mountain towns.
Why have a Crested Butte elopement?
Crested Butte is the ideal destination if you’re dreaming of saying “I do” in an adorable mountain town minus the crowds with stunning backdrops and the most fun activities.
Let’s be honest – I can’t think of any reason not to get married in Crested Butte!
Peaceful Seclusion
While some couples prefer getting married in a popular destination, what about running off to a hidden gem in the mountains for a memorable experience with your love?
One reason I’m slightly obsessed with Crested Butte elopements is the few crowds and feeling like you’re in your own slice of paradise.
Even though this incredibly cute city is surrounded by mountains from every direction and feels so secluded, it’s within driving distance of Denver International Airport. The airport is less than a 5-hour drive away, and the ride into Crested Butte is almost as gorgeous as the town itself.
Stunning Wildflowers
Have you ever dreamed of getting married in the middle of hundreds of colorful flowers?
Fun fact: Crested Butte is known as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado.
During summer, vibrant wildflowers take over. You can find white, yellow, green, purple, and red flowers covering meadows and hills. Talk about the perfect elopement backdrop!
Gorgeous Year-Round
I’ve photographed in Crested Butte during every season of the year and can attest to its beauty year-round. No matter when you’re planning to elope to Crested Butte, you’re sure to find breathtaking scenery.
From a magical winter wonderland and incredible weather with views to match in spring to gorgeous blooms in summer and picture-perfect fall foliage, you can’t go wrong eloping in Crested Butte during any season.
Minimal Tourists
Colorado has so many unique locations to elope, but Crested Butte is especially different because it’s so much less touristy than other places.
One of my favorite parts of exploring Crested Butte with elopement couples is not having to fight crowds.
And because Crested Butte isn’t too busy, it’s also not as pricey as other mountain towns.
Unique Accommodations
Crested Butte will blow you away if you love incredibly unique accommodation options as much as I do!
From Airbnb mountain homes and epic campsites under the stars to stunning ski resorts and charming bed and breakfasts, there’s the perfect place for every couple to spend their elopement getaway.
Local Wedding Vendors
Although Crested Butte is a lesser-known elopement destination and small town, there’s no shortage of wedding vendors. You can find florists, caterers, and photographers (like me!) to help make your Crested Butte wedding experience perfect.
Adventurous Activities
If you and your partner are adventurous, you’re in luck. Crested Butte is made for adventurous couples!
Crested Butte has everything from skiing or joining a large mountain biking community to kayaking on a lake or camping and hiking for the weekend. With so much to do, you can easily extend your elopement into a Crested Butte honeymoon.
And if you want to unwind during your elopement getaway, there are also tranquil parks, delicious restaurants, and laid-back cafes and bars in Crested Butte.
Where can I elope in Crested Butte?
One reason I think a Crested Butte elopement is the best is because of how many unique places there are to have your ceremony.
Whether you’re interested in a secluded hidden gem location, a more popular elopement spot, or an intimate wedding venue you can reserve, there are many options for your special day.
Hidden Gem Locations
Many of the Crested Butte locations I encourage couples to explore for their elopement are hidden gems off the beaten path. Photographers like myself prefer to keep these secret spots on the low down to prevent overpopulation.
Tip: Work with an elopement photographer who can help you scout locations and plan your dream elopement.
Whether you’re interested in tying the knot with the Alpine Lakes behind you, surrounded by golden aspens during fall, or in a meadow of wildflowers backed by mountains, I can help you find the perfect hidden gem spot.
Here are a few other beautiful Crested Butte elopement locations that are more well-known:
- Gunnison National Forest: take a backcountry adventure through the forest for countless gorgeous spots to exchange your vows
- Judd Falls: go on a short hike to this 166-foot waterfall off of the iconic Gothic Road for a beautiful wedding backdrop
- Lake Irwin: get married at this magical lake surrounded by mountains, where you can also enjoy lake activities and camping (usually only accessible from late spring to early fall)
- Peanut Lake: say “I do” at this accessible stunning lakeside wedding venue with 360-degree scenic views that’s perfect for an intimate wedding with up to 100 guests
Crested Butte Wedding Venues
If you’re considering having an intimate wedding with guests, you could also book a venue.
Here are some of the best reservable Crested Butte wedding locations:
Mountain Wedding Garden
Mountain Wedding Garden is nestled in the Elk Mountains, offering amazing scenery and lush meadows. During spring and summer, wildflowers cover Mountain Wedding Garden.
Couples can have a garden ceremony with up to 125 guests. There’s also the option to rent the pavilion for your reception.
Taylor River Lodge
If you dream of a secluded wedding weekend, Taylor River Lodge is the ideal location. It’s tucked away in a hidden canyon of the Rocky Mountains for a getaway unlike any other.
Taylor River Lodge requires couples to book for two days and offers lodging for up to 32 guests to spend the night.
Scarp Ridge Lodge
Scarp Ridge Lodge is a dreamy boutique hotel perfect for a small wedding in the heart of Crested Butte. As a former Croatian saloon, the lodge offers Wild West vibes for a unique experience.
Scarp Ridge Lodge also requires a two-day booking for all events, and the beautiful hotel (with an indoor pool and rooftop hot tub!) offers space for up to 18 overnight guests.
Ten Peaks
If you’re interested in having an intimate ski resort wedding, consider Ten Peaks. This is the venue for Crested Butte Ski Resort, and the setting feels like one in a fairytale.
Ten Peaks is surrounded by sweeping Crested Butte mountain scenery and has first-class lodging. There’s also an on-site catering staff ideal for an easy reception in a breathtaking environment.
Center for the Arts
If you’re looking for one of the most unique Crested Butte elopement locations, the Center for the Arts is a remarkable venue. There are various indoor and outdoor spaces to choose from, including a simple yet peaceful courtyard space and a modern theater room.
The Center for the Arts is also conveniently located in Downtown Crested Butte.
Do you need a permit to elope in Crested Butte?
Most Crested Butte elopement locations do require a permit. For example, ceremony locations in the Crested Butte Land Trust or the Gunnison National Forest usually require permits.
Since guidelines vary based on the site, it’s essential to do your research. You can also work with an elopement photographer who helps with planning (like myself!) to ensure you follow regulations accordingly.
The good news about wedding permits in Crested Butte is that they’re usually reasonably affordable.
Let’s Plan Your Crested Butte Elopement
Eloping in Crested Butte is sure to be an experience like no other. With gorgeous scenery all year, endless fun activities, affordable prices, and countless ceremony spots, it’s easily one of my favorite elopement locations.
If you’re ready to start planning your elopement, I’d love to help!
I’m a Crested Butte elopement photographer who helps execute your dream wedding day. From choosing your vendors to finding the perfect elopement location, Among The Pines assists with planning your special details.
I also share a 100-page Elopement Guide with couples I work with to ensure you feel comfortable and prepared throughout the process.
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
