ultimate guide
Crested Butte Elopement
How To Plan A Crested Butte Elopement
a step-by-step guide
Is this your first time trying to plan an elopement? Don't worry- as Colorado elopement photographers, we have quite a few of these under our belt and we're here to help you through the whole process! Here's a quick step by step guide on how to elope in Crested Butte:
HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER
PLAN OUT THE DETAILS
Next, you'll book your lodging, transportation and any additional vendors such as hair and makeup, a florist, officiant, etc. (don't worry, we'll send you ideas for all of these). We'll collaborate on a timeline to fit in all the locations and activities you want while getting the best photos throughout the day! You'll also get your marriage license prior to the wedding.
Most couples hire us before they start planning anything! The reason for this is because we help our couples with logistics such as choosing the right date, which location(s) are perfect for them, navigating permits, finding local vendors, etc. You don't have to do it all yourself, we're here to help you.
GET MARRIED!
Choose Your Location
You'll have the best day ever and we'll be there capturing every moment! Within a few days you'll have sneak peek photos in your inbox, and the full gallery within 2-3 months. All that's left is to choose which photos to print!
After you've set a date with us you'll gain access to our exclusive Crested Butte location guide. You'll easily be able to see which location(s) perfectly fit what you're looking for and have all the info you'll need to obtain any reservations or permits needed.
Why Elope In Crested Butte?
If you're looking for sweeping vistas of lush mountains, fields of wildflowers and endless rivers, lakes and waterfalls, a Crested Butte elopement is perfect for you.
Crested Butte is one of the most beautiful mountain towns in Colorado. It's about a 4 hour drive from Denver and sits at 8,909 ft of elevation. It is the wildflower capital of Colorado and hosts a wildflower festival every July!
It has a small town vibe and feels less touristy than other popular mountain towns like Aspen and Vail, but is equally if not more beautiful! Even though it is a small town, there are still plenty of options for lodging, restaurants and wedding vendors.
As Crested Butte elopement photographers, we'll walk you through the best places to get married, when to visit, where to stay and our Crested Butte elopement packages.
When To Elope In Crested Butte
The best time for a Crested Butte elopement is in summer for the best scenery and accessibility. Summer provides warm weather, flowing rivers and waterfalls and lush scenery. Wildflowers are typically present in July to early August. You'll want to avoid the wildflower festival though, for more privacy for your day.
Planning your elopement for the summer is our recommendation as you'll have access to all locations, unlike the winter, early spring or late fall, when vehicle access can be limited due to snow.
Crested Butte is an incredible location for fall elopements in Colorado as it's filled with aspen groves that turn bright yellow. Trying to forecast when the leaves will change is nearly impossible as it changes every year and storms can come through that down all the leaves. However, typically late September/early October offers fall foliage.
We highly recommend planning your elopement for a weekday (Monday-Thursday) to avoid crowds. Sunrise elopements are our favorite as they're pretty much always private and there's a lower chance of inclement weather.
How much does it cost to get married in Crested Butte?
The cost to get married in Crested Butte starts at $30 which covers your marriage license. At a minimum, you'll likely want to purchase wedding attire, hire a photographer, videographer, florist, hair and makeup artist. You may also need to account for travel, transportation and lodging.
The total cost for your wedding will vary significantly depending on the style of wedding you choose to have. For example, a simple elopement with no guests will be much more affordable than a wedding with guests which you will then need a venue to host a reception, cater food, hire additional vendors, etc.
It's important to note that elopements can be as simple or as extravagant as you desire, there is no set cost for this type of wedding! The great thing about eloping is that you can allot your funds towards an experience and things that you value rather than an expensive venue and material items.
The couples that hire us value their photos and experience more than anything, which is why they typically spend majority of their budget on their photography package. Below is a breakdown of the estimated expenses for a Crested Butte wedding. This is not a quote or elopement package.
Multi-Day ELOPEMENT
(with guests, photo + video)
Full Day ELOPEMENT
(no guests, Photo + Video)
Half Day Elopement
(NO Guests, Photo only)
Marriage License - $30
Photography - $8,000
videography - $3,500
Wedding Attire - $3000
Florals - $500 (Bouquet + Boutonnière)
Hair & makeup - $500
lodging - $600 (three nights at an airbnb)
Marriage License - $30
Photography - $9,900
videography - $3,500
local Officiant - $500
Wedding Attire - $4000
Florals - $1000 (Bouquet, Boutonnière & ceremony arrangement)
Hair & makeup - $800
lodging - $1,800 (three nights at a luxury resort)
reception venue & dinner - $100+/guest
Marriage License - $60
Photography - $6000
Wedding Attire - $1500
Florals - $300 (Bouquet + Boutonnière)
Hair & makeup - free (diy)
lodging - $100 (three nights camping)
estimate ~ $7,960
estimate ~ $16,130
estimate ~ $23,530
the best locations for your
Crested Butte Elopement
curated by photographers
As elopement photographers, we've spent a lot of time searching for the perfect locations for our couples to get married. We've put together a Crested Butte elopement guide for our couples that outlines all of the most beautiful places to get married. In addition to locations, the guide includes local vendor recommendations, lodging inspiration, activity ideas and sample itineraries to make planning as easy as possible!
We keep the best hidden gems secret to keep the privacy for our couples, but here are some of the most popular locations in Crested Butte for elopements and micro weddings!
Hiking Elopements
There are so many absolutely jaw dropping hiking trails around Crested Butte for those interested in a hiking elopement! No matter how much or little you want to hike, if you want mountain views, wildflowers, rivers, lakes or waterfalls.. there's truly something for everyone.
We provide our couples with a custom location guide with in-person scouted and vetted, best of the best locations.
VIEW PHOTOS
Slate River
One of the most scenic rivers in Colorado, the Slate River, runs through Crested Butte. With it's epic mountain backdrop, it's one of the most beautiful places to get married in Crested Butte.
Views like this are accessible on the side of the road, you don't have to hike if you don't want to!
VIEW PHOTOS
Campgrounds
If you love camping, consider a camping elopement! Crested Butte has some of the most scenic camp sites in the country. There are options from developed areas to dispersed camping and car camping.
Most of the campgrounds open in May/June and close in September/October. A couple popular options are Oh Be Joyful Campground and Mt.Crested Butte Campground.
VIEW PHOTOS
Crested Butte Wedding Venues
A small wedding venue may be more suitable for your event depending on what you're planning. If you're planning to have a micro wedding with 20+ guests, any structures (arches, chairs, etc.) or would like an indoor option, consider these locations.
Mountain Wedding Garden
Mountain Wedding Garden is a stunning and affordable wedding venue in Crested Butte which offers both indoor and outdoor options with their ceremony garden and reception pavilion.
Capacity: up to 125 guests
Availability: year-round
Estimated Cost: $700-$2300+
PHOTO CREDIT: MOUNTAIN Magic MEDIA
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
Rental of the Community Center includes the use of the main hall, board room, catering kitchen, and outdoor 20′ x 30′ tent. The main hall can comfortably seat 128 guests for dinner.
Capacity: up to 128 guests
Availability: limited. full for 2023.
Estimated Cost: $7500+
photo credit: magnified joy photography
Ten Peaks at Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Ten Peaks and Umbrella Bar at Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers unmatched mountain views for your ceremony and reception options.
Capacity: up to 180 guests
Availability: June to September
Estimated Cost: $15,000+
Photo credit: Kyle Loves Tori
Crested butte airbnb/vrbo weddings
Here are a few rentals in Crested Butte that allow events! Always contact the host and let them know about what you're planning before booking to ensure your event is allowed.
35 acre Mountain View Luxury chalet
This stunning luxury chalet sits on 35 acres of land overlooking the mountains and town of Crested Butte. It has a large lawn perfect for your small wedding and large house so your friends and family can stay too! With amenities such as a hot tub, fireplace, game room and more, it's a vacation and event space all in one.
guests: 6 bedrooms, 10 beds, sleeps 18
Maximum event attendees: 30
cost: $1,500-$3,000/night
Spacious Home w/ Majestic Views
"Conveniently located between the ski area and the historic town of Crested Butte. Occupying 1.58-acres with unobstructed 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, The multiple living areas allow the rare opportunity to accommodate a large assemblage of family and friends in one place"
guests: 4 bedrooms, CONVERTIBLE BEDS, sleeps 10
cost: $900/night. There is ALSO a special event fee for events/weddings.
Hey, we're Savannah & Greg!
Crested Butte Elopement Photographers
We're a husband and wife team specializing in elopement photography and videography in Colorado. We believe in eloping, so much so that we did it ourselves! It can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start, which is why we help couples set a date, pick a location and all the way through to the end.
Crested Butte Elopement VIDEOGRAPHER
Having a videographer for your elopement allows you to relive the magic and emotions of your special day for years to come. While photography is important, a video can capture the nuances of your ceremony and the events surrounding it in a way that photos cannot. We'll create film that captures the essence of your elopement, providing a lasting record of your memories and allowing you to share them with family and friends who couldn't be there with you.
Crested Butte Elopement Packages
Photography Packages
Included Services
Photography & Videography
It might seem counterintuitive to look for a photographer before you have an exact location and date set, but trust us on this one. If you're looking for some help finding the perfect location, an elopement photographer who specializes in the area you're considering will be a huge help to you.
Professional photography and optional videography services from an experienced husband/wife team who've photographed over 150 weddings together. Posing guidance and direction to make you feel and look great in front of the camera, no experience necessary.
Planning Guide
A 50+ page digital planning guide to help you through the whole elopement planning process. Including tips on booking travel and lodging, buying your attire, activity ideas, packing checklists, including family and more.
Custom Location Guide
A list of all the most beautiful locations in the area you choose based on scenery, accessibility, permits and logistics. We do the work so you don't have to!
Timeline Creation
We'll craft a timeline that fits all the locations, activities, and moments you have planned for your day as well as consider ideal lighting and making sure your whole experience is relaxed and stress free.
Vendor Recommendations
Looking for a florist, hair and makeup artist, or other vendors? We've got you covered with local recommendations.
STARTING AT $6,000
