Crested Butte Elopement Photographer

I’m Lucy, a Crested Butte elopement photographer and location finder! It’s about dang time I share with you the best places to elope in Crested Butte! In the central heart of Colorado, this mountain town is known for its epic mountain views, abundance of wildflowers, and off-roading opportunities. Let me break down the amazing elopement locations in Crested Butte!

Where is Crested Butte?

Located just over the mountain ridge from Aspen, it takes about 4 to 5 hours to drive to Crested Butte from Denver. It is a very scenic drive no matter which route you take! The views that reward you when you arrive are to die for. Crested Butte is named for Mt. Crested Butte, a laccolith mountain that dominates the skyline of the town. And yes.. some people, myself included, affectionately call the town “crusty butt”. The town is at 8,900 feet elevation, so if you’re coming from sea level you will feel the impact the altitude has on you.

Where to Elope in Crested Butte, Colorado

The further away from the town you go, the more privacy you can expect. But you still can’t guarantee you’ll be the only ones there, and you can’t bar the public from any location. I’m going to group the best locations into a few categories:
– Crested Butte elopement locations with lakes
– Elopement locations with waterfalls
– Offroad Crested Butte elopement locations
– Hiking Elopements in Crested Butte

Places to Elope at Lakes in Crested Butte

If you desire a lake elopement in Crested Butte, you have quite a few to choose from! Emerald lake is perhaps the most well known. It’s blue-green waters are accessible by a dirt road that almost any car can go up. However, It’s high ridges on both sides make this a bad choice if you desire a sunset or sunrise elopement. More lakes are accessible on 4wd dirt roads to the north and west of the town of Crested Butte. All the lakes have big views of the surrounding mountains. There are also rivers galore, beaver dams, and if you venture further west, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Places for a Hiking Elopement in Crested Butte

Some trailheads are accessed by 4×4 or dirt road, but many in Crested Butte are accessible to all. For the best hiking elopement in Colorado, plan to enjoy fall in Crested Butte. The last two weeks of September are filled with sunny days, cool nights, and all the aspen color that you could dream of! The Oh Be Joyful, Washington Gulch, Gothic Road, Mt. Baldy and Kebler Pass trailheads offer the most stunning views. And if you’re into camping, say no more, I am SO THERE!

Do we have to hike to elope in Crested Butte?

Absolutely not. While you can hike and should if that is something you enjoy doing together, it is NOT required. A great elopement is the combination of doing activities you normally do together and love AND the extraordinary experiences you might reserve for a honeymoon or celebration. If hiking isn’t on either of those lists, opt out and embrace what YOU love doing.

How to Elope in Crested Butte

Almost all the areas I recommend around Crested Butte are on National Forest land and require no permit or advanced reservations to have an elopement ceremony. The hardest part of eloping in Crested Butte will be choosing which spot to make yours! That said, don’t show up with 25 people, a million cars and decorations! You should always Leave No Trace and ask permission from the ranger district if you plan to set up any kind of arch or chairs in a public space.

Step by Step guide to planning a Crested Butte elopement

Eloping in the mountains is remarkably simple and low key. Embrace the natural backdrop and let the little things go – this is the great outdoors! Here is a step by step how to guide on how to plan a beautiful mountain elopement in Crested Butte.
1. Pick a date range or exact date to get married
2. Book your Crested Butte elopement photographer who will help you with all the other steps
3. Work with your photographer to select a ceremony site and timeline plan that’s perfect for you
4. Book your accommodation, florist, and or beauty services. Buy your best outfit ever.
5. Pick up your Colorado Marriage license and elope!

When to elope in Crested Butte?

While there is no bad season to plan a Crested Butte elopement, you should be informed about what you’re getting yourself into. Because of its high elevation, from mid October to mid May, you can expect winter conditions, cold temps, wind, snow, ice and mud. Summer is the best time for a Crested Butte elopement, and in late July the wildflowers start their takeover of the meadows. Avoid the week of the annual wildflower festival in town though, because the accommodations and roads will be uncharacteristically busy. Late September brings fall’s golden touch to the aspens, and the weather is glorious in the short autumn season.

Do we need an officiant in Colorado?

No, you don’t need an officiant to get married in Colorado, but you may have one to conduct the ceremony if you wish. This can be a minister, ordained officiant, or your best friend! There are no requirements for an officiant. Colorado is a self-solemnization state, which means if you don’t have a officiant, you will be your own officiant. Colorado recognizes your power to declare yourselves married. This is awesome news for your elopement, since you can not only save on costs of an officiant but you can also plan to spontaneously get married. As you’re exploring the landscape, you can pick right then and there where you want to get married, since you don’t have to meet up with anyone else.

Colorado Marriage Licenses in Crested Butte

Your Colorado marriage license is just $30 and can be picked up at the Gunnison county courthouse, which is the closest one to Crested Butte. However, you can apply for and make an appointment at ANY Colorado courthouse, it doesn’t have to be the one Crested Butte is located in. Once you pick it up, you have 63 days to return it to the same courthouse where you picked it up.

See real Fall Crested Butte elopement photos

Jenny & Andrew’s fall crested butte elopement photos will show you everything you need to know about this incredible mountain town! We ranged all over – from a horseback ride to offroading up Kebler pass in a bright red jeep. We included a campfire cookout with friends, smores, and toasts. A sunset ceremony AND private vow reading in an aspen glade.

September Crested Butte elopement Photos

If you want fall colors and mountain peaks, Crested butte should be at the top of your list of places to elope in Colorado! This couple took it all in on a gorgeous September day. Their photos were super romantic in the yellow aspen tree grove. They didn’t have to break a sweat or tackle any off roading to get here. Photos taken with Gabrielle Stowe Photography.

Where to stay in Crested Butte in 2024?

Crested Butte can be affordable in shoulder seasons and expensive in the busiest months. There are several clumps of rustic cabins that would make a great home base for a mountain elopement here. But don’t sleep on Airbnb! There are cottages, modern condos and townhomes, lavish ranches, and cabins galore. Explore my list of favorited Airbnbs in Crested Butte here.

How much time do we need for an elopement in Crested Butte?

It would be wrong for me to suggest anything except a full day of elopement photography in Crested Butte. This town is AMAZING and I know you’re going to get up to a myriad of wonderful adventures or relaxing activities. You should not cram all the best things in life into a short, rushed timeline of just 2 to 4 hours.

Example Crested Butte Elopement Timeline

Here is a sample timeline for an absolutely incredible Crested Butte elopement day!
7:30 Make breakfast together in a cabin & get dressed
9:00 Have your first look in the woods behind your cabin. Joy!
9:30 Pickup your jeep and picnic lunches.
10:00 Head into the mountains on a jeep road! Stop to see the wildflowers everywhere you want.
11:00 Hit a short trail to a lake and spread out a blanket on the shore for your lunch.
1:00 Go deeper into the mountains and explore the waterfalls along Crystal River.
2:30 Your private elopement ceremony at a thundering summer waterfall.
4:00 Stop to skip stones at Emerald Lake. Read together or take a nap in a hammock.
6:00 Catch dinner at a local spot in town
8:00 Watch the sunset from a short trail filled with flowers
9:00 Hit the hot tub at your Cabin and watch the stars come out

How much does a Crested Butte Elopement cost?

This totally varies depending on your preferences and budget! Traveling to Crested Butte is the wild card that I’m unable to estimate because it totally depends on where you’re coming from. Will you need flights and a rental car, or are you driving your own car? Similarly, your wedding rings and elopement clothes and accessories can vary in cost from $500 for the ultra thrifty to $5000 for the pair with champagne tastes. Here is a budget breakdown for a hypothetical Crested Butte elopement.
$30 Colorado Marriage License
$600 Daily Jeep Rental
$500 to $3500 Cabin rental or high end chalet for 3 days
$500 to $5000 Your wedding rings, suits or dresses
$5000 to $8000 a local Crested Butte elopement photographer
$500 to $2500 Hair, makeup, florist or other optional vendors
$300 to $800 Dinner and meals
=$7500 to $20,000 Depending on your needs

Real Crested Butte Wildflower Elopement Photos

So, want to see it all come together? You can see how gorgeous Sarah & Chris’s wildflower elopement day was here! In fact, Crested Butte is officially named the Wildflower capital of Colorado! In late July and early August, Lupines and other colorful wildflowers coat the landscape here, making it a very popular time of year to elope. I definitely recommend it!

Ready to make Crested Butte your elopement location? Contact me!

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