When choosing the perfect ceremony location in Colorado, there’s no doubt that a Crested Butte elopement should be at the top of your list. With dramatic alpine views, rolling meadows of wildflowers, and snow-capped mountain peaks, Crested Butte is full of cozy, elevated accommodations and picturesque ceremony locations. As an experienced Crested Butte elopement photographer, I’m here to share with you all the best Crested Butte elopement tips you NEED know before getting married in Colorado! 

All About Crested Butte, Colorado

Crested Butte is a magical mountain town located in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. While it’s best known as a ski and snowboard resort area, Crested Butte is one of my favorite elopement locations in Southwestern Colorado. With an abundance of recreational outdoor activities, restaurants, entertainment, and stunning accommodations, you and your partner will be able to plan a celebration that’s the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. 

Best Time Of Year To Visit Crested Butte

Crested Butte is beautiful year-round, with each season offering a different experience. The weather can be unpredictable, no matter the time of year, especially in the Rocky Mountains.

Spring: May-June 

Spring is known as mud season to the locals of Colorado. Warmer days become more frequent, meaning snow begins to melt rapidly. Afternoon thunderstorms also roll in daily, adding more water to muddy trail conditions. While average temperatures range from the low 50s to the low 60s, colder temperatures and snow in Spring are always possible in mountain towns like Crested Butte. For couples that wish to elope in Crested Butte during Spring, don’t worry! Spring can bring many beautiful Sunny days and low crowd levels. I always offer clients a backup plan in case our outdoor elopement adventures get interrupted by unexpected Spring weather!

Summer: July-August

This is my favorite season of ALL in Colorado. The wildflowers in Crested Butte are insane and beyond beautiful! I love the long sunny days, which provide ideal conditions for couples to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting. Remember to pack sunscreen if you plan to elope in Crested Butte during Summer! The higher up in altitude you are, the stronger the sun becomes.

Fall: September-November

Fall in the mountains is breathtaking. There’s nothing better than going for a drive along the winding roads through the Rockies. I love rolling my windows down and feeling the cool mountain air! Autumn colors in Crested Butte are vibrant, with orange, red, and yellow aspen leaves peeking through the forested evergreen mountainsides. If you plan to elope in the Fall, bring lots of layers! Mornings and evenings can be chilly in Crested Butte, but the daytime can get pretty warm. 

Winter: December-April

If you and your partner love Winter sports like skiing or snowboarding, Crested Butte is the perfect location for your elopement! Crested Butte is a winter wonderland soaring over 10,000ft in elevation. From icy alpine lakes to snowy ski slopes, your ceremony location options are endless! If you and your partner plan to elope in Crested Butte in Winter, I recommend packing lots of warm clothing and checking ever-changing road and weather conditions. 

Best Ceremony Locations In Crested Butte

There are some stunning ceremony locations in or around Crested Butte. To make your search a little easier, I’ve listed my favorite Crested Butte ceremony locations that I recommend considering before planning your adventure elopement!

The Crested Butte Land Trust

If you and your partner want a small, intimate wedding or elopement ceremony, The Crested Butte Land Trust offers three locations with stunning 360-degree views of Crested Butte’s Rocky Mountain landscape. Gunsight Bridge, Peanut Lake, and Woods Walk require a deposit and reservation in advance, and all close for Winter. These wedding sites are convenient and can accommodate up to 100 guests. 

The Mountain Wedding Garden

Three miles north of Crested Butte is a high alpine wedding venue between the Elk Mountains. The Mountain Wedding Garden is a unique mountain wedding venue, offering a garden ceremony spot and reception pavilion. This location accommodates up to 200 guests and offers transportation services to and from the town of Crested Butte!

Harmels On The Taylor 

Located just half an hour from Crested Butte is Harmels On The Taylor. This secluded wedding venue is ideal for couples looking to immerse themselves in the beautiful alpine landscape of Colorado. Harmels On The Taylor sits just off the banks of the Taylor Reservoir, just between the towering evergreens and mountain peaks that separate Gunnison and Crested Butte. Harmels has three different ceremony locations, depending on your and your partner’s guest size and ceremony vision. On top of newly remodeled cabins, Hamrels offers guests opportunities like fly fishing, horseback riding, adventurous ATV/side-by-side tours, and whitewater rafting. 

Best Accommodations Near Crested Butte

Crested Butte is full of some of Colorado’s most beautiful and unique Airbnbs and Hotels. If you and your partner stay in Crested Butte or on Mt. Crested Butte, a convenient and affordable town bus is provided. Here are some accommodations that would make for the perfect mountain getaway stay! 

Crested Butte Steakhouse

A ranch homestead situated on six acres of pristine Colorado wilderness near the Slate River. Crested Butte Steakhouse sleeps up to 10 guests and offers luxurious amenities such as a hot tub, large stone fireplace, and fully equipped kitchen. This accommodation is a breathtaking, intimate ceremony spot to celebrate with close family and friends.

Meridian Lake-Modern Mountain Adventure Home

Modern living meets mountain charm at Meridian Lake-Modern Mountain Adventure Home. Sleeping up to six guests, this secluded, luxurious oasis is nestled in the backcountry of Crested Butte. With stunning mountain views, a cozy fireplace, and a quiet, private location, this accommodation is perfect for any couple looking to unwind after an adventurous Crested Butte elopement. 

The View House

Just under 10 minutes from the Crested Butte Ski Resort sits a ranch-style accommodation perfect for ski-loving couples or those who want a beautiful accommodation and ceremony spot all wrapped in one. The View House sleeps up to 10 guests, with unobstructed mountain views that look like they’re straight out of a painting! Apart from stargazing, fishing, and wildlife spotting, couples and their guests can enjoy warm conversations around a large fireplace seating area in the heart of the home.

Activities In And Around Crested Butte

Depending on the season, there are many amazing activities to do in Crested Butte. Here are some of my favorite activities to do while visiting Crested Butte!

01. Hiking

• Woods Walk 
• Washington Gulch Trail
• The Copper Creek Trail to Copper Lake
• West Maroon Bells Pass

02. Fly Fishing

• Crested Butte Angler – Guided Fly Fishing

03. Mountain Biking

• Irwin Guides – Guided Mountain Biking

04. Explore Crested Butte’s Elk Ave 

• Pitas in Paradise
• Secret Stash Pizza
• Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodles (try the chicken parmesan!)
• Irwin Brewing Company’s Public House

05. Festivals + Events

• Crested Butte Wildflower Festival (July)
• Music On The MT Free Concert Series (Summer)
• Crested Butte Art Festival (August)
• Crested Butte Chili and Beer Festival (September)
• Elk Run 5K (September)
• New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks (January)

Tips For Crested Butte Elopements & Intimate Weddings

Crested Butte Elopement Tip #1: Fly Into Denver International Airport or Colorado Springs Airport!

One of the cool things about traveling to Colorado is that the state is home to 2 major airports! It’s nice to have options when booking your elopement travel accommodations, and both Denver International Airport and Colorado Spring Airport service popular airlines such as Delta, Southwest, United, and Frontier.  

Denver International Airport is about 4.5 hours from Crested Butte. It’s a large airport with shuttle services to the mountains and on-property rental car agencies.  

My favorite airport to fly into is Colorado Springs International Airport. Colorado Springs is about an hour closer to Crested Butte than Denver International, with a 3.5-hour scenic drive through the Rockies.

Crested Butte Elopement Tip #2: Rent A Car Or Use a Transportation Service

Crested Butte is situated amongst the quiet backcountry of the Colorado Rockies. I recommend renting a car for your Crested Butte elopement. No matter which Colorado airport you choose to fly into, Denver and Colorado Springs offer a beautiful scenic road trip to Crested Butte.

Well-known rental car companies like Enterprise and Hertz are on airport property at Denver International Airport and Colorado Springs Airport. Remember to take pictures of the vehicle before driving off the lot! This ensures your elopement trip won’t end with any unnecessary damage charges.  

If you and your partner aren’t comfortable driving long distances or through the mountains, I recommend hiring a transportation service to and from the airport. Some Crested Butte resorts even offer a private transportation service for their guests. Check with your resort or travel agent before your visit!

Crested Butte Elopement Tip #3: Visit During Off-Seasons To Avoid Crowds

Crested Butte has what Colorado locals call shoulder seasons. Shoulder seasons occur just after ski season ends and just before ski season begins. This is typically April-May and October-November. If you want to avoid the crowds that come with traveling to Crested Butte during peak season, plan your elopement for one of the shoulder seasons. While Crested Butte is less crowded than mountain towns like Breckenridge or Winter Park, planning your elopement during a shoulder season will ensure low crowd levels, low hotel prices, and increased vendor and accommodation availability!

Crested Butte Elopement Tip #4: – Hire Local Vendors!

The locals of Crested Butte are so kind and welcoming! I always recommend working with local vendors to help bring your elopement to life, and Crested Butte is no exception. Here are some of my favorite vendors around Crested Butte:

01. Florals

• Misty Mountain Floral
• Hosanna Floral
• Sundrop Flora 

02. Food + Drinks

• Chef Tim Egelhoff
• Cake Me Away Colorado
• Better Day Burro

03. Design + Rentals

• Alpen Glow Events Co.
• Lucky Penny Events

04. Planners

• Knotted Events
• Kefi Events
• Gathered Events

05. Salon Services

• New Moon Salon
• MTN Life Massage

06. Officiants

• Enchanted Love Elopements
• UC Crested Butte

Let’s Plan A Crested Butte Elopement!

I hope my Crested Butte wedding tips helped you feel a little less stressed while planning your Colorado elopement! If you’re ready to say I do in Crested Butte, I’m your go-to adventure elopement photographer! It’ll help make your ceremony as stress-free as possible. I assist couples with location scouting, permits, timelines, and more! You can check out my photography packages here, and tell me all about your vision for your special day by filling out my contact form!

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Vendors

Venues: @hitched_onthetaylor x @cblandtrust

Floral: @hosanna.floral

Coordination: @gatheredevents.co

Planning: @knottedevents.co

Stationery: @mauvestationery

Dress: @luv_bridal

Models (Wildflower Elopement): @lghthntr x @kmkrist