Buena Vista Elopement Photographer
Buena Vista is one of the most underrated places to elope in Colorado!
If you want to spend your elopement day surrounded by wildflowers, colorful mountains, towering 14,000-foot peaks, and sparkling alpine lakes, then Buena Vista might be the perfect location for you! Despite being only 2 hours from Denver, Buena Vista is consistently left off peoples’ lists as an elopement destination.
But I’m here to tell you that Buena Vista is more than just a stop-off on your travels, it’s an incredible town with views, history, and so much to offer!
Why Elope in Buena Vista?
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Surrounded by the majestic Collegiate Peaks, Buena Vista offers awe-inspiring mountain views, lush forests, and picturesque meadows.
The Arkansas River runs through the town, adding serene riverside spots perfect for romantic ceremonies or portraits.
And the best part is it’s easily accessible from Denver, making travel a breeze!
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Unlike more popular Colorado wedding destinations, Buena Vista is a quieter, less crowded option. Its secluded charm makes it ideal for couples seeking a more intimate, personal, and stress-free experience away from the hustle of tourist hotspots.
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Buena Vista is a paradise for adventure-loving couples. Incorporate activities like hiking, whitewater rafting, or soaking in natural hot springs into your wedding day or honeymoon to create unforgettable memories.
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Whether you’re dreaming of a summer wedding with vibrant greenery, a fall ceremony with golden aspens, or a winter elopement with snow-capped peaks, Buena Vista’s versatile seasons provide stunning backdrops for every style.
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From rustic mountain lodges to open-air ceremony sites surrounded by wildflowers, Buena Vista has a range of venues to fit any couple’s vision. It’s the perfect blend of Colorado’s rugged beauty and cozy small-town vibes.
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Buena Vista has great wedding and elopement vendors to choose from whether you're looking for florals, bakeries, hair and makeup, or event planning!
Hi, I’m Alex! A Buena Vista Elopement and Intimate Wedding Photographer specializing in planning adventurous wedding days!
Buena Vista is one of my favorite areas in Colorado. I live only 40 minutes away and have spent a lot of time looking for the most gorgeous and private locations to help my couples find seclusion on their elopement day. I spend my free time exploring these mountains with my husband and our huskies.
I love hiking, off-road driving, camping, biking, backpacking and skiing, and I know I can bring your Breckenridge elopement vision to life.
When to Elope in Buena Vista
Summer
Summer will have the best temperatures and the most opportunity for outdoor activities like hiking, off roading, fishing, and canoeing. Many of Buena Vista’s high mountain passes don’t open until mid June.
Fall
Fall has chillier temperatures and great views of golden aspens from mid September to early October. I absolutely love fall elopements in intimate weddings in Buena Vista.
Winter
Winter offers plenty of activities those who want a more mild winter weather experience. Some days feel warm enough to wear shorts and a tank top!
I always recommend choosing a weekday (Monday-Thursday) for your elopement or wedding to have the best shot at complete seclusion!
Buena Vista Elopement Packages
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Half-Day Elopement
4 hours of photography coverage
PERFECT FOR: Couples eloping just the two of them who don’t want a lot of activities. You picture drive-up or short walk locations with amazing views.
THE DETAILS: Gives enough time for a ceremony, portraits, and some candid adventure photos at a few close-by locations.
Starting at $4,600
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Full-Day Elopement
8 hours of photography coverage that can be split up into two parts of the same day
PERFECT FOR: Couples who plan to have guests or just want to invest in the full elopement experience with plenty of time for activities and exploring!
THE DETAILS: allows time for everything, including getting ready photos, a first look, ceremony, first dance, adventurous candids and portraits, activities at multiple locations, celebrations, and more.
*my most popular package!
Starting at $6,500
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Multi-Day Elopement
Multi-Day Elopement
10 hours of photography coverage that can be split up into two consecutive days
PERFECT FOR: Couples who want to turn their dream elopement into a multi-day adventure. This is a great option for couples with guests or coming from out of town or who want to experience more extensive activities like a helicopter ride, guided tours, or camping.
THE DETAILS: Package starts at 10 hours for all the experiences your heart desires in additional to all of the possibilities of the full-day package. I act as your tour guide, planning multiple days of activities, adventures. and celebrations!
Starting at $7,500
Where to Elope in Buena Vista, Colorado
There are so many gorgeous locations in Buena Vista or nearby Salida where you can get married for free (under around 10 people total) and you won’t be sharing the spot with crowds of tourists. There are also plenty of affordable venues in Buena Vista for your intimate wedding.
Here are just a few locations in Buena Vista, but keep in mind that all booked couples receive my location guide with hidden gems and lesser-known spots in the area!
Cottonwood Pass
Emerald Lake is located outside the small town of Gothic situated along Gothic Road. Gothic Road is a graded dirt road that begins in Mount Crested Butte and connects with Aspen when it turns into Schofield Pass (a technical 4x4 road).
Gothic Road is accessible by most cars, however the last half mile before the lake gets rocky and the road turns into a narrow shelf with steep drops on either side. It offers access to wildflower meadows, popular hiking trails, and the incredible Emerald Lake. My favorite time to visit this area is from late June through early October
Cottonwood Lake
Snodgrass Trail is in the heart of Crested Butte at the base of the mountain. The trail is easily accessible by a short walk from the parking lot to incredible views.
In the summer, the trail is covered in wildflowers and provides the most incredible backdrop for your elopement. I love this spot at sunrise when you won’t have to share it with as many people and might even be greeted by one of the horses grazing in the fields at dawn.
It’s truly a magical experience!
The Surf Hotel
Crested Butte boasts a number of high mountain 4x4 passes with jaw-dropping mountain views, alpine lakes, waterfalls, aspen meadows, and plenty of dispersed camping opportunities.
These rocky dirt roads generally open from early to mid July through early to mid October pending snow! But if you’re up for a bumpy 4x4 excursion, these passess make up some of my favorite areas for elopements!
Hidden Gem Spots
I spend a lot of time exploring some of the best Hidden Gem locations around the state, and I have some areas in Buena Vista that you won’t find on Instagram!
All my couples receive a customized location guide with spots that I’ve personally scouted and love. You won’t find the same old Instagram hot spots here!
I work to preserve the wild nature of my favorite places by not blowing them up online.
It’s important to me to take care of our free outdoor spaces, which is why I always adhere to Leave No Trace principles and expect my clients to do the same. By recreating responsibly in these wild places, we ensure that we’re able to continue to use them in the future!
Let’s chat about your perfect Buena Vista Elopement