Crested Butte Elopement Photographer
Crested Butte is one of the best places to elope in Colorado!
If you want to spend your elopement day surrounded by wildflowers, colorful mountains, and alpine lakes, then Crested Butte might be the perfect location for you! Crested Butte is the wildflower capital of Colorado and I help couples plan their elopements in the most incredible spots in CB!
Whether you want to adventure through fields of wildflowers in summer, picnic in a forest of golden aspens in autumn, or ski some of the best terrain in winter on your elopement day, Crested Butte truly has something for everyone.
Why Elope in Crested Butte?
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Known as the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado," Crested Butte offers vibrant meadows, rugged peaks, and pristine alpine lakes. The dramatic landscapes create a stunning, storybook setting for weddings and elopements year-round.
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Crested Butte's charming, off-the-beaten-path vibe makes it ideal for couples seeking a more personal and private celebration. Its small-town charm and peaceful surroundings provide a stress-free environment for your special day.
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Crested Butte offers a variety of lodging options, from cozy mountain lodges and boutique hotels to private vacation rentals and rustic cabins, ensuring you and your guests find the perfect stay. For couples planning a small celebration, consider venues like Scarp Ridge Lodge or The Elevation Hotel, which offer luxurious accommodations paired with scenic views.
When it comes to activities, Crested Butte is a playground for adventure and relaxation. Spend your days hiking to breathtaking alpine lakes, enjoying scenic drives through Kebler Pass, or strolling the historic downtown with its unique shops and local eateries. In winter, world-class skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort add an unforgettable thrill to your celebration. For a more relaxing experience, indulge in spa treatments or savor the local craft beer and cuisine that the town is known for.
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No matter the season, Crested Butte offers incredible backdrops for your big day. Think colorful wildflowers in summer, fiery foliage in fall, or snow-covered peaks in winter—each season provides a unique and breathtaking canvas for your wedding or elopement.
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From hiking and mountain biking to skiing and snowshoeing, Crested Butte is an outdoor lover's paradise. Couples can incorporate their favorite activities into their elopement day, making it a true reflection of their adventurous spirit.
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Since Crested Butte is a popular wedding and elopement destination, there are tons of awesome wedding vendors to choose from whether you're looking for florals, bakeries, hair and makeup, or event planning! But be sure to book early, especially for weddings during busy season!
Hi, I’m Alex! A Crested Butte Elopement Photographer specializing in planning adventurous wedding days!
Crested Butte is one of my favorite areas in Colorado. In fact, I got engaged there in 2021 and I’ve 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.
2025 Crested Butte Travel Dates: June 20-25, 2025
When to Elope in Crested Butte
Summer
Summer will have the best temperatures and the most opportunity for outdoor activities like hiking, off roading, fishing, and canoeing. Many of Crested Butte’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 Crested Butte.
Winter
Winter offers plenty of activities for the cold-weather lovers including skiing, snowshoeing, dog-sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, etc. Keep in mind that winter in Crested Butte is anywhere from November to early May!
I always recommend choosing a weekday (Monday-Thursday) for your Crested Butte elopement or wedding as it is one of the busiest places in Colorado all year round and the best way to beat the crowds!
Crested Butte 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 $6,200
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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 Crested Butte, Colorado
I’m not going to sugar coat it: Crested Butte is an extremely popular destination, especially during its famous wildflower festival in July!
Luckily, there are so many locations in Crested Butte 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 Crested Butte for your intimate wedding. Some of my favorite venues in Crested Butte are the Mountain Wedding Garden, Woods Walk, and Peanut Lake.
Here are just a few locations in Crested Butte, but keep in mind that all booked couples receive my location guide with hidden gems and lesser-known spots in the area!
Emerald Lake
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
Snodgrass Trail
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!
Mountain Passes
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 Crested Butte that are so incredible!
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 Crested Butte Elopement
