Crested Butte Elopement & Wedding Guide
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Crested Butte is one of my favorite Colorado locations for elopements year-round. It’s one of those places that has something to offer every taste, especially if you love the outdoors. From skiing to mountain biking to hiking to paddling and off-roading. Crested Butte will quickly become your favorite playground.
The downtown area is super cute, too. There are some great restaurant options (don’t miss Butte Bagels for breakfast! And pro tip: get in line early), local boutique shops, and all the sweets you can imagine.
Crested Butte is a perfect Colorado destination for a wedding or elopement if you’re looking for someplace incredibly scenic with a down-to-earth vibe. There are plenty of accommodation options, from hotels to vacation rentals (this one sleeps 23 and is pet-friendly!), and great restaurants + spaces for your reception + celebrations, too.
Best Crested Butte Wedding Locations
Mountain Wedding Garden
A beautiful outdoor ceremony space with a nearby pavilion with excellent mountain views (and wildflowers in the summer!).
This wedding site can accommodate 200 guests for the ceremony, and the pavilion can fit up to 125 guests. Parking is limited, so you may consider a shuttle for larger weddings here. Reservation rates range from $700-$2500 depending on the day and needs.
Bring in some local vendors and really personalize and transform the space for your wedding day!
Crested Butte Land Trust
Choose from the two available wedding ceremony spaces here, the Woods Walk, or Peanut Lake.
The cost for a wedding ceremony here is $2,000, but $500 is a refundable deposit, and $1,000 of it is considered a donation and tax write off.
Sopris House
This is the perfect gathering place + lodging for an intimate wedding. The home is beautifully curated, making it a stunning place for photography, and there is even a private fenced-in courtyard. It’s located right downtown and within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants, and just a quick drive to nature.
Check out a wedding at the Sopris House here.
Ten Peaks
An incredible ceremony and tented celebration space at Mt. Crested Butte! This one is available between June and September. The venue package starts at $5,000 and includes the ceremony deck and reception space, chairs, tables and cutlery. Food and beverage starts at $10,000.
This is an excellent space for those looking for amazing mountain views, and an easily accessible location for guests.
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
Located in the coolest tiny town of Gothic on your way out of Crested Butte and into the mountains is this incredible property! Maybe you’ve driven through before and noticed the epic mountain views and incredible fields of wildflowers?! Well, you can actually hold a private event here which includes their lovely community center with lots of natural window light, an outdoor tent, and can accommodate up to 125 guests.
There’s even a cute coffee shop here!
The rate for a wedding here depends on the day of the week, but you can expect between $8,000-$10,000. Inquire as soon as possible as they do book out quickly!
Taylor River Lodge
This one is located about a 35 minute drive from Crested Butte, near Taylor Reservoir. It’s an incredibly stunning place (also owned by Eleven group), and would make for a luxury intimate wedding experience where everything unfolds right on site for you. Sleep, hang out, relax, and dine here without ever having to leave. A wonderful way to spend quality time with your people.
With 24 guests, the property buyout is about $26,000 with a two night minimum stay.
Favorite Outdoor Elopement Locations
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Perhaps one of Colorado’s most underrated National Parks. I love visiting here because not a lot of other people do! There are many dramatic overlooks, cliffside, and lovely hikes within this park, making it perfect for an elopement or intimate wedding!
Find information about acquiring your National Park special use wedding permit here.
Secluded Lakes, Waterfalls, & Mountain Ridges
There’s an incredible range of breathtaking elopement locations here! From old growth aspen groves, to blue/green lakes, to red mountain ridges and waterfall galore! This list includes some that can be easily-accessed, hiking locations (everything from a short 5 minute walk to 10+ miles!), and a good handful of elopement locations that are accessible by 4×4 road.
To help protect these beautiful spots and preserve the natural beauty for future couples, elopement photographers tend to keep some of these locations a bit more tucked away. When you book with me, I’ll guide you to a location that’s perfect for your day—one that feels special, secluded, and true to the experience you’re dreaming of.
Best Time of Year to Visit + Get Married
With the 360 degree mountain views, massive forests, and quaint little town, Crested Butte, Colorado is surely a great destination year-round. Here’s what to expect during the different seasons.
Spring Weddings in Crested Butte
Late May through June is the time of year here in the mountains that really feels like Spring time. There’s still plenty of snow lingering in the mountains and mountain passes are starting to reopen during this time.
Summer Weddings in Crested Butte
Wildflowers galore. Truly, the wildflower season here is something else! Picture little bits of snow still lingering in the mountains in July, with bright and colorful valleys below. July + August are typically the warmest months here. Just be prepared for the potential of a quick afternoon thunderstorm!
Fall Weddings in Crested Butte
Late September through the beginning of October is when you’re going to start to see some Fall foliage here. Of course, it can vary a little by the year and conditions.
Winter Weddings in Crested Butte
With Crested Butte being known as a ski town, you can certainly expect great winter conditions and a lot of snow! The photos above were taken in late fall and early winter. During mid-winter, picture a full blanket of white snow!
Real Crested Butte Elopements & Weddings
Mid-August intimate wedding with wildflowers, an intimate wedding ceremony, and celebrations back at their lodging.
Fall intimate wedding in an aspen grove and a stay at Sopris House.
Where to Get Your Marriage License
The closest county clerk office to Crested Butte is the Gunnison County Clerk & Recorder Office, located at: 221 N. Wisconsin Street Gunnison, CO 81230.
Marriage licenses are available during office hours, Monday-Friday from 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm. The cost is $30.
Favorite Crested Butte Wedding Vendors
Wedding Planners
It’s always a great experience working with Emily! She specializes in elopements & micro weddings and is a perfect option for couples wanting a laid-back wedding experience that unfolds for them.
Lucky Penny Events
Ciera & team are wonderful to work with and based right in Crested Butte!
Florists
Brie of West Elk Floral Co. did an incredible job with this intimate wedding I photographed in Crested Butte! From a stunning bridal bouquet, to an intimate dinner reception tablescape filled with wildflowers flowers.
Crested Butte Elopement & Micro Wedding Photographer
Looking for an elopement or micro wedding photographer who is familiar with Crested Butte?! I’d love to help you have an incredibly laid-back experience and show you all of the natural beauty CB has to offer. Inquire below and let’s meet!
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