Crested Butte Colorado Elopement Guide For 2025

July 28, 2024

Crested Butte, Elopement Guides, Elopements

If you’re here, that likely means you’re planning a Crested Butte elopement. If that’s the case, congratulations are in order! I’m so excited that you are here, and I can’t wait to give you all of the information you’ll need to plan the Crested Butte elopement of your dreams! First, let me introduce myself! I’m Amazing (yes, that’s my given birth name!) and I’m a Crested Butte elopement photographer. Because of my experience in capturing Crested Butte elopements, I want to give you all of the information you may need when planning your own, so let’s dive in!

Amazing Colorado Photography | Crested Butte Elopement Photographer

Where is Crested Butte?

Crested Butte is a beautiful town in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado! It’s best known for its terrain, skiing opportunities, and is also known as “the wildflower capital of Colorado”. Let me tell you, if you’re on the hunt for the best locations to elope in Colorado, Crested Butte should be at the top of your list!

Check out this map showing you where Crested Butte is, along with some places to stay (which we’ll talk more about later), ceremony sites, and great places to eat! Now let’s get into the top five reasons why you should elope in Crested Butte.

Five Reasons to Plan a Crested Butte Elopement

Wondering WHY you should elope in Crested Butte, Colorado? There are many reasons to elope here! From its stunning views, intimate settings, outdoor activities, how it’s affordable, and so much more! Let’s get into my top five reasons why you should consider Crested Butte as your elopement destination!

1.) Breathtaking Views

This may be an obvious answer, but you may want to elope in Crested Butte for the views that this Colorado town offers. With pristine lakes, lush forests, and majestic mountains, you’re sure to find some epic and beautiful backdrops for an intimate elopement. If you dream of exchanging vows to the love of your life with blooming wildflowers at every turn or with the backdrops of mountains, then Crested Butte is for you!

2.) An Intimate Setting

If you dream of an intimate elopement versus a more traditional wedding experience, then Crested Butte Colorado offers the perfect setting for a more private and secluded elopement experience!

3.) Outdoor Activities Galore!

Crested Butte isn’t just known for its beauty, but also known for it’s amazing outdoor activities such as skiing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and more! Check out this “What to Do: Crested Butte Activities” page for more ideas!

4.) Eloping in Crested Butte Can be Affordable

Eloping in general can be a much more affordable option than hosting a traditional wedding. You can eliminate the stress, hassle, and logistics of planning a big wedding and truly focus on the experience and what you and your partner enjoy! Many times this really cuts down on your wedding costs.

5.) The Experience!

Overall, eloping in Crested Butte is going to offer plenty of unique experiences and memories to be made! This will be one of the most important days of your life, so make sure you go somewhere that you can see you and your partner truly enjoying!

5 Beautiful Crested Butte Elopement Locations

Crested Butte isn’t limited when it comes to stunning locations to elope! While there are many locations that are well known or that you can find online, there are also some locations in Crested Butte that are like little hidden gems that only photographers know about. Many photographers know about these locations from hours of location scouting and familiarity of the area.

With that being said, let’s get into some beautiful Crested Butte elopement locations to consider! Keep in mind I know of more locations than below, so if you’d love to work together, we can talk all about locations based on what you’re looking for!

1.) Lake Irwin

If you’re looking to have your Crested Butte elopement next to a beautiful alpine lake, then you may want to consider Lake Irwin! Another great thing about eloping at Lake Irwin is that the Lake Irwin Campground is right nearby that’s open from June 13th – October 3rd, so you can also stay and make it a camping experience!

2.) Emerald Lake

If you don’t mind taking a short hike for views of one of the most beautiful high alpine lakes in Crested Butte, then Emerald Lake is the perfect location! It offers beautiful emerald colored waters, wildflower covered hills, and mountain views. It truly is a perfect and beautiful location for a Crested Butte elopement.

3.) Woods Walk

Another beautiful elopement location is Woods Walk. It is one of the most popular sites operated by Crested Butte Land Trust, nestled among the aspen trees. With Crested Butte Mountain as your backdrop, it’s sure to be incredibly romantic! Woods Walk is the only winter venue option through the land trust if you’re having a winter elopement!

4.) Peanut Lake

Peanut Lake is another of the three ceremony sites that you can rent through the Crested Butte Land Trust! The ceremony space is right on the shore of the lake and offers views of rolling hills, mountain peak in the background, and grasses and willows! It’s important to note that this ceremony space isn’t available in the winter. This is a convenient ceremony location just off of Peanut Lake Road that can accommodate up to 100 guests.

5.) Gunsight Bridge

And last but not least is Gunsight Bridge. This is the third ceremony site that is available for rent through Crested Butte Land Trust. Located on the banks of Slate River, this picturesque location is surrounded by a beautiful forest. On one side you’ll get stunning views of Paradise Divide, while on the other you’ll have views of Mt. Crested Butte! It’s important to note that just like Peanut Lake, this space isn’t available in the winter!

Hidden Gems for Your Crested Butte Elopement

If you’re dreaming of an elopement in Crested Butte, the five locations listed above are just the beginning. Having explored the area extensively, I’ve discovered a handful of additional stunning spots that offer equally breathtaking backdrops for your special day. From secluded alpine meadows to hidden trails with panoramic mountain views, these hidden gems provide the perfect setting for an intimate and unforgettable celebration. Reach out to learn more about these exclusive locations and let’s find the one that speaks to your love story.

What Season is Best for Your Crested Butte Elopement?

First, I have to start by saying that Crested Butte truly is beautiful all year round’! And I promise I’m not just saying this out of bias. There is something every season of the year here. Choosing the best time to elope in Crested Butte will depend on what you envision your day to look like and what is priority to you and your partner! Let’s get into what each season has to offer.

Spring (April – June)

Spring in Crested Butte, CO is beautiful. It should be noted, however, that the weather can also be unpredictable! I always recommend having back up plans location wise and bringing all of the layers for clothing, because you just never know what the weather will bring!

Summer (July – August)

If you’re looking for the warmer months and beautiful wildflower opportunities, then summer in Crested Butte is where it’s at! There are also plenty of summer activities in Crested Butte for you and your partner to take part in!

Fall (September – November)

If you’re looking for that stunning fall foliage like golden yellows, burnt oranges, and a cooler elopement with the crisp air, then Fall in Crested Butte is exactly what you’re looking for! You’ll definitely want to layer up because it can get a little chilly!

Winter (December – March)

If you’re dreaming of a winter wonderland kind of elopement, I’m here to tell you that Crested Butte is where you need to be. People don’t come all over to ski here for no reason! If you’re good with the snow and cold temps ( you DEFINITELY want to bundle it up!), then a winter elopement may just be perfect for you!

Crested Butte Marriage License and Elopement Permits/Requirements

If you’re wanting to legally get married in Crested Butte, then you’ll need to visit the Gunnison County Clerk and Recording Office.

The marriage licenses are done in the Blackstock Government Center which is located at 200 W Virginia Ave, Gunnison, CO 81230.

Key Takeaways for Getting Your Crested Butte Marriage License:

  • Licenses are valid when issued and must be used within 35 days in the State of Colorado. The fee for this is $30.00.
  • Couples may solemnize their own marriage, witnesses are not required.
  • You do not need to get your license in the county where it’s used, but you will need to get it recorded in the county where it’s been issued.

As far as any permit requirements, it varies depending on which location you are getting married at. I highly recommend contacting the Gunnison Ranger District so ensure that you have everything you need in place to get married at your chosen location!

The Seven Principles – Leave No Trace

As a Crested Butte elopement photographer and avid outdoor lover, it’s incredibly important that we all follow The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace in order to protect and preserve this beautiful land that we have access to.

The Seven Principles:

  1. Plan Ahead & Prepare
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Be Considerate of Others

Places to Stay During Your Time in Crested Butte

Just like with beautiful Crested Butte elopement locations, there are also stunning places to stay in Crested Butte! Here are some options and ideas from Lodges to Airbnb’s!

Crested Butte Elopement Packages

Looking for Crested elopement packages? I would love to capture your Crested Butte elopement! I offer several different Crested Butte elopement packages! From a Basic Elopement Package, a Deluxe Elopement Package, and an Adventure Elopement Package! I also offer a choice of two different editing styles that you can choose from to best suit your love story!

Looking for a Crested Butte Elopement Photographer? I’m Ready!

Now that you’ve seen my Crested Butte elopement packages and learned a bit about me, let’s start talking about making your Crested Butte elopement dreams come true! If I sound like the perfect Crested Butte elopement photographer for you, then inquire with me on my Contact Page! I can’t wait to hear from you. In the meantime check out more on the blog for follow me over on Instagram for more of my most recent work! @amazingcoloradophotography

I'm Amazing!

I have always loved love - I’m a hopeless romantic and guaranteed to cry at least once at every wedding. Getting to watch people find their soulmate brings me the most joy and is hands down the best part of my job. My goal for every session is to create a fun atmosphere with a romantic, creative, and authentic vibe not only for your photos, but for the experience itself.

I live for the emotional, candid moments – the closeness of a first dance, a couple tearing up during their vows by an alpine lake, the first time you see your person walking down the aisle, the intimacy of being with your partner surrounded by only the sound of nature, all of it! I understand how important this day is and the immense trust you place in your photographer which is why I am dedicated to not only capturing every magical moment, but ensuring that your wedding or elopement day is as beautiful, stress-free, and joy-filled as possible.

Your day isn’t just about saying “I do.” It’s about choosing a day that’s as breathtaking as your love story.
It means trading the ordinary for the extraordinary, the scripted for the spontaneous, and the expected for the unforgettable.

It’s about feeling the wind in your hair, standing on the edge of a mountain, wrapped in golden light, and knowing this moment is yours.
It’s about love without limits, adventure without compromise, and memories that will never fade.

Because your wedding/elopement day shouldn’t feel like just another day.
It should feel like the best day of your life.

And I'm here to capture every moment of it.

For the                                 and the 

Wild Hearts

Adventurous Souls

For the Wild Heart and the Adventurous Souls 

Get in Touch

Testimonials

"Amazing is just that, amazing! It was overwhelming to find the right photographer for our engagement session and wedding, but I’m so glad we found her! At the time, my husband and I were living overseas but Amazing kept constant communication with us even with the 8 hour time difference. When we finally got to meet her in person she was so sweet and made both us feel comfortable right away. When we got back our photos from the engagement session, we knew we made the right choice! On the day of the wedding, Amazing and her team were on time, professional, and we’re able to get the shots they needed even with our large bridal party. Our photos are absolutely perfect and we couldn’t be happier. I will always recommend her to anyone who’s looking for a photographer and I hope we can use her again for more photos in the future! Thank you Amazing."

-Lizette

Testimonials

"Her name defines her! She is an Amazing human and photographer She was everywhere we needed her to be on our wedding day. Her eye for the perfect background to compliment the shot matched her talent for producing a gallery of beautiful photographs and memories that will be treasured for the rest of our lives. If you want a worry free wedding day with a fun, professional photographer you can count on to deliver priceless wedding photos at a competitive price, Amazing is your gal!!"

-Robynne & Cheryl

Testimonials

"Amazing took our engagement photos and then our wedding photos about a year later. We couldn't be more thrilled with the results! Her work is truly an art form and it's so clear to see how much she loves her career. I chose Amazing over other photographers based on her vibes alone! Her personality is everything you could want in a wedding photographer. She's professional, but without being stuffy. She knows how to have fun, she's friendly, and easy to socialize with. She's trustworthy and reliable as she was always on time. She captured all the joy and beauty of our wedding day and we will cherish our pictures forever!"

-Katlyn

Testimonials

"There are not enough stars I could give, or positive words I could say. Amazing was an exceptional photographer for our wedding. She helped make the day as stress free as possible. She worked seamlessly with our coordinator to capture all the best moments. The weather was uncooperative for the entire day, but that didn’t slow her down, she rolled with it. She was out in the rain with my husband and I doing our first look, and then capturing some of the most beautiful before pics. She somehow managed to be both easy going and direct. She had great communication leading up to and during the wedding day. Honestly, if she lived near me I would have Amazing take all of my professional photos! Thank you for helping to make our day absolutely perfect!"

-Samantha

Testimonials

"Amazing and her second photographer did an absolute fabulous job at capturing our big day! We couldn’t be more pleased with how accommodating she was during the whole process. From our engagement pictures to our wedding pictures; all of it was stunning. I wish she lived closer so she could be our photographer for all life’s precious moments. She went above and beyond and delivered more pictures than ever expected. I would recommend her to anyone that ever needs a photographer. Thanks again Amazing, your name says it all :)"

-Brandi

Testimonials

"We booked Amazing for both our engagement photos, as well as our wedding. The pictures for both turned out absolutely incredible and she made sure to capture all of the special moments at our wedding. She is so much fun to work with and I would happily book with her again! Our wedding album was stunning and exceeded our expectations. The quality of the album was impressive and Amazing went above and beyond with this as well. Photos on her site are exactly what you can expect to receive back when you book her. You will not be disappointed!!"

-Alexa

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