Crested Butte Elopement Guide
Step-by-step how to elope in one of the most magical locations in all of Colorado—Crested Butte. This will cover how to plan your dream day, find your amazing vendors, why Crested Butte is a great choice, and more.
My husband and I eloped in Crested Butte in 2021, so I may be a bit biased, but I still whole-heartedly believe that CB is one of the best locations to elope. Even after exploring a huge range of gorgeous locations across the state, Crested Butte remains at the top of my list.
Contents of this Guide
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Why Crested Butte?
I like to consider myself a bit of an expert when it comes to Crested Butte. A large majority of my couples have eloped here, and I even eloped here myself in 2021!
Anyone who has been to Crested Butte knows how magical it truly is. While a lot of Colorado is beautiful, Crested Butte has a certain charm that keeps people coming back time and time again.
Being the wildflower capitol of Colorado, the summertimes when the wildflowers are blooming is one of the most amazing backdrops. Don’t pick the wildflowers though, as it’s against the law. That’s right! Law protects these gorgeous blooms so they can come back year after year.
One thing to note is the small-town feel, as well as the sense of community. There are NO chain restaurants. Everything you see is small business owned, from the coffee shops, to the restaurants, to the gas stations. You have to drive 30+ minutes to the nearest Starbucks or McDonalds, which is pretty damn cool. But don’t worry, there are TONS of businesses to choose from, whatever you’re looking for.
Things to do around Crested Butte
Explore the outdoors (more casual)
There are plenty of amazing locations to take a beautiful afternoon stroll, or just marvel at the beauty outside your car window. Here are some of my favorite walking paths:
Woods Walk
Peanut Lake
Upper Loop, Lower Loop, or Crested Butte Meadows Loop
Explore the outdoors (in adventure mode)
There are tons of incredible activities to partake in while exploring the area apart from just hiking (although the hiking is INCREDIBLE). Here are some more activity ideas, and where you can rent equipment from:
Horseback riding at Fantasy Ranch
Paddle board or kayak Slate River or any local lakes - rent here
Mountain bike one of the countless bike trails - rent bikes here
Stargaze at any of the campgrounds near by. The night sky is so vibrant out here.
Grab some food from local small businesses
Please note — Crested Butte is having an affordable housing crisis, so many restaurants cycle out and close. This list changes as new businesses cycle in and out.
Coffee: Camp 4 Coffee, A Daily Dose, Rumors Coffee & Tea, Coffee Lab
Breakfast: Butte Bagels, Paradise Cafe, A Daily Dose
Restaurant: Secret Stash Pizza, Bonez Mexican Restaurant, Yukihana Sushi & Sake Bar, Thai Chili 78
Desert: Tin Cup Ice Cream & Deserts, Rocky Mountain Chocolate
Best Time of Year to Elope in Crested Butte
Summer
Summer is by far my favorite time of year in Crested Butte. The warm air, wildflowers, vibrant greens of wilderness, turquoise alpine lakes, waterfalls, and sunshine all hit different this time of year. Summer elopements in Crested Butte are best from late June to late August. August and July are my favorite months for elopements. In other parts of the US, you can expect 90+ degree weather, but in high-altitude mountain towns, you can expect lovely 65-75 degree days.
Fall
Crested Butte is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Colorado to view the changing aspens. The vibrant yellows and oranges are incredible to witness. Fall elopements in Crested Butte are best from mid September to early October. Be aware that winter conditions are unpredictable, and snow may come earlier. Keep that in mind when selecting your fall date.
Winter
Winter is by far the most unpredictable time of year anywhere in the Colorado mountains. I have learned to love the unpredictability of it over the years, so if you are adventurous and love the winter chill, winter is for you. Winter conditions in the mountains are from roughly mid-October to March, March being the snowiest month statistically. Christmas time in snow mountain towns are spectacular, so don’t miss the opportunity for a sleigh ride in fresh pow.
Spring
Following close behind in the unpredictability scale is spring. Spring happens at all different times depending on the altitude. In Denver, spring happens in April with some random freezes here and there. However, the mountains are a completely different story. The photo above was taken in July at 12,000+ ft altitude. As a rule of thumb, mid June is when you can expect most winter conditions to be melted away, but still prepare for snow well into June. Spring elopements are essentially mud, snow melt, and brown vegetation. Proceed with caution!
Where to Stay
Crested Butte has some of the most beautiful AirBNB/s and lodging that I’ve seen. Comfy rooms, gorgeous views, and some places where you have an entire view to yourself, with no one around for miles.
Here is a list of my favorite places to stay in Crested Butte.
AIRBNBS
This is the home where my family & friends stayed for my own elopement, and a couple of mine stayed here as well. It was the most comfortable stay I’ve had in quite some time. This place sleeps up to 22 people (we had 17 total people staying here), and it was wonderful. We had a hot tub, fire pit, private deck, private views, and a wall of windows in the living room to watch the sun rise.
This is another gorgeous rental home that sleeps up to 10 people. The colors in the fall surrounding this property are incredible, and the private hot tub and interior wood accents can’t be beat.
Just the two fo you looking for something more quaint, but still having a place to yourself? Try this sweet cabin. The wood interior lends to a homey feel, but comes equipped with a full kitchen to cook your own meals.
HOTELS
Elevation Hotel & Spa
Lofts at Public House Crested Butte
Eleven Scarp Ridge Lodge
Crested Butte Locations
While I reserve most of my specific locations for my couples, here are some inspiration images around Crested Butte to help convince you this place has everything.
Alpine Lakes
Of all the alpine lakes in Colorado, Crested Butte holds some of my favorites. For the most part, the surrounding alpine lakes are mostly accessible. There are some secret gems high up in the mountains that require a 4x4 vehicle and an experienced driver, but you will not regret the extra effort to see these spectacular lakes and waterfalls.
Wildflowers
Crested Butte is the wildflower capitol of Colorado, and rightfully so. From late June to early August, wildflowers of all kinds paint the mountains with a rainbow array of colors. This breathtaking phenomenon is one of the most incredible things to witness, and makes for a gorgeous elopement backdrop.
Aspen Groves
Fall in Crested Butte is truly something to behold. The aspen groves along back roads explode with color, looking like something straight out of a painting. It is quite magical.
Hiking Trails
Crested Butte is one of the most popular hubs for hiking in western Colorado. All seasons tend to bring people into CB, but summer and fall are the best times to hit the trails out here.
Rivers
Crested Butte has a few notable rivers that wind through the mountains, one of them being Slate River. This river runs just outside of Crested Butte proper, and cuts through the mountains to the west of CB. The East River, however, cuts through the northwestern corner of CB and into the mountains just north of Mount Crested Butte.
Activities Galore
Airplane tours, horseback riding, fly fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking of all levels, off-roading, and even more outdoor sports to choose from! For those wanting a little more chill of a time, there are plenty of accessible areas with pretty views, so you don’t have to adventure if you don’t want to (but you should)!
Crested Butte Elopement Photographer Galleries
I photograph more and more Crested Butte elopements every year, and have become a bit of an expert on the area. I also know first hand who the best vendors to go with are, since I eloped here in 2021. Want a local expert to be a part of your elopement day? Make sure to check out my pricing page, and fill out my contact form so we can get started planning your day!
Julie + Brian Crested Butte Wildflower Elopement
Tyler + Jared’s Crested Butte Alpine Lake Elopement
Nicole + Aaron Crested Butte Air Plane Tour Elopement
Cazzy + Connor’s Crested Butte Elopement
HEY You!
I’m Emily, a Colorado Elopement Photographer with a passion for giving joyful, badass couples the ultimate adventure-filled elopement! I’m ready to help curate your adventure and get our boots dirty in the process. Are you?
I build a custom elopement experience for every couple (yes, even you!!!) that makes you feel on top of the world.
