COLORADO ELOPEMENT GUIDEHow to Elope in
Crested Butte, Colorado
Want to say your vows in a wildflower field without having to hike to it? Crested Butte is that place, and this is everything you need to plan your elopement up there.
If you've ever looked at a photo of a wildflower meadow running all the way up the side of a mountain and thought, there is no way that is a real place, there’s a good chance you were looking at Crested Butte.
Anddddd it’s real. Andddd you can even elope in that wildflower meadow (as long as you stay on trail).
Crested Butte has officially been the Wildflower Capital of Colorado since 1990. Lupine, columbine, Indian paintbrush, fireweed (my new favorite), for hundreds of feet in every direction. Every year I get up there and wonder if it was actually this insane the year before.
As for the town itself, there are water bowls outside the coffee shops and boxes of free stuff on the corners. You can walk everywhere around town. There are still bars that feel like they're actually for the people who live there.
I've photographed more elopements up here than I can count on two hands, so I know the roads, the light, and where the wildflowers hang on after they go crispy down low in August.
SO. If you're sitting there with 14 tabs open trying to figure out when the wildflowers peak, whether you need a permit, or whether you need an officiant, this whole page is that.
Still stuck on where to elope? I’ve got a full breakdown of the best places to elope in Colorado if you’re bouncing between a few ideas.
What Makes a Crested Butte Elopement Different
You probably don't need a permit
Most of the land around Crested Butte is Gunnison National Forest, and a small ceremony with no arch, no chairs, and nothing blocking a trail doesn't need a special use permit. You show up, say your vows, and go get a beer.
Just stick to established trails and follow Leave No Trace, since that's how the wildflowers stay looking like that. Peanut Lake and Woods Walk are the only spots on this page that need a reservation, and the full details are further down.
You can drive to almost all of it
Gothic Valley, Emerald Lake, Lake Irwin, Kebler Pass, and Paradise Basin are all reachable by dirt road. Some of it wants a little clearance, some of it wants an actual 4x4, and none of it wants a six mile hike.
You can rent a 4x4 in town or bring your own and get wayyyy back into the mountains without spending half your wedding day walking uphill, which means more time actually doing stuff once you're up there. (I've got a whole guide to planning a 4x4 wedding if that's the plan.)
When to Elope in Crested Butte
Dreaming of wildflowers, golden aspens, or a snowy little town all to yourselves? Crested Butte does all three really well, so here's what each season actually looks like to help you pick.
Wildflower Season
Late June to Mid JulyPeak bloom hits mid July and the whole valley looks fake. It's the busiest time to be up here and I'm not gonna pretend it isn't worth it.
July afternoons almost always bring thunderstorms, so we'll plan your vows for the morning and keep the afternoon loose. If flowers are the whole reason you're coming, reach out early.
Fall Color
Late September to Early OctoberGolden aspens in every direction anddddd weather that actually behaves itself for once. The afternoon storms mostly go away and the light gets longer and warmer.
It's also great if your people are coming, since nobody has to be up at 4am. Roads and trails start closing around mid October, so late September is the sweet spot.
Snowy Winter
November to AprilWinter is a completely different Crested Butte, with snow piled up along Elk Ave, hardly anyone around, and all the hot chocolate stops you can fit into the day.
Most of the 4WD roads shut down by October, but town doesn't, and snowmobiles get you to spots you can't reach any other way. We'll keep the plan flexible and build the day around the snow.
Where to Elope in Crested Butte
All of these are stunning, so I sorted them by how easy they are to get to. Want to park and already be there? Start with the drive up spots. Bringing your people? Skip down to the spots for guests.
Drive Up Locations
Park the car, open the door, and you're standing somewhere beautiful in whatever you're wearing to say your vows. There are more spots like this all over the state in my Colorado elopement locations you can drive to.
Gothic Valley
Some clearance. Usually June to October.
Gothic Road is one of those roads where there are just... views... everywhere. Wildflower fields, towering peaks, and hidden waterfalls, so you can drive in as far as you want and already be standing somewhere good enough for your ceremony.
Paradise Basin
4WD required. Usually July to September.
If you want a 4x4 road without doing anything too technical, this is a good one. It's high, wide open, usually quieter on weekdays, and in July the wildflowers up here are unreal.
Lake Irwin
Any car. Go at sunrise or late in the day.
One of the easiest lakes to get to in Crested Butte and gorgeous in every season. At noon on a summer weekend it can feel kinda like a circus, but go early or late and it's a completely different place. See a full Lake Irwin elopement →
Aspen Groves and Forested Trails
Any car. Late June to early October.
Aspens are basically everywhere around CB, along the roads, around the lakes, and up the trails, so you don't have to hike to find them. In late September they all turn at once and the light coming through the leaves turns everything gold.
Ridgelines and Overlooks
Some clearance. Usually June to October.
The ridgelines around CB have some of the biggest 360 views in the area, and most people drive right past them on their way somewhere else. There are pull offs and high points all over these roads that don't even have names on Google Maps.
Emerald Lake
Some clearance. Opens when the snow melts out.
Once you get up here, it's one of those places where you can't believe it was that easy, and the water is genuinely that color. There's also a free canoe that anyone can use, so bring your own paddle and life vest. See an elopement at Emerald Lake →
Kebler Pass
Any car. Closed in winter.
If you elope in the fall and don't drive Kebler, you mayyyy have made a mistake. It's one of the largest aspen groves in North America, it goes absolutely stupid golden in late September, and the dirt road is a-okay in a regular car.
Waterfalls
Any car. June to September.
One of the perks of living out here for weeks at a time in the summer is stumbling onto swimming holes and waterfalls. There are a bunch around CB, including creek access right off the road that most people drive straight past.
Wildflower Fields
Any car. Late June to early August.
You can literally pull over on the side of the road and there are flowers as far as you can see, no hike required. We'll stick to established trails and follow Leave No Trace, because the flowers only look like that when people don't trample them.
Downtown Elk Ave
Any car. Year round.
I know, you came here for mountains, but you're also not going to visit Crested Butte without ending up on Elk Ave at some point. The old storefronts are fun to photograph, and in winter downtown gives us somewhere completely different to go.
Worth the Walk
These three need actual shoes, but the walks are easy. Wear something comfy for the walk and save the pretty shoes for your vows.
Washington Gulch
Any car to the trailhead. Under 2.6 miles and 400 feet of gain.
Okayyyy so this one requires an actual hike, which I know is off brand for me. You walk up through pine and aspens before the views open up, and you get July wildflowers without sharing them with a parade of cars at sunrise.
Snodgrass Trail
Any car to the trailhead. Under 3 miles and 300 feet of gain.
More of an uphill walk than a hike, and a spot that looks totally different every day of every season. You can do as little or as much of it as you want, through wildflower fields and aspen groves. See an elopement at Snodgrass →
The Hidden Gem
Any car. A short, flat walk.
There's a spot, and you have to have been there to know it. It's wide open, it's legit the best wildflowers I've seen in all of Crested Butte, and the reason it stays this gorgeous is that it's not on anyone's public list, including this one.
Great for Guests
These have easy parking, room for chairs, and a short walk that all your people can do (grandma included).
- Peanut Lake is the most accessible ceremony site in CB for a bigger group, with a short walk from parking and views all the way around. It needs a reservation through the Crested Butte Land Trust.
- Woods Walk is a short walk off Kebler Pass with Mount Crested Butte sitting right there behind you, and it's the only Land Trust site that works in winter.
- Mountain Wedding Garden is a town park in Mount Crested Butte with a flagstone aisle, parking, bathrooms, and a pavilion if you want a small reception.
- Airbnbs and cabins mean vows right outside your door with nobody else around. Just get a yes in writing from your host before you book.
Planning a get together with your people? Here's how to have a reception after eloping, plus my complete guide to eloping in Crested Butte with family.
Some of my favorite spots around Crested Butte aren't on any public list, including this one.
Every couple gets a custom Google Map with pins for the spots I keep off the internet, plus a location guide with sample days, things to do, and way more places than I could possibly fit on this page. See a preview on my pricing page.
Permits, Marriage License, and Getting There
The boring but important stuff. Luckily, none of it is that complicated.
Permits
For most spots on this page you don't need one, as long as you keep it small and Leave No Trace.
Peanut Lake and Woods Walk are the exceptions. Both are managed by the Crested Butte Land Trust, a local nonprofit that protects land around town, and both need a reservation and a fee. Reservations are first come, first served, with only one couple per day at each site, so if you're bringing guests it's worth booking early.
Marriage license
Colorado allows self solemnization, which means no officiant and no witnesses. Just you two. You do still need a marriage license before your ceremony.
The Gunnison County Recording Office is the closest office to Crested Butte, about 30 minutes away, and it's what most of my couples use. Licenses are issued by appointment, you both need to be there in person, and you'll want $30 and a valid ID for each of you. It's good for 35 days, and then you have 63 days after the ceremony to return it. You can also mail it back.
One useful Colorado thing to know: you can get your marriage license from any county in the state, so grabbing one in Denver before you road trip out works too. It does need to go back to the county that issued it, and double check the county website before you go since hours and fees can change!
Getting there
Fly in. Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) is about 30 minutes from town. Tiny airport, way less driving.
Drive from Denver. It's about four hours. Cottonwood Pass from Buena Vista usually opens around Memorial Day and closes with the first real snow, and it's the prettier way in. If it's closed, you'll go through Gunnison instead, which adds a little time but nothing terrible.
For the full process anywhere in the state, here's my guide to how to elope in Colorado.
"She made the whole process of planning an elopement and finding the perfect location so easy. She sends out a bunch of great guides to help plan your perfect day."
Dominika
Things to Do in Crested Butte During Your Elopement
CB has enough to fill a full elopement day (or twelve). Here are some ideas:
Hike Scarp Ridge
My favorite hike in COLORADO, not just CB. It's a full day, so save it for the day before or after your elopement.
Backpack the Four Pass Loop
If you're already coming all the way out here, turn it into a backpacking trip. It takes about four days, so definitely a before or after situation.
Canoe at Emerald Lake
There's a free community canoe just sitting at the lake. Bring a paddle and life vests and take it for a spin.
Paddleboard and picnic at Lake Irwin
Bring a paddleboard and something to eat and hang out for a while. It empties out later in the day, and the sunsets here are some of the best in CB.
Drive Kebler Pass
You won't make it a mile without pulling over. In fall, it's worth fighting the aspen peepers for.
Rent a Jeep and run the 4x4 roads
Schofield, Washington Gulch, Paradise Divide, the backroads above Gothic. Pick a road, pack snacks, and go see where you end up.
Poke around Gothic
Gothic is an old mining town that's now a biology research station. Wander around for a bit, then walk out to Judd Falls.
Walk Peanut Lake Road at golden hour
A flat dirt road right outside town with some of the prettiest evening light, for when your legs are done for the day.
Mountain bike
CB has been a biking destination for decades. Rent a bike in town and go explore.
Drink with locals at Kochevars or Talk of the Town
Get a drink somewhere that still feels like Crested Butte and toast to being married.
Actually eat something
Pizza at Secret Stash, coffee at Camp 4, or ice cream from Third Bowl eaten on a bench on Elk Ave in your wedding clothes. I always vote for the bench.
Stay up for the stars
Get away from town, pull over somewhere safe, and look up. Bonus points for timing it around a new moon.
Ski or ride Mt. Crested Butte
The resort runs all winter, and the Nordic Center has groomed trails if downhill isn't your thing.
Ski in to dinner at Magic Meadows Yurt
A dinner with a whole bunch of courses in a yurt that you ski or snowshoe to. Winter only, books early, very good wedding night material.
Go dogsledding
Picture yourself in a wedding dress with a team of extremely loud, extremely happy huskies and snow everywhere. Flapjack is jealous already.
A Sunrise and Sunset Crested Butte Elopement Day
A full day in August, split between sunrise and sunset, with a break in the middle. Full day coverage is up to 10 hours, so there's room to add more, and every stop stays flexible based on the light, the roads, and how the morning is unfolding.
Sunrise
Meet at the trailhead for candid getting ready shots: dress hanging on the car, makeup touch ups in the mirror, boots getting laced up. Slow and easy morning vibes!
- 6:00 AM
Start up the trail, a loop a little under two miles. Most of the uphill is at the beginning, so we take it slow as the sun comes up on the nearby peaks, getting candid photos and stopping for breathers.
- 6:45 AM
Walk through fields of wildflowers and into an aspen grove. Once you find the perfect spot, we pause for vows :)
- 8:00 AM
Back at the car for the short drive down to coffee.
- 8:30 AM
Find a place to sit, snack, and just be for a bit, soaking up the final bits of morning.
- 9:45 AM
Head back to your cabin for brunch, cake, and bagels.
Midday break. A nap (mandatory), lunch, and whatever else sounds good. The evening meeting time may change depending on the weather!
Sunset
Leave town for the 40 minute drive up, music on.
- 6:00 PM
Arrive at an alpine lake! We'll wander a little, dip toes in the water, and climb on some rocks while I get a mix of portraits and candid moments.
- 6:20 PM
Paddleboard time! Head out on the lake for some fun, splashy, just married energy while I shoot from shore.
- 6:45 PM
The sun sets behind the mountain and the temp starts to drop, so this is for the quiet moments: wrapped in towels, sitting on the tailgate, chasing the last light down the trail.
- 7:30 PM
There's a great view over the lake a short walk up, if you're down for some walking too :)
- 8:13 PM
Sunset!
- 8:40 PM
Blue hour photos, then the 40 minute drive back to town.
- 9:20 PM
Back in town.
"Kimberly is so creative, passionate, professional, and I truly couldn't recommend anyone better for a 5am elopement!"
Jolie
What to Pack for Your Crested Butte Elopement
The thing about Colorado mountain weather is that depending on where you are in elevation, you can hit every season in one day. It can be 85 in town and so windy on a ridgeline above Gothic that it feels like 40, so I'm a big fan of being overprepared.
The important stuff
- Marriage license and a pen
- Rings
- Vows written on something, like paper, a card, or a journal
- Downloaded maps and playlists
- Water
- Snacks. And more snacks
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Chapstick. Do not forget this or you will hate your life
- Headlamps, one for each of you, if we're out before sunrise or after dark
The Colorado mountain stuff
- A jacket you don't mind being photographed in
- Rain jacket
- Packable puffy, even if it's supposed to be warm
- Gloves and a hat if we're going up high
- Hand warmers in winter
- Shoes you can actually walk in, plus the pretty ones to change into
- Microspikes if there's snow or ice
- For your dog: a leash and collar you don't hate in photos, food, water, poop bags, and treats
Cheese is a good motivator, by the way. Human or pet.
Real Crested Butte Elopements
Wondering what you actually do with a whole day? Here are four real Crested Butte elopements, timelines and all, and they're all completely different.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping in Crested Butte
Do you have to hike to elope in Crested Butte?
Nope! You can drive right up to most of the spots on this page. The few that require a walk are pretty short, so you can get wildflower fields, lakes, aspen groves, and big mountain views without spending half your wedding day hiking to them.
Do you need a permit to elope in Crested Butte?
For most small ceremonies on public land, no. Keep it small, don't set anything up or block a trail, and Leave No Trace.
Woods Walk and Peanut Lake require reservations through the Crested Butte Land Trust. Always double check the rules for your specific location before making anything official.
Do I need an officiant to get married in Crested Butte?
Nope. Colorado allows self solemnization, which means no officiant and no witnesses. Just you two and a marriage license.
How much does it cost to elope in Crested Butte?
Technically, you can get married out here for little more than the cost of a marriage license.
If you're looking at photography, my packages include two photographers, planning help, and your own custom location guide.
Can my dog come?
Usually! Crested Butte is very dog friendly, but rules vary depending on the trail and who manages the land, so check your specific location before letting them off leash.
And yes, your dog may even be able to put a paw print on your marriage license. Check with the county issuing your license first before getting the ink pad out.
Bring treats either way. I'll need them.
How do I get a marriage license in Crested Butte?
The closest office is the Gunnison County Recording Office, about 30 minutes from town, and licenses are issued by appointment.
Check the county website before you go for current requirements, fees, and hours since those can change.
Wondering when to go, what to wear, or how to get here? Those are covered up in when to elope, what to pack, and permits and getting there.
Hi, I'm Kimberly
Most of my couples want the mountains without having to be hardcore about it. So we'll find places you can actually get to, figure out what you want to do while you're there, and build the day around all of it. Then I show up with a second photographer, hand warmers, snacks, and just about anything else you might need.
Most of my Crested Butte spots were found on a random Tuesday when I was out here with no plan, just a cooler in the back of the Land Cruiser and Flapjack as my copilot.
Ready to Plan Your Crested Butte Elopement?
If you're thinking about Crested Butte, tell me what you've got so far: the month you're considering, who's coming, and whether your dog is obviously also coming. You don't need a location picked or a timeline figured out, because that's the stuff we'll figure out together.
Fill out the form below and tell me everything.