A Guide to Visiting Crested Butte From a Colorado Wedding Photographer
decide on where to get married or elope in this magnificent state. Luckily I’m here to provide some great information on one of Colorado’s most iconic mountain towns - Crested Butte. This city is perfect whether you’re planning on an elopement or a more traditional wedding. This is definitely one of my favorite places in Colorado for both adventure AND relaxation!
Why Crested Butte?
Although Crested Butte is about a 4 hour drive from Denver, it is WELL worth the travel. Being known as the wildflower capital of Colorado can only mean one thing - it is absolutely stunning in late summer when all the flowers are in full bloom. And fall brings some beyond beautiful yellows and golds with one of the largest aspen groves in the U.S. As a mountain town, it is also widely known as a world class skiing destination but does have a little bit less crowding than some other towns. This is mainly due to the voyage from Denver. This makes Crested Butte really ideal if you prefer to not have too much hustle and bustle on wedding day. Between the outdoor views, the small town vibes, and the insane amount of things to do, Crested Butte is a great spot to get married and celebrate!
Amazing Wedding Venues
Whether you’re looking for a location to elope or are planning more of a traditional wedding day, Crested Butte is perfect for both! The area has a great amount of beautiful wedding venues with amazing views for you to look at to accommodate you and your guests. Here are just a few:
Mountain Wedding Garden
A long time favorite of mine and perfect if you’re looking to DIY your wedding. Mountain Wedding Garden has a very hands off approach perfect for a laid back day. This venue is just 3 miles north of Crested Butte. The venue can host up to 125-200 guests with an outdoor and covered option.
Center for the Arts
Located in the heart of Crested Butte, the Center for the Arts can accommodate up to 300 guests. The venue is surrounded by modern elegance vibes all while embracing the natural views of the mountains. With indoor, outdoor, getting ready, and a separate portrait location, the Center for the Arts really has everything you need for a wedding day.
Almont Resort
The Almont Resort is less than 30 minutes south of Crested Butte and sits on 88 acres. With beautiful outdoor views and lots of rustic charm this venue is gorgeous. There is lodging available for you and your guests so you’ll be able to enjoy your day without thinking of any transportation!
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Ten Peaks is Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s new wedding venue with a wildflower meadow and full mountain views. Welcoming up to 180 guests with outdoor and covered spaces as well as lodging for overnight guests, this venue is a great one to take a look at.
Scarp Ridge Lodge
Ideal for a more intimate wedding guest list, Scarp Ridge Lodge has a 50-75 guest capacity in this historical saloon turned lodge. There are three different event space options for both indoor and outdoor weddings, but weather will play a role in determining if this space is right for you. Make sure to read this article to see which season is best for your wedding.
Lots of Lodging Options
If planning your elopement or wedding in Crested Butte, having somewhere safe and close to stay is a must. Especially since it is a bit of a drive from Denver and a little more remote than some of the other mountain towns. With a few resorts, such as the Crested Butte Mountain Resort, sprinkled throughout as well as the abundant amount of condo and large vacation rentals, finding a spot that fits you and your guests should be easy! Since many of the lodging options are rentals instead of hotels, I’d recommend checking out Airbnb and VRBO first!
Eloping in Crested Butte
A big reason for getting married here is to take in and capture those breathtaking views as part of your best day ever - even if that requires a little bit of a hike or travel. There are tons of options no matter your skill set, but many of the best locations (like Emerald Lake) will require a high clearance vehicle - such a great opportunity for a Jeep rental! Kebler Pass and Snodgrass Trailhead are also some good spots that open up to some picturesque locations! You’ll have tons of hikes to choose from all over Crested Butte, but if you want something a little less adventurous, Elk Avenue (Crested Butte’s main street) small town charm will be the perfect vibe!
My Favorite Restaurants
No matter where you visit, you always want to make sure you and your guests have good places to eat and grab a coffee. One of the best things about new places is exploring local restaurants and supporting small businesses. Here are some of my faves that you should definitely check out - all located right on Elk Ave, and all insanely wonderful:
Butte Bagels: Fresh baked bagels from scratch, coffee, and breakfast sandwiches. My elopement couple, Misaki and Eric, stopped here for some portraits!
Camp 4 Coffee: Coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. Misaki and Eric made a pit stop here as well!
The Secret Stash: Gourmet pizza and delicious wings. So so amazing!
Rumors Coffee and Tea House: Attached to the local bookstore so you can drink coffee and read books. Definitely a must stop.
Thai Chili 78: Traditional thai dishes in a cozy cabin environment. This one’s a total fave of mine!
The Hideout: Another favorite of mine, this one puts unique spins on the classics.
Some Fun Things to Do
You’ve got your elopement or wedding day planned. You’ve invited your guests and found lodging and food. But what is there to do in Crested Butte the other days of your stay? You can’t simply sit in your room the rest of the week or weekend! Luckily you’re in Colorado, where recreational activities are a nonstop go-to for locals and visitors. Crested Butte makes it easy to find an activity that aligns with your personality and has a little something for everyone.
Festivals
Visit Elk Ave
Hiking or snowshoeing
Skiing
Paddleboard
Golfing
Fishing
You can always check out this event calendar to see what’s going on when you’re in town to make the most of your stay!
A Great Place to Get Married and Stay!
Crested Butte really has it all. From the venues, to the hikes, the food, and the lodging - it has everything you’d need to have an intimate elopement or party the night away with all your friends and family! The views are unbeatable, the vibes are unmatched. There’s a little something for everyone. Choosing Crested Butte as your location would be a great choice no matter what!
Looking for more info on another great location to get married in Colorado? Check out some info on Buena Vista here! Or reach out for a chat to go over any planning and photography questions you can think of!
