How to Elope in Crested Butte, Colorado
Table of Contents
Why elope in Crested Butte
If you like fields of wildflowers, groves of Aspens, 4WD roads and being able to get away from crowds (on weekdays) then Crested Butte might be the perfect place for you to elope! While the area is somewhat limited to winter weddings because of snowpack and road closures, once the snow melts away, you realize why it’s called the wildflower capital of Colorado!
How to obtain a marriage license in Gunnison County
A marriage license is available by appointment only, please call (970) 641-2038 to schedule you’re appointment. You will need to bring $30, be present with both ID’s, and fill out an application. The license must be used within 35 days and returned to the county clerk and recorder within 63 days. For more information, call the Gunnison County Recording Office.
Crested Butte Weather
The weather in CB is beautiful year-round with summer temperatures staying warm at lower elevations and getting cooler the higher you go. Because of the proximity to the sun, hot days feel hotter, while cool days feel warmer as well.
Winters are typical for Colorado with lots of snowpack after a snowfall and warmer temperatures during the day when the sun is out, before dropping to freezing again as the sun sets behind the mountains.
It’s important to consider mud season when planning your spring or fall elopement around CB - a lot of snow is melted by May/June but forest service roads don’t open until around Memorial Day Weekend, limiting your options for locations and activities.
best months to elope in Crested Butte
June, July, August - if you’re down for a sunrise-centric elopement then July is hands down my favorite time in the mountains. The hills are great, lakes blue, and wildflowers are everywhere, especially in the wildflower capital of Colorado.
September - Crested Butte has a ton of aspen groves around making it a great location to visit when the Aspens are changing in late September as well.
December - if you’re willing to rent a snowmobile then December can be a great time to visit as the weather is still pretty warm but backcountry access becomes by snowmobile only, giving you privacy.
Flying & Driving into Crested Butte
Flying: The closest airport to Crested Butte is going to be Gunnison (GUC) which is located just north out of town. Another option is Eagle (EGE) which is 70 miles from Aspen. If coming from Denver International Airport (DIA) the drive is 200 miles and takes about 4 hours when there is no traffic. Keep in mind that traffic coming from DIA through the front range and into the mountains is some of the worst, especially on Friday and Saturday, as well as return trips on Sunday.
Driving: If driving into Crested Butte, be sure to keep up to date on all CDOT construction as one of the main roads in from the west slope (Montrose) is frequently closed for days at a time for construction. Instead, you’ll want to drive through Paonia and up over Kebler Pass (a packed dirt road, 4WD NOT required). If driving from Denver and the front range, you can take the paved highway over through Gunnison, or you can take a longer scenic route over a mountain pass in Buena Vista called Cottonwood Pass (highly recommend!).
Price Point
Crested Butte is one of the more affordable mountain towns in Colorado although hotels and short term lodging are harder to come by. Gunnison and Paonia are good alternatives for locations, being 30 minute and 60 minute drives respectively.
Activities to Do in Crested Butte
Drive Kebler Pass
Take a day trip to Gunnison or Lake City
Eat at any of the independent restaurants
Camp in a designated site among a field of wildflowers
Paddle board on Lake Irwin
Hike through groves of aspen trees
Take a sleigh ride
Take a day trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Cross country ski on their groomed nordic trails
Take a ride on the ski resort chair lift
Hike Scarp Ridge (one of my favorite trails in Colorado)
Rent a Jeep and drive Schofield Pass
Hike to Emerald Lake to take the free canoe for a spin
Visit one of the half dozen art galleries
Grab a drink at Montanya distillery
Go fly fishing in Almont
Intimate Wedding Venues in Crested Butte
Mountain Wedding Garden an indoor/outdoor space in Crested Butte, Colorado
Elevation Hotel and Spa an indoor/outdoor space in Crested Butte, Colorado
The Club at Crested Butte an indoor/outdoor space in Crested Butte, Colorado
Taylor River Lodge an indoor/outdoor space in Almont, Colorado
Timeline Example
5:00 am
Wake up in your cozy little tent that you pitched up a four wheel drive road last night! Grab your headlamp, ask yourself why you thought it was a good idea to get up before sunrise on your wedding day - then realize that this is aobut to be the best day ever. Throw on some hiking clothes, grab your prepacked bags and drive to the trailhead you're camped near.
6:00 am
Arrive at the trailhead and begin your pre-sunrise hike up to an alpine lake. It's less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain and just a mile so it takes you about 45 minutes - an easy peasy hike for your wedding day.
6:45 am
Arrive at the most insane looking alpine lake that you have all to yourselves. Throw off your clothes and take a cooling dip in the alpine lake - clothing optional! Swim for .5 seconds because the water is freezing, so you grab your jetboil and make some coffee and warm water for oatmeal.
7:30 am
Oatmeal. Coffee. Tea. Shots? Wander around the lake, throw some lines if you're into fishing. Inflate your packraft if you want to venture out to the middle of the lake. Or just relax and bake in the sun because you're at 10,000+ feet and it is warming up quickly!
8:30 am
Pack up all your things, leaving the spot better than you found it :) Head back down to the trailhead.
9:15 am
Arrive back at your car at the trailhead, you did it! Head back to your campsite.
10:00 am
You're back at your campsite and you and your partner make a big ol' plate of breakfast together. Chilequiles. Banana pancakes. Cold pizza. The options are endless. Spend a few hours lounging around, take a nap or take the paddle board out on the lake you're camped by.
4:00 pm
Start getting ready for your wedding and vows! Hang your wedding clothes on either side of the truck as you get dressed. Do you own hair and makeup and then have a first look with your partner in front of the lake.
5:00 pm
Hop in the car and head to a new spot - maybe a super private overlook that you have all to yourselves. Get those tissues ready for the tears or laughter or tears of joy! Read your vows to each other, exchange rings, and celebrate your relationship in the incredible Colorado scenery.
6:00 pm
Celebrate! The options are endless for what this looks like for, so much so that you have a hard time narrowing it down. You pop some kombucha, crack open a loaf of sourdough bread you baked, and whip out the cold cheese from the cooler. You snack while you're photographer (that's me!) makes you dinner. Hot dogs? Pasta? Ramen? Sorry there's no 5 star chefs here but you can always invite one!
7:00 pm
Dance! Run around! Set up your hammock, hop in the car, roam around the area exploring and enjoying each others company. Explore the old mining roads and ruins nearby as your photographer gushes about how gorgeous the sunset light is.
8:30 pm
Head back to your campground, have a campfire with a few friends you've invited up for the evening. Eat all the food, share tales of your day.
10:00 pm
Take a few minutes away from campfire shenanigans to have your photographer take some photos of you and your partner in front of the stars.
Where to elope
in Crested Butte,
Colorado
Whether you've pictured your wedding since you were young or, like me, the thought never crossed your mind until "I do" was looming on the horizon, piecing it all together is one heck of an adventure -
That’s where I come in.
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