Crested Butte Elopement Photographer
Elopements in Crested Butte
Colorado Elopement Photographer Serving Crested Butte
Crested Butte is one of my favorite places in Colorado, and I'm so lucky to work here all throughout the summer! The beautiful mountain passes just outside of town, the adorable shops and restaurants down Elk Ave., the amazing hiking and mountain biking, and of course the best skiing in the winter make Crested Butte a perfect place to elope in Colorado. Mountain vistas, beautiful aspens, bright blue alpine lakes, and wildflowers galore will be a stunning backdrop that I live for as a Crested Butte elopement photographer!
LET ME GUESS…
You started planning a traditional wedding, but everything felt performative.
The idea of being the center of attention for 100+ people sounds exhausting.
You'd rather spend your day doing something that sounds fun and worthwhile than checking off a list of wedding traditions for the sake of it.
You want your wedding to feel intentional and true to who you are, not like you're trying to fit into some box.
When you started researching elopements, the logistics still felt overwhelming. Permits. Timelines. Vendor recommendations. Locations. Suddenly "simple" didn't feel so simple anymore.
You want photos from the day that help your loved ones who weren't there feel like they were beside you - and photos that help you relive the day too.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE. And you don't have to figure it all out yourself.
really Imagine your elopement day for a sec...
Imagine...Feeling comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera, knowing you're working with someone who gets you—and who will gently guide you to look your best (and leave you alone when you're in the moment.)
Imagine...Spending your entire day doing exactly what makes you happy.
Imagine...Having over a decade of local expertise on your side, so every detail is handled and you can stay fully present.
Imagine...Investing in an experience that you actually enjoy.
Imagine...Having complete flexibility to design your perfect day—whether that includes accessible overlooks with stunning views, a vineyard ceremony, hot springs, stargazing, or whatever speaks to you.
Imagine...Award-winning photos that transport you back to the best day of your life, and let your loved ones who weren't there feel like they were.
Your wedding can be anything you want when you elope!
TOP CRESTED BUTTE elopement locations
Alpine Lakes
There are a few notable alpine lakes near Crested Butte that make the most beautiful backdrop (and you can even paddleboard/canoe some of them!) Note that not all of these lakes are accessible without a high clearance 4WD vehicle.
Remote Forest Spots
Surrounding Crested Butte are miles and miles of Gunnison National Forest lands. Find a remote and private place to elope and exchange vows, camp, explore, and be nestled among the mountains.
Wildflower Meadows
Crested Butte is known for its wildflowers and the Wildflower Festival each July. Elope surrounded by the most abundant and vibrant wildflowers you've ever seen! Peak season is mid-July through early August. Be sure not to trample wildflowers or harm them - stay on trail!
Peanut Lake
Peanut Lake is overseen by CB Land Trust and lies just before the Lower Loop trail, with views of Paradise Divide and Peanut Lake itself, and aspen trees and the river nearby.
Woods Walk
The Crested Butte Land Trust oversees a few great elopement and wedding locations around Crested Butte that you can reserve for your elopement. Woods Walk lies just outside town and as the name implies features heavily on the aspen grove, with views of Mt. Crested Butte in the background!
River Valleys
The Crested Butte area is home to a couple iconic river valleys that wind their way through the area and make a great scenic spot for your elopement.
Lake Irwin
Up Kebler Pass from Crested Butte is Lake Irwin, a popular summer destination for the area. Camping, paddleboarding, canoe/kayaking and hiking bring hundreds of people to this area every summer. You can find some privacy just outside the area, going around sunrise or sunset, or by booking some camping spots to reserve a space.
Gunsight Bridge
This is another CB Land Trust location you can reserve, and it features a historic bridge over the Slate River just outside of town, with mountain views all around including Mt. Crested Butte and Paradise Divide.
travelcrestedbutte.com
“There are moments that I know I will long for, even as I live them.”
Judith Katzir
That's exactly how I approach capturing your celebration - because I know these are moments you will long to relive one day... every emotion, the look on your loved ones' faces, the scenes you explored, and the way the sunset looked on your big day.
It's an incredible honor to be one of (or THE) only people to witness your wedding day. I don't take that lightly.
Elopement Planning Services
I include comprehensive elopement planning support -
because your day should feel as good as it looks.
These planning services are included in ALL my elopement photography packages—AND are now available as standalone services for couples who've already hired a photographer or prefer to book planning separately.
Location Scouting
So you can stop googling, posting to forums, and wasting your time trying to find the perfect spot. I've spent countless hours driving the back roads or with my nose in a map (you should see how many spots I've flagged) to help you narrow down and find the best spot for you to spend your day.
Timeline Planning
So we're in the best places at the best times - cuz this is probably your first elopement, right? Whether you’re planning activities for your elopement or just need help with timing the perfect sunset ceremony, I love to help my couples with creating the perfect timeline for the day. I’ll create an agenda, with as much specific or general timing as we want, and what spots and activities we’ll be doing there.
Permit Guidance
Eloping in the West means navigating permits and other legal requirements. OOF right? You can rest easy, though. I know alllll the requirements and what we need to do. Plus I always carry the necessary photography permits for our areas!
Activity Ideas
Whether you're envisioning a picnic, a vineyard toast, a hot springs soak, or just beautiful photos with minimal effort — I'll help you design a day that sounds fun to you. Not what's trendy. What's actually your thing.
Vendor Recommendations
Small mountain and desert towns can be hard to find vendors at all, let alone ones who show up in an online search. Having helped couples elope in these areas for over ten years now, I’ve gotten to know all the pros to recommend to help bring your visions to life.
Group Photo List Creation
If you’re having guests along for the day, I will help create a formals list so that we have a list of groups to make sure we’re not missing any combos on the day-of.
Elopement Guide
You’ll receive access to my 140 page elopement guide full of everything you could ever have questions about for how to elope! From marriage license navigation, to emergency kit checklists, to advice for what to wear, to choosing your lodging, and so much more – this guide is your new best friend
"Amanda’s work is incredible. She shares thoughtful, helpful tips throughout the months leading up to your special day and has a fantastic vendor list to guide you. She is professional, thorough, and navigates the day seamlessly, quietly, and always present without ever interfering. She even helps with those last minute touches like putting on your cuff links or assisting with your boutonnières. She captured so many great moments and we couldn’t be happier!"
- John & James
Since starting my business in 2012 and moving here in 2015, I've been helping couples navigate the beautiful chaos of planning and photographing elopements across Colorado's Western Slope, San Juan Mountains, and Moab, Utah.
I believe your wedding day should feel as beautiful as it looks—which means comfortable, stress-free, and entirely true to who you are.
Whether you need comprehensive planning support, photography that captures the story and scenery of your day, or both—I'm here to make sure the experience is exactly what you hoped for.
When I'm not helping couples, you can find me with a chai latte, binge-watching Gilmore Girls & Grey's Anatomy - again.
Hey there, I'm Amanda
she/her
Western Colorado & Moab Elopement Specialist
Couples I've worked with
350+
States I've visited
27
(and counting!)
Moose I've seen
8
Episodes of Gilmore Girls binged
100%
What's it like to Work with me?
Here's What People are Saying...
"Made us feel comfortable"
"Put us at ease"
"Incredibly organized & helpful"
"Made everything run really smoothly"
"Went above and beyond"
"The best decision we made"
"We never had to stress about photos"
"An effortless and fun experience"
"Made us feel so natural and relaxed"
Adventure...ish.
Elopements aren't just for climbing 14ers to epic views (in fact I'm entirely against that.)
Your elopement is totally valid even if you just want to ride the Palisade Trolley to a bunch of wineries, walk with alpacas through an orchard, drive a jeep to an epic cliff at sunset, enjoy a picnic in the mountains, hit a coffeeshop and play board games, stay at a 5-star hotel or camp under the stars.
There are no wrong ways to elope.
Wedding Photo Gallery
I hear this constantly.
And after spending the day together, couples always tell me how natural and easy it felt.
"We're awkward in photos"
When you're comfortable with the people you're with and genuinely enjoying yourself, everything else falls into place.
I'm not here to pose you for hours or make you perform. I'll gently guide you to look your best (so you know what to do with your hands!) and you'll quickly lose any awkwardness or stiffness - promise.
I'm here to document your day as it unfolds—the real moments, the in-between glances, the way it actually felt to be there.
And here's what matters most:
You don't have to look a certain way.
You don't have to hike for incredible images.
Come as you are. You're welcome here.
“When we got the photos, my husband said, 'She made us look like models!' She really did.”
-Rachel & Loren
The secret?
Crested Butte Elopement Photo Inspo
What do we DO all day?
Elopement Timeline Example
4:30am - GETTING READY
Getting ready at your vacation rental, glampsite, or at the trailhead. You help each other get ready, put on a pot of coffee, pack up, and take your time as you begin to prepare for your elopement day.
6:00am - HIKE TO CEREMONY
We head up the pass before sunrise and take a short hike to where you'll exchange vows, rings, a unity ceremony and sign the papers to make things official as the sun comes up. Share a toast (or make some more coffee!) to celebrate.
6:30am - COUPLES PHOTOS
Spend some time taking photos with this beautiful place you've made this next step in your adventure together. Those images you'll hang on your walls and put on the holiday cards.
8:00am - BREAKFAST
Make coffee & eat the bagels you brought from Butte Bagels as the sun pours over the wildflower meadows surrounding you, or make breakfast at the trailhead on your camp stove! Or head back to town to grab breakfast if we're exploring elsewhere.
9:30am - SECOND LOCATION
We'll drive out to our second location to explore, take photos, see how many marmots we can count and I'll try to remember literally any of the names of the wildflowers.
11:30am - LUNCH BREAK
We'll take a break while you guys go to town to enjoy lunch (and maybe a nap, you deserve it.) We'll meet up later for more fun!
It's not really about "What do we do all day??" -- it's more like "What CAN we do all day?" You should plan a day that sounds like the most fun you can imagine: whatever that looks like to you. Star gazing? Coffee and brunch? A trip to a book store? ATVing? Overlooking a cool new park? Get excited about the possibilities!
3:30pm - PADDLEBOARD ON THE LAKE
We blow up your boards and spend the afternoon on the lake enjoying the sights and the sun of the Colorado summer. Maybe even grab some peaches from the market to enjoy while we're here!
5:30pm - PICNIC DINNER
Enjoy a campfire, make dinner, have a picnic, whatever floats your boat after an afternoon on the lake. Refresh your look after you finish eating for sunset photos.
7:30pm - SUNSET
We meander down Gothic, stopping at wildflower meadows along the way for photos, before coming to the river snaking its way through the valley. We light up a camp stove to enjoy s'mores as twilight ends before we take photos with the rising Milky Way.
9:00pm - STAR PHOTOS
The milky way rises overhead and in the pure darkness of the area we take photos with the stars, count how many shooting stars we can see, and maybe even get spoiled with some Aurora Borealis! I'll cross my fingers (and totally die if it happens!)
-Megan & Jordan
Amanda was the best decision we made for our wedding day! The photos are exceptional and perfectly capture the scenery and vibe we were going for, but that’s only a portion of what Amanda provided. She helped give us planning guidance, organization, and reassurance throughout, which alleviated all the worries we had about eloping in a place we’d never been before.
"the best decision we made"
-Allison & Ethan
Amanda is the perfect wedding photographer. The photos perfectly captured the whole day and I feel like I can easily relive it just by looking back at the photos. I highly recommend Amanda.
"The Perfect Wedding Photographer"
-Beth & Dustin
We used Amanda for our wedding and she is the BEST! Our photos turned out amazing and she captured the feel of our night perfectly. She’s also really fun to hang with. We didn’t want her to leave at the end of the night!
"She captured the feel of our night perfectly."
- Kylie & Murat
Amanda did an amazing job on our elopement photos! She was incredibly organized during all the planning and sent incredibly helpful tips and ideas in the months leading up.
"Incredibly organized & helpful"
Crested Butte Elopement Pricing
Crested Butte elopement packages range from $4-10k.
No matter the package, you always get:
Access to my Locations Database - see the best spots I've accumulated over the years, in a personalized guide to fit your needs
Timeline & Group Photo List collaboration - you probably haven't made dozens of these per year like I have, so let me help you with that!
The final digital files in an online gallery, unlimited downloads, and online access for at least 1 year. Plus free websize downloads for loved ones!
My travel included - I work in the places I know best, and I'll meet you there!
Award-winning & Hand Retouched Photography - As a recognized artist in the industry, I strive to deliver beautiful artwork from your day, hand edited by me.
"I think we have the best wedding photos I’ve ever seen. Amanda did an incredible job, her prices were better than most, and she truly delivered. I would look no further for an amazing photographer!!"
-Megan & Ryan
We're in... what now?
03
The Big Day & After
The day is here and you're surprised you're nervous after all this time. I will capture your day in a way that tells the story for you to relive forever. You'll have sneak peaks within 24-48 hours and a full gallery of the whole day within a month or so.
01
Let's Meet
We'll hop on the phone or Zoom (or grab coffee!) to get to know each other and talk all about your dreams and ideas for the big day, and how I can help make your life easier. When you're ready to book you'll put $1k down as a retainer and I'll get to work!
Planning Journey
From there I'll send you my 124 page Elopement Guide and help with location ideas, scouting, emergency kit info, permits, activity suggestions, vendor recommendations, timeline creation, group photo lists, and so so much more. I will help you craft the most incredible day, with backup plans because life is life. You'll feel like you've never been so excited or prepared for anything before.
02
Ready to save your date?
Let's do this
Thank you!
I'll be in touch within 24-48 hours.
If you don’t hear from me soon, I’m probably in the mountains or desert capturing another couple.
Please feel free to reach out to me directly:
info@amandamatildaphotography.com
