Updated 2026
If you’re planning on getting married at Crested Butte’s Mountain Wedding Garden, congrats on both your engagement and your beautiful choice in wedding venue! There are so many great spaces to be married in Crested Butte, all with such incredible vistas. Today I’ll talk about what to keep in mind if you’re getting married at the garden, and why I love this venue as a wedding photographer serving Crested Butte!
Important 2027 Update: The Mountain Wedding Garden will be closed for the summer 2027 season while the Town of Mt. Crested Butte makes improvements to the venue and Town Hall. If you’re planning a 2026 wedding, this venue is available. For 2028 weddings, check back with the town in June 2027 for updates.
Getting Ready
Crested Butte’s Mountain Wedding Garden is just that—a garden. There are no dedicated getting-ready spaces at the venue itself, so most couples book a nearby vacation rental on the mountain for the morning.
Many of the rentals in Mt. Crested Butte are large cabins that could fit your entire wedding party, which makes the morning really convenient for both you and your photo/video team! The venue is located at 911 Gothic Road in Mt. Crested Butte, about 10 minutes from downtown Crested Butte, so you’re close to lodging, restaurants, and amenities.
Pro tip from a photographer: If you book a big enough rental for you both to get ready at, you don’t have to hire a second shooter to capture your partner while you get ready with the primary photographer!
Ceremony
Ceremonies at the Mountain Wedding Garden almost all happen in the garden space, but that doesn’t mean you’re limited to one standard setup! I’ve seen couples utilize the flagstone path as their “aisle” with the wedding party standing in a semicircle surrounded by the flowers. Some couples have also held the ceremony in the lush grass beside that space, with the mountains as their backdrop.
Whatever you choose, your guests will be treated to a beautiful scene—the Elk Mountains create a jaw-dropping backdrop, and depending on the season, you’ll have either vibrant wildflowers (summer) or golden aspens (early fall).
The venue officially states capacity of up to 200 guests, but realistically, I’d recommend keeping it under 100—ideally closer to 50—for comfort and logistics. Here’s why: parking is limited to about 26 spots total (shared with the public park, playground, and tennis courts), and the garden itself feels most intimate with a smaller group.
One of the great things about getting married at the Mountain Wedding Garden is the natural beauty of the venue. You can decorate the area if you choose, or just let the mountains and garden speak for themselves! Note that food, drinks, and tents are prohibited in the garden ceremony area—those belong in the pavilion space.
Portraits
Just like the decoration of the venue, the natural beauty of this space makes portrait time easy and stunning. We can accomplish a lot of beautiful images right on-site at the Mountain Wedding Garden, or hit some great spots nearby for different views!
I love exploring the property itself and nearby trailheads. If there’s enough time in your timeline, we can even head out to BLM and National Forest lands nearby the garden to capture unique vistas—different mountain ranges, the river, creeks, wildflower meadows beyond the garden itself.
Sunset photography note: The Mountain Wedding Garden is positioned perfectly for sunset photos. The western light hitting the mountains creates incredible golden hour opportunities. If sunset portraits matter to you, plan your ceremony timing accordingly!
Reception
Most receptions at the Mountain Wedding Garden happen in the pavilion on the park property. The pavilion is a covered open-air structure that includes banquet tables and chairs in your rental. It can seat about 100-125 people comfortably.
Here’s what you need to know about the pavilion:
What’s included: Tables, chairs, electricity, string lights (which photograph beautifully!), two restrooms with supplies, and a dumpster for trash disposal.
What’s NOT included: There’s no kitchen, so all food must be prepared elsewhere and brought in. Consider hiring local caterers like Timberline Chefs, or arrange catering from restaurants in town. Scarp Ridge Lodge and other downtown restaurants offer small dinner options for intimate celebrations.
Weather considerations: I’d strongly recommend renting a tent for the uncovered portions of the pavilion space. Summer storms are common in Crested Butte, and having weather protection for your dance floor and guest areas just makes sense. The mountains create their own weather patterns, and afternoon thunderstorms are part of the high-altitude experience.
Alcohol policy: One of the best things about this venue—you can bring your own alcohol and you don’t need a liquor license (as long as it’s not a cash bar). This saves considerable money compared to venues that require licensed service. You are, however, required to sign an indemnification agreement holding the town harmless for any alcohol-related incidents.
Music and timing: Amplified music is permitted in the pavilion until 10:00 PM sharp. Police can enforce noise levels, and failure to end your event by 10:00 PM will result in losing your full damage deposit. Plan your timeline accordingly—this isn’t the venue for all-night dance parties, but it works beautifully for sunset ceremonies followed by dinner and dancing that wraps at a reasonable hour.
Alternative Reception Options
Some couples choose to simply elope with a ceremony at the garden and a reception dinner at a restaurant on Elk Avenue in downtown Crested Butte instead. This works particularly well for very intimate celebrations (under 20 guests) where you want a restaurant atmosphere rather than a DIY reception space.
Practical Considerations
Reservations: Contact the Town of Mt. Crested Butte. Reservations are first-come, first-served, so book early—especially for peak wildflower season (July-August).
Arrival time: 9:00 AM arrival is the earliest permitted. Arriving before 9:00 AM is strictly prohibited and can result in penalties.
Venue season: The Mountain Wedding Garden is open June through early October (closed October through May due to snow and cold temperatures). This gives you summer wildflower season and early fall aspen colors.
Parking: This is probably the biggest logistical challenge. With only 26 parking spots shared with the public park facilities (playground, tennis courts), you’ll need a plan. The venue recommends:
- Carpooling among guests
- Shuttling from hotels (the free Mountain Express bus runs between Mt. Crested Butte and downtown)
- Biking or walking if guests are staying nearby
- Overflow parking along the west side of Gothic Road
Factor this into your planning—your timeline might need to account for shuttle logistics or you may want to include parking/transportation info with your invitations.
Accessibility: This is important to note—most entrances to the garden are accessible only by stairs. There are some creative ways to work around this depending on specific mobility needs, but it’s something to discuss with the venue coordinator when booking if you have guests who need accessibility accommodations.
Public park adjacency: The Mountain Wedding Garden is located next to and above a public park with a playground and tennis courts. There’s some separation created by trees and landscaping, but it’s not completely secluded. Most couples find this isn’t an issue—especially for afternoon/evening weddings when park activity is winding down—but it’s worth knowing. You’re getting a stunning venue at an affordable price, and the tradeoff is that it’s in a public park rather than a completely private estate.
DIY nature: This is a DIY venue, meaning it doesn’t come with a venue coordinator like some traditional wedding venues. You’re responsible for organizing everything—setup, breakdown, rentals, coordination—or hiring a planner to assist. If you love having control over every detail, this is perfect. If you prefer turnkey service, you’ll need to bring in help.
Electrical capacity: Some caterers and DJs have raised questions about electrical capacity in the pavilion. Most couples haven’t had issues, but it’s smart to discuss power needs with your vendors ahead of time. Having a backup generator plan isn’t a bad idea for peace of mind.
Why I Love Photographing at the Mountain Wedding Garden
As a Crested Butte wedding photographer, this venue holds a special place in my heart for several reasons:
The light: That western exposure creates incredible sunset opportunities. The way golden hour light hits the mountains while your ceremony or reception is happening? Chef’s kiss.
The wildflowers: July and August bring peak wildflower bloom. The garden itself is planted with wildflowers, and the surrounding area explodes with color. It’s Colorado at its most iconic.
The value: You get legitimate mountain wedding vibes—sweeping Elk Mountain views, alpine setting, wildflower garden—at one of the most affordable venue prices in Crested Butte. For couples who want to invest their budget in photography, food, or experiences rather than venue rental, this is a smart choice.
The versatility: I can shoot intimate moments in the garden, dramatic portraits with the mountains, candlelit reception details in the pavilion, and adventure portraits nearby. We get variety without traveling far.
The authentic Crested Butte feel: This isn’t a manufactured wedding venue trying to look mountain-y. It’s an actual mountain town park garden created specifically to celebrate Colorado’s wildflowers. It feels genuine to place.
Tips from a Photographer Who’s Shot Here Multiple Times
Timing advice: For the best light and photos, consider a late afternoon ceremony (4:00-5:00 PM depending on season). This gives you golden hour for ceremony or immediately after, and you’re not fighting harsh midday mountain sun.
Portrait location planning: Build in 45 minutes to an hour for portraits if you want to explore beyond the garden itself. The surrounding National Forest and BLM lands offer incredible backdrops, but they require a short drive.
Wildflower timing: Peak bloom is typically mid-July through early August, but this varies by year depending on snowpack and weather. If wildflowers are a priority, have a flexible mindset and trust your photographer to scout current conditions.
Weather preparedness: At 9,000 feet elevation, weather changes quickly. Even in summer, temperatures can drop significantly after sunset. Have a plan for guest comfort (blankets, pashminas, heaters if needed) and definitely that tent I mentioned for the pavilion.
Schedule wiggle room: Build buffer time into your timeline. Mountain weddings have unique factors—weather, altitude, travel time to portrait locations, guests not used to high elevation. A relaxed timeline photographs better than a stressed one.
Getting Married at Crested Butte’s Mountain Wedding Garden
The Mountain Wedding Garden offers something increasingly rare: a genuinely beautiful mountain wedding venue that doesn’t require sacrificing your entire budget. You get Elk Mountain views, wildflower gardens, and alpine atmosphere at a price point that lets you invest in other priorities.
Yes, it requires more DIY coordination than a full-service venue. Yes, parking is limited and it’s adjacent to a public park. But for couples who value natural beauty, affordability, and the authentic Crested Butte experience, these tradeoffs are absolutely worth it.
The venue’s closure for summer 2027 means if you’re planning a 2026 wedding, now’s the time to book. And when it reopens for 2028, the improvements should make an already great venue even better.
For other weddings I’ve captured at the Mountain Wedding Garden, click here!
Planning a Crested Butte wedding and want a photographer who knows the Mountain Wedding Garden inside and out? I’ve photographed multiple celebrations here and can offer specific advice about timing, portrait locations, and how to make the most of this venue. Contact me to talk about your plans.
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