Adventurous Hiking Elopement in Crested Butte: Fishing & Wedding Vows

Access Level: Hiking & dirt road to access trailhead
7 Hours of Photography Coverage
Late June Afternoon: 2:30PM – 9:30PM

If you think a hiking elopement means sacrificing looking good or skipping the romantic details, think again! Hannah and Eli traveled all the way from Indiana to prove that you can be totally badass and incredibly romantic on your wedding day.

These two had never been to Crested Butte before. In fact, Hannah had never even been to Colorado! They put their full trust in me to find the perfect ceremony location for them, build the timeline, and help them pull off the ultimate adventure. And let me tell you, it paid off big time!

We are talking about a day filled with hiking, a sunset picnic on the beach, and… fishing? Yep! You have to see this gallery to believe it.

Planning a Hiking Elopement (That’s Actually Fun)

Hannah and Eli wanted a day that was just for them. No pressure, no big guest list, just the two of them and the mountains. When you choose a hiking elopement, you aren’t just taking photos. You are building an entire experience!

For these two, that meant incorporating things they actually love to do. Eli is a serious fisherman (like, competition level!), and he didn’t want to leave that part of himself behind just because it was his wedding day.

So, I helped them plan an epic wedding day that included hiking boots and fishing poles. As a hiking elopement photographer, this is what I do best. Check out my Colorado elopement packages if you’re interested in planning your own hiking elopement in Colorado!

The Logistics: Getting to the Mountains

Since they were coming from Indiana, they flew into Denver and made the road trip down to Crested Butte. It was roughly a 4.5 hour drive from the Denver airport for them. If you are planning a hiking elopement from out of state, renting a car with 4WD is super important!

Because they had never been to Crested Butte, I helped them find a location that was accessible but felt totally secluded. We picked a trailhead that leads to some stunning alpine lakes. It was the perfect mix of “adventure” without needing to be an Olympic athlete to get there.

Check out my full guide on planning your trip here: -> Crested Butte Elopement Guide

Since we were hiking in the backcountry and through wildflower territory, we followed all Leave No Trace principles to keep these alpine lakes pristine. Picking wildflowers is illegal in Colorado!

  • Landscape photo of an alpine lake outside of Crested Butte with a giant snowcapped mountain behind it.
  • A happy bride and groom hiking on a trail on their way to their ceremony location for their hiking elopement in Crested Butte.
  • Bride and groom arrive at the alpine lake in Crested Butte where they will get changed into their wedding attire and get ready to get married! The groom is pointing at the lake because he already sees a fish.

Hair and Makeup in the Wild

Okay, this is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. You might be wondering how you get ready when you are hiking up a mountain. How the heck do you ensure you aren’t looking sweaty after hiking at 9,000 feet?!

Hannah and Eli hired the amazing Ashley Easton from A Vow to Artistry. She is a total rockstar! She actually hiked up the trail with us to the first lake. While Eli was rigging up his fishing pole, Ashley was doing Hannah’s hair and makeup right there by the alpine lake! What a dream.

It was such a relaxed vibe. Hannah was getting pampered in the fresh mountain air while Eli was doing what he loves most.

  • Bride gets her hair down next to an alpine lake by adventurous hair & makeup artist, A Vow to Artistry. She sits on a foldable chair with the alpine lake and mountains behind her.
  • Detail photo of the bride's wedding dress hanging in a tree and the sun shining on it.

Fishing Before the “I Do’s”

While Hannah was getting her finishing touches done, Eli cast a line. And because he is a pro, he didn’t just stand there… he caught 7 fish!

I am not kidding! He caught 7 fish before he even put his suit jacket on. It was such a fun way to get the jitters out and just have fun before the ceremony.

  • The bride is getting her hair and makeup done in the foreground, while in the background her future husband casts a line hoping to catch a fish on their hiking elopement in Crested Butte.
  • The groom caught a fish and the photo shows him removing the hook before he releases the trout back into the alpine lake.

Their Hiking Elopement Timeline

Once Eli had caught his fill (for the moment!), and Hannah’s hair and makeup were complete, it was time to actually get these two married. We shifted gears from “fishing trip” to “wedding day,” but kept the vibe totally relaxed.

Getting Ready & The First Look

I hiked two blankets up the mountain so they each had a designated spot to get changed without getting dirt on their attire. We found Eli a quiet spot in the trees where he laid out his suit on the blanket and got dressed without a soul around. I did the same for Hannah right next to the lake, where Ashley helped zip up her dress and apply the finishing touches.

Once they were both ready, I got Eli set up next to the alpine lake for the first look. I had him close his eyes while I guided Hannah behind him. They stood back-to-back, then turned around at the exact same time to see each other! Seeing them explore the lakeshore together afterwards was magical.

  • Groom lays out his wedding attire and suit onto a black and white blanket in the forest as he gets ready to get changed.
  • The groom poses for a photo after he has his wedding attire on and is all ready for his elopement in Crested Butte.
  • The bride admires her wedding dress as it hangs in a tree. She has a smile on her face and the alpine lake behind her shines a bright blue color.
  • Hair and makeup artist, A Vow to Artistry, helps the bride zip and button her dress next to a beautiful alpine lakes in the mountains of Colorado.
  • Bride and groom are back to back as they prepare to see each other for the very first time in their wedding attire for their first look.
  • Bride and groom turn around to see each other at the exact same time for their first look next to an alpine lake at sunset in Crested Butte.
  • The groom has a huge smile on his face as he beams at his beautiful bride in her wedding dress.
  • The bride and groom are pictured in the foreground with their hiking backpacks as they stare at a bright blue alpine lake in Crested Butte, ready for the next adventure of their hiking elopement in Colorado!

The Hike to the Ceremony

After they soaked in those first look feels, we packed up the blankets and gear to head to the final spot. The hike to the second lake was about a mile long, but the views made it fly by.

We even crossed paths with an epic waterfall right on the trail! We obviously had to stop and take some photos there. It was the perfect adventure detour before making the final push to the ceremony location.

  • Bride and groom hike on a trail with their backpacks on towards their ceremony location. The trees are tall around them and the sun is shining through the trees.
  • Bride and groom hike down a hiking trail in Crested Butte. The surrounding area is very green and lush and they are the only ones on the hiking trail.
  • Bride and groom share a kiss on a very small island made by a waterfall that is rushing all around them.
  • Bride and groom hold hands as they walk down a hiking trail for their hiking elopement in Crested Butte. The bride has a huge smile on her face. She is also holding up her dress so she doesn't trip on it.
  • Bride and groom continue their hike on a hiking trail in Crested Butte to their final destination for their romantic ceremony.

The Ceremony

To get to their final ceremony spot, we actually had to cross a log jam floating in the lake! Talk about an adventurous wedding aisle. We found the perfect private spot on the sandy beach for them to read their handwritten vows.

When they started reading their vows, I stepped back behind some bushes and trees to give them total privacy. I wanted them to have that true “just us” feeling so they could be 100% vulnerable without a camera right in their face. It was so emotional to see them slow down, breathe, and really take in every single word.

After they signed the marriage license… you guessed it. They fished again! And caught another one!

Pro Tip: Find a memorable song with lyrics that remind you of your wedding day and this amazing adventure you’re taking together. Play it just before your ceremony as you take in all the views. This will help you slow down and truly be in the moment with each other.

  • The groom holds the brides hand and helps her across the log bridge that has to be crossed to make it to the final lake for their ceremony.
  • Wide photo of the lake the bride and groom plan to read their wedding vows at in Crested Butte.
  • Bride and groom read their wedding vows at sunset on a sandy beach with a calm reflective alpine lake and snowcapped mountains behind them for their hiking elopement in Crested Butte.
  • The groom has a huge smile on his face as the bride reads her vows to him. The sunset is casting a beautiful reflection on the lake behind him.
  • The groom tears up and wipes his eyes during their emotional and romantic wedding vows near an alpine lake in Crested Butte, Colorado.
  • Bride and groom share their first kiss after reading their vows at sunset next to a calm and reflective alpine lake!
  • The bride shows the groom where to sign for their marriage license to make their marriage legal in the state of Colorado!
  • The bride signs the marriage license as the groom holds it for her.
  • Newlyweds pose with their marriage license and smile for the camera for their adventurous Crested Butte hiking elopement!
  • The bride holds a fishing line. The sunset on the alpine lake and the trees behind them are vivid.
  • The groom helps take a trout off the fishing line that the bride caught after fishing right after their wedding vows.
  • Newlyweds poses with the rainbow trout they just caught in an alpine lake in Colorado on their hiking elopement.

Epic Sunset Mountain Portraits & Alpenglow

Once the official paperwork was done (and the fish were caught!), the wind died down completely. The lake turned into absolute glass, and the mountains reflected perfectly in the water.

This wasn’t an accident! I actually use 3D satellite software to track exactly where the sun will be and when the softest light will hit a specific location. We timed this perfectly so we could capture that insane alpenglow hitting the peaks right as we started their couples portraits. It was magic.

  • Wide landscape photo shows the soft alpenglow from the sunset on the snowcapped mountains. The lake is completely calm and reflective and looks like glass as it reflects the mountains and trees back.
  • The newlyweds walk along the sandy beach to get ready for couples portraits next to an alpine lake for their adventurous hiking elopement in Crested Butte.
  • The newlyweds go in for a kiss on the sandy beach of an alpine lake in Crested Butte, Colorado. The lake is completely still and reflective and you can see the mountains and trees reflected back in the lake behind them.
  • The newlyweds walk along the sandy beach on the left side of the photo, and the right side of the photo shows the entire snowcapped mountain reflected back in the calm reflective alpine lake.
  • The bride and groom smile and stare directly into the camera as they pose for a photo and snuggle each other.
  • The bride and groom have a quiet moment in front of the reflective alpine lake in Crested Butte. They both close their eyes, hug each other close and take it all in.
  • The groom kisses his new bride on the forehead with the mountains and reflective alpine lake behind them.
  • The newlyweds smile and look at each other as they walk along the alpine lake for their portraits. The bride is carrying her dress in her right hand.

A Sunset Picnic to End the Day

After the ceremony, I set up a romantic picnic on the sandy beach of the lake. I brought the table, blankets, and lanterns so they didn’t have to carry extra heavy gear in their packs.

They watched the sun dip behind the peaks, ate snacks, and toasted to being husband and wife. This is also when they shared their first dance to “God Whispered Your Name” by Keith Urban.

As the blue hour set in, it started to get a little chilly, so Eli gave Hannah his suit jacket to keep her warm. It was such a sweet, quiet moment to end the celebration before our hike back.

  • The bride and groom lay out an aztec printed blanket on the sandy beach as they prepare for a quiet picnic and snack. The lake is still reflective and you can see the mountains reflected in the lake behind them.
  • The newlyweds sit on the blanket in a stunning view in Crested Butte for their romantic picnic. A small table sits between them with white tablecloths and charcuterie.
  • The newlyweds toast each other with their charcuterie as they sit at their romantic picnic next to an alpine lake in the mountains in Crested Butte for their hiking elopement.
  • Detail photo that shows the champagne the bride and groom enjoyed during their picnic. The photo also includes a white lantern and the brides flowers.
  • The bride and groom snuggle up during their romantic sunset picnic next to an alpine lake in Colorado. The small picnic table with white tablecloths is beside them with champagne, snacks, and flowers.
  • Detail photos of the bride and grooms custom vow books with their wedding rings sits next to a lantern and the brides bouquet.
  • The groom gives the bride his jacket because it started to get chilly as the sun went down.
  • The newlyweds snuggle up for their first dance just after the sun went down. The lantern is sitting on the ground near them and the lake is reflective and calm behind them.
  • The groom kisses his new bride's forehead as they dance on the sandy beach next to an alpine lake after sunset. The lantern shines brightly on the sandy beach and the moon can be seen rising behind them above the mountains.

The Hike Down at Blue Hour

We ended the coverage by hiking back to the vehicles under the stars. I always bring lanterns for this part because “blue hour” (that time right after sunset) makes for some moody, epic photos.

I have seen moose at this lower lake on five different occasions at sunset so I always keep my eyes peeled! Hiking back in the dark adds a little extra adventure to the end of the night and gives you a story you will never forget.

  • Moody photo that shows the newlyweds hiking on a trail in the forest. The lantern is lighting up the aspen trees next to the trail.
  • The groom helps his new bride over an obstacle on the hiking trail as they hike in the dark back to their vehicles.
  • The bride and groom head back to their vehicles during their hiking elopement in Crested Butte. The groom holds up the lantern to light up all the wildflowers on the trail around them.

Ready to Plan Your Own Hiking Elopement?

Whether you want to fish, hike, or just sit on a mountain top and drink champagne, I am here to help you plan it. I specialize in helping couples create days that feel 100% like them.

If you are ready to start planning your own adventure in Crested Butte, let’s chat! Fill out the contact form below to get started.

Do You Want to Elope in Crested Butte?

If you’re dreaming of mountain views, wildflower meadows, hidden waterfalls, and a laid-back vibe, Crested Butte might be the perfect place to say your vows. I created a full Crested Butte elopement planning guide packed with planning tips, location ideas, and everything you need to know before heading into the mountains.

Crested Butte Elopement Guide

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