WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE
crested butte wedding tips & inspiration
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rocky mountain bride crested butte wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com
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EDITOR’S LETTER
Crested Butte 2021
digital publication editor Savannah Reynolds
graphic designer Jessica Goldy
u.s. editorial
& sales staff
COLORADO & NEW MEXICO Brit Tucker-Kline IDAHO, MONTANA & WYOMING Mackenzie Stevens UTAH Heidi Zeh
canadian editorial
grace gatto photography
UTAH SALES Hannah Wollenzien
& sales staff
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Celynn Bowman ASSISTANT Carly Cooper
COPYWRITER Lily Harris
digital team
DIGITAL EDITOR - Laura Osborn SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER - Bailey Jameson STYLE EDITOR - Tasha Tagliani CONTENT CURATOR - Lauren Phillips
operations ACCOUNTING Lynn Kieffer PUBLISHED BY RMB Media, LLC
PUBLISHER Erika Oltmann
DISTRIBUTION Disticor Magazine Distribution Services Storefronts in the U.S. & Canada or online at shop.rockymountainbride.com
contact INQUIRIES - hello@rockymountainbride.com ADVERTISING - rockymountainbride.com/advertise SUBMISSIONS - rockymountainbride.com/submissions proudly printed in the rockies
Rocky Mountain Bride Magazine is published by RMB Media, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of its publisher. We greatly appreciate those who have contributed to this publication. Contributors’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Rocky Mountain Bride. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. The publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided. Rocky Mountain Bride cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in this magazine. We reserve the right to refuse advertising.
There is something about the Rocky Mountains that are pure magic, and the sleepy mountain town of Crested Butte is no exception. One of my favorite memories from a weekend trip to Crested Butte is wandering through downtown amidst the local farmer’s market right as summer faded away into fall. The crisp mountain air and wildflower fields were, and always will be, a welcomed moment of peace away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. My wish for this wedding guide is that you’ll feel inspired by the fierce tenacity and sweetness of each couple and local vendor to represent love in its purest form. Whether you’re waiting for the start of your forever or are in the throes of wedding planning, always remember that love conquers all. Happy Planning! xo
Savannah @savannah_rockymtnbride
starting to plan?
photographers
floral designers planners + designers venues
beverages
decor + rentals
BLUSH SKY PHOTOGRAPHY
find the best wedding vendors + venues in the u.s. & canadian rockies ro c ky mo untainbrid e. com/vend ors rocky mountain bride crested butte wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com
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Table of Contents LOVE STORIES weddings
&
engagements
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kendall + grant - Almont
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julie + andy - Crested Butte
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allie + eric - Crested Butte
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I N S P I R AT I O N 22.
timeless and bold intimate wedding inspo The Chalet at Crested Butte
I N F O R M AT I O N 8.
crested butte 101 - Seasonal weather and activities
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make it official - Where to get your license
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rehearsal dinner spots
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venue guide - Top spots to tie the knot
clockwise from the top nate shepard photography, alyssa carpenter photography, sarah morrill, cat galletii, cat galletii
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E V E N T P L A N N I N G & R E N TA L S P E C I A L I S T S
D i n n e r & G l a s s w a r e • Ta b l e s & C h a i r s • C u s t o m P a c k a g e s
A L P E N G L O W E V E N T S C O . C O M events@alpengloweventsco.com 970.596.2145
Make your big day your best day! 417.880.9555 Crested Butte, Colorado IG: @Kefi.events www.kefievents.com
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Crested Butte the wildflower-filled meadows and snowy rocky mountain peaks await in crested butte, colorado.
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C R E ST E D B U T T E 1 0 1 Plan the perfect Crested Butte trip with these favorite spots in the area. Planning ahead can make all of the difference for your guests and you.
SEASONAL WEATHER The mountainous climate of Crested Butte makes for freezing winters and mild summers. Summers in Crested Butte are warm and dry, which makes June to August the best months to plan a wedding if you’re looking for warmer weather with less chance of precipitation. Winters in Crested Butte are snowy and not for those who are largely affected by the cold. If you’re looking to plan a winter wedding, take into account the winter months are typically freezing and snowy. Don’t fret the cold temperatures, winter in Colorado is one of the most magical times to host a wedding.
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ACTIVITIES Crested Butte is full of miles of bike paths, hiking trails and plenty of outdoor activities. Spend a few days before your wedding to plan group hikes or just to explore the beautiful mountains in Crested Butte. If you’re looking for a summer wedding, make sure to plan a time to visit the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, where you can enjoy local goods and the beautiful fields of wildflowers. The quaint downtown scene is filled with local boutiques and speciality restaurants. You and your spouse-to-be can bask in the cool mountain air while preparing for your big day. From local donut shops to upscale restaurants, Crested Butte has the perfect place for any wedding occasion.
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Make it official Your marriage license, while one of the most important pieces, should be the least of your worries on your wedding day. You can purchase your license at the Blackstock Government Center by appointment only, and you must use it within 35 days of purchase. You and your spouse-to-be must both be in attendance when purchasing the $30 license with proper forms of identification and proof of age.
Blackstock Government Center 200 W Virginia Ave, Gunnison, CO 81230 (970) 641-0248 gunnisoncounty.org nate shepard photography
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LO C A L W E D D I N G I N S P I R AT I O N
Kendall + Grant almont
Kendall and Grant met in 2007 while attending junior high together in their small hometown in Texas. They were friends for years, but Kendall had the biggest crush on him. Although, he never could take the hint. They dated throughout high school, college and even made long distance work. No matter what ups and downs they went through, they always found a way back to each other. They eloped at Taylor Park Reservoir with an intimate summer ceremony. Kendall’s favorite moment of their wedding day was when Grant read his vows to her and promised to love her forever and always. She had been waiting to hear those words for so many years that the moment was as beautiful as she had always imagined.
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FAV O R I T E M O M E N T S “The lightning was striking over us and rain started coming down. It was the best moment! He is the best man I know. The moment I knew I got to spend forever with him as my husband was it for me. Right after the vows, the sun came out and shined down while the rain continued to pour! We laughed, danced and then turned around to see two giant rainbows. It was surreal!”
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ADVICE TO FUTURE COUPLES “Do something that fits who you are as a couple for your wedding day. Think about what you want to take away from your special day, what will bring you joy and what details you will remember years from now!”
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-VENDORSVenue Taylor Park Reservoir | uncovercolorado.com Photographer Nate Shepard Photography | nateshepard.com Florist “I picked my bouquet off the side of the road!” Invitations Korynne + Company | korynne.co Gown Designer Hayley Paige | jlmcouture.com Bride’s Shoes Birkenstock’s | birkenstock.com Bride’s Ring Designer TD Diamonds | tddiamonds.com Groom’s Attire Cavenders | cavenders.com Groom’s Shoes Justin Boots | justinboots.com Beauty By bride
Julia + Andy crested butte
Julia and Andy fell in love camping, mountain biking and hiking in Crested Butte, so it felt natural to start their marriage doing just that. They had a more traditional wedding ceremony planned at the Crested Butte Mountain Wedding Garden, but as the day drew closer, they started thinking that their big wedding celebration didn’t feel like “them.” They planned a “fake,” elopement where they could spend the day like their typical weekend adventures. They woke up in a tent near a field of wildflowers with a stunning Rocky Mountain view, 4-wheeled across a sketchy river, hiked up a snow field, and took in the aweinspiring views with their fur baby. It was the perfect representation of them as a couple, and such a special way to begin their lives together.
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-VENDORSLocation Crested Butte Photographer Alyssa Carpenter Photography | alyssacarpenterphoto.com Bridal Boutique Simply Bridal | simplybridalstores.com Hair Industry Hair Studio | industryhairstudiocb.com
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Timeless and Bold Intimate Wedding Inspiration This well-styled intimate wedding is sure to inspire with terracotta and dried floral details that are captured with a fine art film style. Industry talent from Colorado came together to make magic with this timeless and bold intimate wedding inspiration at the Chalet at Crested Butte. Colorful dried blooms set the stage for an intentional affair, focused on both beauty and preservation. This feature is the perfect fit for a couple seeking warm details combined with the rustic charm found in the rugged mountains of Colorado as inspiration for their wedding day.
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T E R R A C O T TA H U E S
The bride is wearing not one, but two wedding dresses to celebrate the special day. First, a romantic dress with a tulle skirt, complimented by a loose updo. As the evening progresses, she changes to a form-fitting dress paired with a pink leather jacket and artfully disheveled hair. To match his new bride, the groom wears a terracotta suit.
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TIMELESS FEELING
“This editorial in Crested Butte is bold yet refined, quirky yet timeless, with the most stunning mountain backdrop.”
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creative team
& rentals: lucky penny events | luckypenny.events cat galletii | catgalletti.com venue: the chalet at crested butte | thechalet.us bridal shop: annelise bridal | annelisebridal.com gown designer: allure bridal | allurebridals.com groom’s attire: the black tux | theblacktux.com sweets: crumb de la crumb | crumbdelacrumbbake.com florist: bramble and bloom | brambleandbloomfloral.com beauty: natalie duke beauty | nataliedukebeauty.com invitations: jasey creative graphic designer: jasey faulkner design | jaseyfaulkner.com models: elisha & andrew
planning
photography:
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Allie + Eric crested butte
Allie and Eric are both emergency medicine doctors that met during their residency together in Boston. After two years of being friends and co-workers, they began to see each other in a new light. One night on his porch, Eric strummed a tune for Allie on the guitar, and they’ve been happily together ever since! They got engaged on Allie’s birthday in April of 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic. Eric had planned on proposing that weekend, but his hope had been to do it on a romantic vacation. When COVID changed all of that and he couldn’t even pick the ring up from the jeweler, he decided to postpone. The night before Allie’s birthday, her older sister convinced him to just do it anyway. Allie’s family loves Eric and were ready for him to seal the deal!
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-VENDORSLocation Downtown Crested Butte Photographer Sarah Morrill Photography | sarahmorrill.com
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Rehearsal Dinner Spots
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DJANGO’S KITCHEN
E L K AV E N U E P R I M E
Hand-crafted shared plates will be the highlight of your rehearsal dinner at Django’s. Originally a restaurant and wine bar in 2008, Django is a Crested Butte staple thanks to their adventurous menu and eclectic wine list. Enjoy an unforgettable rehearsal dinner at Django’s for delicious fork-to-table eats.
Elk Prime Avenue, Crested Butte’s premiere steak house, features the highest quality steaks, pasta and fresh garden salads. Their extensive menu includes food friendly for any age. Their outdoor patio and cozy indoor atmosphere means you can plan a dreamy rehearsal dinner under the stars with your closest friends and family in any season.
209 Elk Ave., Crested Butte | djangos.us | 970 765 8864
226 Elk Ave., Crested Butte | elkaveprime.com | 970 349 1221
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MARCHITELLI’S GOURMET NOODLE
PUBLIC HOUSE
Created with family in mind, Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle is the perfect place for a laid-back rehearsal dinner. Enjoy traditional Italian dishes surrounded by your loved ones as you prepare for your wedding day. This neighborhood Italian dining room is full of classical Mediterranean flavors.
A trusted meeting place in the heart of Crested Butte, Public House is a modern Colorado saloon perfect for your rehearsal dinner. This local gem celebrates local food and drinks, welcoming accommodations, and the community of live music. Plan your rehearsal dinner here for only the best service for you and your guests.
411 3rd St., Crested Butte | marchitellisgourmetnoodle.com 970 349 7401
202 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte | publichousecb.com 970 349 0173
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crested butte V E N U E S
cement creek ranch
public house
4670 county road 740 crested butte, colorado 970 349 6512 cementcreekranch.com
202 elk avenue crested butte, colorado 970 349 0173 publichousecb.com
crested butte land trust
rockey river resort
308 3rd street crested butte, colorado 970 349 1206 cblandtrust.org
4359 county road 10 gunnison, colorado 970 641 0174 gunnisoncabins.com
crested butte mountain heritage museum
scarp ridge lodge
331 elk avenue crested butte, colorado 970 349 1880 crestedbuttemusem.com
512 2nd street 970 237 5985 elevenexperience.com
& spa 500 gothic road crested butte, colorado 970 251 3000 elevationresort.com
10931 county road 742 almont, colorado 970 237 5985 elevenexperience.com
taylor river lodge elevation hotel
the club at crested butte crested butte mountain wedding garden
911 gothic road crested butte, colorado 970 349 6632 mountainweddinggarden.com i bar ranch
850 county road 49 gunnison, colorado 970 209 9796 ibarranch.com
385 country club drive 970 349 8601 theclubatcrestedbutte.com the ruby of crested butte
624 gothic avenue crested butte, colorado 970 300 8108 therubyofcrestedbutte.com waunita hot springs ranch
8007 county road 887 gunnison, colorado 970 641 1266 waunita.com
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featured image: umaya resort and adventures, honeymoon collective resort