Black Tie Meets Garden Party || Crested Butte, CO
Catherine + Brian brought 60 of their favorite people from Dallas to Crested Butte for a wedding weekend like no other. The Big Mine ended up being the perfect Crested Butte wedding venue for their vision. It’s a stunning 35-acre property that could handle their entire celebration from ceremony to reception to after-party, with room for everyone to stay and celebrate together. Their wedding weekend was this gorgeous blend of black tie elegance and mountain magic, complete with a custom hat bar after-party that had everyone talking long after they left Colorado.
Catherine + Brian's Weekend Celebration
From the moment we first met with Catherine + Brian, we knew their celebration would be something special. They weren't looking for a “quick ceremony and call it a day” type of celebration, they wanted to create a full weekend celebration with their favorite humans.
Friday was the main event, their wedding day with black tie meets garden party vibes in the mountains. Everyone showed up dressed so elegantly with designer bags and gowns, and seeing all that refined style against The Big Mine's outdoor, nature-focused setting? Truly gorgeous. It proved you can have that elevated celebration without sacrificing the mountain magic.
Saturday brought the hat bar rodeo after-party, and this is where things got really fun. They brought Topped Hats all the way from Texas to treat their guests to a full hat bar experience. Guests got to customize their own cowboy hats, choosing bands, adding feathers and pins, getting custom branding done. It was the perfect after-party vibe that kept the celebration going.
Catherine + Brian hired Wild Social Micro Weddings to handle the planning, and we absolutely love working with their team. They specialize in micro celebrations where everything (except photo, video, venue, and catering) is included in their packages. We offer an exclusive package with Wild Social that takes the planning stress off your plate, more on that later!
The Big Mine: The Perfect Crested Butte Wedding Venue
Let's talk about why The Big Mine worked so perfectly for Catherine + Brian's vision. This property is basically a wedding venue disguised as the coziest mountain home you've ever seen. It sits on 35 acres with jaw-dropping views of Mt. Crested Butte, sleeps 23 guests across 8 bedrooms with full baths. The best part? You're only a 12 minute walk from downtown Crested Butte.
The all-in-one setup is what really sold them on this Crested Butte wedding venue. Your ceremony happens right there on the property with insane mountain views. Reception? Same place. Getting ready + heading out for the night? You're already home. No shuttling guests between locations, no coordinating transportation, no stress about timing. Everyone wakes up together, celebrates together, and the party can keep going as long as you want.
With 35 acres to work with, there's space for everything! There’s ceremony areas with mountain backdrops, cocktail hour setups, reception spaces, and plenty of room for guests to explore and take in the scenery. The property faces Mt. Crested Butte with 360-degree views that'll absolutely take your breath away. Your guests can walk into town whenever they want for coffee, boutique shopping at spots like Bjorkstam Hat Co., or dinner at incredible restaurants like Breadery or Montanya Distillers.
For winter lovers, there's even ski-in/ski-out access to Crested Butte Nordic Center right from the property. The home has been called "the Ashram" because of its peaceful, restorative vibes, but with the right group (like Catherine + Brian's crew), it transforms into the perfect party destination!
What to Know About Planning at The Big Mine
The sweet spot for guest count at this Crested Butte wedding venue is around 40-75 people. With sleeping accommodations for 23 on-site, you can house your immediate family and wedding party right there at the property, while other guests stay at nearby hotels or rentals in town. For Catherine + Brian's 60-person celebration, this setup was absolutely perfect.
Timing your celebration matters in Crested Butte. Summer (July-August) brings peak wildflower season. We're talking meadows that explode with color and long, warm days perfect for outdoor celebrations. This is when Crested Butte truly earns its title as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado. Fall (September-October) gives you golden aspens, crisp mountain air, and that gorgeous light photographers dream about. And if you’re dreaming of a spring CB intimate wedding.. don’t. Spring is known as “Mud Season” in Colorado. The snow is melting away and the hills are quite literally muddy. Catherine + Brian chose summer to take full advantage of those long evenings and comfortable outdoor temps for their garden party atmosphere.
Since The Big Mine is a private property, you don't need the same permits required for public spaces or national parks. However, you'll want to check with the property owners about their specific event policies. This is another reason to work with experienced planning team who knows exactly what questions to ask and how to handle the logistics smoothly.
Why Multi-Day Celebrations Work
When you're asking 60 people to travel a far distance, a single-day event can feel rushed. Catherine + Brian spread their celebration over the weekend, which made the whole experience so much more meaningful. You don’t have to stress about cramming everything into one day and everyone gets to create all the memories together throughout the weekend.
Plus, when you're renting a property like The Big Mine for the weekend anyway (most mountain properties require multi-night minimums for events), why not plan activities that make the most of it? C+B’s hat bar after-party ended up being just as memorable and talked about as the ceremony itself. That's the magic of giving yourself space to celebrate over multiple days rather than trying to fit everything into a few hours.
More Crested Butte Wedding Venue Options
While we absolutely love The Big Mine, it's not the only option for couples planning a Crested Butte intimate wedding. We've put together a comprehensive Crested Butte Elopement Guide with all our insider tips on the best locations, ceremony spots, and lodging options in the area. For couples with larger guest counts or those exploring venues beyond Crested Butte, check out our guide to the Best Small Wedding Venues in Colorado and Beyond with tons of other small wedding venue options.
Ready to Plan Your Crested Butte Wedding?
If Catherine + Brian's multi-day celebration has you dreaming of your own Crested Butte wedding venue, we'd love to help you make it happen. Our team knows this area inside and out, from the best ceremony locations to the most incredible lodging options to trusted local vendors who understand intimate mountain celebrations.
Crested Butte holds a special place in our hearts for weddings and elopements. It's earned its title as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, it's maintained that authentic mountain town vibe without the huge tourism you'll find in bigger resort areas, and it offers genuine privacy for your celebration. Properties like The Big Mine give you that secluded mountain feeling while keeping you close enough to town for all the conveniences and experiences you want for your guests.
Catherine + Brian worked with Wild Social Micro Weddings for their planning and coordination, and we've partnered with them to offer an exclusive package that combines our photography and location expertise with their comprehensive planning services. They handle everything from florals and rentals to mobile bar service and styling, which means you get one unified team working together seamlessly. If you're interested in this done-for-you approach, we'd love to tell you more about how this partnership creates an effortless celebration experience.
Get in touch here and let's start planning your Crested Butte celebration!
Want more Crested Butte inspiration?
Check out The JLP Crested Butte Elopement Guide for all our insider tips on the best locations, lodging, and local spots. Head to this Colorado Wildflower Micro Wedding blog for more summer wedding inspo in the meadows, or explore Best Small Wedding Venues in Colorado for even more options across Colorado and beyond!
Vendors
Planner: Wild Social Micro Weddings
Photography: Jessica Luann Photography
Venue: The Big Mine
Bar: Wandering Wagon Bars
Videography: Embr Film Co
Catering: Red Maple Catering
DJ: Who is Chris Lewis
Hair and Makeup: Lola Beauty
Floral: Emma Lea Floral
Rentals: Alpen Glow Events
Tent and Rentals: Lucky Penny Events
