The Ultimate Wildflower Elopement || Crested Butte, Co

Oh my gosh, where do we even start with Carissa and Joe's day? This was one of those weddings that just makes your heart happy from the very first moment. When these two reached out about getting married in Crested Butte with their 15 closest people, we knew we were in for something special. And they absolutely knocked it out of the park with every single detail.

The Wildflower Wedding of Their Dreams

Carissa's family, from California, and Joe's family, from Connecticut, met in the middle - literally - in Crested Butte, Colorado. Why CB? Because these two are total outdoor lovers whose love story is rooted in hiking, biking, backpacking, and skiing. They'd been to Crested Butte before but never long enough to really see it all, so their wedding became the perfect excuse to explore the area with their favorite people.

And the VRBO they chose for everyone to stay + celebrate after the ceremony with a farm-to-table dinner?? Literally the cutest! There's something so special about having your whole crew under one roof - it just makes everything feel more like a big family celebration rather than a formal event, you know?

The Details That Made Our Heart Sing

Okay, we need to gush about the details for a hot second. First off - her Frye boots as wedding shoes! We're literally obsessed and need our own pair like right now. Joe wore Thursday boots which was the perfect complement to Carissa’s boots. They really leaned into that western, Colorado vibe and it was so perfectly them.

But here's the part that made us almost cry (okay, we definitely teared up): Carissa's parents drove out from California with a U-Haul trailer filled with her grandmother's china. Her grandma was incredibly special to her, and she wanted their first meal as married people to be served on those family heirloom plates. Like, how sweet is that?!

And lastly, their doggies were the ring bearers (cute!) - one wore a flower collar and the other sported a bolo tie. The western vibes were just *chef’s kiss* perfect.

A Wildflower Wedding in the Heart of Colorado

Their ceremony was absolutely dreamy. Picture this: 15 of their most loved people gathered in a meadow full of Colorado wildflowers, with the mountains as their backdrop. It was so simple yet so elevated and so them - just pure love and a gorgeous backdrop. This is what a true wildflower wedding looks like - surrounded by nature's own bouquet in the most stunning setting imaginable.

After they said "I do," we dismissed the families so they could head back to set up grandma's china for dinner (more on that in a sec!), and C+J headed to a different spot for some private couple time.

That Private First Dance Moment

Here's our favorite part of their whole day: we found this perfect field of flowers where they had their first dance as a married couple. They had a song picked out and everything, and Joe was spinning Carissa around and lifting her up - it was like something out of a movie! The sun was setting, painting everything golden, and it was just them in their own little world out there.

Here’s the main takeaway from this super special moment between C+J.. you can absolutely have an intimate wedding that includes your loved ones AND still carve out those private moments for just the two of you. It's so important to focus on each other during your wedding day! Your day is literally all about your love, so set aside some special moments to celebrate your love in ways that are just for you!

A Farm-to-Table Reception Under the Stars

While we were off getting those romantic sunset photos, their families were setting up the most gorgeous dinner scene back at the Airbnb. They went all out with a private chef who created this incredible farm-to-table meal - everything was cooked on site and it was absolutely stunning. The food was so gorgeous we couldn't stop taking photos of it!

And there they were, enjoying their first meal as a married couple on her grandma's favorite china, surrounded by wildflowers and their favorite humans. Joe's mom had baked their cake and Carissa's brother decorated it - talk about a true family affair! Everyone pitched in where they could and it made everything feel so personal and special.

They toasted with Veuve (because obviously!) as the sun dipped behind the mountains, and honestly, it was one of those moments that just stays with you forever. The wildflowers surrounding their reception space made everything feel like a fairytale come to life.

Why Wildflower Weddings in Colorado Are Pure Magic

If you're dreaming of a wildflower wedding that feels both elevated and effortless, Colorado is seriously magic. Known as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte offers this perfect blend of stunning natural beauty and charming small-town vibes. During peak wildflower season (July through August), the meadows literally explode with color - it's like having nature create your wedding decor for you.

What we love about Crested Butte wildflower weddings is that you get all the beauty of a destination celebration without feeling overwhelmed by tourist crowds. The mountain backdrop is incredible, the wildflower meadows are unmatched, and there are so many gorgeous spots for both ceremonies and photos. Plus, having everyone stay together creates this really special bonding experience that you just can't get with a traditional big wedding.

Ready to Plan Your Dream Day?

When you book with our team, you're getting way more than just a photographer. We handle all the details so your day feels completely seamless. From scouting those perfect secret ceremony spots to crafting custom timelines that give you plenty of quality time together, we make sure every moment feels intentional and stress-free.

Our process starts with understanding your vision, then we make it happen. You'll get access to our exclusive planning guides packed with off-the-beaten-path locations, vendor recommendations, and all our best tips for creating a day that's uniquely yours.

Planning can (and should!) be fun when you have the right team supporting you. We're here to bounce ideas around, answer all your questions, and handle the logistics so you can focus on what really matters - celebrating your love story in the most beautiful setting imaginable.

Want to dive deeper into planning your perfect wildflower wedding? Check out our complete guide on Planning an Elevated Intimate Wedding for expert tips on creating a day that feels both refined and authentically you. And if you're specifically dreaming of a Crested Butte celebration, our Crested Butte Elopement Guide has all the insider secrets you need to know about this magical location.

Ready to chat about your own wildflower wedding celebration? Let's make some magic together!