Reflecting on Our Elopement in Crested Butte

As our first wedding anniversary approaches, Soraya and I have been reflecting on our storybook elopement in Crested Butte, Colorado. It was an adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes, heartwarming moments, and the joy of starting our life together in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Flying into Denver

Our journey began with a flight into Denver. In hindsight, we should have stayed there a night or two to acclimate to the altitude before heading to Crested Butte. The altitude can be a shock to the system, and thank goodness we had plenty of altitude sickness patches. We even had to give a few to our videographer, who was struggling with the thin air as much as we were. Luckily In & Out was our first stop in Denver for a yummy burger to make us feel better. It was my first In & Out experience and it was glorious!

After picking up our SUV rental, we made a pit stop at Whole Foods to stock up on some road trip snacks, picnic goodies and some wine for our wedding celebration. We grabbed salami, olives, baguette, and grapes for our “wedding meal.” With our supplies secured, we set off on the scenic drive to Crested Butte, excited for the journey ahead.

The Drive to Crested Butte

The drive from Denver to Crested Butte was nothing short of breathtaking. We took the pass by Turner Peak, where there was still snow on the ground in the middle of July! Along the route, we saw people fly fishing in the Taylor River and couldn’t resist stopping at a charming spot called Harmels on the Taylor. It was the perfect place to stretch our legs and enjoy a cup of coffee while soaking in the serene surroundings. We could hear the river rushing next to us as we sipped our coffee.

As we continued our journey, the landscape transformed into a stunning tapestry of towering mountains and groves of aspen trees. It was peak wildflower season in Crested Butte, and the purple and yellow flowers dotted the lush green peaks welcoming us as we drove in. When we arrived at the Grand Lodge, the first thing we noticed was how cool it was – 60 degrees in the middle of July was a refreshing change from the 90s we had left behind in Denver.

Wedding Preparations

After a good night's sleep, we drove into Gunnison to pick up our lemon and raspberry mini wedding cake from the local bakery and marriage license. While there, we stopped at Mochas Coffeehouse and Bakery for a delicious breakfast burrito and, of course, some coffee. Gunnison's old western style and hospitality made our wedding preparations even more special.

Back in Crested Butte, we picked up Soraya's bouquet, which was packed full of vibrant wildflowers – as if she had picked them from a field. With her colorful bouquet in hand, Soraya went straight into hair and makeup, while I prepared for the big day.

The Elopement

Our elopement itself was such a memorable experience. Our photographer brought her dad along, who was an expert at driving a jeep along tight mountain roads. He made us feel relaxed and safe as we made our way up the mountain to Emerald Lake. As we ascended, it started to rain, but just when we found the perfect spot to exchange vows, the rain stopped, and a golden light drenched the forest and fields.

We found a little campsite where we wrote our vows down into leather notebooks and Soraya changed into her wedding dress. Nearby, a field of wildflowers provided the perfect spot to say our vows while our portraits were taken. When I saw Soraya for the first time in her dress, I had the biggest smile on my face and giggled in delight. She was absolutely gorgeous.

From there, we finished the drive up to Emerald Lake and took a short hike down to the water where Soraya stopped to hug a beautiful evergreen tree. We had a picnic by the green waters, enjoying our wedding cake and wine. Both of us made sure to wear fashionable yet comfortable boots for the day – Soraya in her Thursday boots and me in my Red Wing Iron Rangers. We love our boots almost as much as coffee, maybe even more.

We kicked off our boots and meditated by the water before our picnic. It was nice to sit and relax by the lake while breathing in the vast landscape. Once we were finished, we found another spot overlooking a winding snake-like river and had our first dance. Our photographer brought a bottle of champagne for me to shake up and pop the cork, creating an amazing moment.

It was a magical evening, filled with laughter, love, and the beauty of nature.