Our take: your Crested Butte elopement shouldn’t end with the daylight.
Claire & Zach came to us for adventure, wildflowers, and mountain views, and they stayed for the stars, the moon, and the magic.
From vows at a waterfall to champagne by an alpine lake to lanterns in hand and lupine up to their knees, this is what it looks like to stay out after dark during your wedding day.
💫 Tell us in the comments: done at sunset or shoot for the stars?
And if you want both, you know where to find us.
Hair & Makeup by @kyoungdaymaker ✨
#crestedbutteelopement #coloradoelopement #coloradoelopementphotographer #crestedbuttecolorado #wildflowerelopement
Some afternoons in the mountains have a way of making everything feel possible. Time seems to slow down just enough. This was one of those.
Garrett had been carrying the ring quietly for months. You could feel it in the way he moved when they arrived.
Nervous, yes. But also focused, present, ready.
They drove their jeep deep into the Colorado backcountry, miles from anything ordinary, a place that held special meaning for the two of them.
He told her a small, innocent lie. There would be photographers there, waiting. Ready to take their photos for this year’s holiday cards.
We met them with excitement and a steady presence, simultaneously eager and patient to position them perfectly with the lake and mountain views as their backdrop for the moment.
Then he asked. Elly didn’t see it coming.
Her whole face changed at once — the kind of reaction you can’t force and will never forget.
What happened after the surprise proposal wasn’t a surprise to us.
The tension he’d been carrying for weeks just left. They relaxed into each other, into the afternoon, into the wildflowers and the scenery.
What he expected to be a short session turned into something neither of them wanted to end.
That shift — nerves into joy, a carefully crafted plan into a lifelong memory — is what we show up for every time.
→ Link in bio to start planning.
#CrestedButteProposal #ColoradoProposal #ProposalPhotographer #CrestedButte #MountainProposal
He told her he knew of a great spot for dinner with a beautiful view…
Not an outright lie, but maybe not exactly what she had in mind, either.
Somewhere along the drive, he pulled over and said,
“Let’s take this in for a second.”
What she didn’t know:
this stop had already been carefully chosen.
The river, the mountains, Loki the dog patiently (and excitedly) waiting nearby,
a beautifully styled charcuterie spread, champagne on ice… and the ring! 💍
All of it leading to this moment.
A Crested Butte proposal that didn’t feel staged or rushed.
Simply intentional, personal, and entirely their own.
The kind of experience perfect for lingering a little longer.
Watching the sunset together and celebrating forever. 🥂
If you’re planning a proposal and want it to feel this thoughtful (yet still effortless), from location to styling to how it all unfolds, we’ll guide you through every step and document every detail.
#crestedbutte #mountainproposal #proposalplanner
Flirty, cozy, lakeside vibes, nature-forward, wildflowers as far as the eye could see, a touch of romance, a hint of silly, and full to the brim with magic.
They wanted a Crested Butte proposal that felt like them…
That part was easy. Because from the very beginning, their story has always been a little bit electric and inspiring in every way.
From a random study abroad group in Adelaide, to a dance floor where one hand grab changed everything. From almost-missed timing to rooftop kisses and musical theater nights.
Onto long distance to building a life filled with tiny rituals and two very loved cats waiting at home (Greenbean and Sprout!) 😻🌱
Onto thoughtful gestures like florals, sweet treats, and coffee surprises. Weekends at drag shows and concerts, where they sing along to all their favorite songs together.
So when it came time to ask the question, it wasn’t about creating something new.
It was about honoring what already existed: a love that’s playful, deeply in sync, and makes even the most ordinary moments feel like magic.
So we found the place with lakeside wildflowers, mountain views, and waited for the light to soften.
And then we let the moment unfold. Exactly the way it was meant to.
And the ring? Just as intentional! Custom-made by @paulaebarnett . A gold signet with a light blue sapphire, hand-engraved garden roses and roselilies, and tiny stars surrounding the center stone. Even Orion’s Belt is hidden on the back of the band; a constellation from the night they first kissed.
If your dream proposal looks a little like wildflowers, a quiet lake, and staying until the last light, maybe tuck this one away for later. ✨
#lakesideproposal #mountainproposal #wildflowerfestival #crestedbutteproposal #crestedbuttephotographer
“We’re down for anything!” …but like… anything anything?
The kind of anything with golden light spilling over the horizon, snacks that taste better shared, and a cozy little campsite tucked into the trees. 🏕️
The kind that’s a little wild, a little homemade.
The kind of anything where we don’t have to hurry, but instead just get to enjoy the simple pleasures with our favorite people… and the dogs and cats are obviously invited 😻
The kind where love is the whole reason we’re there in the first place. (Admittedly, we like to get a little fancy too sometimes!)
That’s our kind of anything. Always has been, always will be.
So yeah… We’re down for anything. (as long as it looks like this)
What does your “anything” look like? 👀
#downforanything #dogpeople #catpeople #catchusoutside #adventurouscouple
“Don’t go chasing waterfalls” is truly some terrible advice, if you ask us.
Some of our favorite photo locations include lakes like glass, rivers carving their way through the valley, and incredible waterfalls where the mist kisses your cheeks as the sound of rushing water whispers sweet nothings into your ears.
The start of this sunrise elopement in Crested Butte led us down winding rivers, past quiet lakes, and straight to waterfalls that felt like they were just waiting for us to discover. The kind of morning exploring places you don’t rush through; you pause, breathe, and realize these are the moments you’ll remember forever.
We’ll never be the ones to tell you not to go chasing waterfalls! 💦
So if your idea of getting married looks a little like muddy boots, early alarms, and chasing that good good light 🤌 (and waterfalls), then we’re going to get along just fine. ✨
#chasingwaterfalls #crestedbutteelopement #waterfallchaser #sunriseelopement #mountainelopement
Be honest, are you out there chasing waterfalls?
We love keeping surprise proposal secrets… but not this one. 🤭
Here’s the truth: the magic isn’t just in the photos.
It’s in the planning, the intention, and having someone in your corner to help pull it all off seamlessly.
The magic starts as soon as you come to us with your idea to propose.
And honestly, with the fresh feels of spring, it might be one of the dreamiest times to start the beginning of your next chapter 🌿✨
As the snow melts and Crested Butte starts coming back to life, it’s the perfectly vibrant backdrop for a moment you’ll never forget.
“Working with Lydia & T was an absolutely incredible experience… they helped orchestrate everything flawlessly. I had no idea they were capturing the moment until after the proposal… The photos turned out stunning, and the entire experience was nothing short of magical.” 🥹🫶
That’s always the goal for us.
Not just beautiful images (that too, of course), but an experience where you can be fully present.
The nerves, the excitement, the “holy sh*t this is really happening” moment… all of it. WE’RE HERE FOR IT!!!
Spring proposals are coming 👀 and if you’re dreaming something up, we’re here to help you plan it in a way that feels stress-free and completely you. 🌸
#springvibes #crestedbutteproposal #crestedbuttephotographer #crestedbuttephotography #proposalplanner
Hey, we don’t make the rules. We just make the magic. ✨🏔️📸
#MountainElopement #MountainElopementPhotographer #CrestedButteElopement #CrestedButteElopementPhotographer #ColoradoElopementInspiration
Eloping in the mountains of Crested Butte comes with all of the views and none of the stress. Share this with the person you want to elope in the mountains with!
Dreaming of a Crested Butte wedding? But not sure where to say your vows or have your celebration?
After photographing weddings all over this valley, let’s just say we know a few places with ridiculously good views.
We just published our complete guide (link in bio) to the best Crested Butte wedding venues, including ceremony locations, reception venues, rehearsal dinner spots, and boutique lodging throughout the valley.
In this summary post, we’ve highlighted:
• Mt. Crested Butte (mountain ceremony locations & resort venues)
• Downtown Crested Butte (wedding venues, reception venues, & restaurants)
• Beyond Crested Butte (secluded mountain venues in surrounding areas)
• Plus, options for boutique lodging for wedding weekends!
Whether you’re planning an intimate wildflower ceremony, mountaintop wedding, or an intimate destination celebration, we’ll cover many of the most popular places couples get married in the area.
Read the full Crested Butte wedding venue blog at the link in our bio.
Save this post if you’re planning a Crested Butte wedding!
#crestedbutteweddingvenue #crestedbuttewedding #crestedbutteweddingvenues #crestedbutteweddings #crestedbutteweddingplanning
Some of our couples arrive at their engagement session feeling a little nervous, especially if they’ve never taken professional photos together before. Totally normal.
Our goal is always to make it feel less like a photoshoot and more like an adventure together. For this session, we scouted a few locations in advance and sent options so they could choose a place that felt right for them.
The result? An unforgettable sunset session in the mountains with wildflowers, aspen trees, and expansive views of the river in the valley. And photos that truly captured them as a couple.
Here’s what they shared afterward:
“Working with Mountain Magic Media, Lydia + T, was a dream come true! As a couple, we had never taken professional photos together. Lydia + T were A+ professionals who are kind, knowledgeable, and a seamless team! Our photos are breathtaking and capture us as a couple perfectly. We are very grateful for our collaboration with Mountain Magic Media- this team goes above and absolutely beyond in their consideration and expertise in their craft. They even scouted areas for us and gave us location options before our shoot. They ended up picking the perfect location. Thank you so much Lydia + T!!”
We pride ourselves on offering experiences like this to every single one of our couples. Hearing words like this means the world to us!
If you’re newly engaged and dreaming about engagement photos that feel relaxed, adventurous, and completely you, we’d love to help you plan it. ✨
📍 Colorado mountain engagement sessions
#coloradoengagementphotographer #mountainengagementsession #coloradoweddingphotographer #engagementphotography #adventureengagement
Crested Butte isn’t just the Wildflower Capital… It’s a celestial cathedral. 🌌
If you’re dreaming of a Crested Butte wedding photography recipe filled with the glow of the Milky Way, you need more than just luck; you need the right ingredients.
Here is how to bake the perfect night sky into your special day:
- The Season: Mid-March to mid-October is the peak period for viewing the Milky Way.
- The Moon: Aim for 5 days before or after a New Moon for the darkest skies.
- The Timing: True dark (Astronomical Twilight) often doesn’t hit until an hour and a half after sunset.
- The Location: This is the secret sauce. Crested Butte is a Dark Sky Community, but even Elk Ave streetlights can dim the magic. To get those epic shots, head toward higher elevations further from town. Tucked-away locations offer the crispiest stars.
- The Pro: You need a photographer who masters long exposures and light painting while you stay perfectly still. (That’s us! 👋)
Capturing the cosmos isn’t just about creating a photo (although that part is pretty neat too)… It’s about standing under the vastness of the universe and realizing that out of all those billions of stars (and people), you found each other.
Chasing that stargazing in Crested Butte is pinnacle out-of-this-world romance. If you’re looking to capture that celestial magic, we’d love to be your photographers.
#astrophotographylovers #crestedbutteweddingphotography #crestedbutteweddingphotographer #crestedbuttewedding #coloradoweddinginspo
Shoutout to @rokkoverland for the best rooftop tent to stargaze from!
Save this for planning your Crested Butte wedding photography under a blanket of stars. ✨
Results of 100% UN-POSED moments on a Crested Butte wedding day. 🚲🚲
10 hours of documentary coverage, 0 hours of posing. From their vows that left everyone in tears to the most hype dance floor to the dreamy tandem bicycle rides…
They told us: “We aren’t interested in the traditional moments. We want to see how we were feeling.”
To which we replied, “We’re here for THIS VIBE.” (AND A WHOLE LOTTA PLANTS!!! 😍🪴)
Just two people who love each other deeply, a shared adventurous spirit, and a Ten Peaks wedding tent full of friends & family fully enjoying the moments.
They wanted to see the interaction and the raw emotion of their favorite people without any lineups of forced smiles.
This is what a mountain wedding looks like when the experience comes first and the “show” comes last.
When you stop posing, the real magic shines bright. 🌟
Planner and rentals: @alpenglowevents
Photography: @mountainmagicmedia
Private catering: @crestedbuttespersonalchefs
Venue: @vailmtn@vailresortsweddings@skicrestedbutte
Beauty: @graykinhairmakeup
Florals: @denverplant
DJ: @somethingvinylclub
Transportation: Dolly’s
Desserts: @cakemeawaycolorado
Rentals: @luckypennyevents
#tenpeakswedding #tenpeaks #crestedbuttewedding #crestedbutteweddings #crestedbutteweddingphotographer
Would you give up your formal portraits for 100% candid memories, yes or no? Tell us in the comments! 📋
