When planning your dream wedding, the budget is often the elephant in the room. Regardless of your financial situation, discussing money can feel daunting. However, establishing a clear budget early on is crucial for making informed decisions about your vendors, guest list, and menu options—like serving a delicious beef tenderloin or a fresh trout from a local stream.

So, how do you set a wedding budget, especially in a unique and breathtaking location like Crested Butte? Here’s a guide to help you navigate the costs of tying the knot in this stunning mountain town.

Research Local Costs

The first step in determining your budget is to familiarize yourself with the average costs of weddings in Crested Butte. This charming destination offers a variety of venues, from rustic lodges to elegant mountain resorts and tents atop mountains, each with its pricing structures. Venue rental can range widely based on location and amenities, so be sure to get quotes from a few different places.

Guest List Considerations

Your guest list will significantly impact your budget. A larger guest count means higher costs for catering, rentals, and possibly accommodations. Think about your priorities: do you want an intimate gathering or a big celebration? This decision will help guide your budget.

Key Budget Categories

Here’s a breakdown of essential budget categories to consider:

• Planner: Various packages come with various prices. Month-of coordination will be much less than full-service planning packages. For instance, our starting planning package begins at a minimum of $10,000.
• Venue: Expect to invest a significant portion here. Prices can vary from $3,000 to $20,000, depending on the venue and the season. And are you renting a separate ceremony venue from your reception venue?
• Insurance: Some venues may require liability insurance, which can run $280 – $1,200 depending on your venue, insurance package and total costs.
• Catering: On average, catering in Crested Butte can run from $100 to $250 per person, depending on the menu. There are three styles of catering; buffet, plated and family-style. The later two are traditionally the same food costs but can take up to three times as much staff to keep food moving and hot.
• Bar: There are two considerations here; the bartending service and the actual costs of the beer, wine and liquor. Some bartending services include cute trailer and their professional services and knowledge. Other times, a catering team can provide the staff to manage the bar and use a standard eight-foto table and linen for the bar.
  • Bartending: A bartender comes to $55 per hour plus gratuity at the end of the evening. Depending on your guest count, you may want 2-4 bartenders in total.
  • Trailer rental: If you interested in those cute trailers, they can run about $1,500. You may need additional rentals like a jockey box, water station, etc.
  • Alcohol: The cost of alcohol can drastically range from hosting just beer and wine to a full top-shelf bar. Working with a local liquor store can range from $1,500 – $6,000.
• Sweets: Depending on what you’d like to service, the cake can range from $5-10 per slice, with ice cream coming in at around $8.50 per person.
• Rentals: Many venues require you to rent tables, chairs, linens, and decor. This could add another $2,000 to $25,000 to your total.
  • Tents: $2,000 – $5,500 depending on style and if you’d like tent walls.
  • Tables and chairs: A plastic table runs $12 and can be paired with a $20 – $120 linen. A farm table is $85. Chairs can range $2 – $13 each
  • Restrooms: A plastic porta potty is $250 in Crested Butte. A luxury restroom trailer, depending on the number of stalls, can range from $2,500 – $6,500. You’ll need one stall for about every 30 guests.
  • Drapery: All drapery is customizable and varies drastically on how much you’d like to cover and what color you’d like to use. $1,000 – $12,000
  • Custom Lighting: You can rent uplighting online for $300, or you can have a professional install it. There are a number of styles of lighting that range $300 – $4,000+
  • Tent Flooring: There are two styles of tent flooring, and the price range is $20,000 – $55,000. There is no typo there. And yes, that’s just for a wood floor.
  • Linens: You can find linens online for less than renting, but in this case, you pay for what you get. When renting, you have a wide range of styles, textures, and colors to select from. When purchasing, you will likely need to steam each linens before use. Linens per table can range from $8 for a purchased linen or $20 – 120 for a rented linen. Linen napkins range $1.20 – $5.50 each.
• Florals: Beautiful blooms can range from $4,000 to over $25,000, depending on your preferences and seasonality.
• Photography/Videography: Capture the magic with a photographer ranging from $5,500 to $12,000, while videographers can range about the same.
• Entertainment: You may select one or multiple options below.
  • DJ: $2,500 – $6,500. If you pair a DJ with a live musician, you can expect about $1,500 per live musician.
  • Acoustic guitarist: $500 – 800 per hour.
  • Live Band: $15,000 – $42,000+ for a live band, depending on where they are coming from.
• Hair and Makeup: Bride hair and makeup with a trail can range $650 – $800. Additional services are $175 for each service. Hair is one service and makeup is another service.
• Officiant: Officiant often ask for a donation to a church ranging around $500. In Crested Butte, you can have a friend or family member marry you at no cost to the state.
• Stationary: Digital sources can be a few hundred dollars. Online services can range $300 – $2,000. A fully custom design can range $7,500 – $12,000 depending on how many pieces are designed and what detail goes into these items.
• Transportation: One of the biggest budget swings in the valley. Transportation costs can range $550 – $21,000. If the venue is close by, you might be able to move guests in two waves of transportation loops, cutting the transportation costs in half. Of course, this cost drastically depends on how many people are being moved and how many drivers and busses are needed. Here are a few quotes we have received for the 2024 wedding season:
  • Ten Peaks: $8,500 – $21,000
  • Town Ranch: $550 – $3,000
  • Personal Property: $5,500 – $12,000
  • Cement Creek Ranch: $8,000 – $15,000

Work with a Planner

A local wedding planner, like Lucky Penny Events, can be invaluable in helping you stick to your budget. We have insights into the best vendors and can negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you get the most for your money.

Final Thoughts

Budgeting for your wedding might seem overwhelming, but with thoughtful planning and research, you can create a memorable celebration that aligns with your financial goals. Start early, stay organized, and let the stunning backdrop of Crested Butte inspire your dream day!