A Ghost Town Love Story: Amanda & Trent’s Intimate Elopement in Aspen, CO

Amanda and Trent have always loved adventure, from exploring abandoned mining towns to casting their lines in Colorado’s wild rivers. So when it came time to choose a place to say “I do,” Ashcroft Ghost Town in Colorado felt like the perfect spot. Surrounded by the quiet beauty of the mountains, they exchanged private vows, explored the historic town, and celebrated with their closest family and friends. Their day was filled with heartfelt moments, laughter, and a deep connection to the people and places they love most. Keep reading to see how they made their elopement uniquely theirs!

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About This Elopement

Photography by Stefanie Vanessa Photo

“Amanda and Trent have spent a lot of time together going on spontaneous adventures and exploring mining trails and ghost towns. When we were discussing possible ideas in the Aspen area for their elopement, I suggested Ashcroft ghost town and they immediately knew that was perfect. They wanted a special place to say their private vows, explore the little ghost town, and then celebrate with their closest friends and family. Amanda and Trent’s vision for their wedding was to keep it low-key and intimate which is exactly what they did. They were drawn to the idea of a quiet ceremony surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains, followed by a nice dinner at a nearby location.

They had one of their best friends, Dexter, officiate their wedding, which added a personal touch to their day.

Amanda and Trent wanted to have a story to tell their friends and family that weren’t there. It was the perfect showcase to share with everyone how they all got to go together to the Ghost Town and have that intimate ceremony. Amanda’s father passed in 2020 and Trent’s mother passed when he was a child, so it was tough not having them here for their day.” [Stefanie, the photographer]

Permits and Top Tips When Eloping in Ashcroft Ghost Town

“The Ashcroft Ghost Town is a self-guided, historical site through the Aspen Historical Society. There is a $400 permit required to reserve the space.

There is a pretty big honor system out there. It was in great shape while we were there and we left it as we found it.” [Stefanie, the photographer]

Stefanie’s Top Tips

• Secure your permit early! Especially during peak season (June-September).
• Plan your ceremony during sunrise or sunset and on a weekday for the best light and fewer crowds.
• Dress appropriately – mountain weather is always unpredictable so bring layers – even in the summer!
• Make it personal – after your ceremony, head to a nearby spot like Pine Creek Cookhouse for an intimate reception or romantic dinner.
• Keep decorations minimal to preserve the natural beauty of the site but a bouquet, or small floral arrangement can add to your photos!

Deciding to Elope

“We wanted our wedding day to feel deeply personal and intimate, focused solely on the two of us and the people closest to our hearts. Initially, we imagined eloping alone, but we’re so thankful we decided to share the day with our closest family and friends. Neither of us wanted the pressure of being the center of attention, or the overwhelming task of creating a perfect experience for a large group of guests.

Trent lost his mother, and I lost my father, both to terminal illnesses. The heaviness of not having them with us was a significant part of our decision. It felt important to honor their absence in a way that didn’t overshadow the joy of the day. By keeping it small, we could focus on meaningful moments with the people who matter most to us, making sure the day was truly about love and connection, and celebrating our story with those who’ve supported us every step of the way.” [The couple]

Deciding Where to Elope

“We live in a small mining town in Colorado and love spending time exploring abandoned mines and towns in Trent’s Bronco. It felt fitting to hold our ceremony in a ghost town. Ashcroft Ghost Town was the perfect choice. It had the rustic charm and quiet beauty we had envisioned.

Aspen also holds a special place in our hearts. Trent has been visiting Aspen with his family since childhood, and I’ve joined in on that tradition since becoming part of the family. With close friends who live there, Aspen feels like a second home to us.

For our reception, Woody Creek Tavern was an obvious choice. We’ve spent many hours at the bar where Hunter S. Thompson once sat, and the atmosphere is so authentically ‘us.’ The place has an upscale-casual, mountain-western vibe with good tequila, tacos, and wings served by the kindest bartenders. It was exactly what we wanted.” [The couple]

Planning Your Elopement

“We got engaged in March and married in October, so there wasn’t much time to plan. I knew we wanted a mountain-western vibe but needed help pulling it all together. That’s when I reached out to Stefanie, my planning angel and photographer. She connected me with a local florist and baker who really helped bring my vision to life.

I tried not to stress too much about the color palette because I wanted the natural beauty of the environment to shine through. In fact, when my florist asked for a color palette, I wasn’t sure where to start. So, I shared Trent’s suit colors (which he picked himself) with her, and she created a stunning palette to complement it. I used that as the basis for other details, and she absolutely nailed it with the bouquet, boutonniere, and arrangements.

As for the cake, Kenzie from Coppelia Cakes crafted a gluten-free masterpiece that was both beautiful and delicious. I gave her a couple of ideas and the color palette from the florist, and she took it and ran with it. I trusted these talented artists to do what they do best, and they delivered!

Since I wanted the natural surroundings to be the star of the show, I kept decorations minimal. My focus was on thoughtful, handmade touches. I designed the invitations and itineraries myself on Canva and curated gift baskets with Colorado-themed snacks and unique finds from Etsy vendors. I wanted everything to feel personal and special—not mass-produced.

Our lodging was easy because Trent’s family already has a home in the area that we visit every year. For our outfits, Trent took the initiative and knew exactly what he wanted for his suit. I’m pretty thrifty and knew I wanted a second-hand dress because I loved the idea of a beautiful lace dress but didn’t want to spend thousands on it. Trent and I also spent a weekend in Aspen with a friend who’s the GM at Kemo Sabe, and she treated us to the full Kemo Sabe experience, where we got to design our wedding hats. They ended up being a statement piece for our wedding, and it was such a fun part of the prep process.

Stefanie was incredible in helping to refine the timeline, and everything came together perfectly. One of my favorite decisions was exchanging private vows before the ceremony with just our family and friends—it made for such a special, intimate moment. Stefanie also made the photography feel fun and relaxed—something I never thought I’d say! Everyone needs a great photographer and planner, in my opinion.” [The couple]

Here’s a general breakdown of our costs:

• Venue & Location – Ceremony at Ashcroft Ghost Town: $400
• Attire Wedding dress (thrifted from Stillwhite, originally from BHLDN) | ~$800 (including alterations)
• Suit (custom from Indochino)| ~$1,000
• Accessories (custom Kemo Sabe hats)| ~$2,000-$3,000
• Flowers (Bouquet, boutonniere, and small reception arrangements)| ~$470
• Photography | ~$5,000
• Catering & Cake | ~$5,200
• Reception at Woody Creek Tavern | $5,000 F&B minimum
• Gluten-free wedding cake | $187
• Marriage License & Officiant |~$30
• Marriage license | $30
• Officiant | $0 (our best friend)
• Miscellaneous | ~$200
• Invitations and itineraries (DIY on Canva)
• Guest gift baskets with small keepsakes, like a custom wine cork and bottle opener
• Travel & Accommodations | $0 (we stayed at a family-owned property)

Total | $21,287

Details We’re Loving

“I knew from our first call that Amanda and Trent would stay unequivocally unique to them, and they did exactly that. It truly felt like they were working as a team to bring details to life that spoke to them and they would want to be remembered, and it wasn’t all traditional. It was things like; branding their Stetsons together with her new initials, sharing private vows but with your officiant (and best friend) there to make you laugh in the background, finding a midge on your dress, and laughing together because how likely is that sign to show up on your wedding day?! (they are big fly fishermen), and having margaritas at one of their favorite pubs afterward.

Everything just fell into place for these two, and there wasn’t anything that was going to derail or throw them off of just having the very best day together. The ‘go with the flow’ attitude these two evoked and also brought out in each other to keep them balanced was definitely something that made them stand out.” [Stefanie, the photographer]

Memorable Moments During This Elopement

From the photographer:

“One of my highlights was catching one of Trent’s tears glistening down his face as the slightest bit of sun peeked its way through the clouds as they exchanged their private vows. It was a moment I’ll never forget. I feel bad that I’m calling him out on a single tear, but I think it was the way the light was hitting it, and also it was the last thing I expected from him. I remember looking over at Amanda’s reaction and seeing her crying as well, and I think just witnessing such unfiltered emotion from two people is so rare and special.

I also remember talking to Trent’s Dad at their reception and Woody Creek Tavern and having him share his speech with me from the previous evening. These moments mean so much to me because not only am I cultivating this relationship with my couple, but truly learning about where they learned to love!! And having that relationship with their families always makes me super grateful for this job.”

From the couple:

“The intimacy of the ceremony is what stands out most. Trent and I had time to truly connect with each other and our loved ones. I’ll never forget exchanging our vows—he cried, I laughed, and it felt so perfectly ‘us.’

Exploring the ghost town, playing around in the old buildings, and reading about them. We were surrounded by history and beauty—it felt magical. We didn’t take ourselves too seriously and just enjoyed the moment. Walking down the steps of the old hotel to join our family after the ceremony felt symbolic, like stepping into a new chapter of life together.

The blend of laughter, heartfelt emotion, and celebration made the day unforgettable. It felt genuine, joyful, and full of love, just the way we wanted it.”

Advice From The Couple

“When I look back, I feel nothing but gratitude. The day was everything I hoped for. Intimate, joyful, and perfectly imperfect.

My advice for anyone planning an elopement is to focus on what truly matters: enjoying the day and being present. Let go of the need for perfection—it’s the unplanned, candid moments that make it truly special. Looking back, I don’t remember the small details or logistics—I remember the overwhelming feelings of love, joy, and connection that made the day unforgettable.” [The couple]

Vendors

Photography | Stefanie Vanessa Photo

Florals | Double Dutch Floral 
Dress | BHLDN by Anthropologie
Hats | Stetson | Kemosabe Aspen 
Cake | Coppelia Cake Design 
Reception | Woody’s Tavern
Venue | Ashcroft Ghost Town
Getting Ready Location | The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands

Photos From This Elopement