Adventure Elopement Guide
I feel exceptionally fortunate every day that I get to be a photographer in this generation! It’s a time that doesn’t feel trapped by what’s been done and instead dreams of celebrating milestones in a unique way, honoring who they really are. The couples I have the privilege of working with often are drawn to the freedom of making their wedding day their own through an elopement. I love walking alongside them as their adventure becomes a reality! And of course, entering into the next phase of life with your partner by doing an adventure elopement is truly my favorite thing to document.
But what exactly is an adventure elopement? It’s a way of sharing vows in a ceremony that’s no longer bound by the courthouse, but instead breaks into a threshold of extraordinary outdoor spaces. An adventure elopement gives you the complete freedom to craft a celebration with your person outdoors however you wish. This process allows you to plan an experience that wholly reflects you, stripping you of the expectations of others and simply leaving you with what you love!
Imagine Eloping with me:
+ Hiking under the stars to privately exchange vows on a mountaintop at sunrise
+ Traveling to a unique landscape you’ve always wanted to see for your wedding
+ Kayaking in an alpine lake together after your ceremony
+ Cozying up in an airbnb cabin deep in the woods for the weekend + venturing to nearby scenery
+ Squishing your toes in the desert sand while you share a picnic amid red rock towers
+ Sharing a dance together at sunset while you watch deer graze wildflower meadows
Why I love Adventure Elopements
At the end of the day, this is YOUR moment. You can do it any way you want, & I’m here to help you envision one of your wildest adventures! Marriage is one of life’s greatest adventures. I love every moving metaphor that adventure elopements symbolize: the highest highs that love brings as you summit a mountain, the lowest lows of the valleys you will cross together, the rich beauty of love as you take in every little unfolding piece of glory within these natural spaces. Not only that, but adventure elopements truly allow you to celebrate your love with a unique & meaningful experience that you’ll never forget!
It’s easy to love the idea of all of that, but logistically it can quickly feel overwhelming. With traditional weddings as the standard for so long, it can feel scary to venture out and take on the planning for an outdoor experience. But that’s what I’m here for!! I’ve been working with these types of events for a long time and I’ve been able to provide guidance for couples looking for an outside-of-the-box day free of stress. I created this guide to help you think about the essentials of your big day and break down the overwhelm into simple steps! Read on for a complete guide on adventure elopements and how to (easily) tie the knot in a beautiful place.
Step 1: Pick a Landscape or Elopement Location
When you elope, you open yourself up to endless possibilities for what your day could look like, because you get to ask yourself: if I could have any place in the world as my venue, where would it be? If you’re having trouble deciding, consider these tips as you sift through destinations:
+ Review your budget as it will affect how much you’re able to spend on lodging/travel
+ Decide on guest count & consider what places can accommodate that group size
+ Choose a meaningful place that holds significance to your relationship
+ Let activities guide you & look into what elopement locations are known for your desired activities
+ Consider what kind of landscape inspires you: deserts, mountains, forests, waterfalls, coastal cliffs, tropical, international, etc.
Something to keep in mind: While it’s great to pick a specific location you love for your elopement, I actually recommend you stay as general or broad as you can! It may seem helpful to develop a clear plan before reaching out to your vendors, but when you come in with a more rigid plan – there isn’t a lot of room to learn about the adventure elopement process and what goes into choosing a location (something us adventure elopement vendors have an extensive knowledge of!). For example, some scenic spots that couples love are actually quite crowded and may not be as idyllic as advertised on social media! If you reach out to me before deciding on a specific spot, I can send you various locations just as grand that might offer an experienced more aligned with your vision.
If you have any specific questions about a location, check out the National Park’s Website!
Step 2: Pick an Elopement Date
My favorite way to go about this part of planning is to think about what season you enjoy being in the outdoors the most. The weather each month brings will affect the kind of experience you’re hoping to create. Carefully research (or talk to your vendors about) what weather patterns are present in the landscape for each time of year and how it could impact your elopement! If you don’t live in the area, be cautious about assuming conditions. For example, there are areas in the high mountains that may not be clear of snow until August. Check hiking forums, search online, and most importantly, start the discussion with your photographer before you decide on a date/time of year so they can help weigh in on the decision based off their knowledge & availability!
As with anything outdoors, try to stay flexible and not be discouraged as you research! Whether it’s choosing your date, your location, or anything else in the planning process. Try not to get your heart set on a specific place at a specific time of year – try to focus instead on just being in the beauty of nature with your loved one as you promise forever. When that’s your first and only priority, I promise you that you’ll find the right place and right time to say “I do”!
Step 3: Hire an Elopement Vendor Team
+ Photographer
(I’d love to chat with you!)
+ Elopement Planner
(Check out my package with So Golden Wedding Co!)
+ Officiant
+ Videographer
+ Florist
+ Rentals
+ Hair & make up
+ Cake/bakery
+ Caterer/food
Also, I would absolutely love to help you as you build your team! Be sure to reach out and ask for my recommended vendors – I have a list of folks in mind that truly love the outdoors and are passionate about helping people create the perfect adventure elopement.
Step 4: Choose Your Elopement Lodging
One of the best parts of planning an unconventional wedding day is picking a beautiful and peaceful place to stay – and there are so many options with incredible outdoor options nearby! You and your love can camp, stay at a glamping resort near a national park, or even book a beautiful airbnb, giving you a more private home base for adventures. Some rentals even allow you to have your ceremony on site! I’ve seen couples perform their ceremony on the deck of A-frame cabins in the mountains, rent an Italian villa in Tuscany for their friends & family, and purchase an all-inclusive adventure wedding package on a private beach of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Don’t be afraid to dream big and search for a place that feels like YOU!
Want some inspiration as you look? Check out these blogs to see some of my favorite lodging options in my favorite adventure locations:
Step 5: Choose Elopement Activities
Something unique about elopements is you can fill your timeline with any activities you want! I’ve noticed the more you break your day up into small events, the more you feel like you’re walking away from this experience with a full celebration that honors the two of you. If you’ve chosen to plan your elopement experience around a specific landscape, what better way to connect yourselves to that scenery than to engage in outdoor activities amidst it? Here is a list of activities to get you brainstorming:
+ hiking, kayaking, swimming, off-roading, hot air balloon ride, helicopter ride, climbing, ski-lift ride, backpacking, camping, picnic, private chef, sunset watching, stargazing, campfire with smores
This is truly my favorite part about elopements. My one big piece of advice though is to not get TOO caught up in filling your whole day with activities! You also want to be able to breathe and be fully present to the gravity of the day. I highly recommend my full day or 2-day coverage, so you don’t feel rushed from one thing to the next!
Step 6: Apply for a permit & marriage license
Aaaand time for a less fun side of adventure elopements: permits and a license! I promise, it’s not as scary as it sounds.
Depending on what type of land you’re on for your elopement, there are different regulations. Sometimes, a special use permit is required, which can cost anywhere from $50-$200. This is where it’s important to spend some time online, looking into what is necessary for each kind of public land. Don’t worry, I’ll help make sure you’re getting all the right permits! You’ll need to fill out an application through the park website at least 1 month in advance for your permit, sometimes earlier.
Each state’s protocol for marriage licenses are a bit different, so you’ll want to google what is required, and make sure to bring your marriage license with you on your elopement day!
Step 7: Elopement packing checklist
+ Marriage license
+ Special use permit (if applicable)
+ Bug spray! Always great to be prepared for mosquitos
+ A few warm layers, since certain mountain conditions can change quickly
+ Hand warmers
+ Rain jacket! Weather can change in an instant in wild landscapes
+ Hiking boots
+ Any special national park details: elopement sign, park map, postcard, etc.
+ Elopement details: vow books, rings/ring box, flowers, table decor etc.
+ Snacks for the trail
+ Any gear needed for activities (show shoes, kayak, paddle board, firewood, smores, etc
+ Elopement Picnic (have a mini reception just the two of you with a packed picnic! I offer a curated basket with all utensils to all PNW elopement couples, just bring your fav picnic food!)
+ An adventurous spirit!
Being your elopement photographer is just one of my many roles. Not only will you receive beautiful images, but I’m also with you for every step as you plan to help streamline each part of this process. Even more so, I’m here to ensure you are set up to have deeply meaningful experiences on one of the most important days of your life. With me, you won’t find yourself rushing through the motions, but instead walking through each adventure we embark on presently, so you can continue to carry these feelings with you for the rest of your lives.
