What Is an Adventure Elopement?

Table of contents

1. Adventure Elopement: What is it?
2. How to Start Planning Your Elopement Adventure
3. Elopement Photography Packages
4. Pros and Cons of an Adventure Elopement

If you’re in the wedding planning season, you may have heard a word elopement thrown around once or twice. An elopement is a great alternative to a traditional wedding. If you enjoy a private setting or don’t want a large wedding, it can be the ideal option. Plus, you will get incomparable, breathtaking elopement photos to remember your special day for a lifetime! However, you may want to consider an elopement adventure instead of a traditional elopement. 

Adventure Elopement: What is it?

It is an opportunity to experience a real adventure with your loved one on the same day you’re tying the knot. Some adventure elopements may include flying to your destination, driving, or hiking. This all depends on how adventurous you want your elopement to be, and what type of adventure makes your love special. Aside from commemorating your marriage, you will fill your day with exciting, relevant activities.

How to Start Planning Your Elopement Adventure

First, you will want to choose your adventure destination. 

Your destination is up to you to decide. Grab your hiking gear, pack your wedding dress and suit, and hike up to a stunning viewpoint together with your adventure elopement & intimate wedding photographer. You will get to say your vows in front of a mountain, canyon, or waterfall - while your photographer captures your love and beauty of the moment. You can choose to explore the shores of the ocean on horseback. Or spend your elopement on the water, including activities like snorkeling, diving, surfing, or more. The options are endless!

Next, you will want to plan additional activities into your day. It is crucial you draft an elopement timeline that will account for the time of each activity. 

Remember to find your officiant, plan the destination stay, and travel accommodations. In addition, you may need a florist, hair and makeup artist, a caterer, or a private chef. Also, check your location for any special permits that may be required for any event and  your state requirements for obtaining a marriage license. These are all things you have to book in advance for your elopement.

Lastly, you will want to hire your adventure elopement photographer. This will be a key investment into your day. It is crucial you hire an expert who will not only capture your memories, but will guide and mentor you during the planning process. They have years of elopement experience on hand. They know what to avoid, what to remember, and how to plan your day to flow as seamlessly as possible.

Your photographer will recommend the best spots for photos at your destination, help navigate your timeline, and get the most amazing photos of your life! 

An adventure elopement may be in a spot with more crowds than your typical wedding venue. Not to mention, outdoor lighting throughout the day can be difficult to plan for photos. Without a professional photographer, you risk receiving photos of lower quality, with poor lighting, and distracting objects in the foreground or background. To secure your photographer for as much of your adventure as possible, choose an elopement photography package that fits your timeline best.

Elopement Photography Packages

Elopement photographers will offer a variety of elopement photography packages. This will depend on how much of your day you want them to capture. It can range from a few hours of photography, to as much as 2 days of photo coverage. Here are a few elopement photography packages I offer.

If you’re overwhelmed with all the options, don’t worry. You can book a Free Consultation Call and we will choose or craft the perfect elopement package just for you.

Pros and Cons of an Adventure Elopement

There are many pros to an adventure elopement. We’ve covered many of them. Exploring a beautiful, new place on the day you get married is a unique experience. The biggest pro is the focus on you and your loved one - not on the guests. This significantly sets it apart from a traditional wedding. Since there are less details, such as guest activities, venue decor, music, and hosting, an adventure elopement will cost half the amount of a traditional large wedding, on average. Even if you opt-in for a luxury elopement in  another country, with high-end activities, your day will still be more affordable. The memories you can create with your adventure elopement and intimate wedding photographer will be surreal. So what are the cons to this spectacular opportunity?

Being an adventure, it is likely things might not go exactly to plan. This may be a stressor for some. The weather is the hardest thing to plan for an elopement. However, if you are comfortable awaiting the unexpected, this wouldn’t be something to worry about. Rain or sunshine, we will celebrate your special day and beautifully photograph every moment!  Another con may be having fewer family and friends. Commemorating a marriage is known to be a huge celebration that involves all of your extended family, acquaintances, coworkers, and more. An elopement is private, with usually up to 20- 25 guests. However, there is always the option of having a 2-day celebration. One day with more guests and a second day just for you–with fun activities and adventure!

Whether you stick to a traditional wedding or choose an exciting adventure elopement, I want to wish you love, happiness, and wellness for this new life milestone! 

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Here is Everything You Need to Know About Elopements

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I’m Valerie, your adventure elopement photographer

My style is called “candid photography.” The idea is to preserve moments as they were, not as we wish they looked.

Before we speak, I ask you to fill out the contact form. It helps me better understand what you want to get from your elopement. Knowing precisely what you want, I can offer you the best locations, activities, and vendors. Don’t worry if you don’t have a concept for your event. Together we’ll find the best solution. What I really won’t do is force you to accept something that I suggested. This is your day, and I just help you to turn your thoughts, ideas, and dreams into reality.

Friendship is not something you can buy, but here you will get a real friend. Yes, I’ll be pretty much invisible during the elopement, but as with any intimate event, the elopement goes better when you are surrounded by people you trust. I’ll try to become that kind of person for your couple. I’ll help you to spend this day in a relaxed atmosphere. One of the most popular reasons why people choose to elope is the desire to spend the wedding day without haste and fuss. Your elopement will be adventurous but stress-free!  I'll be your rock, your shoulder to lean on.

Finally, when we discuss all the details, and you choose everything from location and date to clothes and champagne, I’ll get my camera. At that moment, my purpose will be to capture your real feelings and emotions. I’m not going to tell you what to do and how to pose. Our common goal is to save these brilliant moments of your love story, not to do posed photography.