world-traveling

Colorado Elopement Photographer

Crafting your
one-of-a-kind elopement that feels like a dream you never want to end

BASED IN COLORADO, U.S.A.
43 COUNTRIES & COUNTING

FREE PLANNING CONSULTATION

PLANNING + PHOTOGRAPHY
PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCES

as seen on

ā€œI canā€™t believe
this is real lifeā€

One of my couples said this on their
elopement day and I thought:

Yes, thatā€™s exactly how your wedding day should feel

Grounded. Present.
Real. Surreal.

When the moment and the scenery just takes your breath away and you feel… fully alive.

What if your wedding day was more like the best day of your honeymoon?

A red helicopter is parked on rocky terrain, with snow-capped mountains and a glacier in the background under a cloudy skyā€”perfect for an adventure instead of a traditional ceremony.

No performing. No stress. No pressure.

Just an out-of-this-world experience youā€™ll remember forever.

Something that rips you so far out of the ordinary that itā€™s impossible for your wedding day not to feel special.

An incredible view that mirrors how sacred this moment is and tells your body and mind and soul:ā€Ø

ā€œThis is not just another day. This is important.ā€

Having a big wedding isnā€™t the only way to feel fully celebrated.

Eloping is the perfect reason to give yourself permission to finally take that trip or do that once-in-lifetime adventure on your bucket-list.

Iā€™m here to help you make this a story that you light up to tellā€¦ for the rest of your lives.

ā€œThis gal is a rockstar!! Sheā€™s your planner, your guide, your literal everything. It was everything we dreamed of and everything we had yet to dream of!

Every single detail was covered throughout her process and we are in awe of our day. We would do this over and over and over again. Iā€™ve already mentioned doing it again for an anniversary down the road because the experience was that incredible. Maddie Mae has created the BEST way to celebrate you and your other half. Anywhere in the world. Anything you want to do. Maddie Mae is there ready to capture it all and doing so with the brightest personality. And ughā€¦. The photos. We seriously canā€™t stop looking at them. Weā€™re a little obsessed. ā€Øā€Ø

Itā€™s an experience you will never forget.ā€
– Cassandra & Haleigh

Hey, Iā€™m Maddie Mae

Your Adventure Elopement Photographer + Planning Consultant

I’m based in Colorado, U.S.A. and have traveled to 43 countries & all 7 continents

A woman with long hair and glasses, wearing a beige top and black lace cardigan, smiles while sitting on a sandy beach. Embracing the spirit of adventure, she holds one knee close to her chest as the wind blows through her hairā€”capturing moments only a Destination Elopement Photographer can seize.

ā€œThe woman who sparked the adventure
elopement trendā€  – Forbes

I donā€™t just photograph elopements –
I design and plan a curated, unique experience around the two of youā€”one youā€™ll enjoy every minute of.

I want to get to know what makes you two feel alive and create an experience worthy of this
incredible love youā€™ve found

about me
Pricing

ā€œThe woman who sparked the adventure elopement trendā€  – Forbes

40

40 countries and 7 continents worth of travel experience and knowledge

13

13 years experience planning and photographing elopements & weddings

300

300 one-of-a-kind elopements & intimate weddings planned & photographed

2019

the year I eloped too (after planning my own destination elopement in just 6 weeks)

What makes my elopement packages different?

Every Adventure Instead elopement experience includes:

    A simple black and white drawing of a folded map with two location markers. A dotted line connects the markers, indicating a route.

    One-of-a-kind
    Experience Design

    A simple line drawing of a checklist with three items, each marked with a check. A large light bulb is depicted to the right of the checklist, symbolizing ideas or inspiration.

    Expert Planning
    Consulting

    Black and white line drawing of a rosette with a circular center and two ribbon tails hanging down.

    Award-Winning
    Photography

    A sketched illustration of a winding path with three map location pins. The pins are placed along the path, and the final pin features sun rays around it, signifying a destination or goal.

    Stunning & Secluded
    Location Ideas

    Line drawing of an A-frame cabin with a triangular shape. The structure features a chimney on the left side and a simple door at the bottom. The cabin is composed of horizontal panels, creating a minimalist and geometric look.

    Unique & relaxing
    lodging
    recommendations

    A black and white line drawing of a hot air balloon. The outline is simple with vertical segment lines and a small loop at the bottom representing the basket attachment.

    Personalized & Fun Activity Ideas

    A hand-drawn calendar with interconnected lines and a clock icon in the center, symbolizing time management or scheduling.

    Customized, Experience-Focused Timeline

    Line drawing of a clothes hanger with a fan of paint swatches hanging from it, symbolizing a blend of fashion and color selection.

    Personalized Mood Board & Styling Suggestions

    A simple black and white sketch shows a globe with continents outlined. A small airplane is flying around it, indicated by a dashed circular path. The airplane appears on the right side of the globe.

    No Additional Travel Fees

    A simple line drawing of overlapping speech bubbles containing ellipsis dots, suggesting an ongoing conversation or dialogue. The design is minimalistic and monochrome.

    Direct Access & Full
    Support by Maddie Mae

    A black and white illustration of an infinity symbol with four small, sparkling stars surrounding it. The design is simple and clean, emphasizing the concept of endlessness and continuity.

    Unlimited Planning
    Consultations & Revisions

    Line drawing of a bouquet featuring a large protea flower, surrounded by leaves and smaller flowers.

    Pre-Vetted Local
    Vendor
    Recommendations

    Illustration of a document with lines of text and a signature at the bottom. Next to it is a large checkmark inside a circle, indicating approval or completion.

    Expert Advice on Permits, Marriage Licenses & Safety

    Black and white illustration of a wheeled suitcase with a handle. A large tag is attached to the suitcase, featuring a checkmark symbol.

    Specific Gear Advice + Packing Checklists

    A simple black and white line drawing of an open book with multiple pages visible, giving a sense of depth.

    “How to Adventure Instead” VIP Planning Guide

    A hand-drawn calendar with interconnected lines and a clock icon in the center, symbolizing time management or scheduling.

    Customized, Experience-Focused Timeline

    Simple line drawing of two stick figures holding hands with arms raised, surrounded by lines suggesting movement or excitement.

    Guided & Fun
    Photography Experience

    A simple line drawing of an open hand with a heart above it, surrounded by small sparkles and lines radiating from the heart. The image conveys a sense of care and affection.

    Empathetic,
    Introvert-Friendly
    Posing & Directing

    Line drawing of a quadcopter drone with four propellers, viewed from above.

    Creative GIF’s &
    Drone Photography

    Line drawing of an artist's palette with five circles representing paint colors, accompanied by a paintbrush.

    Artistic, Hand-Crafted Editing

    A hand-drawn illustration of a computer monitor displaying a grid layout with various rectangular boxes representing a digital interface or website design.

    All Your Photos to
    Keep Forever

    Line drawing of an open photo album with three photo slots, one square on the left page and two rectangular on the right page.

    Complementary
    Album Design +
    Convenient Print
    Ordering

learn more about my elopement packages & Pricing

So how does this work?

How to Adventure Instead in 3 easy steps

step 01

We meet & I learn about you two and your ideas

Weā€™ll chat about you, your relationship, and what makes you feel alive so I can help you find the best corner of the world to say your vows and design a personalized experience tailored to you.

A couple prepares for an event at dusk beside their parked SUV in a mountainous area. The woman, wearing a dress, adjusts a garment inside the vehicle, while the man stands nearby adjusting his shirt. Various items and small stools are placed around the car.
A woman in a white dress climbs onto a rock from the water while a man in a white shirt swims behind her in a calm body of water. The sunlight reflects off the water, creating a serene and luminous atmosphere.

step 02

Personalized experience design & planning help

My seamless, stress-free planning process, refined over 300 elopements is tailored to your unique needs and pace. From curated location, activity, and lodging suggestions to timelines, permits, and logisticsā€”Iā€™ve got you.

step 03

Relax & soak in every surreal moment together (and weā€™ll make some magical, true-to-you images together)

Itā€™s your wedding day! We adventure together and document the whole story of your incredible experienceā€”from sun up to to sun down. 

A couple in white attire clinks wine glasses while seated at an outdoor table set with food and drinks. The scene overlooks a scenic cliffside and a vast body of water in the background. The environment is bright and sunny.

Reach out & we’ll start planning your dream elopement

Donā€™t worry, most couples who inquire with me have no plans at all. 
Helping turn vague ideas into a thrilling plan is my specialty.

I canā€™t wait to hear your ideas and help bring them to life

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Note: I usually only photograph weddings with 25 guests or less

5-Star Rated | 200+ Reviews

Two people in wedding dresses stand on rocky terrain, arms around each other, gazing into the distance. Behind them are mountains, forest, and a body of water under a clear skyā€”a scene perfect for a destination elopement photographer capturing their adventure.

There are not enough excessive adjectives to describe how thrilled we were with Maddie Mae as our wedding photographer. We first contacted her during our very early planning stages when we didn’t know exactly what we wanted for our adventurous elopement but were fairly sure we wanted it to involve a helicopter. We communicated throughout the whole process, and when we finally narrowed down our perfect vision for our day (which involved a helicopter landing on a snowy mountaintop followed by a beach picnic followed by riding bikes on the beach) she immediately understood and embraced our vision with the same adventurous spirit we have!

– Kari & Karin, Eloped on Vancouver Island, Canada

A couple in wedding attire embraces by a pristine, blue glacial lake, their adventure captured by a Destination Elopement Photographer. The woman wears a long white dress, the man in a dark suit. Snow-covered mountains rise majestically under a partly cloudy sky, creating an idyllic winter tableau.

ā€œMaddie isn’t just your photographer, she also is your own personal hype girlā€”always making you feel like the most beautiful (or handsome) person in the world. She’s your honorary matron of honor and best man, she’s your officiant and elopement planner. She’s down for any adventure, and will be just as excited (if not more) for every experience during your adventure elopement. It really felt like we had all been best friends for years. She made our elopement unique to us, and I couldn’t have asked for a better photographer (and now friend) to have shared our day with and to help us make it as memorable as she did.ā€

– Jennifer & Max, Eloped in Alaska

ā€œFrom the moment we started with Maddie, we knew we made the right choice! Maddie is able to professionally match your energy where you are at and enhance the experience you’re looking for. I appreciated her curious, consistent, and inquisitive nature to try to picture what we envisioned for our day. She is very thorough in the “getting to know you” stages so that she can ensure what you see can come into fruition the way you want. I felt at ease knowing she was coming and the overall experience was better BECAUSE Maddie was there because she created space to enjoy our elopement adventure better than we could have imagined.ā€

– Marina & Taylor, Eloped in Washington

Read More on:

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Wedding Wire

A laptop displaying a planning guide and checklist titled "How to Plan Your Elopement" sits next to a plant and mug, setting the scene for an inspired workspace. A smartphone with text rests on the desk, hinting at an adventure instead of tradition.

Not quite ready to reach out, but want help planning your elopement?

I created the ultimate destination elopement planning guide & checklist to help you get started

download the pdf guide

While youā€™re here,
go ahead and explore

Elopement
Planning Resources

tell me where

The Worldā€™s Best
Places To Elope

tell me how

Ultimate Guide
on How To Elope

tell me what

Creative
Elopement Ideas

Popular Resources for Colorado Elopements

As a born and raised Coloradan, Iā€™ve planned & photographed over 200 elopements in Colorado in the last 10 years. I know every inch of this beautiful state and Iā€™ve got you covered.

    Commitment ceremony: What you need to know & How to Have one

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    Self Solemnization | What it is and How to do it

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    Elopement Ceremony Script

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    Should I Elope? Top 12 Reasons to Elope from 3000 Couples Study

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    Elope Definition: What does it mean to elope?

    View

    Eloping vs Wedding ā€” The 5 Main Differences

    View

    The Pros & Cons of Eloping

    View

    How to Include Your Family When Eloping Just the Two of You

    View

    How to Plan a Post-Elopement Party

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    How Much Does it Cost to Elope?

    View

    Epic Elopement Ideas and Inspiration

    View

What does elope actually mean?

eĀ·lope (v)

To have an intentionally intimate, authentic wedding experience where the focus of the day is actually about you two as a couple

Full Elopement Definition

Reasons to Elope

Elopement vs. Wedding

FAQ’s

ABOUT ELOPING IN COLORADO & HIRING AN ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

June through September is definitely the best if you want pleasant temperatures and all of the best locations to be accessible. June is great if you want stark white snowcapped peaks in the background. July and early August is ā€œwildflowerā€ season. August is the warmest and least rainy month (trust me, itā€™s not too hotā€”espeically at the elevations youā€™ll likely want to be at). September is gorgeous for fall colors (the last 2 weeks of September and first week of October are ā€œpeakā€ fall color season). Anything past the first week of October is really the start of our winter.

It depends entirely on what youā€™re looking for! This state has everything: mountaintops, waterfalls, alpine lakes, forests, fields of wildflowers, sand dunes, deserts and more. Since Iā€™ve lived in Colorado my entire life, Iā€™ve explored every inch of this state and I give you specific recommendations that match your vision and wants for your day! Some of my personal favorite areas in the state are in Central and Southwestern CO (places like Aspen, Crested Butte, Ouray, and Telluride)ā€”but I know of some amazing hidden gems closer to Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park too.

NOPE! You can if you want, but Colorado is also a super accessible state and you can get easily jaw-dropping views 100 ft from a vehicle. There are paved roads that go over 12,000 feet and lots of dirt and 4×4 roads that get you to even more secluded locations. You can also take a gondola to the top of a mountain. No hiking required.

Colorado is one of the sunniest states in the U.S. with over 300 days of sunshine per year. I have never had a summer or fall elopement rained out here in 10 years, but I always keep a close eye on the forecast and we can easily adjust timing to avoid storms. If you go in the summer months (June-September) you can expect pleasant temperatures in the high 60’s to high 70’s for most of the day in the mountains. Due to elevation, even in the hottest months of the summer where it might be 90 degrees in the big cities at 5,000 ft elevation, in the more scenic mountain areas at 10,000 or even 12,000 ft, it won’t get above a nice 75F. Mornings and evenings can get chilly once the sun goes down, but I have lots of tips and tricks on how to stay warm. Winter elopements in the mountains here are not for the faint of heartā€”we get lots of snow December-March and temperatures range from 20-50F as a high in the winter.

Yes! As a born-and-raised local, I know exactly what you need to bring based on where youā€™re eloping and when. Iā€™ll build you personalized packing lists so that you donā€™t have to guess (or wind up cold on a mountaintop). 

Colorado is probably the easiest state to get married in the entire U.S. You donā€™t need an officiant or any witnesses to get legally married here (itā€™s called ā€œself-solemnizationā€). You literally can fly in, go to any county clerk and recorder office in the state (usually at the same place as a DMV) and pick up a marriage license for $30 (thereā€™s no waiting period). Then all you need is for the two to sign it and turn it back in (that same day, or after eloping on a mountaintop somewhere). Itā€™s valid for 35 days.

As one of the first photographers in the world to specialize in elopements, here are the 7 best questions to ask your elopement photographer in order to determine if they are the right fit for you and have adequate experience.

1) How long have they been photographing elopements?
2) Have they photographed an elopement in the area you are eloping before?
3) Can they share 5 full galleries of elopements that they have delivered to clients before that most closely match the type and location of elopement that youā€™re having
4) Exactly whatā€™s included in their packages and what they help with in the planning process (vs. what you are required to do to help plan)
5)  What sets them apart from other elopement photographers?
6) What is their approach to posing and directing couples day-of
7) (If you are having a destination elopement) Have they traveled on a plane or gone abroad with all of their equipment before and have they looked into required visas and permits?

No. Colorado is one of the only states in America that allows for self-solemnization, which means nobody but you and your partner have to sign your marriage license, no questions asked. This means youā€™re free to get married in total privacy! Plus in many counties your dog can seal your certificate with their paw print.

Yes! And also microdosing-friendly. I also love dogs and hatch green chilies. Welcome to Colorado!

Hey photographers, are you wonderingā€¦

How to become an elopement photographer

I donā€™t blame youā€”itā€™s the best job in the world. 
I also offer courses, programs, and personalized 1:1 mentoring options for photographers wanting to learn how to pivot into photographing non-traditional weddings and elopements (while making your dream income).

Logo of "thrive," styled in bold uppercase letters with a tagline below reading "the business of unconventional weddings & elopements" in smaller text.

How can I market myself as an elopement photographer?

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How do I plan and photograph an elopement for a couple?

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How can I photograph in outdoor locations sustainably?

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View all education for elopement & non-traditional wedding photographers

iā€™d love to help you

Adventure Instead
on your wedding day

reach out to get started
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Maddie Mae of Adventure Instead is a destination elopement photographer based in Colorado, USA. Sheā€™s been to 40 countries and all 7 continents. She designs, plans, & photographs adventure elopements worldwide.

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