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Elopement Planning | September 19, 2020

How to Plan an Intimate Wedding

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    😭 What would happen if national parks *banned* 😭 What would happen if national parks *banned* all weddings & elopements? The sad fact is, that this isn’t a purely hypothetical scenario. With the increase in popularity of elopements & weddings in the last 5 years on public lands (national parks, state parks, wilderness areas, etc), there hasn’t been the same widespread increase in awareness and action for keeping these lands beautiful. Which means over time, land managers (people in charge of public lands), have had no choice, but to add permit systems, increase the cost of permits, reduce the number of available permits, and even close off locations that are getting damaged. If we don't all learn (couples AND photographers) to take care of these beautiful places that we get to call our studio (or your wedding venue), we'll all continue to lose access, and eventually, eloping on public lands may not even be possible anymore. So what can we do about it? Learn about & practice Leave No Trace! WHAT'S LEAVE NO TRACE? Simply put, it's a set of ethics & minimum impact practices we should follow in order to enjoy AND protect the outdoors at the same time. And the very FIRST ever Leave No Trace Course for Wedding & Elopement Photographers by the @leavenotracecenter @annigraham @thefoxes & @adventureinstead LAUNCHES TODAY! 🙌 The course is just $95 and 100% of the proceeds go to the @leavenotracecenter. All 3 of us (Maddie Mae, Amber, & Tori) took the course and became "Leave No Trace Aware Photographers" so we can help couples create wedding experiences that are as kind to the planet, as it is to us! We believe we have the BEST job in the world getting to photograph couples saying their vows surrounded by 360° of stunning scenery—and personally, we don't want to go back to shooting in ballrooms & golf courses. 👉 PHOTOGRAPHERS: Check out the course at howtoleavenotrace.com (link in our stories & profile) and become an official "Leave No Trace Aware Photographer" too! 👉 COUPLES: Take the time to learn about how to protect the gorgeous location you plan to say your vows, so that you can come back to that spot in 10 or 20 or 50 years, and it still look AMAZING. PLEASE SHARE!
    Get ready to spread the word on why eloping is ✧ Get ready to spread the word on why eloping is ✧ AWESOME ✧ 📣 Repeat after me: there are NO RULES when it comes to elopements! Throw a party, ask for gifts, tell your family you’re eloping or don’t! It’s completely up to you. How cool is that?! No rules also means that you can take control of conversations with family and friends and make a choice that feels authentic to YOU. Because misunderstandings about your decision to elope can put unnecessary strain on relationships and no one needs to worry about that before getting *married* ❤️ That’s why we’ve put together our Ultimate Eloping Etiquette Guide. It’s time you stop worrying about "the talk" and start to feel EMPOWERED in your decision to ELOPE! 💪 LET’S FLIP 👏 THE 👏 SCRIPT 👏 Worried ➡️ Confident Stressed ➡️ Assured Confused ➡️ Informed 👉 Share your decision to ELOPE with confidence! Inform your family WHY you want to get married this way, while assuring them the decision is what is best for YOU & not about THEM! If you're at a loss for what to say or how to say it–we’ve got templates for you! 🙌 Make sure you check out our stories today for a link to these FREE templates! xx Maddie Mae, Amber, & Tori
    REAL COUPLES SHARE HOW THEY TOLD THEIR FAMILY THEY REAL COUPLES SHARE HOW THEY TOLD THEIR FAMILY THEY ELOPED! 👇 "I eased my family into it by constantly 'joking' that when we got married we'd elope. But officially I broke the news by sending them a framed photograph from our wedding..." "We got a lot of pressure to get engaged and have a big wedding so we joked for years that we'd elope to shock the family into giving us some space. Once we got engaged, eloping sounded better and better..." "I find it helps to start dropping hints before you're even engaged..." We asked couples how they told their families they eloped & SO MANY people said some variation of "we eased them into the idea by joking about it." As much as we love using humor to break the ice–you shouldn't have to beat around the bush about your wedding! There is NO SHAME in wanting to elope! 👏 Instead of a years-long campaign dropping subtle hints, we want couples to feel EMPOWERED to tell it like it is & confidently stand by their decision. 👉 This is why we've drafted a letter template YOU can use to tell your family about your elopement! Check out our stories today for a LINK to this "Open Letter" & personalize it to fit YOUR story 🙌 xx Maddie Mae, Amber, & Tori *Comment* below if YOU would tell your family you're eloping, or not! 👇
    You've decided to elope BUT do you tell your famil You've decided to elope BUT do you tell your family before, or after?? How do you even begin that conversation 🤔 Eloping couples should feel *empowered* to share their decision & their joy with loved ones–but sometimes it's hard to start the conversation about a choice that isn't exactly traditional. It can be downright scary, ESPECIALLY if you think your family won't understand! This is why we put together an "Open Letter to Your Family"–a template for starting the conversation with empathy, facts, &. confidence. “Dear [INSERT FAMILY MEMBER’S NAME], I am writing to share with you some very exciting news..." 👉 Check out our stories today for a link to this template–personalize it to your situation & confidently share the news of your elopement with your loved ones! xx Maddie Mae, Amber, & Tori P.S. Friends who support you are AWESOME during big life moments, like an elopement! 👇*TAG* a friend who's got your back! 🥰
    🗣 "Elopements aren't REAL weddings–you're goi 🗣 "Elopements aren't REAL weddings–you're going to regret breaking tradition!" Tell me, what *exactly* makes a wedding REAL? 🤔 Because most things that occur at traditional weddings can still happen at an elopement, it just might look a bit different on a mountain instead of in a ballroom: ✔️Sign a marriage license ✔️Dress up in fancy clothes ✔️Share vows / exchange rings ✔️Dance ✔️Eat cake The only thing we can figure is that the naysayers are basing the *realness* of a wedding on whether or not THEY are present. The last time we checked, a marriage is between the two people getting married–so as long as the couple are on board with everything, it definitely counts as a legitimate wedding! Whether or not you'll regret eloping also isn't something anyone else can decide for you–through, photographing hundreds of weddings, we've met a lot of people who said "I wish we'd eloped!," but none who said, "I wish we'd planned a big traditional wedding because that's what my family wanted." 👉 Your wedding is YOUR day! Hold on to whatever traditions YOU want & feel confident forgoing the rest. An authentic true-to-you celebration will be a much more satisfying memory than making concessions, or planning a day that didn't align with your values. *Reach out* if you're ready to begin planning your own REAL wedding 😉 xx Maddie Mae, Amber, & Tori 👇 Comment below a tradition you WANT to have on your wedding day & check out our stories today for a link to more responses to common elopement objections!
    YOU SHOULDN'T ELOPE BECAUSE IT'LL CAUSE FAMILY DRA YOU SHOULDN'T ELOPE BECAUSE IT'LL CAUSE FAMILY DRAMA Repeat after me: 👏 "I am not responsible for how my choices make someone else feel!" 👏 If you want to elope–DO IT! Plus, any *drama* that comes from you choosing an authentic, intentional marriage celebration very likely won't be *that* bad! ❤️👍 The myth that eloping causes family drama simply doesn't add up...Yes, you might have to answer questions, field some objections, & repeat the same explanation a few times–but the trade off for educating your loved ones on how elopements can be EPIC! ✧ You can get married YOUR way, in a place you LOVE, without the stress of hosting a big, traditional wedding! FACT: Those who love you don't *really* worry too much about how you get married–they just want you to be happy! Best case scenario, they might have FOMO, or wish they had eloped themselves 😉 👋Heya, we're Maddie Mae, Amber & Tori–we're elopement advocates & we will support your decision to have an authentic, true-to-you marriage celebration, whatever that may look like! P.S. Check out our stories for more ideas to help your family understand WHY you want to get married YOUR way! 👇*Tag* someone below who you think would ELOPE! ✧
    🗣 "Eloping is selfish–how could you get marri 🗣 "Eloping is selfish–how could you get married without us?!" "[INSERT NAME OF FAMILY MEMBER] I'm sorry you feel that way–[our choice to elope is a personal decision]. We want to elope because it aligns with our values & gives us the chance to get married in a stress-free environment. Can I show you why we want to get married this way?" We understand there are those of you who can't put forth the emotional labor to convince your family of your decision to elope–that is OK. ❤️ You don't *owe* anyone an explanation. But, for those of you who DO wish to come to an understanding with your family, the best way get them stoked on your elopement is to share what it is about eloping YOU love MOST! Share images of your location, or talk about how great it is that you're going to get to spend the day with your partner without distractions. 👉 FACT: There are *many* valid reasons to elope & none of them are selfish! It isn't selfish to prioritize your values, budget, goals, or vision–marriage is ultimately a commitment between you & your partner 👏 As great as it sounds to get everyone you know together in one room to celebrate, it's simply *not possible* to spend quality time with hundreds of people in one day! Don't sacrifice quality for quantity *just* to host a traditional party! ELOPE! 🙌 xx Maddie Mae, Amber, & Tori P.S. Check out our elopement stories for more common elopement objections & ways to respond to them!
    🗣"We deserve to be present at your wedding! I'v 🗣"We deserve to be present at your wedding! I've wanted to see you walk down the aisle since you were born..." Yikes! 😢That guilt trip HURT! Let’s face it, sometimes the people who love us most just won't understand our choices. When you tell your family you've decided to elope there's a chance they'll object. They might even cite expectations, dreams, or reasons why you shouldn't. But here’s the TRUTH - your wedding day is YOURS. 👉 If anyone gets upset about your decision to elope, remember their objections are a reflection of *them* & NOT about you! Being authentic to your desires isn't an action you take *against* someone else, but a courageous act in support of your true self! Choosing to elope isn't a rejection of family–but we've heard from many couples that the guilt trips are REAL. So, what's the best way to navigate a hurt friend or family member who doesn't understand your choice to elope? 1️⃣ Be honest–explain WHY you want to elope! 2️⃣ Focus on what they CAN be present for 3️⃣ Respond with empathy–most objections to your elopement are coming from a place of care, & FOMO! *SAVE* this post for later, whenever you're ready to tell people about your elopement 🥰 xx Maddie Mae, Amber, & Tori 👉 P.S. Check out our stories today for the Top 10 Most Common Objections to Eloping & ways you can respond ✧
    Hey Photographers! 🎉 I’ve been working on som Hey Photographers! 🎉 I’ve been working on something AWESOME and I am stoked to share the news today! I’m inviting you to be a part of a movement that is going to CHANGE 👏 THIS 👏 INDUSTRY 👏! Over the last 10 months, I’ve been collaborating with @annigraham, @thefoxes, and the @leavenotracecenter to create the *first ever* course for wedding & elopement photographers on “How To Leave No Trace” and it launches Sept. 17th! And before I continue—if the words “Leave No Trace” make you panic or feel bad—I want you to know that this is a 100% shame-free course. While some have used Leave No Trace to gatekeep, police, or shame, that’s not what this course is about—it’s about ensuring access, removing barriers, getting rid of the need for gates, and coming together as a community of photographers to save the best studio in the world—the great outdoors. This is also a 100% not-for-profit course—it’s just $95, and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the @leavenotracecenter. → What’s in the How To Leave No Trace Course? • 5-hours of video covering the 7 Leave No Trace principles & why they matter when taking clients to public lands for photo sessions • How to infuse Leave No Trace ethics into your entire business model • How to “location scout” and help clients plan for their elopement or wedding with the principles in mind • Best practices to follow on the “day of” an elopement, wedding, or photoshoot → What happens when you complete the course & pass the quiz? You’ll unlock the following amazing benefits: • Access to the official “Leave No Trace Aware Photographer” digital badge to put on your site • A customizable client guide on “How To Leave No Trace For Your Wedding/Elopement” • A Leave No Trace contract clause from @thelegalpaige to add to your contract 👉 Visit howtoleavenotrace.com to get ALL the info about what's in the course, or swipe up in our stories today to check it out! Let's change the conversation about Leave No Trace in our industry and create a new, positive movement of awareness so that we can all continue to have access to our beautiful public lands! 👏Let’s save the best studio in the world friends! 🌱 xx Maddie Mae
    You're going to want to *SAVE* this caption 👉 w You're going to want to *SAVE* this caption 👉 we're sharing our No. 1 piece of elopement planning advice! ⠀ ✨Give yourself TIME ✨ ⠀ Time to enjoy your surroundings, & time to really experience this huge commitment you've just made! Life is already fast-paced & full of distractions – your wedding day should be different because you *deserve* the opportunity to make this special day last as long as you want it to 🥰 ⠀ Seriously - as long as you want! Eloping just the two of you doesn't mean your day should be short – actually, the average elopement we photograph is *8 HOURS*👈 ⠀ Ever wondered how eloping couples pack so much ADVENTURE into an all-day timeline when it's *only* the two of them⁉️ ⠀ No, it's not an all-day photoshoot – a lot of that time we are hiking with out couples, documenting the "in-between" moments & simply present to take photos while the couple have their *dream* wedding day! The result is a full gallery that tells the WHOLE story of a couple's elopement day – without posing for photos or navigating the stress of a rushed traditional wedding timeline. ⠀ Couples who plan bigger weddings often spend very little time together because they are so busy hosting & entertaining guests – by eloping you can spend ALL DAY with your partner! ⠀ 👉*TAG* a friend who would plan an all-day adventure for their wedding! 😉 ⠀ xx Maddie. Mae, Amber, & Tori ⠀ P.S. *Swipe Up* in our stories today to see real-life all-day elopement timelines!
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