Blog | Real Elopements | Adventure Instead Photographers & Guides

Ceremony Planning ResourcesJuly 27, 2022

Rocky Mountain National Park Weddings & Elopements

Adventure SessionsFebruary 24, 2022

Erin & Steven’s SUP Adventure Elopement in California

Elopement IdeasJanuary 10, 2022

Waterfall Wedding Venues in Oregon – 8 Unique Options + Tips

Ceremony Planning ResourcesDecember 29, 2022

Best of 2022 – Adventure Instead

Ceremony Planning ResourcesMay 15, 2022

What vendors do you need for an elopement?

Finding a LocationApril 11, 2022

Finding Adventure in Bandon Beach

Ceremonies by LocationMarch 26, 2022

Alyssa & Kevin’s Alvord Desert Elopement in Central Oregon

Adventure SessionsFebruary 25, 2022

A Dirty Wedding Dress Makes More Memories

2-Person CeremoniesFebruary 3, 2022

The ethereal Proxy Waterfalls were perfect for this Oregon Elopement

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On the night Remelee met Ivelisse, she wanted to m

On the night Remelee met Ivelisse, she wanted to make this girl laugh more than anyone else in the room.

On the night Remelee married Ivelisse, she gave way to full-throated, throw-your-head-back, crinkle-faced laughter. Because it’s not just Rem who tries to make Ivelisse laugh–Ivelisse is genuinely one of the funniest people Rem has ever known.

At the bar where Ivelisse met Remelee, they introduced themselves over the top decibels of music. The room was so loud that they went the entire evening believing the other’s names were Beverly and Evelyn. Just too much noise around the intro, they laughed at their mishearings.

In the woods where Ivelisse married Remelee, they read their vows to the sounds of the river rushing over stones. Ivelisse tucked a stray curl behind Rem’s ear, making sure she heard every word crystal clear.

On the day Ivelisse met Remelee, she felt her whole being magnetically drawn to this new person. It wasn’t simple physical attraction–it was that they couldn’t bear being out of each other’s sight.

On the day Ivelisse married Remelee, their fingers found each other with every step. Across the stone bridge, into the foggy mountains, around the misty lake, Rem held Ivelisse’s hand. Always.

In the world before Remelee, Ivelisse hoped for a love that would build her up.

In the world with Remelee, Ivelisse knows she’s found her one. Rem has lifted her up more times than anyone else in her life combined. Who wouldn’t continue to fall in love with that? In a world that is shaken, Rem is her safety. In a world uncertain, Rem is her stone.

In the moments before Ivelisse, Remelee dreamt of a love that made her feel safe.

In the moments with Ivelisse, Remelee knows she’ll choose her every time. She’d rather be sad with her than anywhere away from her. At the end of the day, good or bad, Ivelisse is still her favorite person.

On the night Remelee & Ivelisse met, they didn’t know what would come next once they’d said their goodbyes.

On the night Remelee & Ivelisse married, they bundled around the fire, gazing at the stars, toasting every tomorrow to come.

To Remelee & Ivelisse–cheers & cheers & cheers.

xx Tori

Oh my god is right... 😍 . . . #algarvecoast #p

Oh my god is right... 😍
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#algarvecoast
#portugal
#destinationwedding
#bridalinspo
#destinationweddingplanning
#uniqueweddings
#thewandererscommunity

As Julie & Kristyl dreamt of their perfect day, th

As Julie & Kristyl dreamt of their perfect day, they envisioned being super active together, surrounded by an expansive view of the mountains, topped off with a nice bottle of wine.

Nothing complicated–just loving each other somewhere beautiful, really.

From there, it was pretty clear–they had to go to the Italian Dolomites. Challenging hikes, dramatic craggy spires at every angle, and grapes that bring all the sommeliers to the yard.

It’s rare to remember a wedding day as “chill,” but that’s exactly what it was–in the BEST way.

By the time the gondola reached the base of Mt. Seceda, they had the entire trail to themselves. Which was ideal, because a main aspect of Julie & Kristyl’s perfect day was the absence of crowds. They did, however, run into a herd of donkeys who’d made themselves at home in the bordering meadows… but adorable, so, okay.

Once they found their ceremony spot, they pulled out their phones for the loveliest surprise. One of their closest friends, a wedding officiant, had recorded for them a special ceremony guide to follow–which Julie & Kristyl were hearing for the first time atop this mountain.

There were tears… lots of tears.

And there was laughter… so. much. laughter.

It was sweet, and emotional, and beautiful, and…god, it was perfect.

When I asked Julie & Kristyl how they hoped other people would see them as a couple, they told me they wanted to be recognized as a great team–a team that is committed to each other, that pushes and motivates the other to get the best out of the other person.

The value they place on teamwork was so strikingly obvious from the moment I met them, they hardly needed to expressly name it. It was in the details–the way they knelt down to tie each other’s hiking boots along the way; the way they split their pack weight evenly–Julie with the bouquet, Kristyl with the wine bottle and fullass baguette. They moved seamlessly with one another–it was truly a gift to witness.

Julie & Kristyl’s elopement was such an incredible day, start to finish. I personally would relive it over and over again…and I think they would too.

xx Maddie Mae

Are you ready for the ultimate adventure?

Are you ready for the ultimate adventure?

Who says you can’t have it all? A little bit of

Who says you can’t have it all? A little bit of everything–not a problem.

When Tori & Ben pictured their wedding day, the one thing they knew was that they didn’t want to stress. The most important thing to them was prioritizing fun together–being present and soaking up the moment.

But, it wasn’t enough to make this day a full blown adventure elopement just for the two of them. It also wasn’t enough to simply have a small ceremony with their families and call it good.

In truth, they wanted a little bit of all of it.

Cut to–the most brilliant intimate wedding-meets-private adventure combo–Colorado style.

Day 1 began with Tori & Ben changing into their wedding attire beneath a full show of shooting stars. They danced and giggled in the alpenglow, surrounded by layered cinnamon minerals.

Then, they cruised down in the FJ to meet their family amongst the golden aspens. Ben’s dad officiated their intimate ceremony, and Tori & Ben got to share precious moments with the loved ones they hold dearest.

Looming storm clouds blew in and out of the background throughout the ceremony. In the San Juans, if you’re not off the peaks by noon, you’re tempting fate. But for Tori & Ben, the promise of their cozy rental living room filled with family and a hot plate of BBQ made the gamble worth it.

Day 2 held more adventure, now for Tori & Ben alone. When they started their hike up Blue Lakes Pass, the sun was with them. In an instant, though, a storm blew in. “Now we have winter pictures!” Tori laughed as the snow fell.

And then, as quick as it came on, the storm blew through and left them with a shining sun in a clear blue sky. You know what they say here…if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.

This 2-day celebration was the epitome of epic Colorado. In the span of 48 hours, Tori & Ben tallied a net gain of 10,000 feet of elevation. There was sun, big storm clouds, snow, and every shade in the color palette.

They signed a marriage license and a hikers log. They captured both sunrise and sunset. They snacked on hot baked beans and tupperware charcuterie.

They did it all–exactly the way they wanted it.

xx Amber

From the jagged peaks of the Dolomites to the stun

From the jagged peaks of the Dolomites to the stunning cliffs along the Amalfi coast, Italy has everything you could ask for in an elopement destination.

Top reasons to wear a cape on your elopement day:

Top reasons to wear a cape on your elopement day:

–to fly, of course
–better than hands at swatting away mosquitoes
–so you can sneak up on your fiancé
–can form a pouch to carry snacks
–emergency tourniquet
–impromptu rain fly
–SPF30 protection
–perfect trampoline for playing crack-the-egg with your pup
–it’s pretty

Okay okay… but in all seriousness, there are countless reasons to consider adding a cape to your elopement day attire.

1. To fly–in your own way
While you may not be able to actually soar amongst the peaks and over the valleys, when the wind catches those delicate fabric edges and tosses them up up and away, you might just forget you’re still on solid ground.

2. It's a calming accessory
To feel covered–not weightily, just with a whisp–brings security and comfort. You’re already safe in the arms of your person, but that extra satin kiss on your collarbone lets you know (as if you didn’t already know with all your heart) that you’re exactly where you should be.

3. For an elevated look
Adding a sheer cape is the perfect solution for adding a little elegance to ANY dress—colorful, patterned, textured, or traditional. You could pair a tinted sheer cape or veil with a white dress underneath and totally transform your look in an instant.

4. It makes for a ridiculously cool picture
And beyond all of this, there’s perhaps the most obvious draw of the cape–a knockout photo. When you choose your ideal elopement location, you’re likely considering how stunning the backdrops will look in photos. You’re likely thinking about the warm colors of golden hour at the pier, or how the jagged angles of the dolomitic cliffs will contrast perfectly with more rounded tundra shrubs.

You want it to look cool–and so do we.

The fact of the matter is, nature knows how to dazzle–you don’t have to add anything for it to already be perfect. The cascading waterfall will always be gorgeous; the crashing waves will never disappoint; an alpine sunrise can do no wrong. But when you do introduce a billowing cape to the scene–it’s just…heavenly.

xx Maddie Mae

Dreaming of the PNW… 💭

Dreaming of the PNW… 💭

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