Blog | Real Elopements | Adventure Instead Photographers & Guides

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

Adventure SessionsFebruary 24, 2022

Erin & Steven’s SUP Adventure Elopement in California

2-Person CeremoniesFebruary 3, 2022

The ethereal Proxy Waterfalls were perfect for this Oregon Elopement

Elopement IdeasJanuary 10, 2022

Waterfall Wedding Venues in Oregon – 8 Unique Options + Tips

2-Person CeremoniesDecember 30, 2021

Best of 2021 – Adventure Instead

2-Person CeremoniesDecember 20, 2021

The Ultimate Elopement Planning Guide & Checklist | 2021

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This one’s for you couples who have your hearts

This one’s for you couples who have your hearts set on eloping in Colorado, but are craving some magic a bit off the beaten path. Whether you’re a Colorado native, out-of-towner with deep ties to the state, or first-time visitor, there’s a deep, dark gem you should consider…

… Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

The canyon is home to some of the oldest rock, steepest cliffs, and gnarliest spires in North America. Certain sections are actually known to be some of the oldest exposed rock in the entire world at nearly 2 billion years old. If you’re into geology even, like, a little bit, this place will blow your mind. And even if you’re not a rock person, it’s impossible to not be utterly transfixed by the plunging cliffs, soaring buttresses, and thundering river.

As its name suggests, the canyon is deliciously moody. The canyon’s walls are often shrouded in shadows, with some parts getting only 33 minutes of sunlight per day–hence, the appearance of blackness. These shadows drape and lift throughout the hours–especially at sunrise and sunset–which lends itself perfectly to dramatic lighting for photos.

Half the national park is designated Wilderness area, which means you’ll find exceptionally remote and intimate pockets at the canyon’s river’s edge. For the anglers reading this–pack your pole for top notch trout fishing.

Regardless of hiking ability or commitment, you’ll find beauty with ease. National parks preserve many of the darkest skies in the country, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison is no exception–the stargazing is killer. You could also spend an entire day just watching the peregrine falcons soar, smelling the junipers growing precariously in outcroppings, and tracing the pinkish stone that bands the canyon walls.

There is no part of Black Canyon of the Gunnison that wouldn’t instantly bring you to awe on your elopement day…

… But don’t take my word for it–come see for yourselves.

xx Maddie Mae

When I think of intentional elopement days, I thin

When I think of intentional elopement days, I think of Alina & Joe.

The way they sealed themselves to one another amongst the Redwoods… the way they took their time with each step, looked up at their mother trees and out on their coursing ocean, and dedicated their bodies to the location itself… it was nothing short of deeply moving.

From the forested first look, to the winding motorcycle ride, to the tattoo parlor, to the seaside picnic, Alina & Joe’s day was one for the books.
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#hikingadventures
#elopementinspiration
#adventurewedding
#justalittleloveinspo
#wildelopements

It does not get cooler than paddling through the g

It does not get cooler than paddling through the glacial waters of Alaska–it just doesn’t!
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#weddingexperience
#luxuryelopements
#glacierwedding
#elopementinspiration
#adventurewedding

You know that whole “under-promise, over-deliver

You know that whole “under-promise, over-deliver” adage? Yeah, I lean more towards “hear-your-wish, make-it-even-better.” When Tim & Timmie hoped for Mediterranean sunsets and adrenaline, we did it BIG.
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#destinationweddingphotographer
#luxuryelopements
#elopmentlove
#wildelopements
#dreamwedding

Are you on the fence about whether or not it’s o

Are you on the fence about whether or not it’s okay to bring your pups to the big day? Let me help you real quick with a couple of questions:

-Do you love them?
-Do they love you?
-Are they ridiculously cute?

If the answer to any of those questions is ‘yes’… ABSOLUTELY, PLEASE, BRING THEM!
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#dogsinweddings
#elopementinspiration
#forthewildlyinlove
#adventurebride
#uniqueweddingideas

If I had to guess, I’d imagine that one of the m

If I had to guess, I’d imagine that one of the many reasons you’re choosing to elope is to be in complete solitude with your partner on your big day. Which, if true, might be giving you some anxiety around the logistics of witnesses and what not. It’s like you know you want to be alone, but can’t figure out how to actually make that happen…

Hey, real quick… can I tell you something?

Just get married in Colorado.

Yep, in Colorado you can marry yourselves with no officiants or witnesses required! The two of you can sign your own marriage license in an act called “self-solemnization,” and the state recognizes it as a totally legal wedding. Not a single other person has to be there (except me… you should still bring me 😉).

Self-solemnizing also applies to a bunch of other scenarios that might speak to your hearts:
👉You have an unordained friend you’d like to perform the ceremony
👉Your kiddos are dying to sign on the witness lines when you get back home to them
👉You have the the doggo in tow and want their paw print on your forever document

Colorado is for sure the easiest & best place for self-solemnizing because the state recognizes these marriages without any fine print…

… But it is still possible to have a “just us” wedding day in other states! It’s honestly a little harder, but I still find ways to help couples plan intimate two-person elopements even in places that require officiants & witnesses. Whether that’s signing their marriage license (did I mention I’m an ordained officiant?), wrangling witnesses as they pass by on the trail, or coordinating to sign their papers after the fact… this is part of my job, and I LOVE it.

Because at the end of the day, no matter which state you’re in, you deserve to have the exact legal, wonderful, intimate day that you want. I’ll help you figure it out–promise.

xx Maddie Mae

You mean you don’t want to have an adventure of

You mean you don’t want to have an adventure of a lifetime with your best friend to commemorate the fact that you’re choosing each other for the rest of your lives?!

The best part of “Adventuring Instead”? Instead of hour long receiving lines, your wedding could look like this.
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#adventurebride
#elopementlove
#weddingexperience
#uniqueweddingideas
#weddingdayinspiration

It’s wild to say, but for as long as I’ve been

It’s wild to say, but for as long as I’ve been doing this, I just shot my first floatplane elopement. Crazy, I know. But seriously, there couldn’t have been a better, cooler, more perfect couple to capture this milestone with than Heather & Mark.

As soon as I met them getting dolled up for the day, I knew we were going to hit it off. Mark slipped on his black Chucks and suit jacket, and finished the look with some bomber Ray-Bans, while Heather topped her gorgeous lace gown with a custom jean jacket. They were cooler than cool, that’s all there is to it.

I knew how perfect they were, but they hadn’t yet seen each other… which took us to their first look. Mark stood patiently taking in the evergreens as Heather tapped him on the shoulder… and then his view got that much sweeter. He’s always said that his adventure is being with Heather, doesn’t matter what they do… so after more than a few well-aimed smooches, they began the first leg of the thrills.

We hopped in the seaplane and the party took off. Heather & Mark lounged easily in their seats, watching the ocean ripple below them. They’d flown to the literal opposite corner of the country for this experience, and it did not disappoint one bit.

Once we docked, they made themselves at home on the edge of the pier–framed seamlessly by those striking Washington peaks they’d hoped for. Heather’s fingers found their home in Mark’s beard, and the songs of the currents gave them a mighty fine soundtrack.

The afternoon continued with sharing vows beneath a waterfall, where the wildflowers and champagne popped off in delicious style. They seemed so tiny compared to the massive, rushing falls, but the way they held each other made it clear that they were immense in the other’s eyes. I’m not exaggerating–their love was so big!

Since they began their relationship on the beach, it was fitting for them to end their elopement day in the same way. Spread out on the water’s edge with bubbles and pie, they rounded out the celebration by lantern glow and starlight.

Heather & Mark took on the seas and the skies, and I couldn’t be more stoked to have been a part of it all.

xx Maddie Mae

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