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National Park Elopements | December 22, 2020

Moab Wedding

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    *All-day* elopements don't feel like non-stop phot *All-day* elopements don't feel like non-stop photoshoots—fill the day with ACTIVITIES & 8+ hours feels like the perfect amount of time! One of the most common questions we get is—"What do couples do when they book photographers for the *whole* day? We don't want our wedding to feel like an endless photoshoot..." Great question! Trust me—we don't want your day to feel like you're being put on display, posing for hours, or have you *painfully* aware of the camera pointed your direction. Instead, we'll be there on the fringes capturing candid moments of you having the best day ever! You'll almost forget a photographer is even there 😉 Elopement days can be filled with whatever activities you want. You'll be having SO much fun, while we get pictures that document what will become some of your favorite memories from your wedding. Elopement activity ideas: • Hammocking • Reading letters from family • Having a picnic • Wine tasting • Snorkeling • Cliff jumping • White water rafting • Paddle boarding • Skydiving (Amber's favorite) • Grabbing drinks at your favorite brewery You see, elopement activities can range from your favorite meals to adrenaline-pumping experiences that might be brand new to both of you! There's nothing off-limits when we begin discussing your day-of activities. If you want to do a week-long backpacking trip, DO IT! If you want to cozy by the fire and sip some wine, we support that! The whole point is that you feel free to fill your day with moments that turn your dream wedding vision into a reality—the only limit is your imagination ✨ 👇TELL US: Would you want to try something totally *NEW* on your wedding day, or do one of your favorite activities?
    👉 There's one place in the US you can elope in 👉 There's one place in the US you can elope in the winter & still have amazing weather! THE SOUTHWEST Have you ever considered going to the *desert* for your elopement? It's our favorite during the darker months of the year & this is why: • When everywhere else is covered in snow, you can find sun☀️ • Even though the weather is fine, "off season" still means less crowded trails • Accessible locations remain accessible • Otherwise "summer" activities can still be enjoyed (climbing, cycling, etc.) • The slight increase in rain brings out a lot of greenery in an otherwise brown environment When it begins getting colder in the midwest & northern states, we love to escape to the desert to prolong our warmer adventures! One of our favorite deserts in the southwest is actually in southern California—Joshua Tree!  This landscape is famous for its plant life—it's also covered in unique rock formations, wildlife & trails you can explore for days! The sandy campsites in the National Park are the perfect place to park a camper van, or you can choose from a handful of gorgeous rentals nearby for a truly unique desert abode! 🌵 In late autumn/early winter, it's not unusual to experience days that are above 70°F. If we had to choose, we'd argue November is the best month to visit Joshua Tree! 👉 BONUS: Another benefit of eloping in the winter—sunrise & sunset are closer together! This means you don't have to stay up incredibly late (or get up ridiculously early) to enjoy that *good* light on your wedding day ✨ P.S. We still have availability for one more elopement in Joshua Tree the 2nd week of November 2021! Get in touch (link in profile) if you love the idea of a warm desert elopement in Joshua Tree 🙌
    😅 Only 6 weeks to plan a wedding & your first t 😅 Only 6 weeks to plan a wedding & your first two plans fall through—what do you do?! Lizzie & Piotr took that short window of time and planned a float plane ride to a mountain lake, a hike to an overlook, a delicious mountain picnic & an island weekend—complete with a family dinner reception.  They redefined “making the most of it” & this day will always be one we look back on proudly! 🙌 Now, try to follow along as we tell you how these two traversed Washington state on their wedding day: 1) Lizzie got her hair and makeup done in Seattle 2) She got on a float plane headed for Orcas Island, where she met Piotr on the dock 3) After their first look, they got back on the plane & headed inland—toward the North Cascades 4) The floatplane landed on Ross Lake, where we all disembarked to hike up to an overlook for their ceremony & a picnic 5) We went back down to the dock where a kind stranger gave Lizzie & Piotr a ride on his speedboat 6) The floatplane headed back to Orcas Island, where Lizzie & Piotr stayed for a few days & hosted a reception for their family & friends No big deal 😅 These two just found a way to have DAYS worth of adventure on their elopement & we *adore* that kind of adventurous spirit! 👇 TELL US! Would you plan a *float plane* elopement?! xx Maddie Mae, Amber & Tori P.S. Check our stories today for more images from Lizzie & Piotr's EPIC wedding 🙌
    ✨Cheers to our badass brides! YOU inspire us! ✨ Did you know that *most* brides we've worked with told us their mom/sister/family member LITERALLY laughed out loud when they said they'd be wearing hiking boots under their wedding dress... Adventure weddings are no joke! But, the choices of adventurous marriers do tend to get a laugh at first mention 😅 We LOVE when our couples throw tradition out the window in favor of truly *epic* times! Whether it's getting married at sunrise on a mountain top after driving a 4x4 road in the dark, or jumping in the ocean after saying vows on a cliffside above the crashing waves.  WE  👏 ARE  👏 HERE  👏 FOR  👏 IT  👏 It's the honor of a lifetime to work with so many BADASS brides—the ones who say "HELL YEAH!" and "yes, I was serious about the boots..." 😂 Saying *YES" to an adventure wedding often means saying "no, thanks" to bridesmaid drama, & stressful wedding plans—instead, you'll get to stand somewhere *gorgeous* outdoors (& not give a F$$$ that your hair is blowing in the wind) to marry the love of your life in the most UNFORGETTABLE way! To all the baddass kindred spirits who take us on your wild wedding journey—We wouldn't be here without YOU! 👇Tell us! Would you be brave on your wedding day & do something BADASS?! xx Maddie Mae, Amber, & Tori
    👋 Who said you have to wear *white* on your wed 👋 Who said you have to wear *white* on your wedding day?! NOT US! In fact, we LOVE it when our couples branch out & wear colorful ensembles. We've worked with quite a few clients who usually alert us to their style choice with some kind of email that goes, "I'm thinking of wearing a [insert color] dress. Is that okay?" Our answer is always, "Um, YES that's okay!" 🙌 Throw traditional expectations out the wind & do what feels best for YOU!  It is YOUR wedding day after all. Plus, there are a ton of *practical* reasons NOT to wear white on your wedding day: —Colorful dresses are easier to find/less expensive —You have a wider variety of styles to choose from —Colorful dresses don't show dirt & wear/tear as easily —Your choice will stand out & be more unique —You can find a dress that better suits your personality/style —Colorful dresses will *pop* better against the landscape —You can wear it again! And if you're worried about angering people by breaking whatever *tradition,* you can throw out the fun trivia fact that white wedding dresses are actually a new concept! Historically, it was super impractical to purchase an item of clothing you can only wear once & white attire in general was considered wildly ostentatious. MOST people got married in colorful dresses until the 1600s when—you guessed it—the English royalty set the new trend! So if your mother/father/aunt complains about your choice in wedding attire, just point out all the reasons it's *more practical* to not wear white & proudly show off your unique style! 👏 No matter what you wear—you deserve to feel handsome, beautiful, & confident AF on the day you marry the love of your life! 👇COMMENT below—if you didn't wear white, what color would you wear on your wedding day? xx Maddie Mae, Amber & Tori P.S. Check out our stories today for a blog all about why BLACK wedding dresses are actually GOOD luck 😉
    Hey friends, Amber here 👋 I'm stoked to share Hey friends, Amber here 👋 I'm stoked to share some of my story with you today—I joined the @adventureinstead team a few years ago & I can honestly say that photographing couples out in nature is my *dream* job! I actually began photographing weddings in high school—a local photographer took a chance on me & let me assist, then I got hooked on the creativity of it all! But, I wasn't 100% connecting with the big, traditional celebrations. Instead, I got more & more into outdoor sports, which led me to begin photographing more outdoor brand & product work than weddings. It was my skydiving hobby that led me to Colorado, where I hoped to pursue more nature photography. Once I got to Colorado I had the chance to photograph some elopements—and got completely hooked! The raw emotion & unfettered love went along perfectly with my deep desire to explore & adventure. Connecting with couples in that space fed the same part of me that deeply loves the outdoor communities where I feel most at home—often, I also get to share my favorite places with couples who've never seen it before! That moment when we arrive at their ceremony spot & they see it for the first time...there's nothing better ❤️ People ask: “what’s the best part of being an elopement photographer?” My answer: Do you know that feeling after you summit a difficult mountain, and you’re tired, but you feel SO accomplished? You feel so stoked, and like you’re on top of the world. That’s the feeling I have after every single elopement I am a part of. It’s a feeling like none other. Some fun facts about me: • I live in Estes Park, Colorado • I'm a serial hobbyist: skydiving, metalsmithing, pottery, you name it! • I’ve done gymnastics, cheerleading, and went to circus school • I love hiking up my paddle board to alpine lakes • My "bucket list" elopement is a backpacking elopement on the John Muir Trail Now that you know a little more about me, tell me something about yourself! 👇
    Hey friends, Tori here 👋 I'm the PNW arm of th Hey friends, Tori here 👋 I'm the PNW arm of the @adventureinstead team! I moved out here two years ago & I fell madly in love with the thick mossy forests, cascading waterfalls & wild coastline. I'm not exaggerating to say there is *endless* adventure out here & it's a dream come true to explore these places with my amazing couples! My photography journey actually began in the fashion world. I studied photography in college at SCAD & interned at W Magazine. I loved the creativity of fashion photography, but I was craving a lifestyle that gave me a lot more time outdoors. It was after college when I took time to go backpacking that I kind of naturally transitioned my creativity toward couples, the outdoors & weddings. I found that I was *most* inspired capturing love outdoors! This was the first time I'd really felt this way with photography before—it was like I'd found something that fed my *whole* creative & outdoorsy self, rather than keeping those parts of my life separate.  What got me really hooked on elopements was eloping myself! When my partner & I got engaged, I knew a big wedding wasn't right for me. My elopement was so authentic and true to us (a winter elopement where we could go skiing afterwards—just like we are doing together today!) I wanted so badly to help other couples have the same completely “them” experience. Now every time I see couples getting teary eyed at the sight of their partner in a beautiful outdoor place, it reminds me vividly of how GOOD it feels to get married this way!  Some fun facts about me: • I live in Bend, Oregon (and it’s my favorite place I’ve ever lived!) • If I had to say what I love *most* about traveling to new places: Trying new food  • I’m always on the hunt for ice cream • My favorite activity is a toss-up between skiing, kayaking, and climbing • My "bucket list" elopement is a hut to hut backpacking elopement in Alaska Now that you know a little more about me, tell me something about yourself! 👇
    Hey friends, Maddie Mae here 👋 It’s been a w Hey friends, Maddie Mae here 👋 It’s been a while since we showed our faces around here, so I wanted to take time this week to introduce each of us individual photographers who make up the @adventureinstead team! I started this elopement-specific business as a solo photographer years ago, partially because I couldn’t help looking at the traditional wedding industry & asking “why is this what we expect couples to do? Why is this the standard?” I’ve always been one to push against the status quo—to choose adventure over comfort & new memories over mundane routine. I didn’t like how cookie-cutter big weddings felt when I *knew* couples I worked with were wildly unique, incredible individuals. There had to be a more personalized, authentic way to get married! One day, a couple reached out about getting married in Colorado & asked that I help them choose a location! This was my dream come true—we found a stunning mountain lookout at sunset & it was magical. After I photographed that first elopement, I actually got back into my car & started crying. I’d suddenly witnessed a truly GENUINE wedding experience & all I wanted to do was give MORE of that to couples! After that day I rebranded to photograph solely elopements & intimate weddings & I’ve never looked back. I live in Colorado & my whole life I've spent as much free time as I could out & exploring the mountains. I did my first solo international trip as a teenager & have traveled internationally every year since. It was a pretty natural shift for me to combine my favorite activity (hiking & exploring outdoors) with my dream job (photographing couples in love). Some fun facts about me: • I live in Fort Collins, Colorado • I eloped myself in Peru—2 years ago on New Years Day (Amber photographed it) • I’ve been to 34 countries • I love scuba diving • My "bucket list" elopement is to photograph a couple in Antarctica (with penguins as witnesses) Now that you know a little more about me, tell me something about yourself! 👇

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