Blog | Real Elopements | Adventure Instead Photographers & Guides

2-Person CeremoniesDecember 20, 2021

The Ultimate Elopement Planning Guide & Checklist | 2021

Ceremony Planning ResourcesJuly 6, 2021

Getting Married in Mt Hood, Oregon | What You Need to Know

Elopement IdeasJune 10, 2021

Your Sedona Elopement Guide | Plan Your Arizona Ceremony

Ceremony Planning ResourcesMay 19, 2021

Elopement and Wedding First Looks | Tips & How

Intimate WeddingsMay 12, 2021

Garden of the God’s Perfect Wedding Spots | Meghan & Javeed

Finding a LocationApril 28, 2021

10 Colorado Mountain Wedding Venues

Intimate WeddingsApril 21, 2021

Crested Butte Elopement

2-Person CeremoniesApril 14, 2021

Sapphire Point Elopement in Silverthorne Colorado

Intimate WeddingsApril 6, 2021

Getting Married in Grand Teton National Park | Leah + Alex

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In the San Juans of Colorado, nearly 12,000 feet a

In the San Juans of Colorado, nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, Joy & Clint rose with the sun. The soft pink glow of the morning kissed the all surrounding mountains, bringing an undeniable feeling of optimism and romance. The thin altitude air would leave anyone a bit dizzy, but Clint had more than one reason to catch his breath when Joy appeared in her wedding dress.

Standing on the edge of the pass, they hugged each other close, breaking away only to gaze at each other in disbelief. "Is this real life?!" they laughed over and over again. I had to keep reminding them–yep, this is real life… isn’t it awesome?

Real life got even sweeter with a surprise. Their friends and family had lovingly compiled an entire book of heartwarming notes, pictures, and text message exchanges for them to read on their wedding day. It would be such an understatement to say it made them smile, because honestly I don’t know if I’ve seen a bigger grin than the one Joy had permanently fixed on her face.

And then, even sweeter with a dance. They spun and twirled, booty bumped and jumped on it, and swayed chest to chest. Clint’s hand was there to catch Joy’s, always just in time–like a good partner should be.

After spending the morning in solitude and bliss, they joined their families at the base of that glorious mountain pass. Their flower girl’s eyes widened as Joy & Clint emerged–they’re so pretty! She was right–they were. Everyone loaded into the gondola, and up the ski hill they went.

During the ceremony, family members read loving words and thoughtful passages, bringing Joy & Clint to tears with the depth of their affection. A handfasting ceremony united their bond, and with that–they were married! They pulled out a picnic fit for any family Saturday, only this one was extra special.

Breaking away from the snacks, Clint and Joy stole a moment alone at a hidden waterfall. As they stood together, listening to the rushing water, all was right with the world.

I cherish bearing witness to days like this–and when they’re in my state, all the better. I have availability for more Colorado shoots throughout 2024–get in touch soon!

xx Maddie Mae

Can I be honest? I don’t understand the whole “few hour package” when it comes to booking a photographer on a day as big as your wedding. It’s an ENTIRE DAY filled with memories you’ll never want to forget.
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#elopementphotographer
#weddingday
#photographypackages
#adventureelopement
#intimatemoments

Lauren & Kelly have taken some pretty memorable tr

Lauren & Kelly have taken some pretty memorable trips together over the years, so they had a wonderful confidence in what they wanted as we planned their elopement. Their hopes were high, yet simple–to be present with each other, savor good food, and enjoy the views.

Done, and done!

First stop–private sailboat tour. They sank easily into the movements of the boat, nuzzling on the bow, the wind tousling their hair as the spotless blue sky passed above. Their love was tender, movements graceful. The hours passed sipping and snacking locally sourced wine and charcuterie. Looking like Mediterranean goddesses, they forgot for a second that we were in landlocked Colorado.

As one does in Colorado, we went straight from one outdoor activity into the next–from sailing to the local ski area. They loaded the chairlift, a unique summer experience for outdoor enthusiasts who had only ever known it in the context of cramped toes and frozen fingers. Today’s ride gave them quite the opposite–warm, floral, and exceedingly comfortable.

Once their (happy) tears finally stopped and they’d taken in all their hearts could possibly hold atop the ski hill, it was time for one last scene change. Where some people would say one set of mountain views is enough for the day, Lauren & Kelly said give us all the vistas you got. So, we traveled to one more special summit. There, they held a heartfelt and intimate ceremony as the sun set behind shadowed peaks.

As the day turned quickly into night, they had their second picnic–this time under the soft glow of lantern light. Sitting close to one another on their blanket, they read letters from friends and family. The love was so, so tangible.

I love nothing more than when a couple knows exactly what they want out of their elopement day, and they stick to it. Lauren & Kelly picked the things that felt right–mountains, wine, picnics, multiple gorgeous white dresses–and they indulged in them to the fullest.

Nothing else, nothing more, nothing less.

xx Maddie Mae

Quick poll for the star crossed lovers: 💫 Are

Quick poll for the star crossed lovers:

💫 Are you a sucker for a good meteor shower?
⭐️ Does your soul feel most alive in the wee hours of the morning, or long after the sun’s set?
✨ Do the cosmos play an important part in your love story?

If the answer to any of those questions is “YES,” you might want to build in time for star photos on your elopement day. Not to influence you too heavily, but it’s really hard to beat the romance of dancing in utter darkness, swaying in total silence, and gazing into the galactic forever.

Capturing exceptional star photos does take thoughtful research and planning, though. If you’re hoping to get clear, expansive, breathtaking shots, you’ll want to save these tips:

🌑 Look up the moon phases around your desired elopement month, and pick a date as close to the new moon as you can. The night sky is at its darkest during the new moon, meaning there won’t be any extra natural light covering the stars. All you have to do to get this information is run a web search for a lunar calendar!

🌑 Get away from human-made light pollution. What may seem like a few tiny porch lights will actually have a big impact on how much darkness you’re able to immerse in. Many national parks are home to international dark sky parks, meaning there are strict regulations on light pollution within those boundaries. Basically, the further into nature, the better.

🌑 Pick a location that is less likely to have rain or cloud cover at the time of your elopement. Fewer clouds means more visible stars. Again, running a quick search on the typical/historical weather patterns for a specific area can give you a reasonable idea of what to expect in the skies.

🌑 Be patient and pray for luck. It could be a new moon, in the middle of the desert, without a single building for hundreds of miles, with no rain in the forecast all month… and… nature still happens. Remember that even if the stars decide not to show out, they’re still up there, and they’ll come back soon. They always do.

When it comes to capturing these twinkling skyscapes, I’m on it. All you have to do is pick the time and place–I’ll handle the rest.

xx Maddie Mae

If this is you, your toxic trait is telling you so

If this is you, your toxic trait is telling you something. And it’s that you should elope. For once you can listen to BOTH inner voices. Take the luxurious trip of a lifetime AND get married for less than $40,000.
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#elopementinspo
#forthewildlyinlove
#luxuryelopements
#adventureelopement
#weddingdayinspiration

If there were a poster couple for hype, it would b

If there were a poster couple for hype, it would be Melissa & Jonathan. From start to finish they exuded energy, gratitude, and a ridiculous amount of fun–all with a drop dead gorgeous Colorado backdrop.

For their ceremony, they chose an exquisite emerald lake in the southwest corner of the state. They played rock-paper-scissors to decide who would read their vows first, and from that point on the tears never stopped. Seriously, it was hard to tell if they cry-sobbing or cry-laughing at any given point… but did it matter?

Not only did they indulge in popping champagne (like champs), but celebratory tequila from their custom-made shotski (like double champs). While the emotions and libations flowed, their pup Yoshi laid sweetly next to them like the goodest boy. He may have licked up a teensy bit of Chinaco–hey, everyone was celebrating!

After a picnic, letters from loved ones, and lots of Yoshi snugs, we hopped back in the Jeep to continue exploring. At each stop, Melissa & Jonathan bumped music and danced with abandon, totally feeling themselves and utterly stoked on life.

They had the time of their lives, and guess what… they didn’t hike ONCE.

People hear “Colorado” and assume they have to bag a bunch of miles to get to the best views, but that’s not quite true. As a prominent mining region, the state is rich with old mining roads–many of which are still open to 4x4 travel. These roads can lead to some pretty incredible locations, like…

… Maroon Bells near Aspen
… RMNP near Estes Park
… San Juan National Forest near Ouray, Silverton, Telluride, or Dunton
… Mt. Evans near Idaho Springs

There are plenty of reasons why hiking may not be the best choice for you, and that absolutely does not mean that you don’t deserve to see the beauty this state offers. Not every waterfall, ridgeline, or alpine lake have to be a trek. Often, a backcountry lift and an experienced driver will do the trick quite nicely. Plus–4x4 roads are just plain fun.

Melissa & Jonathan got everything they dreamt of with the help of that ruby red Rubicon, and so can you.

xx Maddie Mae

You have to experience it to know just how amazing

You have to experience it to know just how amazing this feeling really is.
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#droneshots
#justalittleloveinspo
#adventuresession
#luxuryweddingphotography
#luxuryelopement

It’s a good day when you’ve checked off all yo

It’s a good day when you’ve checked off all your to-do’s before the clock strikes noon. It’s an extra good day when those to-do’s are climbing a mountain, popping bubbly, and marrying your soulmate.

Karissa & Liz agreed. So, they planned the morning of their elopement to start at a ripe 3:00 AM. When we met at the trailhead the moon was nowhere to be found, making the darkness that much deeper. Standing in the mountain air without a speck of light brings with it an unparalleled peace–just you and the cosmic void. We all took in the serene moment before turning on our headlamps up the path.

We climbed straight up, up, up in a pleasant silence, intentionally letting our minds and bodies wake up. As we rounded the next corner, the quiet was interrupted with audible gasps—look at those peaks! The rising blue hour had illuminated the distant craggy spires in such a way you’d think we were in the middle of a Grimm’s Fairy Tale… but with a way happier ending.

As the inky blue faded into a glowing gold, the picture book feeling grew stronger. Those very same peaks that had appeared ominous in the dark were now casting the crispest reflection I’ve ever seen on the lake ahead of us. We could trace every single chute and crevasse on the surface of the water. I don’t know how it was possible, but we found ourselves in a scene somehow even clearer than real life.

Karissa & Liz slipped into their wedding gowns and stood to face each other on the lakeshore. Not a soul was in sight–another benefit to the alpine start–and as they shared their vows, only the boulders bore witness. They held each other close, shared a delicious champagne toast, and basked in the radiance of the Alps.

Now that the trail was fully visible, the hike back down revealed just how narrow our path was. On one side, sheer jutting rock face; the other, a sprawling valley lined with endless mountain crests.

Karissa & Liz discovered the beauty of the Italian Alps well before lunchtime, but here’s the honest truth–there’s not a time of day where this range won’t completely blow you away. I have availability in June 2024–come see for yourself!

xx Maddie Mae

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