• Travel Schedule
  • For Photographers
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Photos
  • Where to Elope
  • How to Elope
  • Elopement Packages & Pricing
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Photos
  • Where to Elope
    • Best Places to Elope in Colorado
    • Best Places to Elope in Oregon
    • Best Places to Elope in Washington State
    • Best Places to Elope in Arizona
    • Best Places to Elope in California
    • Best Places to Elope in Utah
  • How to Elope
    • How to Elope in Colorado
    • How to Elope in Oregon
    • How to Elope in Washington
  • Elopement Packages & Pricing
  • Blog
  • Inquire
  • For Photographers
Hire Us
Where to Elope in Colorado
Where to Elope in Washington
Where to Elope in Oregon
  • Best Places to Elope in California
  • Best Places to Elope in Utah
  • Best Places to Elope in Arizona
How to Elope in Colorado
How to Elope in Washington
How to Elope in Oregon
  • Elope Definition—What Does “elope” Mean?
  • The Top 10 Reasons to Elope
Elopement Packages Colorado
Elopement Packages Washington
Elopement Packages Oregon
  • Elopement Packages & Pricing
2-Person Ceremonies | March 1, 2021

A Springtime Hawaii Elopement | Marssi & Dane

Read More
  • Ceremonies by Activity
    • Hike Climb & Backpack
    • Power Sports
  • Ceremonies by Location
    • All United States
    • International
    • Mountain Region
    • South West
    • West Coast
  • Ceremony Planning Resources
    • Choosing to Elope
    • Elopement Ideas
    • Finding a Location
    • Reasons to Elope
    • Small Wedding Ideas
  • Real Couples' Stories
    • 2-Person Ceremonies
    • Adventure Sessions
    • Intimate Weddings
  • Uncategorized
  • 2-Person CeremoniesMarch 1, 2021

    A Springtime Hawaii Elopement | Marssi & Dane

    All United StatesJuly 28, 2020

    National Park Wedding Ideas

    2-Person CeremoniesFebruary 20, 2019

    ALASKA ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

    Ready to

    start your
    adventure?

    Let us help you create an incredibly fun,
    stress-free experience while we document
    the whole story of your day.

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    Three Adventure Instead Photographers

    What does it mean to
    “Adventure Instead”?

    See for Yourself...

    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.
.
.
.
#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!
.
.
.
#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.
.
.
.
#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!
.
.
.
#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.
.
.
.
#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

    Follow @adventureinstead and show how you #adventureinstead in your life

    >
  • We’re Maddie Mae, Amber, and Tori —
    Oregon and Colorado Elopement
    Photographers & experience co-creators,
    experienced in traveling for adventurous
    elopement photography worldwide
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Our Blog
  • Locations

    • Colorado
    • Oregon
    • Washington
    • California
    • Utah
    • Arizona
  • Elopement Planning Resources

    • What does “Elope” Mean
    • Top Reasons To Elope
    • How to Elope
    • Where to Elope
    • Elopement Ceremony
    • Eloping with Family
    • Eloping with Kids
    • Elopement Timeline Tips
  • For Photographers

    • Adventure Instead Academy
    • Free Educational Facebook Group for Photographers
    • The Elopement Photographer Course
  • Yes, We’re LGBTQ+ Friendly. Inclusion & diversity matters to us. Adventure is for everyone.

    We follow Leave No Trace
    principles in all our work
    and play

    All images & Content © 2018-2023 Adventure Instead - Elopement Photographers & Experience Co-Creators

    Our site is proprietary property and all photographs, text, video, graphics, audio, website design, source code, databases, software, and functionality on the Site (collectively “Content”) and the trademarks, service marks, and logos contained therein (the “Marks”) are owned and controlled by us or licensed to us and are protected by copyright and trademark laws and other various intellectual property rights and unfair competition laws of the United States, foreign jurisdictions, and international conventions. All Rights Reserved. Do Not Plagiarize.

    Copyscape