Destination elopement packages designed to make your wedding feel like the best day of your honeymoon
Available worldwide.
One-of-a-kind elopement photography & planning packages that defy expectations and are 100% customized to you.

Hey! I’m Maddie Mae—and for the last 14 years I’ve traveled to 40 countries, all 7 continents, and planned & photographed over 300 elopements all over the world.
Every Adventure Instead elopement package includes:
A fully custom, planned-for-you elopement experience by an international award-winning elopement photographer—with stunning and secluded locations, unique lodging options, pre-vetted local vendor recommendations, activity planning, a customized timeline, unlimited consultations, and a fully guided photography experience.
You can sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the magic of your dream destination elopement, knowing that you’re in expert hands.
Welcome to adventure elopement packages reimagined.
Who’s behind these elopement packages?
Hi, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m Maddie Mae
Maddie Mae
Elopement Photographer,
Experience Designer, & Planning Consultant
Who’s behind these elopement packages?
Hi, it’s lovely to meet you.
I’m Maddie Mae
I’m the woman Forbes credited with “sparking the adventure elopement trend” and I’ve photographed over 300 elopements in 20 countries.
My superpower is designing, planning, and photographing destination elopements for couples who want a wedding that doesn’t look like any other wedding they’ve ever seen.
I’ve refined my process over the course of 9 years, and it’s tailored to your unique needs and pace.
From curated locations, activities, vendors, & lodging suggestions to timelines, permits, and logistics—I’ve got you covered.
Unique perks of working with me
as seen on
With so many elopement packages out there,
how do you know which one is right for you?
WHERE out of all the places in the world should we go? How do we pick?
The analysis paralysis and fomo is real.
WHAT comes first? Do we pick a location first or find the right elopement photographer or right package first?
HOW do we even do this?
What are the legalities and logistics of eloping somewhere we’ve never been?
The problem with most elopement packages you’ll find is that they require you to compromise
You’ll have to pick a single location, a specific date, and use the same vendors, florist, lodging, and activities as dozens of previous couples (turning your day more a cookie-cutter template than a unique experience)
or
Do most of the work yourself to try to create something out-of-the-box and unique (which isn’t the easy, stress-free process you’re looking for)
My elopement packages are different because:
You don’t need to have a location or date picked out yet.
I’ve been to 40 countries and photograph elopements all over the world. On your first free consultation with me, I’ll help you narrow down your ideas (and share a few you probably didn’t know about) and discuss all the pros & cons of everything so you can feel complete confidence in your choices. No FOMO necessary.
You get complete personalization without any hassle or extra work.
With my streamlined planning process, all you have to do is tell me your dreams (even if they’re vague)— then I’ll create your completely custom elopement blueprint & plan for you, and I’ll refine it until it’s absolutely perfect. Working with me is like hiring an architect to build your dream house–except it’s your dream wedding experience.
You can just relax, enjoy the ride, and only do the fun parts.
Since I only plan 15 custom-crafted elopements a year, you get my undivided attention. That means your vendor recommendations, logistics, and permitting are all taken care of and fitted to your precise specifications. Just pick what you want to wear and select & book your favorites from the curated recommendations I give you. That’s it. I’ll take care of the rest.
It’s as easy as an all-inclusive elopement package.
But it’s completely personalized to you.
No two elopements I design & plan are ever the same.
introducing
The Adventure Instead
Elopement Experience™
Elopement Photography
+ Experience Design
+ Planning/Consulting
This is where
Adventure
& Luxury
meet.
Here’s what’s always included in every Adventure Instead elopement package
One-of-a-Kind Elopement Experience Design
Stunning & Secluded Location Ideas
All of the photos you’ve seen on my site are in locations the couple had no idea existed until they hired me. You’ll receive a curated menu of the very best options that perfectly match your vision.
Unique and Luxurious Lodging Recommendations
I’ll give you personalized recommendations for the most relaxing and photogenic places you can book to stay for your elopement—everything from treehouses, to glass domes, to 5-star resorts.
Personalized & Fun Activity Ideas
You’ll receive personalized ideas for unique activities and experiences (everything from helicopters to wine tasting)—plus, I’ll recommend pre-vetted operators and guides that can make it happen!
Customized, Experience-Focused Timeline
I’ll design your timeline so that you arrive at each place at the ideal time of day for the best lighting for photos, the fewest crowds, and the smoothest, most enjoyable experience. No rushing or stress.
Personalized Mood Board & Styling Suggestions
I’m full of unique ideas to help ensure your elopement is a true reflection of you—florals, dress/suit colors, and beyond—all curated to match your personality and location for a cohesive aesthetic.
Your Own Personal Elopement Planning Consultant
Direct Access & Full Support from Maddie Mae
You’ll have direct access to me personally throughout the entire planning process—have a question? Text or email me. You can also schedule a zoom or phone planning call whenever you need.
Unlimited Planning Consultations & Revisions
I’ll provide a clear blueprint for you based on expert advice—but the final decisions will always be entirely yours. I welcome all of your ideas, and I’ll keep refining your plan until it’s everything you desire.
Pre-vetted Local Vendor Recommendations
Need a florist, hair & makeup artist, private chef, or 4×4 driver in the area you’re eloping? I’ll help you find your elopement dream team (or you can keep it simple—additional vendors are not required).
Expert Advice on Permits, Marriage Licenses, Safety, and Legality
As one of the most well-traveled and experienced destination elopement photographers in the world, you can trust that you won’t run into pitfalls, logistical nightmares, or unforeseen problems. No matter what you choose, you’ll never feel like you’re in over your head. I will walk you through everything (even permits), consider all potential outcomes, and have the right backup plans in place. I’m also an expert at pivoting and changing plans last-minute should anything arise. You can relax and know you’re in expert hands.
Specific Gear Advice + Packing Checklists
With experience photographing elopements in diverse climates around the globe, I’ll consult with you on gear and create a customized list of exactly what you need to pack (and even how to pack it)!
“How to Adventure Instead” VIP Planning Guide
Refined over 300 elopements, my client-exclusive planning guide walks you through everything you need to know about planning your elopement and trip including travel advice, packing checklists, designers & brands to consider for your dress, suit, footwear, & accessories, and more.
Award-Winning Empathetic Elopement Photography
Guided + FUN Photography Experience
I’ll keep track of time so you don’t have to, and if weather rolls in, I’ll already have the perfect backup plan up my sleeve. Moment by moment, I instinctively adjust whatever’s needed to ensure you get the best photos and most enjoyable experience no matter what—you won’t have to stress about a single thing.
Empathetic, Introvert-Friendly Posing & Directing
I approach posing as an introvert with deep emotions. I focus on creating a comfortable space where you can be yourselves, guiding you with suggestions that feel natural, ensuring you have a ton of fun in every moment and that the photos genuinely reflect your connection.
Complementary Album Design + Convenient Print Ordering
To bring your elopement story full circle, you’ll receive a complimentary album design which you can choose to turn into a personal, heirloom-quality book to remind you of your wedding experience. You can conveniently order high quality prints from my professional lab directly through your online gallery.
Worldwide Destination Elopement Packages
Go anywhere in the world at no added cost. Do something wild.
Always included:
8+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae with relaxed sightseeing & exploring
The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™
My travel costs are covered and included to anywhere in the world
Customized packages include all of the above and start at
$13,200 for 8-hours and expand to $22,400 for multi-day experiences
No added travel costs. No hidden fees of any kind.
Anywhere in the U.S.A. Destination Elopement Packages
From Alaska to Hawaii, Yosemite to Moab, I make your elopement one-of-a-kind.
Always included:
8+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae with relaxed sightseeing & exploring
The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™
My travel costs are covered and included to anywhere in the U.S.A (including Alaska & Hawaii)
Customized packages include all of the above and start at
$9,800 for 8-hour experiences to $19,800 for multi-day experiences
No added travel costs. No hidden fees of any kind.
Colorado Adventure Elopement Packages
My home state—full of the most gorgeous elopement spots in the world.
Always included:
4+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae
The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™
My travel costs are covered and included to anywhere in Colorado
Customized packages include all of the above and range from:
$6,000 for 4-hour experiences to $14,800 for 2-day experiences
No added travel costs. No hidden fees of any kind.
Out-of-the-Box Custom
Elopement Packages
Want to include 2 countries in your elopement?
Need a custom number of days because we’re going on a live aboard?
Count me in! Reach out to schedule a free consult where I can create an out-of-the-box custom elopement package just for you.
If it can be dreamt up, we can make it happen.
5-Star Rated | 200+ Reviews
There are not enough excessive adjectives to describe how thrilled we were with Maddie Mae as our wedding photographer. We first contacted her during our very early planning stages when we didn’t know exactly what we wanted for our adventurous elopement but were fairly sure we wanted it to involve a helicopter. We communicated throughout the whole process, and when we finally narrowed down our perfect vision for our day (which involved a helicopter landing on a snowy mountaintop followed by a beach picnic followed by riding bikes on the beach) she immediately understood and embraced our vision with the same adventurous spirit we have!
– Kari & Karin, Eloped on Vancouver Island, Canada
“Maddie isn’t just your photographer, she also is your own personal hype girl—always making you feel like the most beautiful (or handsome) person in the world. She’s your honorary matron of honor and best man, she’s your officiant and elopement planner. She’s down for any adventure, and will be just as excited (if not more) for every experience during your adventure elopement. It really felt like we had all been best friends for years. She made our elopement unique to us, and I couldn’t have asked for a better photographer (and now friend) to have shared our day with and to help us make it as memorable as she did.”
– Jennifer & Max, Eloped in Alaska
“From the moment we started with Maddie, we knew we made the right choice! Maddie is able to professionally match your energy where you are at and enhance the experience you’re looking for. I appreciated her curious, consistent, and inquisitive nature to try to picture what we envisioned for our day. She is very thorough in the “getting to know you” stages so that she can ensure what you see can come into fruition the way you want. I felt at ease knowing she was coming and the overall experience was better BECAUSE Maddie was there because she created space to enjoy our elopement adventure better than we could have imagined.”
– Marina & Taylor, Eloped in Washington
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How do these elopement packages work?
The process is easy. Dream of a day that surpasses what you thought your wedding could be. I’ll take care of the rest.
01
Reach out via my inquiry form below
Don’t worry if you don’t have anything figured out other than wanting to elope, most couples who inquire with me are still in the brainstorming stage.
02
We schedule a free consult call
We’ll get to know one another and you tell me everything you want your elopement to feel like and I give you ideas and answer your questions.
03
We start planning right away!
I start to create the blueprint that will include everything you’ve ever wanted your elopement to look like (and often things you haven’t even thought of yet!)
Reach out to start planning your dream destination elopement
Don’t worry, most couples who inquire with me have no plans at all.
Helping turn vague ideas into a thrilling plan is my specialty.
I can’t wait to hear your ideas and help bring them to life
Popular Resources for Destination Elopements
I’ve traveled to 41 countries, all 7 continents, and personally planned and photographed over 300 elopements worldwide—I’ve got you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Destination Elopements
I’d love to help you
Adventure Instead
on your wedding day
Maddie Mae of Adventure Instead is a destination elopement photographer based in Colorado, USA. She’s been to 40 countries and all 7 continents. She designs, plans, & photographs adventure elopements worldwide.
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