October 31, 2016

Intimate Wedding in Estes Park for Lindsay, Skip & Their Family!

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A few weeks before they planned to elope, Lindsay told me about her dream to travel up from Texas with a few of her closest family members and get married in the Colorado Rockies. Then she said the words that every photographer dreams of hearing, “Go ahead and pick out a spot for our elopement… wherever you say we should do it… that’s good with us.” I spent a whole day scouring Rocky Mountain National Park for the most epic location for an adventurous mountain elopement and found a beautiful secluded spot off of Trail Ridge Road. On the day of her elopement, I arrived at their cabin in Estes Park at 6:00 am and a perfectly gorgeous sunrise started their day off beautifully. We drove up trail ridge road in the early morning light, and they said their vows at over 12,000 feet. It was arguably the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever been blessed to be a part of. 

Landscape of mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado at sunrise.
Bride, groom, their friends and family gather for an intimate sunrise elopement ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Musician plays violin as groom and officiant wait for bride at intimate elopement ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Bride and groom, smiling, with their officiant in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Bride and groom surrounded by their friends and family during intimate elopement ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Bride and groom smiling at each other during their intimate elopement ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Family ties blue ribbon around bride and grooms wrists.
Bride reads vows to groom during intimate elopement ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. She is wearing a flower crows with pink roses, and a white dress.
Groom reads his vows to bride during intimate elopement ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Bride and groom hold hands and smile at each other during intimate elopement ceremony in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bride places ring on groom's finger during intimate elopement ceremony.

If you are wanting to have a small wedding ceremony in RMNP, check out their list of their designated ceremony sites. 

Groom places ring on bride's finger during intimate elopement ceremony.
Bride and groom embrace in a meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park on their elopement day. There are forests and mountains behind them.
Close up of bride and groom embracing, while looking into each other's eyes.
Bride and groom kiss, while surrounded by their friends and family, on their elopement day in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bride and groom surrounded by their friends and family, on their elopement day, in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Landscape of forest and mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Elk in a meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bride and groom stand next to each other, smiling, on their elopement day in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bride stands on a rock and looks down, and holds the skirt of her white dress. She is wearing a flower crown with light pink roses.
Bride and groom embrace, with mountains behind them, in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bride and groom embrace, with mountains behind them, in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bride and groom embrace, while bride's dress flows in the wind. There are mountains behind them in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bride and groom embrace, while bride's dress flows in the wind. There are mountains behind them in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bride and groom walk on mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park while holding hands.
Bride stands on top of mountain, her white dress is flowing in the wind behind her.
Groom stands on top of mountain, he is wearing a grey suit with a pink tie and smiling.
Bride and groom embrace, with a mountain behind them in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bride and groom embrace while standing on a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Groom helps bride climb down from a rock, in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Bride and groom embrace on rocks, with mountains behind them, in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Bride and groom hold hands and climb up rocks, with mountains in the background, in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Bride and groom hold hands and climb up rocks, with mountains in the background, in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Bride and groom hold hands and climb up rocks, with mountains in the background, in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Groom kisses bride on the cheek as they stand on rocks. There are cloud inversions and mountains behind them in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Landscape of mountains at sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

Hey there!

I’m Maddie Mae

Your Elopement Photographer, Experience Designer & Planning Consultant



For the last 14 years I’ve traveled to 40 countries, all 7 continents, and planned & photographed over 300 elopements all over the world.

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About Maddie Mae Elopement
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Ready to start planning your dream destination elopement?

Hey, I’m Maddie Mae

Your Elopement Photographer, Experience Designer & Planning Consultant

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“The woman who sparked the adventure
elopement trend”  – Forbes

I don’t just photograph elopements –
I design and plan a curated, unique experience around the two of you—one you’ll enjoy every minute of.

I want to get to know what makes you two feel alive and create an experience worthy of this
incredible love you’ve found

about me
packages

“The woman who sparked the adventure elopement trend”  – Forbes

40

countries and 7 continents worth of travel experience and knowledge

13

years experience planning and photographing elopements & weddings

300

one-of-a-kind elopements & intimate weddings planned & photographed

2019

the year I eloped too (after planning my own destination elopement in just 6 weeks)

What makes my elopement packages different?

Every Adventure Instead elopement experience includes:

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One-of-a-kind
Experience Design

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Expert Planning
Consulting

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Award-Winning
Photography

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Stunning & Secluded
Location Ideas

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Unique & luxurious
lodging
recommendations

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Personalized & Fun Activity Ideas

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Customized, Experience-Focused Timeline

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Personalized Mood Board & Styling Suggestions

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No Additional Travel Fees

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Direct Access & Full
Support by Maddie Mae

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Unlimited Planning
Consultations & Revisions

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Pre-Vetted Local
Vendor
Recommendations

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Expert Advice on Permits, Marriage Licenses & Safety

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Specific Gear Advice + Packing Checklists

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“How to Adventure Instead” VIP Planning Guide

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Customized, Experience-Focused Timeline

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Guided & Fun
Photography Experience

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Empathetic,
Introvert-Friendly
Posing & Directing

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Creative GIF’s &
Drone Photography

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Artistic, Hand-Crafted Editing

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All Your Photos to
Keep Forever

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Complementary
Album Design +
Convenient Print
Ordering

learn more about my elopement packages

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

Note: I usually only photograph weddings with 25 guests or less
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A laptop displaying a planning guide and checklist titled "How to Plan Your Elopement" sits next to a plant and mug, setting the scene for an inspired workspace. A smartphone with text rests on the desk, hinting at an adventure instead of tradition.

Not quite ready to reach out, but want help planning your elopement?

I created the ultimate destination elopement planning guide & checklist to help you get started

download the pdf guide