2026 & 2027
Travel Schedule
You can have an out-of-this-world Destination Elopement
Let me guess: you are fueled by the desire to explore the world, and have new adventures—together. The idea of picking somewhere on the map that you’ve always dreamed of going—bringing along your wedding clothes, vows, and rings, and getting married there—excites the crap out of you.
I totally get it. I am also a passionate explorer and have been to over 40 countries and all 7 continents—there is no limit to where I’ll travel to photograph a good love story.
Wherever you are in the world, or wherever you dream of getting married, I’ll be there as fast as we can pack a bag and grab our passport—and you can count on my extensive travel experience to help you find the most incredible location to elope.
Where I will Be in:
2026
The following travel schedule is designed based on the best time of year to be in each location and my current bookings however many dates are flexible.
January | New York, Colorado, Arizona
First I’ll be popping through New York City in search of some mid-winter entertainment! After that, I’ll be heading far away from snowy Colorado in search of warmer air.
February | Arizona, New Mexico
It’s the coldest month of the year, so you can find me hiding out in the desert! Even winter in these parts is a welcome respite from the cold.
March | UTAH, FLORIDA
’ll be doing freediving and more underwater photography in the Florida springs after wrapping up my southwestern US trip with a jaunt through Utah!
April | Greece, Italy
I’ll be spending early spring in the Mediterranean and then back home to Colorado for some springtime beauty in my home state.
May | Portugal, Switzerland, Italy
May is one of my favorite times to visit Europe, especially the Alps! You get less tourists than during the high-seasons and a great blend of features. It’s the best.
June | Colorado
I’ll be at home with my pups this month! This time of year the temperatures are getting comfortably warm and lovely and everything is super in bloom. It’s perfect.
July | Colorado, Alaska
You can find me on my (nearly annual!) summer trip to Alaska to take advantage of peak weather for flying, hiking, driving, and more!
August | Switzerland, ITALY, Spain, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, ZIMBABWE, SOUTH AFRICA
After popping up to Europe for the solar eclipse, I’ll be heading to a different continent all together and starting an epic Africa trip covering a few different countries!
September | Colorado
I’ll be back home this month, enjoying the last of what summer has to offer in Colorado and catching the changing of the aspens in some of my favorite spots.
October | Colorado, Utah, Fiji
I’ll be hopping over to our neighbor state, Utah, to spend some time around the red rocks and deserts. Fiji is up next, where I’ll be doing diving excursions and beach photography.
November | Colorado, New Mexico, California
I’m spending this month in the Southwest, with time in New Mexico and some California favorites like Palm Springs and Joshua Tree.
December | California
You can find me in Southern California soaking up the sun and hiding out from the Colorado cold!
Where I will Be in:
2027
The following travel schedule is designed based on the best time of year to be in each location and my current bookings however many dates are flexible.
January | Mexico, Colorado
I’m super stoked to be heading to Cozumel on a diving trip to do some underwater portrait photography! Then it’ll be back home to Colorado.
February | California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah
While the weather is great and the crowds are low, I’m planning to go through some of my favorite desert destinations across the American southwest.
March | French Polynesia
I’ll be going to French Polynesia to avoid Colorado’s snowiest month with lots of diving and hiking!
April | California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah
The lighting and weather in April is pretty much perfect across these states—it’s not crazy hot yet but you still have longer days than you do in the winter.
May | Switzerland, Italy, Scotland, Ireland
My husband is from Scotland, so we’ll be dropping in to visit family and some of our other favorite spots that feel right out of a fairytale. Then it’s off to the Alps for huge rolling hills of green and beautiful views!
June | Colorado
I’ll be home in June, hitting the mountain passes that are finally thawed out and driving some of my favorite 4X4 roads.
July | Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska
This is my favorite month in Colorado! Perfect weather and wildflower blooms everywhere. I’ll also be taking advantage of the warmth for my annual Alaska trip (plus a few spots in the PNW!).
August | Ecuador, GAlapagos, Peru, Chile
I’m headed out on a big trip to South America to see some of my favorite things in the world—diving with hammerhead sharks and penguins, seeing salt flats, the Andes Mountains and a quick trip into the Amazon.
September | Colorado, Utah
The end of September is gorgeous for the fall foliage every year. I also plan to start a trip to Utah this month!
October | Utah, MALDIVES
After finishing up in Utah I’ll also be heading back to the Maldives to spend some time diving with manta rays!
November | California, New Mexico, Arizona
Colorado is once again too cold for my tastes, so I’ll be chasing the sun into the southwest!
December | California, New Mexico, Arizona
There’s nothing like celebrating the holidays under palm trees, and I plan to be parked underneath them.
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
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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