What Is an Adventure ELopement?
You’ve seen the gorgeous photos of brides and grooms in their wedding finest, perched upon some epic mountain peak and thought “That’s what I want!”
That’s the dream right? But how can you get there?
What does it really mean to have this type of wedding?
Is every elopement an adventure elopement? What can I expect if I have this type of wedding?
Well my friends, you’ve come to the right place. Here are my best answers to some of the most common questions I get from couples just like you.
What Makes an Elopement an Adventure Elopement?
This is a great place to start because elopements don’t have to be adventure elopements at all. For the most part, the wedding world distinguishes between two types of elopements: urban elopements, which take place in a city or town, and adventure elopements, which take place in the outdoors and often involve adventurous outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking, or simply putting in a little bit of effort to get to a beautiful scenic location.
The adventurous part doesn’t have to be an extreme physical activity- the rejection of wedding norms- getting the dress dirty, forgoing heels for a pair of sturdy boots, or simply spending time together in the outdoors- can be adventurous on it’s own.
What is an “intimate wedding” or “micro wedding”? Is that like an elopement?
Many couples are interested in the “best of both worlds” experience that having guests along for their elopement can bring, and the truth is you CAN have an adventurous wedding and have guests- with one important caveat:
If you plan your wedding day around the experience of your guests = it’s a wedding.
If you plan your wedding day around the experience of yourself and your partner = it’s an elopement.
So yes, whether you have 2 guests or 20, you can have an adventure wedding. Working through your individual priorities, goals, and logistical considerations is where we start.
How many guests can I invite to my adventure elopement?
Logistically, many outdoors locations (trails, narrow cliffs, etc) are not designed for large groups of people, and some guests may need special accommodation to access the types of places adventure elopements generally take place.
We get into these specific logistical concerns when we begin to work together. Generally, fewer than 10 guests is the sweet spot for adventure weddings, but I can help you figure out a plan that balances all of your goals, even if that means lots of guests.
Why do you call yourself a “guide”? Isn’t that just like a wedding planner?
The main distinction between guides and planners is when it comes to relationships with other vendors and entities involved in your day.
As a guide, I help couples with all of the logistics that are adjacent to photography and client experience- and that’s actually a LOT!
That includes:
✓ Location scouting to find a spot you’ll love, and help choosing the specific location for portraits and vows.
✓ Timeline planning. Talking through all of your goals, advising on how long it takes to do X Y and Z, and making sure we’re in the right place at the right time. The result? A relaxed vibe to keep you feeling stress-free and the most extraordinary light for beautiful images.
✓ Preparation and logistics. (i.e. I’ll make sure you are physically comfortable and prepared as we adventure together.)
✓ Help connecting you with other vendors (florists, makeup artists, etc)
At the end of the day, YOU are the final architect of your elopement experience, with me as your guide, helping you along the way.