Elopement Guide
What is an elopement and how do you do it?
Gone are the days that eloping entails sneaking away with embarrassment to get married. It’s no longer running off to Vegas to tie the knot in a raggedy chapel without telling friends and family unless that’s how you want it to be! Elopements are intentionally planned intimate celebrations of your love that are unique to every couple we adventure with. If you are thinking to yourself, “I don’t really want a huge traditional wedding”, then we think an elopement is perfect for you! When it comes down to it, the day you say your vows and commit to one another is all about the two of you -- no one else.
No Rules:
The coolest thing about elopements is that there are no rules. You can invite a few of your closest pals along on your adventure to the mountains or you can privately exchange your vows in the middle of the desert. We can find a more accessible spot wherever you may choose in case you have a few guests that cannot make the trek, but then venture off after you have sealed the deal to capture some really intimate moments. Saying your vows amidst the world's most beautiful backdrops is in the cards for you! The choice is completely yours. Whether you are 2 weeks or a year out from your big day, we can make it work!
Choosing your elopement location:
There are hundreds upon hundreds of beautiful outdoor locations to pledge your love to one another. We both have such a passion for the outdoors and would love to help you choose a location if you are stuck. We tell every couple we work with, “Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. What do you envision for your big day?” We want to help you tell your story. If you are dreaming up a high-altitude mountain helicopter adventure, we will be right there with you capturing all of the epic moments of a thrilling day. If you want a serene desert sunset amidst the saguaro cacti, we want to dance in the sweet light with you. If you have no idea where to begin, we are more than happy to brainstorm with you!
What does the day look like?
An elopement day can be short or long, at sunrise or sunset. We want to mold the experience to you. There are a few commonalities we see through “most” elopement days, though and maybe this will get your brain bites going!
Getting Ready: Pop the bubbly and cue hair and makeup! Sometimes the big day begins at a quaint getting ready location with a few close friends to help. Other times, our day begins at the trailhead, before first light, with headlamps on! Getting ready can take place against a jaw-dropping landscape, privately preparing yourself in a cove of trees or it can happen with friends. Whatever vision you have for your day, we can help bring it to life.
First look: Most of our couples do a first look! There is nothing like seeing your partner all dressed up, knees weak, palms are sweaty… Ok, ok! So maybe it won’t go like that, but we know the exhilarating moment a first look can be for our couples. Getting to turn around and seeing the love of your life dressed to the nines (likely with hiking boots on underneath the dress!) is an experience unlike any other. Once again, this is not a mandatory thing. If you don’t want to do a first look, you don’t have to! If you get ready together, there may not be a need for a first look. It is completely up to you.
The ceremony: This part of the day is the most intimate in our eyes. Most couples that choose us to capture their day have put a lot of time and thought into what they are going to say to one another in their vows. It’s not a “hurry up and say some words that will get us through the ceremony quickly so we can make sure to say hello to every guest that we invited” type moment. The ceremony is the melody to the song that is your wedding day. Hannah almost always cries during the vows because we get to know you guys so well and we are so pumped for you when you get to finally seal the deal. It’s a truly emotional moment for us all! You can do the ceremony at a more accessible location so that some close pals can join in the celebration with you or it can just be us in a remote destination. The day is yours!
The picnic/celebration: We want you to celebrate in full wedded bliss after the ceremony! We can help you trek a charcuterie board and a bottle of champagne up the mountain or tote a picnic basket full of your favorite goodies to your post-ceremony location. You can meet a few friends and family afterward to celebrate or keep the day just between the two of you (and us!).
First dance: This isn’t the “awkward shuffle around the dance floor while 100 people you kind of know stare at you while you pretend to know how to dance” type of dance. This is the “turn on your favorite song and enjoy this intimate moment with your new spouse in the most beautiful place ever” type of dance. Fun fact: Koty and Hannah practiced their first dance more times than they can count in their small living room circa 2017 in hopes their dancing skills would improve before their big day. Big shocker: their dancing skills did not improve, but their first dance was one to remember!
Sunset Adventure: Honestly, this is our favorite part. This is the moment where we all sigh that huge breath of relief. You’re married! And now we all get to watch the beautiful sunset together. We imagine the backdrop and location you will select to be the most perfect vision of your relationship and the sunset just happens to be the culmination of that. Some of our favorite photos are taken during this time! We find the most stunning spots that complement the sunset best and adventure there with you. The sun dances its way towards the horizon and our day comes to a beautiful finish!
At the end of the day, we are here to make your dream elopement a reality but the best day of your lives.
Ready to book? Click the button below! Have more questions? We would love to help!