So you’ve made the decision to elope. Congrats! Eloping is THE VERY BEST way to get married if you ask me. Marriage is about YOU, the couple. Not the latest trends in wedding cakes, a fancy ballroom, & too many people telling you how to do things. Whatever your reason for eloping, I am beyond thrilled to help make your elopement a fun time & capture not only gorgeous images but also those little in-between moments showing your personalities as a couple.

If you’re planning your elopement in another destination from where you live, getting started may seem a little daunting at first. Where are you going to elope? Does your location need permits? What about officiants & other vendors you may use? How will the lighting look? I include planning assistance with every elopement, it’s hard to find a planner for your elopement & who better than a photographer who is familiar with all the aspects of the day to help you plan things out! I’ll keep in contact with you to help throughout the entire process. We can have as many planning meetings & video chats as you need to make sure everything is just right.

I have a whole list of places I’ve scouted & have made notes on how accessible they are, what time of day is best for light, how many people are likely to be there, & what weather may be like at various times of year. Eloping somewhere I haven’t been? No worries! I have a whole network of hikers, bloggers, & photographers that can help me out, not to mention a few different programs that help me scout locations & even the light at those locations without even going there! Finding officiants & other vendors can be tough too, but luckily I know a few people. I am even starting to offer floral design for elopements!

What is an elopement?
The meaning of an elopement has changed a lot over the years! Your elopement is your chance to have your wedding day be anything you want it to be. What an elopement boils down to is this- YOU. An elopement is for you. It isn’t inviting a bunch of your family’s friends that you barely know, it isn’t throwing a big party that you may not even want. You elope for you. Who is going to matter more? The opinions of friends & family, or the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with?

What do you do on an elopement?
What you do on your elopement is totally up to you! You can hike up to a blue alpine lake in the San Juan Mountains, invite a few close friends & family to hear you say your vows with the mountains as a backdrop, get married on a 14er, or take a Jeep through some amazing canyons & find a spot for your intimate ceremony in Moab. With your elopement, you don’t have to follow traditions & you can break all the rules! If you want some ideas & suggestions, just let me know.

Why have a photographer all day at an elopement?
Having a photographer all day at your elopement will allow you to relive your entire day. And you will be able to show any friends & family that weren’t invited what an incredible time you had. Having me there for the entire day means that I can basically just be a fly on the wall. Little moments happen & I’ll be there to photograph you every time you laugh, cry, or fall on your butt! Your elopement is more than just a ceremony & a little photoshoot, it’s just the start of your lives together & it is just as important & just as deserving of amazing photos as a more traditional wedding.

Following the 7 principals of LNT (leave no trace) is very important. A lot of elopements take place in outdoor areas that are very vulnerable. We need to do our part in preserving these places not only for future generations but also for the here & now. There are some things that couples may not think about how they could impact the environment such as walking off the trail, popping champagne, & throwing plastic confetti. You may want to do these things for photos but they all can impact the environment & wildlife in negative ways. But don’t worry! There are some great alternatives.

Read more about leave no trace & elopements.

I was shooting landscapes before people, so I know how to capture you & the environment well!