You both are thinking you want to have an adventure together and might have been chatting with each other and talking about doing something different for your wedding day. Both of you know you want a wedding that focuses on your love for each other and you want to create some epic memories of the day you two vow to be together. 

There are so many options and we are here to help with it all. When thinking about what you want your day to be, there are certain things you might want to think about and here is a starting point for you to begin your planning. 

So, what exactly is an adventure elopement?

It’s just a different way to say you love each other, but it still means so much and as much as any other wedding. Adventure elopements can be just the two of you or you can still have some of your closest friends around. You can make the day (or days) of it all and make it an epic memory that you will never forget. There are so many activities you can do to make the day special: you can hike, kayak, go ATVing, canoe, etc. and have an adventure and get to spend it all with each other. You get to focus on you and your love for each other more and it’s a bit less about an “event”.

First off. Let’s get to the WHY. 

Why do you want to elope? Why do you want to do something different? 

Are you less into traditional things and less into the show and more into the meaning behind it all? We totally get it if you are. We have found that elopements and more intimate weddings have been some of our favorite days, mostly because you can feel more of a sense of intimacy, calmness and togetherness.

At elopements, there won’t be 100-300+ people to worry about and there isn’t stress about much of anything. We had a bigger wedding and always wished we had eloped with just us and our close family. By having an elopement, you can focus more on you two, which is perfect. 

The average wedding cost is over $38,700 (according to Wedding Wire). You can save money by choosing to do things differently. We can help you create an epic experience that feels more like a vacation to you two (one that you will never forget) and save some money along the way. 

WHERE.

Where do you two love to adventure or where is somewhere you have always wanted to go?

Most of our couples want to have their ceremony in a place that means something greatly to them or they want to adventure somewhere totally new. We love both options honestly. There are endless options of places with beautiful mountain overlooks and waterfalls.

You can choose mountains, national parks, state parks, waterfalls, lakes, beaches. You can choose a longer or shorter hike or no hike at all. There are many places within walking distance that can be perfect. We can help you choose the best place for you.

WHEN.

What time of year is your favorite and when would it be best for your day?

Do you love the warmth of summer or do you love snow? Do the fall leaves get you all excited? Choosing the time of year is super important. Lots of places aren’t easily accessible or accessible at all during certain times of the year, so planning it out is really important. Hikes to beautiful places will be more limited during winter and fall. Spring can be super muddy and rainy (which we are totally used to). Figuring out the best time of year to have your wedding is definitely one of the first things to think about.  

Many of the trails have much less traffic during the week, so we always suggest doing a wedding during the middle of the week if you choose a highly-trafficked area, if possible. If it’s not possible to do during the week, we can help figure out all the logistics to make it the best day for you two.  

WHO.

Who do you want to be there?

It’s OK if you just want you two. It’s ok if you want some of your family and friends there. No one should decide what your day is going to look like, but you two. Talk with each other to figure out what is best for you and don’t look back.

What about people being upset they aren’t coming? If people might be upset that they aren’t there, it’s ok. They will get over it eventually (right?). You will know you did things your way. It’s definitely not selfish to want something more meaningful for yourselves. 

Other things to think about: 

Weddings Laws: 
How do you get married in a certain state that you don’t live in? There are different laws in each state and we can help you with all that. Do you need an officiant or can you self-solemnize? Sometimes you don’t need an officiant (like Colorado), which is one less thing you have to worry about. 

Permits:
Do you need a permit to get married? Many National Parks and other locations require permits. We can help you figure those things out. 

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THINGS TO DECIDE.

We can help you decide what will work best for you two, but here are some of the things you might want to think about and help you create .

THE LOCATION + DATE

We can help you select the perfect place and time of year to have it.

We are much more flexible for elopements with selecting the exact location. Once we dive into the possibilities, we can help you figure out what you both really want. Some places need permits, so that is one bigger thing to think about.

WHO DO YOU WANT THERE?

You get to choose who you want there or don’t want there.

Chat with each other about your reasons for wanting an elopement and who you want to be there. It’s perfectly OK to just want the two of you, if that’s what you decide. We are always here to help you figure it all out.

THE VENDORS:

We can help you decide which vendors you might need and suggest some!

• Photographer (us of course!)
• Florist/Flowers
• Officiant (not necessary in self-solemnizing states)
• Hair + MUA
• Videographer
• Music: (portable bluetooth speakers for the win!)
• Food: Catering/Chef/Dinner

THE TIMELINE:

We help 100% with it, but here are some of the big decisions you might need to make:

• If you are having your hair and makeup done, what time should you be done?
• Will you be getting ready together?
• Will you have a first look?
• How long does it take to get from each place?
• If you are hiking, how long will it take?
• When is the best time for the ceremony?
• When is the best time for dinner?
• If you are hiking, when are there less people on a hike? (weekdays are always less packed)

THE CEREMONY:

• What time of day do you want your ceremony to be? Do you want sunrise or sunset? (sunrises have much less people out and about on the trails especially)
• Will you need an officiant or can you self-solemnize?
• Are there going to be vows?
• Do you want to have any readings?
• Are there any other important things you might want to have at the ceremony?

WHAT TO BRING:

(depending on the season)

• Dress + Suit/Tux/etc
• Layers of clothes if you are hiking and especially in places that have a chance of snow/colder weather (Colorado, I am talking about you — snowing in the Summer — haha). 
• Extra socks
• Hiking shoes/boots
• Dressier shoes (if you want to change into them), but we love boots!
• Backpacks
• Illumination: Headlamps
• Bug spray/Bug Netting (hello Alaska state bird — mosquitoes — lol)
• Rain gear (It can be super rainy and muddy)
• Jackets
• Base layers (thermals, cuddlduds, fleece leggings, etc)
• Handwarmers 
• Gloves
• Snacks
• Hydration/Camelbaks
• Champagne and glasses, if you want to celebrate after! :) 

WHAT TO DO:

What do you want to do while at your elopement? Here are some ideas for you! The possibilities are endless…well almost. ;)

• Hiking
• Stand Up Paddleboarding (our SIL can rent to us in Colorado!)
• Kayaking/Canoeing
• Skydiving
• Yoga
• Helicopter Ride
• White Water Rafting
• Scuba Diving
• Horseback Riding
• Stargazing
• Campfire with S’mores
• ATVing

We can help you have an epic adventure that encompasses your love.