If you’re recently engaged, I’m sure you’ve begun the process of planning your dream wedding. You mightttt start hearing opinions from (well-meaning) family and friends about how they think your day should go. But if you’re the type that doesn’t really align with a lot of wedding traditions and would honestly rather throw them out the door altogether, then this blog is for you. As an elopement photographer, I help couples plan the elopement of their dreams - without any regard for tradition! In this blog, we’ll be talking all about what eloping is, how to know if it’s right for you, my favorite elopement locations, and sooo much more. Grab a snack and get ready to get excited AF about marrying your person your way!

What does “eloping” mean?

Let’s start with the basics: what does “eloping” even mean? Well, it can mean pretty much anything you want! The modern elopement day is centered around the couple and how they want to spend their big day. That can mean eloping just the two of you at a beautiful, secluded spot or you two plus some of your favorite people! You can get married almost anywhere you want, whether at a venue, in the mountains, at a national park, you name it. The whole point of an elopement is that you can do anything you want without the overwhelming pressure of other people’s opinions. Sounds pretty great, right? The only thing an elopement isn’t is a big wedding with a high guest count. It’s usually very private (maximum of 10 guests) with a heavy emphasis on having your day your way.

How to know if eloping is right for you

If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve been contemplating an elopement over having a traditional wedding! This can be a tough decision to make, especially when you have friends and family who are super excited about your wedding (as they should be!). But here are a few tell-tale signs that eloping is right for you and your partner:

You want to elope somewhere scenic and beautiful. You and your partner have dreamed of saying your vows surrounded by forest, mountains, desert, or lakes. Nature is your happy place, and you want your wedding day to reflect that.

You want to prioritize adventuring on your big day. Many couples who choose to elope plan some epic adventures to celebrate. I’ve seen (and photographed!) couples go hiking, camping, off-roading, and tons of other cool activities after they say their vows!

You’ve never envisioned having a big, traditional wedding. Some people have dreamed about their extravagant wedding since they were kids, and some don’t! If that’s never been at the top of your bucket list, don’t let society fool you into thinking it’s the only option.

You want a more budget-friendly way to celebrate your promise to forever. As much as I hate to say it, weddings are expensive AF. Did you know the average couple spends over $30,000 on their ceremony and reception?! If you’re down to spend that kinda money on your wedding, more power to ya! But if you’re thinking, “Umm, that’s not our vibe,” then I feel you to my core. Elopements are a great way to save money while still having the day you’ve always dreamt of!

How to tell your loved ones you’re eloping

If you’ve decided you’re going to elope - then YAY! I’m so excited for you! You might be slightly anxious about telling your friends and family, which is totally normal. At the end of the day, your family loves you so much, and you don’t want to hurt their feelings by breaking the news. As an elopement photographer, I’ve seen countless couples tell their friends and family that they’re not having a traditional wedding. Here are a few tips I can give to make the band-aid a little easier to rip off!

First and foremost, start by sharing your ‘why.’ Why are you and your lover eloping? What led you to make the decision? Having this conversation lets them hear your passion for adventure and will ease them into the news. Reassure them that it’s not personal—you’re just following your heart as much as you can! When you have this conversation, try to have it in person if possible. The last thing you want to do is announce to the group chat, “Hey! We’re eloping instead of having a wedding. Any questions?”. Try inviting them over for dinner or doing an activity that will be fun for everyone.

When you tell them, try not to take it personally if they’re disappointed. They are your loved ones, and of course, they naturally want to be included in the most special day of your life! Let them know that you still want to include them in this milestone. I have some ideas a little later in this blog on how to do this!

Last but not least, reiterate the fact that you’re hiring an amazing elopement photographer to document every important moment for them to see afterward. Oh, did I mention that it’s me? ;)

Elopement announcement ideas

Now we’re getting into the fun stuff! You can get really creative with announcing your elopement to extended family and friends. Here are a few ideas that you’re more than welcome to take inspo from!:

Send “We’re eloping!” announcement cards to people you’d invite if you were having a traditional wedding. You can DIY these cards if you’re on a budget, or hire an invitation stylist if you wanna get fancy with it. Pro Tip: You can use your engagement photos for these cards, too!
Create a wedding website (like Zola or With Joy) with all the details of your love story and why you’re choosing to elope. This’ll also give your people a place to contribute to your honeymoon fund and/or wedding registry (yes, you can still have one of those even though you’re eloping!). This option you can send to the group chat, after you’ve already told the people closest to you.
If you wanna get a little spicy with it, you could wait until after your elopement to tell people! Most photographers send sneak peek photos sooner than the full gallery, so you can show those babies off as a way to announce your marriage. What a surprise that’d be!
Along the same lines, if you’re hiring a videographer, you could have a little viewing party featuring your elopement video. Just pretend like you’re having a regular ol’ movie night, except everyone is getting a glimpse into the best day of your life!

Where should you elope?

One of my favorite questions of all time: where should you and your lover elope? Oh, do I have some recommendations for you! Buckle up, because you’re in for a treat.

Pro Tip: Visit my Pinterest profile for real-life elopement photos from these beautiful locations!

Colorado

Okay, I’m a Colorado elopement photographer, and these mountains are my specialty. I had to include it as the first option! What did you expect?! Colorado is one of the most beautiful places to elope, period. Every season is a great time to elope here, especially summer for wildflowers, fall for foliage, and winter for skiing!

Mountain

I have my absolute favorite mountainous locations all throughout the American West. Of course, Colorado is one of the best mountain states to elope, but there are plenty of other options too! Spanning from Colorado, up to Wyoming, and to the North Cascades in Washington, I have plenty of locations for you to choose from.

Desert

Coming in hot as a close second on my list of favorite elopement locations: the desert. The desolate, canyon cliffside makes for a backdrop like no other. We can have such an intimate and secluded elopement in the desert due to all the places to explore and vast surface area! If you’re the camping type, I have my favorite desert cliffside secret spots that I give all my clients access to.

Ocean

Although I’m a mountain girl at heart, there will always be something about the ocean that inspires me beyond belief. The PNW if a great destination where the mountains meet the ocean so we can enjoy the best of both worlds. Oregon also has the famous sea stacks at certain beaches that would make for beautiful scenery for your elopement! Or if you’re looking for a warm, laidback coastal location, I’ll pack my bags and we’ll head to the sunny state of California.

Including your pup in your elopement

If you’re anything like me, you can’t imagine not including your pup in your elopement. Dogs aren’t typically allowed in national parks, but don’t fret — some of my all-time favorite locations in Colorado aren’t national parks! I have tons of locations that still offer alike views with the option to bring your furry friends. Dogs are ALWAYS welcome in my corner, just let me know how you want to incorporate them and we’ll make it happen!

Choose an elopement date

Your elopement date will heavily depend on what location you choose. Certain locations have better seasons than others, or have restrictions during specific times of the year! Your elopement photographer can really help with choosing a date that aligns with the vision you have for your elopement. If you want to pick a date that holds sentimental value, you can totally base your elopement location on that! For example, you could elope on the day you two met, had your first date, shared your first kiss, or said “I love you” for the first time.

For some locations, eloping on a weekday instead of a weekend could be a major pro. Really popular national parks can get super crowded on the weekends, so it could be difficult to get some privacy! But if you’re open to tying the knot on a good ol’ Tuesday, we’ll most likely have the whole place to ourselves ;)

Another thing to consider is permits for your locations. Again, for popular spots and always within national parks, there may be limited permit availability for ceremonies within the location. Some places book up to a year in advance, so keep that in mind when trying to choose a date! You can view availability on the location’s website or get in touch with them via email.

How to choose the best elopement photographer

Although I’d be honored to be your elopement photographer, I still want you to be informed & educated on how to find the best one for you. Your photographer will be responsible for documenting such an incredible day, so it’s not a decision to take lightly! They will also be the vendor you spend the most time with on your elopement day, if not the only vendor. Here are some things to think about when choosing the perfect photographer for you:

Do they have experience photographing the type of elopement you’re dreaming of?

Eloping outdoors can result in situations you might not have thought about beforehand. For example, what happens if there’s a road closure leading to your ceremony spot or unexpected inclement weather? However, if you hire an experienced elopement photographer, they will already have a plan B, C, and probably D. You want that reassurance on such an important day!

Do you get along with them on a personal level?

Your photographer isn’t just your photographer. We’re your friend, supporter, and planner throughout the process! I’ll be there to help you choose your adventure elopement dress, ease your nerves the night before, and ugly cry with you when you say your vows.

Will they help you plan your elopement?

I strive to create a unique, personalized experience for each and every one of my couples. From brainstorming locations to helping you choose vendors, I’m right there with you! I know this is a little out of my job description as a photographer, but I’ve found that it’s the best way to connect with my couples and capture their love story as authentically as possible.

Do you love their photography & editing style?

Each photographer has their own style that they’ve developed over time. Make sure you take a look at their blog posts or website portfolio to get an idea of how your photos will turn out in the specific landscape you’re eloping in!

Do your research

Once you find your dream photographer, they will most likely help you with this step. You’ll need to do your research and figure out the following:

Do you need any special permits to get married at your desired location?
Are there any fees required to get married at your selected location?
Are there any location restrictions if you’re getting married at a national park (or another outdoor area)? Most parks have designated ceremony spots that are pre-approved for people getting married. Don’t worry though; it’s usually permitted for us to roam around and take photos in other areas!

This is the part of the planning process that I pride myself in! Once we brainstorm an epic location that fits your vision, I help you find out the answers to all these questions. Plus, I have quite a bit of experience planning and photographing outdoor elopements, so chances are I’ll already be familiar with your location. Which, of course, will make it so much simpler for you!

Don’t forget about your elopement vendors

Although most elopements don’t require many vendors, it’s always a good thing to think about well in advance. Are you planning on doing your hair and makeup yourself, or do you want to hire a professional? You’ll most likely need a florist to create (at the minimum) a bouquet(s) and/or a boutonnière(s) for you and your partner. And of course, don’t forget an officiant for your ceremony if that’s required in your state! And that brings us to our next point…

How to legally elope

Different states have different legal requirements for getting married. Make sure you’re familiar with the local marriage laws so that we do everything by the book! Not to mention, Colorado is one of the few states where you can self-solemnize aka you don’t need an officiant. Nothing would be worse than having this beautiful, one-of-a-kind elopement, just to realize we didn’t follow all the marriage requirements. Don’t worry though, because I also help with this too ;)

What do you really want to do on your elopement day?

I want you and your lover to sit back and take a minute to really think about this question. Maybe bring out that bottle of wine and put on your favorite playlist while you’re at it! The whole reason you’re eloping is so that you can do things your way, and have some epic adventures while you’re at it. So let your imagination run wild, and think of all the activities you could plan for the location you’ve chosen!

Work with your photographer to create a timeline

By this point, it’s getting closer and closer to your elopement day! I’ll help you create the perfect timeline so we can stay on track and get all the photos we want. Go back to the last point and think again about how you want your elopement day to go. Did you imagine:

Getting up before dawn and hiking to a scenic location to say your vows during sunrise?
Having a slow, intentional morning together as couple, maybe having breakfast together at an Airbnb while reflecting on your relationship?
Getting ready at your location (like Charlie and Adam did!) later in the day, and running around to take photos during sunset?
Having a post-elopement picnic to celebrate your marriage, either at your location or somewhere else meaningful to you?

To give you a frame of reference, here’s what Charlie and Adam’s mountain elopement timeline looked like:

4:30pm - Meet at location

4:40pm - Adventure around to pick out spots for getting ready, ceremony, and sunset photos

5:15pm - Detail shots

5:30pm - Start getting ready *together*

5:45pm - Put florals on Tally (their dog!)

5:50pm - Walk to ceremony spot

6:00pm - Vows with Tally

7:00pm - Sunset photos

8:30pm - Coverage ends

Your elopement day can be as short or long as you want. Charlie and Adam had 4 hours of coverage, so we kept it short and sweet!

Finalize the details

Now’s the time to make all your final travel arrangements, lodging & accommodations, and get EXCITED about getting married!! Your photographer will be in contact with you the most during this time to make sure everything is in place for you to have an amazing elopement day. And trust me, it will come around quicker than you realize! Mentally prepare yourself to enjoy your day, and be present during every second of it.

You’re ready to start planning your elopement!

You are officially ready to start planning the elopement of your dreams! If you’re thinking “Jess, how can we book you as our elopement photographer?!” then I’ve got you covered! To inquire with me about your elopement, you can fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

How to Elope - The All-Inclusive Guide