Elopement FAQs
Whoohoo! You've decided to ditch the stress of a traditional wedding and choose adventure. Now that you're eloping, you may have a few questions (or maybe a lot!). Here are some answers to the most common questions I'm asked.
If you’ve decided to elope, but are feeling overwhelmed on where to even start, here’s what I’d recommend first.
Step 1: Take some time to reflect (and maybe even write down) what types of trips, activities, and experiences have been you and your partner’s favorites. Are there any destinations on your bucket list? Is there a certain season you love best? Think about what you love the most, and then reach out to an elopement photographer or planner that can help guide you toward making that vision a reality. A skilled professional will know the best places, times of year, and so much more.
Step 2: If you need some inspiration during this brainstorming phase, check out these popular resources I’ve created.
While it’s possible, most couples don’t. The majority of couples I work with are eloping abroad, and typically choose to legally marry before or after their adventure. On the day they celebrate, they’ll exchange vows. Some couples also opt to bring a family member, or hire a celebrant, to lead a small ceremony.
If you’d like to legally marry during your elopement, I’d suggest hiring a professional company to handle the paperwork for you. A number of countries in Europe don’t allow non-EU residents to hold a legal ceremony, so be sure to keep this in mind early on. For a legal ceremony, it also must take place at a designated civil registry (which normally isn’t in nature).
I dive in-depth with each of my booked couples to help them choose their elopement location(s).
Because everyone has a different vision of how they want to spend their day, I send all of my couples a detailed location questionnaire. I then take that information and use it to create a custom location guide with the best spots. Those guides take into account what types of scenery you want, how little (or how much) you want to walk or hike, overall accessibility, the season, and more.
On consultation calls, I’m happy to help you nail down a general destination or region.
This question can feel so hard to answer because elopements are so unique to each couple! Some of the most common activities my couples implement include:
- Getting ready together (or separately)
- First looks
- Hiking, taking a cable car, funicular, or another mode of mountain transportation
- Giving gifts to each other
- Reading letters from friends and family
- Picnicking, or grabbing food at a mountain hut
- Exchanging vows
- Sharing a toast/champagne pop/dessert
- First dance
Other unique activities can range from staying overnight in a mountain hut and stargazing to taking a helicopter ride, climbing a via ferrata with a guide, or renting a boat. The possibilities are endless!
The majority of my couples book full-day elopement coverage (up to 12 hours). This allows time for visiting multiple locations, hiking, and other activities.
If you want to see some elopements I’ve photographed for half-day, full-day, and over two days, you can check out these blogs below for inspiration.
Half-Day Coverage | Stunning, Rainy Elopement in Lauterbrunnen
Full-Day Coverage | Breathtaking Autumn Elopement
Yes, you can invite guests to your adventure elopement! Elopements aren’t restricted to just you and your partner, although many couples do go that route. Generally, elopements will have 10-15 guests or less (others may also refer to elopements with guests as micro weddings and involve closer to 25 people).
If you do choose to invite guests to your elopement, I recommend booking at least a full day of coverage. Another option is splitting your time between two days, that way you can have an adventure for yourself, and a separate day for friends and family. Some couples even have two separate ceremonies, one in private, and one surrounded by their close family and friends.
I photograph elopements and micro weddings of up to 15 people.
No! You don’t have to be an intense hiker to elope. With that being said, many locations do require 15–20 minutes of walking to reach. This is dependent on the nearest parking lot, finding some privacy away from the cable car station, etc. I’ve photographed elopements that involve everything from easy-access spots to 15-mile hikes.
It depends, and it's also up to you! If your elopement location(s) can be accessed with less than 1-1.5 miles/2-2.5 km of round-trip walking, you may find it easiest to just hike in your wedding attire. Particularly for multi-location days, it’s nice if you don’t need to change in and out of your clothes repeatedly. A dirty dress is often part of the experience 😉
If you’re getting married in a warm location or tackling a steep trail, it’s best to wear hiking clothing up to your location, even if the trail is short. For longer hikes and more strenuous activities, I’d suggest changing on-location. If there aren’t bathrooms/facilities at the destination, most couples just find a tucked-away spot to get dressed. It’s possible for me to bring a small pop-up changing tent too.
I’ve photographed elopements in a variety of weather conditions. The reality of eloping outdoors is the weather is just one part of the adventure!
With that being said, here’s what I recommend for those not-so-sunny days:
Keep your schedule flexible if you can. I try to leave the day-after your booked date open, so in case of really inclement weather (torrential downpours, dangerously high winds, landslides, or other extreme conditions), we can always bump things back a day if needed. Staying safe (while also having fun) is always the priority. While not all vendors have this flexibility (i.e. you’re hiring a HMUA, celebrant, etc.), it is something I offer.
If the date can’t be changed, I always have a few ideas up my sleeve, so we can either move the time of where you visit a spot and dodge the storms, go to a different nearby spot (typically at a lower elevation), etc.
Additional tips:
- Comfortable, breathable rain gear is your best friend, so don’t skip packing it! Extra layers can be a lifesaver too.
- Remember, clear umbrellas look so cute in photos (so get excited!). I always have a pair that I bring for my couples.
I’ve found the sweet spot for planning an elopement abroad is 6–9 months. With that being said, I’ve helped couples pull off their destination elopement in just a matter of a couple of weeks, and as far out as 18 months.
I only work with 20–24 couples a year, so everyone can receive the time and attention they need. For the best pick of available dates, I recommend reaching out 12 months in advance (if you can), as my calendar books out quickly.
I’m not an elopement planner, but as an elopement photographer, I do offer extensive help guiding my couples through the elopement process.
As an elopement photographer, all of my couples receive the following:
- Location help, including your own custom elopement location guide
- Assistance building your elopement timeline
- Wedding support and timeline calls
- My VIP Elopement Guide with 100+ pages of tips, tricks, inspiration, and ideas
- My VIP Vendor Suggestion Guide, complete with English-speaking celebrants, hair and makeup artists, florists, and more.
If you want someone to book vendors for you or secure a venue, I’d suggest hiring an elopement planner on top of my services. I will work with your elopement planner, so you get the adventure you’re dreaming of.
Booking me for your elopement is a smooth and simple process (and I may go frolic in a meadow when you do).
- First, fill out the contact form on my website, and set up your free consultation call.
- Second, if we want to move forward with making things official, I just need to confirm your elopement date, and the general destination/region you’re eloping to.
- Third, I’ll send over a proposal where you can select how many hours of coverage you’d like. Then, you’ll e-sign the attached contract. All of my packages are split into four equal payments, with the first 25% due at signing to secure your date. You can pay easily and securely via card.
I do! All of my elopement packages are split into four equal payments, with the first 25% due at signing to secure your date. With payment plans, you can easily enroll in auto-pay, otherwise, you’ll receive auto-email reminders a week out from your next installment.
Although I only require 25% upfront to help you start planning, 50% of the total package prices makes up the nonrefundable retainer, should you choose to cancel.
I deliver sneak peeks of your elopement gallery within 72 hours of your celebration. You can expect the full gallery within one month. Photos are delivered through a beautiful, online gallery, easy for downloading, sharing, and printing.
Yes! I’m excited to offer mountain elopement photography in awe-inspiring locations all over. Some of my bucket list elopement locations include Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Patagonia (Argentina). Let’s make it happen!
