The Ultimate Elopement Planning Guide for Cool Girls, gays and theys Who Want to Do Things their way (obviously)
So, you’re thinking about eloping.
Maybe traditional weddings never felt like you. Maybe you’d rather spend your money on plane tickets and Airbnb stays than chair rentals and centerpieces. Or maybe you just want a wedding day that feels real. Like actually unposed, unscripted, and full of moments that actually matter to YOU.
Whatever brought you here, I’m happy it did because you’re in the right place.
This is your guide to planning an elopement that’s intentional, creative, and unapologetically yours. Whether that means saying your vows on a mountain, sailing down a river in a vintage boat, or having Elvis officiate your 3 minute ceremony in Vegas, before you get matching dice tattoos and go out dancing all night.
Step 1: Decide What Kind of Experience You Want
Before you pick a location, a date, or a dress, you need to start with the feeling.
Do you want your elopement to feel:
Relaxed + coastal (think: chic, long dresses, Aperol spritz, salty hair)
Wild + moody (mountain lakes, foggy mornings, coffee over a camp stove)
Urban + editorial (city rooftops, vintage boats, espresso martinis)
Your elopement should reflect who you are together.
If you both love the outdoors → think alpine lakes, desert trails, or national park backdrops.
If you’re city people → rent a cool Airbnb downtown, take a vintage car ride, and end the night with rooftop drinks.
If you love travel and good food → plan your elopement around a local experience (a pasta class in Italy or oysters in Oregon, or even a horseback ride at the base of the Tetons in Wyoming).
Once you know your vibe, your location will find you. Don’t start with a map. Start with a feeling.
👉 Pro tip: Make a shared Pinterest board or Notion mood board where you and your photographer (hi 👋) can build your elopement aesthetic together.
STEP 2: Pick a Destination That Speaks to You
You don’t have to hike a mountain to elope “adventurously.” You just need a place that feels aligned with your story.
A few favorites that never miss:
Pretty much ALL of California - Joshua Tree, Big Sur, Yosemite, Death Valley (a hidden gem). The light, the weather, the insane amount of iconic backdrops. We love it here.
Oregon Coast – moody skies, hidden beaches, local oysters.
Utah – red rock, endless space, and the dreamiest sunsets.
Acadia in Maine – coastal charm meets rugged adventure.
The Dolomites – if you want cinematic alpine energy with a side of Italian wine.
Scotland – castles, cliffs, and moody romance for days.
Wherever you go, think beyond logistics. Choose a place that feels like an extension of your story — not just a pretty backdrop.
STEP 3: Build a Timeline That Feels Like a Weekend getaway, Not a Schedule
Traditional weddings cram a hundred expectations into one day. Elopements give you time to breathe.
Here’s a loose framework I personally love (and would do myself if we were gonna get married again):
Day 1 – Travel, settle in, and have a slow evening together (dinner, drinks, sunset walk to an epic viewpoint where we warm up together and take some lovely portraits).
Day 2 – Your elopement day: get ready slowly, do your first look, your ceremony, and spend the day exploring.
Day 3 – Do something wild or chill: go surfing, rent a vintage boat, or just sleep in and read letters from family by the fire.
Your elopement weekend should feel like a trip with purpose, not a wedding with pressure.
step 4: Collaborate on the Creative Direction
With us, you’re not just hiring a photographer and videographer. Your partnering with talented creatives and elopement experts to create an artful and memorable experience together.
Bring your ideas, your Pinterest boards, your playlists. Let’s design something intentional.
Think:
Editorial-inspired, fashion forward wardrobe + styling (that still feels like you)
Props that add storytelling like a picnic setup, old film cameras, vintage car and killer accessories like a Pendleton jacket or chic designer sunglasses.
An itinerary that mixes travel, adventure & downtime, with your portraits and ceremony planned around the best light of the day to ensure your photos and videos look absolutely stunning.
Your photos will feel most “you” when you’re invested in the creative process. Let’s build it together.
I love taking your ideas and helping turn them into tangible, real experiences. And then photographing it like only someone who’s been working with couples for over a decade can.
STEP 5: Don’t Forget the Legal Stuff (and of course, the Fun Stuff)
Depending on where you’re eloping, you’ll need to check*:
Local marriage license requirements
Officiant or witness rules
National park or location-specific permits
And while you’re at it, you need to plan something fun too.
Get tattoos. Go canoeing. Eat the local food. Take a cooking class. These are the moments that turn your elopement into a story.
*We can help you with all of this, so don’t sweat it.
step 6: Stay Grounded in What Matters
It’s so easy to get swept up in the planning, the outfits, the photos. But at the end of the day, your elopement isn’t a production, it’s an experience.
Slow down. Watch the sunset. Hold hands. Laugh a lot. Let the weekend feel like something you’re living, not performing and lean into whatever happens. Being flexible is totally worth it.
step 7: Work With a Photographer Who Gets It
You don’t need someone who just takes pretty pictures. You need someone who can help craft the experience.
That means:
Helping you find hidden-gem locations
Building a timeline that balances adventure + chill
Understanding how to document moments that feel raw, not posed
Being your creative partner, not just a vendor
If you’re dreaming of a destination elopement where every detail feels intentional, we’ll make it happen, together.
Let’s Plan the Elopement You Actually Want
You deserve an elopement that feels like a mix between an adventure, a love story, and an epic trip you’ll never get over.
If you’re ready to start planning (and want a creative partner to bring it all to life), call me (ok don’t call bc Im usually somewhere outside of cell service, but you get it).
👉 Inquire Here or check out my [Elopement Location Guide] for inspiration on where to start.
