Adventure and Vow - Elopement Photographer

01/30/2025

What does it look like to elope with your loved ones tagging along???

Courtney + Ahren brought along their siblings and a few very sacred friends for their San Juan Island elopement. When I first arrived to the Airbnb everyone was staying in you could feel the house bursting with love, joy and warmth over breakfast.

Since we would be traveling to a different island - C + A and myself on a bought they rebuilt for this day, and their guests via a ferry - after breakfast the guys helped A prep the boat and the gals hung out with C while she got hair and makeup done.

Across the waters we sailed admiring seals along the way and eventually being greeted with waving arms and cheers from the dock.

We unloaded, everyone set up camp and C+A started to prepare dinner and friends help set the table with the carefully selected decker and wine to tie into meaningful elements and the couples story. Together everyone dined after a cheers.

C+A went their seperate ways to get ready at camp, each having the help of their closest loved ones for the final details. They took some time to their selves for a first look before joining the gang for a short walk through the forest.

They entered their ceremony as a friend played a song, one friend greeting them and lead their ceremony. In between private vows + a blending cocktail each guest read a meaningful reading.

We celebrated a long the coast all together as the sun began to set before returning to camp for cake, drinks and dancing until eventually retiring to hangout together around the fire before sleep.

In the morning C+A took some time together in their boat to soak it all in and take portraits before spending the morning exploring the island with their guests and returning back to the main island.

The elopement was so joyful, with so much deep felt support and love for these two sounds joining in marriage.

This is an elopement that moved me. This was...4 years ago now? And I to this day talk about it.

They were apart of this story. This day was still about the couple, their marriage. It was enhancing to have their presence. Harmonized.

01/28/2025

Eloping just us two sounds....boring? How will it be special??

My friends. It is anything but boring or not special. It's magical, grounding, fun, freeing - but most importantly. Eloping just you two is intentional.

Come with me, I want to share with you Amber + Kyle's just us two, multi-day elopement across Washington state.

This elopement was one of the most intentional we've had the honor to capture.

Day 1 was a day all about intention setting. It started in the mountains at sunrise where Kyle played the guitar for amber and she sang along here and there while they sipped coco and and sat on a blanket from her parents wedding.

Then we went to their airbnb to so they could wrap their thoughtful presents for each other and get on the lake - just like old times back home. We ventured into rainforest to admire the moss and lush life. Ending day 1 on the rocky coast for some fun!

Day 1 ended snuggled up by a fire with an intention candle until we saw the Milky Way appear.

To get to their second destination a ferry ride was needed, a Washington state classic.

Day 2 was wedding day which started out slow having breakfast together, exchanging the purposefully selected gifts, reading letters from loved ones. During hair and makeup Kyle surprised amber with a couple more gifts to let her know he was thinking of her. After a beautiful, private, happy tears first look we set out for their private ceremony.

Their elopement ceremony held touches of ambers dad who was watching from above and heart felt vows. Before heading up to the mountain for portraits they shared a picnic in the meadow with all of their favorite snacks.

Once back at the Airbnb they cute cake, ate pizza, enjoyed cocktails, shared their first dance by a fire and finished reading letters from family.

Their elopement felt peaceful, centered, honorable and inspiring.

A mix of adventure and new things with homage to their lives and story as a couple. Each detail held meaning, each moment crafted with intent. Present.

Eloping just you two looks different for every couple. No matter how each day is different there's similarity in how important that day will feel + cherished it will become.

01/24/2025

When I decided to quit my job that involved photographing for the PGA of America there was apart of me that was sad - I was leaving behind taking photos that felt like they had historical importance.

The reality was that the importance only existed if you were a golfer or if you followed golf.

With elopements, I have found more value of historical importance more than ever. The photos from your elopement day are apart of your legacy. Your story as a human in life, your relationship.

I think sadly, personal images are often in the moment overlooked as not important to take or have or to hold at a high value.

This could not be further from the truth.

I lost my Aunt back in 2021, my most important person, my twin flame. I can tell you that now, I would love nothing more than to have every possible photo ever taken of her or her and me - that is how you continue to connect after someone is no longer earth side.

Even here, living our lives, our memory is not permanent. Details fade, the feeling is almost made up and we change as we grow, maybe never getting back to that place or not doing those type of adventures anymore.

Having photos brings us back to that feeling, smell, a reminder of the memory. Evidence that you, YES YOU, are badass and epic and stood strong in your truth on your wedding day - getting married in a way that was intentional, true to you.

That is powerful.

One of my secretly favorite things to do every once in a while is to scroll back through my own Facebook images to relish the past a little. Man, we were living epically. Van life, solo travel, Iceland, friends.

Images matter, your story matters to you,, but also to all of those who love you.

01/17/2025

Your ultimate 2025 adventure elopement inspiration guide is here 🙌🏻✨

We're naming our top 5 elopement ideas filled with epic, unforgettable adventure in this post to get you inspired and stoked on planning your day!!

However....we had such a hard time narrowing it down that we're giving you 5 more incredible ideas in this caption!

⛺️ Backpacking on the Olympic coast - 1 night, easy hiking, romantic setting, evening under the stars and a summer must! Best in July or August!

✨ An adventure elopement paired with luxury, elope at in Page, Arizona where you can pair relaxation great food with a via Ferrata, horse back ride, canyoneering or boat ride! Best in October!

🍁 A hike among the larches, or even better, a backpacking trip. The larch trees in the PNW are simply magical and some of the most beautiful trails on the east side of the range in wa become golden and will fill your day with a sense of joy - best in early October.

🛸 Seaplane around different islands within the San Juan islands a day of beauty and peace among the ocean looking for whales, seeing waterfalls, kayaking and watching sunset by a fire.

🚁 Take a helicopter or seaplane to a remote cabin in alaska to spend the night in the mountains or by the bay - no distractions, time carved out specifically for you two and your union. There are also hiking options. There are options for this all over alaska but we already have our eye on a few in the Palmer and Homer area.

Send this post to your partner - can they guess which one you'd be most stoked about??? 👀

Tell us below which adventure got your attention ⬇️

Our 2025 season is booking out quite quickly and we have limited availability remaining - don't snooze on your epic adventure elopement, get in touch! 🥾🍾

01/16/2025

There are countless incredible beautiful slot canyons in the desert.

Everyone asks about Antelope Canyon - but last year they stopped allowing professional photography within the canyon.

However there are SO many other canyon options. Some require special tours, Canyoneering, off roading and then a hike or boating, then kayaking then hiking 🥾

The canyons run from:
Page, Az
Zion National Park
Moab, Utah
Escalante and Hanksville, Utah

The rock varies in shape and formations but also color of rock - some is more red, then the classic orange and even white slot canyons.

Slot canyons are so magical to get to experience every time we're in one I feel like I'm in my favorite place on earth - cozy, safe, full of unknown, a true adventure and the best thing esp for elopements - PRIVACY.

We love the canyons and would love to share some super secret nooks with you to enjoy during your elopement day! We recommend a spring or fall date, but hey in the winter it's pretty magical in the snow ❄️

01/14/2025

Are you flying to your elopement destination!?

If so, do not miss these pro tips on flying with your wedding dress. We are covering everything you need to know for each major airline and more.

Flying with your wedding dress? Get expert tips on packing, carrying, and protecting your gown for stress-free air travel on your special day.

01/14/2025

🌸 Spring vs Fall in MOAB elopement 🍁

🌸SPRING🌸

March 20 - June 20 is technically Spring

Spring just like Fall can be busy as there are a lot of school breaks during this time.

The temps are chilly early spring and quite warm by the end of spring, but middle of spring is perfect.

Spring is known though to be much windier than Fall.

Moab gets less than .8 inches of rain during Spring.

The biggest thing to know about Spring - avoid eloping during Jeep week dates as the town and trails are extremely busy. This year Jeep week is April 12-20.

🍁FALL🍁

September 22 - December 21 is tech Fall

Early Fall can still be in the high temperatures, October is really when it turns perfect. By late Fall the desert can be quite cold, really after the first week of November Moab slows down bc of the chillier temps - which can be good for privacy in busier areas.

Fall is beautiful with changing leaves...
The aspens in the La Sal Mountains change late September and peak early October.

However, in Moab's Valley the leaves change early November.
Rain increases each month in the fall, averaging in early fall 1.1 inches and ending at 2.1 inches - still not bad (it is the desert!!!)!

✨ If you were to ask us (Hi, your Moab elopement photographers here!) - Spring and Fall are both amazing in Moab!!!✨

If you are wondering if it is too late to elope in Moab this Spring - it is not!! Planning an elopement in Moab is fairly easy and permits are not needed on the BLM land (because as your photographers we hold those permits as yearly so it is already pulled).

Do you have any questions about eloping in Moab?? 👀
We would be happy to answer them here in the comments! ⬇️

01/14/2025

It's been a while since we said hi 👋🏼

So let's do a meet the team post, shall we?!

Traci - owner of Adventure and Vow started this team in 2019! Her favorite types of elopements are those immersed in adventure in a place that holds a lot of meaning to your relationship. She eloped on a backpacking trip in Mt Rainier.

Bill - He joined the team as second photographer + officiant, but now also holds the title of videographer. His favorite type of elopements involve climbing a spire in the desert. He's married to Traci so you know how he eloped 🙌🏻

Malachi - joined the team as an adventure elopement photographer. His favorite elopements are a mix of adventure in the morning and intimate wedding in the evening, or split over two days. Quite similar to how he himself got married in Olympic national park.

All three of us have a few things in common:
✨ we are all ordained
✨ we all deeply care about the experience you have, but also the images that tell that story
✨ we all have a deep love for Moab, Utah
✨ We all live in WA bc well, we love the mountains

And the biggest one....

We're all adventurers. We live a nomadic lifestyle taking us endlessly to more adventures. We'll never turn down a hike, backpacking trip, climb or Canyoneering trip. We live for seeing sunrise, sunset and the stars. Wilderness is where we feel at home.

We're not the elopement team that's going to say to you.... oh that's not possible or that's too big of an adventure.

We're here for it, in fact stoked for it.

I mean after all the name is Adventure AND Vow 🥾

01/13/2025

Hello elopement friends!!

Last year we made a resource guide for couples all from the perspective of couples who previously eloped. We chatted about elopement costs, what they would change, what made it special and so forth!

We want to update these resources for future couples and are looking for any couples (that means you did not have to elope with us) that eloped in 2024 to fill out this anonymous survey.

We think transparency within this industry and helping educate people is so important. Planning an elopement or a wedding comes with a lot of firsts and uncharted territory for couples - we hope that these resources help couples in their planning journey so THANK YOU for taking the time to help!!!

Fill out the form here!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9kUqs6_-KQgNjr1GtVy4kW7Go3gFSoFoCriwY3PfpWL6Ebw/viewform?usp=dialog

01/11/2025

Boots on the trail.

Scouting your elopement location in person is a promise we make to each and everyone one of our couples - even if we've been there 100 times.

Scouting in person ensures:
🥾 the best experience
🥾 the best images
🥾 no surprises come elopement day

Scouting not only helps us find the very best elopement locations, but it helps us know the location the way you'd want to know place you've never been and you're getting married at.

Scouting in person has helped us avoid closed roads due to down trees, has helped us find the most private ceremony options, has helped us time elopement activities to a T.

Sometimes we even send video clips to you of your location showing you the trail, the view, our thoughts and so forth - adds a little excitement, a sneak peek into your day coming up soon!!

Were in you're corner when it comes to your elopement, but really were there, at your place, keeping an eye and helping you have a smooth stress free experience in the very best possible way. 🥾

01/02/2025

🌿How to pick your elopement location? 🌿

Let's keep it simple and say there's two ways to choose your elopement location:

🌿 Pick a location that has a profound meaning for you two that you feel connected to or connected to each other when there. A place you hold memories together already, a place you always love going back to. A place that's maybe helped shape who you are or who you are as a couple.

🌿 A new place, one that's been on the bucket list for a while. It's a place that you feel this pull to go see and experience. One that you think will "leave its mark" on your heart, a place that offers the chance for you to create some grounding, beautiful memories together.

My biggest tips on how NOT to pick a location:

⛰️ social media

⛰️ based on pretty photos you see

⛰️ places that just seem easy or picking without much thought or purpose behind it

I say these things for a few reasons:

✨ it's an outdoor event, you never know what the weather will be like, so it's important to still feel excited about eloping in a place even if it's not ideal controls, which likely will happen if there's a connection from the heart for where you choose to elope.

✨ Picking based on social media and pretty photos can result in not the best experience if you didn't research. A lot of places on social are very popular, meaning crowded and busy. There's epic stunning places to elope though that aren't that if you crave privacy.

✨This day should be uniquely you, an epic, a big deal, something that you're stoked on!! Picking an easy option is tempting in a demanding world that holds our attention at all times, but putting the grit into crafting a day, including the place, to tailor your ceremony, experience and where you can come back to for anniversaries is something that is so special, and that you can't get back.

If you already eloped comment below where you chose + why! ⬇️

12/31/2024

YOUR most favorite images this year from our IG 💕

Thank you all for being here apart of our little pocket of the internet! No matter if you eloped with us, plan to elope with us or are just here to see the photos. Thanks for tagging along for the adventure 🥾

Photos from:
📍 Yosemite National Park
📍 Mt Baker NF
📍 Juneau Alaska
📍 Palmer Alaska
📍 Leavenworth WA
📍 Moab Utah

You could elope yourself here in 2025 🙌🏻 Let's connect and start planning your dreamy, epic elopement day 🫶🏼

Link in bio for contact ✨

12/27/2024

Often the biggest and first question asked is - where do I start!?

My advice is to start with soaking it in!! Take a couple or few weeks to simply enjoy being engaged. This is such a special time that can bring you closer - enjoy it.

Then, carve out some dedicated date night time to - envision.

Think about:

• What does it look like? Where do you see yourself?

• How does your wedding day feel? Thrilling, relaxing, adventurous, etc.

• What is important to you to share, experience or do on this day?

• Do you need guests? Anyone you have to have by your side? Does alone feel right?

Doing research on vendors will help you determine a budget, then you go move forward with booking the vendors you need and configuring travel.

For an elopement specifically, the next step is to reach out to photographers as *most* elopement photographers also take on a huge part of helping you plan. By the time you reach out to them, you want a clear idea of a possible time frame and/or general region.

For a small wedding that would require a venue, the next step would be to reach out to venues *then* a photographer.

The beauty of elopements is that they are way easier to plan than traditional weddings and way less stressful. If something is really stressing you out in planning, I invite you to consider two things:

1. Is this what you want?? If you are finding something really stressful maybe it doesn't align with what you want/need for your wedding day - reevaluate.

2. Ask for help. You get married once, you've likely never done any of this before. Vendors do this for a living, do not be afraid to ask for help, advice or opinions.

We're here for you every step of the way friends 🥾✨

12/23/2024

Sometimes we say, you just have to know the desert to know what's out there.

After living in the desert quite literally during van life, from endless camping nights, climbing, off roading, canyoneering and adventures on elopements we feel like we "know" the desert.

I wanted to share some of our own personal spring desert adventures we have planned and other epic ideas to inspire your desert elopement and/or honeymoon 🙌🏻

Strap up your boots and let's go.....

🥾 off road white rim road on a multiday trip in Canyonlands

🥾 4 night kayak trip on the green river exploring overlooks and enjoying the stars

🥾 canyoneering deep in the depths of Sedonas canyons

🥾 our annual adult spring break will be held yet again in the canyons of remote Utah just an hour out of Moab, we're also hoping to take a boat to access a hike to worlds largest natural free standing arch

🥾 backpack trip to reflection canyon overlooking part of lake Powell

🥾 Canyoneering and hiking in goblin valley state park, also some off roading to access mars like destinations near by

🥾 Kokopelli on lake Powell to access remote destinations and slot canyons, will be in tow

🥾 off roading to new destinations to us, exploring stunning vistas to watch sunsets, have a fire and stare gaze or even cowboy camp at ✨

These are our adventures and bucket list items, but there's so, so, so much more activities and fun things to find for yourselves on your elopement or honeymoon road trip! The desert is a first class destination if you have interest in:
✨ mountain biking
✨ off roading
✨ hiking/backpacking
✨ geology
✨ climbing/bouldering/canyoneering
✨ extreme sports like BASE jumping

We'd be stoked to help you plan and capture your adventure elopement in the desert! 📸

📌 save this post for inspo and share with your partner

⬇️ comment below what's been one of your favorite adventures in the desert already??

12/19/2024

It's always a high honor to be on the top wedding photos of the year list. 🥹✨

I truly look forward to this day all year - I love seeing everyone's creativity, the epic elopements and weddings couples held, the diverse cultures and locations portrayed in this profoundly curated list.

We had such an incredible time photographing and elopement wedding this year in our favorite place, Moab. From the indepth meetings to make sure these days went smoothly and portrayed two very different experiences, but still embodied who they were was a couple and how they wanted to celebrate. From epic, beautiful adventures to a formal wedding event. We're honored and thankful to have been their creative team. Your wedding events were a joy to be apart of but really we just loved meeting you two as humans and being in your world for several days.

Speaking of team, this photo is not here without our entire teams ideas, efforts and creativity so thank you Malachi + Bill. Were also firm believers that on an elopement/wedding our couple is apart of the team so thank you for trusting the vision and being willing to lay on the ground minutes before walking down the aisle to get married.

Thank you to the outside team! did a stunning job at putting together the florals for this event, but also keeping them safe from the 40mph winds outside and somehow still making sure they stayed beautiful during the ceremony. Thank you for being willing to arrange florals last minute so the couple get photos like this with the dreamy florals. 🌿

It's been a heck of a year here at Adventure and Vow and truly I know I've said it 5 times already in this post but we're just SO thankful. For it all. Our couples, the vendors we work with, the places we get to capture love stories and the creative space to tell those stories. 💕📸

Big shoutout to the judges this year it's a lot of hours and work to comb through the massive amount of images submitted to this every year. Thank you The Photo Lab

See the full set of winning images here: https://junebugweddings.com/photo-contests/best-of-wedding/2024 =1&slide=0

12/17/2024

Elopements aren't about running away from something. It's about running towards

your true self.

It's about finding peace. Has anyone ever said to you - why are you so emotional? Stop crying. Your idea is stupid. Why do you want to do xyz that's not important.

None of those questions or statements will be found here. This is a safe space. Instead you'll hear....

Crying is okay, it actually perfectly normal and good for you.

Emotions are perfectly accepted, feel all the feels. Take your time don't rush through them.

That's a great idea! We love the thought, creatively, concept - let's do it.

You are important, how you want to be, live and get married is important.

Eloping is saying goodbye to the ordinary, the expectations, the "shoulds" and outer influence.

It's all about crafting an experience to fully live in, a reflection of you and your relationship, the things you find purpose and connection in. It's about space to feel, breathe and connect.

It's not about pretty pictures. The photos are a reflection of what you create here. They're what you go back to afterwards to remember the feeling, moment and day.

Photos can be moving for a lot of reasons - amazing light + composition, color and contrast all bring power to an image.

However a photo that'll move you to emotional tears and feeling of thankfulness - that happens with story and story doesn't happen if you're not living it with all your walls down, fully present, to your highest capability.

12/16/2024

🚁Helicopter elopements 🚁

There's so many plus sides to a heli elopement, we honestly find them hard to say no to....

🚁 privacy in a remote stunning location
🚁 easy access - reach a ridge without hiking 20 miles + 5k gain
🚁 an experience outside of the box
🚁 the chance to check off a bucket list item
🚁 opens up the opportunity to polar plunge in glacier water, kayak around glaciers or go ice climbing

We're here to help you plan your heli elopement from...
🚁 where to have your heli elopement
🚁 which heli company to book
🚁 how long of a flight to book
🚁 what to bring with you
🚁✨ and of course all the usual elopement planning

In the words of .... let your elopement be "wildest dream" every elopement we've captured that involved helicopters the brides all said it was the best day of their lives. 💕

🗣️ So tell us in the comments, would you have a heli elopement?

💌 Send this post to your partner to let them know you have an idea for your day!