Adventure Instead - Elopement Photographer & Experience Designer

06/17/2024

As someone who spends a great deal of her life in the great outdoors, I think it’s important to care for and celebrate the beautiful space we live in!

How do you plan to celebrate Great Outdoors Month?

Learn more about how to ethically support the environment as an eloping couple by following Leave No Trace practices.

Tap here:
https://adventureinstead.com/leave-no-trace-guide-for-eloping-couples/

To deep-dive into the LNT principles and better understand how to care for this planet on your most important day of all 💚

06/15/2024

Do you NEED vendors for your elopement? Technically ✨no ✨

But they make an already beautiful day feel, taste, and flow so much better. So ask yourself what’s most important to you? What do you feel makes a difference in your experience when you do treat yourself?

Are you a foodie? Then hire a private chef. Maybe you feel most yourself with accentuated features and a solid cat eye? Hire a makeup artist! Will it only feel real if someone asks you to say “I do”? An officiant may be for you. Do you want to look back on those moments forever? Hire a photographer 😉

I’ve compiled all the FAQs my couples have asked when they go to hire their own vendors. Check them out here:

The beautiful thing about eloping is that you can craft your wedding day to match your unique style and enhance your experience by hiring the vendors you care most about—splurge on the things you love and forget the rest! There are no hard and fast rules for which vendors you need to hire for your...

06/12/2024

I have to ask… WHY?

You’re spending a very large sum of money when you get married. And for what? To play host and make sure everyone ELSE has a good time? If that makes you happy, 100% do it. But for me, absolutely not.

Why not spend all that money on living your ✨dreams ✨Do something you’ve always dreamt of. Spoil yourself. Make your wedding day about enjoying yourself… not helping others enjoy their time on YOUR day.

I can tell you which I’d choose, but if you need help deciding, we polled over 3000 eloping couples about why they chose to do so.

They said this:
https://adventureinstead.com/top-reasons-to-elope/

06/11/2024

No, this is not Greece. This isn't the Caribbean, either. This, friends...is Colorado.

Lauren & Kelly were looking for unique things to do on their elopement day where they could enjoy the outdoors without all the hard work, and let me tell you, this experience DELIVERED.

Even if you're an outdoorsy person, having a bougie and luxe experience in nature can make you feel so special on your wedding day–which is exactly what you deserve. Those moments that will stand out to you years later, that really take your day and make you think, "Wow, that wasn't like anything else I've ever experienced."

And what's more bougie and memorable than hopping on a sailboat, eating a locally sourced charcuterie board picnic, and lounging in the midday sun?

Most people have no idea that you can even sail in Colorado, much less that there are spots for it buried in the mountains, but that's what makes it so great. This particular reservoir is at the base of five (FIVE) different mountain valleys, so you get 360 views no matter where you turn.

This is also notoriously one of the hardest places to sail in the entire United States because of all of those aforementioned mountains and the various wind directions coming off of them, but we had an incredibly badass female sailboat captain who made the day a breeze. 💪

A lot of photographers avoid this time of day because of the bright light, but I'm here to tell you that you can lean into it! Lauren & Kelly changed into different outfits, including the cutest bridal shorts I have ever freaking seen and a gorgeous sundress, and set to soaking up that bright, bright Colorado sunshine.

The result is these immaculate, Ralph Lauren, Martha's Vineyard vibes in the middle of a completely landlocked state.

The photos speak for themselves. They got to start their day feeling relaxed, celebrated, and connected to each other. Not to mention, it immediately made this day feel totally unlike any other.

What better note to start your marriage on than that?

If you've got a vision, we can make it happen. Hard work totally optional. 😉

xx Maddie Mae

This probably isn’t a surprise, but Colorado is littered with insane view after insane view. It’s diverse with SO much to do.

It’s part of the reason I chose to live here 😏

If you want to elope in my home state but aren’t sure where,

Find your place in CO:
https://adventureinstead.com/best-places-to-elope/best-places-to-elope-in-colorado/

06/10/2024

Calling all sunrise lovers 📣

Do you love the early morning air and birdsong? Do you love watching the sun peek over the horizon while clutching your steaming cup of coffee against your chest?

If so, I’d like to be the first to tell you about how soul-warming watching the sun rise on your wedding day is.

Would you do this?

If you're still on the fence or want to know exactly what the differences are between sunrise and sunset, I’ve got you!

Take a look to see whether you should elope at sunrise or sunset here:
https://adventureinstead.com/sunrise-or-sunset-elopement/

06/08/2024

Eloping no longer means running away to Vegas and getting married under the excited guise of an Elvis impersonator.

Unless that sounds like the perfect way to celebrate probably THE most significant day of your life, forget that idea. In 2024, eloping looks like this…

❤️Scuba diving off the coast of a tropical destination and vows on a seaside cliff
❤️Whale watching followed by dinner with a private chef and stargazing
❤️Ending a Grecian exploration with cliff-jumping

The only way to know what your elopement could look like is to ask yourself, “If I could have a full day without limits, what would I do?”

THAT is your elopement.

Learn more about what it means to elope 👇
https://adventureinstead.com/elope-definition/

06/06/2024

If you just don’t envision hiking on your elopement day, it’s time I break the good news: you don’t have to!

There are SO many fun and unique ways to get to an epic view without showing up sweaty and ready for a nap (but I’m honestly down for both).

How will you get to your wedding destination?

Since this day is 100% yours, elopements also have the amazing option of becoming more refined. They can be a way to indulge in your wildest dreams–to live out your fairytale and experience things you never thought possible.

You deserve it.

Learn just how luxurious an elopement can get.

Tap here:
https://adventureinstead.com/luxpedition-elopement-the-ultimate-romantic-experience/

06/05/2024

Happy Pride, ya'll. And an especially happy pride to all of the folks who haven't felt welcome in traditional wedding spaces, have had to hide parts of themselves on what should be a happy day, or who have had loved ones opt out of participating because of who they're marrying.

We talk a lot on here about how eloping allows you to be true to yourself–your personal touches, your non-traditional whims, your own private backdrop in nature. But another thing it does is allow for a wedding day where you, exactly as you are, are not only allowed... but deeply loved and celebrated.

Whether your gender doesn't match the marker on your birth certificate or your day involves two dresses, you deserve that. You deserve a wedding day that is safe and stress-free.

You deserve to know, with total certainty, that everyone around you loves you and supports you and wants to see you happy. Even if only for one day.

In a world where harmful and scary legislation continues to get pushed every day and corporations aren't even turning their logos rainbow anymore, let me take this chance to once again be perfectly clear:

You and your love are truly beautiful. I see you. I support you.

It has been such a privilege to be witness to such a special moment in so many relationships in the q***r community. I KNOW firsthand how deeply special and tender that love is.

Thank you to every single LGBTQIA+ couple who has ever trusted me with your love story or plans to do so in the future. It is something that I will never, ever take for granted.

I have heard from so many couples about how cisgender and hetero focused the entire wedding industry is. I hope on this account you can take a breath from that. And know that–at least here–the only default will ever be people in love getting married.

Every week this month, we'll be highlighting q***r love stories. But as a reminder, you can find LGBTQIA+ couples here all year round. Because this fight doesn't stop when June ends.

xx Maddie Mae

(P.S. If you're a photographer looking to be more inclusive, check out our free blog post over to get started. It's never too late to learn more & be better.)

You and your love are truly beautiful. I see you. I support you.

Please breathe a sigh of relief knowing that if a traditional wedding day doesn’t feel right for any reason, you can choose to elope with a photographer that truly, wholeheartedly loves and supports you.

Happy Pride Month
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Should I elope?:
https://adventureinstead.com/eloping-vs-wedding/

06/03/2024

This Pride Month, we’re celebrating love in all of its forms. 🌈 Did you know these facts about LGBT couples?

If you’re ready to celebrate your BEAUTIFUL LGBTQIA+ love story with the romantic adventure of a lifetime, please allow me the honor of documenting it.

Are you ready?

I'm ready:
https://adventureinstead.com/contact/

06/01/2024

When you envision your elopement day, you should not only feel like your day is ALL 👏 ABOUT 👏 YOU 👏

The best way (in my opinion) is to indulge into the luxurious things in life. Use this as an opportunity to treat yourself. Get massages in Sweden. Stay in a luxury rental in Japan. Charter a helicopter. Say your vows on a glacier.

All those “too big to plan” things on your bucket list? This is your chance. Do them.

Want to learn all about the luxury experience an elopement brings? Check out the luxpedition experience here ⤵️

Experience the ultimate adventure and luxury with a luxpedition elopement. Let us help you create the elopement of your dreams.

05/29/2024

When you recite your vows, if you want to stand somewhere that no one has ever set foot and never will again, you should consider a glacier.

Yes, you can ACTUALLY get married on a glacier! Plus, you’ll get a pretty epic helicopter ride out of it 😏Better yet, you can hop in a canoe and paddle around a glacial pool after all is said and done!

There are a handful of locations I love enjoying the beautiful views glaciers provide, but Alaska remains one of my very top picks. Not only do you have an array of ice and glacier pools to pick from, but you also have an insanely diverse landscape!

Check out this Alaska elopement:
https://adventureinstead.com/alaska-helicopter-elopement/

To see if it’s something you’d like to experience!

05/28/2024

I haven’t shared a lot on here about my spirituality, but there’s a reason I’m so drawn to nature.

The resonant frequency of trees and the energy of them can be so healing in a way that's truly indescribable. I can't believe I get to spend so much time out in the world, witnessing these incredible moments in people's lives in the middle of some of the most stunning places on Earth.

There's something truly honoring about getting to capture that connection–between the couples and between them and the world around them.

Alina & Joe had such a special ceremony during their elopement.

It was sunrise in an old growth forest, and the vibes were incredible. There was something so moving about the energy of the trees that had been there for centuries, standing as witnesses to their marriage. They chose their time intentionally, wanting sunrise because it "symbolizes a new day, a fresh start, and the start of our married life together."

They brought in their own spiritual elements to their ceremony with things like singing bowls, cleansing, and handwritten vows, making the whole thing feel so rooted in those woods and that moment.

Alina & Joe touched the trees and kept each other close and took the time to set the space and the intention for the morning. And it was truly, genuinely moving.

No matter what kind of ceremony you're planning, I genuinely can't think of a better place to be for such a huge moment than out in nature. Especially in a once-in-a-lifetime, jaw dropping location. It does so much more than just give you stunning photos. It also brings everything into focus, keeping you in the moment and really connected.

This is the opposite of getting married in a blur amongst 200 people you may or may not know. This is you, your partner, and centuries old dirt under your boots making a promise to do this thing together.

I can't think of anything more beautiful or worth doing than that.

xx Maddie Mae

I think it’s crazy cool that couples can have any kind of day they want when they choose to elope. There’s zero expectations and zero judgment, because who else is there to please except… well, you?

It’s crazy that having a wedding considered so “not traditional” is the option that feels the most natural…

See if a non traditional wedding is right for you.

Tap here!:
https://adventureinstead.com/4-reasons-to-have-a-non-traditional-wedding/

05/27/2024

When I think of a wedding day, I think of an adventure elopement. I think of a couple exploring a place they’ve never been, smiling ear to ear with their person every moment of the day, trying the things they’ve always wanted to (like maybe a helicopter ride?) and ending it with the best meal they’ve ever tasted prepared by a gourmet chef.

If you’ve been fed this idea of a big wedding day that simply doesn’t resonate with you, take it from other couples who’ve had elopements themselves… you should elope.

Here are the top reasons why they chose to elope:
https://adventureinstead.com/top-reasons-to-elope/

05/23/2024

You. Me. Salt Flats. Full moon. Blood moon. It’s ALL happening in March 2025. If an eerily romantic night with the coolest photos EVER is the wedding ceremony you had in mind, let me know where we’ll be meeting come next March 😉

This 100% needs to happen.

The stars are aligning (or should I say moons?) and this incredibly epic experience will happen for ONE NIGHT ONLY, so if you’re interested, reach out and let me know what your vision under this wildly diverse sky looks like.

Contact me here:
https://adventureinstead.com/contact/

05/22/2024

If you've always dreamed of having a wedding with lush greenery, insane rock formations, deeply cool features like waterfalls, and great accessibility as the cherry on top, I need you to save this post now--because Iceland is your answer.

All of this talk about auroras lately has me daydreaming about going back to Iceland. But, let's be honest. I'm always dreaming of going back to Iceland.

I've set foot in all seven continents and photographed in over 40 countries, so trust me when I say, there's no place on earth quite like this. Did you know that Iceland has about 200 volcanoes? Or that the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that it sits on top of gives it world-class geysers and hot springs?

When you go to Iceland, you genuinely can't turn in a bad direction. Everywhere you look there are stunning rhyolite mountains, basalt columns, black sand beaches, waterfalls, rainbows, and valleys that will have you feeling like you're on a different freaking planet. You can't go wrong here.

Megan & Payton spent the morning of their elopement day hiking up to a seriously stunning spot with multiple (!) waterfalls so that they could be surrounded completely by the green, mossy rock formations, the fresh breeze off the running water, and the sheer cliffs on either side. Totally immersed in nature.

Iceland is one of those places that gives you photos where you don't know where to look first. At Megan's silver and white dress and how it pops out against the landscape? At the water spray? At the joy on their faces?

I'm telling you. No. Bad. Options.

Oh, and did I mention this is all somehow only a six-hour flight from the US away?

I love, LOVE Iceland as an option for my couples who really want to get out of the country for their elopement but either haven't traveled internationally before or aren't sure where to start. Not only is Iceland a pretty short flight, it's also got great roads, is beautiful literally all year (this is a great off-season pick), and, no matter where you go, you're bound to be floored at what you find.

If all of this has you chomping at the bit to get out there...SAME. Give me a call and let's get to planning.

xx Maddie Mae

Eloping is the perfect excuse to hop on a plane and see any place you’ve been dying to see up close and personal. Iceland will always be one of my top contenders, but if that isn’t your vibe, something else out there is.

If you aren’t sure whether going on a private, luxury destination elopement is for you on your wedding day, I’d love to break down the 12 top

Reasons to Elope:
https://adventureinstead.com/top-reasons-to-elope/

05/20/2024

Forever torn between exploring every corner of the world and spending every moment with my pups.

If you’re someone who NEEDS your dog there with you and your partner get married, I don’t blame you and I want to help you make it happen!

Whether they’re just there for the hike or an actual witness (yes, seriously), here is how you can get married and

Include your dog!:
https://adventureinstead.com/dog-friendly-elopement-ideas/

05/15/2024

If you want to include a hot air balloon ride over a breathtaking landscape, consider a place you’ve never explored.

Here are the places I’d recommend seeing the city from a bird’s-eye view:

- Monument Valley, Utah
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Cappadocia, Turkey
- Serengeti, Tanzania
- Sedona, Arizona
- Colorado Springs, Colorado

Where would you go?

I’m heading to a ton of crazy cool places the rest of this year and in 2025. Whether or not you see the location you want to fly over on

My Travel schedule:
https://adventureinstead.com/destination-elopement-photographers/

Let me know where you’re thinking! I’d love to see what else I can get on my calendar 😉🛫

05/14/2024

When it comes to eloping, what are you most afraid of?

I hear a lot of answers to this–my travel will get canceled, the weather won't cooperate, I can't possibly fit in everything I want to do with my new spouse in 8 hours, it won't live up to the hype, etc.

Now what if I told you that there's a super simple answer to literally all of the above? It's a ✨two day elopement.✨

And I'm not just saying that because I love, love, loveee these chances to really dive deep with a couple (although that is a massive perk)–it's just the truth. When you have a two day elopement, the pressure decreases dramatically. You don't have to squeeze everything in, worry about a couple of clouds, or feel like you didn't have a chance to soak it all in before it was over.

And also, that doesn't mean your first day will be wasted if something goes wrong! For Louise & Peter, our original plan went out the window when the hike they wanted to do was completely fogged in. I've shot in enough places to know that the Lofoten Islands have some of the wildest weather in the world, so we had a different plan at the ready.

We did their ceremony on this empty beach right below their original hike and it was still so incredible. Just the two of them, crazy cloud inversions and huge rock formations, bright green grass, and their super spirited dog that they drove down with all the way from Switzerland.

They told me in their original questionnaire that the most important part of the whole experience to them was that it was relaxed and fun, and you can see it in every one of their photos. They had always wanted to go to the Lofoten Islands and decided there was no better way to make sure their elopement really stood out than taking the plunge on that once-in-a-lifetime trip.

And the islands showed OUT for the second day, let me tell you. The wait was so worth it. Stunning sun and perfect weather that let us drive to all of the best of the best island viewpoints. The best of both worlds.

Their day would have been truly great even with just one day. But with that second day? Off the charts, movie magic memories.

xx Maddie Mae

Norway turned out to be everything and more for this couple (and honestly for me too! I don’t think I could ever get over the views we witnessed.)

Read all about Louise & Peter’s adventure elopement!

Tap here!:
https://adventureinstead.com/louise-and-peter-a-norway-elopement-story/

05/13/2024

Erica & Charlie made a choice. To run away and elope in Hawaii instead of opting for a massive wedding day with hundreds of people.

They spent their wedding day exploring the dense forests on the island, chasing waves, and taking a helicopter tour to anywhere their hearts led them.

Do you think they made the right choice?

It’s crazy to think that society has conditioned us to celebrate ourselves by catering to everyone around us…If you ask me, that just isn’t the way to do it.

If you need more reasons to have a non traditional wedding,

Here’s 4:
https://adventureinstead.com/4-reasons-to-have-a-non-traditional-wedding/

05/09/2024

When springtime rolls around, I think of one thing.. WILDFLOWERS. Here are some of my favorite locations for a destination wedding in the wildflowers. (Remember not to touch any of the flowers you see!)

If you aren’t eloping in springtime, but still want to enjoy flowers on your elopement day, here are some of the best elopement flowers for any adventure.

Elopement flowers 💐:
https://adventureinstead.com/elopement-flowers/

05/08/2024

One of the number one questions I get from couples is a worry that a ton of people share–when you're eloping, what happens if things go wrong?

Answer: You come into the experience flexible...AND you book an elopement photographer who you know for sure will have your back.

The mark of an experienced elopement photographer is not how well you plan for Plan A. It's how well you plan for Plan B and C.

Mother Nature is amazing, but she's a strong-willed lady, and she does what she wants. No amount of skill can control the weather. But experience can help you prep for it. I've been to over 40 countries, I know what makes a location suitable for an elopement and how to plan for the best timing in the best spots.

And still, even then, things can go wrong.

Take Taryn & Sam for example. They picked a beautiful location in New Zealand in a known dry part of the country specifically to avoid weather. Naturally, that meant that the day of their elopement, that region was experiencing some of the rainiest weather they had ever gotten.

The morning of their day, the helicopters and boats couldn't go out and all of our original locations were a no-go. Thankfully, Taryn & Sam are fellow travelers who know things sometimes don't go according to plan and had an AMAZING attitude.

We set off and spent the morning exploring the beautiful scenery that was around us and enjoying the time that they had at the incredible place that they had rented to stay in. In the afternoon, the helicopter was able to go out and we ended up on a stunning beach with this great ridge and hiked up.

The photos speak for themselves. This was a Plan F or a Plan G, but honestly, this location would have been a lot of couple's first pick! Taryn & Sam spent the day giddy, running through the rain, and enjoying the time together. And they have a hell of a story to go with their wedding day.

This is something I love so much about elopements. When you've chosen to get married in a way that is so intentionally choosing your relationship and privacy over everything else, you can hold focus.

Even when things go "wrong."

xx Maddie Mae

I guess it shows that no matter how “wrong” your day goes, nothing is ever truly wrong if you’re with your person.

Spend your day with no one but the person you only ever feel right with. Have a non-traditional wedding.

Here are 4 reasons why you should have a

Non-traditional wedding:
https://adventureinstead.com/4-reasons-to-have-a-non-traditional-wedding/

05/01/2024

Never underestimate a photographer who has a lens bigger than your head 😌

Although I’m not offended when people question my abilities because I’m a “little girl”, if you really want to stick it to that guy, let’s go on the adventure of a lifetime and take the most incredible photos 😉

Hire me ➡️ https://adventureinstead.com/contact/

04/30/2024

Imagine being the only people who had gotten married at your venue. Or not just your venue, but your whole location, period. EVER.

That's the kind of insanely cool story that you're never going to get from any traditional wedding. In the Faroe Islands, the locals hold the key to the entire area's history. They not only tend to and own the land amongst themselves, they also keep all of the records.

During Olivia & Dan's elopement, our boat captain told us that, according to the books, they were the first ones to ever get married on that island. In hundreds of years of human history, Olivia & Dan were the first ones to take to that particular island and tie the knot (and I meant that literally, given their historic handfasting ceremony).

It's unreal that this day even got to happen, given that the weather was initially against them. The entire first day, the boat couldn't go out, and it looked like we wouldn't be able to get to their spot. But on the second day, the weather cleared, the ocean steadied, and off we went.

There's a seriousness and a solemnity to be the first humans to get married in a spot rich with so much history. And Olivia & Dan bore it so well. Between their outfits full of black and leather, their seriously palpable connection to each other, and their incredible personal touches (like a custom jacket!), the authenticity of this shoot is something I feel like you can't help but admire.

They kept the vibes moody, editorial, and all together different from my usual shoots. And I couldn't be a bigger fan of the outcome.

When they got home and shared the story and the photos with their people, they told me everyone loved it and commented on how "them" it was. I love that piece of elopements so much. The things that make the people who know and love you say, "That's so crazy, but that makes so much sense for you!"

Your love is special--sometimes, it's even historic.

Trust me? Let's do a practice in authenticity. Pop into the comments below and give me three words to describe your perfect elopement day or what that one special detail is that sets it apart from everyone else. What's going to make your day yours?

xx Maddie Mae

If you’re looking for the perfect destination elopement location, here are some of my favorites!

Elopement locations:
https://adventureinstead.com/best-places-to-elope/

04/25/2024

Yes, these phone videos are beautiful, but if you’re going to capture a moment, capture the ENTIRE moment. The energy, the light, the sparkle in your eye… all of it.

I’ve seen some truly amazing elopements with the most incredible feelings strung throughout the adventure.

Eloping means freedom. It means doing what YOU love. It means… well,

It means this:
https://adventureinstead.com/elope-definition/

04/24/2024

I am not a hipster, but if the French Alps become the It Girl of Europe soon, I WILL be reminding ya'll that I told you about it before it was cool. 😎

I have shot in the Alps in so many countries–Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Slovenia...and I am here to tell you that not only are the French Alps seriously beautiful, they are also criminally underrated. To the point where some people forget the Alps even go into France. But they do, and they’re so worth it.

Do you want world-class skiing and mountain biking, the best French vibes, and stunning vistas that are all also a stone's throw away from Italy and Switzerland? Do you want to have the most picture perfect afternoon amongst the sheep and mountains that ends with a picnic full of macarons, cheese, wine, and pain au chocolat? (Sidebar...food should be at the center of more elopements.)

Then Chamonix is waiting for you, my friend.

Kaitlyn & Michael chose Chamonix for all of these reasons and more, with Michael being a huge mountain biking person. You could see Mont Blanc from everywhere during their day, peeking (or should I say peaking?) out in all its glacier-capped, tallest-mountain-in-the-Alps glory.

They took a short hike up to an insane overview, flowers and fresh baguette tucked into their packs. And when the sun hit the mountain during their ceremony and first dance, it literally glowed.

Every part of the Alps is jaw dropping, this is true. But if you’re looking for a different take that feels idyllic and peaceful without having Sound of Music tourism (though I do love Julie Andrews), the French Alps are for you. I swear, you will feel like you’re in a movie all of your own–singing and frolicking encouraged, but not required.

I am convinced there’s a section of the Alps for everybody. It’s stunning and can be hard to pick! That’s where I come in. I understand the intricacies of every segment of the Alps and I am so ready to figure out which one is right for you–no fear, no FOMO, just you and the most cinematic day you two have ever had.

xx Maddie Mae

If you’re interested in traveling for your wedding day, consider some of my favorite

Elopement locations
https://adventureinstead.com/best-places-to-elope/