Adventure Instead - Elopement Photographer & Experience Designer, Denver, CO (2025)

07/15/2025

I talk a lot about how much I love Colorado mountains—and I do!—but in my opinion, the sand dunes are chronically slept on.

Where else can you find:
The tallest dunes in North America
A perfect mountain backdrop
Unmatched dark skies for stargazing
And an insane amount of activity options
All in one place?

Only in Great Sand Dunes National Park.

I still love how Kasia & Dan tackled this park on their elopement day.

From vows on top of the crests, to the silliest sand wrestling session, to a picnic, to staring at the stars together, they took advantage of all of the amazing things that this park has going for it.

And there was so much THEM in their elopement day. From Dan's Chicago socks and their Chicago-brewed wedding beer, to their matching WWE belts, to carving out time for a family (including the pups) snack of peanut butter before starting their day...

Their personality came through in every single aspect of their wedding day.

Kasia & Dan originally said that they wanted to elope because they wanted to truly focus on *them* and it being *their* day, and I think they filled that order absolutely perfectly.

I especially love doing any elopement here that stays out after the sun sets. This is an International Dark Sky Park, so the views of the Milky Way from here are UNREAL.

Kasia & Dan carved out time to stand out in the dune field together and take in an incredible meteor shower, which genuinely just kinda felt like the Earth lighting off fireworks to celebrate them. It was super intimate, really moving, and the perfect way to end their elopement day.

Moments like these are what make eloping in Colorado so extraordinary, if you ask me. There's so much adventure to be had & found here that you can have a wedding day that starts in a mountain cabin, moves through the desert, and ends under every constellation in the sky.

And you can have that kind of day no matter where you are in the state, which absolutely blows my mind every time I stop to think about it.

(But if you're thinking about eloping and that sounds like too much to sift through, don't worry! I'll always provide you with insider, local born-and-raised tips spots for your day 😉)

xx Maddie Mae

Listen, Colorado is FULL of the most incredible places, so I can completely understand why it would feel overwhelming to pick just a couple for your elopement.

As a local, I not only have the greatest list of places, but also tips to go with them to make them even better!

See it here!
https://adventureinstead.com/colorado-elopement-guide/

07/14/2025

Johanna & Jerome came to me with a vision, and I loved every second of it.

No matter what your vibes are or what energy you’re wanting for your elopement day, I’m HERE FOR IT.

All you have to do is hand me your wildest dream. I’ll make it happen. 💪

And would you believe it if I told you some of the most beautiful Italian locations are free?

Check them out here!
https://adventureinstead.com/best-places-to-elope-in-italy/

07/10/2025

Do you want to feel like you’re in Outlander on your wedding day? Or get married in a landscape ripped from the Sound of Music? Or say your vows in an Icelandic tourism ad?!

That’s where I come in! I’ve been to 43 countries (and counting!) and have photographed over 300 elopements, so you’re in expert hands when it comes to those perfect, cinematic fairytale vibes in absolutely unreal settings.

Your marriage should start with the adventure of a lifetime. I’m here to help!

If this is how you want to remember your wedding day, let me know so I can get you on my schedule!

I’ll bring my camera and see you in your own personal destination fairytale

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

07/09/2025

10 years ago today I photographed my very first elopement, right here in CO 🥹

This career has been a crazy ride. I've photographed couples in 20 countries and have been to all 7 continents. I've followed couples to every corner of the world to say their vows, and it's been so epic.

But now being back for my first summer full of Colorado elopements in years feels like coming home in the best way.

Don't get me wrong—travel is a deep part of my soul. I feel so at home staring out the window of an airplane or stepping foot somewhere I've never been.

But after spending more nights sleeping away from home than I did in my own bed in 2024, I made sure that at least half of my season was here in my home state.

And it was the BEST decision I could have made

Even having been to 43 countries (and counting!) there's a reason I live in my home state. It's easy to take for granted the world that's in your backyard.

But I can't wait to take couples back to my favorite areas of the state that I know so well and all my best off-the-beaten-path locations.

One thing's for sure... I'm never going to get tired of showing off this home of mine. Just like I'm never going to get tired of seeing it as the backdrop for people's love stories.

(And bonus... the dogs get to come with me more!)

It's going to be wildflower season here soon, and I cannot WAIT to show you guys.

xx Maddie Mae

If you need any sign to cancel your wedding and elope, this is it. My page is it. I AM IT.

Even if you feel the need to plan a celebration for loved ones separately. I PROMISE eloping is so much more than worth it. It’s pure magic infused into a day ✨

In fact, here’s how you can plan a

Post-Elopement Party:
https://adventureinstead.com/how-to-plan-a-post-elopement-party/

07/07/2025

Jennifer & Max’s day was perfect in the moment, but looking back knowing that this exact shot became a Junebug 2024 winner? It’s the perfect cherry on top.

Don’t get me wrong—it would have been special without any awards at all, too. At the end of the day, that’s not why we do this.

But sometimes you get a really special shot of a really special moment, and it’s awesome to see it reach other people, too.

More adventures ahead!

If that doesn’t speak volumes about the beauty and freedom an elopement offers, I don’t know what does. 🤷‍♀️

Check out my portfolio below to see just how much love and happiness radiates off these couples when they choose to have a wedding day for THEMSELVES!

My Portfolio:
https://adventureinstead.com/portfolio/

07/02/2025

You should listen to that little voice telling you that your wedding day could be *easier.* That it could be about you, what you want to do, and your connection to each other above all else.

You should elope somewhere beautiful and never look back.

You should take the chance to make your wedding day memorable and ditch all of the stressors that come with a big wedding.

You should start your marriage with the adventure of a lifetime, creating those memories you’ll look back on fondly forever.

You should let yourself do it differently. Because your love deserves the best.

There is no one else who’s going to give you the wedding day you deserve but you.
There’s no one else who’s going to experience that day.
And there’s only one chance to do it in a way that speaks to you.

I’ve heard a lot of couples say they regret their wedding, but not one couple has told me they regret eloping. In fact, over 3000 couples told me why it was what they chose.

Here’s what they said:
https://adventureinstead.com/top-reasons-to-elope/

07/01/2025

I've talked before about making your elopement *feel* like it's your honeymoon, but have you ever considered ACTUALLY combining your destination elopement with your honeymoon?!

I personally LOVE when couples do this. There's something both so special and somehow so traditionally sweet about saying your vows and then immediately jumping in the car to go to your honeymoon.

That's what Johanna & Jerome did!

They had a destination ceremony in Florence and then immediately headed to Sardinia to start their honeymoon in earnest.

And it was PERFECT. We had the best weather and it was so special to get to spend an entire day with them out on a sailboat. No rush, no one around. Just the two of them, me, and our boat captain (who, btw, cooked the most *incredible* Italian food).

Johanna & Jerome got to fully relax and enjoy this way, taking their time to lounge, explore, and connect with each other on their first day as a married couple.

After that, we said our goodbyes and they headed out to hop around the Greek Islands, enjoying the Mediterranean Sea, golden sun, and everything this gorgeous slice of Earth has in store.

Johanna & Jerome knew they wanted a destination elopement because a love of travel together is a huge component of their relationship. So they knew that a big local wedding was never going to be their style.

And in my opinion, you can tell so much about them from how they got married. Their connection, their love of body art, their personalities.

They were such an affectionate couple, and it made this whole setting super romantic, which I loved!

There's always going to be a reason that you shouldn't take the trip right now, shouldn't make time to get away, no matter what. My advice?

Don't wait. Carve out a chunk of time for your honeymoon right after you get married. Make sure you start your marriage by prioritizing you and your new spouse.

You deserve it.

xx Maddie Mae

I think you’d be surprised by how inexpensive some of the elopement locations in Italy are…

See for yourself!
https://adventureinstead.com/best-places-to-elope-in-italy/

07/01/2025

I’ve talked before about making your elopement *feel* like it’s your honeymoon, but have you ever considered ACTUALLY combining your destination elopement with your honeymoon?!

I personally LOVE when couples do this. There’s something both so special and somehow so traditionally sweet about saying your vows and then immediately jumping in the car to go to your honeymoon.

That’s what Johanna & Jerome did!

They had a destination ceremony in Florence and then immediately headed to Sardinia to start their honeymoon in earnest.

And it was PERFECT. We had the best weather and it was so special to get to spend an entire day with them out on a sailboat. No rush, no one around. Just the two of them, me, and our boat captain (who, btw, cooked the most *incredible* Italian food).

Johanna & Jerome got to fully relax and enjoy this way, taking their time to lounge, explore, and connect with each other on their first day as a married couple.

After that, we said our goodbyes and they headed out to hop around the Greek Islands, enjoying the Mediterranean Sea, golden sun, and everything this gorgeous slice of Earth has in store.

Johanna & Jerome knew they wanted a destination elopement because a love of travel together is a huge component of their relationship. So they knew that a big local wedding was never going to be their style.

And in my opinion, you can tell so much about them from how they got married. Their connection, their love of body art, their personalities.

They were such an affectionate couple, and it made this whole setting super romantic, which I loved!

There’s always going to be a reason that you shouldn’t take the trip right now, shouldn’t make time to get away, no matter what. My advice?

Don’t wait. Carve out a chunk of time for your honeymoon right after you get married. Make sure you start your marriage by prioritizing you and your new spouse.

You deserve it.

xx Maddie Mae

06/30/2025

If you’re stressed about wedding planning, have you ever considered just ✨eloping✨instead?

You can have a wedding day where you…
🥂don’t have to invite anyone you don’t want to
🥂don’t have to do any traditions you hate
🥂don’t have to invest $15k into a venue
🥂don’t end the day feeling tired & drained
🥂feel totally connected to your partner
🥂get to soak in every last moment
🥂go to bucket list places that you’ve always dreamed about

If there’s one soapbox I’m NEVER going to get off, it’s that you shouldn’t have to wait for your honeymoon to actually enjoy yourself. Getting married should feel like you’re already on it.

Book the trip. Ditch your wedding plans. ELOPE. 👏

Not only is it exciting, low-stress, and more experience for less money, but you also don’t have ANY expectations. At all.

You can do quite literally anything in the world with anyone in the world (even if that means no one!)

So to take the pressure off you, I actually already wrote down the steps you need to

Cancel your wedding 🤍
https://adventureinstead.com/how-to-cancel-a-wedding/

06/26/2025

This is a soapbox that I will n e v e r step down from.

All of these things could not be more incorrect. And if there was one thing I could tell *every* couple getting married, it’s this:

Your day should be about the TWO OF YOU. And no one and nothing else.

You have every other day of the year and every other day of the rest of your lives to think about other people. This is your pass, from me to you, to be selfish.

Weddings are beautiful occasions. And they *can* be about togetherness and a big old party, if you want them to be. But they can also be about you and your spouse, standing in a beautiful location, promising to love each other and take care of each other.

As a photographer, I’ve seen both kinds of weddings. And I’ll let you guess at which ones make me cry on the regular.

(It’s not the big weddings with the poor stressed out couples. It’s those quiet moments exchanged by a lake or on a mountaintop.)

The big wedding industry will survive if you elope. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to!

The best part?

With every wild activity, comes an intimate moment that would not have happened with a gaggle of people around.

A silent moment of awe during sunset, enjoying the breeze on a mountaintop, a deep breath during an impromptu rest in a grassy field…

Need more reasons to elope?

Here are 12:
https://adventureinstead.com/top-reasons-to-elope/

06/23/2025

⛹🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️Sorry, not quite!

(Though I’ve seen some *epic* Vegas elopements, too 😉)

This is what eloping is now. It’s not about sneaking off to get married.

It’s about focusing on you and your partner and all of the love between you, about trading a $50k ballroom wedding for a mountaintop adventure, about feeling like *you* on your wedding day.

It’s about ditching tradition to get married on the best day of your honeymoon.

That’s what marriage should feel like. A grand adventure with the love of your life. No more, no less.

So… I guess you could say the “new” definition of eloping is doing whatever makes you feel fulfilled and excited in a way that isn’t considered “traditional”.

There’s definitely more to it though.

Here’s more info all about what an elopement actually is today.

Elopement definition:
https://adventureinstead.com/elope-definition/

06/20/2025

If I don’t leave the trip feeling like I grabbed life with both hands, what’s the point?!

Just kidding… kind of. Historically, I’m bad at being a vacationer. I want to see everything, do everything, and feel like I really LIVED while I was there.

But at the same time, I’m trying hard to slow down more. Last year, I took a trip to Maldives and FORCED myself to be in vacation mode, and it was so rejuvenating. (I’ve heard there’s this thing called “taking a break”...? I’ll investigate and let ya’ll know 😉)

What’s your preferred travel ideology? 👀

If there’s one thing I know how to do (besides photography), it’s planning an epic experience… even when I need to just chill 😅

I have a whole masterclass that’s FREE where I coach you through all the planning and logistics involved for an elopement photographer!

If that or any of my other 15+ business, marketing, or photography masterclasses interest you

Get them FREE here!
https://checkout.adventureinsteadacademy.com/weddings-wanderlust-videos/?_ga=2.120110158.795651398.1749594097-1490749635.1706819132&_gl=1*16vbqht*_gcl_au*MTQwNzIyNjkyNC4xNzQ0MzExODM0*_ga*MTQ5MDc0OTYzNS4xNzA2ODE5MTMy*_ga_J9CR916EC8*czE3NDk1OTkwOTMkbzEwNCRnMSR0MTc0OTU5OTEyMSRqMzIkbDAkaDA.

Adventure Instead - Elopement Photographer & Experience Designer

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