How to Elope: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide for Free-Spirited, Fated Couples
Lovers!!! I see you're ready to plan the time of your life, your big moment, one of the most important dates of your life. Eeeep! You're exactly where you need to be, because I'm giving you all the juicy deets on how to elope - and not an elopement you settle with (we don't just settle around here) but an elopement that is made up of all the best things about the two of you.
What Is an Adventure Elopement?
Who Is Adventure Eloping For?
Why Elope Adventurously?
Choosing the Perfect Location
Legal and Logistical Considerations
Building a Timeline That Flows
Adventure Elopement Activities to Make It Yours
What to Wear: Outfits That Move With You
Packing for Your Elopement (Checklist Included)
The Role of Your Elopement Photographer & Planner
Including Loved Ones (If You Want To)
Real Stories From Adventure Elopers
How to Start Planning Your Own Adventure Elopement
FAQs About How to Elope
Packages & Pricing
What is an Adventure Elopement?
An adventure elopement is an intimate, intentionally planned wedding experience where your love story unfolds in a setting that reflects your spirit. Think mountaintops, deserts, cliffsides, or wherever you feel most alive. It’s about connection, freedom, and unforgettable moments shared with your partner—and maybe a few guests or just the wind. It’s spending undivided attention together and involving every element that brings you the most joy.
It feels like a day in your own movie that’s written all about you.
It’s a honeymoon with a ceremony in the middle of it.
There are no rules to follow except your own.
An adventure elopement is having fun during the planning too.
An adventure elopement is about starting your life over without the limits of anyone else, with the limitlessness you want to feel as you enter your marriage.
Who is Adventure Eloping For?
Adventure eloping is for:
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Couples who value presence over production.
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BIPOC and LGBTQ+ couples who want a safe, affirming space to express their love.
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Couples who want to enjoy their engagement and the planning process.
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Introverts and neurodivergent folks who feel overwhelmed by large gatherings.
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Anyone who dreams of a bold, authentic, and experience-first celebration.
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Everyone!
Why Elope Adventurously?
We’re the worst people to ask this because you’ll literally end up taking your wedding budget and spending it on yourselves, but seriously, friend, that’s the whole point! Here are just a few reasons we encourage all of our couples to elope:
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Intimacy: Say your vows without distractions, deeply present in the moment. Like A + M who spent their day in Yosemite with 2 special guests.
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Flexibility: Craft a day that reflects who you are, without rigid timelines. Like M + R who sat under the fiery sunset until they had the last sip of their champagne.
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Excitement: Create a story worth telling. Sunrise, cliffs, lakes, or canyons. Like L + E who eloped on a glacier and spent the next 2 days exploring Juneau.
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Sustainability: Less waste, more intention. Give the planet a little love too.
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Self-Love: Take back control of how you celebrate, on your terms.
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Mobility: Travel light, go far. You can move freely and do what lights you up.
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Exclusivity: Make your day truly yours. No crowd, no stress—just magic.
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Splurgability: Spend less on a venue and more on the adventure.
See our 10 Reasons for Eloping Adventurously for more details on why many of our couples have chosen to elope adventurously.
Choosing the Perfect Location
From alpine lakes to red rock canyons to city streets, choosing your elopement location is about emotion as much as aesthetics.
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Ask: What landscapes feel like you?
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Are there places you find yourselves frequenting when you’re together?
- Do you do activities that require you to be in certain places? I.E. Surfing at the beach, boating at the lake, ATVing through the sand dunes.
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Consider the time of year, permits, accessibility, and privacy.
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Think beyond Instagram. This is your story.
How to Elope Legally & Logistical Considerations
Marriage Licenses in the U.S.
- Marriage licenses in the U.S. are legally recognized in many countries.
- However, if the U.S. is not your home country, then check with your embassy to find any additional requirements once you’ve completed your license here in the U.S.
- Depending on the location of your wedding, the marriage license authority will either be the state or the county you’re getting married in.
- In addition, some marriage licenses have waiting periods, so be sure to factor that into your timeline.
- While most states require either one or two witnesses, on the other hand there are states that require none. There are even states where you can have your dog “sign” your marriage certificate for you.
International Marriage Licenses for U.S. Couples
- Meanwhile U.S. based couples need to check in with the legalities that are required internationally. You want to make sure that your marriage license is legally recognized in your home country.
- In order to avoid complications, it’s essential to make sure your marriage license will be recognized when you return home.
Because of this, some couples choose to handle the legal side of their marriage in the U.S. rather than dealing with foreign requirements like translations, apostilles, and extra documentation. - As a result, many opt to have a symbolic ceremony abroad, which does not require local paperwork but still holds deep personal meaning.
Permits for Public Lands
- Many national parks and state parks require permitting when eloping within their confines.
- There are guest limits, limits to what you can bring and what is allowed during your elopement, be sure to check the website for your chosen national and state parks for more info.
Weather safety, backup plans, and Leave No Trace Principles
- You can check the weather for a certain location up to a year in advanced but it’s important to check it as the time gets closer so you can prepare appropriately.
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- Packing will depend heavily on what the weather looks like, not just for clothing but for essentials like umbrellas or lots of water for hot days, etc.
- Always have a plan B-Z for you and your vendors in case weather gets crazy.
Building a Timeline that Flows
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Don’t overbook. Your day should feel expansive, not rushed.
- Always add in buffers to every part of your day.
- Consider your guests and how much time it would take for everyone to move from place to place.
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Think sunrise hikes, midday naps, sunset vows, starry night dances.
- Consider a multi-day elopement if you’re looking for more of a honeymoon vibe.
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Always allow for rest, spontaneity, and snack breaks!
For detailed instructions on how to build your timeline and examples how it all works tap here to read Your Elopement Timeline Guide.
Activities That Make It Yours
- Pick a schedule that feels like you.
- If you’re not an early riser, plan a late start.
- If you love breakfast, make it part of your elopement.
- If you’re stargazers, make it part of your day.
- Decide what your meals will look like.
- Are you looking for fine dining or cliffside picnics?
- Snacks on the go?
- Will a personal chef follow you to make all your favorite foods?
- Transportation
- You could drive yourselves or you could find dream transportation, like a helicopter ride to see glaciers or national parks.
- Take the road less taken and do some 4x4ing to add some adventure for your day.
- If you love the water, charter a yacht or a sailboat.
- Meaningful rituals (sage burning, barefoot grounding, family traditions)
- Even if you’re not going the traditional route, you can still include traditions that are important to you, i.e. jumping the broom, hand fasting, sand ceremonies, etc.
What to Wear
- This is your chance to infuse your style into your date. Just because you’re getting married doesn’t mean it has to be white dresses or black suits.
- Pick your favorite colors to wear.
- If you have a favorite theme, dress the part.
- There are no rules here, just your own desires.
Packing For Your Elopement
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Footwear
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Headlamps
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Vow books
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First aid
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Beauty/comfort extras
The Role of Your Adventure Elopement Photographer + Planner
While you may encounter elopement photography only photographers, we are more than elopement photographers, we help plan your entire elopement as well.
- Scouting
We’ll search high and low for the perfect place that fits all of your criteria.
How will we know your criteria even if you don’t know your criteria?
We provide fun questionnaires that help us get to know you.
Then you’ll pick a spot from a handful of locations provided to you with photos along with all of our thorough information written about all the relevant stuff.
- Permits
We’ll apply and pay for permitting requirements because it’s included in all of our packages.
- Emergency prep
When you’re miles from the nearest road or racing the sunset on a canyon ledge, preparation matters.
I don’t just show up with a camera—I come equipped with backup gear,
a first-aid kit,
extra snacks, water purification,
satellite communication (if needed),
and the calm presence of someone who’s been in wild places before.
I’ve even photographed and planned an elopement in the middle of a hurricane.
From weather shifts to scraped knees to forgotten vow books, I’ve got you covered.
Most photographers focus only on the pretty moments—I prepare for the unpredictable ones, so you can stay grounded and fully immersed in your day.
- Emotional support
I know, love.
As much as we don’t talk about it, eloping is deeply emotional.
Getting married, in general, is a deeply emotional event.
Whether you’re overwhelmed with nerves,
processing family dynamics,
or just need someone to remind you to breathe,
I’m here for it.
I hold space for the tears, the laughs, the quiet moments, and the chaos.
I’ve walked couples through anxiety, helped them ground themselves before vows, and made space for joy to feel safe.
I’m not just snapping photos—I’m tuned into your energy, adjusting the pace, and keeping your experience sacred.
You don’t have to hold it all alone.
Including Loved Ones (If You Want To)
With technology being as plentiful as it is, you can choose to have your loved ones with you digitally by having them log in for a Facebook or Instagram live ceremony.
If you want any part of your elopement to be solely for the two of you, you can schedule in guest appearances for certain events of the day.
I.E. Elope alone on an island then pick up everyone for a 2 hour tour in your yacht, then kick them off at a certain time so you can enjoy a sunset just the two of you.
Have their names mentioned in your ceremony.
And if you only want them there in spirit, you can ask them to write letters to you for your big day, or you can video call anyone from the road.
Real Elopement Stories From Eloping Couples
Every couple does it differently, pulling inspiration from everywhere and their own hearts, but these stories right here are real couples who chose eloping over a big wedding and every single one ends with a happy ending. Just sayin’.
How to Start Planning Your Own Adventure Elopement
1. Inquire here first to schedule a booking call
2. Booking call
- You’ll tell me all about your vision.
- I’ll lay out personalized packages. No hidden fees. Travel always included. Payment plans available. Active and veteran military discount available.
- We’ll discuss pricing and you’ll choose your favorite one – and it’s ok if you don’t know right away.
3. Planning Begins
- From locations to vendors to timelines, everything will be done for you.
- You’ll do the fun envisioning stuff, we’ll do the hard work of getting it all together.
