Alternative Wedding Dress Options

Non-Traditional Wedding Gowns For Outdoor Weddings

SWELL & STONE / OUTDOOR WEDDING & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / UNITED STATES & BEYOND

Just because white is the traditional color of weddings in North America, and a long gown is the traditional attire doesn’t mean you need to conform to those ideals. Look, we only wear white wedding dresses because Queen Victoria did a long, long time ago. And it was thought of as a symbol of purity, and being rich, and blah blah blah. Clutching to tradition in many norms of life has done an incredible disservice to large groups of people. I’m not saying all tradition is bad, I’m just saying, in all reality, what is the point? What do we gain by holding on dearly to these constructs? Just some food for thought while you peruse these amazing alternative options. So if you desire bursts of color or a colorful dress that represents your culture, feel free to express yourself in whatever way you’d like.

Couples choosing to elope or have a small outdoor wedding are already bucking the norm, so some may want to push the envelope even further and choose an alternative wedding dress, like a jumpsuit, colorful dress, or just put their own spin on a traditional white dress. Your dress is one of the ways you show your style and express yourself the most, so it should be exactly what you want it to be. My mom wore someone else’s dress for her wedding, and it has sort of bothered her ever since. This is your chance to create the exact day and experience you want, don’t like it stop with what you choose to wear. Here are some alternative wedding gown options to consider beyond the traditional, white dress.

Pick a Color! Or all the color!

The bride in the rainbow dress above LOVES color. She had a gorgeous white gown (Galatea by the Watters) that she wore for the first half of her elopement day, including the ceremony. Then she surprised her new husband by changing into this dress (Hutton rainbow wedding gown also by the Watters), which she felt was truly her, and represented them as a couple. When David first reached out to A.J. he was drawn to how colorful she was. She had colorful hair, a colorful wardrobe, and a colorful personality. When she finally agreed to a date, he told her to get ready for a colorful time and took her to a graffiti park in Austin, TX where they added their own graffiti using a custom stencil David had made. As they spray-painted it together it was like coloring their bond in permanent ink.

The key here is to make sure your dress reflects who you are as a person and bride. Be colorful if you love color! Because why not? It’s YOUR WEDDING DAY!

Jumpsuit

I truly love a good jumpsuit, and I considered wearing one for my own wedding but ended up going with a dress in the end. Choosing a jumpsuit as your wedding clothing of choice ensures you will be comfortable and able to walk and move with a little bit more ease all day. So if you’re getting married outside and hiking around much of the day, this might be a great alternative to a traditional wedding gown. A lot of people also choose this as their second outfit, that way they can have the best of both worlds.

Black Wedding Dress

Ooooooohhhhh, black pops in so many environments, just like white does. But I love it against the mountains and green/blue locations in the photos above, but it also looks amazing against the red rock desert. If you’ve never been the type of person to wear white then why start on your wedding day? Some people just look better in black. So if you’re one of those people, just go with what you know and rock the goth chic vibes on your wedding day.

The bride in the bottom photo, Kavita, had three different and equally amazing dresses over the course of her two-day outdoor wedding. Each of them was two pieces and gorgeously detailed with beads and sparkles. But I fell in love with her final dress, this show-stopping grey and black number that sparkled like a disco ball!

Make Your Own by Choosing Two Separate Pieces

I love when brides mix and match and create something entirely their own. Add a jacket, find a skirt you love to match your favorite crop top, and if you’re getting married in a warm or beach environment add a sheer element or even pieces of a chic swimsuit you love. Comfort is key on your wedding day, and I don’t buy that you need to be uncomfortable to look good. You can look fine as hell and be able to move all day. Especially now, there are nice fabrics that stretch and still look luxurious while hugging the body in all the right places.

Stick with White, but Make it Less Wedding-y

Some brides may love a white, minimalist look, but don’t want to deal with all the lace, beads, and general fanciness and detail that comes with most wedding dresses. You can still wear white, but keep it simple. Honestly, I would guess that about 75 percent of brides I photograph choose simple dresses that look stunning on them. There is nothing wrong with a princess gown, or lots of beads and lace, but if you’re eloping or getting married outside you likely want to be able to move without lugging a heavy train around. Just look at how gorgeous the two brides above look while keeping it simple.

Go Short

This one may fall in line with keeping things simple and classy as well. A good short dress is just as stunning as a long one. And if you’re getting married in a hot or humid climate, it just might be the saving grace of your wedding day as well. If you plan on moving around, doing activities and socializing as much as possible on your day, maybe a short wedding dress is right for you. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you plan to walk along the beach for some or a lot of your big day, you might not want to drag sand and saltwater around with you all day. So keep it simple and practical if you want, it doesn’t mean you can’t still feel like a million bucks.

Choose something That Feels Like You

Again, the most important thing to keep in mind on your wedding day, especially if you’re eloping or having a small outdoor wedding is that you choose a wedding dress alternative that truly reflects your personality and style. Your best friends can help you decide and often know you as well as you know yourself, so take some along, don’t be afraid to buck tradition (you haven’t been with anything else in your life so far) and go for it! Choose a dress, jumpsuit, pantsuit, sweatsuit, whatever makes you feel like a freaking badass.

I hope this has helped to lay out some of the options available for brides looking for non-traditional wedding gowns. It can feel overwhelming to begin planning your big day, but just take it one step at a time and make decisions that are true to the two of you as a couple, without worrying what others may think. Just remember, you’ll want to wear something on your wedding day that you look back on and think- that was AWESOME! So if that means classic and traditional- that’s great. And if it means a little wild and stylish, that’s amazing too. ‘You do you’ is the only rule here.

If you’re looking for a photographer who specializes in elopements and small outdoor weddings, reach out and I’d be happy to help you get the planning process started. I help couples choose the perfect locations at the most picturesque times of day, find vendors that help fulfill their wedding daydreams, and take photos that tell the story of their day that will last a lifetime. Get in touch today if that sounds like what you’re looking for!

How Much Does It Cost to Elope? (Calculator)

How Much Does an Adventure Wedding Cost?

SWELL & STONE / Outdoor Wedding & Elopement Photographer / United States & Beyond

The cost of eloping

One of the prevailing questions, when people start planning and researching their elopement, is “How much does it cost to elope?” I put together a calculator that formulates an estimate of expenses based on what a couple wants to include on their big day. While there is no set cost to elope, most couples spend $5,000-$15,000, far less than the national average of $33,000 for a traditional wedding. Eloping couples tend to cut out the things they don’t care about, and perhaps pay a little more for the things they do. So it’s all in the balance of deciding what is important to you on your elopement day.

This calculator is only a guesstimate, and prices can vary widely depending on the vendors chosen for the day, plane ticket prices, and various other factors. While the average cost of a traditional wedding in the United States is nearly triple the cost of eloping, that number usually includes a lot more catering and venue costs than the standard small outdoor wedding or elopement. Using this calculator can help you determine the ballpark of costs you may need to budget for based on the items you’d like to include.

ELOPEMENT COST CALCULATOR

The Breakdown

Let’s break down each of these costs. Below I’ll include a reasonable range of costs you might encounter while planning your small wedding or elopement. Making the day special doesn’t have to be expensive, it’s all about making choices about what is important to you and your partner. Sometimes that means spending more on what’s important to you, and less on the things you don’t care about.

Travel

Obviously, staying closer to home for your elopement is less expensive than traveling internationally. If you elope to a nearby state or national park, or even a city park or local conservation area, the cost for a ceremony permit and photography permit will run anywhere from $0-$400. There are no plane ticket fees, no car rental fees, and you can potentially stay at home, cutting out AirBnB costs or hotel fees.

If you plan to stay within your region, i.e. if you live in Rhode Island, but plan to elope in the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York, then you need to add in gas for travel, and hotel or AirBnB costs. Still, staying in your region is less expensive than taking a plane flight. A reasonable range to add to travel costs if you elope within your region is an additional $400-$1000.

When you decide to have a true destination wedding in a place that you and any potential guests might fly to that raises the stakes on cost. First, there’s airfare for the two of you and car rental. Then factor in hotel or AirBnB costs for the length of stay, which is often longer than traveling regionally. You’ll also need to consider the market difference for any vendors you might be hiring locally. Is it more competitive there because there is more demand in the location you’ve decided to get hitched? If you plan on flying domestically a reasonable range to add on to your elopement costs is $1400-$4000.

Traveling internationally adds a whole host of new costs to consider. Plane tickets will be more expensive, adding travel insurance or wedding insurance is a great idea for any wedding, but perhaps more necessary for international weddings because of the cost involved. So along with all of the additional costs listed for traveling domestically keep in mind things like larger costs for flights, hotels, and car rental depending on the location and if you decide to elope during high season in a specific area. Plan on adding an additional $1000-$5000 for international travel.

Including Friends and Family in your Elopement or Small Outdoor Wedding

Adding more people to the mix does make things more expensive. A lot of couples choose to rent out a large house or a summer camp for their guests to stay. Others choose to feed their guests multiple meals during their stay, especially if it’s in a remote location. These are optional, of course, but when few guests are invited the couple usually likes to spend as much time with those they love as possible. To many people, this is one of the huge draws of having a small, outdoor wedding, or elopement with guests. So keep in mind the amount of food and housing you would like to provide to guests who decide to attend your small outdoor wedding or elopement. Add on an extra $500-$5000 if you plan to include some level of feeding and/or housing your guests.

Vendors

Check out the info below to find out what average vendors charge to provide their services to eloping couples. Some items on the list are less expensive than traditional weddings due to the simple nature of elopements, however, some items on the list are most expensive due to travel expenses and added duties being performed by the vendors.

Florist

The average florist charges anywhere from $60-$1000 for a bride’s bouquet, with the average price being $175. If you’d like to have a floral archway add on another $500 or more. A lot of eloping and small wedding couples choose to forgo bridesmaid flowers and boutonnieres, but keep that in mind if that’s a tradition you’d like to include as well.

Cake

Most couples, even if they are eloping, like to have a special cake or cupcakes, or some kind of their favorite treat on their wedding day. The national average price for wedding cakes is $350-$450, however, most eloping couples request smaller cakes, and many couples I’ve worked with have paid around $50 for elopement cakes. Also, if you don’t like cake, don’t get a cake! Get something you and your partner will truly enjoy- like donuts or ice cream.

Officiant

Officiants cost anywhere from $500-$800 to perform a wedding ceremony. However, if an officiant is traveling to a remote area, or has to hike to a location they may charge you more. An alternative to hiring someone is asking a loved one to become ordained. It’s easy for a beloved friend or family member to become an ordained officiant, and in some states officiants aren’t even required. Your photographer also might be an ordained officiant (I am), but keep in mind they usually don’t perform the ceremony because they are busy taking photos, but they will sign the necessary paperwork at the end. Each state has different laws about whether or not an officiant is required. Some states may require witnesses as well. Check your state’s marriage laws to find out what is required, or ask your photographer. They’ve likely been through this a few times and already know the answer.

Musicians

Hiring a wedding band is normally close to the same price as an officiant. Music can run between $500-$900. But again, you may be asking the musician to come to a remote location and hike to a ceremony spot. For that reason, costs may exceed the average for elopements. Some couples choose to include family or friends that are talented and they planned on inviting anyway. That person then plays as a wedding gift to the couple.

Renting a 4x4 vehicle

Renting a 4x4 vehicle, like a Jeep Wrangler, is much more readily available in outdoor destination towns where off-roading is a fun activity. If you are eloping in one of these locations and want to use a 4x4 vehicle to get to a secluded ceremony spot, plan on spending about $300/day for a rental.

Helicopter Tour

If you’d like to EPICALLY take a helicopter to your ceremony spot, plan on paying anywhere from $300 per person for a couple hours to several thousand dollars if you’d like it for the day. Again, this option is available in more touristy locations, and places like Alaska have a lot of glacier helicopter tours and an abundance of pilots. In fact, there are around 8,000 active pilots in Alaska, which means 1% of the population is a pilot. That might not sound like a lot, but in the lower 48, only 0.000178% of people are pilots, meaning that there are 1000 times more pilots in the population of Alaska than in the lower 48.

Hiring an outdoor guide

I have done technical canyons and rock climbing elopements with couples. And while I’m a competent and skilled climber and canyoneer, I don’t guide couples down canyons or up rock walls. The reason for that is simple, I’m not trained and licensed to do that, my insurance doesn’t cover it, and my job is to take photos, not make sure my couple stays safe in a fun outdoor pursuit. For that reason, I recommend that if you’d like a more adventurous wedding day than hiking somewhere, you hire a guide for the activity. I’m super happy to photograph the entire day knowing that the guide is the person in charge of safety. Hiring an outdoor guide costs anywhere from $200-$1200 per person, depending on the adventure.

Photographer & Videographer

First, decide if you’d like both a photographer and a videographer. Most people feel the need for a photographer, and some want video as well. If you don’t feel the need for a videographer, that will likely cut your media costs in half. The average cost of a wedding photographer in the U.S. is around $2500. However, if your photographer has to travel that will add to the cost. In addition, most elopement photographers also serve as wedding planners, suggesting ceremony locations, florists, bakers, and other vendors that work in your chosen area. They help plan the timeline to make sure you get all the photos you want with the best possible light and in the best possible locations. It also depends on how much coverage of the day you’d like. If you only want a few hours you might plan on paying less than average, while if you want full day coverage you will end up paying more. Plan to spend anywhere from $2000-$7000 for a great photographer or videographer who helps plan the details and the timeline of your day.

Wedding Attire

Even elopers plan to get a dress, or suit, or alternative wedding attire of some sort. A wedding dress in the United states costs on average $280-$1600, with most purchases falling in the $1000 range. Grooms should expect a suit to run $300-$1000.

I hope this sheds some light on that question everyone wants to know. How much your wedding or elopement costs can vary depending on the style you prefer and things that you would like to include in your day. Everyone’s plans differ slightly based on their preferences. And that’s the beauty of small outdoor weddings and elopements, no one is exactly the same and NOTHING IS MANDATORY. Just do it the way you want and don’t worry about pleasing anyone else. In fact, doing things the way they want is one of the top reasons couples choose to elope or have an alternative wedding in the first place!

If you’d like a photographer with a ton of experience in outdoor weddings and elopements- get in touch! I specialize in only those things, and I’d love to help make your day picture perfect.

The Best Places to Elope in Each Season

Best Adventure Wedding Locations By Season

Swell & Stone / Elopement Photographer / New England, The Southwest, California & Beyond

You know what they say- LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! And it rings especially true for adventure weddings and elopements. Picking the right location at the right time is one of the most important parts of creating a wildly unforgettable and different adventure wedding experience. So if you’ve never been to the location you’ve been dreaming of for your wedding, it’s best to find a photographer who has, and who can help steer you in the right direction when it comes to what time of year to plan your event. With that said, depending on the type of experience you’re looking for, the off-season might be the on-season for you if you’re in search of fewer crowds and a sometimes more adventurous experience. Another plus is that many of these locations are free or inexpensive to use as a wedding venue.

During “high season” you are likely to find the nicest weather, but don’t rule out low season. I like booking elopements in a location’s “low season” because it means fewer crowds, easier transportation, and seeing a different side of a place. However, it also means potential road closures, restricted access, and bad weather. Contact a local, ranger, or guide service to find out what is possible in your location during the time frame you are considering for your elopement.

You can only do so much to avoid bad weather. Start by researching beforehand to determine seasonal average temps, rain/snowfall and wind.

If you want to go in the low season to avoid crowds make sure to research seasonal road and transportation closures that may impact your day. Also, think about extreme weather like wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

There is always the chance of bad weather during an outdoor elopement. It’s best to be prepared with the right gear and mindset. Remember, sometimes bad weather makes for the best story and photos.

Each season has its pluses and minuses. The best thing to do is to keep in mind what is most important to you and also what works best with your schedule. Summer tends to be the time most people want to get married, but depending on your comfort level in the outdoors, the dead of winter could be the perfect time for you.

Here are some helpful links to the Best Places to Elope in New England:

Top Elopement Locations in New England

Best Places to Elope in Rhode Island

Top Elopement Locations in Massachusetts

Best Elopement Spots in Upstate New York

Best Spots to Elope in Vermont

Best Elopement Locations in New Hampshire

Winter

New England

Ok, a snowy winter elopement on a mountain top isn’t for everyone, but it is for the adventurous, and it can be so unbelievably beautiful. New England has a ton of amazing icy landscape views, so if you are willing to bundle up and brave the weather, this might be a great option for you. The image about was taken on Mt. Mansfield in Vermont right at the beginning of winter, so the icy conditions were mostly on top of the mountain. These two braved freezing temps while changing on the summit crest, but they wouldn’t have had it any other way. They were engaged on this mountain too! There are a ton of icy gorgeous options with less intense hike, and a great option is taking a gondola most of the way up and then just finishing the final part of the hike. Micro spikes or crampons may be necessary.

North Cascades National Park

Winter has so many amazing things to offer. If you’re a skier or mountaineer, or if you like snowshoeing or hiking in the snow, this season might be for you. There is nothing quite like getting your wedding portraits taken in front of an ice waterfall, just ask Hannah and Collins in the photo above!

Here’s the thing about winter- there are so many fewer people out and about. A winter hike can be calm, serene, and silent, and if you plan it right you might not be all that cold either. Alternatively, there are a ton of locations you can drive to, stay warm in the car, and pop out for a few minutes at a time to take photos. But there are some locations that even in winter are perfect for spending the whole day outside. Want to know more about how to comfortably get married outside in the winter? Check out this post!

Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona

The Desert Southwest

Winter is the perfect time to explore the desert southwest, which includes southern Utah, Arizona, and parts of Nevada and California. These places remain mostly temperate in the winter, so planning your adventure wedding can be a breeze. Also, these places are mostly dry during this time, although there are always exceptions. The desert is ideal for eloping in winter because even though the weather can be nice there are still fewer people out and about. This is partly because winter nights can easily drop well below freezing, making camping still a bit dicey for some.

The day before I photographed Cam & Rick’s adventure wedding pictured above, it rained the entire day. We were nervous that the 4x4 roads out to this spot would be impassable, but they weren’t and this spot was enhanced by the myriad of pools dotting the desert floor- a rare sight indeed! It made for the most memorable adventure wedding experience. And that is an important tidbit about planning an adventure wedding- YOU NEED TO BE READY FOR ADVENTURE. Just as when you’re adventuring any other time, inclement weather and adapting to things as they come is part of the fun.

Spring

Castle Hill Lighthouse, Rhode Island

Spring can be wet season just about anywhere, but if you plan it right it’s also beautiful in a number of locations. It’s best to stay at lower elevations in the spring because high in the mountains will still be snowy and sometime wet and muddy.

Coastal Regions- Southern Rhode Island & Southern California & Florida

These spots are often nice on the coast, but can still be really nice inland during this time of year as well. When considering weather as a factor, places like Florida become too hot in the summer months, so it’s best to take advantage of the nice spring weather and plan your elopement for then. Also, as long as you avoid spring break, you can still take advantage of some of the relative peace of fewer crowds before summer comes.

Check out Kavita & Brice’s spring adventure wedding that took place in a tree grove in Florida! Or Makeda & Tej’s adventure anniversary session that I shot on the coast of southern Rhode Island at Castle Hill Lighthouse and Fort Adams State Park. Logistics become very difficult at these locations in the summer because of huge tourism crowds. It’s best to plan sessions in these places for either spring or fall.

Florida

Summer

Ahhh summer, when it’s finally in the air and everyone you know plans to get married. It can often seem like your summer is lost to attending weddings. Well if you’re going to plan your wedding in the summer it may as well be somewhere awesome!

High Altitude Alpine Locations

Unless you’re an extreme adventurer, this is really the only time of year you can plan an adventure elopement or wedding high in the mountains, so take advantage! Include a small hike to the ceremony location to break away from the crowds. There are so many beautiful options, but here are some of my favorites. Check out this gorgeous elopement complete with Airstreams and El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.

From mountain meadows to alpine lakes, this is the best time of year to get away from it all.

Yosemite National Park & The Sierra Nevada

Alaska

North Cascades National Park

Southwest Colorado, San Juan Mountains

Alta, Utah- Wasatch Range

But the waterfalls and picturesque pools of New England and the Pacific Northwest are calling as well. It’s up to you, but no matter what you choose in the summer months make sure you’re either prepared to work around the crowds, or work with your photographer to find a location that is a little more secluded. Sometimes this can be as easy as going early in the morning at what will be a very crowded location later in the day.

Deception Pass State Park, Washington

Peakamoose Blue Hole- The Catskills

Fall

And finally, fall. It’s my favorite season to photograph elopements, with the gorgeous changing colors and the crisp weather. Fall mornings often bring moody fog, and there is nothing more stunning than fog mingling in the treetops or over a lake. Honestly, rain or shine you’re going to have an absolutely stunning elopement day if you book a fall wedding in the Northeast.

New England & the northeast

My absolute favorite place spend the fall is in the Northeast of the United States. From the mountains of the Adirondacks to the waterfalls of Vermont. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and Massachusetts have unbelievable views during this time, too, and the coastal landscapes in these states are also breathtaking. Enjoy the crisp air, fog covering the valleys in the morning, and an absolute feast of color for the eyes.

Mt. Mansfield, Vermont

Warren Falls, VT

Catskills, NY

The truth is that the best location and season to elope in is really your preference. Some of the most fun elopements I’ve photographed were in the dead of winter in cold places. I loved the adventure and the couples who chose to plan them that way did too! Keep in mind the comfort of your guests if you’re bringing some along, but otherwise the sky is the limit. Pick a place that means something to you and your partner or a place neither of you have ever been before, but would love to visit. Either way, if you plan the day that you’ll love and come prepared to roll with whatever weather comes your way, you’ll have a truly memorable and wildly different wedding experience that you’ll be able to live over and over again through your photos.

Rethinking Big Wedding Plans? Why You Should Plan a Beautiful Elopement Instead

Why to Change Course from Big Wedding Plans to an Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / UNITED STATES AND BEYOND

While a lot of couples, especially outdoorsy pairs, were already trending toward planning elopements and small outdoor weddings instead of a traditional big wedding, even more couples have started to consider this a viable option for their wedding day thanks to the uncertainty of COVID-19. All of 2020 might be a loss for big weddings with hundreds of guests, but couples are finding that they are still able to elope and have a wonderful day if they keep it small and local. Socially distant backyard elopements are popping up and couples are getting creative with their bouquets, custom sewn masks, and a bunch of other details. In 20 years they will tell their kids they got married during and pandemic, and although it might not be what they had originally planned, it sure will be memorable. So even if you’re bummed about postponing or canceling your big wedding, there is still reason to celebrate- you’ve found your forever person- and that is a truly magical thing. Here are some reasons to consider planning an elopement or small outdoor wedding either in addition to or in lieu of a big wedding.

Get Married Outside

There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to getting married outside, I get that. But I’d also argue that’s precisely the beauty of getting married outside. If it rains on your wedding day make sure everyone brings an umbrella, and if you are planning a small wedding or eloping with just the two of you, that’s an easy thing to do. If it’s a warm summer rain, why not dance in the rain? Make it memorable, make it fun, and let’s stop taking ourselves and weddings so seriously- like every little detail has to be in place to make it perfect. If you’re an adventurer, you know better than most that the best adventures and the subsequent stories are the ones where not everything goes right. You encounter a challenge, you overcome, you are better for it. So let’s embrace the sometimes dirty, messy, crazy freaking beautiful outdoors and get married there!

The Day Is Focused on the Love Between You and Your Partner

Eloping is really about having an amazing and memorable day with your partner. You are able to cut out all the things you don’t care about in a sort of no-bullshit approach that a lot of people find more enjoyable than worrying about things like tablecloths and place settings. You don’t have to worry about who you will seat at what table, and who cares if Aunt Linda is upset she didn’t get a corsage. Let’s be honest, it’s great to honor and include your family, but you shouldn’t place their preferences over your own on YOUR wedding day. Eloping or having a small outdoor wedding with some family is a great way to include those super close to you, and if you want you can have a party with everyone else to celebrate later. A lot of couples like how much making this one decision simplifies all the other decisions they eventually have to make. They trade place settings and tablecloths for picnic tables or blankets on the ground. They trade centerpieces on every table for epic bouquets and a beautiful archway to have their ceremony under. A lot of couples roll their elopement and honeymoon into one enjoy the area they’ve eloped in for even longer.

More Flexible Timelines

A traditional wedding day is packed full of getting ready in hotel rooms, taking formal photos with absolutely everyone, and being whisked from place to place as you try to take in all that’s happening. During your elopement day, you can plan a more loose timeline that doesn’t need to be as strictly adhered to. It’s easier to take in the views, chat with family, and spend genuine quality time together. A bonus is that you aren’t inside a dark ballroom so you can enjoy the setting sun and the light changing on the landscape. The most common thing I hear couples say during their wedding day spent in the great outdoors is, “wow, we should do this more often!” And it’s true, life sometimes gets going so fast you forget to take in and appreciate the small things. Eloping in the great outdoors truly allows you to slow down and take in the experience rather than be whisked through it. Think of it as a soak rather than a whirlwind.

More Flexible Vendors

The coronavirus pandemic has really put this one into perspective. If you need to postpone or move your elopement for any reason it is much easier to do that if you were only inviting a few people. I’m a photographer who only shoots elopements and small outdoor weddings, and while the couples I’m working with have been a little stressed out about all the uncertainty and changes, they’ve been able to cope and make solid backup plans. A bonus is that they are working with fewer vendors than a lot of couples who plan big weddings, so there is less coordination both on the guest side and on the vendor side. Less logistical mess means less stress.

Eloping Is More Affordable

I have a whole separate blog post about just how much more affordable it is to elope, called “How Much Does It Cost to Elope?” There’s even a handy calculator so you can get a rough estimate of how much it will cost based on your wants. But to summarize, it’s at least half as expensive. So just think of what you could do with all that extra money- go on trips, learn new skills, buy a car, save for a down payment on a house. Something I’ve heard repeatedly from couples during this pandemic is that it really forced them to slow down and decide on the things that really matter to them. I’ve heard people say that they want to save for a house for their family, they just want to keep more of their funds secure during these uncertain times, and that they really felt a sense of relief when they made the decision to elope. And most of them have ultimately said that it really feels like “more them” to begin with! That’s right, a lot of people felt like they were having big weddings for other people, and when the pandemic gave them an excuse to have a more pared-down affair they felt relief! While I’m so glad they came to that decision for themselves, it shouldn’t take a pandemic to get you to decide to elope. If you feel like that is what’s best for you, please don’t hesitate to DO IT! Here’s a link to a post about why couples decide to elope in the great outdoors.

Making Memories with Your Life Partner

Why not have a great adventure that kicks off the greatest adventure yet with your life partner. Entering into marriage with another human is a wild ride. A lot of couples who choose to elope have been together for a while already, and might even have kids together. Some of them are new and freshly in love. Either way eloping in the wild is a great adventure, and it creates unforgettable memories that you will be able to relive through the photos for decades to come. Remember what Kesha said, “someday soon, your whole life's gonna change, you'll miss the magic of these good old days.” And it’s so true. So breath deep, take it all in and remember it is a great day to be alive.

I hope this outlined some of the great reasons why planning an elopement or small outdoor wedding instead of a traditional wedding can be beneficial for many couples, especially in these uncertain times. The most important thing is honoring and celebrating the love between you and your partner, and when you strip it down to that being the most important thing, a lot of the stress and indecisiveness falls away. If you’d love help planning your small outdoor wedding or elopement, please get in touch today. I do more than just take amazing photos- I help couples plan the day of their dreams in the location of their dreams.

Elopement & Outdoor Wedding Planning Guide

Small Outdoor Wedding & Elopement Planning Checklist

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / UNITED STATES AND BEYOND

Ok, you know you want a different kind of wedding, one where the flowers are wild, and the decor is…grand, and happens to have naturally existed for millennia. 

Whether you choose an intimate destination wedding with friends and family or an elopement with just the two of you is entirely up to you, and the beauty of it all is that there are no rules! You can create a day that truly reflects your relationship. Congrats on being awesome, doing your own thing, and not playing by an obscure traditional rulebook.

So if you’ve dreamed of running through the mountains with your dress flowing behind you, staying out beneath the stars, or getting hitched on the beach and paddling out on your surfboard for a “first surf” instead of a “first dance,” you’ve come to the right place. 

Define “elopement”

It can mean a lot of different things, and there is no one way to elope. It can be an adventure close to home with some family, or a faraway destination with just the two of you. Normally a couple decides what to do based on the things that are really important to themselves and their partner. Elopements often take place on public lands, and it is always important to inquire to see if a permit is needed for the ceremony. For my photography purposes, I define an elopement as an outdoor adventure wedding with fewer than 15 guests.

Define “Small Outdoor Wedding”

A small outdoor wedding often takes place on the grounds of an AirbNb, family home property, lodge, camp, or resort area, and occasionally on public lands. I define “small outdoor weddings” as weddings with 15-35 guests. Often couples want an adventure wedding but still want to include family. They will dedicate one day to activities with family and getting ready, the ceremony, and the reception, and the following day they go on an outdoor adventure with just the two of them.

What kind of planning is involved?

You can start planning anywhere from 1 week to 2 years in advance. Generally, couples plan 6-12 months out which gives you time to plan travel, inform family and friends- if they are coming along- and find the location that works best for you. Beyond that, you can include as many or a few things as you want. Most people hire a photographer, but you and choose to do video as well, hire a florist, get a cake, hire an officiant, book a train ride, hike a mountain, paddle a river, etc… or not! That’s the beauty of your adventure wedding day- it’s entirely up to you!

How much does it cost to elope or have a small outdoor wedding?

Compared to a traditional wedding, eloping is a fraction of the cost. The average wedding in the U.S. costs over $35,000. You can plan the greatest elopement adventure of all time for less than half that amount. Plan to spend 50-75% of your budget on photography, and the rest on travel, attire, rings, hair & makeup, your marriage license, attire, and food. For small outdoor weddings, expect to spend a bit more because you need to account for more catering costs and more in total reception costs.

Can family/friends come?

Of course! “Eloping” used to meaning running away from your family and getting married without their knowledge. You can still absolutely do that, but a majority of couples who elope now do so to keep things simple, focus on what’s important to them, and make sure they truly enjoy their day. For a lot of them, that means a few family members or friends are present for their day! 

Stages of Planning

1. Dream- What is your vision for your big day? Have you always imagined a spot in a secluded forest or an unreal journey through a sandstone slot canyon? Whatever it is, dream big! We can make it happen. 

2. Plan- What time of year is best in your dream spot? Find a photographer who can help guide you through location logistics and is experienced in this specialized style of weddings. Start to make your dream reality.

3. Book- Decide on a location. Find a place to stay. Arrange transportation. Put together any permits you may need. Book flowers, hair and makeup.

4. Finalize- Finish planning all details with vendors. Decide on attire. Plan activities, and finalize a wedding day timeline.

5. Enjoy- Enjoy every single second of the beautiful day. Remember inclement weather makes for the best stories (and photos) later. Relish the adventure.

Important Logistics

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you go through the process of working out the logistics of getting married.

1. What are the local marriage laws and requirements?

2. Do you want other people there?

3. What’s the weather like in your chosen location this time of year?

4. Is this location a popular and crowded or secluded?

5. How accessible is the location? How will you get there?

6. Do you need a permit to take photos or to have the ceremony?

7. Will you do a “first look”?

8. What kind of activities would you like to include on your wedding day?

9. Do you want a picnic, champagne, or another kind of celebratory drink/meal?

10. What vendors do you need? Is it easy for them to get there, or bring items before?

Marriage Laws

Marriage laws differ from state to state

Research the paperwork you will need to have before and after, and determine whether you need an officiant and witnesses in the state where you’ve chosen to get married. Every state is different, some require a waiting period, some require blood tests, and some don’t require anything. Do your research and find out what you need in your state.

But don’t let the paperwork throw you off track. The wedding day you’ve imagined is always possible. In fact, in the majority of elopements, the paperwork is completely taken care of either before or after the elopement. Often times couples wait to sign the official document until right after they say the vows.

Whatever you choose to do, you commit your life to your partner the day you say your vows…the rest is just legalities. Here is a great resource for what you need to know based on whatever state you happen to be in.

Weather

High & low season

During “high season” you are likely to find the nicest weather but don’t rule out the low season. I like booking elopements in a location “low season” because it means fewer crowds, easier transportation, and seeing a different side of a place. However, it also means potential road closures, restricted access, and bad weather. Contact a local, ranger, or guide service to find out what is possible in your location during the time frame you are considering for your elopement.

What if the weather is bad?

You can only do so much to avoid bad weather. Start by researching beforehand to determine seasonal average temps, rain/snowfall, and wind. 

If you want to go in the low season to avoid crowds make sure to research seasonal road and transportation closures that may impact your day. Also, think about extreme weather like wildfires, floods tornadoes, and hurricanes. 

There is always the chance of bad weather during an outdoor elopement. It’s best to be prepared with the right gear and mindset. Just like you prepare for anything when you plan to hike a mountain or go for any other outdoor adventure, make sure you have everything you might need from bug spray to rain gear to hand warmers, depending on the season. And remember, sometimes bad weather makes for the best story and photos.

Permits

LEGAL RESTRICTIONS & ETHICS

When researching a location for the exact spot you want to say your vows, make sure it’s a legal and ethical spot to have a wedding ceremony. There are some locations that have laws against any type of ceremony, and some places where having a wedding ceremony wouldn’t be appropriate.

IS A PERMIT NECESSARY?

On most public lands and private properties, yes. Many also require a separate one for your photographer. The general rule is to assume you need to have a permit or ask permission unless you are told otherwise by someone with authority.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Make sure you follow all 7 Leave No Trace principles during your elopement. That means be careful where you walk, leave the beautiful place just as you found it, and make sure to not have your ceremony in a fragile environment.

FUN, ACTIVITIES, CELEBRATE

FOOD & DRINKS

Pack a picnic, get it catered, reserve the side patio of your favorite area eatery- whatever you decide to do makes sure it’s something you love. We will likely be running around all day so make sure you stay hydrated and well-fed.

FUN STUFF

Some people want to go on a hike, some want to stand up paddleboard, others skydive, go on hot air balloon rides, or surf! Your wedding day can look however you want! That’s the beauty of eloping.

If you are hiking to your ceremony location make sure to find a comfortable hiking pack. If going before sunrise, perhaps pack your attire instead of hiking in it, and change when you get to the location.

Bring extra layers, bug spray, sunscreen, headlamps, plenty of food and water, etc...!

CHAMPAGNE, CONFETTI, SPARKLERS

Celebrating is important, but we always do so in an eco-friendly way! We make sure to pick up the champagne cork, use local leaves as confetti, and check fire bans before lighting sparklers.

FINALIZE WITH A CHECKLIST

Elopement & Small Outdoor Wedding Checklist

I hope this guide helps answer questions you didn’t even know you had. It’s a beautiful thing when you realize your wedding day doesn’t have to follow the same framework that everyone else’s weddings do, it can be catered to you and your partner’s unique tastes. So keep the traditions you love, toss aside the ones you don’t care about, and let’s plan an incredible adventure for your wedding day and create memories and photos that will last a lifetime.

How Your Favorite Color Palette Can Help Determine Your Elopement Location

Find Out How Your Favorite Color Palette Helps You Determine Where To Elope

Swell & Stone | Adventure Wedding & Elopement Photographer | United States & Beyond

Ever wonder where the best elopement location is for you? Take this short quiz to find out, and then read below to learn more about the best places to elope based on your favorite landscape and color palette.

I have what some people might call a “strong aesthetic taste”. My favorite color is blue and various forms of blue-green and dark teals. If I were to get married again, I would elope in the desert because I love the way the orange rock looks against the bright blue sky, and how the tan of the sand and the soft green of white sage play in harmony together. My house has exposed brick, which I feel mimics the red rock desert, and I have a teal couch next to a light brown leather couch complete with a southwest style rug. I’m just drawn to that color scheme, and I think part of the reason I love the desert so much is because I get to walk through living art. I keep returning to walk amongst the towers and night skies like an art connoisseur would return to the MoMA.

If you’re considering getting married outside, you might want to think about the color scheme of the location you are interested in. The beauty of elopements is that you don’t have to spend hours weighing decor options, deciding which tablecloths to rent, and picking out how all the pieces of the puzzle will work together. When you choose a wildly different wedding experience like eloping outside, the wilderness is your decor! So, take some time and sit down with your partner, because everything from the location you decide on to the time of day you get married will affect your wedding color scheme. You may decide to go somewhere you’ve never been before, or you may decide that a place you return to over and over is the location for you. Whatever you decide, work with your photographer to make that vision a reality.

Read below to look through a few options, but keep in mind that you can find a huge variety of color schemes and palettes in the same location. This is simply a guide to get you and your partner thinking about what aesthetic you are drawn to. Just because you aren’t mulling over what color your tablecloths are going to be, doesn’t mean you can’t have your favorite colors be a part of your day!

Desert Color Palette

The desert is one of those places that has a huge variety of color palette options. There are minimalist options in places like White Sands National Monument in New Mexico, or bold contrasting colors in the red rock desert of southern Utah and Northern Arizona. In some locations you can get some really monotone, gorgeous looks. If you drive a few hours you will get bold colors, and vibrant shots. The thing is, sometimes you can get both in the same place depending on the time of day. Work with your photographer to get an idea of how the changing light will affect your images. Although every photographer is different, all the photographers I know LOVE shooting at sunrise and sunset. Some hate shooting in the middle of the day. I think it really depends on the location, and in some spots, I love shooting in the middle of the day just as much as at dawn and dusk. Also, the desert is a great place to wait until it gets dark and shoot the night sky. I love photographing when the stars come out, and in the desert that is almost every night.

Mountain Color Palette

The high alpine is one of the most enchanting places to be and photograph. Mountain blues and grays are some of the most lovely colors, but depending on the season you can see some orange, red, yellow, and green in the mix as well. Often there are water elements and chances for reflections, too. The season for eloping in the mountains is short…unless you’re willing to dress warmly and get some wildly different shots- winter wedding style!

Forest Color Palette

Foggy forests bring out some ridiculously rich colors and dreamlike landscapes. I always say, “don’t be afraid of rain on your wedding day, because interesting weather makes for the most interesting photos!” I had a client once say to me that she was going for a “woodland nymph vibe”, and I knew exactly what she meant and we scheduled her elopement for the fall in Vermont. The forest is a truly magical place to be, especially in the off seasons.

Ocean Color Palette

If you’re a water person, one of the most beautiful places to elope is to a coastal location. But keep in mind, not all coastal locations are tropical. There are gorgeous spots on the coast of Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Of course, Baja California, and the entire California Coast are unreal for clear, blue waters. Then there are places where the forest meets the ocean, like the Northern California coast, Oregon, and the San Juan Islands in Washington. Keep all of these things in mind, and maybe one of those locations has everything you love all in one place!

Sunrise & Sunset Color Palette

I’ve talked a little bit about shooting at dawn and dusk because those times are what photographers call the “golden hour” and with that comes a different, gorgeous color scheme. If you go to a place that has a primarily blue, green, or neutral color scheme, the golden hour can be the perfect time to add warm colors to those landscapes.

I hope I’ve given you some ideas and things to think about visually as you choose your wedding or elopement location. Not only should it be a place you love or a place you’ve longed to go to, but it’s also important to think about the color scheme of the place because that will affect your photos! If you are searching for an adventure wedding or elopement photographer who can help you work through those things I would love to help. Contact me here or use the button below and let’s start planning your wildly different wedding experience!

Inexpensive Wedding Venue Ideas for Elopements

Free (or Nearly Free) Wedding and Elopement Ceremony Locations

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE Wedding & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / United States AND BEYOND

Wedding venues can be pricey, but what if you can find a free or inexpensive venue for your wedding or elopment? Game-changer, right! There are parts of your wedding that you certainly don’t want to skimp on, but if you’re the outdoorsy type, one place you can certainly save money is by eloping or having a small, outdoor wedding in the great outdoors. There are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to using public lands for your wedding or elopement. Public lands sometimes require a permit and it’s best to check with the nearest ranger station. Also keep in mind people you know with a gorgeous backyard, or private land with a view. Here are a few options for finding a free or inexpensive venue for your outdoor wedding.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land

Bureau of Land Management or BLM land is technically owned by all of us. You own it, I own it, anyone who pays his or her taxes owns it. There are over 247 million acres of wilderness preserved in BLM land, and it makes up and eighth of the total landmass in the United States. That offers a lot of options of beautiful and secluded locations to have your dream wedding!

I lived in my truck for two years roaming and photographing the western parts of North America, and when I set out to find a camping spot for the evening I always looked for BLM or National Forest land because they often have free dispersed camping options. Each BLM area is different and some of them are busier than others and require camping or day use fees. Some sites can be completely free for weddings. It’s best to check in at the ranger station or do your research online before heading out to each specific location.

For example, the BLM land near “the wave” in northern Arizona has surged in popularity in recent years. The ranger station holds a hyper-competitive lottery each morning. However, there are a ton of beautiful spots in the same area that do not require a permit to explore. When I begin helping a couple plan an elopement or small outdoor wedding one of the first things I do is email or call the ranger station in charge of the land they want to have their ceremony on. Once I receive a response we are free to move forward with planning, and we can begin completing any necessary paperwork.

Find out more info about permits and permissions on BLM land here.

National Forest Land

In the U.S. there are 155 National Forests totaling about 190 million acres, roughly the size of Texas. There are so many gorgeous spots that aren’t designated national parks, and one of the huge bonuses of choosing to elope on these lands is the seclusion they provide.

Recently, I photographed a couple on National Forest land in Vermont. Not only did the rangers approve the elopement time and date completely for FREE they also sent the couple their best wishes. This couple brought along a cake and a picnic lunch to enjoy. Other couples choose to paddleboard or go for a hike on their elopement day. The possibilities are endless when you choose to get married on public lands.

Again, whether or not you will need a permit differs from location to location, so the best way to find out if you need one for your desired location is to contact the local ranger station.

Find out more info about permits and permissions on National Forest land here.

National Park Elopements

The National Park system in the United States holds vast and varied landscapes from the gorgeous seashore and ancient granite peaks of Acadia National Park in Maine to the otherworldly desert of Joshua Tree National Park. There are 61 national parks covering over 52 million acres of land. Another amazing perk of getting married on public lands is that you save money on decor because the landscape is stunning. Some couples choose to use freestanding arches to designate their ceremony site while others create confetti out of native dried brush or flowers, although neither are necessary to have a wildly different and beautiful wedding.

In most National Parks couples will need permits to hold their elopement or small outdoor wedding. Most permits range from $100-$400, and can be obtained by filling out a form on the park’s website or sending a paper form to a specified address. Each park has its own rules are regulations on what kinds of decorations, guest limits, and activities can take place during the ceremony. Some parks allow pets and others do not.

Here is the wedding info for a few of the most popular parks couples elope in:

Zion National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Yosemite National Park

North Cascades National Park

Crater Lake National Park

Acadia National Park

Cape Cod National Seashore

If you would like more info on the parks listed or others not listed here, please fill out my contact form and I can help you start planning your dream outdoor wedding or elopement.

State or City Parks

Some state or city parks have incredible views and sometimes fewer restrictions for wedding parties. Often these areas also have groups of cabins that can be rented for family and guests, making logistics and planning easier for everyone. I photographed a wedding at Deception Pass State Park in Washington and the entire guest list stayed on site in a bunch of small cabins. The couple was able to get married in the backyard of the lodge with a view of the ocean and activities like canoeing and hiking were available on site. Obviously renting out an entire area of cabins is not free, and may not be considered as inexpensive. However, if you compare renting the same amount of hotel rooms for your guests in a city it is guaranteed to be cheaper, and overall a more adventurous experience.

Options like this are great if you plan on having more than 15 guests as some state parks have more facilities in place for large groups and less demand than large national parks.

Private Land Owned by Family or Friends of Family

Sometimes the most inexpensive and easiest option might be in your own backyard. If you have a beautiful backyard or know someone who does it might be worth seeing if you can make it work. Some properties back up to wilderness preserves and boast great views and ample parking for attendees. Look around the area where you live, and if land isn’t designated under one of the public land categories, check and see if you know who owns it.

Planning a wedding is a labor of love, and if everyone pitches in to make it happen you can stay on budget and have the incredible outdoor elopement or wedding of your dreams.

If you need a photographer to help make public lands adventure wedding dream images come true, get in touch today.

Top 7 Reasons to Get Married Outside in the Off Season

Couples Eloping During the Off-Season End Up with Adventurous Wedding Stories

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE Wedding & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / United States AND BEYOND

It’s easy to think only about the downsides when it comes to planning your outdoor adventure wedding, like- what if it snows and the roads become impassable? But there’s a flip side to every coin, like- what if it snows and we have the magical winter wonderland elopement of our dreams?! Sometimes all that’s needed is a mindset shift, a little change of perspective, and before you know it your wedding day will be better than you ever thought possible.

Something to keep in mind is that “off-season” means different things in different locations. For instance, in the desert Southwest (Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Southern California) this is generally both the winter and summer months. In the winter, temps can be nice during the day, but frigid when the sun goes down. In my opinion, the winter is the best off season time to plan an elopement in the desert because of the nice weather during the day. In the summer, the weather can be unbearably hot all day and night. However, there are some high desert locations that are really nice in the summer, like Flagstaff, AZ. If you’d like more help pinning down when are where might be the best time and place for you to elope- contact me!

In other locations like New England and the Pacific Northwest, the off-season is mostly the winter, but it can last all the way into the late spring months, depending on the location. In mountain locations the snow often doesn’t melt until well into June, so you can often plan snow hiking elopements in April and May, while still having nice temperatures during the day. Curious about how to stay warm during a winter hiking elopement? Check out this article that has tons of tips and tricks!

Here are, in my view, the top seven benefits that await when you plan the off-season elopement of your dreams.

1. Fewer Crowds

This is one of the most obvious benefits to getting married in the off-season. There’s just no one around. Views and overlooks that might be crowded with people during peak tourist season can often be found deserted, enabling you to have easy access to five-star views without all the crowds.

2. Cost Effectiveness

Often wedding vendors are more willing to give discounts in the off-season. If it’s slow season they might be looking to add to their portfolio and offer more than they would for less money than during their busy season. Another perk is that they aren’t as busy so they can give your cake, bouquet, or dress alterations more time and attention.

3. Unique Images

Let’s be honest, there are millions of images of couple celebrating in the summer when the weather is nice and the sun is out. Those are amazing, but they are not exactly unique. Getting married in the off-season gives you the opportunity for more visual interest. Imagine snow kissed desert towers in the background of your elopement location. Seriously, nothing shouts adventure more than a windy summit photo with snow capped peaks in the distance.

One elopement I photographed in February in southern Utah ended up being incredibly special. I drove up from Phoenix the day before, and it was raining the entire length of the state of Arizona. It never rains the entire length of the state of Arizona! It cleared up the next day, but we had planned to drive many hours back on 4x4 roads only to find ourselves faced with giant, frozen puddles in the middle of the dirt road needed to get to the ceremony site. We decided to go for it and made it to our destination without a hitch. The reward for taking the chance was large reflecting pools of water dotting the desert floor, a rare sight in the area, which made for truly unique and special adventure wedding photos.

4. Fewer Restrictions

Many locations have strict regulations in place for peak tourism season. If you plan an elopement outside those times, the regulations may become less stringent or disappear altogether. Sometimes those regulations are in place to control crowds in high traffic areas, and if the crowds won’t be a problem, officials often drop the regulations.

5. Easy Parking

This goes hand in hand with fewer crowds. Planning an elopement in the off-season means that the wedding party will have fewer crowd related obstacles to contend with, and of course, one of those is parking. Because the weather is often more extreme in the off-season couples tend to want to have ceremony sites that guests can drive to, while still having a five-star view. The good news is that this is possible in the off-season. Drive up spots with plenty of parking and great views are often deserted in the off-season months, making them feel like secluded far flung locations. Just make sure that the roads needed to reach those spots are still open if there is snow on the ground.

6. Guest Are Generally More Available

We all know a ton of people who schedule their entire summers around all the weddings they need to attend. Perhaps you are even one of those people! Dare to be wildly different on your wedding day and plan your elopement during a time of year when others are not attending several other weddings as well. Maybe it’s important to you that immediate family attend, or perhaps just a few good friends as witnesses. Regardless of your guest preferences, they are more likely to be able to fit your elopement into their busy schedule if you plan it in an off-season.

7. Ability to Add Interest with Fun Accessories

Most brides love to accessorize, and the benefit of planning an elopement in the off-season is that less than perfect weather gives couples the option to use fun accessories. This could mean clear umbrellas in rainy weather, warm leggings or a beautiful shawl or coat in cold weather, or your favorite hiking boots in any weather! Remember, just like when weekend adventuring the saying holds- there is no bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.

Inclement weather doesn’t mean your adventure wedding day won’t be great! Just plan to be comfortable in any weather and not only will you have an amazing adventure elopement day, but you’ll have unique images unlike anything you’ve seen before.

There you have it! The top seven reasons to get married outside in the off-season. Any time of year is a great time to get married, as long as you bring the right mindset and the right person!

If you need a photographer to help make those dream off-season adventure wedding images come true, get in touch today.

Top 11 Reasons Why Couples Elope in the Great Outdoors

Top 11 Reasons Couples decide to have an adventure elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE Wedding & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / United States AND BEYOND

Not everyone is made for big, traditional weddings. In fact, some people dread the thought of them. And instead of asking “why do couples elope?” they find themselves wondering why everyone wouldn’t elope! There are a lot of reasons why couples decide to elope, including not getting along with family, or just being shy and not wanting to be the center of attention all day. Eloping isn’t just about running off to the courthouse when you turn 18 anymore. Some couples want to save money, and other couples just want to spend their money more intentionally. Eloping is about creating your big day in an intentional way that is true to you and your partner. It’s about creating an experience that you will remember for a lifetime, rather than spending a ton of cash on a big party for everyone else. So if you’re the outdoorsy type who would love to make your wedding day about experiences instead of things, then maybe an adventure elopement is right for you. Here’s a list of a few of the reasons some couples choose to elope.

1. We hate being the center of attention and would rather spend the day doing things we love with just each other or a few special people.

   If one or both of you are introverted it makes perfect sense that you’d rather have a more secluded location with a minimal guest list. Wedding days can be overwhelming, and even more so if people are heaping love, praise, and attention on you and then turning around and judging your centerpieces. A lot of people already wish they would never again have to make small talk with their 2nd cousin or stand in a ballroom with 100 people staring at them, so some couples choose to avoid putting themselves in that position, to begin with.

2. We don’t have the money to spend on a giant wedding.

   Maybe neither of your families have the means to pitch in, and you are busy working hard to build a career in a field you love. Traditional weddings can set you back big time, and make it harder to reach other goals in life that ultimately may be more important to you than spending a fortune on one day. The average wedding in the United States now costs over $33,000. That’s a lot of money that could go toward school, or a house, or building your future life with your partner. So instead of choosing to blow a huge wad of cash in a single day, many couples are choosing to hold onto it and use it for the things they deem truly important in life. You can easily plan an incredible and memorable elopement for under $10,000. So if you decide to save some money and still get married in a way that feels right to you, more power to you!

3. We have the money but would rather spend it on something else.

   Maybe your parents are willing to pitch in or you are both in a great place career-wise. Even then couples are choosing to spend their money with intention and to plan a day that reflects their values and lifestyle. And the truth is many people getting married today value experiences over things. They want to watch the sunset over the Grand Canyon while saying vows, or they want to spend their special day on a mountaintop with only their partner. Think about it- with the $33,000 an average couple spends on a traditional wedding, you could fly to an incredible locations, book a ridiculously nice AirBnB, get the most gorgeous dress of your dreams, hire a photographer who takes epic photos, take a helicopter tour to your secluded ceremony site, say your vows to the love of your life, and see sights and views that blow your mind, all while having an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime. And that still might be less expensive than a traditional wedding! Making decisions that create a more intimate day just feels more special to a lot of people, and many definitely find the experience much more enjoyable than stressing out about last minute decor decisions.

4. We want to avoid the family drama altogether.

   Aunt Jo doesn’t get along with your mom, or brother Chris always gets too drunk. Tense family situations are real and more and more couples are choosing to opt-out of being put in a situation that could cause greater tension in their family. Many couples find that eloping is so much easier and more closely reflects who they are as people. They choose to spend their wedding day outside and make it about their real and true love for their partner. Your wedding day should NOT be difficult or stressful due to familial tension. So just cut out the possibility of trouble and elope to a beautiful destination of your choice. It will likely be cheaper and a lot less stressful.

5. We wanted to do something unique and important to us.

   Let’s face it, every summer we get invited to a handful of weddings, and we go, and we eat, drink, and are merry. But at the end of the summer, can you remember what was so great about each wedding or does it all just blur together in a mix of eating, drinking, dancing, and the like? Now more couples are seeking to do something that sticks out in their own memory as spectacular and incredible. And it makes sense, in 30 years you absolutely will not remember what the silverware looked like or what style of monogram you chose for the place settings, but you will remember committing yourself to the person you built a life with. So why not do it in a stunning and scenic way? There are a ton of incredible locations to choose from, so you can go back to a place you already know you love, or you can make new memories and explore somewhere new. Either way, you will be choosing to make your wedding day align with the values you hold dear.

6. We don’t want our wedding to be about pleasing guests. We want it to be about us.

   Some people will never be pleased even if you choose the right caterer and the best cake and DJ imaginable. And who cares about those people anyway? Honestly, you getting married has nothing to do with them and you don’t need that negativity in your life. It’s time we all start caring about living our best life more than we care about what people think about our lives. So please yourself on your wedding day. If you have always wanted to go to Alaska, but it seems too far away. Go! Get married there and make it the vacation of your dreams. At the end of our lives, I bet we won’t be laying on our deathbeds saying “I really wish I would have please Aunt Karen more.” No, we will be saying- damn, we lived it right.

7. We are outdoorsy and love traveling. We decided to incorporate adventure and experiences into our big day.

   If the great outdoors is the place you feel most alive, most free, and most in awe of nature and the world- then dang it, eloping in the great outdoors is for you. I’ve heard from so many couples say that they had never even thought of their wedding or what it might look like, and then they saw photos like mine- photos of couples dedicating their lives to each other in epically beautiful places, and all of the sudden they were psyched on getting married and what their wedding might look like. It’s not that they didn’t want to commit their life to the person they loved, it’s that the production and show of weddings seemed horrible and overwhelming and unnecessary to them. Once you realize that it’s your day and it can absolutely be whatever you want it to be a whole new world opens up and it’s almost like you can taste the freedom and feel the wind in your hair.

8. We don’t like big, traditional weddings.

   It’s pretty simple, for a bunch of different reasons and on this list and otherwise, some people just really don’t like big, traditional weddings. They don’t like going to them, they don’t look forward to them, they may actively avoid them. So when it comes time to plan your big day and you feel like this, just know- you don’t have to have a big, traditional wedding. You absolutely do not have to spend a lot of time making decisions about things you could care less about. In truth, we should all spend more time making decisions about things we sincerely care about. There are so many other options out there and I’m sure you can find something that looks more up your alley. While you’re at it you may as well buck all kinds of trends and get married outside in the dead of winter!

9. We wanted to combine our wedding with our honeymoon in an epic travel destination.

   If you love traveling and find your self planning the honeymoon before you even start to think about the wedding, maybe doing both at the same time is right for you! Think about it, you were so excited to go somewhere awesome, you skipped over that part where you actually get married and went straight to the fun stuff. Clearly, you’re not that stoked about planning something big, so maybe just keep that excitement for the honeymoon going and plan your wedding in the same place! Why not kill two birds with one stone? It’s efficient and it gets the job done, all while being really fun. It sounds like a win-win to me. Plus so many epic travel destinations, like National Parks or National Forest lands, are free or inexpensive to get married on.

10. Nature is our church.

    I totally get this one. I feel so much more in awe of our world, and therefore spiritual when I am outside in an epic location. Like when I saw the sunset over the Baja California coast for the first time, or when I saw a lightning storm approaching Zion National Park or the first time I experienced autumn in New England- these experiences help wipe away all the negative and help me see the world with a clean slate. If you feel like you can relate, and that your most enlightening experiences happen when you’re outside, then eloping in the great outdoors is certainly for you.

11. We didn’t expect our families to support our marriage decision.

    This is a super sad truth, but some families do not support their loved one’s decision to marry under certain circumstances or a specific person. Whether faith and religion or race prejudice play a role, it’s an unfortunate occurrence. Of course, if you’ve met and fallen in love with your forever person only to find an unsupportive family it makes sense that you would feel free to be you with them there on your day. Many couples in this position choose to elope and to do it in a way that feels right to them. This way they only have positive and happy memories from the day they married the love of their life.

If you’re thinking of eloping in the great outdoors and would love someone with a ton of know-how and experience to photograph the story of your day, I would love to help! Make sure to reach out and tell me a little about you two and what you are considering for your small wedding or elopement. I help plan your entire day from beginning to end if that’s what you need. My specialty is finding gorgeous, off-the-beaten-path locations for couples to enjoy a secluded ceremony. If you need recommendations for an officiant, florist, cake maker, or anything else I’m here to help you make your day as true to you as possible.

How to Choose An Elopement Spot

How to Choose an Elopement Location- It’s Easier Than You Think

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / UNITED STATES AND BEYOND

When it comes time to think about choosing an elopement location there are a number of factors to consider. In this case it really pays to hire your photographer first if you’re unsure about a location and they can help you pick a spot that meets your desires and makes for great photos. Keep reading for some other things to think about when picking an elopement location of your dreams!

Choose a Place That is Meaningful to Your Relationship

My husband and I met in between years of college working on Lake Powell in Northern Arizona / Southern Utah. We had an amazing summer exploring the lake and the magnificent red rock canyons of the desert southwest. Eight summers later Craig proposed to me while we were back flipping off Lone Rock in Lake Powell. We've laughed and cried at Lake Powell, gotten stuck in the mud, had customers get angry with us when we worked in the restaurant as teenagers. We have so many memories there, and we still return often to explore a place we know so well. Do you have a place like this?

It can be in your backyard or across the country. You don't have to have spent a lot of time in the place. Perhaps you've made some of your best memories there, or maybe it's a place you have both always dreamed of visiting. There is still time, and there are great memories to be made!

Talk to your partner and about whether you want to soak in old memories in a place that means a lot to you, like your hometown State Park, or if you’d like to make new memories and discover a new place that neither of you have been to before.

Let Your Favorite Activity Guide You

Whether you're an avid hiker or climbing rock walls is your style, let what you love doing be your guide. Maybe your adventure session or elopement should take place at the top of your favorite mountain, or perhaps in your favorite backcountry meadow. If you love canyons, we can find a gorgeous, secluded canyon to say your vows. Maybe you prefer an epic overlook while the sun is setting? The possibilities are endless for where your dream wedding could take place!

Sometimes couples come to me with a plan already hatched, but if you want to hike to a certain spot, rappel to a cliff and say your vows with only a waterfall as your backdrop, or get deep into a canyon, let me know and we can make that dream a reality. I will also suggest weather dependent alternatives, so no matter the weather on your wedding day you will have the experience of a lifetime. Being prepared for anything is most of that battle.

Ask Your Photographer

After a decade as an outdoor adventure photographer, I've been a few places and know about some back roads with unbelievable and un-crowded views at the end of them. I love helping couples find the perfect spot to create their dream intimate wedding, elopement, or adventure engagement or anniversary session.

I was recently contacted by clients who thought they wanted to elope to the Grand Canyon... or maybe to the Great Smoky Mountains. They weren’t quite sure, but they were sure about how they wanted their day to feel. We worked together and after going over a few locations, they decided on Vermont- a place neither of them had been to before! Now they get to explore a new place together and make incredible memories on their elopement day.

Consult Google

And then there is the age-old Google consultation. But seriously, I've found some of my favorite locations of all time by Google Image searching, or typing in "waterfalls near me." Or if you know the general are you'd like to go, but want to get off the beaten path a little bit further, Google Earth is your best friend. You can see drop offs and drainages you never knew existed before, and you might even spot a 4x4 road that will help you get there.

Most of my adventures now are off the beaten path or at 6 AM, and that’s just because it’s a great way to be the crowds and have great photo light. Doing your research before is the best way to make the most out of your day- especially if you’re eloping in a place neither partner has been to before. Having a detailed timeline created with the help of your photographer is key.

Know Yourself

Not everyone needs to summit a mountain on their wedding day, and that is more than okay. Decide what is best for you and your partner and what will be the most fun. If that means paddling your favorite river and stopping along the way, great! If it means walking a half-mile loop to a scenic overlook so your whole family can come too, that’s awesome. Some people want to pack as much as possible into their day, and others want to relish each moment and sit in it for a while. Determine which style of adventure you and your partner like the most and work with your photographer to make it happen!

It’s important to know what’s most important to you. The word “adventure” means something different to everyone, and it’s just as okay if you want to walk down a beach as it is if your idea of fun is summiting a mountain.

Decide What Time of Year is Best for Your Chosen Location

Some locations really shine in certain times of year more than others. For instance, I love going to the desert in the winter and spring, but don’t enjoy it as much in the summer and part of the fall. The Pacific Northwest is amazing in the summer and fall, and you might think that it wouldn’t be as great in the winter. However, I recently photographed a couple there in the winter, and although it was cold, they chose a location they could drive to and shoot in multiple different spots. So they would get out and shoot for 10 minutes and then warm up in the car for 10 minutes. The result was stunning photos of ice falls and gently falling snowflakes. The couple was blown away at the range of images we were able to get in a short amount of time because there were absolutely no crowds anywhere!

While there are so many things you can’t control or plan for your elopement, your location is something you can. Make sure to do your research, hire an expert photographer with prior knowledge and experience shooting at your desired location, and be prepared for weather based on seasonal conditions- This way you’ll be ready for anything that comes your way on your big day.