I Continue To Help Couples Ditch The Big Wedding And Elope In The Places That Make Them Feel Alive (30 New Pics)

Now, I get to work with outdoor-loving couples who want a wedding that can be the experience of a lifetime. Sometimes my couples elope, just the two of them, other times, they bring along a few close family and friends to celebrate. All of them get married in a way that’s intentional, and right for them - regardless of other people’s expectations.

My couples have hiked, taken the scenic train, and boat rides, swam, stargazed, stayed overnight in mountain huts, and everything in between. What better way to start off your marriage than with a bonding adventure you’ll remember for years to come?

If you would like to check out my other wedding photos in the Alps on Bored Panda, see part 1.

Growing up, I lived in the flat lands of Indiana, and I didn’t hike or do a lot of “outdoorsy” activities. That all changed when I saw a picture of Grindelwald, Switzerland on Google Images as a teen. I knew I needed places like that in my life. The mountain obsession began, and I moved all over America, and eventually out to Europe in pursuit of outdoor adventure. As I got more into hiking, eventually, I picked up a camera and started documenting all the beautiful places I saw.

While living in Alaska, I had the opportunity to photograph some friends who had recently gotten engaged. This opportunity helped kickstart my own interest in not just photographing hikes, but also people in breathtaking settings. I quickly developed a love for capturing couples who had a sense of adventure, and felt in their element while experiencing such awe-inspiring places.

In 2018, my husband and I got married. We are both somewhat introverted, mountain-loving people, and we discovered that planning a big wedding was more stressful than exciting. The day was planned primarily around what everyone else told us we should do, instead of celebrating in a way that actually reflected who we were. 2018 was also the year I began to photograph couples in the mountains. During this time, I realized that I thrived on the energy of sharing such beautiful locations with others who felt inspired by nature. I noticed how connected couples were during these photo adventure sessions. I have always felt peace outdoors, and I knew I wanted to create more experiences for couples that provided that environment.

From the start of my business, my focus has always been on helping couples create an experience that allows them to slow down, and connect with each other and the outdoors. I work hard to suggest locations that will offer more privacy and also encourage my couples to plan small activities that allow them to focus on one another. Ultimately, my goal is for eloping couples to have an experience, and I’ll make sure they get epic photos to document it.

While the Alps are jaw-dropping, no doubt, working in the mountains can be unpredictable. I’ve shot in all weather conditions, and prepare my couples early on for the reality that getting married outside has an element of surprise to it. You never know what you’re going to get. With that being said, some of my favorite elopements have taken place in the rain. Being able to embrace the weather is what makes an adventure elopement the experience it is. With that being said, I always provide a backup wedding day, along with multiple backup location options we can take advantage of if needed.

To make sure each couple is able to have a unique wedding experience, I am there guiding them throughout the planning process heavily. One of the very first things I do after a couple books is send over a planning guide full of helpful tips, tricks, and ideas. From there, I send over a questionnaire that digs into what their perfect day looks like, what sorts of hobbies and activities they enjoy doing, and what kinds of scenery make them feel alive. Afterward, we take those elements and build their elopement on that. I truly believe that couples receive the best photos when they focus on crafting an experience first, rather than treating their day like a photoshoot.

I feel lucky to call the Alps home, and that they provide so many stunning wedding location options. My goal is to blend both the beauty of the area with the emotion of what it means to be getting married. I shoot with a variety of lenses that help me capture the wide, “epic” shots along with zoomed-in shots to show those tight, intimate moments of an embrace, wiping away a tear, and everything in between. Gorgeous locations are an important element of the day, but it’s not just about the backdrop. It’s the space that they help couples create to connect deeply.

One of the biggest challenges of eloping is realizing how many options are at your fingertips, and narrowing down the best way to celebrate. From Day 1, I provide numerous resources to help couples realize their vision, and then implement it. Many couples find me through helpful free planning resources on my blog, or on Instagram where I also share planning tips. Answering their burning questions early on helps them move forward confidently while beginning to see the possibilities.

One of the reasons I love adventure elopements is it allows couples the ability to get married in a way that ditches the stress, while also investing in an experience that they’ll cherish. Elopements help couples connect not only the day-of, but also remember joy, love, and excitement for years to come. If I could give couples any advice, it would be this: Eloping isn’t selfish, and you can still include close family and friends in your day if you decide to! If you’re looking for support and figuring out if it’s right for you, I highly recommend looking up Facebook groups online. There are so many support groups for couples in the same boat, and it’s not a journey you have to do on your own. However you choose to get married, remember, it’s your day.