Adventure and Vow - Elopement Photographer

04/25/2025

Did I save the best for last???

Today, I am sharing about Yosemite National Park.

Don't take it from me how beautiful and special this place is, take if from Ansel Adams - "Yosemite Valley, to me is, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space."

What makes Yosemite so great for an elopement, you ask??

✨ Beautiful pre-approved ceremony locations to share your vows with just you two or you two and your dearest loved ones. (Though you will need a permit, the permit officer at Yosemite is fantastic to work with!)
 
✨ Incredible vista viewpoints for sunrise and sunset
    
✨ Old-growth forests to explore
  
✨ Adventures await from rock climbing, bouldering, hiking, backpacking, star gazing, horseback riding, camping, and rafting the river.
 

We recommend eloping in Yosemite, the last week of May into the second week of June for the very best weather and chance to see the towering flowing waterfalls.

Fall is also great and gives you more access to the Tiago Pass road.

Yosemite is a place that stays with you, it feels historical, it brings people together.

Would you elope in Yosemite National Park??? Tell us in the comments 👀

04/24/2025

Why purchase an arch to stand under on your wedding day to only then it away after when Arches National Park has towering sand stone arches that have stood for the challenges of time. ✨

Arches National Park is a unique place to get married offering incredible views in canyons, under arches and with views of the beautiful La Sal mountains.

Besides tying the knot you can hike, off road, star gaze, rock climb and (our favorite activity in the park) canyoneer. 🧗🏼‍♀️

The park is nestled just outside of the incredible adventure town of Moab, Utah. 🥾

Keep in mind logistics of your experience!! We recommend considering going into arches before sunrise and sticking to a weekday.

The weather is best March through May and October. However, don't shy away from off or shoulder season for privacy! ✨

Send this post to the person you'd like to romp around the desert with on your wedding day! 🙌🏻

04/22/2025

The deeper the canyon, the greater the perspective.

The wider the view, the closer you feel.

Canyonlands - It’s one of Utah’s five national parks, but it often flies under the radar compared to Arches or Zion. And honestly? That’s part of what makes it so special.

Canyonlands is raw, rugged, and vast—split into four unique districts with towering cliffs, sweeping mesas, and winding rivers carved by time. Think desert solitude, Martian-like views, and sunrises that stop you in your tracks.

💍 Thinking about eloping here? Here’s what you need to know:
– You’ll need a special use permit from the park
– Best times to elope are spring or fall for cooler temps
– The Island in the Sky district is the most accessible (and epic for sunrise or sunset)
– Group size is limited—ideal for couples looking for a quiet, meaningful day
- The night skies are perfection
– Bonus: You can easily combine it with nearby Moab adventures that include off roading, river rafting, climbing or camping.

👋🏼 We help couples plan every detail—from the permit to the best light to the quietest overlooks—so your elopement feels easy, intentional, and unforgettable.

📌 Save this post for later or send it to someone you'd love to explore Canyonlands with.

04/21/2025

🌿 Olympic National Park ✨

For national park week we're going to be highlighting our favorite national parks for play and for your elopement!!

Up first - Olympic.

Nestled in the lush forests you'll find this diverse gem. Here you have incredible beaches, stunning mountains, glaciers, rain forest, alpine lakes and more.

The park offers access to swimming, surfing, climbing, mountaineering, hiking, kayaking, boating, backpacking, fishing and camping.

Quieter than a lot of national parks. Truly one of our favorites to explore in the summer and early fall.

Eloping here is magical. Combining these diverse landscapes with various adventures and slow activists at the many campsites or beautiful cabins.

It's also one of the few national parks that we consider group friendly if you're bringing guests along for your elopement day.

Send this to the person you want to explore Olympic with ✨🙌🏻

Have a question about visiting this park or eloping in Olympic?? Drop it in the comments and we'll answer 🙌🏻

04/18/2025

🚨If you are planning to elope in Mt Rainier this year or visit, it will look a lot different than years past.🚨

The 103-year-old bridge over the Carbon River has closed and needs to be repaired; repairs could take years.

This bridge closure means all of the trails on the Mowich Lake side of the park are closed. It also closes many National Forest trails on the North Side of the mountain.

Popular trails that this closes:
🌿 Tolmie peak
🌿 Spray park
🌿 Summit Lake

✨ What does this mean for you??? ✨

You may need to select a different trail for your time in Rainier or for your elopement day.

It also means other trails will be more crowded since tourists and eloping couples will be concentrated in what is available around the mountain.

✨ My advice as a WA state elopement photographer??? ✨

If you are planning to elope on a more popular trail, plan to go at sunrise and stick to a weekday.

Plan ahead for parking and entry into the park, as wait times are likely to be longer.

Look deeper into your options!! Choose a trial that is not popular within the Rainier region (there are lots of options, especially outside of the park on the South side of the mountain)or in a different area of the state.

Remember, the longer you hike, usually, the less crowded 🙂

Mt Rainer is def worth still visiting this year or eloping at, you just need to plan a little differently.

Send this post to your mt rainier travel partner so they'll know what to expect! ‼️

04/16/2025

The STOKE of....

seeing a place for the first time that you've been wanting to see forever.

It's like Christmas meaning as a kid. Adrenaline runs through your body and you feel joy and awe.

It's a feeling that doesn't leave you, forms a profound memory. Joy.

I'll always stand by the best place to elope is either - one of your bucket list destinations or a place that means a lot you and your relationship. Sometimes those can even overlap in your elopement experience.

Where you elope isn't about Instagram worth my photos or what others think.

It's about you two, the start of your marriage and desired experience.

How do you decide? With intention.

The more choices you make through intention during elopement planning the more profound and meaningful the day will be - that my friends, is creating something special, that can never be replicated.

Tell us in the comments, where somewhere you've always wanted to explore??? 👀🥾

04/01/2025

You’ll regret not having the big wedding everyone else wanted you to have.

✨ April Fools. ✨

Your wedding day isn't about fulfilling others' expectations; it's about celebrating your unique love story in a way that feels right to you.

Eloping offers a deeply personal and intimate experience, allowing you to focus solely on each other without the stress and pressures of a traditional wedding.

It's about choosing ✨authenticity✨ over obligation, creating memories in breathtaking locations, and starting your marriage with an adventure that reflects your true selves from bucket list items to being somewhere or doing something that's apart of your story.

After all, when you look back on your special day, it's the genuine moments and heartfelt connections that will matter most—not the size of the guest list or the extravagance of the event.

A few sneaks from our most recent session here in Moab! Filled with beauty of the red rocks, hellos from strangers on the river, pointing out climbs Bailey had done and feeling like you're in a western movie to watch a spring sunset as the cows moo in the background. 🐄🤠

100/10 recommend, and no, you'll never regret it, I promise 💕🙌🏻

03/26/2025

I can finally share the big news....

One of our images was selected by as best of the best engagement photos for 2025 🎉

It's always an honor to have our images shared among the best in this industry worldwide.

None of it is possible without YOU trusting us to capture your special moments, YOU choosing to document and celebrate your relationship in its truest form.

We're never going to get over that this is our life, getting to go on rad adventures with incredible people, photograph moments of intention. We're forever thankful to our couples 💕

Photography has been a passion for me (Traci here) now for almost 20 years. Had you told me when I first picked up a camera that my life would be here now I literally wouldn't have believed you.

Art is so special. It's often overlooked in our day to day lives. Photography has the ability to hold so much emotion, purpose and story - if you let it.

I hope that our work inspires you to allow to be yourself in front of the camera, allow for a little magic and something special for yourselves. ✨

03/24/2025

The mountain is not the main character...

YOU are. Your story, your love.

Choosing an adventure elopement is choosing Mother Nature, everything that it gives you.

Don't let weather ruin your day, embrace and make epic memories.

Part of embracing it is being prepared for it. Having waterproof shoes, a second pair of socks, umbrellas and a rain jacket can make a big difference in keeping you the mood to splash in the puddles ✨

I'll tell you a secret, I've been in your shoes. After hiking all the way around Rainer our elopement ceremony was a white out, that didn't stop us - we headed into lower elevation to a waterfall to share vows there.

All that matter in that moment was getting married, sharing vows and being present with each other.

I'd be lying to you if I told you I wasn't sad I couldn't see the mountain for our photos. That's why it's also important to remember - this isn't your last day together to celebrate your love story.

One of my favorite things about eloping is afterwards you have an incredible place to always go back to and keep celebrating. A special place in solitude to revisit whenever you want. You can always come back for anniversary photos, family photos or to just be.

Unpredictable weather is also why we block off an additional day for emergencies for our couples. Flexibility can *possibly* get you a sunny day - but not always. Either way, we're here to support you, celebrate you and bring the stoke 🙌🏻

Are you a dance in the rain kinda person??? 🌧️

03/17/2025

Sent to the print house 🙌🏻✨

So incredibly excited for these two to receive their album, hold their day in their hands, transport back to the ice, striking fall colors and mountains of alaska.

Albums are a perfect way to hold the memory of your elopement day close. We custom design them to tell your story then they're printed in handcrafted lat flat albums that'll last generations.

Imagine showing your grandkids how you two got married years ago on thousands years old ice. Fill them with inspiration and awe well you get to feel it all again 💕

One day will grant me access to post 20 slides so I can show you more than just 10 pages of this beautiful-ness 😛

03/14/2025

03/12/2025

You don't have to spend your entire elopement day in your wedding dress....

You also don't have to do things that are strictly "wedding like."

Your wedding day is about your relationship, it's about starting off a day intentional and how you want to start off marriage together.

That could mean starting off with coffee and burritos in a natural hot spring watching the sunrise through the steam as the mountains change from starlight, to alpine glow to full sun. Holding hands and hanging on to these last moments as an engaged couple.

Never stray away from an idea or desire for your wedding because it doesn't feel wedding enough.

It's your day, you make the rules. There's no right or wrong way to spend this day together.

Now, I'm all for wearing that dress as much as you can on your day when and where it makes sense since it's the one day you get to wear it, so don't be afraid to get the dress dirty.

As we always say, a dirty dress means you had a damn good time. ✨

03/07/2025

This elopement morning felt like a complete dream.

When we arrived at the lake for sunrise you could not see a thing, but we held out and ventured around until the sun rose creating the most magical morning and ethereal way to start off these two's wedding day.

The best part, this wasn't just for epic photos. This was intentional. We encourage all of our couples to plan from their hearts, connect moments of the day to their story.

These two got engaged in this very canoe on a lake close to their home. On the canoe, they took some time to browse through their old post cards they had sent each other during the long-distance portion of their relationship. A reminder, of those early moments in love, the memories, the place. 🛶

A slow, intentional morning - soaking it in. The day goes by fast and as an adventure elopement photographer often we are packing it in, but remember, slow down and feel the moment. ✨

03/04/2025

This elopement morning felt like a complete dream. When we arrived at the lake for sunrise you could not see a thing, but we held out and ventured around until the sun rose creating the most magical morning and ethereal way to start off these two's wedding day.

The best part, this wasn't just for epic photos. This was intentional. We encourage all of our couples to plan from their hearts, and connect moments of the day to their story.

These two got engaged in this very canoe on a lake close to their home. On the canoe, they took some time to browse through their old postcards they had sent each other during the long-distance portion of their relationship. A reminder, of those early moments in love, the memories, the place.

A slow, intentional morning - soaking it in. The day goes by fast and as an adventure elopement photographer often we are packing it in, but remember, slow down and feel the moment.

Photos taken near Mt Rainier National Park - info in comments

03/03/2025

Are you looking to tik off a bucket location or adventure for your elopement day???

If you do not have a location that speaks to you immediately to get married at, that already holds meaning to you two, it could be a good opportunity to plan something extra special and choose from your bucket list!

Doing something new on your wedding day can stimulate new neural pathways in your brain creating strong memories and releasing dopamine. To me, that's a win-win for your elopement day experience.

So if you were going to do something or go somewhere bucket list worthy what would it be???

After photographing over 200 elopements all over the Western US and abroad, I can tell you that every time we have photographed in Alaska it stands out as extra special.

Every time the bride says to me its the best day of their life, or that they'll never been able to top this, and so on.

Flying in a helicopter over bears, elk, and massive crevasses in ice that's thousands of years old....just you two and a reminder of how magical this world is.

You can even take the experience further and choose to try ice climbing, kayak around the glaciers or do a polar pung after your first kiss!

So tell us, would you elope in Alaska?

✨ Send this to your fiancé to let them know you have alaska on your mind 🙌🏻

02/28/2025

Today we shared our 2nd episode on the Marriage Memoirs podcast! We had an interview with Amy + Steve who we met while out on an elopement here in Moab, Utah. These two have been married for 40 years and we are excited to share their story with you!

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5p2ZwQ8LPSRLSErSvI2t1b?si=Eg_U8omdR3W34EImcO64ew

02/27/2025

Hellooo, I'm waiting on someone to wear a pink suit already!!? 👀

This one is for the fellas....

My dudes. You don't have to wear a traditional black or grey suit, unless you want to of course.

Don't be afraid to express yourself and have fun with your wedding attire!

You could choose a fun color, design or pattern.

You could choose to accessorize with a tie, bow tie, bolo tie, flowers, sick shoes, suspenders or a detailed belt.

Our top recommended locations to shop for a suit in the states is or .

We've had several grooms get custom suits as well during travels to Dubai or from India that were incredible and affordable, so also don't be afraid to look outside of the box for your suit.

My biggest tip for picking a suit color....

✨Pick a color that compliments (get out your color wheel!) the landscape you'll be around for your day!

✨ Consider what the suit color will look in different lighting situations and in conjunction with how your photographer edits!

Don't be afraid to reach out to your photographer (hi! 👋🏼) for advice or thoughts on color.

➡️ Send this to your man to encourage his search for his suit! ✨

02/26/2025

When you decide to elope you are saying no meaningless traditions and yes YOU, your story, who you are.

You are giving yourself a voice on your wedding day, a chance to let who are you shine.

✨Embrace that. ✨

Your daily right now, may not be your daily in 10 years. Who you are, what you do, what you connect to is something that deserves celebrating and documenting.

No matter how you decide to speak your truth, express who you are, and lay out your story, there is no wrong way.

You can do this by the way you choose to spend your elopement day, thea adventue, how you dress, how you accessorize, how you hold space during your ceremony, with your written vows, and where you choose to spend your elopement day.

You want to look back years later at your elopement day photos and go, “damn, that was us.” You want to feel how you felt, you want to see yourself in that moment and know it was a true representation of your love and experience that day.

That only happens if you are being you, fully + authentically. Don’t be afraid to be loud about it.