what is an elopement?
A day all about you & your person
Do whatever y’all want, wherever y’all want. Bring a few people or leave everyone in the dust. The main thing is that we’re planning the day around you & your boo, no one else.
This is Going to be Epic
Leave that wedding “rulebook” behind
You don’t *have* to do anything here. Traditions are only fun if they matter to you. I promise the best way to guarantee an epic wedding day is by filling it with the things that matter the most to you & your person.
So What Could Our Elopement Look Like?
Great Question!
The answer of “anything” is kind of overwhelming, but it’s incredibly exhilarating too! The first thing we’ll chat about is your favorite things, your priorities, and what you have envisioned so far. With that information I’ll be able to help you pick locations + activities to shape your day. The perfect day to one couple is another couple’s worst day, so don’t base your decision off of someone else’s elopement.
Want some ideas?
- Off-road into the mountains & say I do above a lake
- Go backpacking to a sentimental location
- Watch sunrise on the edge of a canyon, and see sunset in the mountains
- Travel to a new country to experience a new culture
- Bring your dogs along for an adventure in Colorado and have them witness your marriage
- Say your vows on top of a mountain and ski down to some hot chocolate
- Visit the spot of your first date & explore your hometown
- Rent a remote cabin and relax all day
Planning An Elopement Should Be Just as fun as Actually Eloping
Hey There! I’m Sam
Your Elopement Photographer & Planner extraordinaire
I’m here to help through the whole process, not just to show up on your day and click a few buttons. We’re in this together.
How Do We Plan This?
Location, Location, Location
now to truly launch the planning stage- you’ll fill out a questionnaire that collects everything I need to know in order to create the coolest location guide you’ve ever seen. Your guide is 100% personalized for you & your person, and will have everything you need to pick your epic elopement location.
Timeline
now we put everything together. This often coincides with step 3! We’ll nail down what is happening when & who needs to be where.
Book Your Date With Me
first things first, let’s get you official. We’ll chat, sign a contract, and you’ll pay a retainer. Then you’re officially a Maye.Be Take A Photo couple!
Vendors & Activities
now that we know where we are going, it’s time to figure out who else we are bringing along and what we’re gonna go do! Florists, hair & makeup artists, restaurants or private chefs, lodging, adventurous tours, etc. You’ll tell me what you want and I’ll give you the best of the best!
How Do We Plan This?
Book Your Date With Me
first things first, let’s get you official. We’ll chat, sign a contract, and you’ll pay a retainer. Then you’re officially a Maye.Be Take A Photo couple!
Location, Location, Location
now to truly launch the planning stage- you’ll fill out a questionnaire that collects everything I need to know in order to create the coolest location guide you’ve ever seen. Your guide is 100% personalized for you & your person, and will have everything you need to pick your epic elopement location.
Vendors & Activities
now that we know where we are going, it’s time to figure out who else we are bringing along and what we’re gonna go do! Florists, hair & makeup artists, restaurants or private chefs, lodging, adventurous tours, etc. You’ll tell me what you want and I’ll give you the best of the best!
Timeline
now we put everything together. This often coincides with step 3! We’ll nail down what is happening when & who needs to be where.
Ok Now Let’s Chat Photos
Looking for the perfect balance of candid, documentary, & posed/prompted so you get those pinterest-perfect photos you’ve been saving forever? You’ve come to the right place! I’m never going to interrupt a moment for a photo op. But if you are staring at me I’ll toss some fun prompts your way. None of that boring move your hand one inch to the right and stand still for an extended period of time.
Your elopement won’t feel like a photoshoot, but you’ll get freaking awesome pictures to remember every moment of the day.
Bold & Colorful Perfection
I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, but if I had to pick two words to describe my editing I’d definitely pick bold and colorful! You won’t find any muted tones here. I make sure the natural colors of your day sing in your photos, just as much as you do!
I use professional editing software to edit each image, and make sure each photo is perfect. I’ll clean up the background from distractions, and fix any other little details that are distracting to the eye while making sure to keep the moment real. The perfect balance of telling the story of your day as it happened and making sure nothing in the photo makes you want to say “it would be better if”.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long is An Elopement?
This is a super personal decision
you could decide to go to the courthouse and sign papers, meaning your elopement could take all of 15 minutes. Or you could decide to go on a backpacking trip meaning your elopement could be 2+ days long. It depends on what you have envisioned for your wedding day.
What’s An “All Day Elopement”
it is flexibility, fun, & adventure. Truthfully, it’s whatever you want it to be. Each and every one of my all day elopement couples have a wildly different day. But they all have one thing in common- happily married couples.
Example Elopement Timelines
Two days of epic adventuring? This is going to be incredible.
Day 1- The Elopement
Wake up in a coastal airbnb
Slowly get ready together
Venture to the Redwoods for your mid-day adventure
Eat a picnic lunch
Head back to the coast to find your ceremony spot
Share vows as golden hour begins
Run around the beach during sunset
Day 2- Adventuring
Head out early to drive to the trailhead
Pack wedding attire in a backpack and begin the hike
Enjoy your first hike as newlyweds!
Arrive at an epic waterfall + take in the views
Splash around and have fun!
Wake up in a cute mountain cabin & make brekkie
When you want to, start getting ready with your partner
Separate to put on wedding attire
Share a first look
Hop in a jeep rental and head to an off-roading trail
Off-road up a mountain pass, stopping to explore overlooks and views
Break for a picnic lunch
Hike to an alpine lake
Share vows & a first kiss at sunset
Return to town for dinner
Venture back to your cabin for a few star photos
Wake up before the sun, and hop in your car
Drive up to a canyon overlook
Share breakfast while watching the sun light up the miles of canyon below you
Explore the area now that it’s light out
Head back to your car to get your packs, and hike to your elopement location
Get your attire out & get ready on the trail
Find your ceremony spot, share vows, & seal it with a kiss
Head back to town for lunch + a mid-day nap
Venture back out for sunset, this time at lower elevation looking up!
Explore till after the sun has gone down, & the milky way has peeked out
Meet at your getting ready location for some quick details & touch ups
Share a first look
Hop in the car to drive to your ceremony location
Walk to a mountain lake + exchange vows
Pop some champagne
Drive up a mountain pass and stop at all the overlooks to explore
Enjoy sunset on top of the world
Head back to town for dinner
Meet at your ceremony location
Explore your location to pick “the” spot
Share vows & exchange rings
Adventure nearby or do a short hike
Share your first sunset as a married couple!
Packages & Pricing
Let’s Chat!
I’m stoked to hear more about your elopement and start this process with you. Just fill this out, click submit, and I’ll get back to you asap.