Photographing an Amalfi Coast elopement is what I do now guys. Dreaming up a European destination elopement isn’t difficult, but choosing from a long list of stunning cities gets a little trickier. Kara + Chase wanted a bit of romantic culture, delectable bites, iconic views, and easy-going vibes (I mean, who wouldn’t?!). And you have to admit that there’s one country that does these things better than the rest – Italy. 

This elopement photography love story starts back when a sweetheart of a man (who we now know as Chase) dropped an inquiry into my inbox last year. He left thoughtful details talking about how his girlfriend loved Christmas time and trees and twinkling lights and the entire season, and that he was planning to propose to her while on a trip in Montana. And lucky me, asked me to photograph their proposal.

Flash forward a few months, Chase + Kara were back in my inbox, but this time with very fun plans. Not only were they planning a destination elopement, but an Italian elopement on the Amalfi Coast. They knew I traveled all over to shoot wedding photos and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind when I said, “COUNT ME IN!” 

And as dreamy and beautiful and love-filled their Positano elopement was in the end, it wasn’t without a few hiccups here and there. If you’re planning a destination wedding, don’t forget to embrace the flaws, go with the flow, make plan Bs you love, and leave the focus more on the fact that you’re getting married than on the views or scenery or where you are in the world. 

Now that I’ve put you into the right mindset, let Kara+ Chase’s day whisk you away to the coast of Italy, in the infamous region of Amalfi, in a little cliffside town that draws in people from all over the world for its colorful stacked buildings and endless views. Positano is as pretty as cities come, with maze-like streets and pebble beaches and villas tucked into the side of its rugged coastline. 

Kara + Chase planned a laid-back elopement for early May, a month rumored to be the best time to visit this region with great weather and limited tourists. The plan was a ceremony on their private balcony, take-out pizza, a boat ride into the bay, and a next-day trip to Capri to explore. But the universe had other plans for us. 

When Kara + Chase arrived in Naples, their luggage didn’t. And in a time where the weather was historically stunning, it poured rain for days on end. The waters were too rough on the bay for boat rentals to cruise and even the ferries shut down completely. Gray skies dimmed the usual vintage glow of Positano and the original plan was thrown out practically upon arrival. 

But even with all of the mishaps, Kara + Chase had their dream destination elopement. 

Kara had her dress with her and a bit of makeup too. I brought over a straightener I had packed to help with her hair. We watched the radar only get worse, but still Kara + Chase didn’t lose their enthusiasm while we dreamed up new plans for the day. Rather than the terrace of their villa, the lovers exchanged sweet personal vows in the doorway as the skies dumped rain outside. After the ceremony and after we were told that the boat rentals weren’t operating, we headed out to the streets of the village for photos, stopping for a pizza along the way. 

It’s often the simplest moments of a wedding day that feel the most authentic and natural to my couples and boy did these photos prove that right once again! The pizza photos were some of my favorites, even among the classic Postinano views. 

It’s common for couples to add a day-after session to their elopements and we just had to do one with Kara + Chase in Italy, even with the wild weather and lost baggage. Kara found some sandals and a dress in the village boutique and even though our day trip to Capri wouldn’t happen, lots of rain meant empty beaches. A big plus for us! So we explored the beachfront and played in the rough waves, soaking in all of the beautiful chaos of their destination elopement so far. 

All in all, it was a beautiful, wild, unpredictable, happy, majestic few days on the coast of Italy. Another incredible destination elopement in the books. How fun was it that I got to check Italian elopement off of my bucket list because of these two?! Where should we head next?? Spain? Vietnam?? Norway?? Sign me up! 
Don’t forget to swipe through their Amalfi Coast wedding photos for inspiration for your own adventure! Or if you’re looking for inspo with a different vibe, check out his international destination elopement in Iceland!

A Last Minute Elopement in the Mountains  

Have you ever looked at your partner and thought, “We should just go get married?”

For an elopement in the mountains, all you need is each other (and an elopement photographer to document it all)! You don’t need a full year of prep, traditional events you don’t care about, or a wedding venue to plan a meaningful day.  A last-minute elopement can be just as beautiful, sometimes even more so.

That’s exactly what Kelly + Phil did. They were getting ready to move out of state, had spent years living in the mountains, and decided (about six weeks out!) that it just made sense to get married on a hike they already loved. No stress, no big plan—just a mountain trail, sharing vows in a place they love, and some sandwiches packed for a post-ceremony picnic with a view.

Why a Last-Minute Elopement in the Mountains Might Be Your Best Idea Yet

We met up on the trail and hiked 5+ miles through wildflower meadows in 98° heat (with plenty of shaded breaks and makeup check-ins along the way). There was not one bit of pressure, no tight schedules to follow, no guests to worry about. When you don’t spend months planning the day, it somehow lets you just be. It gave them space just to take it all in. To look around and say, “holy shit we are getting married!!! In the most magical place!!! With nothing to worry about except making the most of our day together!!!” And while it might not be for everyone, it was perfect for them. 

They found the perfect little rock pad to share their vows (without trampling any of the fragile flora), with this insane panoramic view of the lake and mountain range. And when it was all said and done? They sat with their butts in the dirt on the lake shoreline, eating sandwiches and watching the sunset. Honestly, it doesn’t get more them than that. And that’s the point.

Eloping in the mountains isn’t just about skipping the big wedding! It’s about slowing down, doing something that feels natural, and ending the day knowing you just created a memory that felt true to your relationship. As Phil said at the end of the night, “That was the coolest thing we’ve ever done.” And ya know what, I AGREE! 

A Mountain Wedding Dress, Cowboy Hat & Boots Made for Walking

If you’re considering a last-minute elopement, you might be thinking, “okay Jackie, you’re the elopement photographer here, what do we wear???” Well, Kelli + Phil just might have some inspo for you!! I’d always suggest bringing options for comfort and style, which is what they did. 

They swapped between traditional hiking boots and their wedding shoes throughout the day. She wore a veil for the ceremony, and a hat when the wind was gentle enough not to send it flying through the air. Her hiking elopement dress was chef’s kiss! Off-white and textured (my biggest suggestion to brides choosing a dress with photos in mind…TEXTURE!!! More inspo here.) Phil wore a cool as hell red bolo tie and brought out his cowboy hat for some wedding portraits. They hiked through the trails with “just married” signs hanging from their backpacks.

The whole vibe was casual, western-inspired, and freaking STUNNING for a hiking elopement in the Rocky Mountains. If that’s your vibe, make sure to scroll down through the photos! 

Need a destination wedding photographer for your elopement in the mountains (or somewhere else?!)

I can’t tell you how many couples I’ve worked with who didn’t start out thinking they’d elope. But when they realized they could:

•  plan a wedding in WAY less time
•  get married somewhere beautiful 
• skip the pressure of a traditional wedding
• and still have amazing photos to look back on

It all just made sense!!! 

Whether you’re hiking out to a viewpoint, planning a destination wedding, or just thinking “we should just freaking do this!!!”—I’m here for it!!! As a traveling wedding + elopement photographer, I help crazy-in-love couples bring their spontaneous, unconventional, or totally chill wedding ideas to life.

→ Like finding a quiet ceremony spot away from tourists for Laurel + Marcello’s Yellowstone National Park elopement.
→ Or getting married in a teeny tiny white church off a highway in the Paradise Valley with Angie + Ryan.
→ Or chasing waterfalls with Ria + Jordan for their elopement in Iceland! 

Basically, if you’re coming up with elopement ideas true to you + your partner, ones that involve running off to beautiful places and saying I Do in the most YOU way ever, I wanna be there to photograph it!

And hey! If you’re dreaming up an Oregon elopement now that I’m local? Even better!!! For weddings, elopements, and couples shoots, inquire here friend!!

Planning an adventure elopement? Skip peak season!

If you’re planning an adventure elopement, your vision probably looks like: frolicking around scenic spots with your lover, soaking in little moments unbothered by timelines, exploring somewhere sentimental or entirely new, and doing it all without a worry in the world. 

But if you elope during peak season, it can be a liiittle harder to pull off. You know those “Instagram vs. reality” posts? That can very much apply here. According to the National Park Service, there were a whopping 331.9 million visitors to parks last year— the highest it’s been in a decade. And as an elopement photographer with 15+ years of experience, I can tell you that I’ve 100% noticed.

When you elope during high season (especially in national parks or popular outdoor elopement locations), you are often trading a sure-fire weather forecast for: 

→ crowds (I’m talking a LOT of people)
→ buffer periods in the elopement timeline for parking or traffic
→ more expensive accommodation & more logistics in general
→ lots of love from tourists complimenting your wedding attire 

Not exactly the slow, sacred, spontaneous kind of day you may be imagining. That’s why shoulder season is always my #1 tip for adventure elopement planning. 

5 Perks of Planning Your Adventure Elopement in Shoulder Season 

Using Becca + Travis as a prime example! This stunnnnin’ couple eloped in a national park that has over 20,000 visitors A DAY during peak season, so they opted for fall instead and got the laid-back, free-flowing outdoor wedding day of their dreams because of it! So, don’t just take my word for it! I’m sure they’d tell you these reasons, too! ↴

1. You get more spontaneity and flexibility in your elopement timeline! 

This is my personal favorite perk and it’s exactly what made Becca + Travis’s day so special. Because they eloped in late fall (right after the crowds cleared), we didn’t need a zeroed-in timeline to keep us in check. They had the whole day to move at their own pace.

We wandered to an alpine lake they’d never seen before (I love showing you hidden gems), spotted mountain goats, explored new views with no one around, and ended the day on a cliffside with the prettiest mountain sunset. They booked me for a longer day so we could take our time, stop at the spots that felt good, and just let the day lead us.

That kind of flexibility is almost impossible during peak season.

2. There are far fewer crowds and much more privacy. 

Some couples aren’t bothered by the wandering, curious eyes of tourists as they exchange vows or those “congrats!” cheers as you pass in your wedding attire. If so, I love that for you!!! But the reality is that most of my couples already have plenty of nerves fluttering between saying ‘I Do’ and being in front of a camera, so they’d much rather have more privacy when possible. 

I had photographed Becca + Travis for their engagement photos, so they knew me and my approach to their photography experience. But that doesn’t always shake the day-of jitters! But with a ceremony on a literal cliffside, overlooking miles of golden trees and those big views they traveled in for and not a single other person in sight? It made them feel completely at ease. We didn’t have to dodge hikers in the background, or other weddings, or pause to wait for crowds to pass. The whole park felt like it was just for them.

If you’re dreaming of an adventure elopement that’s quiet, connected, and just about you two, shoulder season is your best bet.

3. Logistics are far easier all around.

If you’ve ever tried to visit a national park in July, you know the chaos: booked lodges, trailhead traffic jams, shuttle reservations, and parking lots that fill up by sunrise.

But when you elope in shoulder season? Sooooo much smoother.

Becca + Travis got their preferred location and time for a ceremony permit with no problem, didn’t have to build in long buffer windows to account for crowds, and never once had to battle for a place to park. It gave us more time actually enjoying the day and less time waiting around. Win-win!!!

4. Somehow, it feels more sentimental and true to you. 

Don’t get me wrong, every elopement has moments that make it special in its own way. But when you get to run around somewhere gorgeous, just you and your lover, and really let every single moment sink in without stressing about your surroundings—it’s freakin’ magic!

It lets you slowwww down. You get to do more of what YOU want, without any pressure or stress. Photos happen more naturally as you wander and aren’t as carefully styled to adjust to any chaos around you. You can shift plans without a second thought, just flowing with what feels right. And the result? A day filled with a million tiny, perfectly uncurated moments that make the whole elopement experience feel entirely unique and once-in-a-lifetime. 

5. Seasonal magic is underrated (and so beautiful) for adventure elopements! 

Take one scroll through Becca + Travis’ gallery and try to tell me they aren’t the dreamiest fall elopement photos??? I know everyone loves summer because the weather is steady and sun seems like a sure thing. But as an elopement photographer, let me tell you that shoulder season weather is nothing to be scared of!!! 

In fact, I’d argue it’s what gives your photos character. The golden leaves, the moody clouds, the mist clinging to the mountains? It adds a whole vibe that you just can’t recreate. And the best part? It’s different everywhere—maybe it’s a foggy afternoon on the Oregon coast, early snow in the Tetons, or a surprise downpour that ended with you dancing barefoot in the rain. You get unassuming beauty, variety in your photos, and little unplanned memories along the way. 

Yep, shoulder season is the best time to book an adventure elopement. 

Less stress, crowds, and planning. Way more flexibility, privacy, and time to be truly PRESENT! After all, isn’t that what eloping is all about?? 

I’ve photographed adventure elopements in many national parks (and all over the globe), and I can tell you that going during shoulder season is the #1 planning tip I could offer. Though I’ve got plenty of advice to share as you plan your day!

Start with these: 

→ Adventure elopement inspiration, photos, and tips! And when ready to find the photographer for your day, you can contact me here bb!

You’re here because you want to elope in Yellowstone National Park, yeah?? Don’t worry, I’m not the type of wedding photographer who will try to get you to switch locations because Yellowstone is “too busy”. 

Nope, if you have daydreams of geysers and bison and hot springs as the backdrop of your wedding photos, then GO GET ‘EM TIGER! I’m here for it. But I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t share some super important insight for planning your elopement in a place that gets 4 million visitors every year, especially if you’ve got the most iconic spots on your must-do list. 

It’s time for you to meet Jess + Matt, two lovebirds like yourselves who decided it was Yellowstone National Park or bust for their wedding day. And I won’t lie to you, these two had me nearly losing my sh*t when they first told me their plan. 

Old Faithful. Grand Prismatic. Artist Point. Gotta hit ‘em all. 

Hours-long traffic jams and swaths of bright baseball-capped tourists flooded my brain. As an elopement photographer for over a decade, who has photographed couples in the high seasons of Yellowstone and Glacier and Grand Tetons and Yosemite—this was about as *bonkers* of a plan as I could imagine.  

But they were GIDDY over it and really, really wanted to make it happen. So I told them I was down on one condition, which leads us to your first Yellowstone National Park elopement tip…

GO EARLY. You simply have to! Jess + Matt started in West Yellowstone at 7:45 am and I honestly think you could get started much earlier than we did if you’ve got multiple stops on your tour-de-Yellowstone. It is incredibly popular and quite literally thousands of people could be gathered at hot-spot attractions like Old Faithful, but mornings usually bring calmer conditions. 

Because Jess + Matt were staying near the west entrance and applied for their ceremony permit at Artist Point, it made sense to hit their other must-see spots and end their day with the ceremony. (Here’s the link for permitted ceremony spots in YNP!) 

By the time we got to Artist Point, it was insanity. It’s a super small area with nowhere to get off of the trails, leaving everyone packed together like sardines. When you take a look at their elopement photos (keep scrolling to see them!), it looks idyllic, intimate, and sweet under two little trees tucked into a nook. In reality, DOZENS of people were standing right behind me or walking by as they said their vows to each other. 

And with that, we’ve gotta talk about Yellowstone National Park elopement tip #2! 

Be realistic with what you’re walking into (and plan around it if needed). Because Jess + Matt are just a certain type of couple, they were unphased. But so many of my couples would have been extremely uncomfortable in that scenario. By having your ceremony first thing in the morning, you could find a more secluded, private spot to share vows. You could even do them at the Airbnb or accommodation! If you’re a couple who definitely doesn’t feel comfy with loads of strangers around during your wedding day, there are also more off-the-beaten-path areas to explore if you’re willing to skip the hotspots on your wedding day. It’s all up to your preference as a couple! 

If you’re okay with being early risers on your wedding day and don’t feel weird about having some family from Ohio applaud as you take your first just married kiss, then it looks like eloping in Yellowstone is still in the plan! 

Which means you’re ready for planning mode! And that brings you to the third and last tip of this blog. 

Plan your timeline with PLENTY of buffer space. Yes, you will encounter stopped traffic for wildlife and spend time searching for space away from crowds of tourists—and there’s really nothing you can do about it! So planning your elopement timeline with extra time built into it is a necessity to keep you from panicking the day of. If you don’t have the time for some reason, maybe you only booked your photographer for 4 hours or you have a post-elopement celebration planned back at the cabin, then my best piece of advice is to pick your top two spots and see what happens. You never know! The tourism gods might be with you and you breeze through the park no problem, leaving you time to make another stop along the way. But in the case you do get snagged by a timeline hiccup, you’ve checked off the most important boxes and still feel over-freakin-joyed about your day. 

So what do you say, my crazy-in-love new friends? Still up for an adventure?? 

If so, you should know I’ve helped plan dozens and dozens of elopements in highly trafficked, but oh-so-worth-it destinations. Ones that people will tell you are too busy or too popular. And maybe they are! But who cares, it’s your day, do what ya want! I’ll be there right there, scootching away tourists and finding the 2 feet of space we need to get the shot. What do you say? Wanna do this together? Fill out this form and let’s get to chatting! But first, make sure to take a look at Jess + Matt’s stunnin’ wedding photos from eloping in Yellowstone National Park! ↓

Finding a private elopement location in Yellowstone that isn’t packed with map-holding, bright-eyed visitors can feel like quite the feat. During peak season, our country’s first national park can see up to a whopping 30,000 visitors a day!!! So if you’re not a run-and-jump-into-the-chaos type of couple, you’re likely looking for somewhere tucked away, still beautiful, but infinitely calmer. If that’s the case, this is the Yellowstone elopement planning blog for you! 

The Most Underrated Private Elopement Location in Yellowstone

When everyone else was heading to elopement locations in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone or Old Faithful, Laurel + Marcello snuck off the path most traveled and headed to the far north. They wanted those wide-open meadow views, maybe a mountain peak, that iconic Wyoming type of scenery. 

Originally considering the Lamar Valley, known for being a wildlife hotspot along the Lamar River Basin, but ultimately decided it made the most sense to stay around Gardiner, which is sometimes called “nature’s favorite entrance” and actually located in Montana!  

That’s because Laurel + Marcello brought along some very special guests to this elopement getaway—their family! Actually, their original plan was to have their ceremony at the Airbnb, surrounded by everyone they loved, before heading off into the park for portraits and a little bit of exploring. But as plans do, they changed and they ended up getting legally married back home before their trip! 

But because Yellowstone was such a special vacation (their families were meeting for the very first time!!), they still wanted wedding photos in the park. So to maximize their time with family and still get their picturesque Yellowstone elopement vibes, we decided to get up before sunrise and head to some elopement locations we could hit with the most privacy and seclusion possible. 

Add Swan Lake Flats to Your Yellowstone Elopement Location List

And I’m very happy to report that, as we headed into the park to catch the sun coming up, the only other souls in sight were about 500 elk. We had our sights on Swan Lake Flats, a sage-brushy meadow with insane views of the Gallatin Range and Swan Lake. As the darkness lifted, the valley glowed and there were absolutely zero other people around to witness it but us—just how we like it. While all of the early risers headed to those iconic locations, we sat back to take it all in, the snow still resting on the mountain in the distance, the June sun glittering on the lake. EPIC if you ask me! And can you believe it only got better from there?

As you drive into the park in that area, there’s an “S” curve in the road with granite boulders littered around everything, actually giving more Yosemite National Park elopement vibes than Yellowstone! If you know anything about me, I’m always up for a little pitstop outside of the plan, so I asked Laurel + Marcello if they’d want to stop. To me, they seemed super up for it, but later I learned they thought I might be a serious level of insane. Laurel’s own words on that day…

“Her creative direction, chef’s kiss! We were basically bouldering at that point in dress shoes and at first, I said to myself, “This lady is crazy, making us climb up these rocks for a photo”, but when I saw us standing there in the early morning sun, I knew she had a vision, and it was beautiful!”

YES IT WAS!!! I might be crazy, but I’m a crazy lady with a vision and have a knack for turning the most unexpected spots into stunner elopement locations! 

The Best Part of Their Yellowstone Elopement 

It’s hard to choose from a lot of best parts—Marcello’s family visiting from India, Laurel’s family meeting them, L+M getting having long-awaited elopement location vision come to life, the unexpected wildlife sightings, the random bouldering excursions, the list goes on!)

For me it was reading their testimonial after getting their elopement photos back. When Laurel inquired, these were some of her words, “We are very awkward in photos, I’m not even going to lie to you.” And from their testimonial? Here’s what she said! “I felt like a princess in my dress- all possible because of her. We will be starting a tradition of getting professional photos taken wherever we go because of such a positive experience we had.” 

If anything is gonna make me cry in the club, IT’S THAT! 

So if you’re like Laurel + Marcello, two sweet lovers who want to choose an epic elopement location but still have enough seclusion and privacy to feel entirely comfortable and completely enjoy yourself, here’s your sign. DO IT! You don’t have to hit up the most photographed spot in a national park. There are tons of private elopement locations with amazing beauty of their own. Let’s get to planning and I’ll prove it to you! Inquire here when you’re ready.

And if you’re reading this thinking, “actually no, I want Old Faithful. I want the spots on every guide and postcard!” Okay, babes. You can have that, too!!!! But first, take a read about Jess + Matt’s Tour-de-Yellowstone Elopement Day. There’s some important advice for you over there! 

You can’t go wrong when you’re eloping in Glacier National Park, but choosing an exact elopement location can feel like throwing a dart at the map! Dakota + Zach had only been to Glacier National Park once, and knew it was their spot, so we chatted through their options and landed in the land of lakes with mountain views and look out points for days – East Glacier.

If you would have told Dakota + Zach that they’d be eloping in Montana in East Glacier last year, they would have laughed right in your face. Actually, someone *did* tell them they’d be getting married in the park this year and they did… well laugh in their face. Their families are long time pals back in Georgia and planning a group trip to Montana, which quickly turned into a let’s find love reality show. But guess what? IT WORKED. And these babes ended up right back where that first crush started less than a year later, with me photographing their vows and a pretty epic adventure for their Glacier National Park elopement. 

From their very first inquiry, I knew I was in for a treat. If you’ve read anything about me, you know I’m a sailor-mouthed elopement photographer who’s obsessed with my frenchie pup, and wants my couples to show their love in whatever way comes naturally to them! But the more ass grabs, the better in my opinion. Dakota + Zach immediately sent photos of their Boston Terriers and were quick to admit they’re handsy and lovey and all of the things, no matter where they are. (A match made in heaven?!?!) It took maybe two minutes for us to feel comfortable enough to be our true selves and the rest was history. They were making out, smacking booties, touching bodies, and loving on each other at their (very public) ceremony spot and every stop along the way. 

Armed and ready with my camera (and my dog, Bill), their elopement in East Glacier started at Sun Point, a designated ceremony site with crazy good views overlooking St. Mary Lake! After a quick ceremony with personal vows we scurried off from the crowds to find some more fun! Next stop was Wild Goose Island, with the sun dancing around fast-moving  clouds creating all kinds of lighting scenarios and variety (a wedding photographer’s dream tbh), we captured some sweet magic in their photos! 

Dakota pulled out a Pendleton blanket and shared a sentimental story about her family. Her grandfather was native and she always associated these wool tribal blankets with her grandparents’ house. Right before her grandmother died, she called up the family and said she was going to donate all of the blankets unless someone wanted them. Dakota and her brother snatched them up, of course! Flash forward to her wedding day and she’s wrapped up in a Pendleton blanket on native lands, a love-filled nod to her grandparents who were definitely there in spirit! *CRYING*

We ended their day with a wildly good view overlooking the Two Medicine Valley! For a summer elopement, the lake is full and this point gives the most picturesque views of the mountains against the water. It’s definitely up there in my favorite spots! As the air cooled and we prepped for our long car rides home, At Zach’s request swapped their wedding attire for some matching loungewear and AirForce 1’s, each pair inspired by their favorite rivaling college football teams back home in the south. A cute cap on a freakin’ gorgeous day in Glacier National Park! 

Looking to explore East Glacier for your own Montana elopement? This sunrise elopement might give you what you need or even check out this intimate wedding on the lakeshore!

Never has there ever been a more intentional national park microwedding than this! These photos are your typical shots but with true documentary style coverage of their personal twists on first looks, thoughtful ceremony traditions, and karaoke-filled reception. If you’re looking for inspiration for a personality-infused intimate wedding, you’ll wanna see this one! 

It’s no secret national park micro weddings are getting more popular each year. They account for around half of what I photograph, so it’s safe to say I’ve experienced so many different vibes, traditions, etc. You name it, I’ve seen it. So when I say Rachel + Will’s wedding was one of the most thoughtful days I’ve been a part of, you know it’s something special. 

These babes flirted with the line of a traditional wedding and a microwedding. Wanting a super intimate ceremony and a big ol’ party, they simply made it the best of both worlds ‘cause why not?? 

Rachel asked me when we were planning, “is it weird that we want to get dressed together?” I can’t even express how much I love when couples do this. While I am all for a classic first look, there’s something extra special about helping each other get ready, hyping each other up when you look good, and having an intimate experience rather than one big moment of excitement. 

So that’s exactly what they did. We picked a little trail on our way to the ceremony site, pulled off into the spot, and hung their clothes from the trees. Rachel put a blanket down and they set up a mirror, and together, they got dressed right there in the forest. Will sat down and immediately put his socks on, which quickly became the funniest inside joke when Rachel noted how freakin’ strange it was he went straight for the socks first HAHA! 

After that, we headed to the Fish Creek picnic area for family photos and then came my favorite part of the whole day. With microweddings, ceremonies tend to be short ‘n sweet, but not Rachel + Will’s. Their ceremony was packed with one personalized moment after another. Their aunt + uncle officiated the wedding. The did a ring warming, where they pass around the rings to let guests bless them with good energy and thoughts for the couple. Her uncle sang a song for them, them pulling out a flask for a funny moment. Their vows weren’t grand speeches, but flowing conversations, with impromptu banter back and forth. It was intentional and emotional. Absolutely perfec!. 

We ventured off for portraits before their Airbnb backyard reception with friends and family outside of the park. Rachel + Will had mentioned they had done shoots before that were absolutely beautiful, but didn’t feel like them with most of them posing + smiling at the camera. So for the rest of the day, I threw all of my direction skills out of the window and just let them be. And man was that freakin’ beautiful. They were skipping rocks and running around without shoes, making out in the lake. They aren’t your typical wedding portraits, but I’m all for the unconventional.

Even their rather traditional wedding reception was packed with bits of personality + customization that made it feel more like them. Custom koozies, super emotional toasts, a mobile bar to keep the drinks flowin’ as they sang karaoke all night. Yes, you read that right! Karaoke at a reception?? I was a little unsure of how that would be but turns out their friends + fam are karaoke pros and it was just the cherry on top of their love-filled day. 

Rachel + Will are the perfect example of how to have a sweet intimate ceremony for your microwedding in a national park with epic views, but still invite people you care about to celebrate. If that is your vibe, let’s talk babe! Where are we headed? Olympic National Park? Mount Rainier? Yosemite? SIGN ME UP!

Eloping in Montana was an easy decision for Angie and Ryan to make. They pictured a mountain wedding ceremony and a getaway for just the two of them and we all know big sky country checks those boxes. Welcome all fans of the show Yellowstone loL!  But rather than head to the go-to elopement locations in the north like Glacier National Park, they chose a sweet little cabin in underrated Paradise Valley to the south. 

When you’re eloping in Montana, you never know what kind of weather you’ll get. Rain clouds rolled in and out of the valley all day, but as your friendly neighborhood elopement photographer, it’s my job to remind you that isn’t always a bad thing. The moody skies gave us different views all day, adding fun texture to every photo. 

I showed up to the cabin to have a laid-back morning in progress. Angie already had her hair and make-up done when I got there, with her details laid out ready to be documented. The videographers there doing their thing. We took some getting ready photos, sweet little moments as Angie pulled up her bridal cowboy boots and Ryan slipped on his tan suit jacket perfectly paired with blue jeans. Ryan waited just off the front steps of the cabin for a first look with Angie before heading off on their wedding ceremony adventure. 

There are first-looks in my wedding photography portfolio, all different and special in their own way. But Ryan moved right up to the top of my list of emotion-filled memories from grooms. From the moment Angie stepped out of the cabin, tears were flowwwwin! And they didn’t stop (all day really). There’s nothing I love more than when my couples are just over-the-moon happy, drunk in love all day long and these two were absolutely that. After a quick Facetime to their baby at home, we set off for their Montana elopement in the mountains. 

The first stop was a little white church. No, really. A teeny tiny white church off of the side of the highway. Angie + Ryan had never seen the church until that day, a ceremony location suggestion by their officiant. When we opened the doors, we were immediately transported to the 70s, complete with wood paneling and green shag carpet and the fakest flowers I’ve seen. It was truly eclectic, one-of-a-kind, and absolutely freakin’ perfect for their day. 

Chasing mountain views and epic lighting for some more portraits, we took off down the road with no real plan. We stopped in a field, they sipped some beers, and turned on some music for a bit of time to just take it alllll in. The video team had an idea to move the party to a saloon back closer to the cabins so we packed up and headed back to town. Not thinking that it was a Friday night, we showed up to a packed bar. And here’s where another important lesson from your neighborhood elopement photographer comes in.. 

As wedding vendors and creatives, sometimes we’ll have cool ideas or fun visions for what is possible for your day or how we capture it. But none of it matters more than doing what YOU want. Here’s why.. 

1. It’s your wedding day. It’s about so much more than the photos or video or decor. The last thing you should do is something that makes you uncomfortable or takes away joy from your day. 
2. If you’re uncomfortable, you’ll be able to tell in the photos and video. Just trust me on this one! No need to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do because it shows. 

After sneaking a peek at the packed saloon, Ryan shut down. And I don’t blame him! I could see Angie unsure herself. I pride myself as an observer. I immediately knew this wasn’t for him + it wouldn’t turn into the vision in our minds if they weren’t into it.

Hungry and fading from the action-packed day we already had (eloping in Montana and the mountains is fun, but tiring bb!!), Angie + Ryan decided to take out food and getting cozy back at the cabin was at the top of their priorities. So we snagged some BBQ from a food truck down the road and returned to their magical little cabin to wrap up their day in the same spot it started. 

We originally planned for a fire and some fun after-dark photos to end their mountain elopement, but after one last FaceTime with their baby, the wedding dress turned into pajamas, the lashes came off, and the feet were propped up – a sure sign that these lovers were ready to call it a day. 

So that’s what we did! But before I made my exit, I snapped one last photo of Angie in comfy mode. (Make sure to scroll to the end to see this shot!) A candid reminder that your day doesn’t have to end in fireworks and a dance floor for it to be absolutely freakin’ perfect. And that’s why planning an elopement is the best! 

Wanna see more photos of couples doing weddings their own way? Take a peek at this early morning, coffee sippin’ couple and their national park elopement! Or this Yellowstone National Park elopement that had some wildlife wedding crashers! 

There’s a million ways to have a wedding day. Let’s plan an elopement around you + your partner + this crazy stupid love you share! Head on over to my contact form and let’s dream up your day.

These two babes dreamt of a snowy paradise for the winter mountain wedding in Big Sky and Montana did not disappoint! In fact, we started to worry a little bit about having tooooo much of a winter wonderland come our way. But everything worked out, just like it always does, and Morgan + Mason had the sweetest laid back wedding day in the mountains. 

Winter mountain weddings aren’t for everyone, these two fully embody that literally chill mountain vibe and infused that into their entire day. When I arrived at the cabin, they were just hanging out and drinking mimosas. Morgan was helping Mason get ready, which definitely isn’t the traditional way of doing things but I was obsessed. Don’t you think there is something so intimate about helping your partner get ready to promise forever together???!! 

Eventually Mason did head off to the saloon while Morgan put the finishing touches on getting ready + stepped into her dress. As we walked out of the cabin, I noticed hats hanging on the wall. Mason had grabbed his as he left and Morgan said the other was hers. I asked her if she’d be open to letting her hair down and sporting the hat after the ceremony (I’m a sucker for a good accessory) and she said ya why not!!! 

We left the cabin and headed for a sweet moment of alone time for the two of them on this little bridge and it was exactly the winter wonderland they wanted. They opted to read letters to one another there and I love some personalization when it comes to vows on your wedding day. It was the perfect moment to spend together before the actual ceremony. 

In true winter wedding fashion, we hopped into a sleigh to head up to the ridge at Lone Mountain where they would say I do. It was SO cold so I offered Morgan a shot of whiskey to warm up because ya know, why not?! It was perfect because they actually did a whisky blending ritual during the ceremony and right as we were finishing, the sun peeked out and gave us all a little warmth and energy to keep on celebrating! 

Their portraits are stunning, but most importantly, they’re so them. They feel so true to who they are as a couple and tell the story of their day. A day which they ended with some more whiskey, burgers and fries at the saloon. The best way to end your wedding day, in my personal opinion. 
 
Lone Mountain was the perfect spot in Big Sky for their winter mountain wedding. But honestly it’s gorgeous any time of year!! Don’t believe me? Check out Leah + Aaron’s wedding weekend extravaganza at Lone Mountain during summer! Perfect place to stay, explore, and get married!

A fall mountain wedding was all these two outdoorsy lovers truly wanted. Somewhere close to home where they could bring along the people they love most, no venue or elaborate decor, just a cool spot off the beaten path that could be their special place. So that’s what they did! 

Sam + Tim met through mutual friends while living in Seattle and fell in love on a ski trip in Japan. After plenty of adventures and time spent traveling the globe, they knew that they wanted to get married in the mountains, a place that had so much significance, memories, and a whole lotta love. When they reached out to me, they were quick to say they weren’t into those “normal wedding photos” and instead just wanted their goofy, fun, quirky personalities captured in a beautiful place. Luckily that is what I do best so sign me up, where are we headed?!?!

They do a lot of hiking in the area and one day they stumbled upon a little hill and said, “yep this is it!!” A quiet retreat from other busy areas of western Montana, they booked themselves a cabin from the forest service and a couple of camping spots in this calm corner of Hyalite Canyon, just outside of Bozeman MT. 

It was mid-September, the temperature was freakin’ frigid with cold rain drizzling on them already when I got there. A classic fall mountain wedding vibe! Tim headed out to the field for the first look, but neither Tim or Sam seemed fazed by the moody Montana weather. In fact, they were just so damn happy to be getting married that they both were beaming despite it. (They said they loved moody wedding photos anyway, so it was meant to be!) 

Their family came out to meet them as they did their ceremony on that little hill they found months before and as they shared their vows, the clouds started to lift. And like something out of an elopement storybook, by the time they shared their first kiss, the sun glowed on their skin and gave us the most insane light as we did their wedding portraits in the field, on the lakeshore, and along the trails, just exploring the land they love so much. Their family went back to the campsites for food and chill time with plans to do s’mores and hang with the newlyweds, but the light was so good we couldn’t stop! We added in their adorable pup LaRue (named after festivals they stumbled upon in their travels in France, how cute?!?) and had the BEST time capturing that just married bliss. 

They didn’t leave their family hanging though as they had some celebrating to do! We made it back in time for some toasts and off they went to dinner reservations to wrap up their intimate wedding day. 

Love the moody feel of Sam + Tim’s fall mountain wedding?? Here’s some more fall in MT inspiration for you! Take a look at these outdoor wedding ideas – Leoni + Jacob’s October elopement or Leah + Aarron’s destination wedding weekend retreat! 

But if you’re sweet on another season, I thought I’d make sure you have some Montana intimate wedding ideas that feel more like what you’re envisioning. Check out this winter mountain elopement in Glacier National Park, a sun-filled summertime elopement in the mountains of Grand Teton National Park, or this moody spring East glacier elopement! 

No matter the season, no matter the view, there’s the perfect spot for your intimate wedding or elopement ceremony!