My Adventure Elopement Packages are made to help you bust OUT of the box... 

Not stay crammed down inside it.

I have specific ideas to help you talk to them here. Two answers for now…
One: I firmly believe that everyone is best served when the couple getting married is honored in the way that feels best to them. I’ll be ready with support, wording, and ideas if you encounter any confusion or pushback from outside parties.
And two: Your family can absolutely be included in whatever way you want! There are no rules about what an elopement has to be. Some of the best elopements I’ve seen included one day of family events and one day of private adventure, and I love helping make that happen, if it’s what you want.

No judgment. At all. I am here to honor you and what you want.
Complex family situations happen, and we can work out any tangles in a way that feels right for you.
I am also ready with sensitive wording ideas for having careful, clear conversations with others about your wishes and plans. Sometimes all you need is a kernel of an idea for how to say something that helps you tell the truth.

I would start by having a conversation about how you both want to feel on your wedding day. A gentle opener like, “I’ve been thinking about our wedding. Here’s what I want to feel on the day. Have you thought about that? What matters most to you on our wedding day?” If you like, you can add something like, “I am not sure I see myself in a traditional wedding because here’s what I worry it would feel like…”
Begin by being on the same page about how you want to feel, and go from there to talk about what kind of wedding experience supports those feelings. 
If they’ve never heard of or really seen an adventure elopement, scroll through my website or Instagram over dinner or cocktails one night! Seeing creates curiosity 😊

Concierge service to the rescue! I can completely work with wispy ideas and suggestions. You tell me what you want the day to feel like, or generally look like (“mountain lake” or “rock climbing, but with forest”) and I will scout out specific spots to suggest all across the US.
Many couples are surprised and say things like, “I can’t believe you found this place!” Location finding is one of my favorite parts, you can feel confident we’ll find the right spot for you.
Using info on location & activities, we’ll dial in time.  A full / multi-day elopement may seem 🤔, but adventure ≠ photoshoot.  An adventure is waaay more fun! 😉

6-8 months gives you the most options, but I’ve had a couple who wanted to get married in three weeks on a family elopement and we made it happen, beautifully 😊
BUT, two caveats…
    ONE: Fall season books out fast. So, if you want a fall date, it’s better to plan in the 8-10 months out timing. 
    TWO:  If you want to get married in a very popular spot (eg: Rocky Mountain National Park,  Great Smoky Mtn NP, Moab, etc) plan to book at 12-18 months out. Some of these have strict location limits for permits, so tend to book out fast, and, far ahead.

I arrange everything to do with the adventure, and all you have to do is give final approval and book it.
You want to get married on a red desert cliff? I’ll find the spot, arrange the permits, locate the climbing guide, vet any local vendors you need for the adventure (think: florals or picnic!), and photograph your ceremony. I  give you the timeline & info for booking these individuals &  you do the final booking.
I handle all the adventure logistics that there is no “wedding checklist” online for – like prepping to your florist to design a backpack-sturdy bouquet for hiking, or coming ready with trekking poles, extra bright headlamps, gloves, sunscreen and snacks. (There are ALWAYS snacks!).
If you have logistics unrelated to the adventure part, like you want a boho-style lounge with twinkle lights atop the desert cliff and a sit-down dinner, you’ll probably want a wedding planner to help build those elements in. I can absolutely work with the planner and help them navigate the unfamiliar terrain, though.

NOPE!  🎉
As my industry mentor once said, “I’m Amazon Prime, baby” – anywhere in the lower 48 states or Alaska, I ship for free!😄
I’ll get myself to the nearest spot that can be accessed by regular commercial travel and cover my own hotel, car, and food.  No complicated “per diems” like you see from other photographers!  If there’s a final leg only accessed by specialty travel, that’s the only leg you cover. 
Example?  I get myself to Fairbanks, you get me on your chartered float plane to the drop zone in the remote Gates of the Arctic National Park!  From there, we meet up with the guide service you’ve booked and we head into our stay in the park!

I will give you recommendations about travel insurance based on your adventure.
In terms of weather, while adventures thrive in all conditions –rain, snow, and everything in between!– I believe luck favors the prepared.  This means we plan your timeline as best we can for local conditions (afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains, I’m lookin’ at you!), but I always have backup plans for the backup plans. 🤓
I also track local conditions for you leading up to the wedding, and if something seems majorly amiss (like a wildfire), I will present you with options for that, too. Let me handle the leg work!

Or, something non-traditional like including our dog?!?  Short answer–YES!  This is YOUR day, you can include whatever elements you like!
You’d be surprised how many ways there are to still include wedding cake in the middle of nowhere – you name it, we’ve done it. I’ve even helped arrange for makeup artists to arrive at cabins at 1:30am, and can work with your florist to help them design a bouquet that stays amazing in the rigors of adventure.
I can also help with ideas on ceremony options!
Whether you want your own private vows or a more traditional “ceremonial” gathering with family, I can give you ideas and examples to work from.   I am an ordained wedding officiant, but even if I sign the certificate, you can also have a friend or family member guide the ceremony.
We will talk about what you want it to feel like, and shape something that works for you.  ❤️