Would it surprise you that most of the elopements I photograph include six to ten hours of photography coverage? There’s so much more to eloping than a ceremony, and you have endless possibilities of what to make of your day! Since there are no rules to eloping, use your imagination, dream your craziest dreams, and let’s get planning!

Whenever I tell someone what I do for a living — photographing adventure weddings and elopements — I always get one of two responses. It’s either a “that’s so neat!” sort of response, which I love, or an “I hate my own wedding photos” kind of confession. The latter breaks my heart, and the number of people that feel this way is astonishing. Fortunately, there is hope for anyone feeling disappointed with their wedding photos.

Although it’s totally possible to create beautiful photos at any time of day, it’s always worth planning portraits for golden hour. Golden hour provides the most dynamic lighting for landscapes while also providing the most flattering lighting for portraiture. Who wouldn’t want that combo for their own photos!?

The answer to this question isn’t a straightforward yes or no. The application process, number of witnesses needed, and officiant requirements vary by state and country. Whether you’re getting married close to home or abroad, it’s important to know the legal requirements early in the planning process.

Often the most difficult part of eloping is letting your family and friends know that you won’t be hosting a stereotypical wedding. Bucking tradition and choosing to elope in a way that is meaningful to you takes courage but is oh so worth it.

Did you know that the typical United States wedding produces 400-600 pounds of waste and 60 tons of carbon dioxide? With an estimated 2.5 million weddings per year, that is about 1 billion pounds of trash and as many emissions in one day as approximately four people would produce in an entire year.

You’ve probably already heard plenty of wedding planning advice, but I know you haven’t heard this tip yet. After my younger sister, Shae, got married this fall, she reached out to me with the most unique and dare I say, most important piece of wedding planning advice I’ve ever heard.

It seems as if there are only two options to get married ­– go the courthouse route or host a large wedding. However, eloping and creating your own kind of wedding day is beginning to catch on. There’s more to it than saving money (click here to see how much it costs to elope) or being able to get married quickly. Nowadays, elopements are more about creating an authentic experience with less stress and pressure than a traditional wedding.

Back in the day, eloping meant suddenly running off to marry a lover without your family’s knowledge or blessing. It was thought to be irrational and shameful, and although the old views of eloping still linger, a lot has changed in recent years.

With the super bloom happening in California now, we’ve all seen the photos of people trampling the flowers to get their iconic Instagram shots. What they don’t know, or simply ignore, is that their actions have major effects on the landscape.

A first look is when you and your partner see each other before the ceremony on your wedding day. It serves to help relieve stress, gives you a rare (and often only) private moment with your spouse to be on your big day, and more time to take portraits with each other, your bridal party, and family members.

After you've cried all the happy tears, jumped for joy, and called your closest family and friends, you’re ready to start planning for the big day! Stay relaxed, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you get overwhelmed. To get started, here are the first ten things you should do to begin planning your wedding: