Have you been thinking about eloping somewhere in the California Mountains?
If the idea of planning a wedding stresses you out, you are not alone. I firmly believe that weddings can be awesome, yet one size does not fit all.
Elopements shed all the responsibility of putting on a show for friends and family, and allow you to create a day that celebrates your relationship. The decisions switch from subjects like "what do we feed 100+ guests" and "what colors will our wedding party wear," to things like "Where should we hike," "would we rather soak in hot springs or paddle-board across an alpine lake...?"
But can I bring some friends or family? Absolutely.
I think my very favorite weddings have about 10-15 friends and family members in attendance. The smaller the group, the more options we will have for locations. Some couples choose to elope just the two of them because it allows for the most adventurous, intimate experience.
If eloping sounds like your thing, keep reading! I'm here to help you find the best locations to elope in the Eastern Sierra, and can help you choose the perfect location and plan an epic day that fully fits your wedding-day vision.
The Eastern Sierra has forests, deserts, sand dunes, rivers winding through meadows, alpine lakes, summit views, granite boulders and formations, and rugged mountains.
TRULY, THE PLACES YOU CAN EXPLORE ARE ENDLESS
Check out this blog I wrote about some of my very favorite elopement locations in the area!
You might choose an elopement if:
1. You're confused why people enjoy the wedding planning process -- you're looking for a way out!
2. You prefer small dinner parties of 4-5 people over big house parties of 50+ people
3. You don't love the idea of standing up in front of a large audience for one of the most intimate, important days of your life.
4. You like adventures (both big and small), hiking in beautiful places, exploring mountains and forests and lakes, and maybe hobbies like rock climbing or skiing.
5. Stunning wedding portraits are one of your biggest priorities and you want to go for that epic mountain backdrop shot.
When you elope we can plan a day for just the two of you, or an intimate wedding party of up to 15 guests. Some couples are worried about hurting their fiend's and family's feelings if they don't have a big wedding. I can help you figure out how to communicate this to them.
While you can get married at a beautiful venue, eloping allows you to go (almost) anywhere. From mountains to lakes to forests to sand dunes, there are endless options to choose from, and you aren't even limited to one location.
Some places, especially national parks, require permits. I'm here to help you navigate all of that.
An elopement still requires some planning. But it's a different kind of planning. Skip the long guest-list with the expensive menu, the invitations, the seating charts, the decorations, etc.
When you choose to elope, I operate as Photographer + Planner. I will help you to pick a stunning location for a fun adventure, an intimate vow ceremony, and the perfect timeline for photography.
