Traci + Bill here!

Hi-ya! WOW – what a year!!! When we think back on this year we think about all the incredible adventures we had across the US, all the beautiful moments that mean so much we witnessed, the love stories we captured, the stoke.

This year was incredible starting in California and ending in Utah. We traveled SO much this year, more than I think we did when we lived in a van lol…. The travels took us to some of our favorite places.

We are so excited to share with you a run down of what 2024 was for Adventure and Vow and all of you that were a part of this incredibly special year.

We truly watched sooo many couples kill it. We watched you take on big days, big adventures. We watched you conquer fears. We watched you be venerable. We watched you be present and in awe of the incredible places we spent incredible days at. We laughed together, cried, held space and hugged see-ya-later.

We are honestly sad the year is over. Thankful though to be bringing in a new year and season with many new friends

A quick look at 2024 by numbers…..

• We were named Range Finder’s Rising 30 stars, the highest honor of our career from an awards stand point. We also received 5 other awards throughout this year from Junebug, IWOPTY, Icon Awards and World’s Best Photos.
• We spent 47 days photographing our elopement couples and then some for other sessions and the workshop.
• We photographed in 6 states and in 7 National Parks.
• We hosted our 6th Love on Earth Workshop, our 2nd one in Olympic National park.
• We climbed with 3 couples and 1 make up artist (shout out to Back Country Brides)
• Spent 11 nights star gazing with our couples
• Spent 1 night cowboy camping on the top of a summit climb with a couple + their guests
• Drove 36,000+ miles traveling to elopements and caught 12 flights – several on helis and one via seaplane.

The Elopements

First I would like to say, there is quite literally no way to honor each of your elopement days by a few sentences. We are so in awe by all of our couples and the thought, intention put into your elopements. We are honored you choose us to be a part of this year with you all. I wish we could share all the photos and all the special moments, but we won’t done reading until 2026 if I do that

Melanie + William

Our first elopement of the year was in Joshua Tree National park!! It is hard to believe we have been photographing here and several other places we went this year for 5 years now! We met with Melanie and Will to off road, hold their ceremony in the park and spend the evening under the stars! There day was filled with meaningful details connected to their loved ones no longer with us and their ceremony was private and meaningful. Joshua Tree gave us the most incredibly highlighter pink sunset – it was a stunning congratulations!!!

Reanna + Roxy

Then we headed off to Moab, Utah where we spent most of our Spring and where we will be most of Spring 2025!! We photographed Reanna + Roxy’s 2 day elopement that we had been planning for over a year!!! It was SO much fun spending time with them and their guests and to see how much of Moab they got to explore before and after their elopement just them two and also with their guests. It truly felt like such an epic celebration from the intentional time together just them two to the wedding day where they danced and celebrated with all of those close to them at Red Earth Venue.

Sydnee + Issac

Then we popped down to Sedona to capture a couple of elopements and a few proposals before continuing our time in Moab. We met up with Sydnee + Issac who had traveled across the world to come celebrate their union in the desert!! Sedona showed off and gave us a quite a show with the cloud inverison.

Savanna + Braden

Savanna and Braden hiked with us under the stars to one of our favorite spots in Sedona to share their private vows at sunrise before spending the rest of their day celebrating with the family – those far away and those there in Sedona with them! It was such a peaceful day enjoying Sedona and their quality time together.

Polly + Dylan

Polly and Dylan had just moved from the PNW to the Southwest and what better way to celebrate the new journey together than getting married on a desert vista!? They came dressed in black for their vision of the vibe they wanted their images to exude in large prints in their homes. It was a fun evening filled with energy and love and a moody sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park.

Rachel + Chris

Rachel and Chris kicked off a vanlife journey by getting married in Moab! We started the day off roading, just like their first date and ended the evening back at Dead Horse for a sunset ceremony before venturing off into Arches to admire the stars and moon. Their ceremony honored both of their fathers in the most touching elements. The entire event was so them and so special, then they were off to Colorado to celebrate!!

Tess + Ciaran

We ourselves were headed off to California, specifically, Bishop!! We were introduced to Bishop last year by another couple and were stoked to head back this year to capture THREE more couple’s elopement days in a place that they built their relationships. First up, Tess + Ciara! They visited and climbing in Bishop a lot together in the early days of dating. For their elopement day we started out in the hot springs for sunrise for some slow time sipping tea and relaxing. After getting ready we set out for a snowy hike with their dog Juno, where oddly enough we met Doug Robinson (famous Yosemite climber) who Ciaran admires. They held an emotional ceremony filled with readings and poems that literally lead Bill to tears. To end the evening met their family back up at the trailhead for a celebratory toast under the stars!!

Antonya + Dusty

Antonya and Dusty’s story also has a strong connection to Bishop as its the first place they said ‘I love you.’ We got ready in Bishop and headed just out of town to a beautiful area with massive boulders and a view of Mt Whitney where they held their ceremony with their family. Afterwards they shared toasts with each guests, a picnic dinner and went on a sunset hike before coming back to “base camp” for relaxing, caking and laugher.

Joceyln + Logan

Then we headed just north into Yosemite National Park for our first elopements there during the Spring season and we were STOKED as the falls were in full flow and stunning. We started off with Jocelyn and Logan at sunrise at Glacier Point for a beautiful ceremony and private vows. Together throughout the day we explored ALL Yosemite had to offer from the forests, valleys and meadows!!! We watched rock climbers on El Cap as we shared lunch and cake during a romantic picnic. We ended the evening at the classic Taft Point for sunset. It was a full day of making memories, admiring the beauty around us and love!!

Laura + Nick

Their first time to Yosemite and seeing it at all was at their first look at Tunnel View, man what a welcome to your elopement day!!! These two had no fear going into their day and wanted to share an experience at each location we visited. From getting soaked under Yosemite falls, to private vows at Glacier Overlook to a picnic and pistol squats at Taft Point! Did I mention, Laura got to see and touch snow for the first time ever – even in early June!!!

Ken + Julia

Ken and Julia joined us back in Washington at Olympic National Park for their elopement. First though, we stopped at a coastal spot to admire the mountains from afar before being in them. We hiked out to a meadow area with 360 views of the peaks where they became officially wed, in complete privacy. Then we hiked around enjoying the views and the soft colorful sunset!

Aubree and Damon

Then we met Aubree and Damon in Mt Rainier National park for their elopement!! They got ready together at a nearby farm where they were staying on property with their three cats and their dog. Before leaving the airbnb we re-created a special photo of Aubree’s grandparents eating cake on their wedding day! They were married over 50 years! We held their ceremony in a field with a view of Rainier then headed into the park to explore waterfalls and river streams. They ended the evening sharing their private vows with each other. We said so long as they left to spend the next day with all of their loved ones celebrating their union.

Kacee and Brian

Kacee and Brian kicked off our elopements back home in the Mt Baker region of Washington!!! We met up at their adorable cabin for getting ready photos and a first look before going to their waterfall ceremony location. On our way up the mountain we stopped at the local brewery to sign their marriage paperwork there in honor of their first date in a brewery. We took pizzas to go for a picnic in the snowy mountains. The road to Artist Point had just opened so we also got to go to the very top of the mountain road, ending the evening with an old fashioned snow ball fight!

Jackie and Stephanie

July 14th and snow!? You betcha! With fresh matching tattoos these two went up the mountain side reaching a snowy area perfect for a first look and private ceremony. We kept going up the mountain to celebrate and enjoy the rest of evening with the most beautiful mountain sunset!! As we hiked back down the stars made their appearance and we took photos under the milky way. The day exuded joy, love and bliss!!! This was our first elopement of the year at Winchester!

Adrienne and Andy

Then we headed to Leavenworth!! We met Andy and Adrienne in the dark in the weee hours of the am to start the uphill hike to an iconic spot in Washington. They got ready under the stars with a slight chill in the air. After a first look we ventured off to the perfect lake side spot to brew some morning coffee and they sat down together to share their vows and exchange rings, it truly felt like time stood completely still. As the sun started to warm out skin coming over the ridge line they shared some time fly fishing together before we hiked back down the mountain. We re-gathered that evening to celebrate with their family complete with a toast, signing the paperwork and a chef prepared dinner! It was the perfect, cozy, beautiful celebration!

Jie and Chenyang

Back in Olympic National Park we met Jie and Chenyang at sunrise on the coast for portraits before heading to one of our own favorite crags, river side. Climbing together is something these two love and that has brought them so close over time. They took turn climbing a route and simply enjoying the morning together before we set out for a waterfall where they practiced their first dance which they would be doing for real in about a week back on the East coast!

Skye and Garrett

From climbing in Olympic to climbing in the North Cascades. Skye and Garrett decided to elope on the first multi-pitch summit they summited together when they first started dating. This was no easy fleet, two of their friends tagged along to haul all of our camping gear and wedding items. After four pitches for three teams we all reached the summit with just enough time to have dinner, a first look and portraits under a vibrant sunset before heading to sleep. We work up early for a sunrise spire ceremony. After we rapped down and hiked out we headed to a view point of the route for portraits and signing the paper work!!! It was EPIC!

Malachi and Kaleb

We have been honored to photograph three of our very best friends elopements/weddings/vow renewals and this year we added to that list. There is nothing like getting to watch your friends get married, but to get to photograph it is so special. We started at sunrise in the mountains where Kaleb and Malachi shared emotional vows from the heart. Then we headed to a flower farm to pick out florals and then to venue to finish setting everything up! Wedding day came around and I do not think there was a dry eye during the ceremony or Kaleb’s parents toasts. We were given yet again a sherbet stunning sunset before everyone danced the night away celebrating these two!!!

Autumn and Adam

Back to Baker we go!! Autumn and Adam were excited to hit the trails for their elopement day – exploring the trails here in WA has always brought them closer in their relationship! We stopped for a swim in the alpine lakes, a tradition. Then we reached the saddle where they shared private vows and held their ceremony. We hung around the vista past sunset in hopes of clear skies for the full moon rise. We hiked down the mountain day dreaming talking about all of the rest of the trips and dives they had planned for the rest of the year.

Hailey and Kara

Hailey and Kara came to Olympic National Park to elope and explore a new national park together! We started the morning in the mountains for a first look, gift exchange and so they could write vows over mimosas. They each shared a first look with their parents before Hailey’s brother officiated the ceremony, lakeside. After exploring the forest we went to the coast for a picnic followed by a sunset hike along the beach. Once close to the rocks we saw a lot of star fish, which brought a lot of emotions as they hold a special connection to Hailey and her mom who is no longer with us. It was an emotional way to end the evening and felt truly so specail, like she was their for the private first dance at dusk.

Dallas and John

Every thought, why not get married on our vacation!? That is exactly what Dallas and John planned during their Alaska cruise! We took a seaplane with their guests to a private hunting cabin at an isolated lake in the mountains for their first look and ceremony. Then to celebrate the two of them took a private heli ride to the glaciers!

Lauren and Matt

Lauren and Matt planned a bucket list Alaska elopement wedding. We explored glaciers, the sea and mountains! In the middle of it all they held an intimate, colorful wedding day with their dearest loved ones. It was incredible, truly something you do not forget.

Stacia and Aaron

These two National Park lovers brought their family out to the North Cascade mountains for their wedding day. We set out for a foggy, cozy sunrise hike for a first look, morning coffee and writing of vows. We hiked back down to meet their family at the ceremony spot, only to be surprised by them hiding on the trail. They held their ceremony lake side, thanking each guest and leaving via a Kokopelli in the lake for a private moment together before group photos. After a lunch break, we met back up for a sunset hike where they shared private vows that brought the tears! A shot gun cheers and some exploring the mountains brought so much joy to these two, you could feel it. Perfect way to start off marriage.

Esmeralda and Brandon

We planned Esmeralda and Brandon’s elopement within a month and it went off without a hitch!! We started at Artist Point for a first look and then ventured off for some off roading and hiking to their ceremony location, celebrated with a pizza toast. Then we made it to the very top for sunset, to be greeted with several dogs throughout the evening which was perfect because these two were missing their own dogs back home. We had a jaw dropping colorful sunset before a hike back under the stars.

Paige and Rich

Then we were off to Colorado, just in time to see the Aspen’s fall leaves with Paige and Rich!! We started in Telluride and Ouary with an action packed wedding day! We even got to see a moose! Then we took a travel day to Moab where they spent day two with more adventures and sight seeing. What was truly special, was how intentionally they spent their time at these locations. We truly enjoyed hanging around the fire together on a desert vista watching the stars and sharing that time together. There is something so special about the desert at night by the fire.

Christopher and Shelia

Back in Washington, we met two Colorado mountain lovers for their elopement and first time in the Washington mountains! They loved it!!! We spent the first day enjoying the peaks sunrise to sunset with a beautiful wedding ceremony surrounded by their closest loved ones. While day 2 was supposed to be in the mountains, we pivoted due to weather to the coast in Olympic for a fun flirtatious evening on the shore ending under the stars, by a fire. Watching these two enjoy their elopement was like watching two kids in a candy store, it was pure joy.

Allyse and Alex

Allyse and Alex love traveling, but decided to stay local for their elopement so they could easily revisit this special place. They held their ceremony at sunrise in typical moody September Washington weather. Then we headed to a coffee shop to sign the paperwork since they love grabbing coffees together. After a short walk with their pup, Roo, we headed back up to the mountains to see a beautiful cloud inversion while they read letters from loved ones. They ended the evening cuddled up by twinkle lights sharing wine from the country they got engaged waiting the see the stars.

Amber and Kyle

Amber and Kyle started planning at the start of the year with us and were so intentional about the flow and experiences they were set to have. When it came to the elopement, the details and moments were well thought out to tie back to who they are as people, their relationship and how they wanted to start their marriage. We spent 4 days together starting in Olympic National Park and ending in the Mt Baker area. It truly was one of the most intentional elopements we have ever captured, their love was so vivid and they were so in sync with each other. It was an honor and beautiful experience to witness. On the first day they shared a first look in the mountains, cuddle up on a heirloom blanket to sing and play guitar. Back at their airbnb they prepared gifts and went paddling on the lake – just like they do at home. We explored the lush forest before ended the day playing on the coast. Day 2 was a travel day via ferry boat – do you know this reference? Then wedding day! From exchanging gifts, getting ready and a first. look the morning was slow and lovely. They held their ceremony privately by the river followed by a meadow picnic before we went up into the mountains for sunset. They ended the evening hanging out at the airbnb reading letters from loved ones and sharing their first dance by a fire. The following day the mountains got fresh snow so we went up to explore!

Nitisha + Aditya

Our last Winchester elopement! We photographed here the most this year than any other location, a total of five times. It gave us a splendid send off too. We had a stunning, private sunrise for Nitisha and Aditya’s private vows in the mountains. Stunned by the mountain peaks, they soaked up the views and enjoyed every minute of it. After a short break and mini road trip we re-met at the coastal crag. They climbed, laughed and watched sunset. Before the day ended they reflected on their year, the adventures and shared stoked about the next chapter.

Allison and Andrew

Allison and Andrew were our last couple of the year in Bishop, CA. Now in NYC, they used to live in Cali and often came to the area to boulder and camp. They were stoked to bring their family out for their elopement in the mountains. We started the day in the mountains on a sunrise hike for a camp meal breakfast, first look and private vows. Then we met with their guests by the boulder field for a private ceremony, before setting off into the sunset for a celebratory send. Then ended their evening at the local park enjoying tacos from the local food truck, sharing first dances and toasts with their loved ones.

Taylor and Zack

Our second time to Mt Rainier this year, the first was in June, and there was still snow! This time all fresh snow. I will never forget photographing and starting out on the trail to turn around and see a virbant pink in the sky thinking is that a cloud?! NOPE! IT WAS THE MOUNTAIN. We all ran to see the mountain in all of her morning snowy glory before she disappeared for the day. After private vows in the park we all headed back to the Airbnb to get ready with their family and hold their ceremony on the river shore on the Airbnb property. After the ceremony a private chef came to drop off brunch for everyone to enjoy and fuel up before we headed back into the park. We took Taylor and Zack’s family on a short snowy hike before the two of them ventured off to the falls, where we ourselves got married, to read letters from family and just be together. To end the evening we headed back to the Airbnb for game night with the fam! Games continued the next day when we all met back up for Packwood brewing just to hang out.

Emily and Jordan

Our last elopement of the year, in Moab!! Emily and Jordan, love the desert, but had not been to Moab yet and the off roading + desert vistas called their names for their day. Emily wore the most stunning Rue gown and it was perfect for the fall vibes. While she was on crutches, they still enjoyed their day and so much laughter and joy was shared. We could not get over their stunning rings they had designed for each other!!

Love on Earth Workshop

The Love on Earth workshop is something we host every year with our two dear friends in the industry to teach new elopement photographers marketing, seo, mental health practices owning your own business and more! This year we also planned a full day adventure elopement for a styled shoot for them to capture and learn how to navigate a long, adventurous elopement experience. It is always a grand time and fun way for us to close out our year!

Us and all of you!!

What a year this was!!! We had so many bloopers and mishaps this year that are quite laughable and so many joyous times, let’s walk down memory lane…

• We got to meet up with Jenifer + Taylor, who eloped in Washington with us in 2023, in Seward Alaska for dinner!!
• We got to hike the Enchantments during larch season with Tess + Ciaran.
• We got to boulder and climb in three different states with Skye and Garrett.
• While photographing Skye and Garrett’s elopement Traci had a scary allergic reaction on the third pitch, but that didn’t stop the magic from happening.
• We got to help make floral arrangements for Malachi and Kaleb’s wedding.
• Traci got unexpectedly viciously sick while photographing a sunrise proposal, that will not be forgotten.
• We snuck several photos of Bill into couple’s galleries of him running to get things, moving items and so forth.

reviews

You guys left us some of the kindest reviews that truly mean the world to us <3 If you want to read more of our reviews from this year please visit our Google listing.

What is in store for 2025….

Next year is looking like an incredible year as well!!! We grew our team this year so now there will be three of us for 2025 and we are so excited!! We will be back in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona again this year and we are going aboard again!!

If you are interested in working with us in 2025 you can in the following places at the following times….

• February: Moab, Utah
• March: Moab + Sedona
• April: Moab, Utah
• May: Moab + Northern Arizona
• June: Oregon Coast + Washington
• July: Dolomites + Washington
• August: Washington + Alaska
• September: Colorado + Washington
• October: Washington + Colorado
• November: Northern Arizona and Moab
• December: Patagonia and/or New Zealand

Get in touch!

Not seeing where you are hoping to elope?! Reach out to us anyway – while some of our dates are set in stone, some are more flexible.

Have you been dreaming of escaping the hustle and bustle for a weekend of breathtaking views and refreshing trails? We’ve got just the place for you! Sedona, Arizona, is a hiker’s paradise, offering a perfect blend of short hikes and stunning red rock scenery. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or just starting out, Sedona’s easy trails provide an unforgettable outdoor experience that’ll leave you feeling refreshed and inspired.

In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey through some of the best short hikes in Sedona. From the iconic Cathedral Rock Trail to the shaded paths of Fay Canyon, we’ve handpicked trails that showcase the area’s natural beauty without eating up your entire day. We’ll also share tips on the best time to visit, what gear to pack, and how to make the most of your weekend getaway. So lace up your hiking boots and get ready to explore Sedona’s easy trails – adventure awaits!

Why Sedona is Perfect for Short Hikes

Sedona is a hiker’s dream come true, and we can’t wait to share why it’s the ideal destination for short hikes. With its breathtaking red rock formations and diverse trails, Sedona offers some of the most picturesque hiking experiences in the world. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or just starting out, there’s something for everyone in this outdoor paradise.

One of the best things about Sedona is the sheer variety of trails available. As full time outdoor wedding photographers, our business started in Sedona. For this reason, we’ve explored hundreds of miles of options found on and off traditional maps. With a focus on client experience, we’ve meticulously documented all of the trail details to keep both novice and experienced hikers delighted for days on end. From creekside paths to mesa-top trails, and from canyon adventures to scenic vistas, Sedona has it all. This diversity means you can easily find a hike that suits your fitness level and interests.

Scenic Beauty at Every Turn

What sets Sedona apart is its stunning natural beauty. As we’ve hiked these trails, we’ve been constantly amazed by the towering cliffs and red rock cathedrals that surround us. The landscape is truly a photographer’s dream, with panoramic views that will take your breath away. Many of Sedona’s short hikes offer incredible vistas without requiring a full day’s trek, making them perfect for a weekend getaway.

Family-Friendly Options

If you’re traveling with family, you’ll be pleased to know that Sedona has plenty of easy, family-friendly hikes. Trails like Fay Canyon and Yavapai Vista offer minimal elevation gain and stunning scenery, making them ideal for hikers of all ages. These trails provide a great introduction to Sedona’s natural wonders without being too challenging.

Seasonal Adaptability

One of the things we love about hiking in Sedona is how the experience changes with the seasons. In the cooler months, we prefer to hit the trails mid-morning through mid-afternoon to enjoy the sun’s warmth. During hotter days, we opt for early morning or late afternoon hikes, or choose trails along creeks that provide shade. This flexibility allows us to enjoy Sedona’s hiking scene year-round.

Unique Natural Features

Sedona’s trails offer more than just scenic views. Many short hikes lead to unique natural features that make your adventure even more memorable. For instance, the Secret Slick Rock Trail takes you to a stunning view looking up at Cathedral Rock. The special element is that after a monsoon or heavy rain, there are dry pockets along this flat rock plateau which fill with water and cast a stunning reflection of the towering features. These special features add an extra element of excitement to your hiking experience.

Tips for a Great Hike

To make the most of your Sedona hiking adventure, we’ve learned a few key tips:

1. Stay hydrated: Bring plenty of water, especially in hot weather. The general rule is to drink a liter per hour, but you may need more when temperatures exceed 85°F.
2. Fuel up: Pack energy-boosting snacks like trail mix, dried fruits, or sports bars to keep you going.
3. Sun protection: Don’t forget your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The sun can be intense, so protective clothing is a must.
4. Be prepared: Study the trail beforehand, bring a map, and let someone know your plans. A fully charged cell phone and a first-aid kit are also essential.
5. Consider a walking stick: It can help with balance and alert wildlife to your presence.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy Sedona’s short hikes safely and comfortably.

In conclusion, Sedona’s combination of breathtaking scenery, diverse trail options, and family-friendly hikes make it the perfect destination for short hiking adventures. Whether you’re looking for a quick nature fix or a full day of exploration, Sedona’s trails offer unforgettable experiences that will keep you coming back for more.

Best Time to Visit Sedona for Hiking

When it comes to hiking in Sedona, timing is everything! We’ve explored these stunning trails in various seasons, and we’re excited to share our insights to help you plan the perfect hiking adventure.

Spring and fall are the most popular seasons for hiking in Sedona, and for good reason. During these months, you’ll experience ideal weather conditions with temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This comfortable climate makes it perfect for outdoor activities.

However, keep in mind that with great weather comes larger crowds. If you’re planning a spring or fall visit, be prepared for busier trails, higher hotel prices, and limited parking at trailheads. To make the most of your trip, we recommend making dinner reservations several weeks in advance.

For those of us who prefer a quieter experience, winter can be a fantastic time to visit. We’ve personally enjoyed hiking in Sedona during January and February. The trails are less crowded, and the mild temperatures make for pleasant hiking conditions. Winter days typically see highs in the mid-50s Fahrenheit, dropping to the 30s at night. While snow is rare, it’s not unheard of. When it does happen, it casts a stunning addition to the red and green as it places a thin blanket of white all along the sandstone towers.

Summer in Sedona can be challenging for hiking due to the intense heat. If you’re planning a summer visit, we strongly advise hitting the trails early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday sun. It’s crucial to prioritize safety during these hot months. Always carry plenty of water, wear a hat for shade, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen.

For those seeking a unique experience, consider visiting in August. It’s the wettest month in Sedona, known as the “monsoon season”. While this might not sound ideal for hiking, the short, intense thunderstorms can create a dramatic backdrop for your adventures. Just be sure to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect in each season:

1. Spring (March to May):

• Ideal temperatures (60-80°F)
• Busiest season
• Perfect for longer hikes

1. Summer (June to September):

• Very hot temperatures
• Best for early morning or late afternoon hikes
• August brings monsoon rains

1. Fall (October to November):

• Comfortable temperatures (mid-60s to low 70s)
• Beautiful fall colors
• Popular season, similar to spring

1. Winter (December to February):

• Cooler temperatures (highs in mid-50s, lows in 30s)
• Less crowded trails
• Rare but beautiful snow

No matter when you choose to visit, each season in Sedona offers its own unique charm. Spring brings wildflowers, fall offers stunning foliage, winter provides serene landscapes, and summer… well, summer gives us an excuse to cool off in Oak Creek!

Remember, regardless of the season, it’s essential to come prepared. Always bring plenty of water, especially during the warmer months. In winter, don’t forget to pack some extra warm layers. And if you’re new to desert hiking or want to discover some hidden gems, consider booking a guided day hike with local experts.

So, when’s the best time to visit Sedona for hiking? Honestly, there’s no wrong answer. It all depends on what you’re looking for in your adventure. Whether you prefer the vibrant energy of peak season or the tranquility of the off-season, Sedona’s red rocks are waiting to take your breath away. So lace up those hiking boots, grab your water bottle, and get ready for an unforgettable journey through one of nature’s most spectacular playgrounds!

Essential Gear for Sedona Day Hikes

When we’re gearing up for a day hike in Sedona, we always make sure we’re well-prepared. The right equipment can make all the difference between a great adventure and an uncomfortable experience. Let’s dive into the must-have items for your Sedona hiking adventures!

First things first, let’s talk about footwear. We can’t stress enough how important it is to have a good pair of hiking shoes or boots. The trails in Sedona can be dusty, sandy, rocky, and sometimes slick, so you’ll want something with excellent traction. We love Oboz as they are a leader in manufacturing outdoor footwear. From fully waterproof boots to low-rise lighter weight pairs of shoes, be confident in knowing that all of their footwear provide great grip on those tricky sandstone surfaces.

Even on short hikes in Sedona, we highly recommend bringing along hiking poles. They’re especially useful on hikes with more elevation gain. If you don’t already have a pair, no need for anything fancy here. We do recommend purchasing a reliable brand however, like a pair of trailmade trekking poles from REI. They’re made of lightweight aluminum and can easily fit in your suitcase. When traveling with trekking poles, be sure to check them in a bag as they are not allowed as a carry-on item.

Now, let’s talk about sun protection. The Arizona sun can be brutal, even on cloudy days. A wide-brim sun hat is essential to keep the sun off your face and neck. When selecting one, be sure that it’s lightweight, breathable, and foldable, making it perfect for travel.

To protect your arms from sunburn, a long-sleeve shirt with high UPF and sweat-wicking material is a must. If you’d like to opt for a shirt with shorter sleeves, be sure to apply plenty of sun screen!

When it comes to carrying all your essentials, a good daypack is crucial. We prefer one with comfortable shoulder straps and made of water-resistant material . A small, 13 – 22L day pack is sufficient for these short Sedona hikes. They’ll be lightweight, have plenty of pockets, and won’t detract from the enjoyment of these easy Sedona hikes.

Staying hydrated is absolutely crucial when hiking in Sedona. We always bring along 2 liters of water in either Nalgene bottles or a water bladder. In either case, be sure your water is durable, leakproof, and as a bonus, that it has a narrow opening that makes drinking on the go easy and spill-free.

Here’s a quick checklist of essential gear for your Sedona day hikes:

1. Sturdy hiking shoes or boots
2. Wide-brim sun hat
3. Long-sleeve UPF shirt
4. Daypack
5. Water bottles
6. Trekking poles (if needed)
7. Sunscreen
8. First-aid kit

Speaking of first-aid kits, it’s one of those things we hope we never need, but are always glad to have. We recommend the Adventure Medical Kits, which is perfectly sized for two day hikers .

For those early morning or late evening adventures, don’t forget to pack a headlamp. It’s especially important if you’re planning to hike Cathedral Rock at sunset – you’ll definitely need it on your way back to the car!

Remember, the key to enjoying Sedona’s beautiful trails is being well-prepared. With this essential gear, you’ll be ready to tackle any short hike Sedona has to offer. So lace up those boots, fill up those water bottles, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the red rocks!

Cathedral Rock Trail: Iconic Views in Under 2 Miles

We’ve hiked many trails in Sedona, but Cathedral Rock Trail stands out as an essential experience. This short and sweet hike offers a perfect blend of adventure and breathtaking views that’ll leave you in awe.

Trail Details

Cathedral Rock Trail is a 1.2-mile round-trip with a total ascent of 700 feet. It’s an easy Sedona hike and typically takes between 1 to 2 hours to complete. The trailhead is located on Back O Beyond Road in South Sedona, however utilizing the Sedona shuttle system is the best way to access the trail, as the trailhead parking is closed more often than not.

What to Expect

As soon as we hit the trail, the climb begins. The initial ascent is gradual, but it quickly becomes steeper as we make our way up the different levels of sandstone slickrock. We love the challenge of using our hands for some rock scrambling – it adds an element of excitement to the hike!

The trail is well-marked with large wire baskets of rocks, making it easy to follow . As we climb, we’re treated to jaw-dropping views at various points. About 0.3 miles in, we reach the intersection of Cathedral Rock Trail and Templeton Trail, which offers a stunning plateau view of Sedona. This is a great spot for those who might find the rest of the hike too challenging.

The final stretch involves some more challenging sections, but don’t worry – there are no major drop-offs or ledges to worry about . The trail ends at a wide saddle marked by an “End of Trail” sign. From here, the panoramic views are simply breathtaking.

For the perfect photo op, we recommend walking out along the saddle to the right. Have a friend take your picture with the stunning backdrop – it’s a memory you’ll cherish forever.

Best Time to Hike

Cathedral Rock Trail is accessible year-round, but the best times to hike are during spring and fall when temperatures are mild. However, these seasons also bring larger crowds.

If you’re an early bird like us, we suggest hiking at sunrise. Not only will you beat the crowds, but you’ll also be treated to some of the most spectacular lighting for photography. Sunset is another magical time to experience the trail where you’re able to get the “iconic shot” (attached is a wedding photo we took for reference), but don’t forget to bring a headlamp for the descent.

For summer hikes, start early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the scorching midday heat. Winter hikes can be chilly, but the crowds are smaller, and the crisp air adds a unique charm to the experience.

Cathedral Rock Trail truly embodies the magic of Sedona’s short hikes. It’s a perfect blend of challenge and reward, offering unforgettable views in under two miles. So lace up your boots, bring plenty of water, and get ready for an adventure that’ll leave you breathless!

Devil’s Bridge Trail: Sedona’s Famous Natural Arch

We’ve hiked many trails in Sedona, but Devil’s Bridge Trail is truly something special. This iconic natural sandstone arch has become a social media darling, and for good reason. Standing 54 feet tall and 45 feet long, it offers one of the most breathtaking views in Sedona.

Trail Overview

The Devil’s Bridge Trail is an easy Sedona hike at 1.8-mile round-trip trek. Depending on your starting point, the hike can range from 2 to 4.6 miles round trip. The total ascent is about 400 feet, with most of the elevation gain in the final stretch.

There are several ways to begin this hike:

1. From the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead (requires a high-clearance 4×4)
2. From the Dry Creek Road Parking Lot
3. Using the Sedona Shuttle to the Dry Creek Parking Lot
4. Starting at the Mescal Trailhead

We recommend starting from the Mescal Trailhead. It’s a 4.2-mile round-trip hike, offering beautiful desert scenery along a mostly flat, single-track trail.

Hiking Tips

1. Start Early: To avoid crowds and heat, begin your hike early in the morning or late afternoon .
2. Bring Water: Pack plenty of water, especially during hot summer months.
3. Wear Proper Footwear: Hiking boots or sneakers with good tread are essential .
4. Layer Up: Sedona’s weather can be unpredictable, so dress in layers .
5. Be Prepared for a Wait: During peak times, you might wait 15 minutes to an hour for your photo opportunity on the bridge. This is another reason why going for sunrise is a huge benefit.

Remember, the final stretch involves some rock scrambling and steep steps. But don’t worry – it’s short-lived and the views are worth it!

Photo Opportunities

Devil’s Bridge offers incredible photo ops that have made it famous on social media. Here are some tips for capturing the perfect shot:

1. The Classic Shot: Stand on the arch for the iconic photo. Remember, it’s higher than it looks in pictures!
2. Photographer’s Vantage Point: For a great shot of someone on the bridge, head to the cliffside to the left of the main trail.
3. Alternative Angle: Look for a small turning on the left of the main trail for a less photographed perspective of the other end of the bridge.

While waiting for your turn on the bridge, enjoy the wide, flat viewing area. It’s perfect for resting and soaking in the breathtaking red rock scenery.

As you embark on this adventure, remember to respect the delicate landscape. Follow the Leave No Trace principles to preserve this natural wonder for future hikers . And most importantly, have fun and stay safe as you experience one of Sedona’s most iconic short hikes!

Fay Canyon Trail: Shaded Hike with Cliff Views

Of the many easy Sedona hikes we’ve explored, Fay Canyon Trail holds a special place in our hearts. This popular hike offers a perfect blend of easy terrain and stunning scenery, making it an ideal choice for hikers of all skill levels. Let’s dive into what makes this trail so special!

Trail Highlights

As we set foot on Fay Canyon Trail, we’re immediately struck by the beauty surrounding us. The trail stretches towards Bear Mountain in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, offering breathtaking views of towering red rock cliffs . At just 2.4 miles out and back, this short Sedona hike proves that you don’t need to trek for hours to experience the magic of the landscape.

The trail begins with fine red dirt, but as we venture deeper into the canyon, the terrain becomes rockier. We love how the landscape changes, keeping the hike interesting from start to finish. The best part? The views of the red rocks start almost immediately, treating us to gorgeous scenery throughout the entire hike.

As we continue, we enter a more forested area, providing welcome shade on hot days. The canyon creates a cool microclimate, making this an excellent choice for summer hikes when other trails might be too exposed. We can’t help but appreciate the interplay of light and shadow as we walk beneath the canopy, catching glimpses of the towering canyon walls through the trees.

Family-Friendly Features

One of the things we adore about Fay Canyon Trail is how accessible it is for hikers of all ages and abilities. The trail is relatively flat with minimal elevation gain, making it perfect for families with young children or those who prefer an easier hike. It’s also a great option for a relaxing outdoor adventure.

The well-marked path is easy to follow, alleviating any worries about getting lost. We’ve found that the trail’s manageable length and mostly level terrain make it an excellent choice for introducing kids to the joys of hiking in Sedona’s beautiful landscape.

Optional Rock Arch Detour

For those of us seeking a little extra adventure, Fay Canyon Trail has a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. About halfway along the trail, there’s an opportunity to take a short detour to see the natural Fay Canyon Arch . This unique rock formation, carved by erosion, is easy to miss if you don’t know what to look for.

From the main trail, the arch might appear as nothing more than a rock lip or a small, shallow cave . But for those willing to venture off the beaten path, it’s a rewarding sight. A small social trail, marked by rock piles on either side, leads up to the arch at around the 0.66-mile point.

While the climb to the arch involves some scrambling and isn’t part of the official trail, we’ve found it to be a fun and worthwhile addition to the hike. The arch offers a unique vantage point, allowing us to sit inside a sandstone formation and enjoy a different perspective of the canyon.

At the trail’s end, we’re greeted by a large rock fall and an inviting overhang . For those feeling a bit more adventurous, climbing up these boulders rewards us with spectacular views of the surrounding canyon walls. It’s not a difficult climb, and the panoramic vistas make it well worth the effort.

Fay Canyon Trail truly embodies the essence of Sedona’s short, easy hikes. It offers a perfect blend of accessibility and natural beauty, making it a must-do for anyone visiting Red Rock Country. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, this trail promises an unforgettable journey through one of Sedona’s most picturesque canyons.

Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass: Scenic Water Features

The Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass is truly something special. This popular trail offers a unique blend of natural beauty and spiritual energy that we can’t get enough of.

Trail Description

The Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass trail is a 6-mile round trip adventure that takes us through a scenic canyon surrounded by towering red rock formations. As we make our way along the path, we’re treated to a variety of breathtaking sights.

About 0.4 miles into our journey, we come across the famous Sedona sinkhole. It’s an impressive geological feature that never fails to amaze us. As we continue, the trail climbs up slick rock before dropping down into a lovely shaded canyon .

The highlight of the hike, of course, is the Seven Sacred Pools themselves. These natural pools were carved out of the sandstone over time and are considered sacred by Native American tribes. We love how they’re arranged in increasing sizes, creating a stunning visual effect.

Even if the pools are dry during our visit (which can happen in warmer months), we still find them fascinating to look at. The desert mountains in the background create a spectacular backdrop that makes this spot one of our favorite views on the entire hike.

Best Seasons to Visit

While the Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass trail is beautiful year-round, we’ve found that spring and fall are the best times to visit . During these seasons, the temperatures are mild, making for comfortable hiking conditions.

Another advantage of visiting in spring or fall is the increased water flow. If you’re hoping to see the pools filled with water, we recommend hiking the trail after a rainstorm. There’s something magical about seeing these desert pools brimming with precious water.

For the best photo opportunities, we suggest visiting early in the morning or in the evening. The lighting during these times is perfect for capturing the pools with the mountain backdrop in one stunning vertical shot.

Vortex Site Information

One of the most intriguing aspects of this hike is its spiritual significance. Sedona is known for its spiritual energy, and the Seven Sacred Pools area is considered a vortex site. These vortexes are believed to be locations where the earth’s energy is concentrated, creating a unique and powerful atmosphere.

As we hike, we can’t help but feel a sense of connection to the land and its history. The pools, once sacred to Native American tribes, continue to hold a special significance for many visitors.

Whether you’re a spiritual seeker or simply a nature enthusiast, the energy of this place is palpable. We always take a moment to pause at the pools, soaking in the tranquility and reflecting on the unique pleasure of finding water in the high desert.

The Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass trail offers an unforgettable hiking experience that combines natural beauty, geological wonders, and spiritual energy. It’s a perfect example of why Sedona’s short hikes are so beloved, offering incredible rewards in a relatively easy trek.

Conclusion

Sedona’s short hikes offer an unparalleled blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it a perfect destination for weekend getaways. From the iconic Cathedral Rock Trail to the shaded paths of Fay Canyon, these trails showcase the area’s stunning red rock formations and diverse landscapes. The accessibility of these hikes, combined with their breathtaking views, provides an opportunity for hikers of all skill levels to experience the magic of Sedona’s outdoors.

Whether you’re seeking a challenging climb or a leisurely stroll, Sedona’s trail system has something to offer everyone. The Seven Sacred Pools and Devil’s Bridge stand out as must-see attractions, each providing unique experiences and photo opportunities. To make the most of your Sedona hiking adventure, remember to pack essential gear, stay hydrated, and respect the delicate desert environment. With proper preparation and an adventurous spirit, your journey through Sedona’s red rock country is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories and a desire to return.

Your Easy Sedona Hiking Guides!

Hey there! We’re Traci and Bill (and our dog Tucker and cat Indy)! We built our adventure elopement business, Adventure and Vow, all throughout the backcountry of Sedona, AZ and have compiled hundreds of miles of knowledge on all of Sedona’s easy hikes. As an awesome bonus to all of the time we’ve spent scouting trails in the area to capture the perfect wedding day experience, we’ve also compiled loads of information to share with the hiking community in general!

We hope this guide has served you well and sparked the joy and excitement we ourselves have experienced hiking in Sedona over the years!

FAQs

What is the most picturesque short trail in Sedona?

Cathedral rock is 100% considered the most picturesque short hike in Sedona. It features a mix of terrain with some quick elevation gain, but it’s still perfect for beginners. The trail is less than two mile long and offers stunning views as it leads to iconic viewpoint.

Which is the shortest trail to a vortex in Sedona?

The shortest hike to a Sedona vortex is the Airport Mesa Vortex trail. This trail is just 0.2 miles from the parking area. It involves an uphill walk, but the incline is gentle and manageable.

What is the length of the Teacup Trail in Sedona?

The Teacup Trail in Sedona is 2.6 miles long. It passes under the striking Coffeepot Rock and along the massive red rock cliffs at the northern edge of Sedona. This scenic trail is part of the North Urban Trail System, linking its eastern and western trails and connecting to the Soldier Pass Trail near the Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole.

How can one enjoy a few hours in Sedona?

To make the most of a few hours in Sedona, consider the following activities:

• Visit iconic landmarks like Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock.
• Take a scenic drive along the Red Rock Scenic Byway or Oak Creek Canyon Road.
• Explore the hiking trails accessed via parking directly off of the Red Rock Scenic Byway.
• Shop at the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village.
• Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
• Experience the Broken Arrow 4WD Road.
• Enjoy a breathtaking sunset.

Welcome to Moab, a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Nestled in the heart of Utah’s red rock country, this small town packs a big punch when it comes to adventure. With its stunning landscapes, world-class national parks, and endless opportunities for exploration, Moab has become a must-visit destination for those seeking to experience the raw beauty of the American Southwest.

Planning a trip to Moab? Three days in this outdoor playground gives visitors a chance to see the highlights and uncover some hidden gems. From the iconic Delicate Arch in Arches National Park to the breathtaking views at Island in the Sky in Canyonlands, Moab offers an unforgettable journey through nature’s masterpieces. This guide will help you make the most of your time, whether you’re hiking to Mesa Arch, marveling at Balanced Rock, or taking in the panoramic vistas at Grand View Point Overlook. Get ready to embark on an adventure that will leave you dreaming up your next trip to this remarkable corner of Utah.

The activities surrounding these three days are centered around sunrise, mid-day and then sunset. You will need to be sure that you’re adjusting the plan as needed for meals, relaxation, and shopping. At the end, we’ll tell you our favorite shops and more hidden gems, but the outdoors of Moab is why you’re visiting right?! So we wanted to be sure you don’t miss these 9 must-see places.

The reality is that Moab is such a vast landscape with a huge variety of places to see and things to do. So the disclosure here is if you prefer a morning of activities and then relaxing the rest of the day, you have the option to take any chunk of each daily itinerary and explore just that section, saving the rest for another trip. But if you’re anything like us, then buckle in and get ready for a jam-packed 3 days in Moab itinerary!

Planning Your 3-Day Moab Itinerary

Best Time to Visit

The ideal seasons to experience Moab’s outdoor wonders are spring (March to early May) and fall (September to October). During these months, the weather is pleasant, and the trails beckon adventure seekers. However, these periods also see the highest visitor numbers.

For those who don’t mind the heat, summer can be an excellent time to visit. The long days and higher temperatures tend to scare off some crowds, allowing for a more intimate experience with nature. Early risers and twilight adventurers can still enjoy outdoor activities during the summer months.

Winter in Moab offers a unique perspective on the desert landscape. With average highs of about 44 degrees in December and January, it suits some hikers and mountain bikers just fine. However, nights can be quite cold, dipping into single digits. Winter also provides the most solitude for those seeking a peaceful escape.

For those looking to avoid crowds while still enjoying mild weather, February and November can be sweet spots. These months offer the chance to see rock towers, canyons, and arches adorned with a sparkling coat of snow, creating a magical desert winter wonderland.

Getting There

Moab’s remote location adds to its charm, but getting there requires some planning. Fortunately, several airlines make the journey accessible:

1. United Airlines: Connects through Denver to Moab (CNY)

2. Delta Airlines: Connects through Salt Lake City

3. American Airlines: Flies into Grand Junction (GJT), Colorado

For those preferring a more convenient option, flying directly into Moab (CNY) through Denver or Salt Lake City is now possible. The Moab Canyonlands Airport (CNY) is small, with just one gate, making for a quick and easy arrival experience.

Alternatively, Grand Junction, Colorado (GJT) serves as an excellent gateway to Moab. The airport is easy to navigate, and the two-hour drive to Moab is scenic and enjoyable. Salt Lake City International Airport is another option, though it’s a longer four-hour drive to Moab.

What to Pack

Packing for Moab requires careful consideration of the desert environment. Here’s a list of essentials:

• Layered clothing: Weather can change rapidly, so bring moisture-wicking base layers, mid-layers, and outer layers for protection against various condiions.
• Hiking boots: Waterproof, over-ankle boots are ideal for keeping feet dry and avoiding blisters
• Sun protection: Pack a sun hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
• Hydration gear: Bring a hydration pack or reusable water bottles with at least 2 liters capacity. Water sources can be limited or non-existent depending on the location
• Daypack: A 30-liter pack with chest and waist straps is recommended for carrying essentials.
• Hiking Poles: Optional but useful for variable terrain and downhill hiking.
• First-aid kit: Include personal medications, blister care, and other essentials.

Remember to pack appropriate clothing for the season you’re visiting. In winter, bring warm layers and gloves, while in the summer, focus on lightweight, breathable clothing that offers sun protection.

Day 1: Arches National Park Highlights

The first day of the Moab adventure begins with an early start to explore the wonders of Arches National Park. This iconic park is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches and countless other remarkable rock formations that will leave visitors in awe.

A very important note: During peak season (April 1st – October 31st), Arches National Park has a permitted entry system. This can be avoided by driving in very early or very late. Be sure that you’re aware of this when making your travel plans.

Sunrise at Delicate Arch

To kick off the day, adventurers should head to the famous Delicate Arch for a breathtaking sunrise experience. This 46-foot-high and 32-foot-wide free-standing arch is not only the largest in the park but has also become a globally recognized symbol of Utah’s natural beauty.

The hike to Delicate Arch is a 2.9-mile round trip with 480 feet of elevation gain. Starting before dawn has several advantages:

1. Cooler temperatures and no risk of sun exposure
2. Fewer crowds, allowing for a more peaceful experience
3. Easier parking at the Wolfe Ranch lot

Hikers should be prepared with headlamps and warm layers, as the trail can be challenging to navigate in the dark. The path crosses sandstone rock faces, and hikers should follow the cairns (rock piles) set up by rangers to stay on track.

Upon reaching the arch, visitors can witness the stunning spectacle of the sun rising over the desert landscape, casting a warm glow on the iconic formation. After sunrise, there’s time to explore the area and even capture photos under the arch when the crowds have thinned.

Check out the All Trails link here for Delicate Arch!

Double Arch

After the spectacular sunrise at Delicate Arch, a visit to Double Arch in the Windows Section of the park is a must. This impressive formation consists of two arches sharing the same foundation for their outer legs, creating a unique and awe-inspiring sight.

Double Arch boasts some impressive statistics:

• It’s the tallest arch in the park at 112 feet (34m)
• It’s the second-longest arch, spanning 144 feet (44m)

A gently sloping, barrier-free trail leads to the base of the arches, making it accessible for most visitors. The Windows Section, where Double Arch is located, is considered by many to be the heart of Arches National Park, with a high concentration of arches in just over two square miles.

Visitors can marvel at the unique formation of Double Arch, created by downward water erosion rather than side-to-side erosion like many other arches in the park. The surrounding area also offers views of other notable features such as North Window and Turret Arch, providing a fitting end to a day filled with natural wonders.

Parking fills up very quickly here as well, but we’ve never had a problem waiting 5 or 10 minutes for a spot to open up.

Check out the Link for the Double Arch Trail here!

Park Avenue Trail

After enjoying the beauty of the windows section, visitors can head to the Park Avenue Trail, one of the first major attractions upon entering the park. This one-mile trail offers a perfect introduction to the park’s unique geology and stunning rock formations.

Key features of the Park Avenue Trail include:

1. An observation deck for those who prefer not to hike
2. A steep staircase leading to the valley floor
3. Views of massive sandstone towers, including the Courthouse Towers
4. The Tower of Babel and The Organ rock formations

The trail starts with a sandy path and transitions to a rocky base, requiring hikers to follow cairns. While relatively easy, the exposed nature of the trail means visitors should be prepared for heat and bring plenty of water.

Learn more about hiking Park Avenue Here!

Mary Jane Canyon Hike

After an morning exploring a vast mix of stops through Arches National Park, it’s time to head out to this enchanting location.

The hike is also known as Professor Creek. It is 7.6 miles in total and an out-and-back trail. It is just under a 40-minute drive from Moab, but you drive along the Colorado River for most of it and experience stunning view after stunning view. There is a portion of driving on a road at the end, but any regular vehicle is suitable to make the drive.

As a forewarning, we do not recommend this hike if it’s cold out. But on a warm or hot day, this trail is pure heaven. Even though this hike offers little shade, you walk over and through a creek the entire time before ending at a swimming hole at the base of a waterfall.

Trail highlights:

• Water the entire hike: A great way to cool off on a hot day
• Ends at a waterfall: A nook with a swimming hole between sandstone walls
• Mostly flat: at only 600 feet of elevation gain over the entire hike, you get to relax and enjoy the trail without feeling like you’re summiting a mountain.
• Dog Friendly: Unlike the National Parks, you can bring the pup along for an absolute blast!

The trail features lots of water and the occasional slick area. Hikers should be prepared with:

• Water shoes for good hiking like Chacos
• Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, and appropriate clothing)
• Snacks to stay fueled across teh average of three hours to complete the hike.

Check out the All Trails Link here!

Enjoy a relaxing Sunset on the La Sal Mountain Loop Scenic Drive

After a wonderful morning exploring arches and spending the day hiking through the water, you don’t want to miss the incredible sunset!

Begin your journey on Highway 128, affectionately known as River Road, heading towards Castle Valley. As you turn right onto La Sal Loop Rd., you’ll ascend into the stunning Manti-La Sal National Forest. This 60-mile scenic loop takes you on a mesmerizing ride, culminating at Ken’s Lake.

The west-facing vistas along this route offer prime spots to witness Moab’s most spectacular sunsets. Unlike many rugged backroads in the area, this scenic drive is perfect for regular cars. However, larger vehicles like RVs and trailers might struggle with some tight turns. Before setting off on this 2-3 hour excursion, ensure your vehicle is fueled up or fully charged.

Get ready for an intimate encounter with nature, where every turn reveals a new, awe-inspiring landscape. This drive is the perfect way to bring your first night in Moab to a close.

Click here to check the road information before heading out!

Day 2: Off-Roading and Canyon Adventures

The second day of the Moab adventure offers a thrilling mix of off-road excitement and breathtaking hikes. Visitors can experience the rugged terrain and stunning landscapes that make Moab a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Hell’s Revenge 4×4 Trail

For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the Hell’s Revenge 4×4 Trail provides an unforgettable off-road experience. This 6.5-mile trail is rated a 6 by the Red-Rock Four-Wheelers, making it suitable only for experienced drivers. Thankfully, Moab has plenty of guide services like Moab Off-Road ATV Tours who will guide you through the adventure!

Key features of the Hell’s Revenge Trail include:

1. Steep fins and slickrock domes
2. Challenging obstacles like Hell’s Gate and Tip-Over Challenge
3. Stunning views of the surrounding landscape

The trail begins just past the Sand Flats Recreation Area Entrance Station and is marked with signs and symbols painted on the rock surface. Drivers should follow the yellow chevron symbols and stay on designated roads to protect the environment.

Safety tips for the Hell’s Revenge Trail:

• Maximum speed limit is 15 mph
• Use caution when crossing the Slickrock Bike Trail
• Avoid large depressions in the rock known as potholes, except for the marked “Mickey’s Hot Tub”
• Use spotters for extremely steep descents

Learn more about visiting Sand Flats Recreation Area!

Corona Arch Hike

After the morning’s off-road adventure, hikers can explore the impressive Corona Arch. This 3-mile round-trip hike offers a chance to see one of the largest and most spectacular arches near Moab.

Trail highlights:

• Corona Arch: A 140-foot wide by 105-foot high sandstone span
• Bowtie Arch: A unique pothole arch visible along the trail
• Pinto Arch: An optional detour offering views of the Colorado River
• Dog Friendly: Another location where it’s perfect to bring the pup along!

The trail features varied terrain, including a short section of mild scrambling and safety chains. Hikers should be prepared with:

• Plenty of water
• Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, and appropriate clothing)
• Sturdy hiking boots

Check out the All Trails link here for more information!

Sunset at Dead Horse Point

To cap off an exciting day, visitors can head to Dead Horse Point State Park for a breathtaking sunset experience. This state park offers stunning views that rival those of nearby national parks.

Why Dead Horse Point is special:

• Panoramic views of the Colorado River and surrounding canyons
• Less crowded than Arches National Park for sunset viewing
• Easy access to viewpoints from the parking lot
• Another dog friendly location!

Visitors can choose to watch the sunset from the main overlook or explore the Rim Trail for various vantage points. The west side of the Rim Trail offers gorgeous overlooks, while the eastern side provides views of the La Sal Mountains.

As the day comes to a close, the changing colors of the desert landscape and the silhouette of the snow-capped La Sal Mountains (snow cap pending time of the year!) create a magical atmosphere, perfectly encapsulating the beauty of Moab’s diverse terrain.

Day 3: Canyonlands National Park Exploration

The final day of the Moab adventure takes visitors to the awe-inspiring Canyonlands National Park. This vast and rugged landscape offers dramatic canyons, towering mesas, and unique geological formations that will leave nature enthusiasts in awe.

Mesa Arch at Sunrise

To start the day off right, adventurers should head to Mesa Arch for a breathtaking sunrise experience. This iconic landmark frames the distant canyons and mesas, creating a stunning natural spectacle. The best time to visit is at sunrise when the warm light illuminates the sandstone, creating a magical scene.

The Mesa Arch trail is an easy 0.6-mile (1 km) loop with up to 88 feet of elevation gain. It takes about 30 minutes to complete, but visitors should arrive at least 75-90 minutes before sunrise to secure a good spot. The trail is uneven and rocky, so proper footwear is essential.

Tips for photographing Mesa Arch:

1. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the entire arch
2. Set your camera to manual mode with a high f-stop to create a sunburst effect
3. Enable HDR mode on smartphones for better results

Learn more about the Mesa Arch Trail.

Upheaval Dome

Next, visitors can explore the mysterious Upheaval Dome, a unique geological feature that has puzzled scientists for decades. This three-mile-wide crater showcases dramatically deformed rock layers, with a central dome surrounded by a downward-warping syncline.

Two main theories explain the formation of Upheaval Dome:

1. Salt dome theory: A thick layer of salt beneath the surface flowed upward, deforming the overlying rock layers.
2. Meteorite impact theory: A meteorite collision about 60 million years ago created an unstable crater that partially collapsed and then rebounded.

Recent research supports the meteorite hypothesis, but the mystery remains unsolved, making Upheaval Dome a fascinating subject for geology enthusiasts.

Learn more about visiting Upheaval Dome here.

Shafer Trail Road on the way back to town

To cap off the Canyonlands experience, visitors should head to the Shafer Trail Road. This road offers panoramic views of the park’s vast canyons and an amazing experience as you wind down Shafer Trail, a historic road that descends 1,500 feet down sandstone cliff walls.

The Shafer Trail is easily accessible (but 4×4 is required) and is a knock-your-socks-off combination of views and experience around every turn. As a much needed bonus and among the many stops you’re sure to make on the way down, be sure to stop at Thelma and Louis Point.

The 19-mile Shafer Canyon Road offers an exciting off-road experience. However, it’s important to note:

• High-clearance 4WD vehicles are strongly recommended
• Check weather and road conditions before attempting the drive
• Obey the 15 mph speed limit and stay on the designated trail

As visitors take in the breathtaking views from the Shafer Trail Road, they’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the park’s incredible natural beauty and geological wonders.

Be sure to know road conditions for Shafer Trail Road before heading out.

Float the Colorado River

At this point, you’ve watched the sunrise through multiple arches, marveled in awe as it set over the mountains in the distance, off-roaded through slick rock trails and canyon corridors, and hiked to stunning locations in between. There is still one more activity that is a common thrill for many visitors to the area, and that’s floating down the Colorado River!

Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours is one of many companies in the area that can provide you with a drop-off and pickup service and the raft you need for this relaxing experience.

The Top 3 reasons why Floating the Colorado River is a must:

1. The scenery is unreal, and just like vista views can only be experienced from the top, the same is true for the bottom looking up.
2. The river does all of the work for you. It’s the perfect blend of outdoor activity with relaxation built in.
3. With the right guide company, you’ll learn so much information about the facts of the surrounding nature and how important the Colorado River is to Moab’s existence.

Moab’s Hidden Treasures

If you have extra time to spare during the longer summer hours, or maybe this three-day itinerary is just a kick-off to a week-long trip in Moab, here is a continued list of must-consider activities and stops.

While Moab’s national parks steal the spotlight, the area harbors lesser-known attractions that offer unique glimpses into the region’s prehistoric past. These hidden gems provide visitors with extraordinary experiences that bring ancient history to life.

Dinosaur Tracks

Moab’s landscape is a treasure trove of dinosaur tracks, offering a tangible connection to the Jurassic period. The Dinosaur Tracks Trail, an easy hike above the Colorado River, leads to an open-air museum featuring a tilted boulder face with preserved footprints. The largest tracks belong to the Allosaurus, a fierce predator that once roamed this area 150 million years ago.

Several accessible sites near Moab allow visitors to step back in time:

1. Poison Spider Dinosaur Tracksite: Located along Potash Road, this site features a short trail with informative plaques and nearby petroglyphs.
2. Bull Canyon Overlook Dinosaur Tracksite: Situated near the La Sal mountains, this location offers breathtaking views along with well-preserved tracks.
3. Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite: Home to some of North America’s first discovered dinosaur tracks, this site showcases a variety of prints around an ancient watering hole.

These sites not only fascinate dinosaur enthusiasts but also provide a humbling perspective on Earth’s history.

Potash Road Petroglyphs

Utah Scenic Byway 279, also known as Potash Road, is home to an impressive collection of ancient rock art. The petroglyphs and pictographs along this route date back to 6,000 B.C., offering a glimpse into the lives of early inhabitants.

Key features of the Potash Road petroglyphs include:

• Archai period carvings (at least 3,000 years old) depicting strange humanoid figures with animal features
• Fremont culture contributions (450-1300 AD) showing bighorn sheep and hunting scenes
• Ute community artwork created post-European contact, including horse riders and hunting tactics

The highway’s construction inadvertently preserved these artworks by removing the talus slope, making them harder to reach for potential vandals. However, visitors are reminded that adding marks to these ancient panels is illegal and destructive to cultural heritage.

Moab Giants Dinosaur Park

For a more interactive dinosaur experience, Moab Giants Dinosaur Park and Tracks Museum brings prehistoric creatures to life. This unique attraction combines education and entertainment, making it perfect for visitors of all ages.

Highlights of Moab Giants include:

1. Dinosaur Trail: A walk featuring over 100 life-size dinosaur replicas set against Moab’s stunning backdrop
2. 5-D Virtual Aquarium: An immersive experience introducing visitors to ancient marine life
3. Dig It Out and Paleo Camp: Hands-on activities simulating paleontological work
4. Museum displays: Showcasing original tracks and fossilized remains

The park’s location amidst Jurassic rock layers adds authenticity to the experience, allowing visitors to imagine these giants roaming the very landscape they’re exploring. With its blend of scientific accuracy and interactive elements, Moab Giants offers an engaging way to learn about the area’s prehistoric past.

Outdoor Activities Beyond Hiking

Mountain Biking

Moab is renowned as one of the best mountain biking destinations in Utah, offering a diverse range of trails for riders of all skill levels. The area’s unique landscape, characterized by red sandstone formations and slickrock terrain, provides an otherworldly backdrop for cycling adventures.

Advanced riders can test their mettle on trails like Captain Ahab, a technical singletrack built by and for experienced mountain bikers. The Klondike Bluff network, with over 50 miles of trails, caters to a wide range of abilities and offers opportunities for longer, more technical rides.

For those seeking a true adventure, the Mag 7 trail system provides a challenging experience. Riders are advised to start early, as the trail often takes longer than expected and offers little shade along the route.

Rock Climbing

Moab’s diverse geological formations make it a world-class destination for rock climbing enthusiasts. The area boasts a variety of climbing styles, from traditional crack climbing to sport routes and even bouldering too!

Wall Street, located just outside Moab, is an ideal spot for climbers of all abilities. It features mostly single-pitch routes with grades ranging from 5.5 to 5.11, offering a mix of traditional and sport climbs easily accessible from the road.

For those looking to hone their crack climbing skills, the Ice Cream Parlor in Kane Creek provides some of the best introductory crack climbs in the region. More experienced climbers often venture to Indian Creek, about an hour’s drive from Moab, known for its challenging and sustained crack climbs with grades from 5.9 to 5.14.

Meanwhile, Castle Valley, just a half-hour east of Moab, boasts majestic towers rivaling those of Devil’s Tower, including the famous Castleton Tower and Fisher Towers.

Explore the Shops on Main Street

Part of the town of many small towns is the myriad of local and unique shops that line the downtown streets and Moab is no different. Whether it be a book to read while relaxing in the midst of the desert, souvenirs to remember the trip, or gifts to share with loved ones, here are our personal 3 favorite stops right off the main strip:

• Back of Beyond Books – A great stop with lots of popular titles and a pulse on the local community. For the bibliophiles out there, they also have plenty of rare and historic books for sale
• Moab Garage Co. – We love their cute jewelry and branded merchandise. but this is also one of our favorite spots for coffee and lunch.
• Grand County Library – You may be asking, a library, really? But seriously, yes! The local library is not only an amazing resource for locals and travelers alike, but they have a resident cat named Cosmo who lives in the library. If you’re lucky, you might catch a chance to tell him hello.

Conclusion: Memories to Last a Lifetime

Moab’s captivating beauty and wealth of outdoor activities make it an ideal destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. From hiking in iconic national parks to exploring hidden gems like ancient rock art and dinosaur tracks, this small Utah town has something to offer for everyone. The diverse landscape provides opportunities for thrilling experiences such as off-roading, mountain biking, rock climbing, and rafting, ensuring visitors can fully immerse themselves in the stunning red rock scenery.

A three-day trip to Moab allows travelers to scratch the surface of what this remarkable area has to offer. Whether you’re marveling at the sunrise over Delicate Arch, taking in the panoramic views at Dead Horse Point, or savoring local cuisine after a day of exploration, Moab leaves a lasting impression. This desert paradise invites visitors to connect with nature, challenge themselves, and create unforgettable memories amidst some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the American Southwest.

Your 3 Days in Moab Itinerary Guides

Hey there! We’re Traci and Bill. We travel all across the southwest and up through the west coast exploring town after town while capturing love stories with our elopement business Adventure and Vow.

An awesome perk on top of this awesome perk of a job is that we learn everything there is to know about the places we work in so that we’re able to best serve our eloping couples. With the wealth of knowledge we have generated from years of exploring the US, we wanted to put it together to share with others who also share the same love of travel!

FAQs

Is a three-day trip to Moab sufficient to enjoy its attractions?

Yes, three days in Moab provide ample time to explore both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, participate in a few adventurous activities, and even take a day trip to further explore the Colorado Plateau.

What is the recommended duration for a trip to Moab to fully experience it?

For those seeking a more leisurely vacation with extensive time for outdoor activities, a week or more in Moab would be ideal. The area offers a wealth of stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, making it a prime vacation spot in Utah.

What are some recommended activities for a day trip in Moab?

A day in Moab can be eventful with activities such as rafting on the Colorado River, joining a sunset Hummer safari, engaging in half-day canyoneering, exploring Arches National Park, ziplining in Moab, hiking to Fisher Towers, driving to the overlook at Dead Horse Point, or renting a Jeep to venture into remote areas.

How much time is needed to drive through Arches National Park?

Driving through Arches National Park can take a few hours to a full day. The park’s 36-mile round-trip route offers numerous stops for photo opportunities and panoramic views, allowing visitors to appreciate the park’s stunning natural formations from the comfort of their vehicle.

Ranger Finder’s Top Rising 30 Stars is by far the most prestigious award to achieve in the wedding/elopement industry. You can only win this award within your first 5 years of being a full time wedding or elopement photographer, so there is truly a short window to reach this level.

When I first found out that there was such thing as being an adventure elopement photographer, it was when i was introduced to Maddie Mae‘s work. She has since then has become a mentor of mine through my years starting and running business. It was that year that she herself won Range Finder’s Rising 30, in 2018, the first ever elopement photographer to win. This is an award I have watched the winners of for the last 5 years. I quit my cozy, good job in Florida to drop everything and move to Arizona to work towards becoming an elopement photographer. Since then, some of my favorite artists in the industry have won this award including: Henry Tieu, The Foxes, Will Koury, Cedar and Pines and my dear friend Aimee Flynn.

Last year I was nominated for 2022 Range Finder Rising 30 Stars. I was extremely excited as I had been working towards my nomination all year – working on my craft, organizing my work and submitting my work to anywhere and everywhere I could that year in hopes that someone would nominate me. Unfortunately, last year was not my year and I did not get the rising 30. It was devastating, I was very proud of the collection of images I had put together. However, I let this loss push me even more. I took a harder look at my work, my editing, the emotion and composition. I improved. I worked really, really hard and honestly it paid off. I am proud of the photographer I have become and the work we produce for our couples. I look back and see how much this journey has made me a better photographer in many ways. With or without the award, the images we create are, to me, profound, beautiful and full of heart and story.

This year I was nominated again for the 2023 Range Finder Rising 30 Stars. We spent our second fall season during the hustle of elopements pulling images, arranging images, perfecting edits and analyzing everything to the smallest details. When you submit your work to Range Finder, you send it in as a set of 30 images in order 1-30. The idea is to put together a cohesive body of work that shows the diversity of your photography, to tell a story in 30 images all from different elopements. My idea for the order of my submission this year was to show start to finish what an elopement day could look like – our version. I personally think that what makes a good submission is a little mystery with full understanding of images, story telling, balance and harmony in tones and emotions, consistency within diverse situations and work that shows the ability to push boundaries.

From Range Finder themselves on the award:

“Chosen from many hundreds of exceptional applicants, these fine photographers stood out for their technical proficiency and ability to push boundaries with their perspectives and post-processing skills.”

In this blog I would love to tell you the story of my submission. Below is a quick video of my submission this year in the order that it was presented to the judges. After that is each image with an explanation about the image itself from my perspective or the general submission. At the very end of the blog I am also sharing a video of my submission from the year before.

My set of 30 images submitted to Range Finder with a brief story/explanation…

This is the oldest image in my submission. This was taken in Page, Arizona at the end of an elopement day that started in Sedona, Arizona. We were driving down this middle of no where dirt road and the moon light was just amazing. We stopped to take a few photos with the rock formations and moonlight. I loved that a few stars also were able to show up in the image. To me it feels other worldly, that is exactly how I wanted to start the judges on the journey of what elopement days are for Adventure + Vow couples.

This image was taken this year in 2023 in Bishop, California. We loved how much intention went into this couple’s wedding day. We started, once again under the moonlight, before dawn getting ready at their little trailer for their sunrise hike + ceremony. We used lights we had brought with us to help light the inside of the trailer where the bride would get ready and the kitchen area where the groom would get ready. I love this image because it is story. There’s so much meaning to it. The bride’s sister’s hands doing here hair, the dress is visible, this quiet start to a new beginning, and it’s all happening at their home away from home.

Another capture from this year with Dani as she writes her vows in an Under Canvas tent in Moab. For me this photo is about the combination of textures and color tones. It feels soft, quiet and like a moment of relaxation. It feels exactly like how that moment felt. It is a juxtaposition from many of the other images in our portfolio, but still true to the adventure with the brides red dirt ombre dress.

Often, as an artist, I find capturing details to be somewhat silly. Stagnant. Which just doesn’t make sense to my brain on an adventure elopement day. Many of our couples say they don’t want photos anyway of the things, they want photos of the people + the memories. That I get. When we first arrived to the slot canyon on day 1 of this elopement, the bride, Dani, would gather the sand in her hands and let it run through them. For a ring detail shot I had marked this perfect spot to place a ring on the canyon wall with a little pebble the day before while scouting the location. I decided to take the photo with a longer exposure to get the sand running through the ring to resemble this memory from their day, to bring back the feeling of the sand in her hand when she looks at this photo.

This year was a good year We captured this shot in the Summer for Benjamin + Claren’s elopement. On one of our planning calls, the groom mentioned they would be making their own bouquet together. I thought, well you have to do that as a part of your day! To me it doesn’t matter if something may not be the most aesthetic or a banger shot. To me I want our couple’s to look back and smile and say I remember doing that and remember how special in that moment it was. How they felt, remembering why they choose to do that on their day and maybe inspire them to do something like that again together. The small moments matter, just as much as the big ones.

One of our first Mount Rainier Elopements. Lindsay + Preston had booked us for a Sedona elopement, but after covid plans changed. Lindsay wanted to surprise her groom with a second dress she had brought with her. So after their first look + vows and sunrise she changed on the trail before we hiked out to the next location for a surprise 2nd look. I love the light, the scene and the simplicity of her sitting in the mountains. I can still feel the anticipation she had while she was getting ready to surprise him.

The first look with Febbie + Adam in Moab this spring. Sometimes in planning we never really know where the first look will take place until we are there with the couple. We arrived at their dome house rental and walked around for 10 minutes looking for the perfect spot – the best light, the best background and somewhere LNT friendly. I loved this spot, the beautiful blooms I had never seen in Moab before, the back light with the dark big boulder background in contrast with their sharp attire. I loved the bride’s veil and how it caught light and the ground. To me this image is about balance, anticipation and beauty.

In contrast is this first look which is all about emotion. The pure joy, a true moment. I took this photo with my long lens. The two brides got ready by themselves at sunrise just off the trail, this moment was theirs – the quiet still of sunrise, no one around. They got to experience being brides together in such a raw setting, it was beautiful.

We do not often photograph at venues, so when Carmen + James brought us to this cute camping venue I was stoked to play with windows and story telling that was beyond one layer. The bride’s room overlooked the rest of the venue, so when the groom and his family were set to walk out to the ceremony space we snagged a photo of them and the bride. This photo makes me smile every time I look at it. It brings me back to how much joy there was on this day, how much love these two had surrounding them and how much fun was had celebrating.

Back to the details. A part of putting together a submission for Range Finder is showcasing that you can capture every moment of a wedding well and while showcasing your style. When you go through submissions there are what I call highs + lows. Big moments + small moments. I love this small moment because of the tones, color and composition. It is a detail, but with movement. It tells you a story without the whole picture. It shows you an item, without just staring front and center at a layflat.

In my submission this photo and the two before it is about transition, setting the stage for the next part of an elopement day. I loved this moment, Marissa heading out the door before her shoes were tied, with a dirty dress from being up on the mountain earlier, her pup wanting to tag along. The excitement and adventure of getting married. It is a photo a lot of people may not stop and take or one that maybe doesn’t end up on the clients wall, but it is a photo they’ll always cherish of Ollie and look back at and smile remembering heading out for the rest of their wedding day, seeing the Olympic Coast for the first time.

The ceremony. I started off with this photo as it is a classic, you look at and you see a bride and groom reading vows. Deeper than that it is a playful photo of balance, color tones and reflection. I love capturing reflections and framing couples within nature. This is a delicate moment in a strong composition. I also love asking myself, how can I photograph this different? We often photograph in the same places, or in popular places for elopements and I always try to take a photo I have never taken or seen before. How can I tell this story in a more artistic way? How can I tell this story in a more moving way?

You may recognize this photo as it got honorable mention last year for Junebug’s top 50 wedding photos. I LOVE this photo, it feels like a photo from the 1940’s, it feels editorial, but in my own way. This couple got married at Airport Mesa in Sedona, as they read vows and we ventured around planes would pass by every few minutes. I thought it would be nice to capture a photo like this to remind them of the sound we would hear as they got married. I love that the bride’s ring captured the sunset light just right.

This photo of Cynthia is one I kept coming back to throughout this year. This photo was taken actually during their first look, but throughout the morning, while reading their vows and just being in their favorite place, Canyonlands National Park, Paul would wipe her happy tears away. I love that this photo showcases her ring and bridal jewelry while also capturing a tender moment that is filled with a loud joy. To me this one photo captures the entire feeling of the first day of their elopement.

The unexpected image. There were actually two of these in my pull for this year’s submission. What is the unexpected image? Well, it is that one photo you quickly go past, maybe not even one that ends up in the edits. One that you had never thought before as your best of best work, but somehow makes it way in. I pulled this photo for a few similar reasons as the others – I love the tones and color palette here, I love the brides hair in the wind the untamed feeling of being in the moment, the vow books. The couple is clearly sharing a private, intimate moment together after their vows. Something quick, maybe even forgetful, but in this second it is impactful and by chance captured. To me it also reminds me of one of my favorite thing about elopements. Time + space. At a traditional wedding, this couple would’ve read their vows, kissed and walked back down the aisle before being rushed to greet people or take portraits. However, here they are taking their time, they are going slow through the moments and truly soaking it in.

This was one of those elopements where going into it I wasn’t sure what to expect. A family member had booked me for two hours. They told me to meet them at the hotel for a first look and then we had selected a spot to do their ceremony and a few photos. I did not know anything else. It was one of the most beautiful ceremonies, intertwined with both the bride + groom’s ancestral history and traditions. It was filled with so much love and joy. It was short and simple, but impactful and romantic. I loved this moment after the bride and groom kissed of the parents kiss and the sibling smiling at his partner, whom had also preformed the ceremony together. A moment of unison, but also contrast in their dark attire and the couples lighter color attire.

Another transition photo, from ceremony to celebration! Or in a lot of times for us….adventure! When putting together the 30 images for submission you do a lot of pull in, take out, arrange, put in, take out and so on. It is hard to narrow down years worth of work into 30 images. You may have favorites that do not fit the story. I can not tell you how many times I pulled this image in and out with several others from their day on the coast. It was their first time seeing the coast AND it was their wedding day AND we had the most incredible sunset light. The excitement, the stoke, the smiling faces and high energy I will never forget with these two. They were down for the fun and embracing the experience. It was a fun, beautiful time.

The classic couples portrait, not so classic. A genuine moment of laughter together, holding each other as light rays hug the mountain behind them. It is perfectly, imperfect – just like an elopement day. It is true and it is beautiful. Backlight is my favorite light to photograph in, as it feels romantic. This light is even on our couples faces but also helps them stand out from the background.

Drone photography is something we introduced into our work 2 years ago and since then we have fallen in love with it, when it is the right time and place. I love how small the couple looks, but also how big and dark their shadows are. To me it feels like an image that says come with me and lets adventure. It has energy, but also feels artistic and not real.

Last year this image became somewhat of a staple to what is Adventure and Vow photography. This photo won 2022 June Bug Top 50 Wedding images from around the world. This is an image we have taken for almost every single one of our couples that elope at Merry Go Round rock. However, this day, the lighting and clouds lined up for a color show making it stand out from the others we have taken at this spot. I had seen a landscape photographer take a photo with this composition and during covid Bill and I searched all over this region of Sedona trying to find the spot. One day Bill was looking through some images and said to me – hey you have shot at this exact spot before, just higher. We hiked back out to an ole familiar spot and figured out how to get down there and took our first photo there. Since then we are often asked to take that photo and now many other photographers have found it and shoot from there too. This is the photo the couple prints and hangs on their wall.

Remember earlier, when I was talking about the unexpected one? This is the second one to that. I choose this image as a portrait because I love the messy hair embracing the wind and leaning into each other. Their hair also becoming one. It feels like an intimate moment, but one with romance and energy. Which is how I would explain these two’s connection and vibe for the elopement.

Do you see the color shift? So far a lot of the images have had a lot of warm tones and light. As we head into the dark, from the day, through golden hour, this image is helping transition into blue hour and more night time images. When you submit to Range Finder you can choose to do all black and white, all color or a mix of color and black and white. Since Range Finder wants to see your diversity, it can feel like you should include both. However, I choose to not include any black and white images in my submission because I feel like my work is known for its color and tones and I wanted to fully showcase the broad range within that.

I love the soft delicateness of the color in this image. I also enjoy that even though this is a detail of the bouquet it also tells you about the time and place of the event. This image was captured in 2021 on the San Juan Islands. Courtney + Ahern had rebuilt a boat together and rowed it from one island to the other to celebrate getting married camp style with all of their friends. It is a wedding that lead me to another wedding, Abby + Micael’s elopement in Bishop you see earlier and again later in the set of 30. This elopement left me inspired, happy and let me believe in love a little bit more than I already did. Their connection to each other + the land was the exact thing we are constantly talking about when it comes to choosing to elope, how you plan it and experience it.

Believe it or not, this was our first year photographing in the Mt Baker area, of which we live in! When we moved to WA we had mostly worked in Leavenworth, Mt Rainier and the Olympics. We moved to this area for many reasons, but we were extremely stoked to capture elopements near home this year. Isn’t it stunning? When searching for the right location for Jenifer + Taylor’s dream mountain elopement day and we found this spot I knew I had to take this photo. I loved the way the lake and the reflection framed the couple, how small they looked in this grand mountain scene, how the light delicately lit up the massive mountain. It was one of my favorite portraits from their gallery. It is grand, but it is soft.

Our couples do an array of adventures during their elopements from hiking, backpacking, climbing, horseback riding to canoeing. These two got engaged in this very canoe, so when they expressed wanting to bring it along to the elopement, I was so excited for them. When a couple includes elements of their life and relationship into the elopement day I think it makes it that much more special + meaningful. We had found a lake with an incredible view of Mt Rainier. You wouldn’t know that though

In typical PNW fashion the morning was very foggy. I knew if we waiting longer than we had planned for we would get some light through the fog at some point. So we waited. And magic happened. It is always a challenge in general photographing while in our Kokopelli on the water and the couple on the water too, but a fun challenge. Adding in the weather, it was like thinking on your toes, how to get dynamic shots without light. The entire morning felt like a movie scene, I am sure you can guess which one. It was truly magical before and after we got light in the fog. The images have feeling, texture, story and more. I could have just submitted 30 dynamic photos from this experience lol….

Back with Febbie + Adam in Moab! This was one of their last photos from their elopement before taking starry night photos. It was probably the hardest I pushed the boundaries of my camera all year and some of my favorite photos came from it. As it gets darker out, you need to raise your ISO which causes grain and open up your shutter speed which can cause blur. I love stop motion blur images, I had one in my submission last year too. To me they are a reminder that time is fleeting and we are not in this moment forever. Photos can feel still, which is not the reality of an elopement day, you are pretty much constantly moving. I love that I can include movement as a way to capture something we are doing or even just showcase a detail, like holding your something blue heels.

As an elopement photographer it truly is not often that we get to capture any sort of traditions within the elopement world. This couple combined an adventure elopement with a camp style traditional wedding. In the morning we hiked in the mountains and they read their vows and in the evening they had a ceremony, dinner and dancing with their loved ones. I loved this photo because of the bride’s expression, that she was center and all the moments happening around her. I love the use of light to frame her, but also to tell the story of where they were and how it felt. Light often creates an ambiance or feeling.

Do you want to know a secret? We do not photograph every elopement the same way. We do not approach each elopement the same when it comes to how we plan to capture it or what type of images we take. This couple specifically asked us for one photo of them they could hang on the wall as a large print, just a portrait of the three of them, small in the landscape. We took more than one, of course, but this one stood out to me. Sure the American Gothic has been done before, but it true honesty it is a painting that has always inspired me. It says so much, so easily. This couple is also a fan of that painting. The tones and colors bring a sense of unity. Their dog, watching me, in front of her parents on their wedding day showing a sense of love + loyalty. The couples, perfectly placed, their stance, their expression – content, strong, present.

One of my favorites from the year and one you may know from winning 2023 honorable mention from June Bugs top 50 images. I have so many favorites from this year its wild, but this one is for sure one of my favorite. A moment captured by chance as I was getting into place to take a portrait. A moment where I was pushing my gear way past sunset to still be able to capture what I call watercolor hour, my favorite, which is also known as blue hour. A moment of support, team work, but really marriage as he grabs her hand to assist her in joining him on the rock. A moment of realness as she is barefoot, connecting with the ground below her. A moment of adventure, struggle, being on the edge. This photo to me is one that encompasses why we love elopements and the type of elopements that make our hearts skip a beat.

I took this photo in 2022 and I often ask myself why did I not include it in my first submission. Sure this image is not perfectly done when it comes to craft, but it holds power. I love the three lights in a line, all the subjects bringing you to the bride in the pack raft. You see this photo and you accept, easy to admire. However, you are also asking yourself at the same time – what is happening and why? It is a pure story telling image. One they will hopefully look back on and say remember that time in the middle of the night we crossed a river in our wedding clothes to watch the moon come up on the other side of the trees standing under the dark sky filled with stars? These are the type of adventures we live for, the kind of moments that make your elopement day feel bigger than you.

I ended with this photo. The first elopement we captured of this year in Moab with Gillian + Josh. I had read the couple’s questionnaire about wanting to spend their day climbing and end stargazing. I thought why not do both. I sat with Bill talking through logistics and options. We looked online for inspiration, nothing. We thought about it a lot and finally pitched it to the couple with a fair warning – we may not get anything usable, but we want to try if ya’ll are up for the experience/idea. It took some time, but we got the photo. You may recognize this photo because this year it has won: Junebug Best 50 Wedding photos of the year, Break the Rules Category for IWPOTY and finalist for the Icon Awards.

This is the most technically challenging photo I have ever taken. It is a photo I am very proud of and feel very thankful to our couple for being willing to do and try and trust us with capturing their day. These are the type of images I want to be known for and do in my work. I want people to feel like anything is possible for their wedding day, because it is. It is YOUR day to do you. There is no right or wrong way to get married. There is no challenge too hard. There is no too big of a way to celebrate, but also to honor getting married.

2022 Range Finder Rising Stars Submission

International Award Winning Photographers – Traci + Bill

We have worked hard to get here! Pushing your boundaries as a photographer is about two things: the art of seeing and the ability to make quick choices working with what you have. Applying yourself and working hard to get yourself out there. It takes drive, passion and thoughtfulness. It takes communication + trust from your couples.

For us it doesn’t stop here. We will keep pushing our boundaries, keep reaching for what inspires us + what we believe in for the world of weddings/elopements and working to help craft + capture incredibly connective, beautiful, adventurous weddings.

I want to say thank you to Bill, the other half of Adventure and Vow. Not only has Bill learned photography and videography on his own and from me, he has become a good photographer. Some of our images in our submission this year and last year he took. I want to thank him for supporting me greatly through this wild journey I put us on. For being the person last year who had to tell me I did not get it to looking over my set of 30 images 900 different times with me this fall AND last fall for the submission. For checking our emails every single day from November to January waiting for an answer from Range Finder on who will be the top 30.

I want to thank my friends, family and mentors for listening to me talk about this non-stop, for telling me I am good enough, for nominating me and helping me through the submission part. You all know who you are and it means a lot to have your support.

We are committed to artistically capturing your story.

We are never done growing. Bill and I are both lovers of education and are forever growing. Taking the Art Course is something that we feel has helped us redefine what creativity within your wedding day means to us.

2023 Year in Review for Adventure and Vow

This year seems like it has come and gone way to quickly. It has been a big year of travel for us, incredible elopements, time with our loved ones and more. We are excited to take a walk down memory lane together as we recap this year! 

This year at a glance…….

We photographed 29 elopements in 5 different states!

Alaska, Washington, California, Utah + Arizona

We visited New Zealand for fun, but also to capture one of our best friends proposal’s and our other best friends 10 year vow renewal.

We had some big honors this year winning:

Junebug Top 50 Wedding Images of the Year and honorable mention

Break The Rules Category for International Wedding Photographer of the Year

Click Magazine’s Best Photography of the Year Portraits Category winner 

Icon’s International Wedding Photography top 10 finalist. 

Our work was featured by:

Wandering Weddings

Green Wedding Shoes

One Fab Day

Rock n’ Roll Bride 

Interviewed for the Creative Business Plan Podcast and more!

We drove around 40k miles this year traveling to elopements with our boys (Indy + Tucker) in tow. 

We finished the last 18 miles Wonderland Trail, which is the trail we eloped on.

I can not wait to share with you in photos this year’s elopements, highlights and more!

Table of Contents

This was a new year, with a new drone

We had so much fun this year using our drone for photo + video. We love our new drone a lot and can not wait to keep using it next year. We feel that it for sure elevated our drone work. Our drone was a key part of this year helping us capture a climbing elopement, several kayaking elopements, a boat session and more. You will notice as you look through the highlight images from this year’s elopements many of them were taken with a drone. 

Some of our favorite reviews from this year <3

Taylor + Clayton Read More
We had a DREAM elopement thanks to Traci and Bill!
Aside from their beautiful editing style, the biggest reason we chose to work with them was because of their familiarity with the areas in Arizona we were considering. We had never been to Arizona before and would have been lost without their extensive knowledge of the area! They gave us plenty of options to choose from and were so patient with my major indecisiveness. Once they helped us narrow down the multiple places we would be visiting during our day, Traci worked on perfecting a timeline for us to follow which was a HUGE help!
Our elopement day came and we had zero stress or anxiety because I knew they would help us have the best elopement day ever! They helped us navigate the busy area in the morning for our first look photos, and gave us more private areas for our vows and sunset/star photos. We received our sneak peaks that evening and were completely in love with them! Now that we have our full album, I find myself looking through them so often, and our friends and families are always speechless looking at them!
Traci and Bill, we can’t thank you enough! We could write an entire book of a review to say how thankful we are to have worked with you on our elopement day. We hope to be in your area in the future to meet up again for some fun and anniversary photos!

Caleb + Tori Read More
I want to first start off by saying Bill and Traci are absolutely amazing at what they do, and my wife and I couldn’t be more ecstatic that we decided to have them capture our elopement! If you are thinking about eloping or in the process of planning, we can’t recommend them enough. When we first started wedding planning, we quickly realized the “big day” with a huge party at a fancy venue wasn’t necessarily, “us.” A friend of my wife’s had recently eloped out in Sedona and after seeing the pictures and what they did, we knew this was exactly what we wanted on our wedding day. We got engaged in 2021 in Park City, UT, and fell in love with the state, so we decided to get married in Moab. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful setting, and Bill and Traci did the most incredible job of bringing our day to life in the photos and video. They’re some of the best photographers in the business, and even better people. They were there with us every step of the way during the planning process, they communicated exactly what we would need, and what they would need to help make it the best day ever, and it couldn’t have been more successful. They’re both very professional, personable and they genuinely want you to have the most memorable experience. From picking the day and time, time of year, location, and all the in between, they’re very knowledgeable and experienced in helping make it all come together. We can’t recommend them enough, and the feedback we’ve gotten back from our friends and family regarding the photos/video, makes it that much more worth it. Our motto through the whole process was, “This feels like something we get to do, not something we have to do,” and Bill and Traci were a huge part in reinforcing that and making our dream come true. I can’t say it enough, if you’re going to elope, they’re the best people to help make it happen. Thank you Adventure & Vow!! – The Mosley’s

Pao + Joaq Read More
My husband and I cannot express enough gratitude for the pivotal role Traci and Bill played in making our adventure wedding one of the BEST days of our lives!
The MINUTE Traci and Bill appeared on the screen during our first zoom call. Immediately, we felt like we were connecting with old friends instead of searching for elopement photographers. My Fiancé (at the time) and I jumped off that call knowing that Traci and Bill were going to take this journey with us.
Bill and Traci were our guiding stars throughout the ENTIRE planning stage. For a whole year, they were always there to offer invaluable advice, bring us closer with questionnaires, and ensure that every decision felt authentic to US and OUR vision for the big day.
Their expertise extends far beyond photography; Bill and Traci are seasoned professionals. Their understanding of the landscape, weather, and lighting was exceptional, making sure that every moment captured reflected the beauty of our surroundings and the depth of our emotions.
Traci and Bill didn’t just document our day — they BECAME an integral part of it. Their warmth and genuine care elevated our experience BEYOND what we could have imagined.
And if we’re being honest, what truly sets Traci and Bill apart, is their ability to make you feel like family. To any one currently searching for photographers, Traci and Bill are the type of people who will effortlessly blend professionalism with a passion for preserving the essence of your special day. They don’t just capture images; they encapsulate emotions, create memories, and hold a space in your heart long after the celebration ends.
Bill and Traci, your presence and dedication made one of the most important days of our lives equally one of the best. Thank you for being our guides, confidants, and for creating a visual narrative that will forever remind us of the love and joy we shared surrounded by family and the red rocks of Sedona.

Cynthia + Paul Read More
Traci and Bill were suggested to us through word of mouth and we are so happy we chose them. From our engagement photos to our wedding day, they were nothing short of spectacular. They are an amazing team that will bring your wedding day to life. Our original wedding venue cancelled on us 2 weeks before our date… Traci & Bill were prepared and helped us still make our dream day a reality in no time. The result was the most beautiful photos and memories we will cherish for the rest of our lives. They are extremely responsive, receptive to our ideas, and super punctual. They are (literally) willing to go the extra mile to make your day as special as possible.
We had very little idea what we wanted our elopement day to look like and Traci & Bill put together the most amazing timeline. They were always willing to hop on a call and we never felt alone throughout the entire process. Traci will also climb rocks, or on Bill’s shoulders, to get the perfect shot! They are a seriously well oiled machine and it shows.
Bill officiated our ceremony and had everybody in tears with his beautiful words. His drone skills are also amazing. My only regret is not also getting videography – do it!
We worked with Traci & Bill for over a year and they became friends to us. We will miss our regular chats and calls

Adam + Febbie Read More
If you’re searching for a wedding experience that goes beyond the ordinary, Traci and Bill from Adventure and Vow are the perfect choice. My partner and I recently entrusted them with our adventure elopement, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision.
Right from our initial consultation, Traci and Bill exhibited a genuine passion for their craft. They took the time to understand our vision, our story, and our personalities, ensuring that they would capture the true essence of our love in every frame. Their meticulous attention to detail was truly remarkable, as they carefully planned every aspect of our elopement. Throughout the entire process, they never once made us feel pressured.
On the day of our elopement, Traci and Bill exceeded all our expectations. Their infectious energy and enthusiasm created a joyful and relaxed atmosphere, allowing us to be our authentic selves. They skillfully guided us through breathtaking landscapes, capturing the natural beauty and the depth of our connection in every shot. Their creative expertise was evident as they artfully utilized lighting, angles, and composition, transforming each photograph into a masterpiece.
During the planning phase, we were torn between two options for our special day. One aligned with our original plan of having the main event in Dead Horse State Park and ending with star photos in Arches National Park. The other was a new opportunity for a guided tour on horseback with sunset photos. Ultimately we went with our original plan as the horseback option required us to go over time for the package we had picked. Traci and Bill not only made our original vision a reality but also added a second evening with the horseback ride, claiming they wanted to test it out and needed models. We’re still unsure if that was 100% the truth or they were being kind and generous, but we are incredibly grateful for the incredible photos and memories we gained from that experience.
Traci and Bill, we cannot thank you enough for immortalizing our love story in such a remarkable way. Your talent, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence are truly commendable. We are forever grateful for the unforgettable memories you’ve given us. To anyone seeking a once-in-a-lifetime elopement, marriage, or similar experience, we wholeheartedly recommend Adventure and Vow. Traci and Bill will go above and beyond to make your dreams a reality, capturing every precious moment along the way.

Abby + Michael Read More
Traci and Bill with Adventure & Vow were such a joy to work with on our elopement day. From the very start, they were kind, thoughtful, intentional, and thorough. My husband and I knew where we wanted to get married and were able to do a scouting trip, but Traci and Bill also went and scouted out backup options for us. We are so thankful they did! This winter brought so much snow to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It was easy and enjoyable collaborating with them to create the most magical day. Throughout this process, there were multiple questionnaires to go through as to make the most meaningful and special elopement. We LOVED going through these, making date nights out of it. Traci puts a lot of love, effort, and attention to the whole process. Her efforts were obvious when the day arrived. Our elopement was everything and more that we could have hoped for. We were able to slow down, enjoy every single moment, have a BLAST, and be in a place that fills us with immense joy. Traci and Bill were amazing and made the day flow wonderfully. We felt as though we were with long-time friends. They gave us the space and privacy we desired during our intimate ceremony. We just love our pictures. They will be cherished for the rest of our lives. We feel incredibly grateful for Traci’s photography skill and knowledge. If you are looking for an elopement photographer, look no further!

Jennie + Michael Read More
Traci and Bill, words cannot express how thankful we are to have met the both of you and have you two be our elopement specialist! You guys are professional, thoughtful, fun, and super laid back! The list can go on and on but you two are just amazing human beings! Jennie and I are so glad we stubbled across your website! From day 1, you guys made us feel at ease. There was never a point where we were stressed out (aside from thinking our tent was going to blow over the mountain with us in it LOL), you made sure our special day was everything we imagined plus more.
After our initial zoom meeting there was no doubt in our minds that we wanted to elope and we wanted you two to help plan it for us. We all instantly connected, it felt like we were long lost friends who were catching up and getting updated on each others lives.
Even though we started planning this a year out, you both made sure to check in with us periodically to see how we were doing. You sent us questionnaires to fill out so that you could really vision how we wanted our special day to go. These questionnaires were very intimate and really got us to think of how far we’ve come as a couple and everything we’ve gone through up until that point and how there were so many things we still wanted to do/explore together.
Fast forward to a week out from our wedding day. You both knew that this was going to be our longest road trip yet departing from Toronto, Canada, to Moab, Utah (33 hours with our Tesla). You made it a priority to check in with us to see if we were ok from the day we left to literally 30 mins before our first meet up. In any other situation we might have been a little skeptical meeting up with random strangers at 2am, in a pitch-black parking lot, at the bottom of Corona Arch, in an area with no cell phone reception. This had horror movie written all over it lol but you guys made us feel so comfortable that it seemed like we were just meeting up with friends for a hike.
Over the course of our multi-day elopement, you made it about us and everything we asked for. From candid shots to endless laughs, all captured on camera. It didn’t even feel like we were being photographed, it honestly felt like we were all hanging out and taking in the scenery together. This is why you two are amazing at what you do! You somehow manage to work and have fun at the same time!
Traci and Bill, you two compliment each other so well! You both listened to what we wanted, were very thorough and detail oriented. Our elopement was so well planned because of the both of you and our video/photo gallery is breathtaking and worth every penny! We requested to have stars, mountains, hiking, and camping as part of this family vacation with our dogs and you guys delivered! We know so many people who got married and can’t remember their wedding day… We can’t say the same as Jennie and I can remember every second like it was yesterday thanks to you two! To any couple who is considering the elopement process, we 1000% recommend doing it with Traci & Bill! They exceed expectations!
Sorry this review was so long but we truly wanted to show our gratitude to you guys! Words cannot express how thankful we are to have met the both of you and have you two by our side as we enter the next stage in our lives. We truly gained long time adventure friends! We wish nothing but the best for the both of you! Till we meet again, from our family to yours, THANK YOU!
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Love on Earth Workshop

We hosted our 5th Love on Earth Workshop this year in Bishop, California. This was the most difficult workshop we have planned due to how remote the area is, but it was incredibly fun. We photographed at Death Valley National park, hot springs and Alabama Hills. This year it was very special to have one of our past couples model – Allison + Brittley. We always love catching. up with them, we actually also got to hang out with them this year in Canada in Jasper National Park! Then we also had one of our couple’s eloping next year in the area come model for the climbing portion! I was so happy we got to capture some rock climbing images of them in this area since they connected together through climbing in this region together, but will not be climbing on their elopement day. We even hopped in front of the camera as a last minute mini shoot optional for attendees with Indy bean! As always, it is an honor and magical to get to host this with our two closest friends. 

This year’s elopements…

We love sharing about the elopements we capture each year!  We try to blog them all, but don’t always have the time to so we are excited to share them all with you here! Below are a couple just some of our favorite photos from each elopement we captured. Elopements will be featured in order from our first to our last of the year. 

Gillian + Josh

We kicked off our season with an epic adventure – a multi-pitch sunrise climb, evening hike with ceremony, first dance and pizza ending with a hanging arch rappel under the stars. We LOVE Moab, Climbing and capturing starry night images. This was a beyond incredible way to start off of our year. We were stoked to work with G + J and capture their love story bound by these elements. 

See their full elopement story

Jennica + John

Our second elopement of the year brought us down to Sedona, Arizona. Since Jennica was pregnant we had planned an elopement with some relaxation, but also getting to see many diverse beautiful spots in Sedona. This year we actually got to photography in many spots we absolutely love in Arizona that we have never gotten to photograph for an elopement! We loved starting the elopement off at their unique stay!

Stephanie + Tim

Driving to Stephanie + Tim’s elopement was quite the site with fresh rain, moody clouds and sunshine. It was a rare day that there was a cloud inversion in Sedona. The day started slow and peaceful enjoying tea together in a bubble bath before they got ready. They held their ceremony with their family mid day before heading out for an incredible sunset hike. We returned to the airbnb for cocktails, dinner and first dances. It was a day of celebration and fun! 

Jacquelyn + Zak

Then we finally got to capture Zak and Jacquelyn’s elopement! We had been working with them for a couple years, you may remember seeing their engagement session in Joshua Tree last year. It was a full day of adventure from a beautiful sunrise hike with vows + tea to exploring caves, off roading and watching an incredible Sedona sunset. 

Cynthia + Paul

Then we headed back to Moab for Cynthia + Paul’s elopement! Just about a week before their date their venue which was their stay and reception space fell through. Luckily, I reached out to the owner of Red Earth Venue and was able to quickly get her in touch with C+P to come up with a whole new plane. We truly pulled it together beautifully + flawlessly it was like it was the meant to be plan from the start. It was two incredible days in Arches and Canyonlands National Park mixed in with more traditional moments with family. 

See their full elopement

Jennie + Michael

These two traveled all the way from Toronto, Canada with their two dogs for their two day elopement in Moab. Day one was a sunrise hike and day two was a full day adventure and wedding. We ended the night around a camp fire together, where all the best memories are made. It was incredible waking up in the canyon, as the sun peaked over the La Sal mountains just us and the pups. I couldn’t believe that also here in Mid April we got snow flakes on their elopement day!

Read more about their elopement!

Febbie + Adam

We met with Febbie + Adam at their dome stay way out in the Moab wilderness. They shared a first look in the most beautiful flower field I have ever seen in Moab. Then we ventured out for an evening at Dead Horse State Park where they would get married, watch the sunset, have a picnic as the sky grew dark enough to star gaze. It was such a fun elopement day running around on the top of the desert canyon. The day after their elopement we went on a horseback adventure with a view of the La Sals! We have since gotten to meet with these two and climb in Joshua Tree! 

Tori + Caleb

These two brought their families with them to Moab to celebrate their elopement! We joined them for time getting ready separate, but with their loved ones. After a first look and private vows out in the desert we re-joined the group at Dead Horse Point State park for their ceremony and sunset photos. While at dinner I air dropped them their sneak peeks and the phone got passed around when suddenly someone busts out into laughter. One of their guests had snuck an item from the Airbnb into the group photo, see if you spot it!  Often in this career, among ourselves and photography friends we chat about how you can only experience a place once for the first time and how cool it is to get to do that over and over again through our couples. On this elopement we got to share that moment with our couple’s family as they were in complete awe of the view.

Abby + Michael

Then we were off to Bishop, California!!! We were very excited to capture Abby + Michael’s elopement as they were referred to us from a past couple AND they were getting married in a place they love of which we had never worked in. We photographed this elopement with our usual gear, but also with our medium format film camera. Since Abby + Michael introduced us to the Bishop area we have fallen in love it with it ourselves and are looking forward to working there quite a bit this coming year. It was a fun time camping in the same camp ground as the couple which made our commute for pre-sunrise getting ready photos super easy. We also enjoyed climbing with them the day after their elopement. It was one of the most emotional ceremonies we have ever captured and we feel honored to have been asked to be apart of it.

Read more about their elopement in Bishop!

Brooke + Clint

Then we made our way back to Washington (after some time hanging out in Bend, Oregon!) for Brooke + Clint’s elopement right near our place! Since it was early in the season the road all the way up to Artist Point was closed and there was lots of beautiful snow left. They got married with their son and parents as witnesses by Picture Lake with a beautiful view. Then we headed down the mountain to explore the rushing waterfall, share a first dance and have a toast! It was a beautiful, lovely, peaceful way to start off of our summer/PNW season for the year!!

Lillian + Brcye

Then we started our drive up to Alaska with the boys in tow for Lillian + Bryce’s elopement. It was Bill + I’s first time in Alaska. We were stoked to back pack with these two into the Alaska Wilderness for a private elopement ceremony. We dodge weather like crazy, but still got rain and wind at camp. However, that did not stop us/them from enjoying the trail and have a great time. It was so cute when we met up with Lillian’s mom and their dog Yeti on the trail on our hike out! The sweetest moment. We spent the following day with these two and their family for a reception celebration. This was a double bucket list elopement for us – an elopement in Alaska + a backpacking elopement. We are so humble that Lillian + Bryce trusted us to help them plan and capture their day. It was an incredible adventure and intro to Alaska and we are thrilled to be returning again in 2024.

See the adventure here!

Marissa + O’Neal

Once we made it back to the Lower 48 our first elopement would be in Olympic National Park with Marissa + O’Neal. These two local WA folks had never been to the Olympic Coast and were stoked to finish their elopement there. The joy on their faces when we reached the beach is one I will never forget. It was such a joyous time. The day started at sunrise in the mountains where even though it was raining we got one of the must unreal, colorful sunrises I have seen my entire life.

Read the story!

Clarene + Benjamin

Clarene + Benjamin’s elopement started off feeling like we were on a movie set for two reasons. One – they were set to canoe on the lake together, which is also how they got engaged, but also look over postcards they had mailed to each other during their time dating from all over the world. Two – Sunrise that am was foggy, but also some light. It was an unreal weather condition that brought the vibe of romance. From there we went back to their airbnb for getting ready, but also for them to make their bouquet together. After brunch and a toast with the family we set out for a 7 mile hike up the mountain for a ceremony. It was an incredible day. 

See the movie yourself

Jenifer + Taylor

Jenifer and Taylor’s elopement started here near our place at Mt Baker – a full day with first look at the falls, horseback ride mid day, sunset hike and ceremony with an evening under the stars. Day two was in Olympic National Park, another full day fully experiencing all of the magic Olympic has to offer. These two roll like we do, pack in everything you can, living life to the fullest. It was non stop epic-ness, the kind you want to keep reliving! 

Explore WA with these two!

Tina + Charles

Our next elopement in Olympic was a super fun one! The couple started off with getting ready and a mini round of tennis, where they also wrote their vows. We always love when a couple infuses their day with things and activities that are truly are apart of their story. As we set out for their elopement we stoped at the falls before stopping at the lake for their ceremony and a picnic of items they cooked together. We headed to the beach for games (Poker, Banana-gram and more) as we waited for sunrise and then stars. It was a day written in the stars  

Carmen + James

These two local WA folks eloped near us where they often ski. Earlier in the year Carmen had a ski accident at the exact spot that they were set to say their vows. With some change of locations up on the mountain they had a beautiful, private sunrise in what felt like a new mountain as it was their first time in the area during Summer! After their time on the mountain we joined their loved ones at this incredible camping venue on the lake for a heck of a good time celebrating their marriage with dancing, drinks and joy.  

Read their wedding day story!

Jocelyn + Kyle

This would be our first elopement in North Cascades National Park. It was fun to go out and scout and show Bill this park where I had visited previously with my niece. These two choose to elope here because previously they had visited and the location meant a great deal to them. It was emotional to hold the ceremony at their favorite spot, with their family and a guitarist. We also got to explore some new areas in the park. The day was stunning – fall colors, but also fresh snow at the top of the peaks. The smoke from the big fires over summer had disappeared, which was a great surprise. It was a day blending old and new memories that will last forever. 

Stephanie + Ciro

Our last elopement of the PNW season was also near our home! It was awesome this year to capture so many elopements near the mountain we chose to live at! These two eloped at sunrise up on the mountain followed by coffee, carrot cake and reading letters from their loved ones by lake as the sun started to warm up the day. We spontaneously went back to their airbnb fro Ciro to whip up some breakfast for all of us. They were staying this beautiful cabin they wanted to fully enjoy during their stay and having breakfast together is one of their favorite things – it was the perfect way to end the elopement!

Danielle + Troy

Then it was back to the Southwest for us!!! We started in Page, Arizona with Dani + Troy and ended on day two in Moab, Utah. This was an incredible adventure ticking of some of the best the Page area has to offer as a welcome for their first visit to the Southwest. Then in Moab the day was romantic, filled with amazing good, equally great views and a ceremony filled with heart, tears and intention. 

Explore their two day elopement

Stephanie + Luke

Before we continued on our Southwest Fall season we popped over to the Northern California coast for Stephanie + Luke’s elopement. This was another elopement that was referred to us by a past client and we were stoked! We love working with our people’s people. We had been planning this elopement for a long time, it was very surreal that it was here. We started off with sunrise skateboarding and vow writing along the coast, to getting ready deep in the forest. Then we headed back to the coast for a first look, ceremony and sunset portraits along the coast. The evening ended with amazing food and beers at a private dinner with their guests at a local brewery. It was so fun coming to a place these two loved so much to share with the people they love in pure joy and relaxed celebration!

Claire + Spencer

Claire and Spencer eloped at a beautiful resort in wine country of Sonama/Napa. They had previously visited this stunning place and wanted to come back here to get married. It was the perfect vibe, had great wine and relaxation. We met for a first look on the property, ceremony by the water fountain in the courtyard, then headed out for a picnic and sunset portraits. 

Taylor + Clayton

Then it was back to Arizona! We met up with Taylor + Clayton in the morning for a first look at Horseshoe Bend. It was their first trip to Arizona and they wanted to see and experience as much as they could. So from here we headed down to Flagstaff for a field with an incredible view of Humpfrey’s where they would share their vows and first dance. We went to Mountain Top Tap’s where they had reserved it privately to officially get married and eat lunch. This was incredibly special for a couple of reasons – for them they love beer and the bar is on Route 66 of whcih they live on in the East coast. For us, this is one Bill’s good friends far and we have so many personal memories here – it was a lot of fun to bring one of our couples to this spot. For the evening we went off roading to an over of all of Sedona for sunset. Ending the day by a fire under the stars. It was one of the most beautiful Fall days in Flagstaff I have ever seen. 

Alyssa + Jesse

We get asked often where our favorite places to photograph elopements are and I always say no favorite, it’s more about the connection, the story, the day as a whole. However, within Sedona there are 2 spots that are my favorite to be at and these two choose both of them for their elopement! This was the sweetest day, true connection, hiking, yoga with mom in the afternoon, a sunset that literally brought tears and the couple reading letters out loud with their family from other loved ones that had everyone in tears. A day filled with so much love. 

Ilona + Trent

These two came to Sedona and into their day ready for adventure and seeing it all! We started at sunrise at Cathedral Rock watching the sunrise and the hot air balloons. On our hike down we stopped by the river for a picnic. We stopped at their Airbnb to refresh for the rest of the day before setting out in their jeep (of which they road tripped from Atlanta in) for some off roading and more hiking. They held their ceremony at one of the most scenic and private view points in Sedona. Then we headed to Merry Go Round to Facetime family and a first dance. 

Natalie + Corey

Natalie and Corey started off their elopement day hiking up Doe Mountain under the stars. We reached the summit just in time to enjoy a beautiful sunrise. Here they would share their private vows together. We met back up later in the day for a ceremony with their guests before we all off roaded up the mountain to MGR. It is a rare thing for everyone to go up the mountain, but it such a special place to share with your guests if they are up for the bumpy ride. We admired the sunset and moon rise before heading back down the mountain for dinner at The Vault. 

Pao + Joaq

This one was a bit emotional for us, for two reasons – they brought their orange tabby with them (!!!!!) and this is possibly our last Fall Sedona elopement. We have been slowly pulling out of the Sedona area, where we really started Adventure and Vow this past year as we focus more on the PNW region + Moab. For 2024 we will only be in the Southwest for the spring season rather than Spring + Fall. Pao + Joaq decided to elope in Sedona as it is a place they have traveled before and loved it. We started with a sunrise hike just them two for first look, private vows and a breakfast picnic. Then we met back up for getting ready photos, details and moments with Finely. They held their ceremony with their closest loved ones with an incredible view of Cathedral. The evening ended at Amara with a meal and touching toasts from the family. It was beautiful, fun day – perfect ending to the Sedona season. 

Caitlyn + Alex

Then it was back to California, this time stopping in Joshua Tree for our last two elopements of the year. Caitlyn + Alex booked an incredible Airbnb on a ton of land where most of their elopement would take place with their closest ones surrounding them. We headed into the park for their ceremony, to spread Caitlyn’s dad’s ashes and to watch sunset. At sunset a cloud took over the mountain giving us quite the foggy, beautiful experience. We headed back to the house, still getting a starry night sky view, for dinner by our favorite private chef (Chef V) and ending the nights with games.

Sherri + Ted

We ended our year with Sherri + Ted! Their elopement also started at a stunning Airbnb, Joshua Tree is really known for those. They got ready together, wrote vows and watched sunrise while sipping on a mimosa. Then we headed into the park to see all the sights! We started with Arch Rock, then heart rock, to cholla garden, split rock for a picnic, cap rock for the ceremony and then keys view for sunset! We came back to the house for another incredible meal by Chef V which was Mexico inspired. It was such a fun day celebrating 16 years of love for these two by getting married! 

Elopement Videos

This year 10 of our couples opted to add on video to their elopement package. We wanted to share a couple of them here, but feel free to pop over to our youtube to see more of them!! We love video – it is such a special way to get to re-hear your wedding vows whenever you can and relive the day through action. 

https://youtu.be/bGny1sRyCaI?si=DiFLeG5LqwIrr01ihttps://youtu.be/PiP7jiXhfss?si=69jChfZEgoBJ-3kj

What is in store for 2024!!!!

For 2024 we will only be taking on 25 elopements! We are currently 50% booked, so if you want to work with us let’s connect!!! Here is a brief overview of our goals for the upcoming year, where we will be working and more!

– We will only taking elopements in Northern Arizona, Southern Utah, Joshua Tree, Bishop/Alabama Hills, Yosemite, Oregon Coast, Bend/Smith Rock, all of Washington, Alaska and abroad.

– We will be spending our fall season in Washington enjoying the Larch trees turn gold and abroad. 

– Our goal is to focus more heavily on climbing, backpacking and big adventure elopements. Who is in??!

– This year we decided to open our availability to focus more on couples who also want to do the big adventure, but also celebrate with their loved ones in a LNT friendly way, aka at a venue. We are excited to potentially work in some of these places we named top 40 venues for adventure wedding couples.

– As always we will be looking to push our creativity and abilities as photographers through telling your love story in incredible ways. 

See our current remaining availability and let’s adventure together!

Contact us now!


see our packages

Some of our personal favorite memories this year…

This year was so good to us. Some highlights for us personally that were:

– Finishing the wonderland

– Hosting friends and family at our home

– Going to New Zealand

– Roadtripping to Alaska + Canadian National Parks

– Finally reaching a spot in Rainier we had been trying to hike to for years

– Indy’s 10 year anniversary with us on my birthday

– Desert in the spring climbing with our friends, pack rafting the colorado river, off roading to epic places, adult spring break in North Wash.

– Seeing some of our couples from last year! 

– Our first helicopter and glacier experience,

– Our usually stop in Cannon beach, but added 2 weeks enjoying Bend, OR.

It was a great year. Bill and I both are constantly trying to grow, become better and this year we did that, but also learned a lot! We are looking forward to what the new year will hold! 

Here are some of our favorite personal images from this year…..

Landscape Print Shop

Our Trip Review to the South Island of New Zealand

We recently took a trip to New Zealand with our closest friend group – 12 days + 3 couples exploring the South Island. We started talking about taking this trip when one of our friends asked if we wanted to join them and photograph their vow renewal. We did not know much about New Zealand so this trip was a nice surprise in some ways. We learned a lot from our first trip and honestly can not wait to go back one day! I am writing this blog for a few reasons – to remember the trip we took in detail, to be able to share our trip with others, but also to chat about tips, what I would do different or next for a visit. 

Our friends we traveled with are also photographers. It was super fun to trade sessions and have quality photos taken together in some of these incredible places. All landscapes and photos of other couples in this blog are taken by us, but some photos of us were taken by Aimee Flynn Photo and Shell Creek Photo.

Table of Contents

Flying to New Zealand from the United States

We were flying from Seattle, so we flew Sea-Tac to LAX where we would join our friends to fly in on the same plane. From LAX we flew to Auckland. We flew on Delta – mostly because it is and will always be my preferred airline To get to the first airport for us was 3 hours and the first flight was 2.5 hours. The second flight would be 13 hours. This would be the longest flight I have done in my life. Luckily we flew out of LAX at 10pm. After dinner and a cocktail, sleep was easy. Other than 1.5 movies we slept the entire time. Once we landed in Auckland we had to walk over to the domestic terminal of the airport to switch to our Jestar flight to Christchurch. This is where our travel took an unexpected turn, which of all turns was fine in the end. For Jetstar we had re-arrange our bags so that our carry on was only 7kg. This is quite difficult when carrying cameras and laptops in your carry on. We decided for our flight home we would purchase another bag to check so the process would be easier. The Auckland domestic airport is also quite small, so they will only allow you to get your ticket and check in 2 hours before – even if you are in between flights. 

Flying back to the states was much more difficult for us than flying in. The process of flying from Queenstown to Auckland was easy. We had a 1.5 hour layover, which ended up being fine, but we were running through the airport and were 5 minutes past boarding start time when we finally made it to our gate. I would recommend no less than a 2 hour layover there as the lines were all backed up and the walk from domestic to international takes about 10 minutes. What the worst part was the flight from Auckland to LAX on top of a 4 hour layover for SEA-TAC. 

Traveling to New Zealand is long, my recommendation is to fly at night so it is easier to get some sleep so you aren’t traveling with too much fatigue. 

Christchurch

Though we flew into Auckland first, our trip started in Christchurch. We got our rental car and checked into our first quaint little airbnb before starting out for dinner. We met our friends and ate at Gin Gin, a lovely little restaurant on historical Regent street. It was fun people watching here, but mostly we were impressed with the food and cocktails. We dined, outside, but the vibe inside was awesome. 

The next day we started with breakfast and coffee downtown at C1 Espresso. I was so impressed with this place – the history, the quirks, the food, juice and coffee was amazing! We quickly realized coffee + breakfast (pastries) were going to amazing here. 

Before starting out on our next adventure we drove around near the Gondola Summit Station to enjoy the views and take in the green country side and bright blue waters. 

Mt Cook National Park

This section of New Zealand was probably the one I was most stoked on, for obvious reasons, mountains. After a 4 hour drive, plus a stop to see the Lupines (of course!) at Lake Tekapo, we arrived at our Airbnb by the Lake Ohau nestled around 360 mountains. It was so quite and private. We ate in all three nights here since it is so remote. It was fun because each of us couples cooked one night for everyone. Our first night was really just resting, eating and making a game plan for the remainder of the time. We finished the evening with some local New Zealand red wine and a game of Scattergories. 

Day 1 – Hooker Valley Track

With a new big day ahead we woke up had our tea, coffee and breakfast and set up for some adventure! Our drive in was cloudy so we had not yet seen Mt Cook in all of her beauty. Our drive into the National Park and towards the mountain, our jaws were on the floor. This peak is STUNNING and massive. Lupines lined the massive incredibly blue green lake along the road with peaks all surrounding us. In the far distance we could see orographic clouds rolling down the mountain sides. The view was incredible. 

We got to the parking lot by 10:30am, just in time to snag the last parking spots. It was busy! We set out for our hike, quickly realizing, yes we should have bought sunscreen. The trek was very easy – we enjoyed the bridges and changing views of Mt Cook and the mountains surrounding us. When we arrived to the end of the trail we sat down and enjoyed a snack watching the glaciers flip and turn in the water. We hiked back taking our time and eyeing out if we could spot the hike we planned to do the next day, pretty proud to say we did! 

After this hike we drove over the next trail we wanted to do that was a short 1.2 miler just one mountain ridge over from where we are that would lead to another glacier lake from Mt Cook. However, we were exhausted! From the travel, the heat and overall simply just ending our 2023 elopement season. We decided to save our energy and go grab food or head back to the Airbnb. 

However, lol, we ended up stopping along the lupines at several view points along Lake Pukaki. The Lupines for me were a massive selling point for coming to New Zealand. If you don’t know I have a tattoo of one on my forearm I love them so much. I was so excited to seem them in these bold colors amongst this incredible view and to smell massive fields of them. Since we had found two incredible viewpoints of them, we all had a change of plans and decided to do a trade session at sunset with our friends among the lupines. We drove back to the Airbnb for dinner, got ready and set back out to the lake. We had the must stunning sunset and blue hour together having such a time in the lupine fields! 

Once we returned back to the airbnb the rest of friends re-joined us. We shared another night together enjoying local wine, chocolates and a game of Scattergories. 

***I would like to make a special Leave No Trace Note. We often preach here in WA to not trek in the wildflowers for it is very damaging to the flowers and meadows. However, here in New Zealand, Lupines are invasive and have a rampant foot hold over roadsides and small waterways, choking out local plants and taking all the available water allowing the native species no room to compete. it is okay to walk in them. 

Hike for this day – Hooker Valley Track

Day 2 – Mueller Hut

Before the trip we really did not know much about New Zealand. We relied on our friend for information that had already been, Instagram posts and Tiktoks, All Trails and general searches. The first thing when planning our daily spreadsheets (lol) I pulled were the top hikes I wanted to do. This one was on it. 

We started early getting ready, tea and breakfast. Then we stopped at the local store in town to pick up trail snacks. We arrived too late this time for a parking spot, but luckily there was some side of the road parking. We set out for some intense elevation! The first bit through the bush was flat and easy – smooth sailing. Then came the stairs lol….I mean thousands of stairs up 1500ft+ of elevation. The stairs were not too bad to conquer and we flew up them stopping here and there just to let people pass down or for the construction workers repairing stairs. After we reached the tarn glacier viewpoint everything changed – to super steep unmaintained choss sauce. For the next mile and a half it was another 1500+ feet and terrain that is hard on the body, good thing the view was good on the eyes lol. It took us much longer to get up this section of the trail. At the top out the wind LITERALLY knocked me over, but I was able to grab some rock to brace myself. We turned the corner and a guy said hey beware of the wind, don’t go that way lol….seriously noted. We kept going towards the hut, but stopped to admire the glaciers, clouds and waterfalls on the massive mountain (Mount Sefton) in front of us. We crossed a snow field and arrived at the hut. We stepped inside to admire the space, read about the local apline parrots who visit the hut (Kea’s) and enjoy lunch. Since the clouds were coming in strong, we decided to get back down the mountain before the rain came in. 

Down was brutal. We were sore for sure from the trek up and the steepness paired with the massive steps and the rock was not the easiest to navigate. We took our time and enjoyed having this incredible outdoor space basically to ourselves. We made it back to our car starving and tired – but blissfully fulfilled. We arrived back at the airbnb to enjoy a yummy steak dinner our friend had made and listened to everyone else’s stories from their day. Then it was time to bed – an early night for an exciting next day. 

Hike for this day – Mueller Hut

Queenstown

We started the day super early at lake Ohau, pre sunrise for a very special moment. Our friend was going to propose. We all got up and dressed as if we were going to trade sessions together overlooking the lake near our Airbnb. However, sadly I somewhat gave it away by not fixing my hair that morning because I did not feel well. Either way, the moment was so beautiful and special. We were so happy to capture our friends proposal. The morning started out a little cloudy, but right after Kaleb said yes the sun peaked out and we even got our only rainbow on the whole trip. After taking many portraits of the newly engaged couple we went back to the Airbnb to, of course, look at our photos, but also make breakfast and pack up the Airbnb. 

We headed out grabbing coffee along the way, stopping to see the Clay Cliffs and of course snapping some photos of the road side sheep. Sadly, I feel asleep the rest of this drive, but I hear the road is wild, windy and beautiful! Our friends stopped to explore Wanaka, which we had planned on hiking in later, but plans changed and we’re still wishing we had gone!

We arrived to Queenstown and were a little overwhelmed as we are not city people, hadn’t known what to expect because honestly we did not look up this area before coming and had been in the mountains for a few days. We checked into our airbnb, and were blown away! It was by far the most beautiful Airbnb we had ever stayed in. The Airbnb was quirky, had incredible 360 views of the mountains and lakes, a beautiful kitchen, hot tub and lovely bathrooms. The stoke was high for the next few days. 

The rest of the evening was a little romantic get away for us. We started with Dinner at The Bunker downtown. I could not get over how good the appetizers alone were, much less the meals. We felt like we were in this cute, dark nook from back in the day dining by the fire place. After dinner, we met everyone up at The Little Blackwood, a well known craft cocktail bar. We all enjoyed a round and shared about all of our romantic, fancy dinners. We all couldn’t eat at all of them so this was a fun way to kinda experience them all. Aft our drink we sent out to end the evening at Onsen Tubs. I do not remember how I stumble across this place, but I am so glad I did. We booked the 1 hour package for blue hour that came with champagne and dark chocolate ice cream – worth the hype. This was so out of our normal of things we do together. It was incredible from the view, the tub and just time to simply be still together and enjoy. I would highly recommend this, it was easily one of our favorite things we did on the trip. 

Day 1 – Queenstown

Wow! The trip so far had been so full and wonderful. We decided for this day we wanted to slow down a bit and just enjoy the town. We started off at coffee and breakfast at Fergbaker which became a staple of the Queenstown morning routine – yes it was that good. I enjoyed the chai lattes, prosciutto sandwich and lemon meringue pie. This was my favorite way to start off any day we had in New Zealand. From here we wandered the streets and shops of the town with our friends enjoying the different outdoor shops and Christmas shopping. Malachi and I got the great idea to poke our heads into the tattoo shops. We decided to get tattoos together – for me to touch up my lupine and add another lupine to it and for him a Kea in the form of traditional Maori. We stopped for a light lunch and went back into the shop to make it happen. My artist, Marcelo, did an amazing job on my tattoo and Bill enjoyed speaking Spanish and learning Portuguese with him. 

Since by the time we got done most of the day was gone we decided to make a dinner plan. We met back up with the rest of our friends for dinner at The Cow since it came recommended to us. We enjoyed the old stone house vibe with cathedral windows and the most amazing garlic bread. However, we all agreed the meal was just okay. From there we all set out for the hot tub at the house to enjoy sunset and blue hour. Don’t worry, we kept the tattoos dry. 

Day 2 – Glenorchy

Another pre-sunrise early start for this day!!! Since we missed the big hike we wanted to do in Wanaka I found a short local’s spot near by trail that was screaming my name. It was only 1.2 miles and only 15 minutes from the house. We set out driving into the mountains saying good morning to the cows and sheep on the road. The trail was no joke. Another whopping 1300 ft of gain in less than a mile. We arrived at the top just in time for sunrise overlooking the lake with another 360 mountain views. We took portraits of our one friend that joined and Bill and I dressed up for some photos together. It felt like we were in a movie similar to The Sound of Music, it didn’t feel real, just beautiful. We hiked down and in many spots butt scooted back down enjoying the birds and ducks near the water. This easily became my second favorite hike on the trip, so much so, I would do it again. 

Once we returned and the rest of the group was awake we set back out for breakfast and coffee. We took a drive along the lake that is within Queenstown just to get out and enjoy the sun and views some. We returned back to our Airbnb to help our friends get ready as were going to photograph their 10 year vow renewal in Glenorchy. They spent the day before scouting out all the locations they wanted to go for the day. This area meant a lot to them from their first trip to New Zealand. After everyone was ready to go we set out for the drive enjoying the incredible mountain views along the way. 

We arrive to the Dart River where they would share their first look among the lupines in the sunshine with you guessed it, another 360 mountain view – it is really a theme. After the first look we drove down a long dirt road even passing a herd of back lit horses running kicking up dust behind them in the direction we were headed. It was one of those by chance, wild movie like moments. We had entered another new National Park in New Zealand – Mount Aspiring. We arrived to the parking area, another….oh I won’t say it, that was simply incredible. No one else around. We gleefully made our way to the river as the sun was perfection. Once we crossed the streams to the perfect spot Aimee + Rob shared their vows with each other – new promises and honoring the past 10 years married together. They danced to their original first dance song and then a new song, Taylor Swift of course. It was a beautiful celebration of our friends love, being back in this place and all of us being together for all of these highs together. 

Day 3 – Deer Park Heights

Sadly, it was the day we checked out of our incredible Airbnb. We all slept in from the late night we had and enjoyed every last minute we had there. This was the day we would drive to the Milford Sound area. However, we wanted to enjoy Queenstown a little more. We started with grabbing a coffee and walking around. Then we enjoyed lunch together at White + Wong’s which was super yummy where we ate buns and baos. During lunch we found a farm that wasn’t as far as the one in Glenorchy to visit. We headed to Deer Park Heights, which was also on the way to Te Anau where we would be staying that night. We were very excited to see the Tahr and Highland Cows. However, the goats may have stole the show lol. We got to basically see one goat be born and watch a little bit of goat culture, we had goats jumping on our car, we watched goats….ya know. The goats were goating. lol. One cool thing about the farm is that parts of the Lord of the Rings triology were filmed there and you can visit the filming sites to take photos. The views from the farm were incredible! It was a very cool experience and I am so glad we did it opposed to our hard hike after it had rained that am. 

Then we set out for our 2 hour drive to Te Anau. Hiking wise here everything is a bit of a drive or pretty long and or steep. So we decided to just grab snacks for the next days long adventure and dine at The Fat Duck. This small towns food was pretty dang good, which to our surprise was the theme almost everywhere we ate. Incredible food was hard to miss. This night I had the steak with mushrooms and pumpkin puree and it was AMAZING. One of the top 3 meals on the trip. 

We headed back to the airbnb for a good nights rest before the road trip and adventures ahead the next day. 

Milford Sound

We woke up and grabbed coffee in town then started our drive to Milford Sound. The drive was said to be 1 hour and 40 minutes, but with the tunnel construction, curvy roads and sights to see along the way, we gave ourselves 3 hours to do it and it was perfect. We stopped many times at view points and lupine fields. We stopped to look for Keas, which are the alpine parrots that are only found on the South Island of New Zealand mentioned in the Mueller Hut section. With a population of only five thousand, it is very exciting to seem them. First the forest in the area is so stunning, then you have this incredible bird with beautiful sounds. Luckily, they are smart and curious birds so they stopped at our car both times we stopped to cross through the tunnel. 

Everyone talks about how beautiful Milford Sounds is, and it truly is, but we were blown away at how beautiful the entire drive was. Every curve brought us a new mountain view graced with cloud inversions. SO MANY WATERFALLS. This place is truly a gem within New Zealand – which says a lot because the entire place is stunning. We arrived to the parking area with enough time for a coffee and light snack before getting onto the boat for our tour of the sound. We were provided lunch as the boat left the dock, then it was to the top deck – wind and all – you have 4 professional photographers on this trip lol…..We enjoyed the views, trying to stand in the wind. Watching for waterfalls and keas and soaking in the sun. We even saw one mountain shaped almost identical to the ever famous El Cap in Yosemite National Park (see photo below, you will know!). 

From here we headed over to our friend staying closer to the Sound’s stay to get ready as we were all trading sessions again around sunset back at the sound. We headed out as the sun got lower in the sky, a little later in the day. We were surprised to see the parking lot had emptied and we essentially had the entire place to ourselves once again. We took some photos with Mitre peak behind us – having fun and dancing around with our bare feet in the sand. The view was so incredible, we truly did not want to leave when the time came, but with the 8pm tunnel closure we definitely had to go, lol. It was fun though to drive back in the day time to see the views from the opposite direction, in sunset light and drive those winding roads not in the dark.

Since we arrived back so late and tired, we made to go pizzas at our Airbnbs and of course looked through all the incredible photos from the day. 

Te Anau back to Queenstown

With another rainy morning the hikes we wanted to go on were off the table, so we enjoyed a slow morning at the Airbnb packing up and grabbing breakfast. We set our for a glow worm tour off of the lake in Te Anau. To get to the cave the worms are in you get to do another boat tour! It was fun seeing the islands and mountain views. Truly I was blown away at how big all the lakes were we saw and they all had the most beautiful blue waters. When we arrived it felt like we were all of in a juggle safari movie. It had rained the night before and morning of so I was glad to have our rain jackets and pants for the tour. No phones or cameras were allowed, sadly. We got to walk in the first bit of the cave, dodging the low hanging rocks. There was so much water in the cave an we got to see some beautiful waterfalls coming down the caves rocky paths. We reached the point where our tour go into a small boat where the guide would pull us through on a pully systems. At this point it was lights out. I honestly got a little panicky as it was super dark, tight, wet and the glow worms were hanging over head lol. The glow worms glow a beautiful blue color and it looks like a night sky – which is also the way they lure their food. While it was a little difficult for me to relax, the experience was very neat and I enjoyed learning about the worms, which are actual just fly larva.  

After the tour, we popped in for a quick lunch at a nearby spot before heading over to the local bird sanctuary which has many rare birds you can go see for free. We mainly went to the bird sanctuary to see the Takahē which has been described as a blue chicken. They are even more rare and endangered than the Kea. After seeing the birds it was time for our drive back to Queenstown. By this point for me it was setting in how sad I was this trip was coming to an end….

Since this day was also Malachi’s birthday we joined them for dinner at Pedro’s by the Lake which was a yummy tapas place. It was great to dine outside with the view and to people watch. We enjoyed music by the nearby guitar player who’s dog sang the songs for him. After dinner we went to Perky’s which was super fun to have a drink on the deck of a boat on the lake as the sunset below the mountains around us. From Perky’s we went back to what had become all of ours favorite bar in town, Little Mez, which to no one’s surprise if you know me, is a Mezcal bar. We decided to keep bar hopping as we were enjoying the different scenes in town and stopped at 5 Below the ice bar and Cowboy’s. 

It was a fun night taking in the different little nooks on the town and just cutting loose together. 

***The photo of the Glow worm cave is from the Real NZ website for the tour as we were not allowed to take photos.

Last Day in Queenstown

For our last day in Queenstown we decided to fully live it up. We wanted to soak in every single minute we had. We started with you guessed it – coffee and breakfast. Then we headed away from Queenstown for a bike and wine tour we had signed. up for at Gibbston Valley. We picked up our electric assist bikes and started out with a small route to a view point before our wine tour into the wine cave and tasting. It was so fun to learn about the process of wine making here. While we enjoy wine a lot, we had never done a tour! The cave cellar we visited it the oldest and largest one in New Zealand! After the tour and tasting we hopped back onto the bikes to ride around the wine country of New Zealand. We biked past people bungee jumping, historic and swinging bridges and farmland. As we rode along the bike tour, the air just smelled amazing and the views were awesome. It was such a fun time! After our ride we went back to the wineries restaurant for lunch. We shared the heirloom tomato salad and a spinach gnocchi and beet plate. I was honestly truly shocked at how good the food was and I  really enjoyed the meal. As we drove out of wine country we stopped at one more winery for a quick tasting. I am truly excited for the wines we bought and brought back home with us to enjoy for our Christmas dinner. 

We wasted no time, once back in town we went to the gondola of Queenstown for a lift up part of the mountain. From there we started our hike up the mountain. Another incredibly steep hike up, up, up. The terrain on this one was much easier and we flew up the first half of the mountain. Once the view of mountains was revealed to us the terrain went back to a rocky scramble and super steep loose rock. We reached the top and I thought it was super cool we could see the top of the tiny mountain we hiked up our first trail in Queenstown. Which at the time felt huge, but not compared to the beast we were standing on. We could see many snow peaks around us in the distance, all of Queenstown and more. It was a wonderful last hike to do for our time in New Zealand. 

Since it was our last night we enjoyed a romantic dinner alone. We started at what is said to be the best Mexican in town for a cocktail and appetizer. Then we headed over to Boardwalk for dinner. It was the perfect spot for a final dinner – quiet, good drinks, romantic, great views and yummy seafood. 

Queenstown Hike – Ben Lomond

Things I learned about New Zealand from Visiting

• People in New Zealand (locals = Kiwis) are extremely kind. You will also meet so many people from all over the world. 
• The hikes are STEEP and you need to arrive early for parking for anything easily found on social media or All Trails. 
• Breakfast pies are a thing and they are AMAZING. 
• DO NOT FEED THE KEAS. They are friendly, smart birds. You put them at risk by further conditioning them to beg for human scraps.
• Drives will be longer because few people seem to drive the speed limit.
• At night drive carefully as there are many bunnies and hedgehogs on the road. 
• Be careful ordering an ice coffee as there may be ice cream in it. Unless you like sweet coffees! 
• You do not need to tip in New Zealand.
• When you visit, you truly will want to come back. Everyone said this to us and I was like yeah for sure we will love it. But no really, we want to move there and never leave now…
• Queenstown is similar to Sedona, but better in all ways when it comes to being a tourist town, but do expect it to be a tourist town. The food is amazing. Uber into town or expect to park in paid lots or decks. 
• New Zealand has a strong connection to their native people, Māori and a lot of signs and info is in english but also Māori.
• Airbnbs are cheaper in New Zealand than in the states in some situations. They are also beautifully designed and it is likely to have a full window view of the mountains surrounding you. However, most of the homes did not have ac and the windows get hot, baking the home. While you are adventuring for the day close all the blinds!!!! Thank me later  
• Driving on the left side of the road for me felt really natural and easy. For Bill it was a little harder. Our entire group noticed we tended to hug the left edge of the road when driving. Do not stress about it, if you are a passenger, just remember the phrase “stay left” for your driver when making turns and such! 
• You might want to buy a to go coffee cup or a Chunky Loan Cup as a lot of place in New Zealand will not give you a to go cup for coffee outside of the more touristy areas. New Zealand really values no waste. 

Things I wish we had done different while in New Zealand

Our trip was honestly amazing, probably by far the best trip I have ever gone on. So this is more of a list of things I would do in the future…

• Rent a camper van and stay for at the very least 18 days. For the amount of hiking we would like to do I think a month would be even better. 
• When visiting Mt Cook, stay at the Mt Cook resort or stay in a camper van in the parking lot for at least a night or two. Otherwise no matter what, you have a 1 hour drive each way. This makes it easier to park and to see sunrise and sunset in a truly stunning place. I think it would be worth it! 
• Take longer breaks between hikes. I had so many hikes I wanted to do, but wow, I was too sore after one to do another lol. The hikes are steep and there is not any shade on them. They take a lot out of you.
• Plan 1-2 extra days than you want/expect in each town or area you visit. 
• Fly in and out at night. 
• At your first store run  – buy sunscreen and bug spray. Sand flies are often found near water systems and they are tiny little biters that will leave you itching. 
• Enjoy yourself + prepare for that. The food is good, enjoy dining out, especially in Queenstown. Go see the places! The gas is not cheap….

Top Recommendations from our trip

• Mueller Hut – stay overnight in the hut for a cozy backpacking experience, you will need to make reservation in advance.
• Milford Sound – hang out long enough to experience the Keas and take a boat tour
• Onsen Pools
• Gibbson Valley Tour – ride the bikes around for the day, plan ahead with your tasting bookings and enjoy lunch. 
• The Bunker (our friends would also highly recommend Rata and The Nest) – these are all restaurants in Queenstown
• If you are a Mezcal girlie like me def go have a drink at The Mez.
• A farm tour – we loved our tour at Deer Park Heights so much. I would also recommend checking out one we found online in Glenorchy called Glenorchy Farm Experience 
• New Zealand in general. If you have ever considered it, but haven’t gone do it! It is amazing. Truly everywhere you go is beautiful. There is so much adventure for any level of experience to do. Overall 1000/10 experience. 

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Adventure + Vow’s Look Back on 2022

This year was a year of celebrations to say the least. Celebrating so many love stories + days of saying heck yes to adventure + authenticity!

Bill + I (your adventure elopement photographers!) celebrated many personal milestones and also celebrated with so many of you all on your elopement day!! This year was a huge year for us as we transitioned out of van life + bought our first home in Washington state. We didn’t leave road life though, we are now traveling around in our Tacoma + travel trailer. While our dog, Tucker, celebrated his one year birthday, Bill celebrated his first whole year full time with the team!

We hosted our fourth Love on Earth workshop in Joshua Tree!

This year we photographed elopements in Puerto Rico, Utah, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington! This year we were featured in Dancing with Her, I Do Destinations, Wandering Weddings, Junebug’s Top 50 Wedding Photos of 2022, Honorable Mention for Junebug’s Top Wedding Photos + Nominated for Range Finders Rising 30 Stars.

Each year we try to blog as many of our couples stories about their elopement day as we can. We thought it would be fun this year to share some images of each elopement we photographed + some of our favorite things about the day! We hope you enjoy these little stories and beautiful images from all of our couple’s elopement days!!

We truly can not thank the Adventure + Vow couples enough for being so open with us in the planning process and the elopement day. We believe this is a co-create space and none the words or images below would be possible with out THEM being THEM! We thank them for trusting us in hearing their vision for the day, trusting us to help plan their day, trusting us to be there with them on such an important and special day and of course trusting us to truly capture them as a couple, their story and their experience.

Feb to May Elopements

We started this year off in Puerto Rico capturing Tory + Samantha’s elopement day. We had never been to Puerto Rico. We truly didn’t know what to expect. We were so stoked to meet these two the day before at a potential location for the ceremony where we explore a rooftop overlooking the mountains and ocean – it felt like we had just met up with old friends. Little did we know, we would become friends! The elopement day itself was filled with so many emotions, so much connection between family, friends and the couple themselves. It was a perfect balance of nature + community. Later in the year Samantha + Troy moved to Sedona + started their own massage space, we highly recommend booking a couples massage if you are eloping in the area!

Our first week back in Sedona we photographed 3 elopements + 2 proposals. Two of those elopements were in the same day!! For sunrise we photographed Jacie + Brandon’s elopement at Cathedral Rock (Check out how to Elope there here!). They chose their location based on their past experience there + desire to share it with their loved ones. We loved that they road away from their ceremony on a tandem mountain bike! We love seeing couples include their favorite things to do together on their elopement day! For sunset, we photographed Maggie + Ashton’s elopement at a new location in Sedona for us! We love capturing this moment in a couple’s life there is so much joy, love and excited nerves floating around! It was a beautiful ceremony, with the occasional plane flying just above us.

Kristina + Cejay’s elopement you may have seen before, as one of their images won the Junebug Top Wedding Photos contest this year. Their elopement ceremony is one I smile back on for how emotional their two children were that their parents were tying the knot! After a rainy day in Sedona the sky showed off a stunning sunset just before setting behind the mountains in the distance. It was a beautiful day celebrating a long standing love story.

Next we photographed Ted + Channing’s elopement! I truly think of the word, calmness, when I recall their elopement day. As they got ready in an Airbnb they were sharing with their guests + where they would later have a beautiful intimate dinner the house was quiet + peaceful. Outside there was a light drizzle, the smell of desert rain.

Dani + Cameron eloped in Sedona, but stayed in this beautiful A Frame cabin, which unknown to us, we would eventually + soon be living in our own little cabin! We love this A-frame space where they got to hangout together, write their vows and enjoy just being together before setting out for adventure. They got married in the most private location followed by games + a champagne spray. Then we headed back to the cabin where they shared pizza by the fire – bound for a cozy night!

Tyler + Cassy’s elopement spanned over two days starting at one of our favorite Airbnb’s in Sedona where they got ready with their family that was there supporting them and celebrating their elopement with them. We all jeeped up to MGR for a ceremony + an amazing sunset where these two explored every nook MGR had to offer! The following day we met up with them at a different Airbnb for some unique getting ready photos followed by joining their family for a chef prepared dinner. Bill and I both sobbed through their family’s toasts + first dances. We enjoyed dinner with them + drinks afterwards. We even stayed the night in our van in their Airbnb’s drive away – a first and last for us since now the van is on new adventures, with new owners.

We loved that Cassy’s dad recorded the song for their elopement video:

Cole + Shannon eloped in Utah (Learn more about eloping in Utah here!) with their closest family + kids. Since they loved their trip to the Southwest prior to getting married, they knew they wanted to come back for more memories and to share it with family. Shannon’s sister + Cole surprised her with a video package from us on the day of! It was so fun to see her reaction following the first look in Arches National Park. We loved that they included little bits and pieces of all the things that were important to them to capture on this day – arches, off roading, glamping, a ceremony with family, a first dance + sunset in the desert. As the sun set the canyons turned so many beautiful stunning colors on this day!

Emily + Andrew split their day, as many of our couples do, spending the morning to themselves and the evening with their friends and family in Sedona. The intimate location for the morning was a perfect place to share their emotional vows together, cinnamon rolls (something they eat together on the weekend mornings). The evening was so fun celebrating with everyone from the ceremony to a beautiful dinner under a clear tent where they dined and danced!

Carlos + Grace traveled from the East coast to Sedona for their elopement. We started the day in the dark meeting in a movie theatre parking lot…to get in a van to go on a sunrise hot air balloon, of course! It was a peaceful way to start the day floating above the sky seeing the red rocks and other balloons around us. The second half of the day we went off roading to an overlook for a ceremony started off by a unity cocktail and of coursed sealed their ceremony with a kiss. We spent the rest of the evening exploring the area and watching the incredibly colorful sunset.

MacKenzie + Aaron traveled from Seattle to Sedona to elope at sunrise in Sedona. Little did we know this would not be the last time we saw these two!! They were some of the first to know we had bought a house in WA + we got to do a styled shoot with them at Baker Lake, where we even go to meet their adorable pup, Kona. Their elopement was a beautiful morning with so much stoke to be outside on a hike in the red rocks getting married!

After a week in Joshua Tree for the Love on Earth Workshop that we host, we came back to Sedona to photograph Chae + Elon’s elopement! We bonded quickly with this Florida couple over their love for their cats! They came to Sedona with their four closest friends, one of which who performed their ceremony! They also shared touching private vows while their friends and set up a picnic for them. As the sun started to set they all joined together for champagne and cake. You can tell the bond these two have and the bond they have with their friends is strong. It was a joyous celebration!

Christine + Ellis, a local Arizona couple, eloped in Sedona with their friends and family. We loved that Christine shared a first look with her father at a beautiful location over looking Cathedral Rock which was followed walking just a littler further to share a first look with Ellis! They then headed up to their ceremony spot with family before sending them back to the Airbnb to start on dinner + celebrating. However, the two of them stayed up top the overlook to watch sunset and spend quality time together. You can tell these two love traveling together, sharing a sense of humor and passion together. Ellis was quick to come up with photo ideas for them, which we love- this is a collaboration of your love, your inspirations, our inspirations and creative story telling.

BRING IN THE PUPS! Paige + Marshall shared their elopement with their family + friends, but also their fur babies! They picked the perfect ceremony location for easy access for the family, a beautiful view, but also water to keep the fluffs busy + happy! Marshall’s dad officiated the ceremony of which they all ended with a jump of glee! Before we parted ways with the pups and family they all shared toasts together in merriment that these two were married + they were all one family now! For the evening we off roaded to an over look for a private first dance and to watch their first sunset as a married couple. While back down in the valley their family watched sunset from a different vista and prepared for a lovely dinner.

We luckily got to meet up with Shay + Justin a bit before their elopement for their engagement session at Horseshoe Bend. During their camping engagement session we learned a few things about these two – 1. We had inspired them to get outside more! (Que the emotions for me). 2. They were madly, head over heals for each other. 3. We were going to love capturing their elopement day! We met up with them that morning to capture them writing their vows together back to back by the river as the sun came up over Cathedral. We love when couples carve out a little time to just be with each other, even if they have guests at their elopements. We later met back up with them to capture them getting ready with family + their son. Shay shared a very cute, emotional first look with her dad before heading off to the ceremony. Justin’s dad officiated the ceremony for them. Afterwards, they embraced the wind for some fun celebrating their marriage just them two before heading back to the beautiful dinner they had set up at their Airbnb under twinkle lights.

Maggie + Rex had a vision – we enjoyed so much meeting with them via zoom to discuss their plans for their day + elopement video and help bring it to life. These two ventured into the depths of the desert for one of the most unique + beautiful places I think there is in Arizona to get married! They started their elopement day off with a romantic picnic together overlooking Lake Powell + reading funny + serious letters written to them by their friends and family. Then we went on an off road adventure to a different land. They helped each other get ready by the jeep they had rented and walked hand in hand to the perfect nook for their elopement. We explored the area until the sun went down, but the fun wasn’t over yet. As we made our way back to town we stopped at another mars like location and took star photos under the large boulders looming around us.

Our last elopement in Arizona before our road trip North to Washington was back in Sedona with Taylor + Lynsey. These two got married with all of their loved ones surrounding them at Crescent Moon ranch in Sedona. It was a beautiful spring day – the sun was out, the grass was green and the river was flowing near by. After the ceremony we set off for their own adventure – where Lynsey had scoped out a specific nook she wanted to go to and take photos. They popped a bottle of champagne and played a game of chess as the sunset behind the red rock mountains. They truly took in the sunset together, one of my favorite ways to end an elopement – just the couple in their space, soaking in all the beauty. After making our way back down the mountain we re-joined their friends and family for dinner, drinks and time around the fire.

Now back in Washington + settling into our home we geared up for our first elopement back in Leavenworth with D’Anne + Paul. We got the chance to meet D’Anne + Paul during their inquiry process, something we do not get to do often. We chatted over coffee and the rest is history! We got to meet up with them again later that year to capture their engagement session in Olympic National Park on the coast. Their elopement spanned over two days – the first day getting ready with their friends and family. Paul even smoked their own meat for dinner throughout the day with his groomsmen. That evening before sunset they held their ceremony + reception back at the Airbnb. The following morning we met up for a sunrise hike to capture portraits of them with the snow capped mountains. They exchanged letters with each other and split a pretzel, which of course you have to do when in Leavenworth!

June to September Elopements

We met Allison + Brittley for their engagement session the year before their elopement in Yosemite National Park. We were super stoked to get to hangout with them again! We met them out on Orcas Island the day before their elopement to say hello + see the Airbnb space. Funny enough, we ended up at the same fire event that evening in the bay and got to hangout with them and some of their guests. Their elopement was filled with adventure. We started off at sunrise kayaking around the bay as they wrote their vows and looked for sea animals. We then met up with them at their Airbnb for getting ready images and a first look which was followed by a sea plane ride from the ocean to a lake in the mountains. Here they would share their private vows. They dined with their guests, whom some of which shared toasts before hiking out to their ceremony at sunset. We have been lucky enough since this day to get to hangout with them in San Fransisco!

Meg + Alex wanted mountains, beauty, good food, easy hiking and an LGBT friendly community – Oregon immediately came to mind. After exploring Portland together they ventured out to mountains for their elopement. They stayed in the most stunning cabin where they got ready + shared a first look. We spent the day doing all of their favorite things and doing new things too! They had their ceremony at sunset filled with tears, laughter and so much love!!!! We ended the night under the milky way by the mountain!

Jamie + Brian booked us knowing exactly what they wanted; to revisit all the places along the Oregon coast they explored on the day they got engaged! They eloped on the one year anniversary of their engagement with their mother’s and sibling present. Jamie’s brother officiated the ceremony. After going to all of the beautiful locations they ended their evening by a private camp fire on the beach with their family. It was a private and beautiful day.

America + John-Mark eloped in Olympic National Park – our first one of the year there! We LOVE shooting here for its diverse landscapes. These two started out at a waterfall surrounded by lush forest. Then we started hiking up, and up and up. They held their ceremony overlooking the lake. They shared their vows straight from the heart in a solemnizing manner. It was beautiful how intentional theirs were. They pushed their boundaries together on this day + celebrated the relationship and life they are building together! We ended the evening by the lake, all to ourselves under the stars.

Payton + Blake were our next couple in Olympic for this year! They eloped on the coast at a new beach after the park closed Ruby Beach due to maintenance. They brought along their closest friends for their ceremony + mini reception hanging out by the fire with drinks and sandwiches. These two got us into a new pattern as Bill + I have been making the sandwich they had ever since then as a snack for when we are on elopements!!! We love beach elopements so much because they are just so much FUN, you get to be free and play. They explored the rocky coast running around, hanging out and looking at sea creatures in the water and on the rocks. The evening ended with a colorful, red sunset.

Kati + Tom started off their elopement day by the bay in a beautiful, spacious Airbnb they had rented with their family. Kati got ready with her mom + shared a first look with her dad before seeing Tom for the first time that day. It was so fun starting the day off by the water with Mt Rainier in the distance. We loaded up the party busy for our drive out to Hurricane ridge. They ended their elopement day on a hike with just them, watching sunset and making snow angels like they did on their first date.

Our first elopement in Mt Rainier for the year was with Jaime + Joel! We always love coming back to Mt Rainier as it is where we ourselves eloped! These two started off their elopement day hiking together at sunrise to a beautiful view point of the mountain where they shared a first look + private vows. My favorite thing about the day was Jaime saying every so often how happy she was and how thankful she was to be up on this mountain with Joel getting married! After the hike we went back to their airbnb for a ceremony with their family + breakfast. We met later that day in Seattle at a local brewery for a bigger, casual reception with their loved ones.

Claire + Rylan’s elopement spanned over two days in Olympic National Park. Day one consisted of their first look and private vows by a waterfall. Then they got married in a meadow with their family present. The next morning we met up at sunrise for them to explore the rocky coast line and then have a picnic with their family at Lake Crescent. We loved how much these two loved the National Parks and got to share such a diverse one with their family who had all traveled to Washington from Texas!

Monica + Sam rented a cute A-Frame just outside of Mt Rainier. Right before their elopement we had discovered a camp site that sits just across a creek from the cabin! We were so stoked to stay close by, just a hop and a skip away – perfect for an early am sunrise start. We met the day before at the cabin to go over the days plan and just hang out a bit. The morning starting out hiking up in the mountains under the stars. In the am they shared a first look and held their ceremony. From there, we heading to a waterfall for a picnic. After a nap, we met back up at the cabin for dinner, drinks, letters, games by a fire and some late night adventuring across a river to see the stars!

Check out their elopement video for a surprise proposal!!

Smoke was surrounding the mountains in Washington early September, but Genesis + Eduardo had chosen just the right day + trail to avoid it! You could call it a sign! We met them at their cabin to capture some getting ready shots, share a first look and they also planted a plant at their stay in honor of starting to grow their marriage together. We traveled to Mt Rainier National Park to start hiking through the trees and up the mountain to a beautiful overlook of Mt Rainier where they got married, lucky enough, without anyone there for their ceremony other than one witness! We watched the sunset drop below the trees and the full moon rise over the mountain peaks.

Then we were off to Yosemite National Park for Michele + James elopement! Stoke was high for the big hike ahead. We started mid morning hiking up towards Taft point. With the road closed the hike would be 19 miles with about 5200 ft of gain. It was a journey – a new hike for all of us – similar to the one they did when they got engaged in Yosemite. After their private vows, we met a guy from Serbia who was living in Germany but on a self discovery trip in the States! He joined our group to hike down so that he could stay safe on the long journey. Our hike down was if we were in a snow globe of stars! Day 2 of Michele + James’s elopement was spent with family celebrating their marriage with family and friends in what was one of the most unique and beautiful ceremonies we’ve captured. Bill + I definitely shed some tears behind our camera.

October to November Elopements

And just like that, it was time to head back to the desert! Our first stop was Zion National Park for Pela + Marty’s elopement. This was such a fun day that started out grabbing coffee in the rain, I always love a rainy desert! After waiting out the rain they went kayaking in a nearby lake surrounded by red rock mountains to write their vows and spend a nice slow morning together. Then they got ready at their unique tiny house stay outside of the park where they also shared a first look. We headed to their ceremony location tucked away in a private little canyon. After their ceremony, it was time for more adventure in the park! We hiked out for sunset to an incredible vista view. Ending the night under the stars, dancing and enjoying an amazing chef prepared dinner!

Back in Sedona we got to capture Kristin + Jordan’s elopement! These two connected on their love of cars at first, so naturally off roading was a part of their elopement day! They got ready with their families, but sent them off to the ceremony location so they could privately share an emotional first look together! They tied the knot surrounded by their loved ones. Then it was their own adventure time! At the top they shared, even more, emotional vows + a fun private first dance! It was fun, it was them and it was connected!!!!

We started Michaela + Marshall’s elopement in Flagstaff surrounded by the aspens with yellow leaves, tall grass and mountain peaks. They shared a private first look with Humphrey’s in the background before Michaela’s dad walked her down the trail to marry Marshall. After they sealed the deal with a kiss, they were surprised with a couple of folks they knew – who were funny enough celebrating their own wedding anniversary! We headed for Sedona for an adventure, picnic, first dance and watching the sunset. It was a beautiful celebration of their love and relationship story!

Randilynn + Patrick’s elopement was super chill + fun! They eloped with their family around them overlooking several of Sedona’s features! Then we headed out for their own fun + hike to the other side of town for totally different rock features! I loved the contrast of her ballgown dress in the desert and the coordination of his suit color with the green in Sedona! After sunset and exploring several different areas, we met back up with their family for dinner, toasts and dancing! Let me tell you, if you ever need a group of folks to have a night of fun with on the dance floor its this family!!! It was such a great evening!!!

We got the chance earlier in the year to meet Amanda and Matt while they were visiting Sedona for a mountain bike trip, something they often do! We went back to the location on their wedding day for them to share Sedona’s beauty with their family as they got married! Of course, the universe would make sure a few mountain bikers crashed the ceremony biking around them during their vows. These two really braved the wind of Sedona cliffs before heading to a different location to watch sunset and cuddle up in the back of their truck. We met back up with family for dinner, speeches, dances and quality time at a beautiful reception space Amanda had coordinated.

Then it was back to Zion for Amy + Max’s elopement! Bill and I spent the day before their elopement exploring the areas more that they were going to spend their elopement day at. Turned out the next day at sunrise though their location was closed. This wasn’t the first road block we had to conquer this year by any means, and luckily we are always thinking ahead for moments just like this. Thankfully Amy + Max were flexible and open to the adventure so we headed towards a different trail! We arrived at the end of the trail just in time for blue hour and spent the morning exploring together this new beautiful area of the park. It worked out wonderfully, Max stating maybe even better than plan A. After a stop to get coffee, one of their all time favorite things to do together, we met up with family for their ceremony on the other side of the park. Ending their elopement with a picnic and chatting about the rest of their honeymoon road trip plans!

Want to talk about braving the weather? Kara + Tyler eloped in Payson, Arizona on an off season rainy day. It started out sunny and beautiful getting ready with the family. We left the Airbnb for a first look, prompted by a pine cone throw:) followed by them sharing their private vows. On the way to the ceremony with family, we stopped to take photos with the stunning bright red and orange leaves. Upon arriving at the ceremony the wild wind had started. They shared their ceremony just before the rain made its way out past the ridge. On the way back to the Airbnb we stopped to take more portraits all around the forest, places we probably wouldn’t have stopped other wise and it was so pretty. We met back up with family and friends at the Airbnb for dancing, toasts and a good dinner! It was a wonderful day of surprises and fun – an adventurous day for sure!

Kayla + Michael traveled to Sedona from Kansas to celebrate their marriage with friends, family and their daughters. Kayla and Michael shared a first look and private vows together at a view point before joining the rest of their group at their ceremony. They had a unique colorful unity cocktail as a part of their ceremony that they can enjoy for the rest of their marriage. The celebration was just beginning though! As these two headed out to Vegas with their friends for their honeymoon!

Check out the last video we capture for the year!!

We got to spend two magical days with Chelsee + Tucker for their adventurous rock climbing elopement! After many zoom calls planning the climb we felt like we were already pals with these two come the morning of day one at their elopement. We set out for them to start climbing the seven pitches and 600 foot red rock wall. We danced around photographing them on each pitch in all different ways, sometimes in the air, sometimes by foot and sometimes by rope. Day one ended hiking back under the stars! Day two, started by hiking out in the stars to their first look + private vow location. It was a perfect + intentional way to start off the day before parting ways for them to get ready with their friends and family before re-meeting to walk down the trail/aisle to their ceremony where the rest of their guests had gathered. The evening was spent at Amara having dinner + drinks. We couldn’t leave without sending them a few sneak peaks for the big screen to share with everyone. When it came to say good bye all four us were literally in tears.

Fun side note: From our first elopement this year, the groom Troy, actually went out with us on one of our scouting trips to climb this route! The thing is, if you haven’t picked up on it, none of our couples (to my knowledge) know each other, but they are all a part of something. They are all in this family, this network, this state of being true to themselves, passionate about their relationship, lovers of the outdoors and connection.

We met Sydney + Bailey in the dark at the trailhead, a common thing for us. We got to the spot just as blue hour started to showcase all the beauty around us where they helped each other get ready. They shared their first dance together surrounded by red rocks and nothing else. It was so surreal and beautiful. We started to make our way back down the trail to meet up with their families for their ceremony. Both of their mother’s gave moving speeches during their ceremony and then after the ceremony a couple of family members gave moving toasts (Learn more about planning an elopement ceremony!). After the ceremony we headed out towards the river for lunch and some down time relaxing in the hammock, some thing they did often together during their time in college in Flagstaff, where they met. While we didn’t get to end their elopement day with them we are sure it was nothing less than amazing as they dined and hung out with their guests!

Ahhhh this brings us to our last elopement of 2022! Scott + Raine (and the puppos!) planned a beautiful day for their elopement in Sedona. They got ready together and headed out to the river for a picnic with the puppos. They asked us to include a couple of surprises in locations throughout the day. Surprise number one was this lookout with a view of thunder mountain that was dog friendly. On the way to the ceremony location after leaving the pups at home we went to surprise number two, where together they conquered a fear of heights and fully embraced the experience together! Then it was time for their ceremony! We LOVED that Scott had written Raine a story printed in a book with illustrations of which he read to start off the ceremony. Their day was intentional and meaningful + perfectly them!

Final thoughts on the 2022 elopement season!

We are so blessed and grateful to get to capture our couples love stories. We hope that you can feel our love for our couples through this. We truly live by the phrase that when you are here you are family. Yes, we know that is an Olive Garden statement. Funny enough though Bill + I both used to work there many many years ago We do this “job” not just because we are passionate about connection, photography + the outdoors but because we are passionate about our values. We love so much that so many of our couples relate to us on these values and how we look at life.

Eloping is not just a wedding day, it is a start of your future together and a celebration of the time you have already spent together – your way.

We were blessed to have received our 100th (and more) 5 star review on google this year! Check it out below:

“My wife and I decided to have a small elopement for our wedding day and after extensive research of looking through all the pros in the business, we found Adventure & Vow. After initially chatting with Traci and Bill, we immediately felt connected to them and quickly learned how thorough and professional they are to work with. Traci was so communicative and provided us with multiple options and ideas that fit not only our dream wedding day, but also was able to schedule a last minute engagement photo session in Yosemite with us prior to our elopement.

Every aspect of our experience with them was phenomenal! Traci and Bill plan out every detail and are willing to go above and beyond to make your day what you want it to be. They took a ferry to Orcas Island, WA (check it out!), woke up at 4am, and got in a kayak for us to have a sunrise photo session to start our unforgettable elopement. They even had to deal with another vendor of ours who ended up being terrible. They handled it with grace and in the best interest and support of us, as their clients, when they didn’t even need to.

Our family and friends loved Traci and Bill’s energy and focus! They, to this day, continuously gave us compliments about their work and how excited they were to see the photos and video. Traci and Bill truly planned and facilitated our dream wedding, and I couldn’t have been happier with everything. I truly recommend Adventure and Vow!! Upon your first interaction with them, we know you will see and feel how wonderful they are!” – Brittley

This year we experienced a lot of change and growth in our own lives, but also in our business. This was our first full year with Canon mirrorless cameras and we are obsessed with all of their capabilities, especially in low light situations like star photos. We pushed ourselves this year in bettering our experience for our couples and also creatively – which we will continue to do in 2023.

This year was packed with adventure, love, expression, joy and overcoming obstacles.

Some of our own personal favorite adventure + images from this year!

Our last images with the van and in Arizona before we headed to our new home! Photos taken by our good friend, Shell Creek Photography.

A few images from our reception in TN, we eloped in 2021 + held our reception this year!

A few photos from exploring different parts of Washington!

Photos on the “job” with some of our couples <3

…..and of course this years Christmas Card photo

Range Finder Rising 30 Stars Nomination

My personal goal this year was to be named Range Finder’s Rising 30 stars in the wedding industry. Why? Well to put it simply, every photographer I l have looked up to in this industry has achieved this honor + well I am a bit of a competitive person lol This honor is what seems to me the top honor in this industry and must be achieved within your first 5 years of business.

You can not apply, you must be nominated. This worldwide competition only accepts 250 photographers portfolios of their 30 best images for review. Then they name the top 30 Rising Stars – the best of the best.

This year I was nominated. For the first time. I was elated. After a grueling few weeks going through all the work I have created during my time as a full time elopement photographer pulling the best and organizing them, doing portfolio reviews and endless thinking I found out I didn’t get it. I was devastated.

Really the whole experience was a roller coaster and it was right in the middle of our busiest season, Fall. This experience has taught me so much about myself and my work. It has showed me what I love about my work and what things I hope to improve on even more in 2023. The thing about me is (which I think shows through our business – is that I never give up, I never stop learning, I never stop brainstorming or creating.)

This is something I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk about as it feels taboo, like I ALMOST got this huge award. I also don’t want to jinx myself for possibly getting it in the future. However, I think it is always important to celebrate milestones no matter how big they are. (If you know us + our process for elopement planning, then you know we are all about date night! Don’t worry we had an “oh well, didnt get lets celebrate anyway date night!)

I worked super hard this year for my nomination. Next year I will be working even harder. I have to give a huge shout out to Bill for hearing me talk about this non-stop this year. For helping me through endless reviews of my images, going through every persons portfolio that has ever won, breaking the news to me I didn’t get, but most importantly always, always supporting me and being my biggest support system. Working together full time and on the road a lot is not always the easiest thing to do – but we both feel so so lucky to get to do it!

Hope you enjoy a few of the images that were in my portfolio for the review/nomination that were photographed this year! And here’s to hopes we get it next year!

2023 Goals

We always set personal goals + business goals for the next year. Here are just a few of our goals we are working towards for 2023 elopements. Do you want to be a part of ticking these off the list with us?

• Photographing an elopement in Alaska – note! We will be there in August
• Photographing an elopement in Iceland and/or Norway! (Planning to go in the Summer!)
• Photographing a backpacking elopement!! (You can have llamas carry all of your items!)
• Hitting our 150th 5 star Google review from our amazing couples <3

Have us photograph your 2023 Elopement!

We would love to capture your 2023 elopement story! If you are looking for a 2023 elopement photographer check out the remainder of our availability below:

We often get asked a lot about what life is like living in a van.

We also get a lot of questions about this lifestyle within our industry. Like how to do van life as a full-time, professional photographer. In this blog I want to cover a little bit about our experience and our story living in a van. I also want to answer a lot of the questions we hear frequently about how to do this and work full time virtually.

My story with Van life started in the spring of 2019, as a single lady on the road with two cats. I bought an old crappy van for $7,000. That was already built out and livable. I chose to buy a van and move into it full time because I wanted to get my business off the ground. I knew I needed to travel and get content in the areas I wanted to work in. The only way I could afford to do that at the time was in a van and with that an affordable van. We moved in and traveled through Colorado, Washington, Utah, California, and Arizona. Unfortunately, I had to sell the van in October of 2019 because it was simply breaking down too much and draining my bank account. I moved into an apartment soon. Meeting Bill, my husband, and the other half of Adventure and Vow. He was also living in van and had been doing this lifestyle for around two and half years already. I bought another van once we started dating. Fast forward and now we are in the same van together both working full-time the business. Our current van is a Dodge ProMaster, the shortest wheel base that you can purchase. We bought it completely gutted, and Bill built out the van himself. We were rushed on time for our build since our busy season would be starting soon, so the build only took us 4 months. Our van is complete with a sink, a stove, a fridge, an emergency toilet, a special cubby hole for Indies cat litter and we have two fans to keep the kitty and dog comfortable. Since we have moved into the same van together, we have definitely had to get rid of more things than we did living separately. It’s also almost a full-time job maintaining the van with the pets as well. The van has taken us to jobs in Washington, California, Utah, Colorado and Arizona. We traveled cross-country in it twice now and we love it, the van definitely feels like home. It can get crowded at times but it is doable for us.

How much does Van life cost?

We get asked this question probably the most, it’s really hard to answer this question because the cost of Van life truly depends on if you already own a house and you’re planning to keep it or if you’re going to be full-time or not full time. How much money are you spending on a rig? Are you going to need to work on your van? Do plan on camping for free or do you plan on booking campsites, often or airbnb’s often? Do you plan to build it out on your own, hire someone to do it or buy already built out and do repairs?

These are all questions that go into determining your cost for Van life. When thinking about buying a van my suggestion would be sit down together or with just yourself and decide how much can you spend. From there decide what your life will like being full time, etc and make sure this works with your budget. Once you have a budget for a van you can start shopping. You can find an older van for anything from 5k-10k that could function for your needs, or you can buy a newer van from anywhere from 17-100k. This is why it is hard to stay what your cost would be getting started because the options vary. Our current rig set up cost 17k for the van and around 15k for the build, however, both of us spent around 7k for our first vans one lasted a year and the other two years.

What are the monthly expenses once you are in your van full time?

For us, we basically pay gas and oil changes, which we drive a lot of miles so this adds up for us quickly. Those are our main expenses with living in the van. Outside of that, we try to think that we will probably spend around five grand each year, on maintenance. For example, this past December, we had to spend $3,000 to fix the radiator and spark plugs, but this cost is still cheaper than renting hotel rooms during our upcoming travels. Outside of that the only specific thing we pay for in regards to living in a van is a Planet Fitness membership and Snap Fitness for shower use! We also do our Landry at laundry mats.

Is the cost of Van Life worth it?

We travel a lot for our jobs or jobs are not all in one state. Our jobs are also in very remote locations. At the end of the day if we weren’t living in a van, we would be paying for rent or mortgage, but then for a job we would need to pay for a flight, a rental car, somewhere to stay and all of our food. In the van, we simply are paying for gas, nine times out of ten and we cook our meals or we may eat out. It just depends on what we want to do. But we have the luxury of deciding do we want to between cook this cheap meal, or go out and spend money? Because of this, I would say yes, depending on where you’re starting out and your finances living this way is cheaper when being a full-time Adventure elopement photographer that travels for work.

How do the logistics of living in a van work when working?

We often get asked about the logistics of being an elopement photographer and living in the van. How do you handle your gear? How do you get Wi-Fi? Etc? so, For us, we have a really good solar setup on the top of our van, with our solar setup we are able to use lights all the time, charge our phones, charge our computers, cameras, use our fans for air, use the fridge, etc. So on a day that we really just need to get a lot of editing done we can a hundred percent work from the van, no matter where we are. When we need to upload galleries or use Wifi it gets a little bit more interesting. For us, the easiest solution has been spending time at libraries in whatever town we’re in, most libraries have free Wi- Fi. However, when we were in the PNW this past winter, we noticed that a lot of libraries had limited stays for using Wi-Fi. So you want to check the area should go in and prepare for what access you may have. We also often go to coffee shops to spend our day, working. Bill and I each have phones that have hot spots on them, bill has Verizon and I have AT&T. We keep it this way in hopes, that one of us will have service if the other doesn’t. You definitely should not expect to upload galleries with a hotspot.

How do you keep your van and belongings safe?

It is not totally uncommon to hear about Vans being stolen or broken into. This is a huge concern for us that we are very aware of at all times. For us, we chain our doors together often with multiple chains depending on how long we’re going to be away from our van and depending on the area that were in. We also have double locks on all of our doors. This gives us peace of mind when leaving our van especially with the pets in it. Some updates we are looking to make in the near future is to put a fire proof safe in the van for some of our gear and paperwork. We have also chatted about adding some sort of board system to the passenger windows for when we leave on backpacking trips. Luckily our van does not have any windows in the home section. I wanted windows because I love natural light, but you have to think about windows as week points if someone wanted to break in.

Where do you stay?

We mostly camp on BLM and Forest Serivce land. We learned early on how expensive it can be to pay for a campsite in the National Parks, State Parks, etc. Once every few months or so we will book an Airbnb when meeting up with friends for travel or just to get a break. You can stay on most public lands for free up to 14 days. We more around a lot so this has not been an issue for us. When traveling we for sure have stayed at Walmarts or rest stops. Some of the apps that help us find a place the most are Campidum (freecampsites.net) and iOverlander. We also use Hipcamp when we need to book a place, which has come in handy a lot in Washington because a lot of the areas we are at doesnt have any near by camping. We have found Hipcamp to be cheaper and easier than NP camping or private camping optiona.

How do you do van life with the pets? What happens when you leave the pets in the van for a job?

We have two pets in our van. I started out with just Indy, the cat. He loves hiking, canyoneering, camping and just being outdoors. This lifestyle works really great for him. The cat can do well in the van up to about 90 degrees, as long as we have, both fans on and running. We also recently installed a heater so we are able to be even in 5° and the cat be warm. Tucker is new addition to our family, a puppy, and has been in the van now for only a short month- and-a-half and he still has a lot of growing to do. We are definitely very aware that the space is going to become much more limited in our van with the dog being full grown. Which is just one of the reasons that we are looking to purchase a home and only be part time in the van next year. We will see in the summer how Tucker does in the heat. We are estimating that anything under 85 degrees and below will be okay. In the event that it is too hot for the pets or if we are going to be gone from the van for a long time and they cant get out we simply book a Rover sitter or a pet sitter.

How do you get work in specific places if you are always traveling?

Unlike, a lot of remote work being a photographer you have to actually show up to a location sometimes for work. You may be traveling often, just to sightsee and see different national parks or you maybe like us and split your time in the best weather. For example, we split our fall through spring in Arizona and then our entire summer in Washington, for the best weather conditions. The best thing to do is to go to these places and put together a styled shoot so you can use the content to market in Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and your website. This is how I have done it and once you get work in these areas, if it’s easy to get repeat work, you can also run ads in specific areas. You can always use close up images of couples to use for marketing or you can get stock imagery online, that are usually just landscapes of the area. You can also join local Facebook groups, and things like that to keep an eye on job that you may be able to pick up, even if they’re not in the types of jobs that you would prefer to have.

What is it like to live in a van with two people?

On the more personal side, we’re often asked jokingly if we ever get tired of each other in the van because it is such a small space. For Bill and I we do really well in the van together. We try to have things that we do alone, like Bill likes to go for runs and go to the gym. Whereas I am usually mostly working from sunup to sundown on our business, in the library, or things like that. We don’t spend really that much time in our van, to be honest. We are either outside on the trails, at a job, walking the pets climbing, kayaking, sightseeing or on other adventures. The van is really our way of getting around and camping at night.

They’re definitely downsides of living in a van full time. One is you don’t really have the luxury of the bathroom depending on your build. More expensive builds may have a small bathroom, but for use we have an emergency backroom aka the bucket. You do for sure get super comfortable with each other being in a van. The other downside is you’re probably often moving not in one place too often, which can fill displacing which for Bill and I has been totally fine until recently. We are finding as we get older we would really like to be a part of a community. That’s another reason for wanting to go part-time.

It is important to know when you are moving into a van with another person you basically have one home, one car. This home is small and usually only one person at a time can be doing things while standing inside. It is important to work out a schedule together that works great for both of you. Since Bill and I work together it helps greatly. However, I would say a year into this together almost we are still working out a balance that works for both of us and makes both us happy.

Some major positives to me is you can travel all the time and not have to leave your pets behind. You also get to meet other people doing this lifestyle and connect that you wouldn’t typically get a chance to connect with. You get to spend most of your time in amazing places that a lot of people may never get the chance to go see. Taking a step out of mainstream living for Bill and I both has done us well, we love being out of towns, out of cities, away from constant consumerism and just out on the trails instead.

Why did you two choose a van over an RV?

Sometimes were asked if an RV would be better. For us it just didn’t make sense with the cat. Outside of Indy it again goes back to what are your own expenses. We have friends that have travel trailers that leave them on BLM land. So they’re not having to pay for places to camp, but typically one of them is always with the trailer because a big concern is why your trailer gets stolen. There are ways to lock them down, but it just didn’t feel as secure to us as the van. We also have friends who have trailers who pay to park at campsites. This is a really great option and can be very stabilizing if you plan on staying in one area for a longer of time. Maybe you only move once every season. The plus side of an RV is you can tow it with a Jeep or Truck so you wouldn’t loose the ability to off road like we have in our van. They do make some vans off road capable, but the cost goes up quick. We like the van, it is simple and easy, plus it fits in a parking spot. When we buy a house we are still deciding if we will keep the van or do a truck build of some sort and rv. We probably wont decide for a while because our van is perfect for us.

Do you have questions about van life or living on the road as a full time elopement photographer? Ask in the comments and we will do our best to answer them!

We were recently interviewed about Van Life and traveling on the road full time for photographer on a podcast – list here!

Backpacking Wonderland Trail Elopement in Mount Rainier National Park

Your very own adventure elopement team has eloped! We are so excited to share our Mount Rainier elopement story with you in this blog post!

Why we eloped on the Wonderland Trial

I remember when Bill and I first started talking to each other, he asked me what was one adventure I had not done yet that was at the top of the bucket list. My answer was simple, hike the Wonderland Trail. It was no secret that I had fallen in love with Mount Rainier the summer before meeting Bill. It was a place of un-understood beauty, possibility and healing to me. Our first summer together, Bill and I were scouting a trail for a client and that hike felt different. We were both SO happy, even though the clouds hid the mountain. We would since go back to that trail often to take different routes, say hello to our mountain goat friend at our couples elopements and experience some of the most beautiful sunsets we had seen. However, this trail meant a lot more, because it is where Bill knew he wanted to marry me. Mount Rainier truly has a special place in our hearts. When planning what we wanted for a wedding day, it became quickly apparent that we were going to need to break this up into two different events. One with family on adventures we could share with them and enjoy and one with just us, just our vows and one hell of adventure.

We decided to hike the wonderland trail for our actual marriage/vows probably about 4-5 weeks before actually setting out on the trail. Our work schedule is pretty intense from March-December yearly. So in the middle of the summer this year, we had one week where we could make it happen. So in between jobs, workshops, travel and scouting we started gaining the knowledge we needed about the trail reading books and blogs, talking to our thru hiker friends, practicing by doing big day hikes with our bags and many REI trips. We started making ideal itineraries knowing getting a walk up permit was going to be hard. The morning before our hike would start, we slept in the van near Ashford to arrive at Longmire at 4am, determined to be the first in line for the walk up with our 20 different ideal plans. We looked through the book left at the ranger station with the open campsites and racked our brains on how to put the trip together. None of our plans were available. We racked our brains looking at the camps trying to put something together and there were no options. We started looking into back up plan 1, the north loop, and it was possible.

However we both knew we wanted this and were bound to make it happen. Sometimes we shouldn’t be so stubborn lol. Thirty minutes before the ranger opened the door Bill found a 6 day plan that would work. Or we thought at least. We got our permit for that itinerary and started putting together our food caches to drop them off at our camps. This in itself took another three to four hours since the cache locations were so spread out and with driving in the mountains, you have to go all the way around it, not through it. Once this was complete, we headed back into Seattle to meet our photographer and friend at the Airbnb we rented for her and the cat. We had dinner and tiredly started putting together a new photo/wedding day plan based on the plan we had gotten for our hike/camping reservations. After some more hours of on the fly planning and then final packing, we tiredly drove back to the park to camp outside of the North side before heading into Box Canyon in the am.

Our wonderland trail itinerary

Day 1 – Box Canyon to Devil’s Dream Camp, 17 miles, 6000 ft gain

Day 2 – Devil’s Dream to Mowich Lake camp, 25.6 miles, 10,000 ft gain

Day 3 – Mowich Lake to Carbon River Camp, 8 miles, 2500 ft gain

Day 4 – Carbon River to Glacier basin, 13.3 miles, 7110 ft gain

Day 5 – Glacier Basin to Tamanos, 9.5 miles, 2500 ft gain (Get Married!)

Day 6 – Tamanos Creek to Box Canyon, 19 miles, 5400 ft gain – Back at Van!

Our Wonderland Backpacking Elopement Story

Day 1 of the trail we started a little tired, still not quite caught up on sleep, at Box Canyon heading clockwise on the trial. Despite the groggy eyes, we started our 17 mile, 5000 ft day with high stoke. We knew going into this day that it would be the least exciting views of the trial and it ran along side a road we had driven often. The mentality was beast mode, get to camp before dark. We went strong throughout the day playing the game of “can we drink that water” and counting every single bridge we crossed stopping to kiss at every 15th bridge. We passed our ole favorite, Pinnacle Peak and Reflection Lakes, and decided to stop for lunch a mile further in the forest. Everything was really smooth sailing until we got to those dreaded end of the day, uphill switch backs to our first camp, Devil’s Dream. By the time we got to camp, tired had for sure set in. We set up camp and made our dinners. Right after eating, we went to sleep as it was getting a bit chilly and rainy with a very, very big day ahead the next morning.

Day 2 started out cold. I honestly stood crying in my sleeping bag as Bill broke down camp. I was honestly scared of the day ahead, it was unlike any hike the two of us had ever done and let’s be real, I have Arizona blood, I don’t do well in the cold. We woke up initially at 3, to start hiking at 4, but the cold and rain kept us tucked in our sleeping bags until about 6. The day ahead would be 26.5 miles with 9,997 feet elevation gain up and over ten thousand down. Once we were ready to go I was feeling good, even though the weather was a gloomy mist. It started out in this beautiful meadow and then came the forever ending uphill switch backs of the Wonderland trail. We hiked and hiked, passing through the famous Emerald Ridge without being able see even a couple of feet in front of us.

We stopped and made breakfast after the first full pass, running into many hikers talking about the rain and chill during such a scenic part of the trial. As we made breakfast I got so cold down to my bones, starting our hiking back up pretty slow. We went over the next pass as it still rained. Back into the meadows with still no views, we began to enjoy eating the fresh blue berries. The rain stopped, but the plant life on the next pass was very unforgiving, dumping water into our shoes and drowning our pants. I slipped on the skinny wet pass, my knee and poles catching me from sliding down the mountain thankfully. We kept trekking only really stopping this day to admire a waterfall at a beautiful camp site, North Puyallup River Camp. A group of older men camping took their time to truly express their concern for us and the hike we had ahead of us for the evening. We knew we were only half way through and it was probably 5pm, but they really wanted us to know lol. We kept going through the forest and up another pass where we saw the first pretty view of the day, not Rainier though.

We got to Golden Lakes just at the sun was setting and stopped to make dinner while there was still light and hopefully help Bill regain some of his energy as it was starting to get low. We kept hiking down towards the river where we knew a very important bridge may still be out. If it wasn’t there we had decided to camp by the river per the rangers permission, and do the last push in the am. If it was there, we were going to have to do the final three miles, 3000 ft of elevation gain to Mowich Lake Camp. The first river bed we got to was a bit confusing to follow in the dark at midnight. The River was very rock and very wide, so our headlamps could only guide us so much. Fortunately all the bridges were there when we needed them and we were able to follow the tough to find cairns to make it. The moment of truth was ahead. After a couple more miles, the new bridge was there! The night got longer you could say at that point. I was feeling good, thanks to energy chews, but Bill was really getting exhausted. He didn’t let me know until the literal last ten minutes of our hike, but he had started having full-blown hallucinations for the last three hours.

We had one moment on trail where he stopped to mention the mushrooms on the tree and how amazing and beautiful they were. He asked me, “do you see this!” And I responded “yeah Bill, it’s great, let’s keep going.” When we talked later, this was near the beginning stages of his delirium, and what he was seeing was dew drops on the mushrooms that looked like rainbow disco globes, and my response led him to believe that it was in fact that way. He also stopped abruptly on trail at one point for the “baby raccoon” in the middle of the trail just 40 feet ahead. Spoiler, it was very obviously a log. After he realized he was hallucinating, he kept it to himself at that point. We kept pushing. We ran into some fresh bear scat in the middle of the trial I put on our wedding playlist quietly just to let them know hikers were still around. Bill was truly experiencing exhaustion, sitting down in the middle of the cold and wet trial, closing his eyes, scaring me half to death, we could not stop here. Once we finally made it to camp after 22 hours of hiking, we set up camp and went to sleep only to be awaken soon after by the normal hikers schedules lol.

Day 3 started with our feet in so much pain. Like the most pain either of us have ever experienced on our feet. Bill also developed the worst chaffing all over his private parts area, so at this point his feet felt like blistered balloons and every step was rubbing what he was referring to his “legendary rash”. We got our new food cache and made mountain house breakfasts before starting out on our super scenic easy day, or so we thought. I was so excited to see Spray Falls for the first time. We made the extra trek off the wonderland trial to go see it. Quickly, it became apparent Bill was not feeling well do to the rash that had engulfed him from the previous day. After the falls started those unavoidable up hill switchbacks and for me the exhaustion really set in from getting somewhere between 2-4 hours of sleep after hiking 22 hours straight. We pushed through and got to the meadows. It seemed like it would be a great rest of the day from there. It had incredible views and seeing all the plant life, looking for bears was for sure fun. We didn’t have time to waste though because we both wanted to get to camp before dark so we could relax and actually spend some non-hiking quality time together.

As soon as the snowy downhill started, things changed fast. The rock, snow and declines instantly made my feet scream in the most severe pain from the blisters and swelling from the day before. I hiked literally sobbing for at least a half mile before sitting down in the middle of the trail. It was at this point Bill asked me if we should turn around and exit the trial at Mowich. I wasn’t sure, but we decided we would get to our next camp and sleep. If you’ve been following one of our main themes here, we were extremely sleep deprived coupled with lots of physical exertion now. We needed at least 8 hours of rest. We went along slowly, in pain for a while. The 8.2 mile day with 2,600 ft of gain and 4,300 ft of loss was truly starting to feel like a never ending nightmare until I turned the corner and saw a bear eating in the meadow. I turned to Bill and said bear. He rang our Mr and Mrs bear bells so he would know we were there and we slowly started hiking towards the corner again, only for the bear to cross the trial 30 ft in front of us. My camera did get fired up fast enough, but I will never forget it’s beauty and stillness even when it walked, crossing the trail infront of us, circling behind us and then carrying on from where we had come from. For whatever reason, this gave us the boost we needed. We just needed to get to camp, asap. After nine hours of hiking we finally made it to camp. Bill decided to set up camp basically naked to let his gaining issue of the legendary rash get some relief while I made dinner sitting on the ground barefoot, eyeing my crazy swollen in pain feet. It was at this point we knew we had to get off of trail before we would be able to complete it. We were not moving fast enough and we were not having the experience we wanted leading into our wedding. We set the alarm for 8.5 hours from the time we went to sleep, we knew at this point the most important thing was rest.

Day 4 started well rested which was a huge blessing. We got up and started cooking breakfast and looking at the map to make an exit game plan. The trickiest part was making it well rounded: what would we be okay with, what was possible, how do we communicate with our photographer and what makes the most sense. Going back to Mowich was out there and there wouldn’t be any service and it would be a hard road to get out of even though the camp sites are easy to get to. Mowich Lake is both a front and back country camp site. The rangers make a trip out there to drop off the food caches, but it isn’t every day of the week like other locations. We played with Carbon river as it was only 6 miles out and it would be mostly flat since was an old road along the river. This appealed to Bill, but scared me because of its off the beaten pathness. Bill and I are not quitters, we are stubborn, we are determine, we do not quit. So we decided to continue to Sunrise for a few reasons. This way we would complete 67 miles on the wonderland trail. We started out both feeling good, rest really did us some good. Quickly though, Bill started feeling some un-ignorable pains. Despite this, we kept going and enjoying the day. We ran into many other hikers and enjoyed the meadows and slight views between the clouds of the glaciers.

We met a couple of girls hiking the North loop and explained to them we weren’t going to be able to make our original plan and that we were hoping to find someone who would share their camp with us at Mystic Camp. They happened to be camping there that night and they invited us to crash their camp with them! Things worked out perfectly, it was our first relaxing day. We actually stopped to have lunch at a waterfall and to admire the glaciers and take photos. We got to camp and waited on our “camp hosts” to arrive. Once they arrived we set up camp at 5pm both so excited to enjoy camp, eating and just hanging out with some fellow hikers. We shared stories from the trail, swapped out some foods and talked about our goals and future adventures. One of the girls works at a bike shop and happened to have a packet of icy hot chaffing cream on her. Talk about the perfect timing. As if that wasn’t enough of a blessing, one of the girls had a two-way SOS phone, so we were able to communicate with our photographer to let them know when and where we needed to be picked up and to abort the initial plan. Thankfully we had such a flexible friend capturing our day for us. Since w were in the back woods we had no idea what this really meant for our wedding, but our fingers were crossed.

Day 5 started out even better than day 4, minus that initial mile of up hill switchbacks lol. However, from there it was stunning views of the mountain with a beautiful cloud conversion. We even saw Fremont appear on top of the mountain like a movie scene. Birds flew and chirped all around us as we hiked. Finally we meet up with several chipmunks and marmots, keeping an eye out for mountains goats, but no luck. It was the most beautiful morning we had on trail. We got back to the Sunrise visitor center early as we waited on our photographer to rescue us lol. I went to talk to a ranger about the weather conditions and get an idea of what our wedding options may be. Around noon there would be a break-in the clouds on the North side, otherwise a total white out of clouds and rain for the day with similar weather the next day. I came back to Bill with the news that we were getting married asap.

As for me the most important thing in our images would be this mountain we just hiked around. We cooked breakfast on the side walk of the visitor center, prepped water for baths and started doing my make up and taking my braids I had hiked in out. Christina arrived with her gear and our wedding attire just in case, not knowing at all that it was literally “go” time. We got ready in her van and then headed to the trail, where we ended the Wonderland for a first look. We then hiked in our wedding attire back up the trial towards the best view we saw that am hoping the weather would stay for a bit longer. It did not. The big thick clouds were here. We headed back to the parking lot. It was important to Bill that we get married this day, and I agreed as the weather wasn’t looking much better the next day. We decided to get married at a place in the park we knew was beautiful no matter the weather that also still offered some privacy. We shared our super intimate and emotional vows with each other and celebrated with a glass of champagne before heading back home to our van and then back to the Airbnb to reunite with Indy. Christina cooked us a lovely first meal as a married couple, Salmon with stuffed mushrooms and we split a three layer chocolate desert to end the night.

Overall, the wedding day and hiking experience wasn’t what we had imagined, but it was worth it. For the trail, I knew it was going to be intense, hard and almost unreal even if we got one of our ideal itineraries. It was so much more than that. We both realized we were really just craving time together at camp to cook, eat, cuddle and talk together. We had brought a marriage book along we wanted to read together, but there just wasn’t time with the plan we got for the camping permit. However, we did get a real life experience, we had to make choices together. Very real and consequential, hard choices. We had to push each other and support each other. We had to survive together. We had to be positive together. Honestly, there is no other human on this planet I would have wanted to go through that experience with.

For the wedding day, I am glad we called it “quits” when we did. We both thought to ourselves, we don’t want to go into the wedding day completely exhausted and miserable. So we probably could have finished the trial, but I am glad we didn’t so we could not just think about our woes during our vows and could actually just enjoy that moment together. We choose to get married on a backpacking trip because we believe that your wedding day should reflect life. This is your best day ever because you are becoming life long partners, but marriage is real. It will test you, it will you surprise you, it will provide you with support, beauty, teamwork, but it will also push your limits. It is a journey and our elopement was for sure a journey.

As you may know Bill and I love hearing marriage advice from those in it for the long haul. We wrote a blog about it and we keep a little journal full of marriage advice from folks we have met. While I was getting ready on the side walk at Sunrise two ladies stopped to talk to me and they gave me some of my favorite marriage advice we have gotten so far:

Married 35 years – “How the uphills on the trial feel like they are endless and awful, but also how those amazing and rewarding downhills feel so good, that is marriage”

Honeymoon Backpacking Trip Outside of Mt Rainier

I still couldn’t imagine getting married without Indy being apart of the events. Since we decided to do the wonderland trail which is inside of a National Park there was no way he could go. So we decided to do a separate, smaller back packing trip with Indy a week or so later on a trail overlooking Mount Rainier. We ventured off road in the van for a few hours to get to the trailhead. Packed up our gear and headed out for the 3 mile in trek. We for sure ended up carrying the cat most of the way up the mountain to get to the top for sunset. We were blessed with an incredible view of the mountain, and I am pretty sure I could see a part of the trial we hiked from where we are dinner that night, left overs from our hiking cache lol. We got all dressed up again for some self portraits with furry child and “our” mountain. Once the sun had set and the stars came out we all sat cuddled up in the base of a tree looking at the stars over the mountain chatting about our crazy adventure, what we want to do for our intimate family reception next year and life.

That evening in our tent I gave Bill a book I had began writing in July 2020 making a daily diary entry recalled a memory together for that day, or why I love him. In the morning we woke up to an incredible sunrise. Before taking down camp to start our hike back we put Indy’s paw prints on our copy of our marriage license. We ate one last mountain house meal over looking the mountain, this would also be our goodbye to the mountain until next season in Washington. It was a wonderful hike down as an official family. <3

Here are a few of the other vendors we used that we highly recommend to any of our own couples planning their elopement: Joey’s Doing Your Make Up for my hair/makeup on our hike with the cat, Lauren Yvonne Design for our Vow books and Brides for a Cause for my dress.

Van Life: The Pacific Northwest

Adventure Elopement Photographer Van Life Journal

…last time I checked in with you all about life on the road full time I was coming back from living in a van for a week in Iceland. We had just traveled from Arizona, to Colorado, to North Carolina and then flew overseas. Since then we drove across the country all the way to Washington from North Carolina to spend almost two months exploring the Pacific Northwest. We hit the road in our recently remodeled van and made it across the country in four days!

To say I was excited to spend a whole two months in the Pacific Northwest would be an understatement. My love for the outdoors really set on fire my first trip to Olympic National Park three years ago. As an avid hike, outdoors lady and elopement photographer I was beyond stoked to be surrounded by the pines, ferns, water and mountains that this region has to offer. We officially hit 10,000 miles on the van since buying it during this trip, broke down, had to be towed, encountered lots of changes and met so many rad folks. Learned a lot of things about living in a van full time, maintaining the van and dealing with acceptance.

The Itinerary Breakdown

(Links will take you to sessions from the locations mentioned. Scroll down to skip the boring timeline and get to the juicy bits)

If you recall I started this journey with two cats, we had to leave one cat behind with my parents in North Carolina. I had Sophie for over nine years and it was not an easy choice to make, but she for sure let me know that she did not want to go and has been super happy since being re-homed with my parents. Indy, has been really enjoying the trails and having the van to himself. Indy and I started our journey in Washington with a few nights in the Manchester State Park which was a lovely camp site to get re-settled in the van before heading into the National park. The trails along the water were very enjoyable and a nice change of pace from driving day and night across the country.

I always spend my birthday enjoying some along time, reflecting on my life for the last year. This year I celebrated a little early since I had some extra special plans for the day of my birthday. I spent the day camping in Olympic National Park at Mora Campground, which is right by one of my favorite places on Earth, Rialto Beach. During the day I rode my bike around the area and had the best burger and shake you can get in the area of Forks at Three Rivers Resort. In the evening I hiked to the beach, read a book, wrote in my journal and then enjoyed a bottle of champagne as the sun went down before hiking back to camp. The rest of the trip there was spent exploring new trails I had not yet been on in the park. There are so many beautiful waterfalls, lakes, lush areas in Olympic National Park, I do not think I will ever get tired of visiting there.

Next up on the agenda was Mount Rainier, a place I have dreamed of going to since the first time I went to Washington when I was just twelve years old. Man, I fell in love, hard. This place from the first moment I set foot on a trial I was hooked. During the whole trip I went back to Rainier as much as I could, any free minute was spent there. I hiked over 40 miles in the park during this little two month period. A couple of my favorites were tolmie lookout, glacier basin and the several trails I linked together to get from cougar rock campground to upper skyline trail and back. I have always believed that people connect with different places intensely and this is for sure one of my places. The deep connection I feel to this park is sure to continue bringing me back over and over again.

Then I headed to San Juan Islands which had never even been on my radar until recently. This is where I ended up spending my actual birthday. After being in “no service land” for a few weeks and hiking almost every day it was nice to park the van and hangout in a house for some time. The small town of Friday Harbor is so quaint and the coffee shops were to die for when editing and catching up on emails. Following the San Juan Islands was a little tent camping trip to Mt Baker. I tent camped at Baker Lake in the most epic camping spot along the lake that was right on the water, super private and so beautiful!!! We then did a day trip to the North Cascades. It was back to Anacortes for a day to regroup before heading to Oregon. Unfortunately, the van had other plans. The van broke down while trying to find a camp spot for the night. She had to be towed in and worked on for a couple of days, thank goodness for my tent right??? Getting the van worked on as it was smoking and spewing out coolant was so scary. It is your home that you are leaving behind and your ride. I am thankful for the shop in Anacortes that got her going again and dealt with my panic.

Once everything was good to go it was off to Portland for a little normality. I rented an Airbnb to do some work and explore the city. Then we were off to the coast for a couple of sessions in Cannon beach and Hug Point (which I can not wait to share with you!). I stayed at the hostel in Seaside, which I become very fond of. I have been a lover of the hostel life for many years and used to work at one while in college. I really enjoyed connecting with fellow travelers, spending some time reading and reflecting on the beach and eating fresh pastries as I worked at local coffee shops. I took a week away from the beach to head out to Smith Rock State park for a session and some hiking. I have always been fond of the area of Bend, Sun River and Smith Rock since the first time I went back in my PGA working days. I had been super stoked about going to Crater Lake National Park since buying the van and the time had come!! It was a little bit of a bummer because I couldn’t hike with Indy (NP rules) and it was a super hot day. So our time in the park was much more of sight seeing than exploring, but be assured the views did not disappoint. I detoured for a very exciting hike that lead to a hot spring! The only hot springs I had been to so far were in Iceland and this one left me wanting to find even more in the states to sit in and just be. As we made our back to the coast we stopped to hike two days and for another session at Silver Falls State Park. If you are in Oregon there is so much to see and explore, but this park should be on your list….so many water falls!!!

Then it was back to the coast for a wedding and to kill some time planning out the next weeks at the hostel. The Oregon coast is so diverse and stunning I could have really spent the two full months there. I had my first not so smart hiking experience this trip around the at the coast. I hiked from the hostel to ecola state park thinking I could complete it and be back before dinner. Once I realized I was not going to be able to do the full thing it was too late to turn around. I did a quick Google search to make sure I could get an Uber back to the hostel and reroute the right trails to get me into town to be able to do so. Unfortunately, one of the trails was closed so I had to take the road which was steep and many more miles. I ended up getting a ride from a nice local fella, but it turns out Google was wrong and Uber does not exist in Cannon beach. The nice fella offered me a ride back to the hostel. I felt lucky to have been offered a safe ride by this stranger back to the home base. Due to some schedule changes caused by hot weather and an earlier flight out to NC I ended up doing a whole full circle of the places I had already been to in Washington, crazy right?? So it was back to Olympic National Park then Mt Rainier then off to the San Juan Islands and lastly to Seattle for a flight. All within about one week of time. The route to the North Carolina from the island was a little crazy. I packed my back, my camera gear and the cat to catch a morning ferry back to the mainland. We rented a car, headed to the mountains for some hiking. Then drove into Seattle for dinner and a sunset session. Got to our hotel super late stayed the night, got up early to get to the airport and flew home, with a cat lol.

The Deep Stuff

• Living in a van makes me crave connection with other folks and a little normality like a Friday night bar hop or a nice sit down dinner. I have been traveling in the van for about three and half months. I for sure miss my friends in Arizona and having a normal routine. I am excited to see the difference in living in the van back “home” in Arizona versus all the travel I have been doing for the last bit of time.
• There is just nothing like a shower. Thank goodness for Planet Fitness. Driving out of your way miles and miles for a shower is a whole new thing and so worth it.
• The more time you spend in a van the more time you know what you like about the van and what you don’t like about a van. When I was purchasing my van my dad suggested I rent a van for a month for a little test of the life. I thought it was crazy just because the amount of money I would spend, the adjustments it would take on the schedule and for just the fact that no matter what I knew I wanted to experience van life, but I think it is a good idea for anyone just to get a better feel for what you want in a rig.
• I have learned I need to be on a trail at least every three days and honestly so does Indy. This may sound high maintenance or a little extra, but it really does feel like a need. I fully believe in the power of the trial. It is healing, relaxing and just helps me recenter. It is so easy in Van Life to get caught up in planning where you’re staying, checking with the weather so the cat doesn’t die, figuring out your routes and time you have for adventure that it is so important to take some time for self care. My business overlaps so much with who I am as a person and what things I enjoy doing that it makes it all the more important to hit the trail just for me (and Indy) as often as possible.
• Becoming okay with whatever life throws you is a thing. I started this van life journey for a lot of reasons. Some of those reasons were so I could hike more, so I could save money, so I could see places I really wanted to see, being able to be more flexible with locations for elopements, learning to be okay with alone time, time to reflect on life, adjust my outlook on life, deal with some things I had been avoiding mentally, etc. I mean I could go on and on. The thing is van life gives you a lot more time to think. Between driving long hours, quiet nights and time along all you do is think it seems. Van life also throws you a lot of curve balls with everything! It is not a normal life style, you start thinking about things you would never have to think about normally which also means dealing with whatever life throws you. I have learned to be okay with unexpected change, costs and more. It is also about learning to be okay with when you just need a break, a day off from work, or driving, or being outside, or whatever else you may feel that you need to do. My aunt always says “live life to the fullest and expect the unexpected” when we hang up the phone and that is defiantly the way to live Van Life.
• Living in a van changes you daily, weekly, monthly. Some things have become way more important like a schedule, organization, relationships and quiet time. Somethings have become less important like my own expectations and others expectations for me, things that do not fit into the big picture, easy transportation, what is going on outside of your direct circle.
• The cat has become extremely attached to me. Granted we spend almost 24/7 together in tight quarters. He has become way more relaxed living on the road and adapts well. I was shocked how easy flying with him was. The down side is he has become more protective of me on and off the trail. I am no vet and vets do not seem to have any behavioral answers for me, so it is quite the experience living on the road, constantly hiking and changing our lives with a cat.
• Van Life is not cheap in the Pacific Northwest. First off gas prices along the western coast is insane, especially when you only get ten miles per gallon lol. Camping in Washington is extremely expensive. A lot of the forest service land is more eastern and away from a lot of the places I wanted to explore. Also, I think my monthly coffee bill tripled trying to survive those cloudy days, long drives and the forever tempting coffee huts every mile in Washington. Also, Walmart parking lots, you are a life saver.
• Things that make van life great: listening to the Women on the Road podcast in the mornings, meeting fellow photographers and chatting about business and life, meeting fellow travelers and comparing experiences, the trials, the starry nights, the freedom of going, phone calls with friends, making goals (because even though you’re in these places you learn so much about new trials and things you can do that you can’t do it all right then and there).
• The end game is still unknown. It is still the question everyone asks me, “What are you doing after Van Life?” or “How long do you plan to live in the van?” I originally planned to live in the van for at least one year. That is still somewhat the game plan. In reality I still do not know where life is going to take and I am still okay with this. I love Arizona and miss it deeply, but who knows if that is where I will settle. While there is no “exit strategy” from Van Life right now, I do plan to spend October through May in Arizona, Southern California and Utah. I am also very intrigued to see how much I may miss the PNW once I am back in the desert.

Living on the road full time gives me the ability to travel constantly. I am able to get to locations whenever I would like, scout elopement locations in person and capture your elopement day with less travel hassle. I can not imagine doing anything else with my life, I am extremely passionate about the places and my couples love stories. If you would like to work with me for your elopement day feel free to reach out!

Purchase Landscape Prints here

Some shots from the cellular device.

If you have questions about Van Life or our adventures from the Pacific Northwest drop them in the comments below! <3

Special thanks to all the photographers that went on hikes with me and that I got to work with in the last two months. Even more praise to the ladies who traded head shots with me on the trails Thank you to all the lovely couples I got to work with and get to know in the area. I have to say special thanks to Daniel as well (man photographed to your left)! He is a cross country bicyclist that I hope to cross paths with again this winter in Arizona. Thank you for sharing your stories from living on the road, life philosophies, inspiring me, dinner and campfire conversations. If you want to follow along with his journey click here.