What to expect when you’re planning an adventure elopement
So you want to elope, but what does that look like to you? For some couples, it can be as simple as walking into City Hall, waiting in line, and signing a piece of paper. But that’s not exactly what you two had in mind. You’re thinking about an adventure of a lifetime. Something that says this is the beginning of the rest of our lives. Something like watching the sun rise from the top of a mountain or in the middle of the woods in magical fog. You want an adventure elopement, and we’ve got great news for you: it’s a whole genre! In fact, there are photographers who specialize in this very thing, like one of our faves, Christina Perhac.
And after chatting with her for a bit, we realized that she does so much more than a typical wedding photographer. Once you pick your dream destination and lay out your perfect day, she and her team do all the behind-the-scenes work to turn your dream into a reality. Every elopement she photographs is fully guided from start to finish.
Christina is rooted in California but inspired by the world. She loves the natural wonders in her own backyard, like Yosemite, Big Sur, and the Redwoods, but is also excited to travel with her couples worldwide to destinations like Iceland, Italy, and beyond. Think of her like a Creative Director. She will do the research and present you with location guidance, endless adventure ideas, custom timelines, and trusted vendor recommendations. Her team can even help you curate your stay, dining, and activities.
"Christina was the most amazing photographer for our Yosemite elopement, from start to finish. After seeing her photos for the first time, I knew right away that she had to be the one to capture our special day. Traveling from out of state, there was a lot we had to prepare for, and she made the process so easy for us. From the first planning call, she was extremely thorough and made sure to cover everything we could possibly need. Throughout the process, she was enthusiastic, communicative, and she has the warmest personality that anyone would love! With Christina guiding us every step of the way, our nervousness turned to excitement, and she made us feel completely at ease. She also officiated our wedding and took us through the sweetest ring exchange. We truly felt like she cared about making our day perfect, and we couldn’t have asked for anyone better. Although there was a lot we were unsure of at first, she was so patient and understanding. When scouting and planning the locations, she helped us include our dogs and captured their silly personalities so beautifully. She really took the time to listen to our vision and helped bring it to life."
And, speaking from experience, your wedding day comes and goes in the blink of an eye, and at the end of the day, all that’s left are the memories and the photos. Trust us when we say you want photos that capture the feeling of the moment, not just the time and place. That’s why Christina’s story-driven approach resonates so well with us!
But rest assured, an elopement with Christina Perhac is so much more than a photoshoot! With every elopement, she creates an adventure that feels personal, not performative, that’s built around emotion and connection, not tradition or timelines.
"Where do I even start with how awesome Christina is?! She is the kindest, most energetic, and creative photographer I've ever worked with. She made the whole process fun and easy for us. Christina was always available whenever we had questions or if we just needed suggestions about what location to choose. On the day of our wedding, she made us feel so special and at ease, which was much appreciated since we were both nervous. She captured every glimpse of our love with her beautiful pictures. We are forever grateful that we met her and that she was part of our special day."-
but what if you want to share it with your favorite people?
Don’t believe the haters; you CAN have it all. With Christina Perhac Photography, couples have a full, meaningful wedding day centered around them and what they love to do, like a full 8-12-hour day and/or weekend! It's the best of both worlds—couples can have an unforgettable experience in their dream location, and they get to go home and celebrate with friends and family. Some even bring their families, and everyone is hiking in the woods! There truly is no blueprint; just do what feels right for you.
Imagine, planning your wedding could be as simple as picking a day and a destination, and letting Christina Perhac Photography take care of the rest. And you better send us those photos because they’re going to be epic!
Follow @christinaperhacphoto for even more elopement inspo!
We partnered with Christina Perhac Photography to show you how to get the most out of your elopement. As always, thanks for supporting our sponsors!
- Wedding Photographers: Christina Perhac Photography