A quick disclaimer for the photos found in this blog: All these photos were taken by our favorite photographer — Breanne Mead. She is an immensely talented artist whose work we have enjoyed following since before I was a photographer. You can view her work on Instagram at: @meadia and her website at meadiastudios.com. Thank you Bre!!!

Our elopement in the beautiful Beehive Basin of Big Sky, Montana.

Our Elopement Story: A Photographer’s Personal Wedding Experience

My wife and I have always been adventurous. In the winter months, the two of us would blast out of work and drive through incoming blizzards — HOPING to get to the mountains before the highways closed in search of the perfect powder skiing. In the summer, we try to get outside in the mountains and squeeze every last drop of sunshine out of the day. We climb, we hike, we trail run, and we camp. This adventure is part of who we are, and we knew we wanted to capture this part of ourselves in our wedding… somehow.

As a photographer and the soon-to-be-wife of a photographer, the two of us knew we wanted beautiful images from our special day. As we planned the wedding (we hadn’t made the decision to elope yet) we kept coming back to this idea that all the pieces that made a wedding just didn’t feel like “us”. We valued being together in a beautiful place — and having the photos to deeply remember it all.

So we decided to elope! We threw the rule book out the window and decided we would book our favorite photographer, hike up to our favorite place in Montana with just our family, and have the ceremony in the wild flowers.

What makes Eloping Special?

We planned our big day to wake up early, throw our dress clothes in our packs, and make it above tree line in Beehive Basin in Big Sky, Montana — all before sunrise. Plans took a detour as we were sleeping when the forecast changed drastically, and our beautiful sunrise was swapped for rainstorms. But for my soon-to-be-wife and I, this unpredictability is part of why we love the mountains. They provide amazing experiences that don’t fit into perfect schedules and preplanned itineraries. Eloping leans into this adventure — your adventure. The experience between you, your partner, and the gorgeous location is THE WHOLE POINT of eloping.

My partner and I felt this sense of adventure throughout the entire day — and I can’t imagine a better start to our marriage.

How my own elopement shapes the way I photograph yours

I truly believe I had the best day of my life on our elopement day. And the memories I treasure from that experience have shaped how I show up for the couples that trust me as their photographer.

Guiding couples without controlling the day

It may sound a bit “hippy”, but the best day of my life started when I stopped trying to make it great. Opening up and allowing the adventure to unfold naturally allowed me to enjoy the moments with my partner.

As your photographer, I take on more of the responsibility of coordinating your day and capturing the subtle moments — so you can enjoy them as they happen. I’m receptive, patient, and open to any adventure. After all, the best ones are the ones we can’t predict.

Creating space for emotion

It’s easy for the rush of an elopement to make for a really quick day. That’s one reason you’ll see elopement packages (from other photographers) starting at 2 hours of shooting. That is not my style. I’m here for you the whole day, 2 hours or 10 hours. The best things in life take their own time, and your elopement is one of those things.

My elopement offering curates an experience — one that is visually documented and captured for you to treasure for a lifetime. I give you and your partner the space to enjoy the day and its special moments in your favorite location. This experience is more than just a photoshoot for a couple getting married in stellar locations. It’s the first day celebrating you and your partner as a married couple, your first married adventure, and in a priceless location. Why rush that?