West Coast Adventure Elopement Location Ideas

Adventure elopement location ideas, by an outdoor and adventure loving photographer!

When I think about adventure elopements, I want my couples to choose a place that is special to them, but sometimes there are TOO many options and they all seem great! At least that's my current predicament. As a recently engaged photographer, choosing where to exchange vows with my fiancé is an exciting choice to make, but I would also love a list of places I could potentially choose from, to help narrow down the options. So here are mine (and ones I would love to shoot at too, so you know, keep me in mind!) *photo credits given below*

Yosemite National Park - Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Taft Point, backpack from Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Falls *permit required for all Yosemite elopements

(Samantha Smith Arroyo Photography)

Mount Tamalpais - Iconic Bay Area mountain with endless hikes. You can have trees and the beach at your fingertips!

(Michelle Beck Photography)

Angel Island - 360 degree views of San Francisco and the Bay, only if #Karlthefog stays away

(unknown)

Your favorite hiking trail - Michael and Catie found their Redwoods elopement spot because they hiked in the area often with their dogs, and it was pretty perfect!

Big Sur - The most gorgeous coastline in California, with endless pull offs and bluffs to make your commitment to eachother official

(Laura & Rachel Photography)

Camping adventure elopement - Reserve a weekend camping spot and get married one of the days. I know of a fabulous spot off I-80! I was actually just camping there and all I could think about was how it'd be such a great spot to get married, along with continuing the celebration with camping.

West Coast - It's a broad suggestion, but anywhere along the coastal line is bound to be gorgeous. It isn't referred to as the best coast for nothing. I may be biased since I am from the West Coast, but it really can't be beat. Olympic National Park in Washington, Bend in Oregon, Lost Coast, Mendocino, North Tahoe and Joshua Tree for a few in California

And one International suggestion...

Iceland - Well, because it's Iceland and it is the most beautiful country. If you go during our summer time you'll be greeted with baby sheep and endless sun!

(Pat Furey)

image credits: Samantha Smith Arroyo, Michelle Beckwith Photography, Unknown, Chelsea Dier Photography, Laura & Rachel Photography, Pat Furey Photo

Michael + Catie // Forest Elopement // Fort Bragg, CA

catie_michaelwedding_0013

catie_michaelwedding_0000

catie_michaelwedding_0001

catie_michaelwedding_0002

catie_michaelwedding_0003

catie_michaelwedding_0004

catie_michaelwedding_0019

catie_michaelwedding_0005

catie_michaelwedding_0006

catie_michaelwedding_0007

catie_michaelwedding_0008

catie_michaelwedding_0009

catie_michaelwedding_0010

catie_michaelwedding_0011

catie_michaelwedding_0012

catie_michaelwedding_0014

catie_michaelwedding_0015

catie_michaelwedding_0016

catie_michaelwedding_0017

catie_michaelwedding_0018

catie_michaelwedding_0020

Catie and Michael had the most rad forest elopement up in Fort Bragg (about 3.5 hours north of the Bay) with their closest friends, family and two dogs in tow. Catie created her "bouquet" from bird feathers she has found while hiking and it was so her. She needed a bouquet that she could also use for their weekend celebration with friends (which by the way costumes were required for their reception -- how fun!). Also check out her totally unique ring, wowza! Thank you times a million for having me along. I LOVED it and to future couples of CDP, I want to shoot this type of intimate ceremonies all the time!

Yosemite National Park // On Film

54630002

54630006

54650023

54650003

54650009

54650012

54650016

54650024

54650025

54630010

54630016

54630029

54630034

54630023

Lindsey and I did 3 days of hiking in this beautiful National Park and it was amazing. She's a fellow film shooter so it's always great to explore with her because she understands the want for taking photos... and lends me an extra roll of film when I run out! Who's up for an #adventureelopement or wedding here?! I'm your gal to photograph it :)((oatmeal and coffee=camping musts))

shot on my canon ae-1 with fujifilm and portra

Candice + Nico // Adventure Session // Mt. Tam

These two modeled for me all around Mt. Tam and they were pros! Candice has the best laugh and Nico is just the sweetest in the way he looks at her. I met these two through the coffee shop I work at, so it was rad to get to know them better and chat! Also, Candice MADE her and Nico's shirts! What a talented lady! Now just imagine them in wedding attire and here's a preview of an #adventureelopement

Adventure Elopement Photographer

I am putting this call to action out there! As I was looking for a second shooter for a wedding I have coming up, I realized I was clicking on their blogs to get a sense of who the photographer was and to see their current work. I really need to be better about this. How does this connect with adventure elopements? Well, one of my goals for 2016 is to shoot at least one adventure elopement and if you're here reading my blog, to see my current happenings, you'll see this call to action and maybe it will be just what you're looking for! I have always said that I want to take photos and travel as I grow up. I am doing both, but I would love to combine them professionally.  In this case, travel can be in California, it's doesn't have to be a destination (but I am always up for that as well)! Let's hike, let's explore, let's find the secret nooks and crannies of the mountains and make some photos that your kids and grand-kids can look back on, and be like, "they were badass!"

Being outdoors is such an important part of my life and I always want to explore and find new hiking places. I would hike every day I am off it I could (and I definitely need to get over my fear of going by myself...). Since I moved to California from Washington, I had felt a lack of getting outside and exploring the mountains around me. It took me a little while to find my groove, but I am learning that the Bay Area has some great hikes and I just need to be open to the fact that it will be different than Washington, but a close second none the less!

So, if this sounds like what you're looking for and want to connect, shoot me an e-mail!

hi [at] chelseadier.com