So you have a vision, you have a date and now it's time to design your dream elopement. As an elopement guide, we don't just show up and capture your day. We help you plan and craft your day from the start to make it more unforgettable than you can possibly imagine. This is the simplified version of our exclusive 93 page MMP clients guide designed to provide information and get you started prior to our face-time planning date! After booking, you'll receive access to our more in depth planning guide!
1. Dream Big.
Dream up what the best day ever looks like to you! Don't consider logistics - just how you feel, what you're environment is like and what are you doing?
2. Make the Big Decisions:
Where, Who + For How Long
3. Plan out Details:
Travel logistics, activities, wedding attire + gear
4. Create a Timeline
5. Getting Ready to Go!
6. Have the Best Elopement Ever!
get freaking
excited.
our exclusive client elopement guide will help you step by step!
considerations before beginning
- A rad BNB: One location that you walk out the back door to an adventure.
- One Stop Shop: One general area outside of where you get ready to explore around.
- Driving Adventure: Hitting different key locations for an epic-photo adventure.
- Hiking Adventure: Getting to a gorgeous spot on foot while taking in and enjoying locations along the way.
- And of course, all the above / any combo.
1. Timeframe: How long are we hanging?
2. where Are we starting at where you're staying?
3. What adventure below sounds like your dream:
what inspires you most?
There's a few main regions popular in the PNW but of course, many other gems along the way. Some of these regions can be driven for hours which is why if starting from scratch, it can be easier to start with where you're staying.
1. Mount Rainier National Park
2. North Cascades / Mount Baker National Park
3.Olympic National Park
4. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
5. North bend / Snoqualmie / Snoqualmie Pass / Gold Creek Pond
6. The Desert / Central Washington or Oregon
7. The Coast / WA or OR
8. Portland / Columbia River Gorge
pnw regions:
MMP clients receive a custom location list based on your vision of your dream day
If you don't have a set location in mind or a specific viewpoint and/or hike, choosing a place to stay is a great place to start. The PNW offers some really unique Airbnb's and cabins that can serve as a great place to start your elopement.
Keep the things in mind you want to do while you're visiting the PNW. Do you want to hike? Explore waterfalls? Relax by your Airbnb? Sometimes determining this first can help all of the other pieces come together!
where to stay
choosing
work with megan
Ready for weddings photos that capture the true spirit of your relationship?
LEt's do this.
Washington has a 3 day waiting period but you can apply online and have the license mailed to your home address. You can apply within 60 days of your wedding date.
1. Hire an officiant to perform a ceremony
2. Have a family member or friend get ordained and perform the ceremony.
3. Have a friend or family member perform a ceremony OR privately read vows and I can legalize your paperwork.
ceremony details
Let's get married
BONUS:
The importance of your vows is even more so with an intimate ceremony. Check out a vow writing workshop that my fellow industry friend created below:
TAPESTRY VOW WRITING WORKSHOP
Seattle Area Application
Tacoma Area Application
Choose one of 3 options:
Marriage License:
Marriage Permits Are Required for
National Parks:
PERMITS
Mount Rainier
Olympic National Park
North Cascades National Park
We recommend submitting for permits at least 4 weeks prior to your event. Fees range from $40-$60 per park. General rules include:
• Not impeding the activities of other park visitors.
• Modest decorations may be allowed (additional permissions required).
• The setting up of chairs, tents, or awnings is not permitted.
• Throwing of rice, confetti, etc. is not allowed.
• Leaving no trace and respecting protected fields
Love is meant to be an adventure!
- Gordon B. Hinckley
Sunrise? Sunset? Or somewhere in between? Let me start off by saying the best decision is the one that best fits the experience you’re looking to have on your wedding day. There’s no exact formula for how a day will turn out but there are different pros and cons to choosing a time of day for your elopement and each location, weather forecast and season will render images in a different way. Don't worry, we'll work together to figure out the best time for you! MMP Clients receive a custom timeline as part of our joint planning process!
TIME
READ MORE
oh...weather.
When it comes to weather, it's best to be prepared. I am equipped to shoot in a variety of conditions and once even photographed a hiking elopement in a blizzard. Not my first recommendation but we made it work. ;) We can stick with the scheduled plan (as long as it's safe) or adjust time/location based on conditions and your willingness. I will keep you informed, provide a revised plan when necessary or just go with the flow! My location recommendations are based on the season with weather conditions in mind. Below is the best site to track hourly weather based on GPS coordinates + some popular locations:
I always joke that my second job is a meteorologist.
Paradise
Sunrise
Snoqualmie pass
artist point / baker
mt st helens
ruby beach
lake crescent
Whether or not you start in your wedding attire, totally depends on the day. Some clients wear and ride while others change by the car or once we arrived to the destination when hiking. You will want to wear something that integrates well with the environment we're in. Dresses that flow in the wind, are easy to hike in or that don't get caught on easily. I highly recommend fleece leggings under dresses and furs or shaws on colder days. Always prepared for a cold day especially if you're not getting married in July or August. Hiking shoes recommended for walking and any dress shoes you can carry along I still recommend being ones you're ok being on a trail with.
Generally, here's how it works:
-If we're starting at your airbnb, wedding attire is on.
-If we're photographing at an easy to access location but it requires some driving to get to, arrive casual and change nearby.
-If we're hiking and elevation is involved, hike in casual clothes and change at the top/destination. Attire can easily be carried by keeping in a gown/suite bag, folded over once and hung on the back of a backpack. Backpacks are also great for carrying flowers and other miscellaneous items for your ceremony.
WHAT TO WEAr
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We've got recommendations for you
VENDOR FRIENDS
Partnering with a few high-quality, amazing vendors who can help bring your dream wedding to reality can absolutely elevate your experience and showcase your unique style. Hiring vendors isn’t necessarily about turning your day into a big production, but about getting some help so you don’t have to do everything yourself.
The most common vendors that couples hire for elopements & intimate weddings are florists, hair & makeup artists, officiants, chefs & caterers, and videographers.
If you have an idea and aren’t sure who to hire to help, just ask.