Ready to Wander Podcast EP9: Photographer’s Guide to Preparing for an Elopement
Welcome back to the Ready to Wander Podcast; I’m your host, Sydney Breann. If you’re new around here, I am a full-time elopement and intimate wedding photographer (based out of Montana). So today’s episode is a freaking good one; the Photographer’s Guide to Preparing for an Elopement. Having photographed over 100 weddings and elopements, I decided it was about time to share my knowledge.
While there aren’t very many jobs that allow you to hike and adventure with couples outdoors, there are responsibilities that come with the excitement. There is tons of unseen preparation that goes into ensuring that everything goes off without a hitch. From creating backup plans, being prepared for emergencies, tricky weather situations, and being capable of carrying all the gear needed to take care of your cameras and shoot the wedding while also keeping yourself safe.
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How to Prepare for an Elopement as a Photographer
When browsing the web, I’ve come across many articles preparing couples for their elopement. Don’t get me wrong – I definitely agree that that is a necessary resource, I haven’t found a ton to help photographers prepare! (PS- I actually have that resource for couples HERE.) As a photographer, knowing how to prepare for an elopement will ensure that the day goes off without a hitch. While I’m going to take you through preparations needed as you get closer to the elopement, there are a few things you can as soon as you book an elopement. This might look different for each photographer, but I like to walk alongside my couples through the process. My biggest goal as an elopement photographer is to ensure my couples have the most magical, stress-free day, even if that means I put together more resources or hop on more calls to help co-create their day.
You Booked an Elopement! Now What!?
- Send a detailed questionnaire.
- This is the kinda questionnaire that is designed to gather all the details. From the overall vibe down to their favorite part of their elopement location, to the number of guests or even how far they want to hike. Personally, I make sure I get the details so that I can provide accurate suggestions for what they are envisioning.
- This is the kinda questionnaire that is designed to gather all the details. From the overall vibe down to their favorite part of their elopement location, to the number of guests or even how far they want to hike. Personally, I make sure I get the details so that I can provide accurate suggestions for what they are envisioning.
- Touch base frequently.
- Planning a wedding, regardless of the size or location, is a lot of work. As soon as I hop on that first ‘discovery’ call before my couple has even booked me, I make sure to tell them how frequently they can expect to hear from me. Once they book with me, I continue to keep communication a regular thing. I even give them “homework” to keep things moving forward; from securing necessary permits to making location decisions. Keeping the lines of communication open with your couples is vital for a kickass elopement!
- Planning a wedding, regardless of the size or location, is a lot of work. As soon as I hop on that first ‘discovery’ call before my couple has even booked me, I make sure to tell them how frequently they can expect to hear from me. Once they book with me, I continue to keep communication a regular thing. I even give them “homework” to keep things moving forward; from securing necessary permits to making location decisions. Keeping the lines of communication open with your couples is vital for a kickass elopement!
- Help create a timeline!
- First and foremost, make sure to take into account your couples’ wishes – maybe they want to go for a morning swim or hike! Do your best to make sure there is time for what they want outlined in the timeline. Make sure to also account for hike time, driving time, buffer time, etc. I also suggest creating a backup plan (or two) in case of road closures or weather emergencies. Some photographers choose to create the timeline through a questionnaire or email, whereas others like to hop on a call to walk through the overall vision as a team.
- First and foremost, make sure to take into account your couples’ wishes – maybe they want to go for a morning swim or hike! Do your best to make sure there is time for what they want outlined in the timeline. Make sure to also account for hike time, driving time, buffer time, etc. I also suggest creating a backup plan (or two) in case of road closures or weather emergencies. Some photographers choose to create the timeline through a questionnaire or email, whereas others like to hop on a call to walk through the overall vision as a team.
- Closer to their date, send an additional questionnaire.
- If you’ve photographed traditional weddings before, this part is probably pretty familiar to you. When you get closer to their actual date, you can send an additional questionnaire to chat through those “extra things”. Extras would include a shot lists, necessary addresses, vendor lists, and any other final details (parking, Airbnb info, etc.).
- If you’ve photographed traditional weddings before, this part is probably pretty familiar to you. When you get closer to their actual date, you can send an additional questionnaire to chat through those “extra things”. Extras would include a shot lists, necessary addresses, vendor lists, and any other final details (parking, Airbnb info, etc.).
- Gather/order necessary gear.
- At this point in my photography journey, I have more gear than I know what to do with. But if you don’t already have a closet overflowing with hiking essentials, now’s the time to order it! Is your couple planning an adventurous wedding that involves hiking 3 miles one way through the snow? Well, now’s the time to gather your spikes, snowshoes, layers, and HandWarmers!
- Now is also the time that I suggest training. You don’t want to embark on an intense hike the day before the elopement. I like to keep up with hiking and walking in general, but if you don’t already have it in your routine, add it! You definitely want to prepare your body – especially when carrying so much gear!
So after the onboarding and planning workflow is complete, that is when I get into the nitty gritty of preparing for the elopement.
It’s Elopement Week! Here’s how to prep:
- FUEL THAT BODY!
- Preparing for an elopement means fueling your body. From solid nutrition to good rest, don’t take this one for granted. During busy season, it can be so easy to let these fall to the wayside, but I try my best to take care of my body with food, exercise, sleep, and nutrition. Damn, it sounds like I am an athlete over here 😅. All jokes aside, this can make or break an elopement.
- Preparing for an elopement means fueling your body. From solid nutrition to good rest, don’t take this one for granted. During busy season, it can be so easy to let these fall to the wayside, but I try my best to take care of my body with food, exercise, sleep, and nutrition. Damn, it sounds like I am an athlete over here 😅. All jokes aside, this can make or break an elopement.
- Confirm Accommodations/Travel to Destination
- Personally, I like to arrive to the elopement location a couple days beforehand if I’m traveling. Not only does this ensure I’m on-time, but it allows me more time to settle in, scout locations, etc. If the elopement location is more of a local one for you, it’s always a good idea to confirm your accommodations and to plan out your travel.
- Personally, I like to arrive to the elopement location a couple days beforehand if I’m traveling. Not only does this ensure I’m on-time, but it allows me more time to settle in, scout locations, etc. If the elopement location is more of a local one for you, it’s always a good idea to confirm your accommodations and to plan out your travel.
- Scout (or re-scout) Locations
- If the elopement is local, odds are you already have tons and tons of previously scouted locations. Take advantage of your familiarity and double check to make sure those locations are open. You also want to make sure no extra permits are needed, and that nothing has changed (like parking access or trail closures).
- If the elopement is not local, I scout the majority of locations a few days before the elopement, but I like to get a head start when I first arrive. Leading up to the elopement, I like to take advantage of Pinterest and even Google Earth to get a feel for some good locations. This also ensures I have ample time to have backup plans in tow.
Days before the Elopement:
Honestly, when it comes to preparing for an elopement, you can never be “too prepared”. While it’s important to keep in mind that you’re responsible for carrying everything you pack, I’d rather have more than enough resources than not enough. Nobody anticipates an emergency, but you should always plan for one. I want to make sure that not only I am taken care of, but also my couples.
- Pack your gear + clothing
- Now’s a great time to put together an emergency kit if you don’t already have one! Here’s what I keep in mine:
- Tylenol
- Dramamine
- Benadryl
- Bandaids
- Hand Sanitizer
- Moleskin
- Mini Sewing Kit
- Hairspray
- Bobby-Pins
- Hair Ties
- Mini Lint Rollers
- Pack of Tissues
- Multitool/Pocket Knife
- Garmin In Reach
- Yak Tracks (Depending where we’re headed/time of year)
- Gloves
- Leggings
- Hand Warmers & Body Warmers
- Snacks
- Plenty of Water
- Emergency Rain Gear & Ponchos
- Photography gear I pack typically looks something like:
- Various lenses (and bodies). I typically use my Sony a7iii, 35 mm, 24-70mm, and 70-20mm lenses.
- A flash (just in case)
- Batteries
- Lens wipes
- Extra memory cards (in a waterproof case)
- Optional: Polaroid Camera (I like to give my couple a few photos to take home!)
- Now’s a great time to put together an emergency kit if you don’t already have one! Here’s what I keep in mine:
- Print the timeline, permits, and emergency/other vendor info
- I know, I know. You’re not the “paper-kinda-person”. But trust me: you want to print this info! Not only are most elopements in remote locations with limited cell service, but technology can fail. By having paper copies of the timeline, shot list, emergency info, and vendor contacts, you’re as prepared as you can be.
- I know, I know. You’re not the “paper-kinda-person”. But trust me: you want to print this info! Not only are most elopements in remote locations with limited cell service, but technology can fail. By having paper copies of the timeline, shot list, emergency info, and vendor contacts, you’re as prepared as you can be.
- Re-scout locations and hikes
- If you’ve ever tried to plan a hike at a National Park, you’ll know how frequently trails close. Whether there have been bear sightings, downed trees, or flash floods, you are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Seriously, have backup plans! I personally write these down, and do my best to be familiar with how to get to these locations as well. There’s nothing worse than stressing your couple out because you can’t remember how to get to a certain hike or overlook.
Pro tip: I use the app OnX to mark locations! The app gives you the capability to send pins and directions!
- If you’ve ever tried to plan a hike at a National Park, you’ll know how frequently trails close. Whether there have been bear sightings, downed trees, or flash floods, you are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Seriously, have backup plans! I personally write these down, and do my best to be familiar with how to get to these locations as well. There’s nothing worse than stressing your couple out because you can’t remember how to get to a certain hike or overlook.
- Confirm meeting location and time with couple
- Things change! Couples change their minds, and often don’t have time to communicate it beforehand. I make sure to chat with them a couple days in advance (and the night before) to double (and triple) check what time and where they would like to meet. It’s important to remain flexible and adjust the timeline if needed.
- Things change! Couples change their minds, and often don’t have time to communicate it beforehand. I make sure to chat with them a couple days in advance (and the night before) to double (and triple) check what time and where they would like to meet. It’s important to remain flexible and adjust the timeline if needed.
- Charge electronics and gear
- It’s a no-brainer to charge your camera gear, but don’t forget about your other gear! Headlamps, GPS devices, extra batteries, etc. all need to be properly charged to avoid any disasters. I like to keep backup batteries in tow, and (if at all possible), a car charger.
- It’s a no-brainer to charge your camera gear, but don’t forget about your other gear! Headlamps, GPS devices, extra batteries, etc. all need to be properly charged to avoid any disasters. I like to keep backup batteries in tow, and (if at all possible), a car charger.
- Fuel your vehicle
- Look, I’ll be the first to admit that I am guilty of running on E for as long as I can. But I assure you, I never get gas the morning of an elopement! Making sure my vehicle is full at least the day before is one of my top priorities. This is especially important when traveling through remote areas (National Parks, the desolate desert, back roads, etc.). You never want to be without fuel!
ELOPEMENT DAY!
- Wake up early
- While this one certainly depends on what time your coverage begins, the earlier you’re up, the more prepared you are.
- While this one certainly depends on what time your coverage begins, the earlier you’re up, the more prepared you are.
- Eat a filling breakfast, drink water, and pack snacks
- You’ll find that I include snacks in my packing list for photographers, but make sure to eat before you head out for the day. Elopements are a bit different than traditional weddings. Most elopements are spent hiking with little time to sit and you usually have to eat on the go.
- You’ll find that I include snacks in my packing list for photographers, but make sure to eat before you head out for the day. Elopements are a bit different than traditional weddings. Most elopements are spent hiking with little time to sit and you usually have to eat on the go.
- Check the weather
- The weather, unfortunately, is one thing that cannot be changed on an elopement day. Embrace it! Pack any additional gear you may need. If you’re able to drive in your vehicle (or a rental), pack additional gear as a backup. The weather is always changing! I always make sure to have extra coats, mittens, hand warmers, and ponchos for rain!
- The weather, unfortunately, is one thing that cannot be changed on an elopement day. Embrace it! Pack any additional gear you may need. If you’re able to drive in your vehicle (or a rental), pack additional gear as a backup. The weather is always changing! I always make sure to have extra coats, mittens, hand warmers, and ponchos for rain!
- Meet up with the couple!
- The best time of the process! I typically meet my couple at the entrance of the National Park (if applicable), or at their lodging. Even if I’m not carpooling with the couple, I like to be able to caravan throughout the area to ensure we don’t lose touch of one another.
- The best time of the process! I typically meet my couple at the entrance of the National Park (if applicable), or at their lodging. Even if I’m not carpooling with the couple, I like to be able to caravan throughout the area to ensure we don’t lose touch of one another.
- Have a kickass day!
- The couple has spent months preparing for this moment, and it’s time to kick it off. Stay calm, enjoy the day, and be the friend and adventure buddy that your couple needs.
Preparing for an Elopement as a Photographer
I know I don’t need to tell you that alllll of that was a lot. There really is a ton that goes into preparing for an elopement as a photographer. It isn’t about just taking epic photos. You are playing a part in creating an experience for your couple. You need to have backup plans and be prepared for nasty weather or last minute changes. A big plus-side of an elopement is the flexibility that comes with it. Know that plans may change and you just need to adapt and work with it. Your couple will still have the best day ever, even if it wasn’t the original plan.
Now that I’ve walked you through preparing for an elopement as a photographer, are you ready to wander? You can keep up with me over on Instagram (@sydneybreannphoto) and come back to the Pod every other Thursday for new episodes HERE!
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