Where your love story meets untamed adventure. Let’s capture those fleeting moments and craft an unforgettable elopement experience!
Colorado-based elopement photographer serving Colorado, the west coast, Moab and beyond.
The crazy thing about photos is they’re timeless. Photos remember the little things even if you forget everything.
When you look back on your wedding day, your photos should not only be beautiful moments frozen in time but will tell a story of what your day looked like, where you stayed, what and who was around you, where you said ‘I do’. It is all about intentionality, from where you decide to get married to who is invited because the day focuses on the two of you and what makes your relationship unique.
This means you can do whatever you want. If you want to invite 10 of your closest friends and family for the day, you can. Or if you want to split the day so that half the day is spent with your close friends and family and the other half is spent with just the two of you, you can do that too. You can choose to hike to an alpine lake or take a dune buggy and explore the landscape in Moab. You can plan an epic elopement in two years or plan it all in a month. Whatever keeps the focus on the two of you and your unique story, I’m here to make it happen. You have the power to shape every intentional detail and timeless memory of your day, and with us, you’ll have a dedicated team by your side, supporting you in planning every customized aspect of your elopement.
Ready to start planning your unique elopement? →
Colorado Elopement Photographer, Planner & Officiant.
owned
LGBTQ+
We want you to reflect on your wedding day and think, “I can’t believe we got married like that,” without regret.
We felt trapped in the traditional wedding format and wished we had eloped. Our wedding day was filled with stress, public displays of affection that felt unnatural, and no moments of privacy. We longed for an intimate, intentional celebration focused solely on us and our love.
Our all-in-one service is designed to make your elopement experience seamless and unforgettable. We handle every aspect of your elopement, from planning and photography to officiating, ensuring that your day is free from the pressures and distractions of a big wedding. We help you find the perfect location, take care of all the permits and logistics, and create a personalized timeline that reflects your unique relationship.
Eli, your photographer, will capture your day authentically, stepping back to let intimate moments unfold naturally while providing gentle guidance to ensure you get the best possible photos. No forced poses—just genuine, heartfelt memories. For the ceremony itself, Matt, our ordained officiant, can help craft personalized ceremonies that resonate with your love story. Every moment of your day is significant and tailored to you.
your dream day
planning
officiant
photography
Don't let the fear of doing something different stop you from having the day you've always dreamt of. There are many misconceptions and 'but what if..' when planning an elopement. I get it; you want to be sure you're making the right decisions, here are the most common ones.
This question comes up a lot with couples who choose to elope. If you were planning a big wedding with 100+ guests at a venue, you would plan to have the entire day photographed from your details to the end of the night, so why would you treat an elopement any differently? It's still your wedding day and shouldn't be treated as less than. Your wedding day shouldn't be treated as a photo shoot of your ceremony and a couple quick photos; it should be treated as an experience! The best part about eloping is you get to design a day that is all about you and what you both love doing together. Do you both enjoy quiet mornings drinking coffee or tea? Do you both love to do puzzles as a relaxing activity? Do you enjoy off-roading to remote locations? Eloping is about incorporating activities that you both love to do together. This is what makes your day more than just photos; it is an experience, and an experience shouldn't just be limited to an hour when you can fill out an entire day with everything you love to do together.
I can totally help you find bitchin' elopement locations for your day! Apart from our planning process, we get to know who you both are by asking how you feel about heights, the cold and heat, your comfort level on 4x4 roads, and much more! All this information helps me find locations that are an excellent match for your elopement, so you don't have to worry about all the logistics of finding elopement locations. When it comes to finding locations to elope at, it goes deeper than just finding a spot and jumping out and having your ceremony. Planning for an elopement venue is different from preparing for a wedding venue. When I'm helping with locations for my couples and planning, I take 20+ hours doing all kinds of research for my couples, like where and when the sun will be for good lighting, when is the best season to elope at that location, and what to expect, what land management needs to be contacted to look into permits, Leave No Trace for that specific area, and so much more!
No! I know plenty of unique places that don't require hiking! That's a misconception about eloping: that you have to hike to get amazing views, but that's not true! There are plenty of options out there that keep accessibility in mind. If you want more remote locations, you can always take different types of transportation, like private helicopters, 4x4 off-roading, outfitter guides, etc!
As a specialized elopement photographer, I deal with unpredictable weather or challenging outdoor conditions. I've photographed in many different outdoor conditions like blizzards, rainforests, harsh lighting, in the dark, etc. We will have backup locations if we need to pull them out of our back pocket. If it's raining and we have to wait it out, we can always return to your Airbnb for some indoor photos. Honestly, there are so many ways to be prepared, but that's what I'm here for! Whatever the great outdoors throws at us, we're ready for it!
Couples say, "I could never do that to my mom," or "We can't elope. We have such big families" when listing why an elopement wouldn't work for them. It takes a lot of courage and makes you a couple of the bravest people to say, "We don't feel like a big wedding is for us." If you choose to have an elopement with just the two of you, share your reasons for wanting to elope. Your reasons could be that you don't want to pay the hefty price tag and want to use that money to buy a house or go on a bitchin' honeymoon. Your reason could be wanting to have a genuinely intimate day with just the two of you or just because it just feels right. Sharing your whys will help your close friends and family understand that by choosing to elope, you are not excluding them but rather having a day you've always dreamed of. Remember, this day is about you and how you want it to look, so there are so many ways to incorporate friends and family if they're present or not. I'm here to help you navigate what feels right for you.
No matter, we're here to help you make this day an experience you will want to remember. These are a given no matter if you’re eloping in Colorado, Moab or the West Coast:
No additional travel fees.
My travel fees are already included in each package, so you don't have to worry about any extra costs from me! My inclusive pricing ensures my couples don't have to worry about inflation, changes in airfare or gas prices. If my couples want to do any special activities like a private helicopter, 4x4 rentals, etc., I'll need a seat so we can document your story while you two have a bitchin' elopement day!
Documenting the real
From multiple phone calls and meetings to customized questionnaires, I aim to get to know the real you so I can document what's real and meaningful to you.
Unlimited guides and resources.
My planning assistance includes locations, timelines, permits, packing and activity lists, vendor and lodging recommendations, and so much more! These questionnaires will help keep you on track so every detail is noticed. You have a photographer, elopement planner and ordained officiant(s) all in one with me! I will help you with the logistics of your day.
High-resolution online gallery.
When photographing you, I have a few priorities: storytelling, art and your untamed adventure. I want each photo to transport you back to your day when you look at your photographs. I want you to look back and know exactly why you're laughing and why that tear is rolling down your cheek. Regardless of your chosen package, we don't limit the photos you'll receive in your gallery. All your GIFs, double exposures and creative photographs are included without additional charge. This gallery will consist of all your sneak peeks too.
Two ordained officiants.
While I can't officiate your ceremony because I'll busy photographing it, I can always sign your marriage certificate and help you with the paperwork. Still, as an add-on service, you can always hire my husband, Matt, to help you create a personalized ceremony where he will stand up with you as your officiant. Like me, he has a background in big weddings but always felt like something was missing until he also found elopements, and now he is the exclusive officiant for Rooted Rebels Photography. He specializes in elopements and intimate weddings and can't wait to create a safe and comfortable space for you to boldly share your vows. We're a great team, so if you want those extra personal touches, hiring us both is the perfect duo so we can plan together the best way to make sure your ceremony is unique and authentic.
Kind words
Elijah was absolutely amazing from the start. As a photographer myself, I spent hours looking through many photographers' work and decided to reach out to Elijah. I voiced my concerns, and he listened to all of them- stating, “I’m here for you and your husband on your big day,” He helped plan, and I bounced ideas off him. He was excited when I sent him photos of my dress, the rings, little details, and always a phone call or FaceTime away.
I don’t think 5 stars is enough to explain how valuable Eli was to our elopement. He actually listened to us; however insane we may have sounded, he just let us run as he facilitated our whims and desires. He really is your planner, photographer and friend throughout the whole thing. He makes the day about you, and he nails it! Somehow, he’s always chipper, too! Eli is the Swiss Army knife of elopement photographer and planner. Highly recommend. He’s a breath of fresh air, and his photography style is fire
To couples looking for an engagement photographer, we wholeheartedly recommend Eli. His passion for his craft, attention to detail, and ability to capture genuine moments are unparalleled. Moreover, Eli’s great people skills made our experience even more enjoyable, as he effortlessly connected with us and made us feel comfortable throughout the session. Trust Eli to bring your love story to life through his lens—you won’t be disappointed!
To couples looking for an engagement photographer, we wholeheartedly recommend Eli. His passion for his craft, attention to detail, and ability to capture genuine moments are unparalleled. Moreover, Eli’s great people skills made our experience even more enjoyable, as he effortlessly connected with us and made us feel comfortable throughout the session. Trust Eli to bring your love story to life through his lens—you won’t be disappointed!
We pulled him in every direction possible with many ideas that didn’t end up going through (probably for the better), and he was so kind and patient with us. He gave us a lot of good ideas, but it never felt like a pressure to do what he was suggesting. He was constantly reminding us that he was there for us, and it was our day to celebrate - that it doesn’t matter what other people think. We are truly so honored and blessed to have had him as our photographer and wedding planner. He was one of our biggest hype men and a huge relief to have on our side.
Elijah is everything I could have dreamed of in a wedding photographer - and more. as a person is the exact positive yet calm, encouraging, organized energy you want on your wedding day. He never added any stress, went out of his way to help with little things to ease my stress, and was a great member of our group. He was extremely professional, funny & easy to get along with. He got all of the photos I wanted, gave gentle suggestions and never pushed to do any photos that we weren’t interested in.
OurAdventure Weddings & Elopement Packages
Starting at $4400 (Prices range between $4400 - $7800)
Colorado Elopement & Intimate Wedding Packages
- Photo coverage from 6 hours to 2-day elopements by Eli
- Explore anywhere in Colorado, such as the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, the volcanic jagged peaks in Telluride or Ouray, or the wildflower fields of Crested Butte.
- A personalized elopement experience that includes questionnaires to understand your wedding day vision and resources to help with locations, wedding permits, vendors, timeline creation, and everything you might need to craft an unforgettable experience
- All your high-resolution images tell your story in a secure online digital gallery.
- GIFs, double exposures, and creative imagery are included at no extra cost.
- Sneak peeks within 1 week of your elopement
- Travel fees are already included in Moab, Utah.
- If you want to do special activities like a private helicopter, snowmobile, 4x4 rentals, etc., we’ll need a seat to document your story while you two have a blast during your elopement
INCLUDES:
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Moab Elopement & Intimate Wedding Packages
Starting at $4400 (Prices range between $4400 - $7800)
- Photo coverage from 6 hours to 2-day elopements by Eli
- Explore the town of Moab and enjoy adventures in the surrounding areas, including river access, sweeping cliff views, arches, and Moab’s dark skies for incredible stargazing opportunities.
- A personalized elopement experience with questionnaires to understand your wedding day vision and resources for locations, wedding permits, vendors, timeline creation, and everything needed to craft an unforgettable experience
- All your high-resolution images in a secure online digital gallery
- GIFs, double exposures, and creative imagery are included without additional fees.
- Sneak peeks within 1 week of your elopement
- Travel fees are included for anywhere in Colorado.
- If you want to do special activities like a private helicopter ride, snowmobiles, 4x4 rentals, etc., we’ll need a seat to document your story while you two have a blast during your elopement.
INCLUDES:
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West Coast Elopement & Intimate Wedding Packages
Starting at $5400 (Prices range between $5400 - $8400)
- Photo coverage from 6 hours to 2-day elopements by Eli
- Explore anywhere on the West Coast from Washington to California. The west coast offers diverse landscapes, from dormant volcanoes like Mount Rainier to the cliffs on the Oregon coast and all the way down to the deserts at Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park.
- Questionnaires to understand your wedding day vision and resources to help with locations, wedding permits, vendors, timeline creation, and everything needed to craft an unforgettable experience.
- All your high-resolution images tell your story in a secure online digital gallery.
- GIFs, double exposures, and creative imagery are included without additional fees.
- Sneak peeks within 1 week of your elopement
- Travel fees are included for the west coast.
- If you want to do special activities like a private helicopter, snowmobile, 4x4 rentals, etc., we’ll need a seat to document your story while you two have a blast during your elopement.
INCLUDES:
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Adventure Engagement, Couples Session, Anniversary Packages
Starting at $500
- Photo coverage starts at 1 hour and can increase depending on what you want to be photographed.
- Whether it’s an epic session on a mountaintop or an intimate at-home session, let’s capture the small moments that matter together.
- A personalized experience including help with locations, permits, outfit changes, engagement and couples guide, and everything you need for an unforgettable experience
- All your high-resolution images tell your story in a secure online digital gallery.
- GIFs, double exposures, and creative imagery are included without additional fees.
- Sneak peeks within 1 week of your elopement
- Travel fees are not included in this package as they depend on the location and type of shoot.
INCLUDES:
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Hello, I’m Matt - As your elopement officiant, I aim to honor and celebrate your love in all its beautiful and raw forms.
- Introduction Call: Preferably via video or phone. We will connect and discuss your vision for your special day. I’ll provide a brief overview of my services and let you know if you feel we’re a good fit for each other.
- Get to Know You Better: This will help me understand your preferences and desires for your ceremony. We will plan out your ceremony and incorporate any traditions or special requests.
- Personalized Script Review: We’ll review the rough draft I’ve created just for you, where we can make any last-minute adjustments based on your feedback. We’ll finalize all the details to ensure a smooth and worry-free experience.
COST: $400
I’m ordained with American Marriage Ministries because we both believe:
It’s a privilege for me to be part of your journey, helping craft a cherished memory you’ll always carry with you. Officiating elopements and smaller weddings hold a special place in my heart because it allows me to build deep connections with each couple’s unique story. I’m not here to perform a ceremony; I want to be your friend, guide, and biggest supporter as you start this exciting adventure together. I’ll create a safe and comfortable space where you can confidently say your vows and celebrate your love in a completely unique way. Let’s start crafting your elopement ceremony so it’s true to you both.
- All people, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, have the right to marry.
- It is the right of every couple to choose who will solemnize their marriage.
- All people have the right to solemnize marriage.
Officiating Services Include:
Add On Officiating Services With Matt
Capturing Authentic Moments
Throughout the day, I take on the roles of both a wildlife and documentary photographer. Sometimes, I step back to focus on candid shots and let moments naturally unfold.
Guided Poses
I sometimes step in as a director to recompose shots for stronger compositions or guide you into poses that reflect your natural interactions. I don't believe in forcing Pinterest board poses that don't feel like you.
Creative Collaboration
The way to get creative photos is by trusting the process and working together. If one of you usually kisses the other’s cheek, we'll incorporate that into your photos. If one of you typically leads while walking, we'll use that, too.
Personal Touch
I'm here to photograph real people with real emotions. I'll make sure your photos reflect how you naturally interact with each other.
Full Support
I'm there for whatever you need on your elopement day. Whether fluffing your dress, tying your tie, or handing you your jacket between photos, I've got you covered.
frequently asked questions
We can help plan your elopement in as little as a month, but ideally, we like to prepare between 12-18 months in advance. Booking early also helps ensure we’re available on your date.
Don’t worry! It means incredible photos and an epic adventure! We’re experts at rolling with the punches. No sweat if we plan to hike a mountain and it gets rained out. We’ve got nearby backup spots for your vows. Whatever the great outdoors throws at us, we’re ready for it!
It depends! We are both ordained officiants & can legally sign your marriage license in most U.S. states. Certain states may require additional paperwork and/or processing fees, but we’re happy to help! (P.S. Colorado doesn’t require an officiant / witnesses at all). Lucky for you, Matt is also an ordained officiant who has led several wedding ceremonies, He would love help create your personal ceremony.
Most of our elopements average between 6-12 hours, but how many hours you need will depend on how many locations you want to experience, how many guests you would like to have, and what activities you would like to experience for your elopement day.
A half-day elopement is around 6 - 8 hrs. Couples interested in sunrise and sunset, or multiple locations book a full day (10+ hrs.) See our elopement packages for additional information. If you have any questions or are ready to book, message us, and let’s get started!
Yes, we capture the magic of intimate weddings and elopements, keeping it intimate with no more than 50 guests. But here’s the real deal: our commitment is the same for both. We’re not just a photographer, planners and officiants; we’re your partners, offering guidance, support, and feedback to tailor your day to your heart’s desire. Every step of the way, we’re there to ensure you have an incredible experience and heartwarming photos that tell your unique story for a lifetime. Let’s make memories together!
Once you reach out, Eli will be your one and only photographer. We will be with you from day one until you say, “I do.” Booking us means you’ve got the dynamic duo—Matt and I—by your side. We’ll make scouting locations, researching permits, and finding cool spots a breeze. It’s a two-for-one deal with us—double the fun and expertise!
Once you’ve decided that eloping is for you, reach out to us on our contact page, and we will work with you regardless of where you are. Whether you have a few details figured out or have no idea where to start, we’ve got you! We’ll get on a call to get to know each other more. We will talk and hear about your vision for your day and share more knowledge, details, tips, etc. We’ll prepare a contract to reserve that date immediately so we can all sign together.
After that, we go into planning mode immediately to ensure this experience is personalized and customized to your vision and needs. Trust us; it is as easy as it sounds :)
THERE IS NO NEED TO HIKE FOR A BEAUTIFUL ELOPEMENT!!
Adventure elopement is about intentional details that make your day uniquely yours. To us, “adventure” isn’t just a word; it’s creating a day filled with beautiful memories you’ll cherish. If you’re up for a hike, we suggest a comfy 2-3 miles each way. Prefer a leisurely stroll? No worries! We’ll find a spot that’s easy to reach and has epic views for your unforgettable day. Let’s make it yours every step of the way!
Once you’re booked, we kick off planning with a questionnaire to understand you both and what you’re looking for in a location or even locations on your elopement day. This will give us all the information to find you some fantastic spots! Once we’ve discovered locations, we will send you what we’ve found to provide you with a bitchin’ experience! We’ve also covered the permit hustle—researching and reaching out for any “special use” permits needed for your dream elopement spots. Let the adventure begin!
We understand that investing in your wedding day is important to you and takes time to plan, so we don’t ask for the full amount upfront. We require a booking retainer to hold your date and begin the planning process, and then the rest of the payments are split up. The final payment is due 30 days before your elopement, so you don’t have to worry about any payment on your wedding day. :)
Absolutely! We love traveling and have worked with couples who eloped in other states like Utah or Washington. We have even helped couples from different states come to Colorado to elope. The best part about us is our travel fees are already rolled into our packages, so the price you see is what you get when you work with us. We don’t want you to worry about anything!
Your elopement or intimate wedding should be surrounded by those close to your heart—family or friends. For outdoor weddings in nature, we suggest limiting guests to 15 or fewer due to regulations in national and state parks, Bureau of Land Management Lands, etc. This helps preserve trails and native plants in line with Leave No Trace Principles.
If you’re considering more than 15 guests, let’s discuss alternate locations and plans for an exceptional experience and photos.
