How To Avoid Crowds On Your Elopement Day
Your vision is clear: an intimate location, the love of your life, a few close friends, the perfect elopement! My guess is that vision doesn’t include hoards of people in the background of all your photos sharing your romantic elopement with you, am I right? Oftentimes when couples choose to elope they want to do so because their goal is for this moment to be about them and their relationship. The thing is, if you aren’t renting a location to be exclusively yours for the day it is very possible that other people will be around.
Something we don’t talk enough about when planning for elopements is the fact that crowds can be inevitable. If you’re eloping in a popular location at a popular time of year, odds are the crowds are going to be BIG. Yes, even with COVID! In fact, because of COVID, we have seen more and more couples choose to elope or get married outside. So, we need to get creative. Everyone can do a quick google search for the best outdoor elopement spot in Mt. Hood, but you don’t want to be the third couple in line to elope at that location. So, let’s make you an expert on how to avoid crowds on your elopement day!
Finding your picture-perfect photographer
First things first, hire yourself an experienced elopement photographer. You may be wondering what makes us elopement photographers different from any other photographer. Well, I’ll tell you!
We know how important keeping this moment intimate and private is to you!
You’ve chosen to elope so that you have a special moment between you and your partner. By selecting an experienced elopement photographer you’ll feel like there is no one else around! Your photographer will be snapping photos (and gorgeous ones) in the background and you’ll hardly notice they’re even there. Your photographer will also create a strong relationship with you so that you and your partner feel comfortable in front of the camera so you can focus on sharing your vows; we don’t need anyone getting nervous in-front of the lens! You have enough on your plate already.
They know the area and they know it well!
If you pick a good one, your elopement photographer will know the area extremely well. That means they’ll know all the secluded locations with the best views and the best light! Whether you want yummy golden hour photos with a gorgeous mountain peak backdrop or a moody setting deep in the woods, your elopement photographer will have the best suggestions for you. They know the area well enough to be able to provide you with suggestions of locations that are not only going to be secluded so you can avoid crowds, but locations that will have your friends saying “How did you find this?!” when they see your photos. For my top elopement spots near Mt Hood, check out the blog post The 10 Best Places To Elope on Mt Hood, Oregon!
They know HOW to get into those unreal locations!
Sometimes getting those epic locations so you can avoid crowds on your elopement day requires a bit of work. By choosing an elopement photographer who knows the area well, you are almost guaranteed easy access to the coolest spots. By having someone who knows the ins and outs of acquiring permits, times of year when places are accessible, or just someone who knows the hiking trail like the back of their hand, your photographer is going to be a great asset to you and your perfect private elopement.
Early Bird Gets The... Location!
So you are obsessed with a local spot that is almost always crowded during the day, but your heart is set. You just HAVE to elope in that location. Well, consider a sunrise elopement!
There will be WAY less people around.
I know it may be hard to convince you to get up early for your elopement. But, if you really want to have privacy and avoid crowds on your elopement day, then this is one of the only ways to absolutely guarantee there will be less people around! Let’s be real, it isn’t likely other people will be up before the sun so why not wake up a little early? If I’ve convinced you then you can bet I’ll buy you a cup of coffee on the way!
The lighting is EPIC
As a photographer, I have a special place in my heart for the perfect natural lighting. By waking up early and having a sunrise elopement the lighting you will have is going to be epic. I mean, we all love golden hour but the gorgeous soft light that the sun gives off as it rises!? Perfection.
Hard Work Pays Off
If your vision includes a secluded location with some breathtaking views, then I hope you’re ready to go on an adventure. Pack your bags, put on your hiking boots, it’s time to trek out to that perfect location!
Privacy
Hiking to your elopement spot is one of the best ways to ensure privacy. By going off the beaten trail you are more likely to avoid crowds! If you’ve chosen a popular location to elope then odds are you don’t want to get married at the most-visited overlook. Hiking to your elopement location requires a bit of hard work; most people will not be hiking way out to where you’ve chosen to elope so you’ll feel like you have the spot all to yourselves.
FANTASTIC views
Your elopement photographer will be ready to strap on their boots and lead you to a location that will have everyone wondering “How!?” That’s right. I’m talking epic canyons, towering mountain peaks, whimsical forests, seriously the things that you can only dream of!
Memories that last a lifetime
Ready for your first challenge as a married couple?! Hiking out to these breathtaking locations can require a little extra work but I promise you will be SO happy that you did it. From the laughs you will have along the way (picture your partner almost slipping in a little mud while hiking up the hill) to the intimate moment you’ll share at your location, this hike is going to lead you to the adventure of a lifetime: marriage.
If you’re planning on eloping on Mt Hood but aren’t sure where to start let’s have a chat! Fill out my contact form and we’ll get started. I can’t wait to hear all about what you’re thinking and dreaming up for your big day!
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