5 Tips For Looking Extra Epic in Your Elopement Photos
One of the most common things we hear in our inquiries is, “Um, so my partner and I aren’t really photogenic picture-taking peeps and we’re pretty awkward when we get in front of a camera…like what do we do, what do we wear? Will we still get good photos?”
Our answer is always…OF COURSE!!!!!!!!
Mal is seriously the most low-key, silliest chick you’re ever gonna meet, so feeling comfortable around her is the EASIEST!
And that’s great news, because the number one thing we tell everyone is that it’s important for you to feel comfortable. The more natural and comfortable you feel, the better your photos will turn out!
However, there are a few things you can do ahead of time (you know what they say, practice makes perfect) to ensure your elopement photos are the most epic possible. (And bonus, many of these tips are the makings of an amazing date night…you can thank us later. 😉)
1. Don’t Forget Your Papers
It may sound ridiculous at first, but over the years, YOU HAVE NO IDEA how many times we’ve gotten this famous text message:
“Mal, you’re not going to believe this, but we drove almost all the way to the trailhead when we realized we left our marriage license at the hotel! Sorry, but we’re gonna be pretty late! 😬”
I know what you’re thinking: what do our marriage papers have anything to do with how we look in our elopement photos? Let us explain…
Epic elopement photos rely HEAVILY, EXTREMELY, SOOOOOO MUCH on good lighting. Depending on exactly where and when we’re shooting, our window for the most optimal light may only last a few minutes! That means, in most cases, ya gotta be on time! The timelines we craft cater to the BEST lighting situations so that you will get the best friggin’ pics ever😛 Soooo um, we can’t really afford any delays.
Advice: The night before your elopement, go and physically put your marriage license and any other necessary paperwork (location-specific permits, etc.) in your vehicle. I PROMISE you, it will be the last thing on your mind the day of!
If you do still forget them and realize moments before you pull up to the trailhead, that’s totally okay! No sweat, things happen. But DON’T GO BACK FOR THEM — We truly need that perfect light for your pics! We can easily sign everything later, maybe over a fresh brew after our epic adventure to celebrate you being officially married! 🤘
2. Suit Up!
This photo tip is geared slightly more toward the fellas, but it applies to you ladies too! Leave the fun shirts, khakis, sandals, and sundresses at home. Just because you’re not having a traditional wedding, doesn’t mean your elopement day is any less special. We want you to BALLLLLL OUT!!!!!👰🤵🏻♂️
When people go out into Mother Nature, they’re not generally wearing a suit and tie or a fancy white dress. If they did, they’d stick out like diamonds in the rough. This is called juxtaposition. The human eye isn’t used to seeing people dressed in snazzy clothes in the middle of the wild. That’s why epic elopement photos pop way more than traditional wedding photos taken in, say, a church, where people are supposed to dress nicely.
But in this case, that’s exactly the goal! If you want your elopement photos (or adventure session photos) to really kick butt, you need to put on your Sunday best. That’s the BEST way to make sure you guys stick out like DIAMONDS in epic nature!
Bonus tip: Guys, this is a big one…practice tying your tie BEFORE your elopement day! We completely get that most people don’t wear ties on a regular basis these days and you may not be familiar with how to do it. So PRETTY PLEASE practice beforehand! Don’t leave it until the last minute and risk it looking sloppy or being uncomfortable and needing to be adjusted constantly. Find a YouTube video (we love this one ) and practice several times until you have it down.
3. Skip Patterns
Piggybacking onto the last section about what to wear for your elopement photos, there’s no rule that says you have to wear black and white. In fact, non-traditional colors have been trending for awhile and we’re all for it! BUT, you should follow a few guidelines to get the most engaging and dynamic pics.
First, don’t wear patterns. No stripes, plaids, florals, polka dots, or anything like that. Stick to solid-colored clothing. Mother Nature’s got a lot going on as it is, so wearing an outfit that also has a lot going on clashes and can look waaaaaaaaay too “busy.”
Also, pick out colors that aren’t going to blend in with the scenery. Remember, we want you to stand out like diamonds, not blend into the background! If we’re not going black and white, then think reds, yellows, and bright shades of blue like sky or turquoise, and avoid greens and browns.
4. Learn the Art of the Dip
No, we’re not talking about a tasty sidekick to chips 😂 (although maybe bring some to snack on if we’re gonna be hiking super far…)
Everyone always wants those classic elopement photos where the groom is dipping his new bride and giving her a kiss on an epic rock, against a dope backdrop somewhere in nature. It’s an intimate, romantic, and celebratory moment for sure, and we looooooooooove to capture it for our couples.
BUT TRUST US: that dip doesn’t necessarily come as naturally as you might think. It happens pretty often (often enough that we decided to include it in this guide! 😂) that Mal yells, “Okay, now dip your new WIFE and give her a dramatic smoochy-smooch!” and the couple freezes and awkwardly attempts it.
Luckily, this is something you can totally practice at home and it only takes a few minutes. Practice together with intention first and then guys, start surprising your future Mrs. with a playful dip when she’s least expecting it. SERIOUSLY, the more comfortable you are with it, the better those photos will turn out on your elopement day!
5. Pop That Bubbly!
Much like “the dip,” popping a bottle of champagne to get that fancy champagne fountain photo takes a lil’ practice…like, honestly, it’s kind of an art form.
So just for you, we’re sharing some secrets to popping bubbly like a boss:
Open the bottle gently. You can cover the cork with a towel to help catch it as you pull it out, OR pick a bottle with a twist top.
Put your thumb over the bottle opening.
Shake it like a mad man (or lady!).
Move your thumb so some of the bottle opening is exposed (think about how you put your thumb over a garden hose to spray your friends with water).
Once the spray subsides, cover the hole completely and shake it up again.
That’s all there is to it! Angle the spray up and towards Mal for the coolest images 🤘.
Buy a few inexpensive bottles to keep at home and practice opening them before your elopement. We told you these elopement tips had great date night potential! 😉 For more instruction, this is a great short video that explains exactly how to get that perfect spray. Cheers to the newly married couple! 🥂
