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Maddie Mae | International + Colorado Elopement Photographer

@adventureinstead

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I plan & photograph one-of-a-kind adventure elopements
🏳️‍🌈 Celebrating all📍CO-based + 48 countries traveled
For Photogs ➡️ @adventureinsteadacademy

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Have we met? Hey, I’m Maddie Mae! 👋 I’m an adventure elopement photographer, experience designer, and planning consultant based in Colorado, with 40+ countries and all 7 continents under my feet so far.

For 11 years, I’ve been trading ballrooms for mountaintops and turning “I wish we could skip the wedding and go straight to the honeymoon” into my job.

Before elopements were a thing, I spent five years photographing big traditional weddings, listening to couples whisper about just wanting it to be over.

Then in 2015 a couple asked if I’d help them find a spot in the mountains to say their vows for their elopement. I walked away knowing I was never going back to “normal” weddings again.

Since then I’ve helped more than 300 couples throw out the rulebook and build wedding days that feel like the best day of their lives, not a performance.

My favorite moments are the quiet ones you can’t script: the shaky hands holding vow books at sunrise, the laughter when the wind does whatever it wants with a dress, the look of awe couples get when they realize this day is actually real.

I love elopements so much that I even chose to have one, myself! 7 years ago I married my husband in the mountains of Peru at sunrise, and it was one of the best days of my life.

A few fun facts about me…
— I’m 33 and have had a camera in my hand since I was 12 years old
— I’m born & raised in Colorado and still live here (no where has tempted me to move)
— I nearly finished an engineering degree with a 4.0 before pivoting into business
— Hot water is my happy place and I’m always in a hot tub or spring
— I’m a certified freediver and scubadiver
— My favorite animal is a whale shark, which I finally got to see in the Maldives
— I have two doodles, Fionn & Rosie, and they’re my freaking world
— I used to be a competitive archer and it gave me really steady hands

Whether you’ve eloped with me in the past, are hoping to in the future, or just love seeing couples insanely cool days—thank you for being here!

I’ve got some super cool stuff coming up this year that I can’t wait to share with you.

xx Maddie Mae by @adventureinstead

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9 months ago

It’s hard to describe how insane this was, but I want you to know that this couple isn’t standing on a calm lake.

They’re standing on the literal OCEAN in the middle of the most productive icefjord in the world.

Earlier this month, I introduced you to Louisa & Kim and told you that this is the most insane thing I have *ever* seen a couple do. The currents, cold, and weight of their dresses puts the danger level up around “jump out of a plane”.

In fact, when they told me they wanted to do this, I asked them multiple times if they were sure 😅

Genuinely, I don’t know how either of them did this. I live on a reservoir and can’t stand up when paddle boarding on the ocean. And not only did they stand up, they did it IN WEDDING ATTIRE. Louisa couldn’t even see her feet and was balancing her whole wedding dress.

The currents out here were crazy, and I was watching these massive apartment-sized icebergs drift fully in circles. The icebergs are always bobbing and making waves, too which only adds more challenge.

My priority while planning this was just making sure this was even going to be safe, which I was skeptical of. I didn’t think a company would let us do it without having dry suits on because the water was 32 degrees fahrenheit.

I nearly lost my drone to a watery, icy death just because it was so difficult to land on the boat we were on (worth it) and the captain told Louisa & Kim that they wouldn’t be able to move if they fell in, so they’d have to just stay still and wait for a rescue.

If the water had been ANY rougher that day, it wouldn’t have been possible. We got super lucky with just the right combo of experts in the area, great weather, and one brave, badass couple!

And honestly, this wound up being the coolest thing any of us had experienced. And we went back the next day so that Louisa could tackle it in her other dress!

These two totally blew me away, and I’m so grateful they got to make this crazy dream activity come true.

xx Maddie Mae taken in Greenland by @adventureinstead

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a year ago

I literally feel like a kid again 🥹 I can’t express what joy it’s brought me to learn a new type of photography and how it’s renewed my creativity in such a profound way.

I’ve been dreaming of doing underwater photography for *years* but when your art is your business, it’s really easy to put things off. Especially when your dreams don’t seem practical (I live in a land-locked state) or if there’s not an imminent “need” to learn something… it’s been in my “someday” pile for so long.

Becoming a “beginner” again required a lot of vulnerability and getting back into a headspace of being ready to learn, and honestly… this is the best thing I’ve done for myself and for my work in a long, long time.

During my 3-day 1:1 workshop with @kimbergreenwood at @waterbearphotography at her custom pool in Florida and then shooting at the Florida springs, I felt that spark of doing something new with my camera that I remember from when I was 16 and took my first portrait of a person.

I was back to absolutely SQUEALING with joy behind my camera and internally bursting with excitement about what I was getting to do, and just eagerly being a “learner” again.

(and it helps that I absolutely freaking love Kimber & her husband Will).

So this is my message to any creatives in the audience, whether you’re a photographer, artist, writer, or anything else:

Stop labeling the creative things you’re craving of doing as “impractical”—just do them.

Joy has value in itself. Learning has value in itself.

Your spark is worth seeing.

Go after those “that’s not practical” dreams.

Be vulnerable enough to be a beginner again and create some imperfect stuff that’s just for the joy of creating and learning.

Especially if you’re feeling stagnant… go create the most impractical random sh*t you can—all it has to do is bring YOU joy.

ALSO WHO IS GOING TO LET ME TAKE THEM UNDERWATER FOR THEIR ELOPEMENT? 🙋‍♀️

xx Maddie Mae
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#underwaterphotography
#underwatershots
#posinginspiration
#photographerposingtips
#elopementphotographer by @adventureinstead

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2 years ago

Whenever you need to reset, the Colorado mountains are here. ⛰️

And if you want your wedding day to feel like you’ve never been stressed in your life, they’re here for that, too.

There’s nothing more relaxing than floating in an alpine lake around sunset with your new spouse (and with no relatives causing drama or 300 people to personally greet & thank).

Never undersell the value of your peace. You deserve it.

#outdoors #colorado #coloradoelopement #coloradoelopementphotographer by @adventureinstead

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a day ago

Doing great, thanks for asking! 😵‍💫

Wedding & elopement photographers just trying to survive October, I feel you and I see you

This season of life has been a lot—in the news, for me personally, and for pretty much every single person I know or have spoken to lately. I touched base with a lot of you this month after my last newsletter, but all this to say…

If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone. This season of life won’t last forever. I’m proud of you for still going. You’ve got this.

#photographylife #elopementphotographer #weddingphotographer by @adventureinstead

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3 days ago

Remember these two? They just booked me for one of my DREAM shoots as part of what they call their “Wedding Olympics”.

What are Wedding Olympics? It’s a term that Louisa & Kim made up to describe their wide variety of events around the beginning of their marriage.

So far that’s included events like the Greenland ice elopement pictured here, a reception with their family & friends, and the latest to be added…

A super cool renewal out on the largest salt flat in the world in Bolivia! When this salt flat floods with some water, it turns into a perfect mirror, and oh MAN do I have ideas (it involves the full moon)

Pair this dream idea I’ve had forever with two incredible people that I cannot *wait* to photograph again and I’m more than a little stoked about this

I just got the chance to catch up with Louisa & Kim on a super cool backpacking trip recently in AZ. Their campsite was close to ours, so we got to visit with them quite a bit, and we had the best time.

They told me more about how they met while we were catching up. I knew that they’d met because Kim was a dance instructor and Louisa took a class, but what I didn’t know was that apparently Kim’s clientele trends towards older folks, and she knew that Louisa probably wouldn’t come back, so he made a point of getting her number before she never saw her again😂

I honestly love the connection these two have, and it’s so apparent every time I talk to them.

They’re so tuned into each other and so connected. And, in case the STANDING ON PADDLEBOARDS IN WEDDING ATTIRE IN AN ICEFJORD didn’t prove it, complete badasses.

I’m sharing their photos again today partially because, well, I’m pumped lol

But ALSO because I want people to know that they don’t have to be done celebrating after one day!

There is quite literally NO rule saying you can’t keep exploring, keep having celebrations, keep renewing and gathering and dressing up.

Part of throwing the traditional wedding rules out of the window when you elope means it doesn’t matter if it’s your first wedding day or a vow renewal.

You get to do it whenever you want, whatever that looks like.

xx Maddie Mae

#adventureelopement #greenland #destinationelopement by @adventureinstead

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4 days ago

Every time I think about Kerra & Mike, I think about their hardy Canadian love of the cold while in the Faroe Islands.

(AKA—they were out there without coats on while I was bundled up. Yes, my Colorado pride is embarrassed lol)

But more importantly, what stood out to me immediately about these two was how real & genuine they were.

They laughed so much together. They had so much pure *fun* together. Every second, it was clear that they just really LOVED being in each other’s presence. They lit each other up.

After surviving long distance dating and a slow burn after meeting in college, they deserved a celebration that really let them be *them* and spend quality time together.

Mike apparently had always been interested in the idea of eloping instead of having a big wedding, and when he shared the idea with Kerra, they knew it was perfect for them. They told me they’re private people who wanted to, “embrace a day meant to be for us.”

So they both cried & high-fived during their first look. And cracked each other up during their vows. And had puffins decked to the nines in their little natural black & white suits as their guests. And named the ducks outside their cabin.

All on the foggy and seriously fairytale looking Faroe Islands.

These two also blended their elopement day into a longer getaway, coming in a couple of days before and leaving a couple of days after so that they got to both relax before and enjoy the setting after as a newly married couple.

I always say that eloping should feel like getting married on the best day of your honeymoon, and for these two, it was exactly that.

And the best part of all was their joy. They beamed at each other the whole day. You could feel not just the love, but the *like* too.

Kerra left this review after:

“From start to finish Maddie made the process as seamless and fun as planning a wedding could be. Choosing to elope is most certainly not an easy decision to land on, but I promise you you’ll never regret it a day in your life.”

xx Maddie Mae

#thefaroeislands #faroeislands #faroeislandselopement #destinationelopement #elopementinspiration by @adventureinstead

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9 days ago

I’m gonna be honest—the best part of being a photographer on your wedding day isn’t the images. It’s knowing that you can fully relax into your moments and soak them all up. That you can be present because you know that I’ve got your back.

Photos, always. But memories first and foremost.

#elopementphotographer #coloradoelopement #intimatewedding #coloradowedding by @adventureinstead

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11 days ago

It’s intimidating to pick a spot when you can go anywhere in the world, I get it 😉

I’ll do all the pre-research on where to elope and put together a banger list of elopement locations for you—all you have to do is say yes or no.

I’m here to guide through any & all moments of decision paralysis. ✨

#elopement #elopementphotographer #destinationwedding #coloradoelopement by @adventureinstead

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15 days ago

Hot take: Colorado is one of THE most romantic places in the world.

Yes. The *entire* world.

I know everyone has their own taste and their own definition of what’s romantic.

But it’s really freaking rare that I meet a couple who I *don’t* think I could make happy with an elopement day in Colorado.

Are you an adrenaline seeker or a sporty type who wants to be on a mountaintop in the morning and go skiing in the afternoon?

Do you want to move slowly and spend part of your day soaking in a natural hot spring followed up by a local beer tasting?

Are you into mountain views but not into hiking (a problem that can be solved by us having some of the best 4X4 roads anywhere)?

Through gold changing aspen leaves, and bursts of colorful summer wildflowers, and snow at many elevations most of the year…

I really think Colorado has it all.

Take a historic train, eat at Michelin star restaurants, go white water rafting, chase waterfalls (sorry TLC), horseback ride, go up in a hot air balloon, sail or paddle around a lake, stargaze, climb, mountain bike, wander through forests, hike, explore cool town after cool town…

No matter what you’re looking for, chances are high that there’s an option for it here.

Sam & Stephen’s day is such a golden example of this.

Running through wildflower fields by an alpine lake while alpenglow lights up the peaks behind you?

Is there a way to NOT make that a super romantic moment?

They managed to fit a hot spring soak, a waterfall, a 4X4 road, a field of wildflowers, a picnic, a ceremony, a sunset, and a lantern-lit canoe around an alpine lake all into their day.

And every single moment along the way felt like they were *so* tuned into each other, so in the moment, and so happy together. It transformed every space they walked into, genuinely.

So consider this my shameless plug for my home state. You should come elope in Colorado. It’s really, really cool here.

And if you need help deciding where, come tell me all your wants and I’ll show you exactly how to make it happen.

xx Maddie Mae

#colorado #coloradoelopement #coloradowedding #coloradoelopementphotographer by @adventureinstead

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17 days ago

📍The eclectic boho disco wedding of your dreams

Cassandra & Haleigh wanted their wedding day in Utah to look like if a styled shoot got to come to life, and I *love* their vision for the day.

It’s also thoroughly convinced me that more elopements should have disco balls, lol.

(I know the trend is to just share one, but I couldn’t pick!)

#utahelopement #aestheticwedding #pinterestaesthetic #elope by @adventureinstead

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18 days ago

These two beautiful people just celebrated their first wedding anniversary earlier this month! And if you ask me, they still have such an ultimate Colorado elopement.

Dirty martinis, playing in the alpenglow, exploring with lanterns, staying near a hot spring, canoeing on an alpine lake, driving down 4X4 roads, finding waterfalls…

These are the wedding days this state is so, so good at.

#colorado #mountainwedding #coloradoelopement #elopementphotography by @adventureinstead

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23 days ago