Elopements are cheap and secretive runaway weddings in Vegas, right?? WRONG!

It turns out elopements today are deeply desirable, jaw-droppingly beautiful and heart-breakingly intimate versions of a wedding that bring all the wow-factor and none of the drama! In this guest special, your The Thing About That hosts chat to Maddie Mae, founder of Adventure Instead: a company that specialises in organising, planning and photographing elopements. Hettie, Becca and Lucy learn all about how elopements have changed over the years and why they are now such a sought-after and non-traditional way of getting married. This episode tells you everything you need to know about elopements. Trust us - by the end, you'll wish you were eloping...

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Guest Special 2 length: 30 mins 49 seconds

Introducing Maddie Mae (00:34)

• Founder of Adventure Instead, an elopement photographer specialising in elopements and intimate weddings
• What is the meaning of an elopement? And how has our image of elopements changed historically?

Why do elopements still have traditional trappings? (04:)

• The white dress and the exchanging of rings is still often there. Why?
• How to make your wedding unique and personal. Maddie Mae talks us through how to plan your perfect day

Why should you elope? (07:26)

• Why do couples elope? We hear the Adventure Instead data
• "Just us" experience / shedding family drama / wanting to use less stuff

What is the process of planning an elopement? (09:59)

• What to expect if you want an elopement company to help you elope

Is elopement an act of romance or defiance? (11:33)

Finance as a driver (13:50)

• Elopements can be cheaper or just as expensive. Money spent on different things
• Misapprehension that elopers are cheap

How to manage the family if you choose to elope (14:54)

Real life elopement example (16:30)

• Maddie Mae talks us through her own elopement in Peru on New Year's Day!
• Glampacking in Incan ruins with a wedding at sunrise
• Wedding dress bought on Etsy

How to be "invisible" as an elopement photographer (19:26)

• How aware is the couple of an elopement photographer?
• The intimacy of the relationship formed between client and provider. Lucy also discusses her experience with Revels in Hand clients.
• Photographer experience in big weddings vs elopements

The start of your elopement day (24:45)

• How does Maddie Mae kick off the special day for the couple?
• How to connect with your partner at the start of your wedding day
• Higher emotions in more intimate weddings

You can find Maddie Mae and Adventure Instead at:

www.AdventureInstead.com

@AdventureInstead on Instagram

And you can find the photography academy Maddie Mae spoke about here:

www.AdventureInsteadAcademy.com

@AdvtureInsteadAcademy on Instagram

And a free Educational Facebook Group for Aspiring Adventure Wedding & Elopement Photographers:

www.facebook.com/groups/weddingsandwanderlust

Thank you for listening!