The Adventure Bride’s Guide to 2024 Adventure Elopement Trends
Hey Adventure Brides!
It’s officially 2024 which is absolutely INSANE to me! Not sure where 2023 went, but wherever you are and whatever stage of wedding planning you’re in, I wish you nothing but success and creative ideas!
Speaking of creative ideas…
At the start of this new year, I thought I’d talk about some trends emerging in the adventure elopement community. Maybe you’ve seen some of these on Instagram or Pinterest; or maybe you’ve not heard of these at all but are looking for something different to do as a couple during your adventure wedding. Either way, I am going to go over a few of my favorites that I think will be cute, unique, and trendy for my adventure couples who read along with me.
Colored Wedding Dresses
So this first trend is my ABSOLUTE favorite, and you can probably tell why by the name of my business, Dye the Knot…
Dyed wedding dress & photography by Dye the Knot Adventure Weddings & Elopements
So many brides and grooms have chosen to ditch the traditional white dress look and I couldn’t be more thrilled with their decision. I am addicted to color, and I always think the prettiest weddings, places, and outfits are full of bright, eye-catching colors.
I strive to bring a splash of color into each wedding I plan & shoot; whether it’s through dyeing the bride’s dress, designing the custom floral arrangements, or providing the bride with a colorful shawl/capelet/blanket to help my couples add a colorful pop to their photographs.
Not all couples want bright crazy colors, and that is ok too. There plenty of ways to add muted shades to your photo gallery by using the same ideas of dress dyeing, florals, and shawls.
2. Beyond the Elopement
I’m definitely not complaining about this emerging trend: many couples heading into 2024 weddings have requested to have a custom package added on to their existing adventure wedding/elopement package that includes an engagement shoot, bridal session, honeymoon session, or boudoir shoot.
For engagement shoots, some couples opt to book a completely separate adventure with me in a location different from their wedding in order to have a broader photography experience; whereas other couples book a session the day before their elopement/wedding in a separate spot in order to explore more of the territory they chose for their “I do’s.” Obviously, there is no right or wrong way to do this; and your photographer can help you decide which of the above options helps meet your photography goals for your overall experience.
Garden of the Gods, CO engagement session by Moments by Dre
For honeymoon sessions, couples are starting to book fun activities together the day after their ceremony. Maybe they choose to tackle a surfing lesson together, or a ski trip that they want their photographer to capture as they make their first memories together as a married couple in a beautiful place.
Boudoir sessions are honestly some of my favorites to book with my adventure clients. Many times couples will choose to get married in one spot on one day, then go to another spot the next day to complete a steamy session together near a waterfall or on the beach where they get up-close-and-personal in order to publish a private photo album reserved only for them. I think this trend is a great add-on to any adventure wedding or elopement booking, as it really highlights the essence of why the two of you are there to begin with. It’s not always about the epic photos you get to post and wow your friend list with when you get back (although that’s definitely a huge flex;) but it really brings the focus back to each other. Plus, it’ll give your grandkids something to talk about after you pass away and they go through your stuff, which is personally my favorite motivation for booking such a shoot ;)
3. Cultural Fusion
Another of my favorite ways to help adventure couples make their elopements unique is to take an element from their background and incorporate it into their wedding experience. This really means a lot to many couples, as well as to their families who may be unsure or unhappy with the couple’s choice to elope.
Image by Rainedrops Creative, elopement by Dye the Knot Adventure Weddings
For example, my family has a strong Scottish background, so rather than a traditional open-flamed candle-lighting unity ceremony, my husband and I decided to have a handfast ceremony during our elopement.
For couples who are inter-cultural, they may opt to wear their traditional garments in a non-traditional place.
As your planner and photographer, I do my best to help pinpoint what it is that really is unique to your background or culture and incorporate that into your wedding somehow.
4. Vacation Micro Weddings
Another trend that is becoming more and more popular it seems is turning your destination wedding or adventure elopement into a weekend or week-long vacation for your close family or wedding party.
Many couples have inquired about having their intimate elopement or micro-wedding, then including a lengthy family session afterwards so everyone can be involved.
Image by Nalty Photography, MN wedding by Dye the Knot Adventure Weddings & Elopements
For the couples bringing their friends/bridal party rather than family, many couples have asked about booking sessions for their bachelor and bachelorette activities! Not only is this a unique and fun idea, but you’re able to have a gallery of photos that will mean so much to your entire friend group. Whether that session looks like a bougie brunch downtown, or an action-packed rock-climbing experience, your photos are sure to evoke smiles and bring back fun memories for your bridal party to look back on for years to come.
5. Technology Integration
For some couples, they feel torn between wanting an intimate elopement and wanting to include their families. Many couples (my husband and I included) chose to have a friend (or a tripod) either facetime or livestream their ceremony so that their family can feel involved and included but the couple can still feel the privacy and intimacy of an elopement.
Image by Rainedrops Creative, Elopement by Dye the Knot Adventure Weddings
This does not always work for every couple in every location, as many places people choose to elope do not get cell service. (I’d recommend hiring a videographer for a location like this). But in the places where cell phones are still usable, this is definitely a good option, especially if you’re struggling with the idea of your family not being able to travel along with you.
These 5 fun ideas are some of the emerging trends I’m seeing for 2024, and I urge you to consider integrating some of them into your adventure wedding or elopement!
I always encourage my clients to think outside the box when it comes to planning their elopement, so feel free to inquire about setting your own new trends!
As always, if you’re wanting help booking an adventure wedding or elopement, and would like to have a conversation, let’s hop on a Discovery Call together!
Fill out the contact form on this website, and I’ll be in touch with the next steps!
Till next time!
-Carlie
