Elopements and Micro Weddings - Aurea Adventure Photography

The Vowforge

love forged like a legendary weapon

Elopements & Weddings

It might sound like an odd combo, but I’m all about giving you the best of both worlds—those ridiculous, laugh-until-you-snort candids that show your real personalities, and the jaw-dropping, dramatic portraits that look like they belong in a fantasy epic (or at least on your grandma’s wall). That’s just how I roll. I specialize in non-traditional elopements and micro weddings, capturing the chaos, charm, and totally-you magic of your day without missing a beat.

Freedom. Simplicity. Love.

Why I love Elopements and Micro Weddings!

A Tale of 3 Weddings

My 'why' of elopements and micro weddings comes from my very own experience getting married to my partner, Alex.

The year is 2020. I am head over heels in love with my college sweetheart. We've got the house, we've got a super sweet pup, its been 8 years together and we decide its finally time to lock it down. We are a "Go" for Operation Wedding.

Attempt 1: Failure to Launch

Alex and I are both space nerds, up to this point, we had both been working at the same rocket company, launching satellites into space, and what is a more fitting way to launch our new life as a married company than to get married at a rocket launch. So, that's precisely what we set out to do!

We picked a launch --NASA Mars 2020 (interplanetary launches are much less likely to slip by much -- go watch the Martian to get a lesson from Childish Gambino for a quick lesson why)

We picked an incredible astrophotographer -- the insanely talented Sean Parker , who could capture our special day and get the once in a lifetime shot of a rocket launching in the background.

We got the necessary approvals to have our elopement on the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Then, like every other couple trying to get hitched in 2020, we got hit in the face with Covid 19 restrictions. Elopement plan 1 had been permanently scrapped and we had to go back to the drawing boards

Attempt 2: The Blue Lake Blues

With travel bans in place and restrictions on gathering size, its a damn good thing that we happened be avid hikers who live in the most scenic state in the Union.

So, research mode kicked in, we googled all of the best elopement spots, figured out the logistics of getting a marriage license, and hiked to some incredible vistas, lakes, and waterfalls "for research". After many outdoor adventures, we found the perfect spot, booked an epic cabin, and made our plans to elope by a crystal clear, alpine lake. The forecast called for blue skies, I had the most incredible dress, the snacks are packed, holy shit it's finally happening!!! We're finally getting hitched! Except… Maybe not…

Three days prior to the big day and

Alex gets an email, his suit is stuck in customs

Our photographer shoots us a text letting us know that he was exposed to Covid and can't travel to Colorado.

So what do you do when life gives you lemons? You make lemon drop cocktails in an incredible cabin with your closest friends and family, and go hiking by a scenic lake! Then you buckle up and try again!

Attempt 3: Third Times the Charm

Our third and final attempt was one month later, and -- spoilers -- it finally stuck. Alex and I drove down to Tucson with our two best friends (the ultimate friendship test is making your friends drive 14 hours during a global pandemic to spend a week in Tucson in August) and got married in the presence our immediate family in Alex's parents backyard.

It wasn't as epic as the original plan, as pristine as the second plan, but it was perfectly imperfect. It was two days that I will forever cherish. I got to spend time with my closest friends and family -- making bouquets and succulent center pieces, spending time in the pool, exchanging vows, and eating my weight in mini chimichangas from our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Ok, Get to the Point...

Sharing love and making a commitment to your partners doesn't have to be about the big pomp and circumstance that is typical in a "big" wedding. It can be replanning the thing 3 times in 6 months, going with the flow and making memories along the way.

The reason I am a big fan of micro weddings and elopements is because they give couples time to just focus on what matters most -- love. Simplicity, flexibility, and quality time with those you hold dear.