This day had everything you dream of for your mountain wedding. B&H said their vows in front of their guests and the best mountain views and the sunset did not disappoint. There’s nothing like the beauty of the eagle river valley except maybe the beauty of this bride!

Spruce Saddle Beaver Creek Wedding Videography

Enjoy the highlight reel from this Beaver Creek wedding. I loved telling the story of this couple that was bound to meet one way or another. They found their perfect match and celebrated in a perfect place.

You’ll notice another fun event in the video too. We love it when we get to capture rehearsal dinners because it shows a little deeper into the love story of the couple. In this case, the wonderfully planned welcome party helped to showcase the couple’s personalities, hobbies, and passions.

This Beaver Creek wedding was a celebration through and through. Only the coolest Bride dreams of doing a DJ set at her own wedding and only the raddest couples actually make that happen. Here’s to living your dreams, finding your perfect match, and learning that as it pertains to love when you know… you know.

Beaver Creek Wedding Deck and Spruce Saddle Wedding Photography

As you scroll through these wedding photos, I hope you can see the joy of the couple as clearly as we did. It was a honor to be present for such a monumental day in H&B’s relationship. From the ceremony to meeting their family to watching them entertain the guests, we were in awe of their presence.

We love a stunning mountain wedding. But it’s only complete with a couple that is bright-eyed as they look to their future together. The mountain backdrop is really there for you to stand in front of your parents, best friends, and wedding guests to commit to each other.

Sure, the views from the Beaver Creek Wedding deck never disappoint and Spruce Saddle Lodge is a great venue to transition indoors as the mountain air cools, the sun sets, and the party begins. The perfect big day is about all the plans coming together, but more importantly, it’s about a couple coming together.

Hally and Billy, we’re so happy for you and your next chapters!

How about that grand entrance? And who could pick a better ceremony spot? The family and guests were in for a treat with this Vail venue. We hope you loved the photos!

Beaver Creek Wedding Vendors

Thanks to all of the wedding vendors that make this Spruce Saddle Lodge Beaver Creek wedding deck wedding so incredible. Every wedding season, we are grateful for the amazing event vendors that we get to work alongside to make our couples’ wedding day a success.

• Welcome Party: Beaver Creek Golf Club

• Wedding Planner: Snapdragon Celebrations

• Accommodations: Park Hyatt and The Charter

• Ceremony Site: Beaver Creek Wedding Deck

• Reception Venue: Spruce Saddle Lodge

• Flowers: Double Dutch

• Ceremony Entertainment: Oncue

• Colorado DJ: Garman Music

• Decor/Lighting: Little Branch Lighting

• Photography and Videography: Bergreen Photography

• Photo Booth: Vail Photo Booth

• Hair: Sweet Cheeks Vail

• Cake: Cornerstone Chocolates

• Rentals: Event Rents

• Oxygen Bar: Vail IV

Round of applause to these Beaver Creek wedding vendors!

More Wedding Photography in Beaver Creek and Beyond

Whether you’re planning a destination wedding in Colorado like this Beaver Creek wedding or you call these mountains of the eagle river valley home, we’d love to help you plan your dream wedding. Below you can find links to photos from the Beaver Creek wedding deck and more.

• Summer Beaver Creek Wedding Photography and Videography

• Beaver Creek Wedding Deck Ceremony

• Evergreen Wedding at a Private Estate

• Estes Park Wedding Day

• Can You Get Married on a Mountain?

Reach out if there’s a specific Vail or Beaver Creek wedding venue or destination wedding location you want to see and we can send you more samples. You can also cruise around the blog and see the variety of stunning locations where we work, from California to Utah and Colorado.

Colorado Wedding Photographers and Videographers

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen, a married husband and wife team of adventurous Colorado wedding photographers and elopement photographers. Above all our philosophy, love. adventurously. is the guidepost for everything we do.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel to locations throughout Colorado and beyond to tell love stories and take photos that capture adventurous love. Be sure to reach out and tell us your story.

In the meantime, remember to…

The post Spruce Saddle Lodge Beaver Creek Wedding Photography and Videography appeared first on .

These two are kind and unassuming, approachable and magnetic, thoughtful and loving. And these aren’t just words I say. These are feelings I experienced in the process of getting to know them and witnessing them with their friends and families.

I always advise couples during the wedding planning stage to focus on their values and priorities. In the wedding planning industry, the craziness can take over and the next thing you know you’re adding line items to the budget for things you never wanted in life in the first place. This couple didn’t have to be reminded. They knew what was important to them.

Alta Lakes Wedding Videography

First up, the wedding videography! Let me tell you, a cabin on an alpine lake in a special place like this makes for quite the wedding video. The San Juan mountains put to shame what normal people think of mountains.

But that’s Colorado for ya, and that’s why it’s such an epic place to elope or get married. From getting ready in the cabin during a little rain to a first-look adventure to the stunning ceremony, this Colorado wedding is one to remember.

The guitar music was played live by their friend, one of the guests. Here I am spouting useless words about how beautiful this Telluride Colorado is when you really just want to move forward and see the video. Without further delay, hit play!

Alta Lakes Observatory Wedding Photography

Nick and Sophie wanted to have a fun wedding. They wanted to be somewhere beautiful with each other and enjoy nature on their wedding day. So, they made a plan that would make that possible and then executed their dream wedding.

Their dream wedding wasn’t a Pinterest board, no offense to Pinterest lovers out there. Their dream wedding was a feeling and their dream wedding was about having an incredible marriage experience. What fortune that they found us!

Our goal as wedding photographers is to help our couples have the best experience possible and then to capture moments of it and tell that story. If our couples are having an incredible day, that will show in the photos. If they are in love and full of joy, that will show in the photos.

Plus the Alta Lakes Observatory ceremony site was the perfect setting for this love story.

Alta Lakes Wedding Vendors in Telluride Colorado

Thanks for stopping by to check out this Alta Lakes Observatory wedding. What an epic venue for adventurous couples. In addition to the beautiful lodge, there was an amazing vendor and catering team on site. I know I’m missing the makeup artist and perhaps some others on here too (feel free to reach out and I’ll add!)

• Beyond the Board Caterinng

• Alpine Events

• Counter Culture Chef Steve

• Alta Lakes Observatory

It takes an adventurous crew to get up to the Alta Lakes Observatory. But an adventurous couple knows what they like and vendors like us love the adventure. They also had a ton of help from friends, family, and guests to make this wedding perfect.

More Destination Wedding Photography in Telluride and Beyond

Check out our destination wedding photography guide if you’re looking for tips to plan an epic wedding day experience. Below are some of our favorite destination weddings in Colorado over the years. People choose to have destination weddings for a variety of reasons from guest count to sharing a favorite spot with family.

Regardless, many of our couples love to be surrounded by their family as well as the beauty of nature. If you’re planning a Telluride or other destination wedding ceremony, be sure to reach out!

• Telluride Wedding at Alta Lakes

• Crested Butte Wedding Photography

• Winter Park Wedding

• Fall Telluride Wedding

Reach out if there’s a specific venue or location you want to see and we can send you more samples. You can also cruise around the blog and see the variety of stunning locations we work from California to Utah and Colorado. Telluride is definitely top on the list of places to go.

Colorado Wedding Photographers and Videographers

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen, a married husband and wife team of adventurous Colorado wedding photographers and elopement photographers. Above all our philosophy, love. adventurously. is the guidepost for everything we do.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel to locations throughout Colorado and beyond to tell love stories and capture adventurous love. Be sure to reach out and tell us your story.

In the meantime, remember to…

[mailmunch-form id=”412278″]

The post Alta Lakes Wedding Photography and Videography appeared first on .

Marriage is an adventure and the wedding is just day one. We want to create timeless images that will remind you of the bond you share, the places that inspire you, the community that supports you, and the fun you had. In short, we care about your experience.

We specialize in adventurous wedding photography using epic landscapes as the setting for love story. Whether you’re eloping on a mountaintop or gathering with all of your loved ones somewhere important to you, we want to help capture your day.

Adventure Wedding Guide

Your love is an adventure, your wedding should be too. Below you will find an adventure wedding guide to help you through the process of envisioning your adventurous wedding or dream elopement experience. Enjoy these adventure wedding ideas to kick start your planning.

Wedding planning can be stressful whether you’re going the traditional route, looking at an intimate wedding, or planning your dream elopement to exchange vows. Sure, other people’s expectations can be brutal but so can your own! As adventure elopement photographers and traditional wedding photographers for adventurous couples, we’ve seen it all.

We’re more than just “wedding or elopement photographers.” Our main job is actually to help you have a great wedding experience aka ADVENTURE. (Which secretly results in the best wedding or elopement photos!) Which is why we help you focus on the best part of getting married: LOVE!

What is adventure wedding photography?

What is an adventure wedding? It’s your love story complete with your characters, setting, and plot. An adventure wedding is really just a wedding with more adventure mixed in to your average wedding day.

For come couples adventure weddings might mean climbing a mountain an exchanging vows on the summit. To other couples adventure weddings might mean taking their guests white water rafting before a luxurious ski resort wedding.

We’re not big on rules, we’re big on love! Want to add a dash of adventure to your traditional wedding? We can show you how. Ready to climb a mountain and exchange vows underneath the stars with an adventure elopement photographer? We’re there.

Why choose an adventure wedding?

Back in 2011 when we started our photography business, adventure weddings didn’t really exist. All we knew is that as photographers we had a knack for telling adventurous stories. As a couple, love and adventure were our most important values.

We started marketing as an adventure wedding photographer team because we wanted to attract couples that had similar values to us. We personally had a somewhat traditional wedding at a wedding venue so that our grandparents could attend. But we had that wedding at the entrance to a National Park where we loved to hike and rock climb and we made our friends and family hike with us on the morning of our wedding.

If adventure is a big part of your life, then it can be the theme of your wedding. That can mean an epic adventure for your elopement day or simply adding a little adventure to your traditional big wedding. Whatever you decide to do, your wedding day should be a memorable experience that helps you kick off the marriage ahead.

Any Wedding Can Be Adventurous

Don’t be intimidated by what you think an adventure wedding is. Sometimes its hiking in your wedding dress and sometimes it just means finding ways to add a little more adventure to your wedding day. Let us help!

In the next section, we’ll talk about planning your wedding. You might want to start by working through our free downloadable guide: How to Prioritize Your Planning so Your Wedding is a Memorable Adventure. The guide will walk you through figuring our your priorities for your wedding day so that you can make decisions that align with your values.

We’ve seen couples have an adventurous vow exchange somewhere epic and then head to a more traditional reception the next day or even next week. Other couples have driven their families up a mountain in the middle of nowhere. The options are endless and you can plan the right balance of adventure wedding ideas for you.

Planning Your Adventure Wedding Ideas

Let’s dive into planning your adventure wedding. We’ll start with the engagement shoot and work our way through to the wedding day itself. Again, if you remember to think back to your priorities and values throughout the planning process it will help you avoid getting derailed.

Kick Things Off with Adventurous Engagement Photography

Adventurous engagement photography is a great way to kick of the epic adventure that is your wedding and marriage. Since an engagement session is just you and your photographers, there is a lot of flexibility to plan for adventure. There are less time constraints than on the wedding day which opens up options for locations.

Engagement shoots make great adventure sessions because we have the time to hike somewhere absolutely stunning in order to get those epic shots that you’ll cherish forever. It’s also a great way to get an idea of how much adventure is realistic for your wedding day. For example, doing your engagement photos in a national park will help give you an idea of what’s involved in a national park wedding.

Typical Wedding Planning Details

Like with any wedding you’ll need to set a budget, create a guest list, and hire wedding professionals. You might also need to consider permits if you’re getting married somewhere like a state or national park. Once you decide who is invited, that helps narrow down your location choices too.

You’ll want to thing about the ceremony itself and your vows, readings, or other symbolic gestures. You might think about keeping your decorations on theme with adventure. If you are having guests you’ll need to provide information about logistics, accommodations, and transportation.

From there it’s about planning memorable moments. Maybe you plan adventure activities for everyone or just yourselves.

Choosing Your Adventure Wedding Destination.

Based in Evergreen, we work as Colorado destination wedding photographers and tour guides. After-all, many of our couples are coming from out of state and need a little help planning. We still serve clients throughout California and other adventure wedding photography destinations.

We do our best to keep our travel fees minimal so that you’re investing in wedding photography. Need help with timeline planning, finding beautiful landscapes for adventurous photos, or how to balance your dream adventure with family pressure? We can share wisdom from over ten years of experience watching couples get married.

Our experience with location scouting and trip planning everywhere from Colorado, California, and Utah to the Pacific Northwest, means with can assist you with things like the wedding timeline so that you get the pictures you want without the stress. Check out our destination wedding photography guide.

Our Favorite National Park Adventure Wedding Locations

• Rocky Mountain National Park

• Yosemite National Park

• Sequoia National Park

• Zion National Park

Our Favorite Colorado Town Adventure Wedding Locations

• Vail, Colorado is a well known destination with access to some pretty epic wilderness.

• Breckenridge, Colorado is a more laid back mountain town with beautiful passes to explore.

• Telluride, Colorado is what we call epic and great if you really want to get out there.

• Crested Butte, Colorado is another stunning location and a less crowded mountain town.

• Evergreen or the Front Range is a great choice if you’re from out of state and worried about time or altitude. The season is also longer if you want a non-summer wedding or elopement.

Planning for Weather and Logistics

The main factor to keep in mind is that you want an adventure. That means that despite all of your planning and preparation, part of an adventure is that you can’t control everything. One thing we can’t control is the weather.

However, we can plan for the weather and all of the other logistics involved in getting married in a remote location. It just takes a little foresight to know what you need. Note that the more people you add the more needs you’ll need to take into consideration.

As you make your plan, you’ll determine what you need to bring with you. Layers for warmth, water, and snacks. Those are the main considerations but we’ve also seen couples bring cakes and champagne glasses to National Park parking lots.

Planning the Schedule

If you’re having an adventure elopement, your photographer will likely double as a wedding planner. As photographers we often help plan the schedule of the day based on priorities. If you have wedding guests to plan around, that’s a big factor.

Otherwise we generally plan around the best light for the best photos. Luckily sunrise and sunset are not only stunning but less crowded at most locations too. You’ll want to plan for the ceremony itself followed by exploring a few locations for portraits.

From there, you’ll plan any other events you want to incorporate into your day such as cutting a cake, sharing a first dance, or having a meal. If you’re having a more typical wedding, then you’ll want to fit the adventure in around the needs of the rest of the day.

Adventure Wedding Attire

The main considerations when it comes to wedding attire are footwear and layers. Despite the fact that you see brides in thin dresses on frozen lakes in winter, the elements can be harsh. Wear shoes that you can hike in, you can always bring heels to change into or wear at your reception.

You’ll want layers to keep you warm when you’re not taking photos and you’ll want lots of hairspray in case its windy. Other than that, adventure weddings are pretty fun because you dress fancy like a wedding but you’re somewhere epicly beautiful on an adventure.

If you have guests, it’s important to communicate to them how much adventuring to expect. You might consider telling them what shoes to wear and jackets to bring. People might not expect to need botts on your wedding day.

Next Steps

After the adventure wedding, it’s time to plan an adventurous honeymoon!

Looking for a wedding or elopement photographer?

Elopement day, intimate wedding, or big bash, we love them all and can help you find the right level of adventurous wedding photography for your big day. We’re easy going and approachable, our goal is that you feel comfortable and your stress levels do down when we arrive. We want your wedding experience to be the focus, that’s where great photos come from.

We’ve been shooting adventure weddings since before it was even a thing. It’s the precious moments with your closest friends, it’s saying I do to your best friend, it’s having an amazing adventure surrounded by all of your loved ones or just a photographer. Contact us, we’re not afraid to follow you off the grid to explore your favorite ridge-line or for unforgettable mountain wedding photos.

If you’re looking for adventurous wedding photography we would love to connect. Based in Evergreen, CO we travel to help you celebrate. View our Colorado wedding and elopement packages on our pricing and FAQ page or reach out and we’l help you build something custom to fit your vision. 

More Wedding Planning Tips

Need more wedding planning help and adventure wedding ideas? Check out our Wedding Planning Tips such as these outdoor wedding photography ideas or the best places to elope in Colorado. Check out these popular posts to help your wedding day be an adventure.

• what to know before choosing a destination wedding

• engagement photoshoot survival guide

• how long does wedding photography take? – timeline and turnaround time

• how to choose a wedding photographer (that doesn’t suck)

• understanding wedding photography styles | wedding photography tips

• good light for great wedding photos

• how to find wedding vendors that fit your style

• Less Common Tips for Your Destination Wedding in the Mountains

• Planning a Destination Wedding in Colorado.

• Mountain Top Wedding Ideas,

• Colorado wedding planning advice

• beautiful Colorado mountain wedding venues

• Remote Wedding Tips

Sample Adventurous Wedding Ideas:

Telluride Colorado Wedding

Wedding Portrait Session in Rocky Mountain

Summer Crested Butte Wedding

Breckenridge Colorado Elopement

Wedding in Sequoia National Park

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen, a husband and wife photography team specializing in mountain wedding photography and other adventures.

Check out the blog for everything from sample shoots to marketing tips and this wedding settings guide.

Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help with your photography needs!

In the meantime, remember to…

[mailmunch-form id=”412278″]

The post Adventurous Wedding Photography Guide appeared first on .

As a destination wedding photographer, I’ve had the honor of capturing fleeting moments in unreal locations. Your wedding photos will help you remember the location, the people, and the love you felt on your wedding day. In this guide, we’ll help you plan a destination wedding that will result in both an incredible experience and the wedding photos to remember it by.

We’ll share some of our favorite destination wedding locations and other tips we’ve picked up as destination wedding photographers.

Adventurous Destination Wedding Planning Guide

A destination wedding is first and foremost an adventure. It’s taking your special day out of your comfort zone, your hometown, and maybe even your country. We’ve followed couples to France, Mexico, and numerous National Parks here in western Colorado.

Whether you plan to walk, fly, or sail to your wedding destination, this guide will help you have an amazing experience complete with epic wedding photography.

Let’s start by asking why you might be interested in having a wedding somewhere unique!

What is a destination wedding?

What is a destination wedding? Destination weddings are about love, exploration, and of course the destination. It is when the couple or guests travel to a location to celebrate kicking off the marriage.

A destination wedding defined: When a couple recognizes that the wedding day is just the beginning of the adventure that is marriage. Thus, they decide to make the setting of the wedding a destination.

Couples choose a destination wedding for numerous reasons. Perhaps they have a lot of experience traveling and want to share it with their friends and family. Or maybe they want to see the beauty of the world on their big day. Often, couples want epic photos and know that the best portraits require a unique backdrop.

Destination wedding pros and cons

Let’s talk through the destination wedding pros and cons. Destination weddings mean that you and or your guest have to travel. That’s the main consideration. Does that sound fun to you? Make a pros and cons list and see where you fall.

Traveling can impact prices positively or negatively depending on where you are coming from and where you are going. For example, your destination wedding photographer cost may be higher than in your local town mostly because photographers in popular wedding destinations are in demand. You can find a local photographer but many photographers will also travel with you to your destination.

Having a destination wedding might impact your guest list or your turnout, but don’t count on it. You might have a set of friends and family that feel lucky to travel across the world for your event. Destination weddings often mean dealing with the stress of new experiences or the unknown and unfamiliar.

How to Get Epic Destination Wedding Photography

If you’re having a destination wedding then chances are good that you want epic photography to capture the background of your love story.

Choose your destination based on your vision for your wedding then look locally at your destination for photographers that fit your style.

Or, look at destination wedding photographers in general to find one that fits your style even if they aren’t based in your selected destination.

Selecting a Photographer for Your Destination Wedding Photography

A wedding destination photographer needs to be a master of location-based wedding photos. Our expertise in traveling to both new and familiar places allows us to capture the uniqueness of your wedding day. In the setting of your choice, we’ll document the love, emotion, and awe.

For your destination wedding photography, we want to focus on your experience. Places allow us to both escape and be grounded in reality. Your wedding should feel like a dream, but the messy real-life crazy story kind with uncontrollables like weather.

A destination wedding photographer might be local to your wedding destination or someone that you bring from somewhere else, the point is that they specialize in capturing couples in the beautiful places they choose to get married. You want a destination wedding photographer who will capture your wedding with the style of photos you like best.

Need a Photographer for Your Destination Wedding?

Need a photographer for destination wedding adventures? We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen, a husband and wife photography team. As adventurous destination wedding photographers, we specialize in capturing couples in the beautiful places they choose to get married.

We met on an ice-climbing trip. That led to a shared passion for photographing the beautiful landscapes we like to explore together. Eventually, we discovered the power of places on love and marriage.

Let us get to know you and meet your loved ones. Take us on a journey physically and emotionally. Let us tell your story with both epic wedding landscape portraits and emotional documentary moments. Contact us here.

Best Locations for a Destination Wedding

The best locations for a destination wedding will vary from couple to couple. You may want to find somewhere that is an adventure to get to, but not too much trouble for your guests. Most of all, you want a setting that inspires you as the backdrop of your love story.

When you think about the location consider the backdrop for your ceremony but also the experience of the overall event. What type of accommodations do you envision and what activities will your guest do over the weekend? Is it a quaint town in Italy or a relaxing beach in California?

Below are some favorite locations from a destination wedding photographer who’s had the opportunity to photograph weddings in numerous locations. From Yosemite, Zion, and Rocky Mountain National Parks to the castles of France, we want to help celebrate.

Destination Wedding Colorado

If you’re planning a destination wedding in Colorado, you might be dreaming of epic mountain views and romantic ski towns. Colorado has epic mountain views and wilderness located in fun mountain towns. It’s a great combination of adventure and cozy.

Below are location guides for Colorado weddings and some sample weddings from a Colorado wedding photographer. (Me!)

Location Guides

Beautiful Colorado Mountain Wedding Venues

Evergreen Colorado Wedding Guide

Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Guide

Vail Wedding Guide

Breckenridge Wedding Guide

Sample Weddings

Telluride Colorado Wedding

Crested Butte Destination Wedding

Winter Park Intimate Wedding

California Destination Wedding

If you’re planning a destination wedding in California you might be hoping for a sunny beach or one of the states stunning national parks. We used to live in California and photographed weddings up and down the coastline as well as throughout the Sierra Nevada mountain range. California has a lot to offer couples seeking a unique destination wedding experience.

Below is a Yosemite wedding guide and a few other sample weddings from an experienced California wedding photographer (even though we are now based in Colorado.)

Yosemite Wedding Guide

Intimate Sequoia Wedding

San Luis Obispo Central California Wedding

California Redwoods Wedding

Utah Destination Wedding

Speaking of National Parks, Utah makes for an amazing destination wedding location. Utilize the expertise of a destination wedding photographer. Our ability to scout and see a place with fresh eyes whether it’s somewhere we’ve been before or somewhere new.

Below is our Zion wedding guide and some sample weddings.

Zion National Park Wedding Guide

Sample Zion National Park Elopement

Sample Wedding at Zion National Park

More Destination Wedding Photography Tips

• Choose the right location to suit your vision.
• Use simple touches like choosing the right wording for your vows or invitations
• Select the right photographer to tell your story.
• Make sure you plan time for portraits and to capture the story of the experience

Check out our less common tips for your destination wedding in the mountains. Or more generally, 5 tips for your destination wedding. Or get specific and check out these tips for planning a destination wedding in Colorado.

Better yet, reach out and let’s start talking about your destination wedding photography or ! We can help you with things like figuring out the rules of a National Park wedding or where the sun will set on your wedding venue.

There is so much to delight destination wedding photographers!

more on wedding planning:

Want more wedding planning advice from a photographer with over a decade of experience?

• what to know before choosing a destination wedding

• engagement photoshoot survival guide

• how long does wedding photography take? – timeline and turnaround time

• how to choose a wedding photographer (that doesn’t suck)

• understanding wedding photography styles | wedding photography tips

• good light for great wedding photos

• how to find wedding vendors that fit your style

• Less Common Tips for Your Destination Wedding in the Mountains

• Planning a Destination Wedding in Colorado.

• Mountain Top Wedding Ideas,

• Colorado wedding planning advice

• beautiful Colorado mountain wedding venues

• Adventure Wedding Readings and Quotes

Or if you’re a photographer check out tips like these camera settings for weddings.

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen, a husband and wife photography team specializing in mountain wedding photography and other adventures.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re looking for a wedding photographer and/or videographer!

We want to capture your love in action!

In the meantime, remember to…

[mailmunch-form id=”412278″]

The post Destination Wedding Photography Guide appeared first on .

Destination weddings are the perfect way to have an unforgettable unique wedding day in a memorable setting. I always talk about the wedding destination as the setting for the love story so it’s not surprising that couples seek gorgeous backdrops. Maybe your dream destination wedding is exploring historic landmarks, a National Park, or endless views of the Caribbean coastline.

Before you go searching for the perfect destination wedding venue, it helps to do some general research on destination weddings as well as detailed research around your chosen destination. This article will walk through what you need to know when planning a destination wedding as well as how to choose that perfect venue.

A destination wedding is a ceremony away from the couple’s hometown and requires their guests to travel. Couples can have many different reasons to plan a destination wedding from showcasing their love of travel to simplifying the guest list. This article will explore destination weddings, including mountain, beach, and adventure destinations. 

Planning a Destination Wedding

Destination weddings provide an escape from the busy lives of a couple. It is an opportunity to start their married lives in a gorgeous destination spot. Your friends and family can have an amazing trip too!

Planning a destination wedding has several essentials such as setting a budget, planning the guest list, evaluating the destination, timing, and travel or wedding insurance. If you’re planning a destination wedding, you’re going to want to be very organized or enlist the help of a wedding planner. Whether your vision is one of those all-inclusive resorts or something off the grid on a far-flung remote island, you’ll want to make sure the wedding planning goes smoothly.

Let’s walk through some steps for planning and selecting destination wedding locations. The goal is to think of everything you need ahead of time so that you don’t end up lost in a destination without the tools to enjoy it. Let’s start how I always start my wedding planning advice, by looking at the goals and priorities of the bride and groom.

Evaluate your reasons and priorities

Whenever I’m talking to someone about wedding planning, I remind them to keep a strong focus on their priorities. It’s important to make sure that at the end of the day, you get married. That’s what the wedding is actually about.

When you remind yourself of the reason you’re throwing a wedding, your reasons for every other decision become much more clear. Take your decision to have a destination wedding. What if I ask you why you want to have a destination wedding?

There isn’t a wrong answer, to make a wedding truly unique the only requirement is that your answer is truly unique. If your dream is a Caribbean destination wedding because you love sea turtles and white sand or if your dream wedding is an entire wedding weekend in Las Vegas, the only thing that matters is that you know why. Once you know your why, it will help you make the rest of the decisions going forward.

Set a budget

But before we can go forward or go to any destination, we need to set a budget. A wedding budget is crucial for any wedding. However, it is especially essential for a destination wedding.

Consider your limit and what you can afford to spend. Also, consider specific costs that might not be included in a local wedding. You might think that a destination wedding will be less expensive because it will result in a smaller guest count but are you factoring in your travel costs and needing to plan everything remotely?

When setting a budget evaluate what you can afford based on who is contributing. It’s time to have those hard conversations about money otherwise your dream destination wedding will turn into a nightmare. Return to your priorities whenever you get tempted to let the budget spiral out of control.

Plan the guest list 

Once you have the budget, you will need to have an idea of the guest list. It is important to be fairly certain of how many people will attend the wedding. You must have in mind the people who you want to attend as well as who will be able to.

Inviting people closest to you is important. If you plan to get married halfway around the world, your guests will need to take more time off of work and spend more money to attend. As you start building your guest list, it will impact further decisions.

For example, many destination wedding venues have guest count limits based on how much space they have for various events such as the wedding ceremony. Knowing the guest list will immediately help you narrow down the final locations. You might also choose destinations based on where the majority of your guests can get a direct flight.

Evaluate the destination 

You may already know the place you have always dreamed about getting married. Before jumping on a plane, stop and consider whether or not it is the right choice. Examples include the weather, travel restrictions, how easy it will be for your guests to get to the destination, and the ages of your guests. 

When searching for the best location for a destination wedding location you’ll want to look at the time of year as well. For example, you probably want to avoid a tropical destination during hurricane season even if the prices look better for the budget. Ask local vendors what the best time of year is in the locations that you are interested in.

If you’ve gotten this far, then hopefully your short list of destinations is within budget and the right choice for your guest list. If your family and friends love adventure then maybe it’s okay for them to take a plane, bus, boat ride, and short hike to make it to your rehearsal dinner. If they can plan a few extra days to enjoy the incredible scenery or nightlife of your chosen destination, then it sounds like a good fit.

The timing 

As I’ve alluded to, the timing is also essential. Travel during the off-season when you can as long as the weather isn’t unrealistic. Off-season will be less expensive than traveling during the peak season but it also might be inconvenient for your guests. You can avoid larger tourist crowds especially if your wedding destination is in a popular spot, but again, be sure to avoid hurricane season in search of white sand beaches.

In Colorado, people think that March might be perfect for a Spring wedding when in fact Spring happens closer to the summer months. In contrast, you can always get married year-round in a place like Southern California. If your goal is a foreign country you’ll want to know what season it is there as well as where your guests are coming from when you set your wedding date.

Depending on your flexibility, you could also consider a weekday wedding when popular places are less crowded, no one says the wedding weekend has to take place on an actual weekend. Of course, you’ll want to go back to your guest list and consider what will work and keep your guests excited about celebrating your love.

Consider travel or wedding insurance 

Are you worried about losing money? There are so many things that can happen outside our control. Buying travel or wedding insurance can give you some peace of mind.

Make sure you read the contracts of every vendor you sign so that you know the costs associated with having to cancel or reschedule your wedding. Some vendors will be flexible with rescheduling your wedding packages especially if you have a valid reason. Other vendors will charge you an additional rescheduling fee.

Destination Wedding Locations

Now that we’ve talked through planning a destination wedding, let’s dive into the best destination weddings and wedding locations. While researching wedding venues is part of your long wedding planning checklist, it can be one of the fun parts. Now is the time to dream.

Picture your Caribbean destination wedding and the white sand beaches and palm trees. Or imagine a Bride and Groom in New York, Paris, San Francisco, or some other romantic city. Where do you picture the setting of your love story?

You can search top destination wedding locations for both biased and unbiased reviews. You’ll want to learn things like how expensive different locations are. Your money might go further in one location than another.

You might find that some of the most popular wedding destinations aren’t as unique and original as you would like them to be. And the top destination wedding venues might have different reasons for being appealing. Do you want a venue that’s known for being efficient and effective at planning weddings, because they’ve done so many or are you looking for a destination wedding location that few people have attempted?

Beach Wedding Destinations

When I think of a beach wedding, I think of a laid-back day with perfect weather and incredible scenery. You can still have an eloquent, formal wedding with tuxedos and a long white dress. A beach wedding might be different on the West Coast than it is in Florida, do you want the natural beauty or exciting night lift?

There’s just something about escaping to a beach that makes people feel relaxed and at peace. If that’s how you want people to feel at your wedding, you might consider a beach wedding. The best location for destination wedding photography is a location that will be meaningful to the bride and groom.

The beach offers many benefits that couples may not have considered. Having a beach wedding can save you money on decor costs, you can have a larger guest list, it is a vacation for your guests, is comfortable, and a beautiful setting.

Save money on decor

Have the wedding of your dreams and save money at the same time! The natural beauty of the beach and ocean will be your decorations. You may want to add a few more touches to make it perfect. You could embellish your wedding ceremony with colorful flowers or a seashell centerpiece. 

Larger guest list 

A large outdoor space can allow for many guests if you are not confined to an indoor ballroom or another indoor space. To have a covered space you could add tents for the reception but you might not need to if the weather is reliable. A private beach wedding venue can provide beautiful locations with little traffic and onlookers. 

Vacation for your guests

A beach wedding is not only a time for you to escape the responsibilities of life, it is also a great opportunity for your guests. It gives them a chance to explore a new place and an excuse to take some time off work. Several guests will take advantage of the location and explore a gorgeous paradise before and after your wedding.

Mountain Wedding Destinations

For some people, a mountain wedding destination is a perfect place to tie the knot. If you’re considering mountain wedding destinations there are many advantages. These include a weekend getaway, unique photo opportunities, a smaller guest list, cost-effectiveness, and supporting local businesses. 

When I think of a mountain wedding I think of that epic look and feel of being surrounded by iconic landscapes. If you want your guests to feel awe on your wedding day, you might consider a mountain wedding.

Weekend getaway

Choosing to have a mountain wedding also gives you a chance to make a small vacation out of it as well. For example, you could rent a property on a river for easy fishing access if that is something you enjoy. You could also rent a place with a hot tub to rest and relax before the big day.

You can even plan to have your honeymoon in the mountains. A lot of mountain wedding venues are situated in cute mountain towns that have a ton to offer out-of-town guests.

Unique photo opportunities 

You can capture amazing mountain photos on your wedding day. No matter where you go, there is a beautiful mountain backdrop. If you are lucky, you may even capture some of the mountain wildlife in your photos.

A mountain wedding will be unforgettable and your photos will be evidence of that. Make sure you take time to soak in the sunrise and sunset. Your photographer or wedding planner can help you plan the perfect wedding itinerary to take advantage of the epic mountains around you.

Smaller guest list

Unlike a beach wedding, a mountain destination might be for a smaller, more intimate guest list. While many mountain wedding venues can accommodate large crowds, some of them have a guest limit because you will likely have to plan for some events taking place indoors. Because weather can be unreliable and temperatures can drop after the sun goes down, most mountain venues have indoor locations.

Cost-effective 

A mountain destination wedding can be cost-effective if you choose the right venue. Set up a budget within your price range. Depending on what is decided for food, property accommodations, and venue selection, you can still save money.

Because mountain weddings are popular in places like Colorado, you will come across beautiful venues there that are expensive. However, you can also get a big bag for your buck.

Supporting local businesses

Another perk about having a mountain destination wedding is being able to support local businesses in a small town. For example, hire a local wedding coordinator, florist, catering, and accommodations and you’re supporting the local economy. 

Pros and Cons to a Destination Wedding

I’m going to walk through some pros and cons of a destination wedding. You’ll see that each of these topics will depend on the specific bride and groom. What kind of bride and groom are you?

Will you enjoy the relief, adventure, and excitement of a destination wedding? Or will the lack of control stress you out? Will it result in you spending more or less money? Evaluate your response to the questions below to see how it sounds to you.

Costs

Destination weddings can either be more or less expensive depending on your location selection. It is generally more expensive for your guests which can limit your guest list. Again that may be a pro or con depending on your stance.

Planning From a Distance

If you plan a destination wedding you will have to rely on local vendors to help with your planning. Often people try to DIY things like decorations and then forget that they have to find a way to get their items to the destination.

Making it Memorable

For many couples, the reason to have a destination wedding is to make it more memorable. Picking an exotic location is bound to be hard to forget. It can also force you and your guests to turn the wedding into a full weekend event making it even more grand

Stress

A destination wedding might be more stressful since you are not on sight to deal with the inner workings of the plan. There might be more to coordinate and stress about. At the same time, if you plan a simple destination wedding and rely on local vendors to plan things for you, if might be less stressful than otherwise.

Summary: Destination Weddings

Finally, whether you are eloping or planning the perfect guest list, destination weddings can be an interesting, unique way to tie the knot. Before hopping on a plane, do your research. There are a lot of logistics and things to consider.

If in the end, you decide to make the jump and plan a destination wedding, enjoy your big day for all it is worth! Choosing the right destination wedding location comes down to remembering your why, picturing your dream, and then making decisions to help you put it all together.

As a wedding photographer, you can imagine that I am especially attached to shooting weddings in beautiful destinations. Throughout a decade-plus of photographing weddings, I’ve shot in every location you can imagine from epic to quaint to cheap to rustic. My job is to make memories look beautiful but if I’m being honest, location plays a big part in that!

more on wedding planning:

• how long does wedding photography take? – timeline and turnaround time

• how to choose a wedding photographer (that doesn’t suck)

• what to do with your wedding photos | after the wedding

• understanding wedding photography styles | wedding photography tips

• good light for great wedding photos

• how to find wedding vendors that fit your style

• shooting in low light

Thanks for stopping by the blog for some tips on choosing that destination wedding location. Don’t hesitate to ask us for advice, we often act as tour guides for our couples. Need more planning advice?

free comprehensive e-guide: Prioritize your planning so your wedding is a memorable adventure.

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen, a husband and wife photography team specializing in mountain wedding photography and other adventures. Capturing people in nature and the mountain lifestyle is a passion that became a dream that became a life. Thanks for stopping by our blog, we’re here to help and we love talking about love.

We offer tips for brides and tips for wedding photographers.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel throughout the state as Colorado adventure wedding photographers. We also frequently travel to California and other wedding destinations to document love and adventure in a variety of memorable settings. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help! Be sure to follow us (weddings instagram & adventures instagram) and/or like us (facebook) to stay tuned.

In the meantime, remember to…

[mailmunch-form id=”412278″]

The post What to Know Before Choosing a Wedding Destination appeared first on .

Brian and Lindsay got married at the Observatory at Alta Lakes. From the get go, we knew it was bound to be an adventure. As you drive up the bumpy road past epic views and stunning lakes, you’re transported into the alpine wonderland of Alta Lakes.

Surrounded by views of rugged peaks and delicate wildflowers, Lindsay and Brian celebrate their marriage with their closest friends and family. They fill their bellies with delicious food and heartfelt laughter. This couple truly embodies our own mission and mantra to “love. adventurously.”

I met Lindsay a few years ago and was immediately inspired by her grit, determination, love of life, and adventurous spirit. When she first introduced us to her now husband we both saw and felt the perfect fit that you’ll hear about in their wedding video. These two are strong, independent individuals but when they come together make an incredible team.

Telluride Colorado Wedding Videography

Telluride Colorado Wedding Photography

Telluride Colorado Wedding Vendors

Thanks to the amazing vendor team for making this wedding day a slice of perfection.

• Officiant: Bill Normile 
• Caterer: Steve at Counter Culture Catering
• Venue: The Observatory
• Planner: Caroline of La Vie Adeux
• Photo & Video: Bergreen Photography

Note: sometimes a tent is a good backup plan in case of rain or cold weather.

More Wedding Photography and Videography

Are you enjoying this preview from Brian and Lindsays Telluride Colorado wedding?! We can’t get enough of those views and this couple! Wishing them the best in all the mountains they climb!

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen. We’re a husband and wife team of adventurous Colorado wedding photographers. Above all our philosophy, love. adventurously. is the guidepost for everything we do.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel throughout the state as Colorado adventure wedding photographers. Find us in Vail, Breckenridge, Estes Park, and more. Additionally, we frequently travel to California and other wedding destinations.

Finally, be sure to follow us and/or like us  to stay tuned.

• weddings instagram (brenda)
•  adventures instagram (marc)
• facebook

Be sure to check out photography tips on the blog such as pricing, our elopement guide, or more of our work as Colorado wedding photographers and videographers! We love capturing adventurous couples in the beautiful places they choose to say I do.

In the meantime, remember to…

[mailmunch-form id=”412278″]

The post Telluride Colorado Wedding Photographer and Videographer | Brian and Lindsay appeared first on .

Finally, the weekend arrived and we got to celebrate with Nicole and Matt in person. The question is, was it everything they dreamed? Well, I can’t say for sure because I’m not in their heads but the day was certainly magical and memorable.

I’m excited to share these photos from Matt and Nicole’s wedding weekend in Crested Butte. The weather was daunting and calling for rain. All day. So somehow we convinced each other that it would be a good idea to wake up for sunrise and take some photos before the storm.

Not only is sunrise the best time of day, I feel like the sacrifice of getting up early always winds up in rewards. It did end up raining all day but somehow, someway, there was a 30 min weather window for these two to say vows.

There is so much in life, adventure, and marriage that we can’t control. But if we do the work and get up early for the sunrise, we set ourselves up to get lucky.

Summer Crested Butte Wedding Photography

Thanks to the rest of you for stopping by to check out this Summer Crested Butte Wedding Photography! Give the couple a shout out in the comments below.

Next check out photography tips such as this elopement guide or more of our adventures from our home base as Evergreen Colorado wedding photographers. Some of our favorite recent shoots are this micro wedding colorado. And this sunrise elopement in Colorado.

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen. We’re a husband and wife team of adventurous Colorado wedding photographers. Above all our philosophy, love. adventurously. is the guidepost for everything we do.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel throughout the state to Vail, Breckenridge, Rocky Mountain, and beyond as Colorado adventure wedding photographers. Additionally, we frequently travel to California and other wedding destinations.

Finally, be sure to follow us and/or like us  to stay tuned.

• weddings instagram (brenda)
•  adventures instagram (marc)
• facebook

In the meantime, remember to…

[mailmunch-form id=”412278″]

The post Summer Crested Butte Wedding Photography | Nicole and Matt appeared first on .

I had a blast witnessing the joy, love, and tightness of these three. They’re going to make an incredible team going forward. The ceremony took place on a small wooden dock in epic evening light.

If you’ve been around Colorado this year you know that wildfires have been clogging the air. As I drove into winter park I saw smoke and smelled it too, but the wind shifted just in time to say I do!

winter park wedding photography

Come back soon!

Thanks for stopping by to see this winter park wedding photography!

Looking for a photographer for your destination wedding or Colorado elopement? Check out other shoots like this sunrise elopement in Colorado or this fall Telluride wedding photography. We also have resources for photographers like this pricing guide or ND Filter Guide.

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen. We’re a photography team specializing in adventurous colorado mountain wedding photography and videography. Above all our philosophy, love. adventurously. is the guidepost for everything we do.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel throughout the state as Colorado adventure wedding photographers. Additionally, we frequently travel to California and other wedding destinations.

Finally, be sure to follow us and/or like us  to stay tuned.

• weddings instagram (brenda)
•  adventures instagram (marc)
• facebook

In the meantime, remember to…

[mailmunch-form id=”412278″]

The post winter park wedding photography | mirka and ryan appeared first on .

When first met these two, back before COVID and face-masks, it was like meeting old friends. I’m not trying to claim that we saw into their souls or anything but they are incredibly easy to talk to and be around. They are kind, open, fun, and funny too!

There are some people that just make you feel at ease and like all is right in the world. And who doesn’t need more of that right now?

We loved seeing Travis and Alli nervous at 5am as the sky was turning pink and they were about to exchange vows. It was a blast hiking up a mountain with them, us in our hiking attire and them in their formalwear. They skipped through the meadow, made silly faces, and also look hopelessly sweet and sincere.

Meanwhile, mom and dad set up a mini dessert and champagne reception with cookies so big I worried the cookies were going to eat us. I love celebrating things, now more than ever. And the marriage of Alli and Travis is certainly something to celebrate!

sunrise elopement in colorado mountains

Cheers to the beautiful couple and their perfect sunrise elopement in Colorado mountains.

Thanks for stopping by! Next check out more of our work as Evergreen Colorado wedding photographers or elopement tips. Some of our favorite recent shoots are this Mount Vernon Canyon Club Wedding. And this Woodland Park wedding photography.

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen. We’re a photography team specializing in adventurous colorado mountain wedding photography. Above all our philosophy, love. adventurously. is the guidepost for everything we do.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel throughout the state as Colorado adventure wedding photographers and videographers. Additionally, we frequently travel to California and other wedding destinations.

Finally, be sure to follow us and/or like us  to stay tuned.

• weddings instagram (brenda)
•  adventures instagram (marc)
• facebook

In the meantime, remember to…

[mailmunch-form id=”412278″]

The post Sunrise Elopement in Colorado | Travis and Alli appeared first on .

Ever since their adventurous Colorado mountain engagement we have been giddy to get them in front of our cameras again. Telluride didn’t disappoint! And neither did Jordan, for a boldly adventurous gal she is also elegant and stylish alongside her dapper mate making them fit right in the chic mountain town.

Jordan, who apparently always gets what she wants (to quote one of the MOHs), was showered with stunning fall colors as well as the man of her dreams. These two planned such a fun day exploring some of their favorite places in this magical town.

Ever since we got home we’ve been listening to Goodbye in Telluride. It’s a song about breaking up… or rather not breaking up, yeah let’s go with not breaking up. It’s a song about not breaking up in the magical town of Telluride.

No, Telluride is a town of love, romance, mountains, and magic. The perfect place to not break up but rather say I do! Congrats you two!

We also had a blast seeing Lindsay and Jaron again, from another epic fall day 2 years ago. We met Jordan and Joe at their Piney River Ranch wedding. Enough words, lets get to the photos!

fall telluride wedding photography

Congrats you two, what an honor!

Telluride wedding vendors

• planner: Meehan Fee, Telluride Unveiled
• catering: Telski Food and Beverage
• dj: Duck & Cover
• officiant: Sean Igoe
• florist: Dahlia Floral
• bakery: Peace of Cake 
• venue: Telluride Ski Resort
• dress: Luv Bridal (Denver)
• groom’s suit: Suit Supply
• groom’s shirt: Ratio Clothing
• engagement ring: Renee James
• hair and makeup: Natalie Duke
• earrings: Olive and Piper 
• alterations: Miss Sew It All
• shoes: Jimmy Choo
• transportation: Telluride Express
• invitations: Minted
• jacket: Handsome Love Calligraphy

Thanks to the rest of you for stopping by to check out this Fall Telluride Wedding Photography! Give the couple a shout out in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by! Next check out more of our work as destination wedding photographers. You might enjoy this France destination wedding photography or this Tahoe destination wedding photography. Or reach out if you’re looking for a photographer for your destination wedding.

We are Marc and Brenda Bergreen. We’re a photography team specializing in adventurous colorado mountain wedding photography. Above all our philosophy, love. adventurously. is the guidepost for everything we do.

Based in Evergreen, CO we travel throughout the state as Colorado adventure wedding photographers. Additionally, we frequently travel to California and other wedding destinations.

Finally, be sure to follow us and/or like us  to stay tuned.

• weddings instagram (brenda)
•  adventures instagram (marc)
• facebook

In the meantime, remember to…

[mailmunch-form id=”412278″]

The post Fall Telluride Wedding Photography | Joe and Jordan appeared first on .