Tips for Your Shenandoah National Park Elopement
⛰️ Hire an elopement photographer who knows the location
This is really important because when your photographer knows your elopement location, they’ll know how to…
✔️photograph it in any type of weather
✔️create the perfect timeline for that location
✔️know the right times of day for the best light
✔️find the best spots
✔️pivot when plan A and B don’t work out due to closures or other unforeseen factors
⛰️ Commit 100%
Go all in! Climb up the summit, hike to the waterfall, embrace the rain, breathe into the sunrise, let everything go and enjoy the moment. Your elopement will truly be everything you want it to be. It will be amazingly incredible so be sure you commit to the moment fully.
⛰️ Prepare for any weather
Be prepared. Make sure you have snacks, extra water, extra clothing (don’t forget socks!), a rain jacket, layers of jackets, flashlights, a fully charged phone, et. cetera. If you think you’ll need it, pack it just in case.
⛰️ Have a back up plan for your back up plan
You should have a backup plan and timeline for different locations in the park in case the location of your first plan is closed or if you need to change up the timeline. This is where your elopement photographer being a location expert can come in handy because if both plans fail, they’ll know where to go off the top of their head.
⛰️ Go with the flow
Spontaneity can turn into beautiful things. Seriously. I’ve had couples running around in the pouring rain on the side of the mountain in their full wedding attire. And you know what? They have an incredible time full of laughs and sweet moments because they let go of their expectations for the day and just embraced the beautiful time they had together. And I captured it all.
⛰️ Respect the park
This one is a must. Don’t feed or approach the wildlife, it’s not safe for them (or you). Obey the speed limits, be mindful of parking and don’t park off the designated parking areas.
Don’t litter and remember to leave no trace.
