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Weddings

About

Hey there! I'm Maddie Mae and I'm a Colorado and destination elopement photographer, experience designer, and planning consultant for couples who want an unforgettable, deeply meaningful, and extraordinarily personal wedding experience.

When you hire me—you get so much more than just a photographer. With experience traveling in 41 countries (all 7 continents) and 8 years of co-creating over 400 incredible elopements with couples all over the world... I partner with you to help you dream up & bring to life the most incredible adventure you two have ever had. I advise you on locations, activities, logistics, and help bring your vision to life in a seamless plan that helps you relax and enjoy every minute of your day.

  • Woman-owned
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Frequently asked questions

What is the starting price for your wedding photography services?

$6,000

Which of the following are included in the starting price?

High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
One Event / Day
Digital Files

What is the price of your most popular wedding package?

$90,000

Which of the following are included in the price of your most popular wedding package?

High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
One Event / Day
Digital Files

What primary photographic style do you identify with?

Contemporary
Film
Natural
Photojournalism
Traditional
Vintage

What photography services do you offer?

Additional Hours
Destination / Travel
Engagement Shoot
High-Res Images
Wedding Portraits

What photography items do you offer?

Albums
Canvas
Digital Files
Flush Mount
Matted Prints
Prints
Save the Date
Thank You Cards

Reviews of Adventure Instead

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

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Adventure Instead is highly recommended by multiple reviewers for elopements and small intimate weddings. The team, especially Maddie, Tori, and Amber, are praised for their exceptional service, knowledge, and flexibility throughout the planning process. Reviewers appreciate the detailed information, location suggestions, and helpful advice provided by Adventure Instead. The photography is highly acclaimed, with reviewers describing the photos as stunning, natural, and capturing genuine moments. The team's professionalism, passion, and dedication to making the day special and stress-free are commended. Overall, customers highly recommend Adventure Instead for a unique and tailored wedding experience.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Adventure Instead is highly recommended by multiple reviewers for elopements and small intimate weddings. The team, especially Maddie, Tori, and Amber, are praised for their exceptional service, knowledge, and flexibility throughout the planning process. Reviewers appreciate the detailed information, location suggestions, and helpful advice provided by Adventure Instead. The photography is highly acclaimed, with reviewers describing the photos as stunning, natural, and capturing genuine moments. The team's professionalism, passion, and dedication to making the day special and stress-free are commended. Overall, customers highly recommend Adventure Instead for a unique and tailored wedding experience.

Stephanie
Stephanie Sent on 10/02/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Thanks a million, Adventure Instead!

I had followed Adventure Instead on Instagram for a few years and then the pandemic hit and they had a huge influx of people wanting to elope. I thought it would be too impossible by the time I got engaged in April 2021 that they would have space OR I could afford it. I was dead wrong! I received a response really quickly from Maddie upon my first inquiry and from that point on, over a period of 1.5 years, the whole team would be incredibly accommodating to changing plans and locations.

I ended up having a traditional wedding for family, but my husband and I were still able to live out our dream during a photo session with Maddie at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Maddie is so incredibly knowledgeable about the process of finding the perfect spot(s) and covers everything you could possibly need for your elopement. Her team is well versed with the ins and outs of planning, and were incredibly respectful of my stress that came from changing plans. Even on our trip to Colorado there were several bumps along the way, but she made that day one of the best days of our lives.

We just got our “sneak peek” and I feel so completely fulfilled. The whole process was so emotional and now I have these phenomenal photos which made it all worth it.
Katie
Katie Sent on 09/27/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Best Day of My Life!

Getting eloped with Adventure Instead and Amber was the best decision we ever made. It was truly an adventure and such an amazing experience we will never forget. Amber was awesome at every step along the way, with all of our questions, needs, and awkwardness in front of the camera!
Qiao-An
Qiao-An Sent on 09/14/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Say yes to Adventure Instead!

Having Maddie as our photographer at our elopement was like a dream come true. I had followed her and Adventure Instead for a few years already and when I showed my husband her profile we immediately decided to reach out to her. We were so excited when she decided to pick us!

There was an instant connection from the first Skype call, she is enthusiastic, professional and you can tell she has a ton of experience to help you have an epic elopement. From brainstorming locations, to accomodation, to suppliers, to activities on the day. There are no questions she and her team can't answer.

We can't express our gratitude enough on how flexible Maddie was with having to reschedule our elopement due to travel restrictions in 2020. She frequently updated us on the situation and other options. It really helped us stay positive and keep looking forward to our big day.

During the elopement we love how natural she was around us, giving us some guidance but at the same time seamlessly fitting into our day and letting us be completely ourselves. The day flew by and the pictures she shared with us are a true reflection of how we remember the day. That is an incredible skill!

If you made it this far down my review, then I don't know what you're waiting for. Book Adventure Instead, it will be the best decision you've made for your wedding day!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

100
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
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Adventure Instead frequently asked questions

Adventure Instead includes the following photography services in the starting price:
  • High-Res Images
  • Multi. Locations
  • One Event / Day
  • Digital Files
Adventure Instead includes the following photography services in their most popular wedding package:
  • High-Res Images
  • Multi. Locations
  • One Event / Day
  • Digital Files
Adventure Instead offers the following photography styles:
  • Contemporary
  • Film
  • Natural
  • Photojournalism
  • Traditional
  • Vintage
Adventure Instead offers the following photography services for weddings:
  • Additional Hours
  • Destination / Travel
  • Engagement Shoot
  • High-Res Images
  • Wedding Portraits
Adventure Instead offers the following photography materials for weddings:
  • Albums
  • Canvas
  • Digital Files
  • Flush Mount
  • Matted Prints
  • Prints
  • Save the Date
  • Thank You Cards
Adventure Instead is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.

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