Adventure Instead Reviews
Reviews
5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
100 Reviews
100% recommend it
Awards
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![Binita]()
Binita P. Sent on 04/06/2021Truly magical!
If you are considering having an alternative wedding experience, LOOK NO FURTHER. I had stumbled across Adventure Instead (previous Maddie Mae Photography) four years ago, and ever since I dreamed of having an adventure elopement. I never thought it would come true since I have a large Indian family who would traditionally have a large wedding. We had gotten engaged literally the day quarantine started, so we postponed any plans of getting married until things got better. Unfortunately, circumstances did not change even a year later, so we thought it was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure elopement with Adventure Instead, especially since we did not want to put anyone at risk with a larger wedding.
And we decided just to message them through their website, and we received a prompt email back. **I definitely recommend messaging them even if you are not sure about when/what location, they do an amazing job at working through what the perfect elopement looks like for you! Also don't be intimidated and think that you have to be super adventurous couple or avid hikers to do an adventure elopement, they do a fantastic job at finding beautiful locations that are within your comfort level (which was great for us especially since we had acquired quarantine bodies).
Both Tori and Amber were super helpful in decided which location and dates, since we were considering either Joshua Tree NP in CA or Colorado. My partner and I decided to go with Colorado, and with the help of Amber, we were able to plan the elopement in under 3 months! The whole process was so streamlined and so easy (since Amber did most of the work), all we had to do was pick out outfits, a cake, AirBnB, and drive to CO! It was truly a magical experience, even though we had never had our pictures taken professionally. What Amber does with her camera is insane, we never thought our awkward selves would look like art!
All in all, if you choose Adventure Instead, you will have an unforgettable wedding day, all about you and your loved one, with absolutely no regrets! -
Gabrielle S. Sent on 08/06/2022
The BEST day of our lives!
We worked with Tori from Adventure Instead. From the start she was kind, quick to respond, and excited to help us with the process. She is obviously very experienced with elopements. They are not only photographers but also help you plan the entire day/trip. They tell you if you might need permits, a general packing list, give you a huge list for location/vendors/housing options, and more. She had so much back up supplies in case we forgot something. She was taking pictures of us the entire time and was professional the whole day. Everything was candid, nothing was forced, and there were none of those awkward "how should we pose?" moments. 100000/10 recommend Adventure instead. -
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Richard Sent on 11/26/2020
The Best Way To Get Married
My wife and I eloped in Aspen, Colorado as our wedding plans were canceled due to the pandemic. It was a blessing in disguise. We were able to drive to Colorado with our two pups (our officiant and witness since Colorado is a self-solemnizing state) and got married in a beautiful alpine lake setting. The whole process with Amber was easy, exciting, and stress free. We found a great hike in Aspen and Amber was great to communicate with the whole time. Our experience with her on the wedding day was also amazing as she was pleasantly interactive but also made us feel like there wasn't even a third person there and we were able to share intimate moments together. Our photographs came out beautifully and we were ecstatic about our whole experience. Amber went above and beyond that day too as we accidentally dropped our ring into the lake and she helped to get it out! We also went over our allotted time but Amber said nothing of it and we were never rushed. I would highly recommend eloping in an adventurous location and definitely recommend hiring Amber to capture the beautiful moments of that day. -
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Denali Sent on 05/29/2022
Phenomenal!
Tori was an absolute dream to work with! She made our day flow so easily with no worries at all! Tori was there to help every step of the way with our elopement, including recommendations on things outside of our elopement day! She focuses on making sure that your and your partner feel comfortable and yourself so that the photos are so genuine. I could not recommend Adventure Instead enough! If you’re on the fence about hiring them, do it! You will not regret. -
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![Kendra]()
Kendra H. Sent on 10/02/2020I highly recommend Adventure Instead!
My husband and I eloped back in August in CO. We got the honor to work with Amber, and she was amazing. Down to getting to know us, helping find the perfect location, to the photographs she took. She was such a sweetheart to work with and made this whole process so easy and fun. I highly recommend Adventure instead to anyone looking into it! -
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Chelsea D. Sent on 09/03/2020
Best adventure ever!
We had such an amazing experience with Amber & Adventure Instead from the very beginning! We especially appreciated the thoughtfulness and care that goes into the pre-elopement process where they send you questionnaires to get to know you and what you want from your day. Not only were they fun to complete together, but it meant a lot knowing the effort that Amber put in to getting to know us before photographing one of the biggest days of our lives! Amber is so discreet and skilled at what she does that we actually wondered if she took enough photos when the hike was over, because we hardly noticed her taking them! Of course once our sneak peek photos came in...WITHIN 24 HOURS...we realized how many awesome shots she had gotten. Then....there's COVID. Amber and the rest of the team worked with us to adjust our package when we realized our family couldn't travel and it was just going to be the 2 of us. From waking up in the middle of the night to meet us for a sunrise hike...to running back UP the mountain on our way down when we realized we lost my husband's boutonniere(!)...to turning over our sneak peek photos in 24 HOURS and the rest of them within a month...Amber is the best and we would recommend her to any couple looking for an intimate, unique, unforgettable elopement experience! -
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![Qiao-An]()
Qiao-An W. Sent on 09/14/2021Say 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! -
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![Katie]()
Katie C. Sent on 09/27/2021Best 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! -
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![Abby]()
Abby L. Sent on 11/11/2020Amazing Photographers!
My husband and I eloped in WA with immediate family this past summer. Adventure Instead helped us plan the whole thing, from picking a perfect spot to day of logistics, Tori was amazing. We had some specifications for our spot, particularly wanted to be easily accessible for loved ones, but also wanted a nearby hike with big views for just us + Tori to go on and she did not disappoint! Even when we found out three weeks before our wedding that our original location couldn't accommodate us, she quickly found us just-as-amazing plan B and C options that also met our specifications and even recommended nearby lodging/restaurants. During the day of, Tori made us feel comfortable and completely ourselves and it came through authentically and beautifully in the photos. Cannot recommended them enough! -
![Ashley]()
Ashley G. Sent on 12/22/2020Oregon Elopement
I had been following Adventure Instead on Instagram for a few years so by the time we got engaged, we had called and booked with them only 4 days after the proposal! The initial contact was quick and professional and we knew we were in good hands from the start. Tori was responsive to all our questions and the communication was open and flexible as we had just begun to plan in March 2020 (hello COVID-19).
We got engaged in March and married in October, a quick turn around but we never felt like anything was rushed. Tori did a thorough job of presenting us with location and scheduling options for our two-day elopement. The resource guide for the area is something we will actually use for years to come! She also was very intentional in getting to know us in order to better prepare for our big day. As the wildfires raged in Oregon the month before our wedding, Tori was already presenting us with back up options that we luckily did not end up needing, but what a relief to know that someone was looking after us so that we didn't have to worry.
Meeting Tori for the first time was like being reunited with an old friend. She did a great job of maintaining professionalism while at the same time making us feel comfortable in front of the camera throughout the weekend. Your wedding day should be spent surrounded by people who truly care about you and this is incredibly true of Tori and the Adventure Instead team. It's easy to see that all their photography work is incredible but it's also important to note that the people behind the cameras truly care more about your experience than any sort of photograph they might add to their portfolio. I cannot recommend Tori enough--you'd be lucky to have someone like her as a part of your wedding! -
![Jennie]()
Jennie F. Sent on 04/21/2021Book them!
If you are considering an alternative to a large scale wedding, book these amazing women! They listened and they delivered! Mike and I are so thankful for finding them. Our wedding was absolutely us. It was intimate, adventurous, and absolutely beautiful. I cannot stress this enough, but book them for a truly unique and tailored experience!! -
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![Mallory]()
Mallory B. Sent on 03/05/2021The most joy filled day ever.
To sum up our day with Amber and Adventure Instead, here's a quote I love from Betsy Myers, about her six-year-old daughter freaking out with joy after her ballet recital:
"Madison’s love of dancing reminds me that it is those times in our lives when we are freaking out with joy that give us the greatest clues about who we are and where we genuinely belong."
Want to freak out with joy and have the most amazing special wedding day?! Then look not further than Adventure Instead. I can not say enough wonderful things, but here are a few highlights for you:
1) Thoughtfulness and care- We first spoke to Tori about eloping in the Pac NW (where we are from) and she so wisely reminded us that perhaps winter would be better to spend in the snow than the rain - and connected us with Amber. Even though Tori wasn't going to be our day of photographer she sent me the most detailed & thoughtful responses- answering all my questions, sharing so much great information, and connecting us with Amber. To be so thoughtful about our day that she was willing to give up our business to make sure we had the best day - well that just speaks volumes.
2) The Planning - Even though we were eloping, there's still some planning to do! We weren't sure exactly what we wanted, and Adventure Instead put together the most detailed 30+ page packet of location ideas, complete with photographs, packages, and several itineraries to choose from. Simply amazing.
3) Encouragement - We were a bit nervous about eloping v having a traditional wedding, but wanting to be careful and not have people travel in COVID, we decided to take a leap - Amber and Adventure Instead were nothing but encouraging and helpful throughout the entire process.
4) The day of - Everything was taken care of by Amber - locations, timing, travel..she thought of everything! We started our day at Loveland Pass with the sweetest first look she coordinated, then had our ceremony at a gorgeous looking at Sapphire Point, hiked around, and then had an afternoon snowshoe at Clinton Gulch. I literally did not worry for even a second and Amber put us so at ease! I have never had so much fun - I didn't even realize we had photos taken!! Not just that..but she took some on her phone so she could share some immediate snaps with us so we had those until our actual photos!
5) The PHOTOS. They look like they came from a magazine. They capture all of our authentic moments perfectly and I didn't even realize Amber was taking photos most of the time!! At one point I turned around (I was twirling in the sun and snow in my dress!) and she was laying in the snow to capture the perfect shot. DEDICATION!!
We had an absolute blast and could not have asked for a more perfect day. PLUS - Adventure Instead is woman owned , carbon neutral (hello earth!), LGBTQIA+ friendly - all things that were super important to us. Also - bonus? We got our sneak peeks in a handful of days and 500 photos (!!!) in just a few weeks!! And they're GORGEOUS.
Thank you Amber and Adventure Instead!!! -
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Mehgan H. Sent on 02/23/2021
Amber was Amazing
Amber was our wedding photographer, and she was absolutely amazing. I stumbled across Adventure Instead a few years back and was adamant on booking with them for our wedding - it was the first detail we decided on. Amber was patient with us when it came to deciding on details (I’m an indecisive person) and gave us amazing advice along the way. She made us feel comfortable, loved, and brought out our inner adventurers! I always looked at the beautiful photos of other couples, and never imagined we could look that good in our own photos. We rock climbed, hiked, laughed, and cried, and it couldn’t have been more worth it.
One thing that truly sets Amber apart from other photographers (other than talent) is that you can tell she loves what she does. She took the time to get to know us and encouraged us to make this day about us. Her passion for her work shows in her photos, and we were all in awe at how beautiful the photos came out. Looking at the pictures makes me tear up every time, and I am so thankful we followed through with booking. I could not imagine our wedding day any different.
If you’re considering booking, do it. If you’re considering eloping/having a small intimate wedding, do it. It is so so SO worth it. I’ve had so many people tell me “your wedding photos have me reconsidering my traditional wedding plans.”
We have every intention of booking Amber again down the road for a vow renewal. Until then, I will absolutely cherish the beautiful photos we have been blessed with. Thank you Amber ! -
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David D. Sent on 12/22/2020
The Best Thing About 2020
Tori and Adventure Instead were like a breath of fresh air to my wife and I! We were quickly frustrated from trying to plan a traditional wedding, and then having a pandemic hit was the last straw. When having a large gathering was no longer possible or safe, we needed a plan B. We were going to elope October 2020 in central Oregon, but when the wildfires hit... we needed a plan C! And ended up eloping still in October but on the Oregon coast. The day was still amazing, incredibly fun, the photos turned out beautiful and we could not be happier with all of it. If you're considering this route, I would encourage you to pursue it, and I wouldn't recommend anyone else but Adventure Instead! Tori was so flexible, empathetic, great at listening, supportive, communicative, and helpful. I think we all became best friends. -
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![Tabitha]()
Tabitha B. Sent on 11/20/2020They help with Everything!
Amber is an amazing person and photographer. We reached out to her almost a year in advance and she was instrumental in helping us pick out our location and supplied tons of tips and helpful advice. On the day of she arrived on time and immediately put us both at ease. She helped us to have an amazing day and captured the photos that will allow us to relive it again and again. It felt like we were in our very own Colorado fairy tale and Amber played a huge role in making that happen. Honestly, we can’t say enough good things. We were in love with our day and we love our photos. We are beyond grateful for our experience! -
![Leah]()
Leah H. Sent on 10/25/2020Best decision ever!
If you’re considering Adventure Instead for your wedding, DO IT. Your wedding day is unique and all about YOU, and these photographers make sure you get all you ever dreamed of. Amber photographed my wedding and she was amazing. She went with the flow, and made us feel so comfortable. We felt like friends by the end of the day. We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer, and fellow adventurer! I would do it all again. -
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