the
adventure elopement blog

by Shawna Rae Photography

Man proposing to girl in adventurous way at sunrise on Cadini di Misurina

There are endless traditional ways to pop the question, but if you and your partner are happiest out in nature with dust on your boots, a standard restaurant proposal just is not going to cut it. If you are searching for the best adventurous proposal ideas, your moment should feel like a total thrill surrounded […]

You’ve seen those epic elopement photos on social media. You look at the jagged peaks, the quiet lakes, and the raw emotion, and you think to yourself, “Omggg what a dream.” You are so excited to marry that drop-dead gorgeous partner of yours, but the actual reality of planning the wedding you are expected to […]

Engaged couple running through the fields of Alpe di Siusi at sunset

If you’ve never been to the Dolomites before, planning a proposal here can feel a little overwhelming. The mountains are huge, weather changes quickly, and there are hundreds of possible locations to choose from. That’s exactly how Sal felt when he first reached out to me through my website to start planning his proposal on […]

Bride and Groom eloping on Seealpsee by boat

One of the best parts about planning an adventure elopement is that the day does not have to revolve around a schedule packed with obligations. Earlier this year, I wrote about how couples are spending their wedding budgets differently in 2026. Instead of building the day around a large guest list and a tightly packed […]

Bride and groom boating on Lago di Braies during their elopement

I spend so much of my time at this lake, it’s to the point where I’m considering moving closer. It’s gorgeous, you have an opportunity to rent a private location, and the bookings are always at sunrise. What’s not to love? As one of my previous couples who often watches my Instagram stories once said, […]

Newly engaged vegan couple skiing down Alpe di Siusi at sunrise on fresh tracks

There is something transformative about the Dolomites in early March. The air is crisp, the peaks are draped in winter white, and if you’re lucky, you get that perfect “blue hour” glow just before the sun hits the Sciliar. When Abdel reached out to me a few months ago, he was looking for more than […]

Groom holding bride from behind while they put their arms out like they're flying, along the Path of the Gods hike on the Amalfi Coast

What Couples are Spending Money on Instead of a Big Wedding Since around 2020, the way we get married has been changing. Couples aren’t necessarily spending less on their weddings, they’re just spending differently. Instead of inviting 120 people and filling a packed, fixed schedule, more couples are choosing to scale back the guest list […]

Vardhan & Maahi’s Two-Day Engagement Adventure There are calm planners. There are chaotic planners. And then there is Vardhan, who texted me in a gentle but persistent state of “oh my god what if she sees the ring box in my pocket.” And he’s not alone, many of my proposing clients fit that description. I […]

March in the Dolomites is a bit of a wild card. It might feel like spring in town, but head up into the mountains and you’re knee-deep in snow wondering if winter ever plans on leaving. Connor and Skylar leaned all the way into that energy, and honestly, I loved them for it. They reached […]

© Shawna Rae Photography 2026

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