I spend most of my days helping wedding and elopement photographers with their blogs and Pinterest. I know the keywords, the strategies, the “what to pack for your elopement” advice like the back of my hand… but last week I finally found myself on the other side of the camera!

My husband and I renewed our vows (aka eloped, round two!) in the Dolomites, and wow, did it open my eyes in the best way. Finally got to feel what I’ve been writing about for years, and I came away with not only dreamy photos (thank you Eva!!) but also a whole new perspective on what clients experience.

The Backstory

Like so many couples, our original wedding plans got derailed by Covid. It was beautiful, but quiet. Simple. I didn’t know what was possible back then. The elopement industry hadn’t quite blossomed yet, and it still really isn’t a big thing here in Latvia. I also didn’t have my business at the time, so I had no insider tips and no clue what I was missing.

I had a friend shoot a few photos. They were nice, and I thought.. that’s it. But now I knew better, and whenever I blogged and pinned my clients’ work, I just wished that had been us…

Fast forward to today, I meet Eva (our photographer and planning bestie) in a coaching group where I am a support coach for all things Pinterest and blogging for elopement photographers. During a call, the topic of our not-so-dreamy first elopement came up, and one thing led to another. We’re practically neighbors (she’s in Estonia, I’m in Latvia), we vibed right away, and suddenly we were planning a Dolomites adventure together.

She got us. My husband voiced his non-negotiables: low hiking, max chill. I voiced my desire for views, cozy vibes, and something that felt like us.

Eva planned the perfect day and then some!

Why Choosing the Right Elopement Photographer Matters So Much

From the first call, Eva listened to everything—our vision, my hopes, my husband’s very valid concerns about my clumsiness and non-hiking tendencies 😂 She built us an adventure that was stunning without requiring a mountain trek. Lake Dobbiaco was only a 10-minute walk, with fall colors, minimal crowds, and views that felt like a fairytale. We even had swans in the background!!

I am, by nature, an overthinker. But from the second Eva took the lead, I relaxed. She thought of everything.

When you trust your photographer, you don’t worry about a single detail. Eva didn’t just take photos. She planned the entire experience from start to finish, down to scouting trails, finding us the perfect Airbnb, sending packing lists, checking forecasts, and even bringing clear umbrellas, a blanket, and a thermos. It felt like a road trip with a bestie who just happened to also be capturing our vows in the most magical way.

All I had to do was swipe my card and show up. It was a 10/10 client experience.

I finally understood what it means to fully trust your photographer, something I always say in the blogs I write for my clients. And honestly, it was eye-opening how real and true the advice feels.

Our Dolomites Elopement Day

We chose the Dolomites during an off-season week (mid-to-late September), which meant experiencing fall colors, fewer crowds, and also getting a bit of the moody weather. And yes, the weather did its thing. Rain was forecasted all week. But Eva was unfazed.

The morning was (luckily!!) dry for our vow renewal at Lake Dobbiaco, we hid from rain showers in the car while driving between locations, and by the time we shared our first dance, it rained just enough for dreamy umbrella photos.

I was mentally prepared for everything, though, as I have blogged way too many times with things like "always bring layers", "mother nature is unpredictable", "weather in the mountains changes quickly, so bring layers"—so I was quite prepared. Turns out this “random knowledge” actually came in quite handy, too.

Some Random Thoughts

This time, I got to do all the little things I missed out on the first time around!

Dress shopping with my best friend (vs. online ordering during Covid). It was everything.
I followed Pinterest trends without trying (according to their latest report lol). Soft glowy makeup? Check. Statement veil? Check.
Curly hair + DIY makeup. During our first elopement, I straightened my curls. Since then, I’ve learned to love them, and honestly? Wearing my curls felt healing. I also took a masterclass in makeup so I could do my own. Was I nervous? Absolutely. Did it turn out amazing? Also absolutely. (Would I recommend HMUA for most couples? Yes. But if you’re like me and a control freak or simply on a budget, DIY can work, too!).
My husband could literally just wake up, wash his face, and put on the tux and call it a day, lol

You can truly have an amazing elopement adventure even if you are not adventurous. Because your day can and will feel like you, and adventure feels different for everyone. Just going abroad and seeing these gorgeous places I’ve pinned and blogged for years felt like an adventure to me! Like, literally, you don’t have to hike a lot or do anything extreme, if you don’t want to!

I finally got to experience what I help others envision. It made me even more passionate about helping photographers tell stories that feel true.

Lessons for Couples

If you’re dreaming about a Dolomites elopement (or eloping in general), here’s what I learned firsthand:

Prepare for the weather. Layers, umbrellas, and be prepared to pivot, too! And bring good hiking boots!!
Plan B can be magical. We skipped an evening hike and explored a mountain town instead. Cozy cafes + rain-soaked streets = actually felt more “us” than the hike would’ve been.
Adventure is relative. You don’t need to scale peaks to feel adventurous. For us, just being in the Dolomites was the adventure.
Embrace the strangers’ smiles. People cheered and congratulated us. Sure, you might want privacy for vows (we had that, too), but the kindness from passersby added so much joy.
Choose your priorities and splurge vs DIY accordingly!
Choose a really nice Airbnb/hotel! This way, your getting ready photos will be gorgeous, but also, it can double as a place for evening celebrations in case you need a backup plan. I could honestly envision just chilling on the balcony in our attire and drinking cocoa in our Airbnb! :) Plus, if you’re traveling for longer than just your special day (which I highly recommend, making a whole mini-moon out of it!) you’ll have a really nice place to stay and enjoy your time!

How This Made Me a Better Blog + Pinterest Manager

You already know how important your work is. But from this side of the lens? I can tell you—every detail counts.

Blog those "boring" evergreen posts. Packing tips. Rain prep. What to expect. I have written them and ended up re-read some of them and they helped! Even if these blogs never rank, they’re so good for your client experience!
Be helpful with your tips. It builds trust and makes you stand out.
Remember that your job isn't just taking photos. It's holding space, and our photographer did it beautifully!

This experience made me even more confident in what I do for photographers. Because now I don’t just know what couples need from content, I’ve lived it.

The Story I Lived, I Now Get to Write

Here I am, back behind the keyboard. My own elopement experiences have given me a deeper understanding of what couples feel, fear, and hope for. And what they’re likely to regret if they choose to elope the way we did during covid. And that’s the kind of insight no marketing course can teach.

Our Dolomites vow renewal was everything we hoped for, thanks to Eva.

If you’re a couple: trust your photographer, because they’re more than someone with a camera.

If you’re a photographer: never underestimate how much those blogs, guides, and thoughtful touches matter to your clients. And how important it is to vibe with each other. I literally can’t tell you the inside jokes we’ve come up with over our time together.

P.S. If you’re here because you want your blogs and pins to reflect the same supportive, stress-free experience you give your couples? Well… now I really know how to make that happen. 😉

I Eloped! And Here’s What Being the Client Taught Me About Elopements