I am so stoked that you decided to break out of the mold and plan a wedding day that is totally unique to you, full of all of your favorite things.
My goal? I help couples just like you dream up the most "perfectly them" elopement, from intimate game nights in cozy cabins, to a coffee shop date before a privately catered dinner, to a hiking adventure in the wilderness. No expectations. No rules. Just an amazing day you'll love to look back on.
So... a traditional wedding isn't really your thing?
I feel you.
With experience at this since 2012, I will be by your side through the planning process, offering my insight & expertise!
I'm your list-making, pro-tip sharing, happy-dancing, backup-planning, weirdness-affirming, adventure-loving, third-wheeling, elopement experience creator too.
-Allison & Ethan
Amanda is the perfect wedding photographer. The photos perfectly captured the whole day and I feel like I can easily relive it just by looking back at the photos. I highly recommend Amanda.
"The Perfect Wedding Photographer"
-Megan & Jordan
Amanda was the best decision we made for our wedding day! The photos are exceptional and perfectly capture the scenery and vibe we were going for, but that’s only a portion of what Amanda provided. She helped give us planning guidance, organization, and reassurance throughout, which alleviated all the worries we had about eloping in a place we’d never been before.
"the best decision we made"
-Beth & Dustin
We used Amanda for our wedding and she is the BEST! Our photos turned out amazing and she captured the feel of our night perfectly. She’s also really fun to hang with. We didn’t want her to leave at the end of the night!
"She captured the feel of our night perfectly."
- Kylie & Murat
Amanda did an amazing job on our elopement photos! She was incredibly organized during all the planning and sent incredibly helpful tips and ideas in the months leading up.
"Incredibly organized & helpful"
Since starting my business in 2012 and moving here in 2015, I've been helping couples navigate the beautiful chaos of planning and photographing elopements across Colorado's Western Slope, San Juan Mountains, and Moab, Utah.
I believe your wedding day should feel as beautiful as it looks—which means comfortable, stress-free, and entirely true to who you are.
Whether you need comprehensive planning support, photography that captures the story and scenery of your day, or both—I'm here to make sure the experience is exactly what you hoped for.
When I'm not helping couples, you can find me with a chai latte, binge-watching Gilmore Girls & Grey's Anatomy - again.
she/her
WESTERN COLORADO & MOAB ELOPEMENT SPECIALIST
Couples i've worked with
350+
States I've visited
27
(and counting!) moose I've seen
8
Episodes of Gilmore Girls binged
100%
Location Scouting
So you can stop googling, posting to forums, and wasting your time trying to find the perfect spot. I've spent countless hours driving the back roads or with my nose in a map (you should see how many spots I've flagged) to help you narrow down and find the best spot for you to spend your day.
Timeline Planning
So we're in the best places at the best times - cuz this is probably your first elopement, right? Whether you’re planning activities for your elopement or just need help with timing the perfect sunset ceremony, I love to help my couples with creating the perfect timeline for the day. I’ll create an agenda, with as much specific or general timing as we want, and what spots and activities we’ll be doing there.
Permit Guidance
Eloping in the west means navigating permits and other legal requirements. OOF right? You can rest easy, though. I know alllll the requirements and what we need to do.
Activity Ideas
From helping you brainstorm ideas you’ve never considered, to helping you with the logistics of making those ideas happen, consider me your go-to person to bounce things off of so you can craft the most amazing day you can imagine!
Vendor Recommendations
Small mountain and desert towns can be hard to find vendors at all, let alone ones who show up in an online search. Having helped couples elope in these areas for over nine years now, I’ve gotten to know all the pros to recommend to help bring your visions to life.
Group Photo List Creation
If you’re having guests along for the day, I will help create a formals list so that we have a list of groups to make sure we’re not missing any combos on the day-of.
Elopement Guide
You’ll receive access to my 124 page elopement guide full of everything you could ever have questions about for how to elope! From marriage license navigation, to emergency kit checklists, to advice for what to wear, to choosing your lodging, and so much more – this guide is your new best friend
Location Expertise
So you can stop googling, posting to forums, and wasting your time trying to find the perfect spot. I've spent countless hours driving the back roads or with my nose in a map (you should see how many spots I've flagged) to help you narrow down and find the best spot for you to spend your day.
Timeline Planning
From sunrise ceremonies to multi-location days, I'll create a timeline that gets you to the best spots at the best times—with buffer room so you're never rushing. I’ll create an agenda, with as much specific or general timing as we want, and what spots and activities we’ll be doing there.
Permit Navigation
Eloping in the west means navigating permits and other legal requirements. OOF right? You can rest easy, though. I know alllll the requirements and will walk you through every step.
Activity Ideas
Whether you want a picnic, a hot springs soak, a vineyard toast, or just stunning photos with minimal hiking—I'll help you design a day that feels authentically you.
Vendor Recommendations
Small mountain and desert towns can be hard to find vendors at all, let alone ones who show up in an online search. Having helped couples elope in these areas for over nine years now, I’ve gotten to know all the pros to recommend to help bring your visions to life.
Group Photo List Creation
If you’re having guests along for the day, I will help create a formals list so that we have a list of groups to make sure we’re not missing any combos on the day-of.
Elopement Guide
You’ll receive access to my 124 page elopement guide full of everything you could ever have questions about for how to elope! From marriage license navigation, to emergency kit checklists, to advice for what to wear, to choosing your lodging, and so much more – this guide is your new best friend
These planning services are included in all my elopement photography packages—AND are now available as standalone services for couples who've already hired a photographer or prefer to book planning separately.
After you've had the best day marrying your life partner, you're probably excited to share this new life stage with your loved ones...
That's why I provide an extensive sneak peek gallery within 24-48 hours of your elopement! You won't have to wait long for a selection of 20-40+ images telling the summarized story of your day to hit your inbox so you can share with everyone you know.
While industry standard turnaround is 6-12 weeks, you'll also have your full gallery within 4-6 weeks!
"Sneak peeks were back in less than 24 hours and let me tell you there were tons!"
-Kalee & Reid
"Put us at ease"
"Incredibly talented, down-to-earth, flexible, easygoing, timeline guru… she’s incredible! We loved working with Amanda. She sent so many helpful emails before to help with the planning process and truly put us at ease for the day of our wedding. We really appreciated her easygoing attitude combined with her hard work and flexibility. My husband and I felt at ease the whole day taking photos because she took them with such efficiency so we could spend time staying in the moment. It is so much fun to look back at all of the candid shots she took, she was truly able to capture what it felt like to be there. The incredible energy from our favorite day will now live on forever in her work!"
- Kelsey & Kevin
"Made us feel comfortable"
“Amanda is friendly, professional, and made us feel comfortable instantly. She collaborated with us to create the perfect vision for our elopement day. When we got the photos, my husband said, “She made us look like models!” She really did. We were able to buy printed photos from Amanda’s website for great prices, too. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer!”
-Rachel & Loren
"Incredibly helpful"
“Amanda did an amazing job on our elopement photos! She was incredibly organized during all the planning and sent incredibly helpful tips and ideas in the months leading up. Plus all her recommendations for other local vendors were fantastic. She was extremely punctual and super easy to work with day of - friendly and receptive to all the locations we wanted to get photos at and gave great suggestions for how to make the pictures look good. The photos came out absolutely amazing and way earlier than we expected. She was fantastic!”
-Kylie & Murat
Based on your vision and needs, I'll hand select the best options from my extensive Location Database for you to peruse. Get intel like elevation, distance & difficulty, trail videos, coordinates, things to do nearby, and photo examples from the space!
I’ve been where you are—planning my own non-traditional wedding. That's why I’m passionate about helping couples like you create a day that feels like magic.
We planned a micro wedding on the Grand Mesa before anyone knew what a micro wedding even was... and it showed! From venues having no idea how to handle a small group, to trying to navigate explaining our plans to guests... it was TOUGH.
I remember wishing we could just do whatever we wanted - not knowing that was an option yet - and feeling pressured into decisions because "that's just how it's done."
Even with all that, it was a great day. People's judgements and opinions all faded away and we look back on our album with fondness. Those things I wished I knew when I was planning back then are the things I love passing on to couples like you, because I've been there.
Taking that experience and that of the 300+ couples I've helped elope since, I strive to help make your planning journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.
"Amanda’s work is incredible. She shares thoughtful, helpful tips throughout the months leading up to your special day and has a fantastic vendor list to guide you. She is professional, thorough, and navigates the day seamlessly, quietly, and always present without ever interfering. She even helps with those last minute touches like putting on your cuff links or assisting with your boutonnières. She captured so many great moments and we couldn’t be happier!"
- John & James
4:30am - GETTING READY
Getting ready at your vacation rental, glampsite, or at the trailhead. You help each other get ready, put on a pot of coffee, pack up, and take your time as you begin to prepare for your elopement day.
6:00 - HIKE TO CEREMONY
You head out to the ceremony spot you've chosen before sunrise and take a short hike to where you'll exchange vows, rings, a unity ceremony and sign the papers to make things official as the sun comes up. Share a toast (or make some more coffee!) to celebrate.
6:30 - COUPLES PHOTOS
Spend some time taking photos with this beautiful place you've made this next step in your adventure together. Those images you'll hang on your walls and put on the holiday cards.
8:00 - BREAKFAST
Head back to town to grab breakfast at a diner or make coffee & breakfast at the trailhead on your camp stove! It's important to fuel yourself for the day ahead!
9:30 - EXPLORE A NEARBY CREEK & CANYON
Before the heat of the day gets too hot, walk some creek beds, dip your toes in the water, enjoy the shade of the canyon and marvel at how the rising sun's light changes the colors of the rock walls around you.
10:30am - BREAK
7:00pm - SUNSET
Enjoy the day however you want, no camera pressure around (or take a nap, you got up early!) through the heat of the day. We'll meet back up for sunset pictures somewhere totally different from the morning to get the best of both views Moab has to offer!
It's not really about "What do we do all day??" -- it's more like "What CAN we do all day?" You should plan a day that sounds like the most fun you can imagine: whatever that looks like to you. Star gazing? Coffee and brunch? A trip to a book store? ATVing? Overlooking a cool new park? Get excited about the possibilities!
Arches
Canyonlands
Dead Horse
BLM Land
You've got me all wrong if you think I'm trying to stick a camera in your face and pose you for 8 hours a day. That sounds like torture.
What I'm here for is to authentically capture your day so you can relive those moments for a lifetime. Getting ready as the nerves start to hit (I'll help you with those buttons!) The ride to your ceremony site. The coffee you make as the sun comes up (I'll lay out the pastries!) Riding your bikes or ATVs among the red rocks. Shoving your face in your cake. The way the sunset looks on your wedding day. The lake on the Mesa you jump in to cool off after the heat of the morning riding ATVs in the desert.
It's about planning your dream day - and I'm along for the ride to help with logistics and capture the joy you experience by living it.
Canyonlands Small Elopement
Arches off-beat Micro Wedding
Short & sweet picnic sunrise in moab
Store your full collection of images from your favorite day for a full year after delivery (with the option to add on time!) so you never have to wonder where these precious memories are or if they're safe. Enjoy unlimited downloads while it's online too!
You'll also get exclusive access to professional printing labs that only work with professional photographers, so you can order prints and products of the top quality, built to last for years and years!
"I think we have the best wedding photos I’ve ever seen. Amanda did an incredible job, her prices were better than most, and she truly delivered. I would look no further for an amazing photographer!!"
-Megan & Ryan
Need extra time? Add hours onto your existing day-of coverage.
$700/hr
50% off an extra session, for engagement photos or adventure sessions.
$350/hr
Top quality album that lets you relive every moment as you flip through. Click here to learn more!
8x8 Album: 20 Spreads, $600
10x10 Album: 30 Spreads, $900
Wooden keepsake box with 100 4x6 prints from your day, and a USB of your full gallery.
$300
Extra worried about the weather? Block off my day-before and day-after for even more flexibility on timing.
$2,000
Get double the angles and images of your day.
$100/hr
Top quality album that is a miniature of your own album, to gift to a loved one. Click here to learn more!
5x5 Companion Album (for 8x8 or 10x10 Heirloom Original Albums): $300
8x8 Companion Album (for 10x10 Heirloom Original Albums): $500
03
The day is here and you're surprised you're nervous after all this time. I will capture your day in a way that tells the story for you to relive forever. You'll have sneak peaks within 24-48 hours and a full gallery of the whole day within a month or so.
01
We'll hop on the phone or Zoom (or grab coffee!) to get to know each other and talk all about your dreams and ideas for the big day, and how I can help make your life easier. When you're ready to book you'll put $1k down as a retainer and I'll get to work!
From there I'll send you my 124 page Elopement Guide and help with location ideas, scouting, emergency kit info, permits, activity suggestions, vendor recommendations, timeline creation, group photo lists, and so so much more. I will help you craft the most incredible day, with backup plans because life is life. You'll feel like you've never been so excited or prepared for anything before.
02
Yep! I travel for a bunch of my celebrations each year. I keep local near Grand Junction and Moab in the winter, but frequently spend my season in Ouray, Crested Butte, Aspen and beyond!
I am lucky to live in Grand Junction, Colorado! We’re blessed with incredible locations to photograph right in our backyard, but also just a short trip into the Rocky Mountains or over to the desert of Moab!
Yes! I cull through all the images and retouch them to my style (I like to call it vibrant and timeless!) and deliver the final images in an online gallery.
Fill out my contact form below and I'll send over my specific pricing guide for the services you're interested in. From there we'll meet by phone/Zoom to make sure we're a good fit! Once you know I'm the one for you, I'll send over an invoice and agreement by email to save your date.
Friendly and AFFIRMING! I don't just document LGBTQIA2S couples - I celebrate your love with you. I've helped lovers document their love before it was even legal federally and will always be on your side.
I started Amanda Matilda Photography in 2012! Before that I second shot under some pros to get a better understanding of what went into documenting weddings.
Yep! Elopements are always planned by me (unless you've hired a planner as well) and I help you with tailored location guides, activity ideas to make your day special, crafting the perfect timeline so you can enjoy every moment, Area Guides so you can explore the area like a local, vendor recommendations for pros to help bring your dreams to life, and more.
You'll have an extensive sneak peek within 48 hours of your celebration so you can relive the moments and share with loved ones. Your full online gallery will be available within 4-6 weeks after your big day.
If you've made it to the end of this guide, first of all I feel like you deserve an award, and second of all, you're probably my new favorite person.
It's people like you who let me call this amazing life my job and trust me to help them take the reigns on creating their favorite version of a wedding day.
I can't wait to meet you and would love the honor of documenting your celebration.
♥ Amanda
Thank you.
No really, you rock.