Your love story is an adventure
Ready to toss out that dusty rule book? Ready to create an experience that encompasses exactly who you are as a couple? Fuck the pomp and circumstance and let's get you married in a way that's meaningful to you.
Hot damn! Let's do it!
Whether you're getting married on a mountain top in the ADK, standing on the shore of the Finger Lakes, or you're headed off to watch the sunset from the rooftops in the city—I'm living for it! So let's get to it and create the ultimate wedding experience together!
Ah, you've decided to elope...
You deserve to SEE the love you feel every day captured as beautiful, timeless art. Look back at your wedding photos and FEEL the love, joy, and anticipation you felt in that moment.
These memories are magic, and you'll be able to feel that magic all over again when they're captured the right way. But that's my job. Your job is to live your best life on your wedding day.
be your true, wild, and weird selves.
All you have to do is
Be different. With elopements on the rise, traveling west to elope appears to be the popular thing to do. Make your elopement yours. Choosing New York as your place to elope offers something different from all the elopements you see plastered all over social media.
Simple logistics. New York offers some amazing locations all within a day’s drive, and some hella talented vendors who can help bring your elopement dreams to life! With New York as my home state for the last 25+ years, I’ve established a list of some bombass vendors, locations, to meet every want and need.
Diverse scenery. You don’t have to travel outside of New York to get stunning mountains, lakeside sunsets, or after dark cityscapes—there’s something for everyone. If you want to make your wedding experience a weekend escape, let’s head off to the Finger Lakes, the Adirondacks, or NYC.
Not as crowded as other locations. It's becoming more and more difficult to elope in other areas of the US because of popularity. Between required permits for your ceremony, or having to risk not securing a limited time at a National Park location, forego all that stress and opt celebrate in the nature New York has to offer.
I've lived in New York for the last 25+ years, and I'll never get tired of exploring my home state.
Why elope in New York?
— Meghan + Taylor | A Sackets Harbor, NY Wedding
Donna Marie calmed my nerves and made me feel absolutely beautiful. She moved around our ceremony and reception so smoothly that when we look back at our pictures, we can’t even remember her being around us at that time. It made me so grateful that she captured such intimate moments between my husband and I on a day where there were so many people. Thank you so much, Donna. We will cherish these pictures forever. 🖤
These photos are absolutely magical!
— Audree + Zach | A Black River, NY Elopement
Not only was Donna amazing as our photographer, but she was a life saver while I was planning the event! Donna is quirky, eclectic, funny, and so positive! She had a quick turn around and truly listened to what my husband and I wanted. 11/10 would book her again!!!
Donna Marie was phenomenal!
06 Gallery Delivery
Within 24 hours you'll receive a sneak peek gallery of roughly 20-50 images that you're welcome to share with family and friends. Then within 10 business days, you'll receive your full gallery. You'll also get a personal print release to print alllll the things for your home!
05 Wedding Day
It's time to get y'all married! You've handcrafted your wedding day experience and now you get to enjoy it with the love of your life!
04 Timeline Building
We'll work together in creating the perfect timeline for your wedding that takes advantage of the best light throughout the day. It's not going to be a jam-packed schedule, but rather a day where you and your partner get to enjoy each other fully.
03 Wedding Planning Guidance
I'll be with you every step of the way. From finding your perfect ceremony location, to finding other vendors, and everything in between, I'm a resource at your disposal. I can help walk you through each stage of the planning process.
02 Make it Official
Once you've decided I'm your go-to gal, I'll send over a service proposal and contract for you to review. I do required a signed contract and non-refundable retainer to secure your celebration date. After that the planning fun begins!
01 Let's Chat
We’ll get to know one another, talk about the details of your day, and I'll answer any questions you might have about working with me. By the end of our chat we'll know if we’re the best fit for each other.
The Process
AN OVERVIEW OF
Everything you need to get dreaming
elopement planning guides
take a look at the guides →
Together we'll dream, plan, and handcraft your wedding day experience. You deserve a wedding day that reflects your love story authentically. Let's make that happen.
From multiple phone calls, meetings, and questionnaires, to helping you every step of the way, my goal is to get to know you so that when your day arrives I document all the human, emotional, and real moments.
emotional, honest + real documentation by donna marie
included in each elopement collection
Truly unlimited consultations and planning assistance including: location scouting, vendor recommendations, timeline building, what (and how) to pack if you're hiking, and activity suggestions. I'm also here to listen should you have any frustrations along the way (putting that psych PhD to work!).
Unlimited consults + guidance
included in each elopement collection
I've been to a wedding or two (or 157) in my time and I've created a planning and resource portal for all of my couples. You get access to all my years of experience and knowledge on wedding and elopement planning.
Access to the couples' lounge
included in each elopement collection
No two couples are exactly the same, and neither are your love stories. Your experience with me will be truly personalized to reflect your and your partner in your most authentic form.
a personalized celebation expereince
included in each elopement collection
Your gallery will be filled with artistically edited photographs in my moody-earthy style. All the moments captured; from the big moments to the small ones. You'll have personal printing rights to be able decorate the walls of your home with all your favorite moments. Your online high-resolution gallery (hosted online for 1 year) comes with unlimited downloads for you, family, and friends. Within 24 hours after your celebration, you'll receive a gallery of sneak peeks because I'm just as excited as you are to see the art that you've helped me create.
the jaw dropping photos & the warm + fuzzy moments
included in each elopement collection
Travel fees are included in each package because I want to be where your love story goes. All standard travel fees are always included. You can choose a package that best suits your wants and needs, add on any details you'd like, or we can work together to create a bespoke package that fits you perfectly.
no extra or hidden fees
included in each elopement collection
+ 4 hours of coverage Sun-Thurs
+ Officiant services, if desired
+ Travel within 60 miles of Adams, NY included
Local Micro Elopements
the low key
+ 6-10 hours of coverage
+ Multi-day coverage available
+ Officiant services, if desired
+ Travel within NY included
New York Elopements
the wanderers
+ 8-12 hours of coverage
+ Multi-day coverage available
+ Officiant services, if desired
+ Standard travel fees included
Nationwide Elopements
the explorers
Starting at $5,700
Starting at $4,000
Starting at $2,200
+ 8-12 hours of coverage
+ Multi-day coverage available
+ Officiant services, if desired
+ Standard travel fees included
Worldwide Elopements
the thrill seekers
Starting at $6,700
Bespoke packages available
Reach out
available add-ons
+ Second photographer
+ Engagement Session
+ Day-After Session
+ GIFS
+ 4-7 minute highlight video
Adventure ≠ hiking. You don’t have to hike if that’s not your thing. Some couples live for it, others not so much. And that’s perfectly okay! Not hiking doesn’t mean you can’t have an adventurous or adventure(ish) experience. There are many options for couples who may not be avid hikers, such as spending a day on the boat, going fishing, camping, taking a stroll through Cornell's Botanical Gardens, or anything else that your heart desires. Hiking or not, I’ve gotchu
This is the liberating thing: anything you want. If you need help thinking up ideas for things to do on your wedding day, I can absolutely help you with that. You are not limited to a structured schedule like you would be in a more traditional wedding setting. Think of your most ideal day together from the moment you wake up to the moment you crawl into bed at night. That could be your wedding day.
If you're thinking about going on an adventure for your elopement and want a nerdy photog to tag along, I'm more than ready. Especially if you're headed to one of my bucket list locations.
+ Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia
+ Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
+ La Push Beach, Washington
+ Machu Picchu, Peru
+ Las Vegas, Nevada
+ Death Valley National Park, Nevada
ya girl has her bags packed, and passport ready
Travel Bucket List
Let's travel together!
+ Manila, Philippines
+ The Dolomites, Italy
+ Mount Cook, New Zealand
+ Barcelona, Spain
Location: Grand Teton National Park
