May 19, 2022

Adventure Weddings + Elopements, Catalina Island, Portfolio

Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop

Does anyone else love Catalina Island as much as I do? I can never get over this island as there’s so much to do and see! It’s a great place to have an elopement if you are looking for a tropical scene close by rather than flying out to Hawaii! (Although as an elopement photographer who loves to capture unique scenery Hawaii is another one of my favorite places to shoot elopements!)

Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop

Aracely and Everest’s first date was actually on Catalina Island so they thought it was fitting to have their elopement there! I think this is the best way to plan an elopement location if you aren’t sure where to elope, think about some of your favorite locations that have sentimental value and choose to do it there! 

Couples Love Story

Aracely’s and Everest’s love story is one of my favorites as they both met in a local LA hiking group. Everest spotted her in the group and joined along. Although out of breath and exhausted, she managed to hold a conversation with him almost the entire time! Aracely never imagined she’d meet the man she would marry in a hiking group that she spontaneously opted for! I love love stories like this as love is always so unexpected!! 

Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop

When Aracely and Everest decided to choose Catalina Island as their elopement location, she wasn’t even aware that you could hike on Catalina until she came across my page. You can’t tell me that this wasn’t meant to be!

Their Catalina Island Hiking elopement was simple, sentimental, and 100% “them.” Although they plan on doing a church wedding and backyard reception for their extended family, they were independent enough to know they wanted something just for themselves. 

Catalina Island Elopement Timeline

Both Aracely and Everest knew they wanted to book their accommodations and dinner reservations in Avalon but wanted to stay away from all the crowds for their actual ceremony. When Aracely reached out to me they didn’t entirely know when they wanted to book their elopement, so I suggested we planned to have their elopement in April. This is because Catalina in the spring is one of the best times to capture the most amount of colors as the hilltops are luscious and green. 

Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop

The weather in Catalina Island during the spring is idyllic for hiking as it’s around 70 degrees, so it’s not too hot or too cold! So we decided to hike to the very top of Catalina Island for their ceremony. Before we got to the top we stopped to have them change in their wedding attire in my handy pop-up tent that I always bring for adventure elopement! When planning an adventure elopement you want to think about whether or not you want to wear your wedding attire from the beginning or change mid-hike. I always recommend changing mid-hike so that youre not super sweaty and dirty during your elopement ceremony portraits. 

Elopement Ceremony

We then go to the top and overlooked Avalon where they exchanged vows and rings while having the ocean views in the background. In my opinion, ocean views are one of the best ceremony backgrounds you can have! There’s no one around and it’s extremely peaceful. 

Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop

We then took some portraits around the area to capture the breathtaking views and scenery along the trail and headed back down to Avalon. Where they ended their day by meeting friends for lunch and spent the rest of the evening in Avalon for their mini-moon. 

Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop

I loved working with Aracely and Everest as they were so easy-going and so confident that this was what they wanted!

Looking to elope on Catalina Island or have a Catalina Island hiking elopement as well? Contact me through my contact page!  

Need more convincing that Catalina Island might be “the” to elope in? Check out my blog on “How to Elope on Catalina Island”. 

Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop
Araceley-and-Everest_0001 Epic Catalina Island Hiking Elopement on a Mountaintop

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Feeling inspired and want to know how to plan your elopement? I've created a helpful guide and checklist to plan the elopement of your dreams in 5 easy steps.  

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From hiking up mountains to running into the ocean, I’m ready to capture your big day just as you imagine it. Let me help you create an experience free of stress and full of what matters most to you. 

I’m your California wedding and elopement photographer turned adventure buddy.

Hi there, I’m Jenn!