The Hybrid Wedding: Wander & Wed Package
One of the things we specialize in is our “Wander and Wed” package or Hybrid Weddings (Elopedings or Wedopements): a combo of elopement + wedding photography. This package is great for the couple that wants EPIC photos in awesome locations, similar to an elopement, but also wants to have a ceremony and a reception for all of their family and friends. Hybrid Weddings are perfect for the couple that wants the traditional wedding, but also desires the EPIC scenic shots that you get in an elopement. If you are a Utah bride that craves variety like I do, the The Hybrid Wedding may be the perfect option for you!
What is a Hybrid Wedding?
First, let’s look at what defines elopements and weddings so we can see how to best combine them together!
Elopements are a mindset of not doing things the traditional way, valuing what makes you and your partner authentically you, not worrying about societal standards and family pressures, and putting your wants at the forefront for YOUR very special day. Elopements tend to, but not always involve travel, can be just the couple, a few close friends and family, or a small group of your closest people to share the day with. They also include a personalized itinerary plan. Meaning, if you and your partner want epic photos at the top of a mountain, but also want to grab a beer at your favorite brewery, then go home to your cabin Airbnb and soak in the hot tub - YOU CAN DO IT! It’s your day!
Weddings honor traditions, culture, and family. They serve larger crowds, involve more money - which often times parents or family is supplying, thus allowing for more opinions and sometimes stress forced upon you on your day. Sometimes at weddings there will be many people invited on your day that YOU don’t even know. Weddings also have a more traditional timeframe and it’s not as customizable. Wedding timelines usually go something like this…getting ready, ceremony, pictures, reception, sendoff…. They can be more costly with all the mouths to feed, but they are also very inclusive to all of the people in your life, and allow more time for traditional moments that we all see in the movies and dream of.
The Wander and Wed - Hybrid Package
This is for the couple that wants a couple hours ahead of their wedding date, to wear their wedding day attire up in the mountains, the deserts, the cliff sides, do a private and intimate first look or share their private vows. By doing this they can have incredible photos and possibly have an epic excursion to boot (horseback riding, picnic, champagne spray, helicopter ride) in the style of an elopement BUT ALSO HAVE the traditional 8 hours of coverage for their wedding day to honor their family and friends, have the bridal party attire, and the party/festivities to celebrate.
The Pros of “Picking Both” in the Hybrid Package
During the Elopement portion of your Hybrid Package:
You will get to trial hair, dress or wedding outfit, makeup, spray tan and see how those thing look in photographs BEFORE your actual wedding day
You will get to collect jaw dropping photos and do an awesome excursion with your parter
You will get to have a first look or exchange private vows with your partner in a place with epic views
You can even have a private first dance out in nature if you send me over your song
You will get to have more peace and cutomization in these hours without the hustle and bustle of the wedding day taking place.
You will get to have prints at your wedding reception as decor from the photos we took on the “elopement portion” of your Wander and Wed Package.
During the Wedding portion of your Hybrid Package:
You get all the traditions of a wedding day you choose
Get pictures with your friends
Get pictures with your family
Celebrate important cultural, religious, or symbolic festivities that weddings tend to incorporate
Walk down the aisle
Party with all of your people
Weddings are naturally chaotic, sometimes wedding couples don’t even eat food on their wedding day, but doing a Hybrid Elopement AND Wedding package makes it so that you know you already had a special moment with your partner before the wedding day even began!
You are a pro at taking photos because you have already been in front of the camera once before.
Ideas for the Hybrid Wedding
Option 1:
1.5 Hour Engagement Adventure Session Ahead of Wedding Date
Example: photos at Little Sahara sand dunes and then going sand sledding or having a campfire at the end of your shoot!
1.5 Hour Adventure Bridal Session Usually ahead of Wedding Date
Example: Go the the Bonneville Salt Flats to watch the sunset as we take your first look and bridals in a landscape like no other!
8 Hour Wedding Day Coverage
Celebrate with your friends and family in the venue of your choice!
Photos include: Getting Ready, Flat Lay shot, Ceremony, Family Pics, Bridal Party pics, Pics of couple at venue, Reception, Exit.
Option 2:
3 hour Adventure First Look/Formal Session
Example: First Look in wedding attire up in the mountains or desert with an adventure tacked on (like helicopter ride, horseback riding, hot air balloon, so on)
8 Hour Wedding Day Coverage
Celebrate with your friends and family in the venue of your choice!
Photos include: Getting Ready, Flat Lay shot, Ceremony, Family Pics, Bridal Party pics, Pics of couple at venue, Reception, Exit.
Traditional Ceremony and Reception with Family and Friends
The best part of the Wander and Wed package is that you still get 8 hours of wedding day coverage! That includes
Venue Shots
Flat Lay (Invites, perfume, shoes, rings, cologne, details)
Getting Ready Shots
First look with Dad, Mom, Bridesmaids….if you so choose
Ceremony
Family Photos
Bridal Party Photos
Bridal/Formal shots of the newlyweds
Reception (Could include toasts, dinner, dancing, first dances, cake cut, bouquet toss, garter toss, partying, exit)
Send Off
When you celebrate these traditions, the family usually feels included and doing their part to honor you, but the best thing is knowing you already had your elopement style moment ahead of time, with just you and your partner! It’s really the best of both worlds, which brings me to my next point!
Best of Both Worlds
If you are someone that values variety and wants to have an elopement - ish experience with just you and your partner before the big day, I GET IT! There are plenty of spots in Utah where you don’t have to do huge strenuous hikes, and you can get to EPIC views super easily in a car. There are also many fun and adventurous experiences tailored to what makes you and your partner the adventurous souls that you are! You don’t have to give up on the family celebration either, and you can still have the big walking down the aisle moment to boot. Do you want to dive into a package that delivers the best of both worlds? I would highly recommend our Wander and Wed Package. Click the pricing link below to learn more!
Looking for a photo and video team to book for your Wander and Wed - Hybrid Wedding?
We are Roaming Desert Film Co!
Hi there! We’re Tana and Cory Metcalf @ Roaming Desert Film Co. - a husband and wife photo/video team, located in Utah! We love exploring all that the world has to offer and taking our doggos and cameras along for the journey, as well!
