Adventure Weddings in Wales

small | intimate micro weddings in Wales

If mindlessly scrolling through wedding brochures leaves you feeling uninspired – and the thought of drafting table plans and deciding on “essential add-ons” just doesn’t feel like you – maybe it’s time to ditch the thought of having a traditional wedding. A less formal, more wholesome, slightly wild, and totally bespoke adventure wedding in Wales could be exactly what you’re looking for!

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First things first – what exactly is an adventure wedding?

You may have heard this word floating around on the internet or you’ve probably looked into eloping and then come across the term adventure wedding and so to put it quite simply, an adventure wedding is probably best described as a non-traditional, experience-driven wedding day that takes you out of the confines of a traditional venue and straight into the breathtaking beauty of the great outdoors. If you’re having an adventure wedding then your whole focus is on planning a super exciting wedding day that combines your love for nature, travel, and adventure and you will end up with a celebratory wedding day that is 100% tailored to YOU & what makes YOU tick and it’ll fully reflect the adventures you’ve been on (or are going on) as a couple.

Let’s say you’re having an adventure wedding in Wales – you won’t have to perform in front of others or have to do things that feel a little alien to you, you could exchange your vows or have a symbolic ceremony on a mountaintop in Eryri, next to a cascading waterfall like Pistyll Rhaeadr, or along a dramatic, windswept coastline in Anglesey surrounded only by the people who understand your vision and your longing and your wedding day wouldn’t be full of strict scripts or timelines – it’d be all about doing the things YOU love doing, in a setting that feels very special to YOU.

Let’s dig into the good stuff of an adventure wedding:

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Adventure Weddings - small and intimate weddings in Wales | UK Elopement Photography

Stunning Outdoor Locations:
Goes without saying! Adventure weddings in Wales often feature a symbolic ceremony that takes place in breathtaking natural settings, such as our ruggedly charming mountain ranges, enchanting forests, long sandy beaches or glacier lakes because you want to connect with the environment around you on your wedding day and fully embrace the beauty of the outdoors.

Intimacy and Intentionality:
Adventure weddings are typically smaller in scale, often it’s just the couple or a small group of close friends and family. Your focus will be on intimacy and creating meaningful moments rather than entertaining a large crowd or following traditional wedding norms.

Flexibility and Freedom:
Forget rigid schedules! An adventure wedding gives you the freedom to design your day however you like. Whether it’s hiking to your ceremony location, including a sunrise vow exchange, or ending the day with a sunset picnic, you can create a day that 100% reflects you.

Adventure and Experiences:
Throw in activities you love doing together – hiking, kayaking, climbing, paddleboarding, or just exploring new places together. Adventure weddings are all about sharing experiences that reflect your shared passion for the outdoors.

Adventure Weddings - small and intimate weddings in Wales | Wales Elopement Photography

What actually happens during an adventure wedding?

An adventure wedding isn’t just about saying “I do” in a beautiful place – it’s about creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience just for you. The best part? There’s no set structure. You can shape the day however you want, but here are some of the most common elements:

Getting Ready: slow, cosy & intentional

Your wedding adventure starts the moment you get your gang together and can be as relaxed or as exciting as you like. Maybe you’ll share a stunning Air Bnb and start the day with your family, or it’s just the two of you tucked away in a cosy cabin, yurt, or even a tent. No pressure, no rush – just soaking in the excitement of what’s to come.

Fancy a leisurely breakfast? How about a Balkan Breakfast? It’s like a grazing board but for breakfast lovers – think fresh veggies, cheeses, cured meats, and all the good stuff to pick at while you sip your tea or coffee. Sounds like a great start to the day, right?

Your Ceremony: as epic or as intimate as you want

This is what it’s all about. You can exchange vows at a romantic, ceremony-only spot or go for something truly jaw-dropping – like a secluded waterfall, a quiet lakeside hideaway, or a mountaintop with that panoramic view. Whether it’s just the two of you or a few close loved ones, the moment is completely yours.

Post-ceremony adventures: just the to of you & the wild

Once you’ve said your vows, the real adventure begins! Whether that means hiking to a stunning viewpoint for golden-hour photos, kayaking together on a serene lake, walking your dog through rolling hills, celebrating with a picnic, complete with drinks and cake, or ending the night by the campfire, stargazing, or soaking in an outdoor hot tub – this is your time to be fully present, just the two of you, in whatever settings feel rights to you.

Photography: we’ll be capturing your Story, not you awkwardly posing

A huge part of an adventure wedding is telling the full story – every moment, every breathtaking backdrop, and all the tiny in-between moments that make the day yours. The best photos aren’t staged; they’re real, raw, and filled with emotion. Whether it’s the wind in your hair, a burst of laughter, or a quiet, stolen glance, those are the moments that will bring you back to this day, forever.

An adventure wedding isn’t just about where you say your vows – it’s about how you feel doing it. The freedom, the joy, the wild beauty of it all. And that? That’s something you’ll only do once-in-a-lifetime.

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So, why would you choose an adventure wedding?

Adventure Weddings - small and intimate weddings in Wales | UK Elopement Photographer

For the same reasons you choose to go on any of your other adventures!

It truly reflects YOU! No two adventure weddings are the same here. If you go for an adventure wedding in Wales you can break away from tradition and create a completely personal day, no need to book a venue (unless you want to), just concentrate on the things YOU enjoy doing together.

Once-in-a-lifetime memories: Getting married in a spectacular location surrounded by the natural beauty of Wales makes for memories (and photos!) that hit different. You & your adventure wedding buddies will talk about these for years and years – no doubt about that!

Focus only on the things that matter: With fewer distractions, an adventure wedding allows you to focus on what getting married is all about – you two and the commitment you’re making. Have a ceremony & exchange your vows in a location that truly speaks to you, no compromises here.

Budget-friendly: no need to book a venue or cater for a crowd; less guests mean adventure weddings can be more affordable and will also allow you to share some costs – think of a weekend wedding adventure with the fam and your favourite people all sharing a beautiful large country house.

Adventure Weddings - small and intimate weddings in Wales | UK Elopement Photographer

Who is an adventure wedding for?

As your photographer, I want you to know that adventure weddings are all about creating a day that feels 100% like you – relaxed, intimate, and not a hint of any of the usual wedding pressures. If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s more about meaningful moments than formalities – this might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Adventure weddings are perfect for couples who:

Love the outdoors and want to say their vows somewhere epic – whether that’s on top of a mountain, inside a hidden cove, or somewhere in an enchanting forest. Imagine exchanging your vows & rings with the wind in your hair and nothing but nature around you!

Prefer something intimate and non-traditional – just the two of you (or a handful of loved ones), without the stress of a big guest list or a rigid timeline.

Care more about the experience than material things – because your wedding should be all about the memories you make, not the colour of chair covers and seating charts.

Want their day to feel 100% authentic – no performing, no pressure, just you two, soaking in every single second of it!

 

Adventure Weddings - small and intimate weddings in Wales | UK Elopement Photographer
Adventure Weddings - small and intimate weddings in Wales | UK Elopement Photographer

What makes an adventure wedding different from a traditional wedding?

Location & Settingadventure weddings take place in an epic outdoor location – think mountaintops, waterfalls, secluded beaches, or forests. Need some location inspo?

Guest List – usually an intimate experience with just the couple, a few close friends & family, or sometimes no guests at all (although, if there’s no guests we tend to call it an elopement and you can find more info on that over on my elopement page.

Focus & Atmosphere – is all about the couple’s experience, prioritising the journey, breathtaking views, and personal moments over a structured timeline.

Dress Code – more practical, think flowy dresses, hiking boots, layers for unpredictable weather.

Timeline & Structure: 100% flexible! Couples can plan their day around sunrise hikes, private vows at a scenic overlook, or even a post-ceremony dip in the (often cold) sea.

Photography & Experience – photographs that are all about storytelling: candid, breathtaking shots in nature that capture the experience, movement, and emotions of the day.

Logistics – may involve hiking (often with your dog), off-road travel, and other fun activities.

Cost & Planning – typically lower cost, often skipping a big venue, catering, and other traditional expenses. However, costs may include travel, activities, and adventure gear.

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But how do you know if an adventure wedding is right for you?

If you’re a couple who craves more than just a traditional wedding day, an adventure wedding might be a great fit. It’s all about exploring breathtaking places, spending meaningful time together, and making once-in-a-lifetime memories with the people who matter most.

It’s not just about saying “I do” – it’s about the experience. Whether that means hiking to a mountaintop, exchanging vows by a quiet lake, or even arriving at your beach ceremony by kayak, an adventure wedding lets couples design a day that feels authentic, personal, and 100% their own.

If the idea of ditching tradition in favour of a wedding that’s all about freedom, connection, and the great outdoors sounds like a dream, then maybe this is the way to celebrate you two making a commitment in the most true-to-you way possible.

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