The “Adventure Session” is simply our version of an engagement shoot, but more fun! Instead of being placed in poses, we bring those poses to life and create authentic interactions between you and your future spouse. We take a very personalized approach to creating our videos. Since this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, we want to make sure we craft a video that is based around the most important thing, you and your love. It’s also a great opportunity for us to make you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. We want you to feel ZERO stress on your wedding day and this session tends to help get rid of those camera-shy jitters.
We’ve created this guide to help you feel comfortable, confident, and excited for your adventure session! There’s a lot to go over, so let’s jump right in!
TIPS FOR YOUR ADVENTURE SESSION
You want your session and film to be perfect, and so do we, which is why prepping is super important! If you look at your session as having an adventure, ‘cause let’s face it, this is not your everyday happening, you’ll realize this can be fun and it should be. We totally understand being filmed can seem intimidating, but it’s our job to make this a comfortable and stress-free session. We’ll spend time teaching you everything you need to know. By the end of the session, you and your fiancé will be pros!
When it comes to styling, we always think staying true to who you are is best. If dressing up is your thing, then dress it up! But if you’re more comfortable keeping it simple, then some fun accessories can help make things more interesting, like a necklace or bracelet. High heels can also make you feel more confident – but keep in mind the shooting environment. It won’t be much fun if you get stuck in rocks or mud, so make sure to bring a backup pair of shoes.
We HIGHLY recommend our couples make a night of their Adventure Session. Use the fact that you’re already dressed up and make a night of it! It might be the perfect time to try that new restaurant or head for some fancy cocktails!
Location and Timing
Since we film weddings most weekends, it’s usually easiest for us to coordinate your Adventure Session on a weekday. We love chasing the sun, so we plan our sessions about 2 hours before sunset. Sunset times will vary based on the time of year, so make sure to keep that in mind.
California is known for its beautiful locations up and down the coast, incredible mountain views, and even desert landscapes. We’ve got it all, so finding a place for your Adventure Session should be no problem! Here are three things to consider before choosing your location:
1. What’s your theme? Your Adventure Session can help set the tone for your whole wedding celebration, so it can make sense to tie the location into your overall theme. For example, if you were planning a rustic affair, then an outdoorsy spot for your Adventure Session might fit perfectly. If you have your heart set on a particular location, let’s do it!
2. What do you enjoy doing together? Your Adventure Session is about YOU! It may be a good time to celebrate any shared interests between the two of you. Do you enjoy mountain biking? Then you might choose an adventurous forest park. If eating out is more your thing, then a downtown location with picturesque streets could be perfect for you.
3. Do you share any special places? Do you and your future spouse have a place you love going to? If there’s a particular location that’s meaningful to you as a couple, it might be worth making it the stage for your Adventure Session. It could be where you shared your first kiss or even where you shared your first ice cream!
We’re happy to travel up to 250 miles from Aliso Viejo, CA free of charge. If you’re looking to make this session super special, we’re ALWAYS up for an adventure out of state or internationally! Depending on the location and your package selection, there may be additional fees. Some of our favorite spots are Yosemite National Park, Big Sur, Redwoods National Park, Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Joshua Tree National Park.
What to do with your film
Finally, our most asked question is “What should I do with this adventure session film?” You could just leave it sitting on your computer, or you could put it to good use in your wedding planning. Here are a few fun ideas to consider:
1. Opt for “video” stationary. Sounds interesting right!? We’re all about saving the planet and conserving, so why not choose a paperless Save the Date, Invitation, or even a Thank You message that puts your film front and center? Websites like “The Knot” and “Zola” allow you to create free wedding websites where you can use the film as a save the date or invitation. Your wedding website is the first stop for most guests to find out more about your wedding, so it’s a great place to play your beautiful video footage.
2. Tease your guests on social media: If it isn’t on social media, did it ever really happen!? Share your video online with all your social media outlets! Tag the vendors you’ll be using, tag your bridal party, heck, tag your parents! Get everyone excited for your once-in-a-lifetime wedding day! After the video is shared, but the video link in your bio so that anyone can watch your adventure session video.
3. Show the video during your wedding: Think about the possibility of weaving your film into your big day. Some couples like to play the video during cocktail hour or during the reception. This gets guests even more excited to be at your wedding and in the mood to celebrate!
And there you have it. If you’re interested in booking an Adventure Session, don’t hesitate to reach out and learn more, or, watch one of our most recent videos below!