In the world of adventure elopement photography, conditions can be unpredictable. All the preparation in the world can’t stand up to the elements, and as we’ve heard some horror stories (and lessons learned), we know that it takes a lot to be an adventure elopement photographer. These days, more couples are downsizing their plans and turning to elopements, and as photographers learn to roll with this trend, we wanted to highlight one taken pre-pandemic, when gathering was still the norm.

Virginia Strobel of Virginia and Evan says this photo, taken at an elopement in Scotland, represented one of the most emotional moments she has witnessed since she began photographing weddings five years ago. The country had experienced a typhoon that was one of the worst in decades, and as this elopement approached, Strobel recalls, “the wind and rain were relentless. We had to change locations because of the weather and the tourists, but they took it all in stride and embraced each moment.”

The party had gathered in the middle of the Highlands for this ceremony, standing in a circle with Strobel in the center. “I captured this photo through tears,” she says. “The wind was blowing wildly during the whole ceremony and I shot hundreds of frames to get this one unforgettable moment.”

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