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How to Leave No Trace during your Elopement

HOW TO FOLLOW THE 7 LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES DURING YOUR ELOPEMENT


 RAE ANN PHOTO | ELOPEMENT & INTIMATE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | NEW ENGLAND & BEYOND







About Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a national, non-profit educational program to inform people about reducing the impact to the environment caused by outdoor activities.


If you are looking or have your elopement outdoors you are probably drawn to earth's natural phenomenal views like mountains, lakes and rivers!!! The way we keep nature so phenomenal is to enjoy the environment sustainably and leave it a better place than we found it for others who can keep coming back to the same gorg spots time after time!


If you're planning an elopement especially in a high-impact area like a popular spot in a National Park for example, you have to consider the impact you as well as your elopement or wedding will have in nature. Here are some tips below to keep you in the loop when choosing your elopement location:

  1. Make sure that the location you choose is available. Some locations may be off-limits for special events like weddings and elopements. Locations could potentially be damaged, riddled with trash or closed due to restoration of the are. Checking any updates before you decide on your location is incredibly important.

  2. Make sure you have permits in place before your decide to elope in your location. Your photographer can help guide you through your permit process.





NOW ONTO LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES

There are so many important reasons why you should Leave No Trace during your elopement and practice ethical ways to make sure you minimize your impact on the environment. Here are some tips on how to Leave No Trace during your elopement.


Follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/

Here are the 7 LNT principles you can familiarize yourself with prior to your elopement!


  • Plan Ahead and Prepare: "Know before you go"



  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: 



  • Dispose of Waste Properly: "Carry out what you carry in"



  • Leave What You Find: 



  • Minimize Campfire Impact: If fires are allowed and you plan to have one, use established fire rings or bring a portable stove. Keep fires small and ensure they are completely extinguished.



  • Respect Wildlife:



  • Be Considerate of other Visitors:



Use Eco-Friendly Products:

  • If you're doing a confetti sendoff I recommend using bubbles 100% but you can use leaves and birdseed. I wouldn't recommend flower petals because most of the time, they won't be native to the area.



Other things you can do to promote LNT during your elopement:

Educate Your Guests:

  • If you have any guests that are attending your elopement, educate them about the 7 leave no trace principles so that they can follow them along with you.

Hire Vendors that share in LNT principles:

  • If you're working with other vendors (caterers, musicians etc.), choose vendors who share in your goals to commit to Leave No Trace.

Post-Ceremony Cleanup:

  • Ensure that you leave the area as clean as or cleaner than you found it. Double-check for any items or traces that may have been left behind.



HOW DO WE BOOK YOU AS OUR ADVENTUROUS HIKING ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER?


Just head to my contact page and fill out a form or you can email me at raeannphoto056@gmail.com when you're ready to start planning. If you're planning for a weekday there's no rush but if you would like a weekend date, let me know ASAP!



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