Patagonia is a world that appears untouched by human hands. Everything is pristine – somehow the snow seems whiter, the sun seems brighter, and the lakes look like you could drink directly from them because they're so pure. Now add mountain ranges that reach the sky, glaciers of aquamarine ice crystals floating by you at any moment, forests full of trees and fields full of flowers, and it’s no wonder eloping in Patagonia is the right choice. And I’m not just saying that as an elopement photographer; Patagonia speaks for itself without my help. It’s a place ripe for adventure.
Adventures tend to bring up a lot of questions, though. Important ones like: Is Patagonia a good place to elope? How do I plan an elopement adventure in Patagonia if the world around it is so untouched? Can I even go there? Where do I stay? What’s the weather like? What’s the best time to elope in Patagonia?
I know! Overwhelming, right? Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered. This is my adventure elopement guide to Patagonia.
Image by Jairo Gallegos on Unsplash: It’s hard to tell whether this is a photo or a painting, which is one of the reasons I love Patagonia elopement photography – they become works of art.
There’s no doubt about it: Patagonia is a work of art, and art is unpredictable. Much like the weather we’ll encounter when we head out to get your elopement adventure started. The summer months are through December–March, but even summer weather can be pretty cold in Patagonia, so it’s smart to be prepared to bundle up no matter what. When it comes to the magic sweet spot of decent weather and fewer tourists, March through May is where you’ll find it. Anything beyond that timeframe and the weather gets great, but the tourism explodes – and when tourism explodes, prices for everything explode along with it.
Now you might be wondering, if I have to bundle up the whole time, and it will always be cold even in the summer… What makes this place so great? One word. Glaciers.
Parque Los Nacionales Glaciares
If you listen very closely, and don’t make a sound, you can almost hear Elsa from Frozen singing in the background of this place of perpetual winter known as Parque los Nacionales Glaciares, or Glacier National Park. One of the biggest tourist attractions in the region, all you have to do is look at pictures to see why.
This is where we make your ice princess fantasies a reality. This is where we celebrate your Christmas wedding in July. This is a place where we get to play. Be sure to back your snow boots – being chilly is beyond inevitable, but oh so worth it.
Image by Hans Jurgen Weinhardt on Unsplash: Crystalline scenes of ice and snow: it’s like a snowglobe come to life in Parque los Nacionales Glaciares, a major tourist attraction and one of the most beautiful photo locations in Patagonia.
Rio Negro
If you’ve ever seen any animated princess movie, you can envision the scene I’m about to describe. You’re in the wilderness. There are wildflowers all around your feet as you walk. The trees are breathing with life at every turn. There are babbling brooks that talk to you, animals that become your friends, and somewhere along the way a little squirrel runs to sit on your shoulder.
Now. I can’t promise you a shoulder squirrel, but I guarantee we will find the rest in Rio Negro, and we won’t even have to try. All we have to do is step one foot in any direction and BOOM. There it is: the perfect setting, the perfect backdrop.
Image by Hector Ramon Perez on Unsplash: The hills are alive. Literally. Every inch of ground is covered with wildlife when you visit Rio Negro – hands down one of the most picturesque places in Patagonia.
Fitz Roy
You’ve heard of a mood ring, but have you heard of a mood mountain? Well, if you hadn’t before, you have now. The Fitz Roy range mountain ranges manage to camouflage themselves in the light of the morning or the twilight of the night by reflecting the colors and hues the sky casts in their direction.
When the sunset is pink and purple, so are the mountains. When the sunrise is orange and yellow, so are the mountains. Forget having your bridal party match – in Patagonia, we can make the mountains match your aesthetic.
Image by Andrew Svk on Unsplash: Mountain ranges that extend beyond the clouds and appear to change colors make Fitz Roy one of the best photo spots in Patagonia.
Torres Del Paine
Torres del Raine is one of the most Instagrammable places in Patagonia, and for good reason. With rocky shores so empty you can’t help but feel as if the land may be haunted, and looming shadows cast by foreboding mountain ranges casting a striking light, Torres del Paine strikes a powerful dichotomy between the light and dark side of nature.
This means we can play with the light and dark in you and your partner and translate it into dramatically stunning elopement photos. With the winds as high as they get during the winter and fall months, though, make sure to bring your Aqua Net.
Image by Andrew Svk on Unsplash: Though you're staring into the waters of a lake, the winds of Patagonia change it into a churning sea along the shores of Torres del Paine.
Bonus entry: Eco-Camp Lodges
Tucked in the shadows of Torres del Paine are the Eco-Camp Lodges. These domed cabins in the middle of nowhere not only offer you a close place to stay while you’re exploring Torres del Paine, but also have a full program of awesome things you can do while you’re there.
From horseback riding to puma watching to staring up at the stars from a small skylight in your personal bubble, I can’t think of a cooler place to stay in Patagonia than Eco Camp.
Image by Jonas Ducker on Unsplash: If we end up in Torres del Paine, there’s the added bonus of being able to stay at Eco Camp, a wonderfully weird spin on camping.
We’ve got a lot of ground to cover while we’re in Patagonia. Which is why we should get to planning! Reach out to me and we’ll get started on deciding all the fun details. Where we will go, what pictures we will take, and of course, WHO GETS TO SLEEP IN WHAT BUBBLE!
Okay. I’m a little excited about Patagonia. I’ll rein it in when we talk. Promise.
Featured image by Snowscat on Unsplash
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