Elopements are SO in right now! I'd say over the past few months, I've seen at least 4 of my friends on social media elope – and it's so exciting! So if you're that Nashville couple who may be looking to travel the world to say your “I dos”, I have one incredible opportunity to tell you about! Nashville-based photographer Michaela Potterbaum is planning an elopement package trip to the fjords of Norway! Her program called Promise Mountain is sure to capture the hearts of any adventurous couple here in Nashville. This year, the program runs from June through September so book your date with Michaela for an experience unlike any other! Not only can Michaela help you plan your mountaintop ceremony, but she can even offer up to 7 days of adventurous activities complete with romantic views and luxury lodging during your wedding week. But now I'll let Michaela step in and tell us more about eloping in the fjords of Norway!
Tell us about your company + how long you've been in business!
Michaela: My name is Michaela and I specialize in adventure elopement photography around the world as well as unique local weddings here in the Nashville region. Over the last 9 years, I've photographed over 110 weddings in 11 nations around the world. I recently spent 3 years living and photographing elopements and weddings in the fjords of Norway which is what led me to start Promise Mountain. After several inquiries from brides wanting to elope with their fiancés in the beautiful fjords of Norway, I decided to use my resources from the last few years of living in the region and start a small, full-service adventure elopement company that takes care of all the details and provides couples with an amazing elopement experience. We provide 2, 4, and 7 day elopement packages with a mountain top ceremony (w/pastor), luxury cabin lodging, a professional photographer, and day adventure trips to incredible local fjord/mountain viewpoints with continued photography so you end up with a romantic photo story by the end of your trip! There is a lot more in the packages that can be seen on the website at: promisemountain.com
How did you get started in weddings?
Michaela: I studied photography in 2006 through a photojournalism school in Amsterdam which led me back to the states where I jumped in on the wedding scene shortly after that and haven't looked back since! Promise Mountain is a newer project that naturally unfolded as I had more and more requests for elopement photography in the fjords.
What's the philosophy behind Michaela Potterbaum Photography?
Michaela: We love creating amazing wedding images and adventure experiences that last a lifetime and beyond for our clients.
What are your strengths compared to others in your category?
Michaela: After living and photographing for 3 years in beautiful Norway (as well as traveling to 37 countries) I'd say some of my main strengths are adaptability, understanding cultures and making the most of any situation. When you travel a ton you learn that the world doesn't revolve around you and sometimes things happen… like rain, or wind during a wedding or missed ferries or flights. I absolutely love working with other cultures, and sometimes that means shooting a wedding in a language I don't know, or in the case of Promise Mountain, it means guiding people through the most amazing parts of the fjords and telling the story of their romance through photography as it unfolds. I love bringing people on adventures to discover the beauty of the world and this is why I hope to attract Nashville couples to the fjords of Norway for what we think may very well be the most magical, wonder-filled elopement experience on earth.
What attracts brides to your photography (+ describe that bride!)?
Michaela: We have yet to find anywhere else in the world that offers full-service elopement adventure packages like that of Promise Mountain. It's not just your standard elopement– but an entire elopement adventure which means a mountain top ceremony, adventure guiding, professional photography, luxury cabin lodging, the wedding cake, hair/makeup and more… all in one of the world's most beautiful settings– the fjords of Norway. If the fjords of Norway aren't your thing, we love working with local brides to create amazing wedding imagery here in the region that tell a story of adventure and FUN with romance woven throughout the entire story.
What are some trends in weddings today?
Michaela: I see more and more elopements coming to the forefront of the wedding industry. People want to simplify, get away, and just enjoy each other… in our case, we are creating elopement experiences that weave in adventure, romance, and wonder. We love anything out of the box… and we hope that Promise Mountain can be an out of the box experience that will create a new trend of romance filled wedding adventures around the world.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with Nashville brides?
Michaela: We've still got several adventure elopement openings for this coming summer and we would love to fill those dates with as many Nashville couples as possible! PS. We also offer honeymoon or anniversary adventures if elopements aren't your thing!
Wow – these photos are so spectacular! Thank you so much for sharing all about your elopement photography and the Promise Mountain trip! Brides, if you are interested in heading out to the fjords of Norway this summer from June – September, find more information here on Michaela's website! You'll also want to follow her here on Instagram for allllll the Norway eye candy!
And if you're a photographer, listen up! Michaela has a special Norway photography workshop just for you! It's called Into the Fjords. Find all the information here + happy adventuring!
All photos by Michaela Potterbaum.
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