High Peaks, Low Bullshit | The Hell-Yes Elopement Podcast

About High Peaks, Low Bullshit | The Hell-Yes Elopement Podcast

This podcast is for couples who want high peaks, real adventure, and a fun-ass elopement day — without the audience or the bullshit. If it's not a hell yes, it's a no. This is where we break down what actually matters when planning a hell-yes elopement in a practical, honest, and unfiltered way. Hey, I'm your host, Emily from Emily Belanger Photography, an Adirondack-based elopement photographer and planner in Upstate New York. I help badass couples plan life-changing, adventure-filled elopements in the mountains, and I'll be sharing real, unfiltered advice from years of exploring, planning, and photographing elopements out here. We'll talk about locations that actually feel secluded, how to choose hikes that match your comfort level, what permits and rules matter and which ones don't, how to build a timeline that doesn't feel rushed, and how to avoid turning your elopement into a performance. We'll also talk through the stuff that usually gets skipped over — weather, crowds, accessibility, family pressure, and why having a guide who doesn't hold back is a hell-yes decision. Because you want a day that feels alive and aligned with who you are. So let's make that happen, chasing high peaks and low bullshit.

Publisher

Emily Belanger

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Jan 2026

Latest episode

10 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

7 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Aug 2026

   Airbnb Elopements: 10 Things to Know Before You Book

   Planning an Airbnb elopement? Before you book the first badass cabin with mountain views and a hot tub, there are a few things you need to know. Airbnb and VRBO have rules around events, guest counts, visitors, photography, and how properties can actually be used, and the last thing you want is to find out your rental doesn't allow your elopement after you've already booked it. In this episode, I'm breaking down the 10 things I tell my couples to do before booking an Airbnb or VRBO for their elopement. We're talking about what to look for in a listing, questions to ask the host, red flags to watch for, and how to avoid running into issues that could completely screw up your plans. If an Airbnb is going to be part of your elopement day, listen to this one before you hit book. And if figuring out which Airbnb will actually work for your elopement sounds like one more thing you don't want to deal with, this is part of what I help my couples with. As an Adirondack elopement photographer and planner, I help you find properties that work for what you have planned, navigate the rules, and make sure we're not accidentally breaking them in the process. Learn more about my Adirondack elopement packages and planning.

2. 

   17 Jun 2026

   E6: The Secret to Having Family at Your Elopement Without Regretting It

   Think having family at your elopement means giving up the intimate, adventurous experience you actually want? Think again. In this episode, I'm breaking down the secret to having family at your elopement without regretting it later. We'll talk about why more couples are choosing two-day elopements, how to create meaningful moments with your loved ones without sacrificing quality time together, and why you don't have to choose between family and adventure. I'll also clear up one of the biggest misconceptions in the wedding industry: the difference between an intimate wedding and an elopement. Is it really about guest count, or is there more to it than that? If you're torn between including family and creating an experience that feels fully you, this episode will help you understand your options and design an elopement day that gives you the best of both worlds! And if you're still sitting here wondering what this type of experience could look like for you head on over to my elopement experience page where I go over all of the details!

3. 

   8 Apr 2026

   E5. Steal These Five Summer Adirondack Elopement Day Ideas

   If you're trying to figure out what an actual Adirondack elopement day could look like, this episode walks through five summer timelines you can steal — blending both adventurous and laid-back experiences. From sunrise hikes and waterfall picnics to scenic helicopter rides, canoe ceremonies, cozy campfire endings, and late-night pizza stops... these ideas show how your elopement day can feel intentional, fun, and completely personalized. I also share additional activity ideas specific to both the Upper and Lower Adirondacks to help you start imagining your summer elopement day. Checkout More Information Here: Adirondack Elopement Packages

4. 

   20 Mar 2026

   E4: Why You Shouldn't Elope In The Catskill Mountains And What I'd Do Instead

   Everyone loves to romanticize the Catskills… but if you're thinking about eloping there, you might want to slow down for a second. Because here's the truth no one really talks about, just because a place is popular doesn't mean it's actually a good fit for an intentional, private, fully immersive elopement experience. In this episode, I'm getting real about why the Catskills might not be the move for couples who want something that actually feels meaningful, secluded, and aligned... and what I'd do instead. This isn't about hating on a location just to be controversial. It's about helping you think differently about what actually makes an elopement feel like an intimate experience… versus something that just looks good in photos but doesn't really hit the way you thought it would. If you've been drawn to the Catskills but something feels slightly off, or you just know you want something deeper than a "pretty place" this episode will help you figure out what actually fits you. Checkout More Information Here: Adirondack Elopement Packages

5. 

   18 Feb 2026

   E3: Planning Your Wedding With ADHD And Autism

   If the thought of a big traditional wedding makes your nervous system want to shut down — you're not broken, and you're definitely not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing my personal story of being diagnosed with ADHD and autism at 30 years old, and how that realization finally explained why traditional weddings always felt so overwhelming and deeply misaligned for me. We're diving into what ADHD and autistic brains actually experience during wedding planning and wedding days — from decision fatigue and social pressure to sensory overload — and why these environments can feel more like survival mode than celebration. We'll talk about why eloping often feels like relief instead of rebellion, what low-sensory wedding days can actually look like, and activity ideas and timelines designed for couples who want connection without chaos. This episode is your emotional permission slip to create a wedding day that supports your nervous system — not one that overwhelms it. And it's extremely important to hire an elopement photographer (https://emilybelangerphotography.com/) who GET's it and understands your pain points and how to turn a day that currently feels like chaos, into a sensory calming day filled with joy! Checkout More Information Here: Adirondack Elopement Packages

6. 

   10 Feb 2026

   E2: Elopement Vs. Microwedding

   Are you trying to decide if an elopement or a micro-wedding is right for you? In this episode, I break down the real differences between the two, where these ideas actually came from, why so many couples are choosing them over traditional weddings, and the honest pros and cons of each. Not from a trend perspective, but from what these days actually feel like when you're living them. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure which path fits you best, this episode will help you understand what you gain, what you give up, and how to choose the experience that truly aligns with how you want your wedding day to feel. Checkout More Information Here: Adirondack Elopement Packages

7. 

   22 Jan 2026

   E1: How to Elope In The Adirondack Mountains

   In this episode, I'm breaking down everything you actually need to know about eloping in the Adirondack Mountains. We'll cover the basics most people gloss over — what the Adirondacks really are, the different regions and vibes throughout the park, when to elope based on season and crowds, how to handle family pressure, and realistic activity ideas you can actually build into your elopement day. This episode is packed with practical information, unfiltered advice, and real-life experience from years of planning and photographing elopements in the Adirondacks to help you make confident decisions and avoid common mistakes. If you're wanting to go deeper, check out my Adirondack Elopement Guide linked here. It takes everything we talk about in this episode and expands on it with more in-depth planning details, location considerations, timelines, and logistics. And if you're looking for an Adirondack elopement photographer who knows these mountains inside and out and doesn't sugarcoat the planning process, you can explore more of my work and approach here: Emily Belanger Photography.

Reach and audience

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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