oh hey there...
Book Nerd
Caffeine Addict
Chick-fil-a addict
Playlist stuck in the 80's
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Obsessed
Could i be more interesting1?
hot mess.
Creative Soul
read more...
STORYTELLER AND FAMILY ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHER
Book Nerd
Caffeine Addict
Chick-fil-a addict
Playlist stuck in the 80's
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Obsessed
What is Eloping?
Elopement is…
A very intimate ceremony that is intricately designed for the bride and groom to have everything they want on their special day and nothing that they don’t. This can take any form they want it to with a specific set of activities and locations. They can include a small number of family members at the ceremony or it can be just them on a cliffside. The possibilities are beautiful and endless. It throws away all the rules, gets rid of any production or performance. Literally the epitome of not being stressed. Simply the beautiful connecting of two souls with no fuss. More flexibility with dates and times because you don’t have to book a venue, plus your photographer literally becomes your wedding planner. Just a custom fit experience to last a lifetime's worth of memories. Isn’t that what it’s all about, It is your day after all.
"They slipped briskly into an intimacy from which they never recovered."
—F. Scott Fitzgerald
Why Elope?
So the thought of eloping sometime in the near future has crossed your mind, that is just so exciting. I know planning something as different as an elopement can be pretty scary and intimidating. You aren't really sure where to begin or what to do. That is the coolest thing about eloping, there are no right or wrong answers. You can literally make the whole day tailor suited to your dreams. You can plan every single detail and not compromise on anything at all. You can still have that intimate ceremony. You can invite family and your closest friends. It could be just the two of you standing under a waterfall or you could bring your kids and pets too. It is ultimately about just the two of you which is exactly what your wedding day should be. The saying goes "it's your special day", why not really make it your day? Try closing your eyes and just imagine what your perfect day would look like. You can plan a mix of ceremony and wedding activities that relate only to the two of you. If you want an unforgettable experience then let's get started planning your greatest adventure.
"They slipped briskly into an intimacy from which they never recovered."
—F. Scott Fitzgerald
When and Where should you Elope?
This is one of the most epic things about elopements, you can literally elope. and you could possibly imagine!
Anywhere
Anytime
The beauty of eloping is that you are not tied down to a specific type of venue or just weekend dates. You have full flexibility to pick a dream location like for instance Redwood National Forest. This is a pretty popular destination for weekend travelers but you could go in the middle of the week when National Parks are 75% less busy. This is just one for instance... The possibilities are infinitely endless. Another bonus is that you don't have to be tied to a date in the middle of a busy wedding season. Say you want to elope on January 16 because that day has significant meaning for you, but you don't want to elope in the cold. You can simply pick a warmer location for the date that you want.
Elopements are the ultimate in customizable features. When I say you can literally pick all the things that you want and leave out all the ones that you don't, I couldn't mean it more.
- Alexis Moore
“We appreciate everything and are so glad you not only captured the most beautiful moments/photos, but also were a great friend and truly made everything better than we imagined.”
What is an all day Elopement?
Here is an example of a 15 hour day elopement.
All Day Elopement
Experience 1: Landscape
Getting ready Location: Tent Mountaintop at Sunrise
Ceremony Location: Flattop Mountain at Grayson Highlands
Additional Portrait Location: Waterfall
Meal/Celebration Location: Meal at the campsite by fire
6:00- Wake up and pack up the tent, get dressed, and prepared
7:00- Take photos of all the preparation and details
7:30- Do first look and some more formal shots
8:30- Prepare to hike out and find the wild ponies
9:00- Stopping along the way for beautiful photo ops and sweet moments
10:00- Stopping for a packed lunch and snacks along the way (wine & cheese)
10:30- Finally making it to the flat top, doing the ceremony
11:00- Some seriously mushy photos
11:30- Hiking out to the waterfall
12:00- Getting set up at the waterfall and taking pictures
1:00- The ceremony
1:30- Start hiking back
2:00- We are done and you have the rest of the day to soak in each others love
What would we even do during an all-day elopement
You’ll smile. A lot. You’ll laugh, maybe cry (I usually do). You’ll have a whole adventure together that you enjoy every minute of.
Why an all day Elopement?
This is "YOUR DAY" that's how the saying goes. Why not make it really all about you. You will only get married once so it should be memorable. You deserve the day of your dreams, even bigger than you thought you could dream.. Don't sell yourself short and don't buy into traditions that don't serve anyone. You can break the mold, throw all the rules out of the window. A few myths that people have created surrounding elopements. They are no longer a shameful marriage because you're parents don't agree. Now elopements are about the unique relationship the couple shares. They are not an all-day photoshoot. It is an all-day celebration of your love while I lurk in the background capturing that connection. It is not just a cheaper version of a wedding for people on a budget. An elopement is really just catering to the wants and desires of the bride and groom. There are really a million different ways to customize this day to truly be the most meaningful day of your lives. I would love to help you plan the adventure of your life! Capturing true love stories really sets my soul on fire and I will be the biggest advocate for your wants, dreams, and desires. That way nobody can make you do anything you don't want to do on your wedding day. It can truly be "YOUR DAY"!
"You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought". —Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Location. Location. Location.
I think one of the best parts of eloping is the flexibility to choose a location that really speaks to you! Some couples choose locations like national parks, Airbnbs, beaches, vineyards... the possibilities are literally endless!
With so many options I know it cam seem a little overwhelming. You can start with your bucket locations or places you have always wanted to visit. If you are still having some trouble coming up with a location here are some questions to help you get started.
What is your favorite season?
What do you like to do while traveling?
What are your top 5 bucket list destinations?
What type of scenery do you like to be surrounded by?
(Mountains, waterfalls, beaches, sand dunes, ocean cliffs, valleys of flowers etc.)
“Once again, Janel has exceeded our expectations. Right from the get-go, she's excellent at communication and keeping us up to date with everything, made sure to get to the location early to help us find our way, such a sweetheart throughout the entire shoot and so much fun to be around, and really allowed us to be ourselves throughout the experience. The location she chose was beyond perfect, and her staging choices for the photos were perfect. All the photos look amazing and her turnaround time went by in a flash. “
Testomonial
-Claire Webber
The Ceremony
Just like a traditional wedding, elopement ceremonies vary dependent on each couple. From religious ceremonies to tree-planting ceremonies, couples have any type of ceremony that feels authentic to them.
Exchanging rings, saying vows, and a first kiss are all classic wedding traditions that can carry over into an elopement-style wedding. Couples can find an ordained officiant to marry them or couples can simply just read their vows to each other at the top of a mountain. I am ordained and can legally marry them and sign their marriage license, if they are looking for a more personal & intimate ceremony.
Here are some ideas for an elopement ceremony:
Religious Ceremony
Planting a tree together
Locking love letters in a box to exchange on their anniversary
Painting a picture together
Musical Ceremony
Exchanging vows & rings
Including pets in your ceremony
Guests
Elopements are much more intimate than a traditional wedding. Deciding whether or not to have guests is completely dependent on how private you want your day to be.
Some couples want to elope with just them two. They feel like traditional weddings are about putting on a ‘show’ for others. They’re looking for a day focused on each other, with no other distractions.
Other couples want the elopement experience, but want a handful of people, who they are close with, standing by their side on their day.
But you also don’t have to choose one or the other. Plenty of couples want the ‘best of both worlds’ and are choosing to do both. Elopement photographers offer two day elopement experiences, where on the first day the couple goes off just them two to have a private ceremony or just to say their vows, and then on the second day has a small wedding ceremony and reception with friends and family.
There are so many options if you are torn about guests. Along with the options I listed above, couples also elope and come back and have a big wedding reception with all their friends and family to celebrate their wedding. The options are endless, it’s about what is important to you and what will make you happiest for your wedding.
“There aren’t enough words of thanks in the world to express how grateful we are for the way you captured our day!
I have looked through this album almost everyday since receiving it. and I still cant get enough.
You have such a talent and I hope to work with you again someday!”
Alexia Chan
One special part about elopements is couples are choosing to have adventurous and unique experiences on their wedding day. They are choosing to enjoy moments and try new things instead of having a traditional wedding.
Millennials tend to value experiences over materialistic items, and this carries over into their wedding day. Couples are forgoing flower arrangements and cute table settings, to hike mountains and explore European cities on their wedding day.
So besides the ceremony, what are couples doing on during their elopement day? A typical elopement lasts from six hours to twelve hours. That probably was shocking to read… as the classic Vegas elopements used to last an hour or so.
Activities vary depending on where the couple is eloping and what type of adventures they want to have. No idea is too crazy to implement on your elopement day.
Here are a few ideas of things you can do for your elopement:
Explore European City
Helicopter Tour
Off-Roading Road Trip
Sandboarding
Bungee jumping
Kayaking
Sunset on the Beach
ATV Driving
Skiing/Snowboarding
Horseback Riding
Surfing
Cliff Jumping
Sailing
Cooking Class
Wine Tasting
Your wedding day should be as unique and adventurous as you two!
Society creates a standard of what a wedding day should look like, but no two relationships are the same, so why would we all get married the same way?
Life is made up of moments, and you should be 100% present in the moment on your wedding day, experiencing the excitements and beauty of this world.
You deserve a day free of judgements, anxieties and stress. Where you and your partner can completely be yourselves.
Okay. I may be biased, but couples always say, ‘you were SOO right’ when I tell them this:
An elopement photographer is the best investment you can make for your elopement experience.
Elopement photographers are a different kind of photographer. We don’t just show up the day of your elopement, photograph it, and leave. From the day you book us, we are 100% invested in your day.
There are two main reasons why having an elopement photographer is so important:
REASON NUMBER 1:
Elopement photographers do so much more than just take pictures. Since planning an elopement is a completely different experience than a wedding, we are the experts and are with YOU throughout the whole process.
We help in every aspect of planning: finding a location, planning the ceremony, finding vendors in the area (make-up artists, florists, ordained officiants… you name it), helping with what to pack, logistics where to stay, backup locations, what to do before and after, creating a personalized timeline and basically ANYTHING that goes into planning your perfect elopement experience. Elopement photographers care about making sure your wedding day is EVERYTHING you could ever want.
I care so deeply about my couples. Helping them have the best elopement experience is my highest priority. I am in their corner 100% of the time. I am always texting them late at night or giving advice on things such as- how to tell their family they’re eloping or talk them through which dress will look best with their hiking boots. By the actual day of their elopement, we are the closest of friends, which makes bringing me with them on the most important day of their life, that much more special.
REASON NUMBER 1:
Elopement photographers do so much more than just take pictures. Since planning an elopement is a completely different experience than a wedding, we are the experts and are with YOU throughout the whole process.
We help in every aspect of planning: finding a location, planning the ceremony, finding vendors in the area (make-up artists, florists, ordained officiants… you name it), helping with what to pack, logistics where to stay, backup locations, what to do before and after, creating a personalized timeline and basically ANYTHING that goes into planning your perfect elopement experience. Elopement photographers care about making sure your wedding day is EVERYTHING you could ever want.
I care so deeply about my couples. Helping them have the best elopement experience is my highest priority. I am in their corner 100% of the time. I am always texting them late at night or giving advice on things such as- how to tell their family they’re eloping or talk them through which dress will look best with their hiking boots. By the actual day of their elopement, we are the closest of friends, which makes bringing me with them on the most important day of their life, that much more special.
The Gram
that will last a lifetime
It's about raw emotions, natural connections, having fun and creating memories
Learn More
