Congrats! You’ve chosen to elope and have managed to save yourselves from making all of the stressful decisions associated with a traditional wedding. Your choice to elope means you’ll be having a more intimate ceremony, and the most challenging decision you’ll be making is where you’re going to exchange your vows.
The decision to elope is so exciting! You get to have a more intimate day and the possibilities are endless when it comes to finding an incredible location. We've created this guide of helpful tips so you can be fully prepared for the adventure ahead. This is the gear you'll be needing for your summer elopement, so can you stay cool and comfortable as you journey through the wilderness together.
Have you ever dreamed about eloping in the winter? Saying your vows on a snow lined trail, surrounded by evergreen trees? Maybe you’ll even need a pair of snowshoes to make the trek! Living in Pennsylvania, it can be hard to avoid winter weather and if you’re like some of our couples, you may choose to totally embrace it instead! When you do, we will be right there with ya, documenting your day + making sure you stay comfortable!
What could be more exciting than going on an adventure through the wilderness to celebrate the first day of your new life together? You're going to have a one-of-a-kind experience, but that also means you might have a ton of questions about how you're supposed to prepare for your unique hiking elopement. This is why I decided to write this guide for you. Without having any traditional rules to follow, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed, so I really hope this checklist helps put you at ease before the fun begins.
Photography is rooted in utilizing light and shadows to create an image, so make sure you hire someone who embraces even the most unique lighting situations. For example many photographers might shy away from taking portraits in the middle of the afternoon. However, it's totally possible to create gorgeous images even in mid-day sun! By us being able to create work in various lighting conditions and knowing how long we’ll have full daylight it opens your timeline up to more variety.
We began our roughly three mile hike around the main portion of Cook Forest, stopping every so often for photos and to take in the lush landscapes. Due to a mild beginning to winter, the moss and pines were still vibrant hues of greens. Making for some exciting sights in an otherwise dormant forest. Kaitlyn and Matt chose to exchange handwritten vows on a quiet path surrounded by giant trees. It was a serene scene and it felt like their own private chapel nestled in the woods.
The day started at a mid-mod Airbnb where Corey and Ashley exchanged personal gifts and got dressed separately with the help of two of their closest friends. Ashley wore a gorgeous velvet and lace boho dress with a hat decorated with florals and a pair of burgundy flower embroidered boots. Corey looked so dapper in his custom maroon tux with embroidered details and a vintage paisley tie. Tailoring your day to reflect who you are as a couple is one of our favorite aspects when it comes to your elopement.
When it came time for Rosie and Mac’s wedding day I knew there was a pretty good chance that it would be just about perfect. Inspired by autumn, wild flowers and effortless chic vibes all I can say is that it did not disappoint. Between how sweet these two are and fact that they looked like a million bucks, the gorgeous rustic venue (Rustic Acres Farm) and ideal weather plus the gorgeous autumn light, it was the ideal combination for a perfect wedding day!
For the ceremony everyone met up at Barber Point Beach at Moraine State Park. It was intimate and personal with a few tears and lots of laughs. Afterwards, the four of us went on a short hike together on the Pleasant Valley Trail. We walked under the tall trees, admiring the scenery (we even saw a small tree frog), and chatted about our dogs, travel and everything in between. After coming to a pine lined narrow trail, they shared their first dance singing and swaying in each other’s arms. It was beautiful and small private moments like that are some of our favorites to capture.
Dan+Taylor shared a perfect summer wedding day at The Woods at Eisler Farms! The ceremony took place on a dock overlooking a small pond, nestled among the trees. The personalized vows they shared were almost identical to one another. Showing how much these two just get each other. Which brought out the tears and laughs from their guests and us!
Their wedding day took place at the historic Buhl Mansion in Sharon, PA. The guest list was kept small and intimate, the décor was beautifully planned and coordinated by Something Blue and the manicured grounds made for the perfect place to celebrate a warm summer evening reception. The day was elegant, full of style and most importantly focused on the everlasting love that Emily and Ryan have for each other. It couldn’t have been better!
From getting ready, to the church and all the way to the backyard reception, there wasn't a boring moment with this group! There was plenty of laughter and a fair share of tears throughout the day, lending the vibe to feel more like an intimate gathering than a big wedding. This just proves that a little intentionality+emotion can go a long way with making your day feel extra special and unique to you!
Friends, don't fall into the trap of a stressful, out of your comfort zone, traditional wedding day. Be bold and adventure down your own path to something different. You are only making this beautiful commitment once and your future journey together starts with your meaningful wedding experience.
Not sure if an intimate wedding is your kind of wedding? Here are four benefits you only get to experience by keeping your day intentional and small!
Whether it's your first apartment or your new forever home, the times you share within those walls are part of your story. These moments matter and they should be documented for you, in your space with your love. An in-home lifestyle shoot is the perfect way to center a session around your life+love within a space where you feel the most comfortable.
Eloping looks different to every couple. Seriously. The whole entire day is about the commitment you are making and the love you share together. You get to decide how your day will look, where you say “I do”, who will be there to witness it and how you celebrate afterwards. Eloping is a day meant to embody you as a couple. A day that you are free to be yourselves without the fear of judgment from Aunt Susie or even your own parents. A day that allows you to focus on each other and really embrace each moment spent together.
If you're an outdoorsy couple or simply want to elope at a picturesque location, you might consider choosing a state park for your intimate ceremony. Pennsylvania has hundreds of state parks to choose from, each with its own breathtaking scenery. Whether you want to get married in a forest in front of a waterfall, at the top of a mountain, or by a lake with a stunning background of autumn-colored trees, there is a Pennsylvania State Park that will meet your needs.
It is such an intimate experience to bare your heart to the love of your life. My partner and I have photographed a lot of weddings, and we’ll admit that we’ve both teared up more than once when hearing personalized vows from so many couples. We totally understand that writing your own vows can seem daunting, so I’ve put together some tips to help you out.
One of the biggest mistakes I see couples make when choosing to have their wedding outdoors is not taking into consideration that they are in nature, which needs to be protected and respected. I see it all the time on Instagram, a pretty photo of a couple in a protected area, giving no regard to what they might be doing to the habitat they are invading. As an elopement photographer, I feel it’s part of my responsibility to educate and guide my couples in a way that will preserve the planet and not cause it more harm. LNT or Leave No Trace is a crucial part of planning an outdoor elopement or intimate wedding. I always urge my couples to consider how they can celebrate their day while also respecting the great outdoors.
If a secluded wedding is what you’re hearts are looking for, West Virginia couldn’t be a more beautiful location to have your sights on. If you love to hike or have always wanted to, you’re in for a real treat with all of the incredible trails and parks West Virginia has to offer. With so many unique locations to choose from, I’ve laid out the perfect itinerary, including a great spot to stay, where you can plan to elope, and some of my favorite places to eat so you don’t have to do a ton of research. I hope this guide makes you feel inspired!
As my second photographer, Jp keeps things chill with the guys, helps me carry all of my gear, knows how to pin a boutonniere and fluff the train of your dress, and does a million other things. But these examples are not why I make sure he is with me on your wedding day.
Once at their reception they popped outside one last time for photos on the old train platform and then it was time to kick off the night! With a multi-course plated dinner, live music, one of the most impressive cookie tables we’ve ever seen (mainly baked by Sarah’s mom!), golden vintage décor and a basement cigar bar the evening felt like a bougie 1920’s dinner party!
The day started at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco where Danica and Steph exchanged gifts and got dressed separately, opting to see one another for the first time at the altar. Danica wore a beautiful white a-line dress with diamond jewelry and a vintage white fur coat. Stephanie looked so sharp in her black tux, white Vans and Lacoste watch gifted to her from Danica.
Their winter wedding at The Atrium had all of the classic yet stylish touches. From the elegant place settings to the rich green hues seen in their wedding party attire, the attention to detail did not go unnoticed. Kara wore a gorgeous mermaid style dress with a fur wrap, while Dean wore black suit with champagne details. They shared a first look together, putting them both at ease before their ceremony in the naturally lit atrium space. Once at their reception they were surprised by Dean’s parents with an Opera trio during dinner and fireworks to finish out the evening. Throughout the night the dance floor was packed and you could tell everyone was so happy to be celebrating with them! It was truly a beautiful day, start to finish!
Zaa’Raa and David wanted to keep the morning half of their day chill and relaxed. Mainly focusing on enjoying each other's company. They chose to start their day with breakfast in bed in their suite at the historic Glasbern Inn. They then got into their hiking attire and we headed out to Hawk Mountain for a mid-morning hike. They ended the day with a thoughtfully curated multi-course farm to table meal in the private dining room of the main lodge.
Their wedding day took place on a gorgeous September afternoon. We began the day with the ceremony taking place in a sunlight drenched church, which created a unique crisp and bright look. From there they jumped into their limo with their wedding party and headed off to Renshaw Farms. Once at the venue they went from limo to hay wagon for their wedding party portraits.
Bill and Ashley tied the knot on a hot July day in Bill’s parent’s backyard. The gorgeous details from big florals to vintage rugs elevated the environment as they committed to and celebrated their love! The boho vibes would have made any popular venue jealous. The love and tenderness Ashley and Bill share is something so unique in today’s world. We are so honored they chose us to document such a big moment in their lives and it was such a joy spending the day celebrating with all of the people they love!
After spending over a decade together, Megan and Kee Won chose to exchange vows on a warm June day. Surrounded by their closest family members, they said I do on the grounds of The Frick Museum. It was a laid back yet elegant micro-wedding full of small thoughtful touches.
This year the energy was so different and it was all about the party! They celebrated their one year anniversary, at their original wedding venue (Pine Hall at Eisler Farms), surrounded by countless friends and family members! They ate delicious food, crowded around the photo booth and danced like it was 2019! They truly did get the best of both worlds; the intimate, laid back wedding day with all the feels and a huge party to celebrate their love! What could be better?!