you live the day,
and I’ll tell it back to you in photographs
How to Elope
It all starts with dreaming up the perfect day. I always recommend to my couples to have fun with this part- it’s the beginning of your elopement journey and such an exciting time!
So go on a date night to your favorite restaurant, curl up on the couch in front of a fire and some wine, go on your favorite hike, or simply go on a walk in your neighborhood and talk about how you two envision your day. Jot these ideas down and that is all you need to start!
Once you have an overall vision for what you two want out of your day, it’s time to make the biggest decisions that will affect your elopement experience the most:
Who are you inviting?
Where are you going?
When do you want to elope?
What scenery fills you with a sense of happiness, inspiration, and peace? Where would feel the most “you” to say your vows?
Then decide on who.
For some couples, this is a super easy question to answer—and for others, it’s more of a debate. The truth is—an elopement doesn’t have to be just two people.
You can definitely still have an intimate elopement experience and a day that’s fully centered on your relationship with your closest friends and/or family involved. And they can be involved as much as you want them to.
However, if you do decide to invite family or friends along, whether it’s just a celebratory meal, the getting ready portion of the day, just the ceremony, or the whole day, make sure they’re fully on board with your vision and understand that you’re not having a big traditional wedding—but a unique celebration that’s authentic to your relationship. Remind them that this is for you, not anyone else.
Lastly,
Hire vendors that will help bring your vision to life. Give them your inspiration, your ideas for your dream wedding and let them be creative with it and turn it into reality. Enjoy your day and let go of any expectations, society restrictions and the term “normal”- this day is solely about you two; let your elopement be as unique as your relationship.
How it all works
Hire your Photographer
Once you have a timeframe in mind, start researching photographers as they will be the vendor that books out the farthest. When looking for a photographer, choose someone that you think you can vibe with the most and shares what your vision is for your day and can help make it a reality. They are likely the only other person with you for your whole elopement day and experience so choose someone that you get along with and has the style of photography you like.
Decide on a Location
There are a ton of factors that will affect your elopement day, but picking your location is one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle that will determine the experience of your elopement day.
Your location should feel right for you—it should be somewhere you feel overwhelmingly happy, somewhere you feel absolutely alive, somewhere you know you and your partner can focus on each other and truly be in the moment.
I always like to recommend going somewhere new that neither of you have been; it adds to the excitement and builds anticipation. Some big factors to consider are: accessibility (how to access certain locations), weather (best time to go/seasons) and seclusion (how busy the location it is and avoiding tourist traps).
Pick a Date
As previously mentioned, you will want to avoid peak seasons to avoid crowds and allow your elopement to be more secluded. I recommend going right before or after peak seasons for the best weather. Some types of scenery and landscapes really shine at certain times of year—so consider the season you’ve chosen to elope, and what types of scenery are best at that time of year.
Book travel & lodging
First of all—before booking your travel, make sure you’ve confirmed your chosen elopement location with me. That way I can make sure everything’s squared away and even give you some travel advice that’s specific to the spot you’re headed!
I personally suggest viewing your lodging as part of your whole wedding experience. Think outside the box and give yourself permission to consider really fun rentals like cute Airbnbs, A-frames in the woods, treehouses, yurts, oceanside villas, or any kind of place that’s you think is aesthetically appealing, super enjoyable, and fits the vibe for the rest of your day. Pick somewhere that you two will thoroughly love spending time together.
Plan activities & excursions
While big traditional weddings have a pretty set plan of events they tend to follow, when you elope— the activities you can do during your day aren’t limited to just a ceremony and a reception. Open your mind to your wedding day being a lot more than saying vows and taking a few portraits—this is your chance to craft an entire day together, from start to finish that is as much fun, and representative of who you two actually are as possible.
The best place to start this process? With a few questions. Ask yourselves things like:
What are our favorite activities to do together?
What do we do for fun on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis?
How could we incorporate what we love to do on our elopement day?
Is there a new activity that we want to try together on our elopement day?
What’s the difference between an elopement & traditional wedding?
By taking out the guests and the party planning, you will get to actually enjoy your day with close loved ones or just each other. This will allow you to enjoy the entire day and make it that much more memorable.
You will get an experience by eloping rather than having just 1 day of constant chaos like a wedding. You can take a trip with your partner and combine your elopement day with your honeymoon!
And the best part is you won’t have to deal with the stress of planning a big traditional wedding or party. By going the elopement route- you’ve taken out the hard part and can now look forward to your wedding.
5 Reasons to Elope
It’s just all about the two of you!
By eloping you are bringing the focus back to what the day is truly about. This day can truly be catered to you both whether it's just you two or surrounded by close friends and family. Think about all of your favorite things that you love to do together or new things that you would love to try and now combine it into one amazing epic day where you were also committing your life to that person – that is what eloping is all about.
You can forget about old traditions
One of the many benefits of eloping is that you do not have to stick with traditional values that you normally see in a traditional wedding. You can incorporate as much or as least traditional stuff as you would like since you now have the freedom to spend the day however you'd like to. Couples can definitely still do a first dance, first look, walk down the aisle, enjoy toasts from guests, etc.. You can customize the day to however you like.
It’s friendly with your budget and sanity!
A huge difference is how you spend your hard earned cash. Couples that elope tend to want to spend their money on an experience rather than table runners, wedding signs and invitations. Picture combining your wedding and honeymoon into one! You can trade:
-A Venue for the Outdoors
-Decorations for Nature
-Seating Chart for Intimate Dinner
-Wedding Favors for Quality Time with your Guests
If you are ever curious on the average cost of an elopement, it is about a third of the cost of a traditional wedding; if not less. That includes your flight, dress, suit, lodging, meals, excursions, vendors and pet resort for your furry friend at home.
There are so many things that couples will spend money on their wedding for just one day. Imagine spending that same money on an everlasting experience with each other or any guests you bring. You will be able to actually appreciate the time without worry.
In the words of Hannah Montana, you can have “the best of both worlds” by eloping and then celebrating with your friends and family back home with a party. You will be able to spend quality time with them and celebrate the right way without the restrictions that comes with a traditional wedding.You get to go on an exciting journey
Is there one place that you and your partner have always wanted to go? Is there a country or a location that is forever engraved in your head? You two can visit a new place together and experience a whole new adventure and start your marriage off with a bang!
You’ll experience chills and connection all the way
Probably one of the best reasons to elope is that you bring that intimate part of a wedding day back into the ceremony. Without anyone or a lot of people around there is a wall that is diminished by eloping rather than having 100+ guests at your ceremony. I will help guide you throughout the ceremony so you two can feel everything and be in the moment as much as possible. This way it will feel like nothing else in the world matters beyond what is happening right in front of your eyes.
FAQs
I’m new to this- what is an Elopement?
Elopements have evolved so much from the days of running to the courthouse on a whim. Adventurous Elopements are planned months in advance and are a couples wedding day that is completely custom to them. From going to an epic location to doing all of your favorite things, elopements are your way to have your perfect wedding day all about you two.
We’re terrible and award in front of the camera- will you help pose us?
Yes! Trust me, I hear this 99.99% of the time. My posing style is all natural and all about you two being in the moment and having fun. While we will get those killer posed shots that will leave you speechless, we will also capture candid shots throughout the day.
Are we allowed to invite guests to our Elopement?
Contrary to popular belief- yes you absolutely can! Elopements can have under 20 guests and can be involved in your day as much as you want them to. However, if you do decide to invite family or friends along, whether it’s just a celebratory meal, the getting ready portion of the day, just the ceremony, or the whole day, make sure they’re fully on board with your vision and understand that you’re not having a big traditional wedding—but a unique celebration that’s authentic to your relationship. Remind them that this is for you, not anyone else.
You officiate elopements too? Who photographs the ceremony?
Just like elopements aren’t traditional- neither is the ceremony setting! Instead of being in front of you with an awkward cloak on reading from a book I am leaving you two the complete focus of the ceremony; which sounds right doesn’t it?
I am positioned a few feet from you and as I read from the ceremony script (custom to each couple) I am taking photos of it all. I am capturing your vows, ring exchange, everything. This leaves you two the main focus of the photos with the gorgeous backdrop you both have chosen for your ceremony spot!How far in advance should we book you? What’s the process like?
Elopements are typically booked the same amount of time as a traditional wedding (8-10 months in advance). Although, depending on location, permits, and your situation- you can book anytime.
A deposit/retainer is due upon signing the contract to lock in your elopement and date. The remainder will not be due until 1 month prior to your elopement. I will send an electronic invoice and friendly reminders are sent letting you know when payment is coming up!
Filling out the contact form is your first step! After I receive your inquiry I will reach out within 48 hours and we will set up a phone call to talk about your elopement day. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot planned or a solid idea- that’s the best time to begin!How many photos do we get?
You will receive upwards of 400 final images. Of course, the more to the elopement day (excursions, multiple locations, activities, etc.) will result in more images. There is no maximum cap but you will receive a minimum of 400. All images are fully edited and fully sized; whether you want to blow up a photo on a canvas or just post it to Instagram, it will be good for both.
Elopement Guides
Take a look at the guides below for helpful information on eloping!
More than just your photographer
Hey there!
Congrats on deciding to elope- that is pretty badass! With all of this newfound freedom- planning an elopement may seem a bit overwhelming; that’s when I come in!
I am here to help guide you throughout the entire elopement process from start to finish. There is so much you can do and it is my job to fuel you both with ideas so you may cherry pick what you want to do on your big day!
My services include:
Finding your exact ceremony location & other locations to shoot at.
Officiate your wedding while still capturing everything. Click here to see how I do it.
Locating local vendors for you (florists, hair & make-up artists, rentals)
Building your elopement day timeline & figuring out travel logistics & more!
-Nick
ELOPEMENTS & INTIMATE WEDDINGS PHOTOGRAPHER
“I’d marry you anytime, anywhere.”
EXPLORE ALL THE
POSSIBILITIES OF THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE
IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU, Then eloping is the right decision
Elopement Day Timeline Example
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Contact Nick
book@npatton.photos
