The Elopement Experience you didn’t know you needed.
Picture this; you and the love of your life have an entire day planned around the two of you- you get to book a beautiful airbnb, wake up and start getting ready together… then you head to your dream location with your photographer by your sides documenting the laughter, giddiness, details on the way- you arrive to the breathtaking location and meet your officiant, you read the letters you’ve both carefully written for each other, you shed tears, laugh some laughs, exchange rings and kiss- boom, married status. You then get to wander around taking intimate phenomenal photographs, capturing your love story and connection to share with your loved ones. The day comes to an end and we head back to the airbnb- eat your first meal together as newly weds and wrap up the night with just the two of you- happy, stress free and content.
This is just a simple idea of what your dream elopement has the potential to become. Elopements are EXTREMELY popular right now because along with many things, COVID-19 really messed with the wedding industry. With travel costs inflating, COVID being so transmittable and scary; the thought of a huge wedding sounds daunting at this point. Even before COVID elopements were creeping their way into the wedding world. The idea of spending all of the money and even saving money on a day based around the two of you having a intimate adventure has become more and more popular; and personally I am ALL about it. Plus if you are a family person; you can still plan a reception after eloping where you celebrate with your friends and family!
So many photographers are pushing Elopements, and it’s for good reasons! Eloping is intimate and focused on the two of you tying the knot. In my years of photographing weddings big-small, I have encountered my couples being overly stressed, family drama, someone getting injured, my couples feeling drained energetically and socially… elopements are a great alternative so you can avoid those possible and common outcomes.
Elopement Timeline Examples;
Here are a couple timeline examples you can take a look at to get an idea of what a full elopement experience can entail! REMEMBER; every couple is different and every elopement is unique! Some factors may take place causing the timeline to be more spread apart (example; hiking time, longer car ride to location etc)
I love assisting with the planning process when it comes to elopements- it is so fun getting to help my couples curate their dream elopement!
SUNRISE ELOPEMENT EXAMPLE (sunrise @ 6:25 am) Airbnb approx. 45 minute drive from ceremony location.
3:30 am- Couple wakes up, begins the getting ready process. Photographer arrives and slowly starts to document the couple getting ready.
5:00 am- Couple is ready to go, and everyone is off to the ceremony location!
6:00 am- Arrive to ceremony location; meet up with officiant and begin ceremony at 6:30 am
7:00 am- Ceremony comes to a beautiful end, and the photographer begins to direct couple for different shots with the beautiful morning light. Couple and photographer adventure around the location for beautiful spots, capturing every detail and emotion, sharing laughs and tears.
9:00 am- Couple and photographer head back to Airbnb for lunch (which can be photographed and set up as the first meal as newly weds! Don’t forget the cake!)
12:00 pm- Couple changes into something more casual and comfortable, and begins a intimate couples boudoir session in Airbnb (Totally optional, but if this is something that would peak your interest PLEASE consider adding a couples boudoir session to your elopement experience!)
2:00 pm- The photographer wraps up, thanks the couple, and hits the road!
The rest of your day is up to you two!
SUNSET ELOPEMENT TIMELINE EXAMPLE (sunset @ 7:45 PM) Airbnb approx. 45 minute drive from ceremony location.
2:00 pm- Photographer meets you at your airbnb and begins getting ready photos/detail photos and candids
4:00 pm- First look, leave to location!
5:00 pm- Arrive at location, meet with officiant and begin ceremony at 5:30 pm
6:00 pm- Wrap up ceremony and begin exploring location and shooting until sunset.
8:30 pm- Leave location and head to AirBnb or desired restaurant for first meal/cake!
10:00 pm- Photographer wraps up and hits the road!
(if you and your partner wanted a couples boudoir session with your all day experience for sunset, we can easily fit that in before heading to the location after getting ready has taken place!)
Cost; Wedding vs Elopement
Below I have a chart from a favorite photographer of mines blog post (https://www.henry-tieu.com/beautiful-places-to-elope/how-much-does-it-cost-to-elope) to give you an idea of what you will be paying for when planning an elopement vs traditional wedding. I thought this was a great way to open your mind to the cost factors between the two! Every elopement is different, some people may want some things and some may not need them! These are also things to remember when planning and budgeting your special day.
Average Cost of A Wedding: $33,900
What you’re paying for:
Photographer ~$2000-$6,000
Wedding dress / attire ~$3,000
Venue ~ $7,000
DJ / Band ~$1,200
Officiant ~$500
Flowers ~$2,000
Hair and Make Up ~$400
Caterers / Food for Guests ~$10,000
Cake ~$500
Event Planner ~ $2,500
Travel and Accommodation ~$800
Average Cost of An Elopement $15,350
What you’re paying for:
Photographer ~$2000-$6,000+
Wedding dress / attire ~$3,000
Not really a venue, just a wedding permit ~$150
Officiant ~$500
Flowers ~$500
Hair and Make Up ~$400
Caterers / Food for Guests (if you decide to have some) ~$500
Cake ~$300
Event Planner (some elopements with guests might need an elopement planner) ~$2,000
Travel and Accommodation ~$2000
An epic adventure & long lasting memories for you and your partner ~$Priceless
A personalized and authentic experience crafted for you ~$Priceless
(this chart is fully credited to- https://www.henry-tieu.com/beautiful-places-to-elope/how-much-does-it-cost-to-elope)
Elopement location ideas;
As you may already know- I live on the BEAUTIFUL/STUNNING/JAW-DROPPING Big Island of Hawai’i. I have a handful of favorite locations available for eloping whether you want a romantic beach elopement, a gorgeous cliffside elopement or a magnificent valley elopement; I have the location for you. Permits are a big thing on the island, and you will need a Wedding permit as well as marriage license in order to legally elope on island. Hawaii permit information here. I would love to help you plan your dream Hawai’i elopement! I am also available for island hopping if you would like to explore Maui, Kauai or Oahu!
Other beautiful Elopement locations to consider (and yes, I will gladly hop on a flight anywhere you want to adventure to!) Each state/country has their own laws on getting eloped and what permits/licensing you will need. National/State parks also require permits to photograph as well.
Yosemite National Park
PNW (I grew up in Washington state and I am very familiar with the PNW, I know a handful of amazing locations from Washington- Oregon- California!)
Zion National Park / Bryce Canyon
Joshua Tree (for all of you desert lovers!)
Glacier National Park
Alaska!!! (PLEASE)
Iceland (dream location)
Ireland
Greece
Mexico
You deserve the elopement of your dreams!
I want to help your dream elopement experience COME TO LIFE. I want do everything I can to help you plan and set up your beautiful picture-perfect emotion packed intimate day- lets do this thing! Contact me for a free consultation and lets cruise baby!!!