ELOPEMENT
WELCOME GUIDE
Welcome to your Elopement guide!
I’m so excited to be part of your journey as either your photographer or videographer. Elopements are all about capturing the raw, unscripted emotions and intimate moments that make your day uniquely yours. This guide is designed to help you feel confident and prepared, from creating a timeline that flows effortlessly to ensuring every detail is documented beautifully. Whether it’s the quiet exchange of vows, the laughter with your closest friends, or the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you, I’m here to make sure your story is told authentically through either photos or film. Let’s create something unforgettable together!
The Process
Booking
We hope to have the opportunity to speak or meet in person before finalizing your booking. However, if that isn't possible, we're happy to schedule a time to connect, get to know each other better, and discuss your overall vision for your Elopement day. In the meantime, we will send over a questionnaire for you to complete at your convenience—please feel free to answer only the questions you're able to at this stage, as we understand that not all details may be finalized yet. Additionally, we will include the retainer to officially secure your date. If you have any questions at any point, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
1 Month Out
At this time, we will reach out to you regarding the questionnaire to ask completion of any unanswered questions and provide an opportunity to revise your responses, if necessary we will contact you to review the details. Additionally, we will send you the invoice for the final payment.
Week of
I will review the questionnaire one final time and check with you regarding any last-minute changes. If we haven't received the Elopement day schedule yet, I will also ask for that. Once everything is confirmed, our team will create the final plan to ensure we capture your special day perfectly. Additionally, if you have any final questions for us, please feel free to ask before then.
Day Of
The day has come! Throughout the time you hired us we will be right there with you, keeping track of your schedule throughout the day and capturing all the amazing moments as they unfold. Every laugh, every tear, every special detail — nothing will be missed. I'm here to tell the story of your day, so you can focus on being present and enjoying every second. It’s going to be an unforgettable celebration, and I can’t wait to be a part of it!
Previews
After your big day, we typically provide 15-20 edited photo previews that capture key moments from the wedding. For videography, we aim to send out a highlight reel as quickly as possible, so you’ll have content ready to share with friends and family. We welcome your feedback on the editing style—whether you're happy with the current edits or would like any adjustments to the color, lighting, or other elements. Your input helps us ensure your final gallery reflects your vision throughout.
Final Gallery
We will have the final gallery ready for you in approximately 90 days. At that time, you will receive access to an online gallery where you can view and download high-resolution photographs or your videos.
Here are some timeline examples to help plan your elopement! As your photographer or videographer, I’ll capture every special moment, from your vows to the celebrations. Most elopement coverage lasts about 4 hours, but these examples can be tailored to fit your vision. Message us if you’d like extra help planning your day—we’re here to make it perfect!
Most elopement coverage typically lasts 4 hours or less, so I’ve included a few 4-hour timeline examples below. If you need a timeline for a shorter coverage, feel free to email or text me, and we’ll create a custom plan that fits your day perfectly!
Building The Ideal Timeline
Elopement Portraits before Ceremony
4- Hour Coverage
1pm: We Arrive
1pm-1:45pm: Detail, Getting Ready
2pm: First Look
2:15pm: Family Portraits
2:45pm: Prepare for Ceremony
3pm: Ceremony
3:30pm-5pm: Reception/Cake/Speeches
***Travel time to any locations for bridal portraits is not included.
Elopement Portraits after Ceremony
4- Hour Coverage
1pm: We Arrive
1pm-2pm: Hair Makeup done, get into dress
2:30pm: Ceremony
3pm: Family Portraits
3:15pm-3:20pm: Bridal Portraits
3:45pm-5pm: Reception/ Hang out
***Travel time to any locations for bridal portraits is not included.
Let’s Dive Into Portraits
THE FIRST LOOK
If you haven’t heard of a ‘first look’ before, it’s a special moment where I help coordinate the setup, ensuring your fiancé doesn’t see you until the perfect moment. Once they turn around and take in the sight of you all dressed up, I capture their raw and beautiful reaction.
For elopements, I often recommend doing a first look before the ceremony. This gives you both an intimate moment together, so afterward, you can fully enjoy celebrating with your closest family and friends.
If you prefer to have your first look as you walk down the aisle, that’s absolutely possible! Just keep in mind that all bridal and family portraits will need to be done after the ceremony.
Be mindful of the sunset time! For example, if your ceremony is at 5 PM and the sun sets at 6 PM (which happens in late fall or winter), I highly recommend a first look. Running out of natural light before finishing your portraits can be a big challenge, as we’d have to move indoors and rely on flash or lights—something that often doesn’t create the most visually appealing results.
COUPLE PORTRAITS
If you're planning a first look, I count that as part of your couple's footage since right after, I like to capture a few shots while you’re still riding the high of the moment. It’s always a great time. I usually set aside about 10-15 minutes for this, then another 20 minutes for Golden Hour. That’s when I pull you both away from the reception for a quick breather, let you soak it all in, and chase that epic PNW light. The results? Bold, cinematic portraits with that perfect golden-hour glow.
For your elopement, we can start with first look photos or video, get some solid bridal portraits, and if we’re still shooting as the sun sets, we can break away for a few more golden hour shots to lock in that moody, dramatic lighting.
Side Note: When we’re your videographers, the photographers typically take the lead on this.
DETAILS
When considering which details you’d like photographed or filmed, I highly recommend gathering all your wedding accessories in a bag or designated storage box. This way, they’re ready for me as soon as I arrive to start capturing photos or video of your special moments.
If you’d like detailed shots or video clips of your wedding rings, grandma’s vintage brooch, veil, shoes, or any other sentimental items, please have them set aside and ready to go.
One of my favorite things to do is style your accessories creatively. I arrange your wedding jewelry, shoes, bouquet, dress, and more to create beautifully curated images or video footage that reflect your wedding style.
Also, if you’d like your wedding stationery included, be sure to have it on hand so I can photograph or film it as part of your wedding story!
Family Portraits
Here’s a suggested list of family photo combinations to consider for your portraits. I typically recommend limiting the number of small combinations to 10 or fewer. However, since every family is unique and may require different groupings, just provide me with a list of the important ones, and I'll ensure we capture them. Plan for about 2 minutes per combination—so if you want to keep this part of the day to 20 minutes, aim for a maximum of 10 groupings.
Before the wedding, it's a good idea to ask family members about the portraits that matter most to them. Also, if there are any unique family dynamics we should be aware of, please inform me in the questionnaire as it is one of the questions. This helps ensure a smooth and stress-free portrait session. On the right is a list of the most common combinations.
Side Note: When we’re your videographers, the photographers typically take the lead on this.
Bride’s family
- Couple with parents
- Couple with parents & siblings
- Couple with parents, siblings + grandparents
- Couple with mother
- Couple with father
- Couple with siblings
- Couple with grandparents
- Bride with mother
- Bride with father
- Bride with siblings
- Bride with grandparents
Groom’s family
- Couple with parents
- Couple with parents & siblings
- Couple with parents, siblings + grandparents
- Couple with mother
- Couple with father
- Couple with siblings
- Couple with grandparents
- Groom with mother
- Groom with father
- Groom with siblings
- Groom with grandparents
Both Families Together
- Couple with all parents
- Couple with all immediate families
Begin by choosing your preferred backdrop: would you like a natural setting with trees and water, or an urban landscape featuring buildings and streets? Consider what’s most practical based on your wedding's location. If there’s travel involved between the ceremony and reception, think about nearby attractions you might enjoy along the way to minimize travel time.
If your ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, we can take full advantage of the surroundings. Share what you love about that specific location, whether it’s the scenic beauty or the architectural details, and we can build from there.
If your chosen location is far from the reception site, you might want to consider scheduling your portraits before the ceremony. This way, you can head straight to cocktail hour with your guests once the ceremony concludes.
CHOOSING LOCATIONS
Choosing the Perfect Getting Ready Location
If you're planning to get ready somewhere other than your home or wedding venue, we highly recommend opting for an Airbnb or VRBO rental instead of a hotel room.
Hotel rooms are often smaller, darker, and less accommodating, while renting an entire home provides a more spacious, relaxed atmosphere. With more room to spread out and multiple areas to choose from for photos, a private home offers plenty of character and charm, unlike the generic feel of most hotel rooms.
The natural light in a home is also a game-changer—it allows me to capture stunning, high-quality images that are beautifully lit and full of personality. Light and atmosphere are key to creating memorable photographs, and a thoughtfully chosen space can make all the difference!
GOLDEN HOUR
The quality of light is the key factor in creating stunning footage. My absolute favorite time to shoot is during the last hour before sunset, often referred to as “the golden hour.” During this time, the light is warm and soft, making everything look incredible. I would take just 15 minutes of this beautiful golden light over an hour in the harsh brightness of midday. However, if we find ourselves in that situation, I'll do my best to keep you out of the sun.
Conversely, on cloudy days, lighting is usually the best. Clouds function like large softboxes, diffusing sunlight and minimizing harsh shadows, resulting in everyone looking fantastic.
IF IT RAINS
Don’t forget to bring umbrellas and weather-appropriate footwear! If possible we will also bring a photogenic umbrella for you to use. We’re still going to capture some amazing shots, so there’s no need to worry. In fact, rainy conditions often lead to some of the most cherished photos!
ADDITIONAL TIPS & IDEAS
Kindly request that anyone reading or speaking, including the officiant, use printed paper, glass or any physical vows instead of a phone or iPad. The glow from a screen can cast an unflattering light, and there's something far more romantic about holding your vows on paper rather than glancing at a phone while declaring your love.
Consider making your ceremony phone-free. This way, you’ll have beautiful photos and videos capturing the genuine, joyful expressions of your family and friends, fully present and engaged in the moment—without the distraction of glowing screens.
Preserving Your Memories in Print
There’s something truly magical about holding a photograph in your hands. It creates a tangible connection to a moment in time, a place, and a feeling—something a digital screen can never fully replicate.
While digital files are convenient and undeniably valuable, printed photos and custom albums transform your memories into timeless heirlooms. These tangible keepsakes become treasures you’ll pass down for generations, offering a lasting connection to your wedding day that you and your loved ones will cherish forever.
Your photographs will be delivered through an online gallery, where you’ll also find a selection of beautifully curated products designed to preserve and celebrate your memories.
Custom-Designed Fine Art Albums
Showcase the story of your wedding day with a stunning fine art album. These custom-designed books, available in 10x10” or 9x12” sizes, feature approximately 150 carefully selected images spread across 50 elegant pages. Crafted with unmatched quality, each album is printed on thick, archival matte paper and bound in your choice of premium materials.
Your photos will also be delivered in an online gallery, where you’ll find a selection of beautifully curated products to complement your album.
Photographic Prints
Alongside our fine art albums, we provide a wide selection of photographic prints and framed prints. These beautiful additions complement your wedding package perfectly and make thoughtful gifts for parents and loved ones.
Once again, I can't even begin to tell you how EXCITED I am for your elopement day!
I just want to take a moment to say a huge thank you for trusting me to be your wedding photographer or videographer! I’m seriously pumped for you both and can’t wait to get to know you better as we dive into this season of engagement together.
There’s a lot that goes into planning a wedding, and my goal is to make the photo or video side of things as smooth and stress-free as possible. Hopefully, this guide helps bring your vision to life.
If you ever have any questions—whether about photography, videography or elopement planning—don’t hesitate to reach out. Call, text, or message me anytime—I’ve got your back!