Elopments Aren't what they used to be
When you hear the word “elopement,” you might picture two people secretly running off to get married without telling anyone. And while that can still be an elopement, today they can look completely different.
For some couples, eloping simply means choosing a smaller, more intimate wedding day. Maybe it’s just the two of you, or maybe you bring along a few of the people closest to you. You might get married at a courthouse, in your backyard, somewhere along the water—or even on a boat.
That’s one of my favorite things about elopements: there really isn’t a rulebook. You get to focus less on what a wedding is “supposed” to look like and more on creating a day that actually feels like the two of you.
So… What Actually Counts as an Elopement?
One of the best parts about an elopement is that there really isn’t one way to do it. Some couples choose a day with just the two of them, while others include their closest family members or a small group of friends.
Your ceremony can happen almost anywhere that feels special to you. Maybe that’s a courthouse followed by portraits around town, a quiet spot along the water, a family property, a favorite park, or somewhere completely unexpected. It can be simple and laid-back or include some of the traditional wedding details you’ve always wanted.
An elopement also doesn’t mean you have to give up the things that make a wedding feel special. You can still exchange vows, carry flowers, wear the dress, have a first look, cut a cake, pop some champagne—or skip every single one of those things.
The point isn’t how many people are there or how closely you follow tradition. It’s creating a wedding day that feels meaningful to the two of you.
Why Couples Choose to Elope
There are so many reasons a couple might choose to elope, and every couple’s reason is going to be a little different.
For some, it’s about keeping the day small and intimate. For others, it might mean less pressure, more flexibility, or simply having the freedom to spend their wedding day exactly how they want to. A smaller celebration can also give you more options when it comes to your location, timeline, and which wedding traditions you actually want to include.
Eloping can also give you the chance to slow things down. Instead of feeling like you have to move from one part of the day to the next, you can focus on getting married, spending time together, and actually enjoying the experience.
And sometimes, you just don’t want a big wedding—and that’s perfectly okay. Your wedding day doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be meaningful. Whether you choose a traditional wedding, an intimate ceremony, or something completely your own, the most important thing is that it feels right for the two of you.
Make the Day Completely Yours
One of the best things about choosing an elopement or intimate wedding is having the freedom to make the day completely your own. There doesn’t have to be a traditional timeline, a long list of events, or anything included simply because you feel like you’re “supposed” to do it.
My brother and his wife are a perfect example. They chose to get married on a charter boat surrounded by the water, with a lighthouse in the background and only a few people there with them. It was simple, relaxed, and completely them.
And after they officially tied the knot? We dropped some lines and went fishing. Because apparently getting married wasn’t enough of a catch for one day. 🎣
That’s what I love about intimate weddings. Your wedding day can include the things you genuinely enjoy together. Maybe that means going fishing, taking a hike, having dinner at your favorite restaurant, popping champagne on the beach, or simply spending the rest of the day together. There’s no checklist you have to follow.
Your wedding should feel like your wedding—and sometimes the moments that break tradition are the ones you’ll remember the most.
You Still Deserve Wedding Photos
Just because your wedding day is smaller doesn’t mean the memories are any less important.
Even the simplest elopement is filled with moments worth remembering—the nerves before the ceremony, exchanging vows, the first few minutes of officially being married, the little details you chose, the laughter, and all of those in-between moments that happen when you aren’t thinking about the camera.
You also don’t need a full day of photography coverage to have your story documented. Depending on what you have planned, an hour or a few hours may be all you need to capture the ceremony, some beautiful portraits together, and the moments that make your day yours.
My goal is never to make an intimate wedding feel like a big production just for the sake of photos. I want you to be able to enjoy your day while I document it as it naturally happens—with a little guidance when you need it and plenty of room for the genuine moments in between.
A smaller wedding doesn’t make the memories any smaller. 🤍
A Photographer's Perspective
There’s something really special about photographing an intimate wedding. With a smaller celebration, there’s often more room to slow down, enjoy what’s happening, and focus on the moments that matter most.
As a photographer, I love being able to document those moments without making the day feel like one long photo session. My approach is calm and natural—I’ll step in and give you direction when you need it, but I also want you to forget about the camera sometimes and simply enjoy being newly married.
Some of my favorite photographs are rarely the perfectly posed ones. They’re the laughs between photos, the little looks at each other, and the moments you didn’t even realize I was capturing. Those are the images that help tell the real story of your day.
Planning Your Own Elopement
If an elopement sounds like it might be right for you, there are still a few things worth thinking about before the big day—even if your plans are simple.
Start with a location that feels like you. That could be somewhere along the water, a favorite park, a family property, a courthouse, or somewhere that holds a special meaning to the two of you. Just remember to check whether your location requires a permit or has any rules for ceremonies and professional photography.
The time of day can also make a big difference, especially when it comes to your photos. If your timeline is flexible, talk with your photographer before setting your ceremony time. Lighting, the location, and even the time of year can all help determine when your photos will look their best.
Think about who you truly want there, too. An elopement can be just the two of you, or you can include a small group of family and friends. There’s no magic number—you get to decide what feels right.
And if you're planning something outdoors, have a backup plan for the weather. It doesn't necessarily need to be elaborate, but knowing what you'll do if Mother Nature decides not to cooperate can save you a lot of stress.
Finally, think beyond the ceremony. What would make the rest of your wedding day feel like you? Go out to dinner, take a walk somewhere beautiful, pop a bottle of champagne, go fishing, head home and order pizza—whatever makes you happy. You just got married. Celebrate it your way.
Your elopement doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. A little planning ahead gives you more freedom to relax, enjoy the day, and focus on what you’re really there for: getting married. 🤍
Your Wedding, Your Way
At the end of the day, there is no one right way to get married.
Maybe your perfect wedding day includes a beautiful venue filled with everyone you love. Maybe it’s a quiet ceremony with just a handful of people. Or maybe it’s the two of you on a boat, saying “I do” and going fishing afterward.
Whatever you choose, your wedding should feel like the two of you. It should be filled with the people, places, and little moments that matter most—not things you feel like you have to include simply because that’s what a wedding is “supposed” to look like.
And no matter how big or small your day may be, those memories deserve to be documented.
Heather Marie Natural Photography offers intimate wedding and elopement photography starting at **$375**. If you’re planning something small, a little nontraditional, or completely your own, I’d love to hear what you have in mind. 🤍