The wedding landscape is rapidly changing because of COVID-19, and many couples are trading in their big party for something on the smaller side. Even if you’ve had to switch up your plans your original wedding date can still be completely yours, and the most fun you’ve ever had (and we can still party with everyone later) by considering a full-day elopement on your original wedding day.
elopements are for everyone.
Don’t let the instagram scene fool you: an elopement is not just for couples who want to get married overlooking a mountain range, or have Elvis marry them in Vegas (still freaking cool though, so let’s do it). An elopement is for anyone who wants to have their wedding their way. Elopements are flexible, fun, and an opportunity to create your own experiences on your wedding day that are totally unique and true to you as a couple. Sure, we can take a short hike (or a long one), but we can also head to the boardwalk for some cotton candy or to ride a roller coaster, head to the top of the empire state building, get some wedding day tattoos (temporary, or not!), or hire a private chef to make you your favorite dinner at home – the day is yours and the options are endless!
elopements come in all shapes and sizes.
Elopements are typically categorized as an intimate wedding with about 30 people or less, but this can vary depending on who you ask. In New York and New Jersey you will need, at minimum, an officiant and a witness (I can witness for you!). If you decide to elope in Pennsylvania, Washington DC, or Colorado, you can legally marry yourself. You can get married on the day of your elopement, or we can get you (virtually) married at City Hall prior and just share private vows on your elopement day. Bring you family, friends, or just your dogs. Bring just the two of you to your vows, and meet everyone else for dinner later – it’s totally up to you!
little weddings deserve full day photography coverage, too.
Did you know a city hall wedding ceremony only lasts approximately 90 seconds, and then you only have about another 3-5 minutes in the room before you’re shuffled out the door? What about the rest of your day? Your wedding day, big or small, is full of moments and memories, and they should be captured. We can still do getting ready photos, and you deserve to have an emotional first look. And no worries – we can still get those formal photos with family + friends, if that’s your vibe.
so, what does a full-day elopement look like?
Let me give you a little peek into what a full day elopement might look like – because of the current landscape of weddings (this was written at the time of COVID), I’ll base this off of a New Jersey wedding, where photography and outdoor events up to 25 people are currently permitted. Of course, this is just one of countless scenarios you can have on your wedding day to express that your elopement day is a time to do whatever the heck you want.
12:00 – Getting ready: Time for that glam team to shine, get in your wedding outfits and feel the butterflies.
2:00 – We can head to the Hoboken train station for your first look in some beautiful light and a cool, historic space, filled with cobblestone and beautiful light. If it’s your jam, we can meet up with your family + friends for some portraits. We can always do this later, or not at all – your day, your rules!
3:00 – head on down to asbury for some boardwalk and beach fun!
-travel time: approx. 1hr
4:00 – PIT STOP, because there’s an alpaca farm just south of Asbury, and who doesn’t want to pet an alpaca on their wedding day???
5:30 – Time to do you. This is a period that we can fill with whatever the two of you feel like doing, whether that’s grabbing a flight and a bite at one of the many Asbury breweries, walking the boardwalk and play some pinball at the Silverball Museum, or going out on a boat and doing some parasailing. Fill this time with things that you love to do as a couple, and I’ll be there to document the memories.
7:00 – It’s time for your vow exchange, complete with a beachy sunset as your backdrop.
7:30 – To wrap up your elopement day, we’ll do some romantic portraits of the two of you on the beach. Bonfire and s’mores anyone?
learn more about the elopement experience + elopement photography with me here!
Hey, PS! For a limited time, I am offering 50% off any 6+ hour elopement package to current clients who have had to reschedule due to Covid, and 25% off to new clients when you book your 2020 elopement before June 12*
*Please note that photography is subject to state restrictions until further notice.
