From real elopement stories to expert planning tips, youâll find everything here to help you create a celebration that feels like you.
resourceS
& elopement inspiration
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There’s this moment that happens more often than you might think: when someone realizes the wedding they’ve been planning doesn’t actually feel like them anymore. Maybe it’s the person who’s been dreaming of a big celebration for years suddenly feeling exhausted by the thought of managing 150 guests. Maybe it’s the couple planning their wedding […]
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Youâre curious about eloping, but your brain is probably spinning with questions: Are you even allowed to bring guests?Will it still feel like a wedding?What do we actually DO all day? Elopements are personalized, intentional wedding experiences that prioritize presence, emotional connection, and flexibilityâwhether itâs just the two of you or a few loved ones. […]
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Think about your love story for a second. That first spark of connection didn’t instantly become your forever story – it developed through morning coffees, late-night conversations about your dreams, spontaneous adventures, and countless tiny moments in between. Your relationship has unfolded naturally, each chapter adding new depth to your story. So here’s a thought: […]
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This was a moment I’ll never forget: a groom sitting at an Airbnb kitchen table in the quiet morning light, pen moving steadily across the page as he spent a few minutes journaling about what the morning of his wedding day was like. While his bride got ready in another room, he took a few […]
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So, you’ve heard about eloping. People are talking about this cool new trend where you get to get married however you want in a freeing, blank-slate way. But how do you know if that’s the route you should pursue? Today I’m going to be outlining how to decide if an elopement is right for you! […]
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All too often, I see couples blindly swallow all of the cookie-cutter wedding pills, which ends up leaving their day looking and feeling a whole lot like everyone else’s. It’s my personal mission to help you design a wedding day that is as meaningful to you as possible, and sometimes that means bucking tradition and […]
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There’s this moment that happens with many couples when they announce they’re eloping: the raised eyebrows, the slight pause, and then the question that often follows â “Isn’t that a bit… selfish?” I’m going to tell you something that might surprise you: yes, elopements are selfish. And that’s completely okay. Reframing “Selfish” in Wedding Planning […]
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Often when people think of elopements, they think of a couple running off to the courthouse to quickly get married, and often doing it in secrecy out of shame. Or at least, that’s a definition you’ll find in the dictionary. But in recent years, elopements have taken on a new life, and I’m really excited […]
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If youâre dreaming of saying your vows among Californiaâs redwoods, youâre in good company: Iâve guided dozens of couples through planning their redwood forest elopement (in addition to getting married under them myself). Here’s everything you need to know about planning a redwoods elopement in Californiaâfrom permits and trail tips to outfits and forest etiquette. […]
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Let’s be real: California is stacked with epic elopement locations. Misty redwood groves, ocean cliffs, desert monoliths, alpine lakes… so it’s no wonder that so many couples tell me, “We know how we want it to feelâbut how do we actually choose where?” Maybe you know youâre craving the hush of the forest, the drama […]
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Kayla and Kent’s Northern California elopement was nothing short of magical, and I’m thrilled to be sharing it on the blog! These two were clear from the beginning about what mattered most to them: being present with each other, surrounded by nature, and creating a day that felt authentic to who they are. When they […]
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There’s a moment during every Sonoma destination elopement I photograph when couples realize they’ve made the perfect choiceâit might be while standing beneath towering redwoods, overlooking the Pacific coastline, or as golden light filters through vineyard rows at sunset. No matter where their celebration happens, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this corner of the world creates […]
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One of the greatest things about choosing to elope is that you can do it anywhere. Whether it’s just you two or you’re bringing along a handful of guests, short-term rentals are a great option as the setting for your wedding celebration. This goes for both a destination event and somewhere local! If youâre thinking […]
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It’s no secret that I’m madly in love with the redwoods. They’re one of my favorite places to spend time, and not only do I photograph many couples in that setting, but I got married under them! If you’re thinking about doing the same, here are my four favorite redwood elopement locations in Sonoma County […]
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Nestled in the heart of California’s wine country, Sonoma County is home to a number of state parks that offer a captivating backdrop for couples dreaming of an intimate elopement in northern California. Think Sonoma County is just about wine and vineyards? You’ll see otherwise in this post! All six of these state parks showcase […]
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Planning Your 2026 Elopement in Hendy Woods State Park Hendy Woods State Park is a stunning hidden gem in the hills of Northern California. This state park boasts 100 acres of old-growth redwood forest. Some of the trees are up to 300 feet tall, and a whopping 1,000 years old. If you’re wondering how to […]
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What a day Victoria and Ary had!! These two live in SoCal and really wanted a coastal setting for their summer elopement; they scoured home rentals up and down the coast, and found the perfect one above Dillon in Tomales. They brought along their immediate family members to spend their elopement with, and relax there […]
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Jillian and Shay booked me for their 2020 wedding waayy back in the Before of 2019, and had an intimate wedding planned in the Sacramento area. But then…. pan-you-know-what happened. They decided to postpone their wedding a full year to May 2021, but toward the end of 2020 they reached out and said they’d decided […]
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Wow, what a day this was! Kseniya and Nathan booked me super last minute for their Sonoma coast elopement (they actually snagged my personal record by two days — I received their inquiry 19 days in advance) and I was so excited to be able to work with them and help plan their dream wedding […]
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Nida + Mueen got in touch with me this fall about a last minute anniversary session to celebrate one year of marriage and I was so pumped to work with them! It’s common for my couples to ask my suggestions on locations, or even for me to pick them entirely, but Nida specifically wanted to […]
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One of the greatest things about choosing to elope is that you can do it anywhere. And often, it’s just the two of you which means it’s WAY easier to find a place to stay if you’re heading to a destination location (or just want to stay somewhere new for the occasion, even if it’s […]
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If you’ve ever second-guessed why someone would ask you, “How many hours of coverage do you need?” and internally cringed without really understanding why… If cramming everything meaningful into a rushed 6-hour window feels fundamentally wrong because you don’t want to put the pressure of a timer on how you experience your wedding… If you […]
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You’ve found the perfect elopement outfit (or maybe you’re still choosing? If so, this post on what to wear for your elopement might be helpful)ânow comes the part no one warns you about: getting it to your destination in one piece. Whether you’re flying across the country or road-tripping to your favorite national park, your […]
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The best elopement vows aren’t fancyâthey’re honest. Grounded in who you actually are, what you genuinely love about each other, and what this moment means to you. Not what Pinterest says you should feel. So if your stomach turns at the idea of saying something like âYou complete me,â or you feel like youâre going […]
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So you’ve decided to elope in the wildâthink redwoods, mountain trails, ocean cliffs. You’re skipping the ballroom for something intimate. And now you’re staring at your closet (or a digital storefront) thinking: what the heck do I wear when there’s no dress code? Youâve probably been endlessly scrolling for elopement outfit inspiration, but still feel […]
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Let’s be real: California is stacked with epic elopement locations. Misty redwood groves, ocean cliffs, desert monoliths, alpine lakes… so it’s no wonder that so many couples tell me, “We know how we want it to feelâbut how do we actually choose where?” Maybe you know youâre craving the hush of the forest, the drama […]
Read the Post
Think about the last truly amazing travel experience you had. I’m willing to bet it wasn’t the day you raced between five “must-see” attractions, barely catching your breath before checking the next item off your list. It was probably the afternoon you stumbled upon that hidden beach, or the morning you lingered over coffee at […]
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Itâs customary to toast champagne on a wedding day, but at one elopement I photographed, the coupleâs guests got a pleasant surprise after the ceremony: from the backpack the couple had toted along, they pulled not only a bottle of champagne but also colorful travel wine glasses for each guest to drink from. It was […]
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Are you dreaming of exchanging your vows surrounded by nature’s breathtaking beauty? I get it – outdoor elopements have been gaining popularity among adventurous couples like you who seek an intimate and personalized wedding experience. In this ultimate guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan a stunning outdoor elopement that […]
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As a wedding photographer, I thought I knew it all going into my wedding. After all, I’d been in the business for a couple years and worked with dozens of couples to help plan their dream days, and then capture it. But even still: there were things that surprised me about our wedding. Here are […]
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If you have a wedding coming up that you’re in the wedding party for, chances are you’re going to get tapped on the shoulder to give a speech or toast during the reception. Or, maybe you won’t be asked specifically, but you know it’s traditional for your role to give a toast (maid of honor/best […]
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Hey friend! I’m super excited to share that today’s post is brought to you by one of my wedding vendor friends, Marie Krick of Laurel & Vine! She’s a florist who makes STUNNING arrangements, and today she’s sharing her best kept secrets on how to care for your wedding flowers! A floristâs job is to […]
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If youâre dreaming of saying your vows among Californiaâs redwoods, youâre in good company: Iâve guided dozens of couples through planning their redwood forest elopement (in addition to getting married under them myself). Here’s everything you need to know about planning a redwoods elopement in Californiaâfrom permits and trail tips to outfits and forest etiquette. […]
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There’s this moment that happens with almost every couple who elopes in the redwoods: they’re walking along the path, caught up in the excitement of their wedding day, when suddenly they stop, look up, and fall quiet. The ancient redwoods have this way of commanding presence; of gently pulling you out of your head and […]
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It’s no secret that I’m madly in love with the redwoods. They’re one of my favorite places to spend time, and not only do I photograph many couples in that setting, but I got married under them! If you’re thinking about doing the same, here are my four favorite redwood elopement locations in Sonoma County […]
Read the Post
Planning Your 2026 Elopement in Hendy Woods State Park Hendy Woods State Park is a stunning hidden gem in the hills of Northern California. This state park boasts 100 acres of old-growth redwood forest. Some of the trees are up to 300 feet tall, and a whopping 1,000 years old. If you’re wondering how to […]
Read the Post
Khali and Andrew had such an incredible elopement day, and I’m so stoked to be sharing about it on the blog! These two booked me a couple months before their elopement; I was their dream photographer and they actually chose their wedding date around my availability. This is the absolute highest praise I can imagine, […]
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I kicked June off with an engagement session for Stephanie and Andy in one of my fave places — the redwoods! This is only the 2804532 time I’ve shot among them (kidding, closer to 7 — by far the most frequent setting requested) and somehow it never gets old. If you want to check out […]
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This Guerneville engagement session with Emily and Ava was so much fun! They had been to Guerneville once before and they consider it a formative trip in their relationship — so when they planned a special long weekend trip for the summer, they knew they’d do it here. I was so thrilled when they reached […]
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Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live.For any issues click here If you liked this post, check out another session I did in a redwood forest here!
Read the Post
Think about the last truly amazing travel experience you had. I’m willing to bet it wasn’t the day you raced between five “must-see” attractions, barely catching your breath before checking the next item off your list. It was probably the afternoon you stumbled upon that hidden beach, or the morning you lingered over coffee at […]
Ideas and invitations to slow down, be present, and thoughtfully design a wedding experience to fully soak up.
The Art of Slow Elopements
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Think about your love story for a second. That first spark of connection didn’t instantly become your forever story – it developed through morning coffees, late-night conversations about your dreams, spontaneous adventures, and countless tiny moments in between. Your relationship has unfolded naturally, each chapter adding new depth to your story. So here’s a thought: […]
Read the Post
Kayla and Kent’s Northern California elopement was nothing short of magical, and I’m thrilled to be sharing it on the blog! These two were clear from the beginning about what mattered most to them: being present with each other, surrounded by nature, and creating a day that felt authentic to who they are. When they […]
Read the Post
There’s a moment during every Sonoma destination elopement I photograph when couples realize they’ve made the perfect choiceâit might be while standing beneath towering redwoods, overlooking the Pacific coastline, or as golden light filters through vineyard rows at sunset. No matter where their celebration happens, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this corner of the world creates […]
Read the Post
One of the greatest things about choosing to elope is that you can do it anywhere. Whether it’s just you two or you’re bringing along a handful of guests, short-term rentals are a great option as the setting for your wedding celebration. This goes for both a destination event and somewhere local! If youâre thinking […]
Read the Post
It’s no secret that I’m madly in love with the redwoods. They’re one of my favorite places to spend time, and not only do I photograph many couples in that setting, but I got married under them! If you’re thinking about doing the same, here are my four favorite redwood elopement locations in Sonoma County […]
Read the Post
Nestled in the heart of California’s wine country, Sonoma County is home to a number of state parks that offer a captivating backdrop for couples dreaming of an intimate elopement in northern California. Think Sonoma County is just about wine and vineyards? You’ll see otherwise in this post! All six of these state parks showcase […]
Read the Post
Khali and Andrew had such an incredible elopement day, and I’m so stoked to be sharing about it on the blog! These two booked me a couple months before their elopement; I was their dream photographer and they actually chose their wedding date around my availability. This is the absolute highest praise I can imagine, […]
Read the Post
I am absolutely obsessed with this Jack London engagement session. Honestly, I could just end there… but I won’t. đ Ashley and Alex booked me for their session this spring and I was so pumped to photograph them there! I hadn’t been to Jack London State Park since 7th grade a full 17+ years ago […]
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Wow, what a day this was! Kseniya and Nathan booked me super last minute for their Sonoma coast elopement (they actually snagged my personal record by two days — I received their inquiry 19 days in advance) and I was so excited to be able to work with them and help plan their dream wedding […]
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Okay, I have to start off by saying that Jen and Ian were troopers through this whole day â it was DUMPING rain all day leading up to (and well into!) their shoot but they were completely down for whatever. Literally any and all weather phenomenon. đ€Ż Theyâve been together for 12 years (and I […]
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To sum up this day in one word: wow. Jasmine and Alejandro’s elopement day was so special and wonderful; I was so sad when it was over! These two had a big East Coast wedding planned for September 2020, but COVID forced them to make new plans. They opted to postpone their reception to 2021, […]
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One of the greatest things about choosing to elope is that you can do it anywhere. And often, it’s just the two of you which means it’s WAY easier to find a place to stay if you’re heading to a destination location (or just want to stay somewhere new for the occasion, even if it’s […]
Read the Post
Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live.For any issues click here If you liked this post, check out another session I did in a redwood forest here!
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So youâve decided to elope. Youâve chosen a wedding day that’s intimate, intentional, deeply you. But thereâs one thing that keeps tugging at you: how the hell do I tell my family we’re eloping? I get it. This part can feel harder than planning the entire day. Because no matter how clear your vision is, […]
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I’m gonna be honest: it’s highly likely that at some point, you’ve experienced at least one of the following thoughts about elopements. In fact, I’d put money down that there’s at least two that will resonate. Here are the most common elopement objections I’ve encountered from couples like you and my thoughts about them. Elopement Concern […]
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Sarah and Joey’s surprise Mendocino proposal (and overall engagement day) was an absolute dream; these two are so real and fun and authentic. I guess thatâs technically the same thing as ârealâ but whatever, go with me here. Joey inquired with me about six weeks before their planned trip to Mendocino where he would propose […]
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I am absolutely obsessed with this Jack London engagement session. Honestly, I could just end there… but I won’t. đ Ashley and Alex booked me for their session this spring and I was so pumped to photograph them there! I hadn’t been to Jack London State Park since 7th grade a full 17+ years ago […]
Read the Post
I kicked June off with an engagement session for Stephanie and Andy in one of my fave places — the redwoods! This is only the 2804532 time I’ve shot among them (kidding, closer to 7 — by far the most frequent setting requested) and somehow it never gets old. If you want to check out […]
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Kristen and Ian and I had sooo much fun during their Sonoma Coast engagement session!! When Kristen first reached out to book it with me last fall, she told me they would love to do their session in the redwoods or at the coast. Either was fine, and did I have any recommendations for them? […]
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Nida + Mueen got in touch with me this fall about a last minute anniversary session to celebrate one year of marriage and I was so pumped to work with them! It’s common for my couples to ask my suggestions on locations, or even for me to pick them entirely, but Nida specifically wanted to […]
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I have to start this post with one of the coolest things about it: Annelise and JMâs engagement session took place on Leap Day!! How cool is that? I mean, I know Leap Day happens on a consistent basis, but still â I think itâs fun that they had such a special occasion happen on […]
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As you can tell by the title, I photographed Jillian and Shay’s engagement session at the Sutro Baths in San Francisco and it was such a great day!! (and if you aren’t familiar with the Baths’ history, highly rec checking out this page!) Although what you can’t tell from the title is that I’m finally […]
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This Guerneville engagement session with Emily and Ava was so much fun! They had been to Guerneville once before and they consider it a formative trip in their relationship — so when they planned a special long weekend trip for the summer, they knew they’d do it here. I was so thrilled when they reached […]
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There is so much dang thought that goes into a wedding, and of course the subsequent marriage. There should also be lots of intention put into both of those things, but that doesnât mean youâre obligated to uphold every single thing in the book just because thatâs how itâs always been done. Itâs important to […]
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Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live. For any issues click here If you liked this post, check out another lifestyle session here!
