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 day. They were originally looking at eloping somewhere on the Pt. Reyes coast, but were open to other ideas. I had just come out to Sonoma Coast State Park a week or two earlier to scout some new spots, and was able to offer them up to these two, including where they decided to have their ceremony.
The other incredible thing about them is that they now have three anniversaries on this date: they chose to get married on the day of their dating anniversary, which also happened to be the anniversary of their engagement. How cool is that?
Interested in learning more about Sonoma elopements? Check out sample timelines, activities, galleries, pricing, and more all in one place.
Kseniya and Nathan’s elopement was filled with so much contagious joy that it was hard not to smile the entire day (including after I came home and started editing their photos). We met in the parking lot shortly before their ceremony, where they said their vows overlooking the ocean cliffs and exchanged rings. A few people driving by on the roads shouted congratulations throughout the day (if you look closely, you might be able to spot the two photos I snagged of those two moments where they’re looking off camera).
After their ceremony, we wandered the trails that line the cliffs, occasionally stopping for them to take in the view, and once for Nathan to empty Kseniya’s shoes of pebbles (I told them it was giving Cinderella vibes with the way he helped her back into her shoe).
Once we finished their dreamy AF portraits, we headed straight down to the beach. These two popped a bottle of bubbly and shared a picnic with the four friends they’d brought along as their officiant and witnesses. In between bites we ran up and down the beach taking some of my favorite portraits ever, and occasionally stopped to stare and drink in the incredibly breathtaking sunset happening in front of us on the water. Once the sun went down, we all started climbing back up to the cliffs in twilight; every so often stopping to turn over our shoulders and witness the incredible sunset that seemed to be putting on a show just for us as the bookend to their Sonoma coast elopement.
Kseniya and Nathan left me the most magical review and I couldn’t help not share it. Truly, reading words like these from my couples is the most humbling thing ever!
“We are so happy Meg was our photographer! She is super responsive, flexible, funny, and incredibly easy to work with. We were planning our special day on an extremely tight deadline and Meg genuinely cared to help us make it memorable. She went above and beyond to suggest great spots for our ceremony, portraits, and she even had a list of cute Airbnbs to recommend! Meg is extremely knowledgeable and she made us feel comfortable throughout every step. On the day of our elopement, she made everything natural and fun. The results exceeded our expectations! The photos captured the personality and joy of our wedding day as well as the most intimate and detailed moments in such a beautiful and unique way. Meg is a real gem!”
And how about that sunset?? Yeah, multiple expressions needed there because it was that unbelievably vibrant. The orange and pink is not an editing exaggeration whatsoever (in fact, I had to work to get the edits to match real life).
I hope you loved scrolling through Kseniya and Nathan’s Sonoma coast elopement as much as I do. If you’re wanting another elopement gallery to check out, I highly recommend this dreamy all-day elopement under the redwoods. Or, check out this redwoods and coastal elopement with portraits in the same hilltop location as above.
