May 30, 2020
Listen here, I have to start out with a big fat statement. Don’t let anyone – even the people you love – tell you that the choice you’re making by eloping is any less important or selfish. Here is exactly what I would say to a loved one who is unhappy about my eloping decision:
“If you’re truly interested in my happiness, please understand that we have not chosen to do this in spite of you or anybody. This is simply the option that lights our soul on fire when we even think about it.”
The truth is, people usually have a motive and they only hear a portion of what you say to them. Keep it short and vague. You don’t need to give specific reasons of why you’re eloping, because your happiness is a reason big enough already.
I think many people associate choosing to elope with money and budgeting issues, which is a common misconception. There are so many more reasons why a couple would choose to elope – which is why you can find trendy, high-end elopement inspiration all over the internet these days!
Eloping has never been more popular and is growing all the time. In fact, elopements are being planned with the same attention to detail as a traditional wedding and with just as much intentionality, but so much less stress. Couples I work with usually book me 7-10 months in advance to ensure they can plan out all of the intimate and intricate details of their dream elopement.
In sum, elopements are not less important than big traditional weddings. However elopements are:
My job as an elopement photographer is to capture your special day. I promise to value your day and your choice to elope with the same (if not more) energy as I would any traditional wedding. I want you to have the most beautiful, memorable day ever, no matter who is or is not in attendance.
When it comes to eloping, I’m not just your photographer. I’ve been a part of so many elopements and intimate ceremonies now that I can offer help with planning and creating a smooth timeline of events, location scouting, vendor recommendations, and then I help preserve one of the most beautiful moments of your life through photographs. You and your partner deserve just as much coverage, documentation, and beauty on your elopement date as a standard wedding would get.
Over my time thus far as a photographer, I’ve come to really, really love and enjoy elopements and intimate ceremonies. I love a big traditional wedding just as much as the next person, but when photographing them, I find myself drawn time and time again to elopements. An elopement is a much more sacred, close-knit, touching experience that I always feel lucky to be a part of.
It’s my job to tell your story and capture every detail of your special day so that you can share these precious moments with the friends and family who may or may not have been there in person. But most importantly, I am there to capture your ceremony – your union with the person you love – in photographs so you can relive these memories together for years to come.
There is no greater honor than two people asking me to be a part of their elopement and help them create and share the most important day of their lives so far. It’s such a pleasure to work with epic couples and help share their love story through photos in a meaningful, intimate way.
Not that you need a reason to elope – there are no requirements to get into the “elopement club,” but it is always interesting to hear some of the common reasons why couples choose to elope versus having a traditional wedding. From the many elopements I’ve been a part of, here are some of their reasons I’ve heard most often. If any of these feel right to you, let’s chat.
Though the reason you may choose to elope may not be on this list yet, how you choose to elope does. That’s why I would encourage you to read our recent post about how to elope to find out all the ins and outs of the process before you get started and then start making plans for your special day.
If you want an intimate experience, a memorable wedding like no other, a calm and peaceful ceremony, or a wedding that’s designed around you and your loved one – if you are screaming, “YES, THAT IS US” to any of the above, let’s chat. I can’t wait to capture your elopement!
Cailynn Wolfgang is a destination elopement and intimate wedding photographer based in Chicago, Illinois.
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[…] chunk of the day, but hear me out. Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s not important. Here is a great blog I just wrote about just that. This day is still extremely special, just as special as any other wedding day despite the number […]