Quick Links
Well, and me and the officiant…and maybe your dog. ;) You’re here because you know—your wedding should be all about the two people getting married, right! An elopement is the perfect way to start your life together without all the extra frills that just don’t resonate with you and your partner. Your day will be completely catered to you! No need to follow tradition or worry about all the little details. Instead, we can focus on documenting your love in the most authentic way possible—in the most breathtaking landscapes the world has to offer!
Just you and your love on the best day of your life.
Elopement Photography
- How Much Does Eloping Cost
- Pros & Cons of Eloping
- Finding an Elopement Photographer
- Reach Out & Book
How Much Does Eloping Cost?
Courthouse/Civil Elopement Photography Cost: $5,000-$10,000
Destination Elopement Photography Cost: $10,000 - $15,000
Multi-day Elopement Cost: $25,000 - $35,000
Average Elopement Costs in 2024
Keep in mind these are rough estimates and can fluctuate based on factors like travel, accommodations, and other personalized experiences. It just depends on where you go and what you plan! Eloping gives you the flexibility to design a day that fits your budget, whether you want to keep it budget-friendly or treat yourselves to a more unique experience.
Saving Costs Where It Matters
Eloping allows you to save on things you might not prioritize—like venues, catering for hundreds of guests, or decor. Instead, you can allocate your budget towards things that truly matter and mean the most to you and your partner, such as:
TRAVEL:
Plan an epic honeymoon, explore a national park, or visit a meaningful destination that’s been on your bucket list!
MEMORIES & DOCUMENTATION:
Invest in a high-quality elopement photographer and/or videographer to capture every moment! Remember, photos and video are one of the very few aspects of your wedding that will live beyond the day itself and you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life.
ACCOMODATIONS:
Choose a romantic or unique place to stay, whether it’s a cozy cabin in the woods, a luxury hotel, or a private Airbnb.
EXPERIENCES:
Include activities you both love, like hiking, boating, or exploring a new city/national park! There are literally no wrong answers or plans here—that’s why we love elopements so much!
- Photographer: $3k-$6k
- Videographer: $4k-$8k
- Park Event Permits & Reservations: $200-$400
- Airbnb/Lodging: $1k-$2k
- Travel: $2k-$4k
- Decor/Details: $500-$800
- Dresses & Suits: $500-$3k
Investing in Your Elopement
The cost of eloping can vary by a lot, and it's important to understand what factors influence this. Before I get into it, I gotta say: a common misconception is that eloping is "cheap". Yes, eloping can be a more affordable option than a traditional wedding in tons of ways. Buuuut it doesn't mean you have to compromise on the quality of your experience!
Hate from the Haters:
It’s heartbreaking, but not everyone will understand or even support your decision to elope. Some friends or family members might feel hurt or left out. It’s important to communicate your reasons and stay true to what feels right for you.
Can be heavy on the research:
Planning an elopement, especially in an unfamiliar location, can require a lot of virtual research. Looking into locations, permits, national park regulations, and lodging can be challenging if it’s your first time traveling or your don’t know where to start.
*but i’ve got elopement guides for that exact reason ;)
Cons
There’s No Wrong Way to Elope:
Your elopement is a blank canvas. You can create a day that’s entirely your own!
Create an Experience You’ll Love and Remember:
Eloping frees you up so you can focus on what’s most important—you and your partner! You can plan a day (or even multiple days!) filled with activities and moments that reflect your unique relationship.
No Stress:
You get to take your day at your own pace! There’s no need to worry about managing a large guest list or sticking to a strict timeline.
Pros
Pros & Cons of Eloping
For destination elopements, you have the option to hire a photographer local to your chosen location or have a photographer travel to you. Sometimes it’s worth hiring a “non-local” photographer who specializes in destination elopements, even if it means more of an investment. Here’s what to consider:
Experience:
Look for a photographer who has experience with your type of elopement and has been to the location you chose. Their familiarity with the area can be an amazing help in capturing the best moments, getting to the best views, as well as research and helping plan the details.
Portfolio:
Check out their previous work and make sure their style aligns with your vision. Try to imagine yourselves in their photos and think about the emotions, colors, and moments captured in their work and whether you resonate with it or not.
Connection:
Choosing an elopement photographer you trust and like being around is absolutely vital for capturing authentic photos and fully experiencing your day. If you feel awkward around your photographer, it can distract from your special moments, so look for someone who feels more like a friend than a vendor. Meeting them face-to-face, even virtually, can make a big difference.
Finding the right photographer is so so so important. (I can’t shut up about it so I put more on this topic in this blog post!) But let’s go over a few quick bullet points on where to start your search.
Finding An Elopement Photographer
Location-Specific or Destination Photographers
WEDDING WEBSITES
Lots of wedding planning websites out there also have a vendor directory (not just limited to photographers), and are an amazing planning resource. Here are some of my favorites/elopement and microwedding specific sites!
Zola–an all in one resource with registries, vendors lists, website creation, and invitation design!
MicroWed Collective–connecting couples with vendors that specialize in elopements and tiny weddings all over the country!
Wandering Weddings–top of the line connections for all destination couples, both domestic and international!
Art of Eloping–resource for connecting couples with elopement vendors as well as a blog space with tips and q&a’s!
- Use hashtags with your specific elopement location. For example, “mount rainier elopement” or “big sur california photographer”.
- Specify “elopement photographer” in your search. To get real specific, you can even combine the two like this: “mount rainier elopement photographer”
Have you had any friends, family, or co-workers get married recently? Ask them about their experience and if they’d recommend their vendors! This is a fantastic option as you get to hear their side of what working with a photographer was like, as well as offer any planning advice.
REFERRALS & Word of Mouth
Social Media
There are tons of photographers out there, but don’t let that overwhelm you! There are multiple places you can look to connect you with your dream photographer!
Online Searching
Click here to schedule a facetime call!
Reach out and we’ll schedule a call!
We can do this in person or over Facetime/Zoom. I'm no fan of awkward, so I keep things super casual! During our catch up you can ask as many questions as you'd like and get a feel for what it'll be like working together before you spend anything.
Before making a final decision, it’s always a good idea to have a face to face (or over the phone) conversation with your potential photographer! Who you choose will be one of the few people by your side during your special day. And sometimes we need a little more than email conversation to 1) suss someone out or 2) feel like you actually know them.
There is no obligation to book during our catch up, so no pressure whatsoever. I want you to feel 100%
comfortable and confident with who you're booking once we've hashed out all the details. If you're in, I'm in!
Reach Out & Get To Know Each Other
This is a zero pressure biz I got here
Keep in mind that I book out pretty far in advance, so it's best to get in touch with me sooner rather than
later! My heart breaks a little every time I have to turn people away due to unavailability. It's always best to book as soon as you're able!
In the meantime, check out some real elopement galleries from past couples or look through my Travel Bucket List to see if you can book your microwedding photographer with no travel fees!
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Your elopement is a beautiful, intimate, and unique celebration of your love story. With the right planning and the right photographer, it can be an experience you’ll fully live in the moment and treasure for the rest of your life!
Let’s make your day unforgettable!
travel bucket list
Thinking of taking the celebration to one of these breathtaking landscapes on earth? I'll be there (with no extra travel fees)!
