Why I think you should Elope
Everything is changing, and I think the important things are surfacing
I’ve been a supporter of elopements since before I started shooting weddings. I’ve always dreamed of me, my boo, and my photographer on a cliff, turning wedding day into adventure, memory making, and the best photos ever. You know if I’m fearless as a photographer, I’m 10000% going to be that crazy bride doing anything for the photos.
Water? Rivers are where I feel at home, I’ll be in it.
Dirt? Everything can be dry cleaned, #worthit.
Rain? Bring it on, those will be the best steamy moody pictures you’ve ever seen.
Get past a few fallen trees on the past? I will climb fearlessly.
It’s about what we do with these moments of messy, how we see them, and how free we can let them make us.
At the end of the day, they aren’t messy, they’re just a beautiful part of life.
Does this resonate with you? Did you just feel a connection? Let’s examine that.
This whole section of life right now is embracing the messy, adopting new unknowns, being kind and resourceful, and finding bits of joy and beauty in it all. I believe I’m really good at this, at seeing little moments of beauty specifically. I think that draws me to intimate weddings, and why such beauty emerges for me when I’m shooting; it brings joy.
Slow down with me. Take a deep breath and think; does saying your vows in front of all the friends and family you know excite you or scare you? Are you honored to have so many witnesses to your love, or do you secretly want quiet whispers to your one true love. When you picture peace, is it the beauty of a crowd of people who love you cheering you on, or does your heart want only the three or four people who’ve seen you through the most to be witness to this day?
Both large weddings and elopements can be so so beautiful for many different reasons, but right now we are reigning in as a whole and going back. Back to simple moments of finding new games to play, hobbies to love, laughs to be had, and most of all the simple appreciation of your immediate community. Quarantine showed us all who’s really there, who makes us feel connected, at home, and in tune.
So who would you bring to the mountains?
Who would you choose to escape with?
Just your partner? Sign your vows, take incredible photos, and make it a honeymoon?
Say you had to choose your 5 most supportive humans, who would they be?
Your partner (obviously), your parents, a sibling, a best friend?
Now your partner does the same, and suddenly you’re at a beautiful intimate dinner for 10 spending your wedding day with those who mean the most to you in literally any location you could imagine. It’s a lot easier to move around and end up somewhere cool with 4, 5, or 10 humans than it is coordinating 150, let me tell you.
I’d absolutely adore exploring a cool location like this with you, but know that at the end of the day, all I really want is for you to have an incredible authentic day. This day can be whatever you make it. Whenever you are happy, feeling at home, and feeling like you, is where the magic is. I promise you, the more authentic you make your day, the better its going to feel, and the even more amazing your wedding photos will be.
At the end of the day, we all go home to our little communities. I want you to go home, have stunningly authentic memories of the best day ever printed on your wall, and look back remembering how beautiful and peaceful that day felt.
Throw a party next year, invite everyone you know and call it a celebration. But for now, keep focusing on the little things, the close to your heart things, the you things <3
Ps… Don’t think you have to go far to have a cool location, I’ve done some incredible things in the Ottawa area ^ ^ ^
Check the blog for more photos of a BC Mountain Elopement, a local clifftop elopement, or an elegant Ottawa city hall ceremony.
With new elopement packages as well as an hourly rate, I will gladly work with you to find the best option for your unique day. I’m always happy to chat, answer questions, and help you find your you. I adore hearing stories, and I can’t wait to hear yours.
All the love,
Kris