Who is eloping for?
“Why would you wanna marry me anyhow?”
“So I can kiss you anytime I want!”
-Sweet Home Alabama
These iconic lines from a RomCom classic are some of my favorite lines in romance history. A young, gorgeous, Reese Witherspoon has just run out on an expensive wedding to McDreamy and ends up in the rain, on a beach- a dirty wedding dress train trails behind her- with the love of her life (hello, Josh Lucas blue eyes!), alone.
Have you ever felt like it’s all too much?
The incredibly daunting task of planning a wedding? Who gets an invite? I didn’t invite so-and-so, will that upset your great Aunt Tille and Uncle Ferdinand? (All of the “ICK” feels!) It’s not exactly the romantic, heart-beating-out-of-your-chest experience you envisioned, right?
Elopement. Wait, before you look away…
Elopement is not the same experience it once was. Run off, hand in hand, into the night, tell no one, and show up as Mr. and Mrs. Dreamboat. I mean, it totally can be if that’s your dream experience and I am happy to run off into the night with you- trailing with camera in hand to capture the moonlit ecstasy that is your elopement wedding. But people are planning their elopement more than ever these days. It can be a church at twilight or a mountaintop at dusk. A downtown rooftop in the morning? A field in the snow…. Sorry, I got a bit lost in the idea of your perfect wedding experience.
Who should get an elopement? It’s not for everyone. But it is for anyone.
If you are looking for something modest, that is completely in your control.
Or a fiscal wedding to save for the once- in-a-lifetime honeymoon. Maybe you just want it to be you and your partner. Any of these reasons are great reasons to opt for an elopement and start planning one!
So let’s get a little more in depth about those daring enough to plan an elopement….
Fiscally, you’re cutting out major decor, guest foods, seating, a large or even medium venue, a 200+ person cake and party favors. And that’s the short list. Cue, sweat beads forming on the forehead. We all know how difficult it can be to accomplish financial security in our modern era, choosing to put your money towards a home or any of the many needs you have after joining lives is not only responsible but SUCH a relief.
You shouldn’t have to people please at an expensive party only to go home stressed about next month’s mortgage payment.
Planning! SO easy. You need a photographer (Pick me!), someone to officiate, and the love of your life. It’s possible there are a few more details than that but those are the main pieces of this simple elopement puzzle. Simple doesn’t mean boring. I dare you to look up “Elopement” on Instagram. Quite often we find that these elegant moments are the most beautiful and memorable of a couple’s life. It’s an adventure, shared intimately between lovers. A moment to express the deepest parts of your heart without being on the schedule of a crowd…a very opinionated crowd 😉 It’s the best adventure because it’s tailored to you two, not the opinions of the people in your life (even those very loved people that sometimes share way too “lovingly” what they think your day should look like).
Finally, elopement is for the adventurer. The fearless hearts. The unique souls who find moments of solitude with their love as the most meaningful quest to ever be ventured.
If you leap before looking, and aren’t worried afraid of what’s around the corner. If the night is enticing- not terrifying. If the mountaintop is a high and the valley, a mystery. Are you feeling it yet?
I am in LOVE with these moments. I want to help capture the intimacy and beauty that is eloping.
I also want to help you plan it to perfection. Maybe you’re afraid it won’t capture the importance of the moment you join your hearts together. I promise, it can. I can help make sure the most important day of your life is captured with the right photos, in the right location to look back on fondly for years to come. It will be a timeless moment.
Ready to start planning your elopement? Let’s chat!
annagracephotographymi@gmail.com
