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Bald Knob Elopement Pembroke Virginia

Elopements

Virginia Elopement Photographer
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Lost Falls Elopement Sparta Tenneessee
"They slipped briskly into an intimacy from which they never recovered."
—F. Scott Fitzgerald

Why Elope?

So the thought of eloping sometime in the near future has crossed your mind, that is just so exciting. I know planning something as different as an elopement can be pretty scary and intimidating. You aren't really sure where to begin or what to do. That is the coolest thing about eloping, there are no right or wrong answers. You can literally make the whole day tailor suited to your dreams. You can plan every single detail and not compromise on anything at all. You can still have that intimate ceremony. You can invite family and your closest friends. It could be just the two of you standing under a waterfall or you could bring your kids and pets too. It is ultimately about just the two of you which is exactly what your wedding day should be. The saying goes "it's your special day", why not really make it your day? Try closing your eyes and just imagine what your perfect day would look like. You can plan a mix of ceremony and wedding activities that relate only to the two of you. If you want an unforgettable experience then let's get started planning your greatest adventure. 

Cascade Falls Elopement Pembroke Virginia

What is Eloping?

"The only magic I still believe in is love."
—Unknown

Elopement is…
A very intimate ceremony that is intricately designed for the bride and groom to have everything they want on their special day and nothing that they don’t. This can take any form they want it to with a specific set of activities and locations. They can include a small number of family members at the ceremony or it can be just them on a cliffside. The possibilities are beautiful and endless. It throws away all the rules, gets rid of any production or performance. Literally the epitome of not being stressed. Simply the beautiful connecting of two souls with no fuss. More flexibility with dates and times because you don’t have to book a venue, plus your photographer literally becomes your wedding planner. Just a custom fit experience to last a lifetime's worth of memories. Isn’t that what it’s all about, It is your day after all.

 

Intimacy. Authenticity. “Just us” Experience. Intention. Less Drama. Value Experience. Less stress and anxiety.

Who is Eloping For?

Elopements are for anyone who has second thoughts on some of the outdated traditions surrounding weddings. For couples who are wild and free and like to throw caution to the wind. People who live with one toe on the line even thinking about crossing it. For anyone who has dared to dream bigger and better for themselves. Those who know that the day they decided to intertwine their soul with another should be just about the two of them and not about what others think. Basically, in a nutshell, Elopements are for YOU!

Virginia Tech Elopement in Blacksburg, VA

When and Where should you Elope?

This is one of the most epic things about elopements, you can literally elope Anywhere and Anytime you could possibly imagine! 

The beauty of eloping is that you are not tied down to a specific type of venue or just weekend dates. You have full flexibility to pick a dream location like for instance Redwood National Forest. This is a pretty popular destination for weekend travelers but you could go in the middle of the week when National Parks are 75% less busy. This is just one for instance... The possibilities are infinitely endless. Another bonus is that you don't have to be tied to a date in the middle of a busy wedding season. Say you want to elope on January 16 because that day has significant meaning for you, but you don't want to elope in the cold. You can simply pick a warmer location for the date that you want. 

Elopements are the ultimate in customizable features. When I say you can literally pick all the things that you want and leave out all the ones that you don't, I couldn't mean it more. 

What is an all day Elopement?

Here is an example of a 15 hour day elopement.
All Day Elopement
Experience 1: Landscape 
Getting ready Location: Tent Mountaintop at Sunrise
Ceremony Location: Flattop Mountain at Grayson Highlands
Additional Portrait Location: Waterfall
Meal/Celebration Location: Meal at the campsite by fire
 
6:00- Wake up and pack up the tent, get dressed, and prepared
7:00- Take photos of all the preparation and details
8:00- Do first look and some more formal shots
9:00- Prepare to hike out and find the wild ponies
10:00- Stopping along the way for beautiful photo ops and sweet moments
11:00- Stopping for a packed lunch and snacks along the way (wine & cheese)
12:00- Finally making it to the flat top, doing the ceremony
1:00- Some seriously mushy photos 
2:00- Hiking out to the waterfall
3:00- Getting set up at the waterfall and taking pictures
4:00- Hiking to the overnight camping spot
5:00- Setting up camp before it gets dark
6:00- Eating a specially prepared meal by the fire
7:00- Watching the sunset over the mountains
8:00- Taking some shots by the fire with nightclothes and smores

What would we even do during an all-day elopement

You’ll smile. A lot. You’ll laugh, maybe cry (I usually do). You’ll have a whole adventure together that you enjoy every minute of.
CK & Bina-88.jpg
"You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought".  —Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Why an all day Elopement?

This is "YOUR DAY" that's how the saying goes. Why not make it really all about you. You will only get married once so it should be memorable. You deserve the day of your dreams, even bigger than you thought you could dream.. Don't sell yourself short and don't buy into traditions that don't serve anyone. You can break the mold, throw all the rules out of the window. A few myths that people have created surrounding elopements. They are no longer a shameful marriage because you're parents don't agree. Now elopements are about the unique relationship the couple shares. They are not an all-day photoshoot. It is an all-day celebration of your love while I lurk in the background capturing that connection. It is not just a cheaper version of a wedding for people on a budget. An elopement is really just catering to the wants and desires of the bride and groom. There are really a million different ways to customize this day to truly be the most meaningful day of your lives. I would love to help you plan the adventure of your life! Capturing true love stories really sets my soul on fire and I will be the biggest advocate for your wants, dreams, and desires. That way nobody can make you do anything you don't want to do on your wedding day. It can truly be "YOUR DAY"!

Location. Location. Location.

I think one of the best parts of eloping is the flexibility to choose a location that really speaks to you! Some couples choose locations like national parks, Airbnbs, beaches, vineyards... the possibilities are literally endless! 

With so many options I know it cam seem a little overwhelming. You can start with your bucket locations or places you have always wanted to visit. If you are still having some trouble coming up with a location here are some questions to help you get started.

What is your favorite season?
What do you like to do while traveling?
What are your top 5 bucket list destinations?
What type of scenery do you like to be surrounded by?
(Mountains, waterfalls, beaches, sand dunes, ocean cliffs, valleys of flowers etc.)

The Ceremony

Just like a traditional wedding, elopement ceremonies vary dependent on each couple. From religious ceremonies to tree-planting ceremonies, couples have any type of ceremony that feels authentic to them. 

Exchanging rings, saying vows, and a first kiss are all classic wedding traditions that can carry over into an elopement-style wedding. Couples can find an ordained officiant to marry them or couples can simply just read their vows to each other at the top of a mountain. I am ordained and can legally marry them and sign their marriage license, if they are looking for a more personal & intimate ceremony.

Here are some ideas for an elopement ceremony: 
Religious Ceremony
Planting a tree together
Locking love letters in a box to exchange on their anniversary
Painting a picture together
Musical Ceremony
Exchanging vows & rings
Including pets in your ceremony

Falls Ridge Falls Elopement, Blacksburg, VA
Lost Falls Elopement, Sparta TN
Mountain Lake Lodge Elopement, Pembroke, VA

Guests

Elopements are much more intimate than a traditional wedding. Deciding whether or not to have guests is completely dependent on how private you want your day to be.

Some couples want to elope with just them two. They feel like traditional weddings are about putting on a ‘show’ for others. They’re looking for a day focused on each other, with no other distractions.

Other couples want the elopement experience, but want a handful of people, who they are close with, standing by their side on their day.

But you also don’t have to choose one or the other. Plenty of couples want the ‘best of both worlds’ and are choosing to do both. Elopement photographers offer two day elopement experiences, where on the first day the couple goes off just them two to have a private ceremony or just to say their vows, and then on the second day has a small wedding ceremony and reception with friends and family. 

There are so many options if you are torn about guests. Along with the options I listed above, couples also elope and come back and have a big wedding reception with all their friends and family to celebrate their wedding. The options are endless, it’s about what is important to you and what will make you happiest for your wedding. 

One special part about elopements is couples are choosing to have adventurous and unique experiences on their wedding day. They are choosing to enjoy moments and try new things instead of having a traditional wedding.

Millennials tend to value experiences over materialistic items, and this carries over into their wedding day. Couples are forgoing flower arrangements and cute table settings, to hike mountains and explore European cities on their wedding day.

So besides the ceremony, what are couples doing on during their elopement day? A typical elopement lasts from six hours to twelve hours. That probably was shocking to read… as the classic Vegas elopements used to last an hour or so.

Activities vary depending on where the couple is eloping and what type of adventures they want to have. No idea is too crazy to implement on your elopement day.

Here are a few ideas of things you can do for your elopement: 

  • Sunrise Hike 

  • Explore European City

  • Helicopter Tour

  • Off-Roading Road Trip

  • Sandboarding

  • Bungee jumping

  • Kayaking

  • Sunset on the Beach

  • ATV Driving

  • Skiing/Snowboarding

  • Horseback Riding

  • Surfing

  • Cliff Jumping 

  • Sailing

  • Cooking Class

  • Wine Tasting

CK & Bina-43.jpg
Grayson Highlands Elopement, Mouth Of Wilson, VA

Your wedding day should be as unique and adventurous as you two!

You only get married once!

Society creates a standard of what a wedding day should look like, but no two relationships are the same, so why would we all get married the same way?

Life is made up of moments, and you should be 100% present in the moment on your wedding day, experiencing the excitements and beauty of this world.

You deserve a day free of judgements, anxieties and stress. Where you and your partner can completely be yourselves.

Lost Falls Elopement, Sparta, TN
Lost Falls Elopement, Sparta, TN

Okay. I may be biased, but couples always say, ‘you were SOO right’ when I tell them this:

An elopement photographer is the best investment you can make for your elopement experience. 

Elopement photographers are a different kind of photographer. We don’t just show up the day of your elopement, photograph it, and leave. From the day you book us, we are 100% invested in your day. 

There are two main reasons why having an elopement photographer is so important:

Cascade Falls Elopement, Blacksburg, VA
Cascade Falls Elopement, Blacksburg, VA

REASON NUMBER 1:

Elopement photographers do so much more than just take pictures. Since planning an elopement is a completely different experience than a wedding, we are the experts and are with YOU throughout the whole process. 

We help in every aspect of planning: finding a location, planning the ceremony, finding vendors in the area (make-up artists, florists, ordained officiants… you name it), helping with what to pack, logistics where to stay, backup locations, what to do before and after, creating a personalized timeline and basically ANYTHING that goes into planning your perfect elopement experience. Elopement photographers care about making sure your wedding day is EVERYTHING you could ever want. 

I care so deeply about my couples. Helping them have the best elopement experience is my highest priority. I am in their corner 100% of the time. I am always texting them late at night or giving advice on things such as- how to tell their family they’re eloping or talk them through which dress will look best with their hiking boots. By the actual day of their elopement, we are the closest of friends, which makes bringing me with them on the most important day of their life, that much more special.

Cascade Falls Elopement, Blacksburg, VA
Cascade Falls Elopement, Blacksburg, VA

REASON NUMBER 2:

Your elopement day is just as important as any traditional wedding. Wedding photographers capture 6, 8, 10 or 12 hour days. Your day deserves just as much coverage and just as many captured memories. You want this day to be documented forever. This is the day you decided to commit yourselves to each other, in a way that is 100% authentic to you two. THAT should be captured, your love story should be photographed and passed down for generations to come. 

Since not all your friends and family will be there, it is also a great way to share the adventures of your day with all those who care about you. After elopements, couples always tell me ‘our day would not have been complete without you’. I’m not going to be there all day shoving a camera in your face and making you pose every 30 seconds. It’s more about capturing the story of the day.

In those special moments, I will be a fly on the wall, and you will look back at your pictures and feel those moments all over again. Having an elopement photographer will help keep you in the present moment, knowing you only need to focus on each other, so you can look back and remember how warm the sun felt on your face, or how your partner started to tear up during your vows. Those are the moments you’ll want to re-live forever.

Falls Ridge Elopement, Blacksburg, VA

Let's get down to what you really want to know...

What do the packages look like?

You are probably thinking that sounds way too good to be true. There must be super strict packages like with weddings. I prefer to believe that just like no two people are the same, neither are elopement packages. I want to help you specialize your package to include all the things you want and none of the things that you don't. You deserve a completely catered experience. That is why I offer a luxury of features with every elopement no matter how big or small.

Let me help you create the most epic, fun, stress-free adventure experience while I document the story of your day.

Personalized Location Guide

Included in every elopement session is a very detailed, thoroughly researched location guide to help you pick the very best diamond in the rough. You want your destination to be personal and epic just like your love story. Along with this comes permit guidance to help you know which locations will require permits, can have dogs, where to camp and so much more. 

Local Vendor Suggestion List

When I say I want to take away the stress, I really mean it. I will create a local vendor list that covers everything you could possibly want on your day. Covering all the basics like hair, makeup, flowers, and cakes. I also include a list of vendors that could help to elevate your elopement experience. Things like hot air balloon, off road vehicle, private chef, pilot, or any other local experience that I think you should know about, just in case.

Hand crated Timeline for your day with a list of fun activities

Once we have the basics of when and where down, then we get to the fun stuff. Planning the little details in between that will truly make your day the most memorable, unique experience ever. 

Customized client portal

Your client portal will hold all the information regarding your elopement in one organized place. The contract, date, vendors, locations, timeline, location guide, all the researched info. It's kind of like a Wedding Binder that you can carry everywhere you go on your phone for quick reference. It's super convenient when you have that many flowing details. The best part is I will put it all together for you.

Unlimited Consultations

Nothing will ever go exactly as planned and things will arise that will make us need to go in a new direction. That is why I will be here for you every step of the way. I will have backup plans for all the worst case scenarios so you don't have to worry. 

Elopement at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA

Starting packages should be just that... a starting point!

Check out these Starting Prices and General Packages

Adventure Elopement at Lost Creek Falls in Sparta, TN

$3,800

All Day Elopement

Don't sell yourself short. You deserve the moon, stars, and the sky! When you book an all-day elopement you are guaranteed to not have to sacrifice any of them. This special package can also be broken down into two days so that you get plenty of alone time (we know that's what it is really about). We can plan a grand adventure and a small intimate ceremony. Or we can skip the ceremony and just plan two super grand adventures. 

Includes:

Complimentary Engagement Session
One Whole Day of Adventures
Me as your Wedding Planner
Custom Location Planning Guide
Adventure Elopement Planning Guide
All Images Professionally Edited
Video Footage of the Day
A Whole Compiled Video w/ Songs of your Choosing
Password Protected Online Viewing/Sharing Gallery
Digital High-Resolution Download
Print Release

12 Hour Elopement

Want to do an epic adventure but not sacrifice any of your time with each other? This package is great in that we can do a grand adventure, get some of the most epic shots, skip the longer ceremony, and get you two lovebirds off to your honeymoon. Just the perfect amount of adventure for you and your beau.

Includes:

Complimentary Engagement Session

12 Hours of Adventures
Me as your Wedding Planner
Custom Location Planning Guide
Adventure Elopement Planning Guide
All Images Professionally Edited

Video Footage of the Day

A Whole Compiled Video w/ Songs of your Choosing
Password Protected Online Viewing/Sharing Gallery
Digital High-Resolution Download
Print Release

$2,800

Elopement at Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, VA
Adventure Elopement at Bald Knob Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, VA

6 Hour Elopement

$1,500

Want to do an epic adventure but not sacrifice any of your time with each other? This package is great in that we can do a grand adventure, get some of the most epic shots, do the longer ceremony, and get you two lovebirds off to your honeymoon. Just the perfect amount of adventure for you and your beau.

Includes:

Complimentary Engagement Session

6 Hours of Adventures
Me as your Wedding Planner
Custom Location Planning Guide
Adventure Elopement Planning Guide
All Images Professionally Edited

Video Footage of the Day

A Whole Compiled Video w/ Songs of your Choosing
Password Protected Online Viewing/Sharing Gallery
Digital High-Resolution Download
Print Release

Mini Elopement

This package is perfect for those lovers who just want to do a small adventure but not really get too involved with hiking or athletic activities, while still getting those epic elopement shots. 

Includes:

Complimentary Engagement Session

3 Hours of Elopement Coverage
Me as your Wedding Planner
Custom Location Planning Guide
Adventure Elopement Planning Guide
All Images Professionally Edited
Video Footage of the Day
A Whole Compiled Video w/ Songs of your Choosing
Password Protected Online Viewing/Sharing Gallery
Digital High-Resolution Images
Print Release

$900

Virginia Tech Elopement in Blacksburg, Va

Travel is included within 50 miles of Blacksburg, VA. Outside of that and the travel will be added up and combined with the package, depending on how far away it is. I will handle the location scouting unless you have a specific location in mind. I also frequently go out location scouting just to find new areas and options. I will create for you a personalized timeline that covers every little detail (my OCD is queen here). I will suggest vendors helping you with the details and cutting down on the decision-making. I can offer affordable dress stores as options. I can run interference for family members who don't agree with your plan. This is your day and you shouldn't catch any negativity for choosing you! You will have my expertise in elopements. 12-hour a day access to me for any questions or issues that arise. I will be there with you every step of the way even if you change your mind a million times on the details. I will spend many hours pouring over your questionnaire and really getting to the heart of what you want me to capture. I will make backup plans for the backup plans, that way we will always have a plan, without you sacrificing anything. I come equipped with a Mary Poppins bag to cover anything you might have forgotten and put your mind at ease. I believe in this experience and want to offer you the best version possible. I will be your biggest advocate and will stop at nothing to make sure you get everything you want out of this day. You really can have everything you ever wanted and I would love to help you get that. Let's schedule a phone conversation or coffee meeting to go over any questions you might have (and become the best of friends). 

Adventure Elopement at Grayson Highlands, Massie Gap, Mouth of Wilson, VA
Adventure Elopement at Grayson Highlands, Massie Gap, Mouth of Wilson, VA
Adventure Elopement at Grayson Highlands, Massie Gap, Mouth of Wilson, VA
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