Whidbey Island Elopement on Digital + Film | Seattle Wedding Photographer

When I first met with Marcela + Max, I felt instantly connected to their outlook and plans for a very intimate wedding with just their immediate family. Marcela, also a talented photographer, has a passion for film too, so I knew I could bring more of it into this gallery in a creative way. I had some rolls of expired Fujifilm that a previous groom had gifted me, and it was so fun (scary?!) to experiment with it and see the result. I love the sepia vibes that those frames add to the sun-soaked ceremony.

The wedding took place at Max’s parent’s house on Whidbey Island, one of my favorite places in Washington. Just a short ferry ride from Seattle, it feels drastically different with small towns, incredible mountain views, and lots and lots of beaches lining the shore. It’s also where one of my favorite movies ever, Practical Magic, was shot. (Don’t judge me!)

I met the couple at The Inn at Whidbey where they stayed, and we took some quick portraits there before heading out to a private beach for the rest of their photos. 2020 has given me so much appreciation for these simple and sweet days. No overwhelming timelines, all the connection, and so meaningful. I feel so much freer to create and love to enmesh with the families.

Washington Coastal Elopement | Seattle Wedding Photographer

With big plans that were postponed until next year due to Covid-19, Katie and Andrew still wanted to commit to one another on their original wedding date. They decided to elope with their immediate families and closest friends on a beautiful summer day. Their intimate wedding ceremony overlooked the San Juan Islands and the water, with occasional ferries cris-crossing the horizon.

With a celebration this size, you can really take advantage of what nature has already provided. There was a short hike to the bluff they chose, and I loved how everyone made a small journey to arrive at this place. Now when they go back to visit it will be so special and have such meaning. Though 2020 has thrown SO many curveballs into wedding planning, I do love the creativity it’s brought out in couples, and the determination that love conquers all.

P.S. There are a few film images thrown in here, can you spot them?

More galleries that include film are here, here, and here.

If you need a Seattle or PNW wedding photographer, contact me here!

Ultimate Guide to Seattle Elopement Planning in 2020

2020 has come with a few curveballs if you’ve been planning a wedding in Seattle. Whether you’ve been planning for a while and are having to re-route due to Covid-19, or if you recently got engaged and are just beginning the process, one thing is for sure: elopement has never sounded easier.

While it may not have crossed your mind before, elopement is an awesome option for so many reasons. Eloping allows for you to begin your life together as a married couple, and to have a day entirely about just you. Many of my clients are doing a small elopement this year, and then having a larger celebration next year. It doesn’t feel ideal to be forced to choose, but one of the biggest questions couples are faced with when starting the planning process is whether to go big or small. In this case, you can have your (wedding) cake and eat it, too!

As a photographer, I love elopements because the timeline is simple, and most importantly, you’re able to focus on each other the whole entire time. If you want your day to feel intimate, meaningful and super easy, then this is a really great option for you. When I photograph couples, I’m hyper-focused on maintaining a feeling of ease and connection between the two of you, which results in gorgeous candid photos. Without the distractions of a traditional wedding day, that magic can linger and you can just take in the meaning of your commitment. Not to mention, in and around Seattle we have so many options for stunning locations! For elopements booked in June, July, and August 2020, I’m offering custom photography packages, travel discounts, and a keepsake set of 4x6 prints. Get in touch now to get the ball rolling!

But that’s not all! I’ve rounded up a team of some of my favorite elopement-friendly Seattle wedding vendors to work with, so you can have a one-stop list for planning your perfect elopement.

Planning: Rock & Stone Weddings

We absolutely love elopements! There’s something so intimate about saying your vows and celebrating your love with no one else around to witness it. Often times people thinks an Elopement means ’no frills’ but it absolutely doesn’t have to! We have couples who go all out with show-stopping decor, a beautiful tablescape for two, and even better, you don’t have to share your cake and champagne! Scaling back means you can invest in really unique pieces, like a commemorative handmade stationery suite and tableware you’ll use for years to come. If your perfect elopement is a hiking adventure, we can decorate your Airbnb or campsite so you come back to a luxurious reception for two. Often times it’s easy for your wedding to feel like it’s for other people, eloping is a really special way to reclaim it for yourselves and you can always celebrate again with friends and family in the future.
- Amber Hayes, Owner/Creative Director

Florals: Colibri Blooms

Even though I have been expanding my horizons with larger ceremony installs, bridal bouquets have always been my favorite thing to design.  I love getting to know the bride/brides' personality as well as their likes and dislikes and just pouring that into my design.  I get the most nervous when I make a bridal bouquet but it's also the most gratifying when I get to see the reaction when I've really nailed it.  

Colibri Blooms is an all inclusive florist and we know that there is no one-size-fits-all elopement.

Specials when you mention this post: Buy one bridal bouquet get a complimentary boutonniere

Buy one bridal bouquet get the second one half off

Buy one boutonniere and get the second one complimentary

- Lilly Bartmasser, Owner

Rentals: Yay Parties

I think I would say that even if you have to ’shrink down’ your wedding because of COVID-19 restrictions, it doesn’t mean you have to minimize the design. Specialty rentals really help bring a unique element to any wedding, large or small, and truly help show a couple’s personality. Even a few carefully curated rental pieces, like a set of vintage chairs to sit in as a newly married couple for photos or for a meal can really “up" the special factor for a surprisingly minimal financial commitment!  

Anyone who mentions this blog post receives 20% off their rental order (does not include delivery/pick-up costs). Order must be placed for an event date within 2020 or 2021, subject to availability.

- Erin Vernon, Owner

Stationery & Invitations: Sablewood Paper Company

From a stationer’s standpoint, choosing to elope is an amazing way to go all out with your paper goods! Since you don’t have to budget for a large number of people, costs go down and we can really “splurge” on the meaningful details. For example, you may not be able to afford vintage postage for 100 invitations, but 10 elopement announcements is much easier to swing budget-wise!

For my elopement couples, I’m offering a set of vow books and a set of 10 thank you cards for all new elopement bookings of 10 announcements or more!

- Holly Goodman-Grundel, Owner

Hair & Makeup: Katherine Esque

I love the idea of two people standing in the middle of their favorite location committing their lives to one another. There are no distractions or time restraints and all that is reflected in the photos is the love you share. I find elopements are an amazing way to side step the chaos a traditional wedding can bring. It allows all the focus to be right where it should be, on you as a couple.

Elopement Bridal make up and hair is 25% off when booked in combination with Emily Keeney Photography. Includes initial hair and makeup application and on hand styling and touch-ups throughout the day.

To book: email esque.katherine@gmail.com

Wedding Cake: Lady Grey Custom Cakes

There is something particularly special about choosing to elope, choosing to focus on nothing but your love. No bells and whistles, just love.

We’re offering a 6” cutting cake with three design options included in the pricing of $185:
Stem of carved floral, touches of up to 3 colors
Cluster of painted floral, up to 3 colors
Gradient (ombré- one color to white)

Venue: Gray Bridge

Planning a wedding during a pandemic is fraught with uncertainty.  We have taken the stress out of planning during an uncertain time and developed an ultimate wedding package for you and your (up to) 50 guests for the remainder of our 2020 season. Working with some of our favorite vendors, Gray Bridge has a comprehensive package to seamlessly enjoy your intimate ceremony and reception without skimping on the details.  This package includes a refund or no-cost rescheduling if weddings of up to 50-people are not allowed by governor's orders on your selected date*.  Special Pricing on newly booked July weddings.

- Stacy MacGregor, Owner

Venue: Block 41

We love elopements because of the headspace couples can enter into. It's a low-stress day with just your loved one, focusing on what the day is all about - devoting yourself to your partner for life. We think that the quality time during an elopement is truly unmatched!

- Beth Carrillo, Venue Manager

If you need a Seattle or PNW wedding photographer, contact me here!

Washington Coast Elopement & Celebration | Lindsey & Jared

If you’re stuck between wanting an elopement, feeling like this huge moment is something you want to keep quiet and special, but also want the chance to be able to celebrate with everyone else in your life, well, there’s good news. Do both. In a stunning blush wedding dress. In Lindsey & Jared’s case, on the same day. We met at Washington Park in Anacortes, WA, where they had a stunning intimate wedding ceremony on the rocks overlooking the water. Lindsey, Jared and their pastor on one peak and the guests on another. Visually, it was striking. I scrambled up and down the rocks so many times to get different angles!

What I love about elopements is that we have plenty of time for amazing portraits. It really comes down to less of posing and taking photos and more of conversation, laughter, talking about how crazy and weird it feels to be on your own wedding day, and just being in the moment. Your photos shouldn’t feel like you’re hitting pause on the enjoyment of the day, it should be part of it.

Following a small (and amazing!) dinner prepared by family and friends, and carried down the steep cliffside to the rocks, we all headed back to Seattle to the larger celebration. Everyone was waiting there with cocktails and charcuterie, excited to greet the new couple. I loved seeing the way their community surrounded them with love and really created their wedding day from top to bottom. Capturing these weddings is such an honor, and it’s a gift to be in the room soaking in all those good vibes and beautiful feelings.

Lindsey and Jared are incredible people (see their engagement session here). Their love for each other is so old-soul. They channel a spirit of rock and roll, effortless in their ease with each other, bucking tradition to create a path all their own. I was so honored to capture their wedding day.

One of the peak moments was the birdseed exit. You’ll see.

Enjoy.