How long should you hire your photographer for an elopement wedding?
You two + your third wheel…
You chose an elopement for a reason. And that reason is to make your wedding day solely about you two and no one else. Everything you decide is 100% about you both and what makes you happy.
Like any moment in your life, big or small, you want to remember it, re visit it. So as an experienced elopement wedding photographer, I’m going to let you know exactly what you need from your elopement photography – at a minimum.
Pre Ceremony
Chances are, there won’t be a lot going on pre ceremony. No bridal parties getting ready with the hustle and bustle of a conveyor belt of hair and make up. And no hanging out with the guys waiting for the girls to be ready so you can get your suit on in 2 mins (how frustrating for us women!) You might opt to get ready together or hold on to the surprise and get ready separately. Either way, this isn’t a huge part of your celebration but it can still be something special to remember.
The morning prep I think can be a sweet add on to your photography by having your photographer capture a few details of your rings, card or gifts to each other and your outfits and photos of the location you got ready at.
To really make this unique, a first look for you both is a very special moment. One of you will be in place somewhere waiting while the other stands behind, waiting for that turn. Much like you would at the alter but this time in a space just for you where you can embrace and take in the moment and feels before your ceremony.
Ceremony
Whether it’s a short and sweet ceremony, personalised with a celebrant or you both reading your own words to each other. This is where it all becomes real. You’ll have your marriage documented for life, signing that all-important certificate and sealing the deal! With elopements the photographer is so free to capture your ceremony from all angles, without distracting. Which means they can really get in there and capture those emotional, awkward, happy, over the moon reactions.
Continuing on from the ceremony, I personally love confetti photos. And nothing should stop you if you don’t have any guests. There will always be someone at hand or you can throw it above yourselves! These are really fun photos and the moment brings back that excitement after the nerves of the ceremony. Speaking of, you now both deserve your fav tipple to celebrate that you both did it!!
Couples photos
Whatever you choose to do next is entirely up to you but your photographer is ready for the ride. Couples photos of you both is the cherry on the top, you’ll never get photos like this again with the memory it’ll hold for you. Your photos can take place at your venue, or head to another location entirely. The world is your oyster so have fun and go all in!!
Again, you don’t have to go without, just because you have no guests. Embrace the moment of a first dance together, or have a playlist running during your couples photos and dance along to it.
You can also get yourself a tiny cake made that you can both cut and enjoy. Another event for just you two.
Post couples photos and Outfit change
I’m like a meercat when I hear the words ‘outfit change’. This can be so much fun when you change out of your more formal wear and into something a bit more vibe-ing. Capturing you In a different outfit at this new location can be a great idea.
And by this point you are probably wanting some food. I personally love capturing the start of this part of the day, food set up for you or the interior of a pub or restaurant you’re heading to. Maybe a set up on the beach, head in for a quick dip while you are at it!
These moments shouldn’t be missed either and it’ll round off your story. And from there is where you can both be totally left alone.
Look at how much you can enjoy and experience for your elopement! The good thing about elopements is that you can take your time as there’s no waiting around for other guests who have gone missing. Yeah we have a timeline but it’s free flowing and chilled so no military timings here!
So in theory I always say 2-4 hours is the perfect amount of time to have your photographer with you for an elopement.
Elopements may feel like you don’t need the bells and whistles and you are right. The attention should all be on you. No matter how big or small you may think you are celebrating, your photos will mean so much to you either way.
So allowing your photographer to third wheel should be a YES when planning your elopement. We just want to show you back what you experienced, because I can promise you, it was pretty dam special.