What’s the difference, why it matters and which is right for you.

When planning your celebration, one of the first big questions you’ll face is this: Should we have a wedding or an elopement?

While both weddings and elopements are beautiful ways to honor your love story, they offer very different experiences.

One is often filled with the joyful hum of a crowd… laughter, music, the clink of glasses raised in your honor. The other is quieter, more intimate. It might be just the two of you on a windswept shoreline or standing under a canopy of trees, saying your vows in a space that feels sacred simply because it’s yours.

Neither is better. But they are different.

And understanding those differences can help you choose a path that aligns with your heart, your vision, and the way you want to remember this day for the rest of your life.

There’s also a third option: documentary wedding photography. Along with elopements, this is what I specialize in. I’ll be sharing more about what that means later, how it differs from traditional wedding coverage, and why so many of my couples are drawn to it.

But for now, let’s take a closer look at weddings and elopements to help you find clarity in what feels right for you.

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What is a Wedding?

A wedding is a full-scale celebration.

Often larger in scope, rich with tradition, and shared with a wide circle of loved ones. From the morning preparations to the final send-off, weddings follow a structured timeline that includes multiple moving parts: a ceremony, a reception, formal portraits, and a series of events designed to honor and celebrate the couple.

Most weddings include a guest list of 50 to 300 people, a full wedding party, and a well-planned schedule that might feature vows, cocktail hour, speeches, dinner, and dancing. A venue is typically booked far in advance, with a team of vendors in place such as planners, florists, musicians and caterers who all working together to bring the day to life.

One key part of most traditional weddings is posed photography. Formal portraits of the couple, the wedding party, and family members are usually carved into the timeline. These are the classic shots. The ones where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling in coordinated groups. For many, they’re an expected part of the day.

Weddings are a beautiful choice for couples who:

• Want to celebrate with extended family and friends
• Love tradition or cultural customs
• Envision a day filled with planned events and curated details
• Prefer having structured, posed portraits alongside candid moments
• See their wedding day as a full experience from morning to night

Although weddings come with more coordination, they hold a distinct kind of energy. There’s a joy in being surrounded by everyone who’s walked with you through life. Clapping, crying, cheering as you step into this new chapter. It’s not just a day about you… it’s a celebration of everyone who helped you get here.

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What is an Elopement?

An elopement is an intentionally intimate way to get married. Where the focus shifts from performance to presence. It’s not about running away or secrecy (though it can be); it’s about stripping away the pressure and creating space for something quieter, more personal, and deeply meaningful.

Most elopements involve just the couple or a very small group of guests (usually under 20). There’s often no formal schedule, no wedding party, and no timeline pulling you in ten different directions. You choose a location that speaks to you – a wild coastline, a fern forest, a quiet backyard, a hidden castle (more on this later). It leaves room to build your day around what feels true.

Without the weight of tradition or expectation, your elopement can be whatever you want it to be. A slow morning together. A handwritten vow exchange. A barefoot walk along the shore. A private dinner under the stars. Or simply a few quiet hours with your person, savoring the fact that this is your story and no one else’s.

Elopements are perfect for couples who:

• Want an experience over an event
• Prefer a private or low-stress environment
• Crave emotional presence over perfection
• Want to spend their wedding day fully immersed in the moment
• Dream of saying their vows in a way that feels sacred, natural, and deeply personal

Unlike a traditional wedding, there’s no crowd to entertain. Elopements naturally allow for more unscripted moments. They allow for deep breaths, quiet laughs, and soft touches that aren’t rushed. While more formal portraits can still be a part of the day, most of the imagery is documentary in nature. The experience is entirely focused on connection, movement, and emotion.

It’s less about the production, and more about the promise.

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Can I still wear a wedding dress or tux to an elopement?

Absolutely! No matter the setting, whether you’re exchanging vows along a beach or in your own backyard, you deserve to feel your best and most radiant self. Many eloping couples wear formal attire or choose something that reflects their personal style and the setting.

Are elopements just quick courthouse ceremonies?

Not anymore. Although this is still an option, most modern elopements have evolved into full, intentional experiences. You can spend the whole day celebrating getting ready together in a local AirBNB, exploring the area, reading vows in a beautiful spot, and sharing a private meal afterward. It’s your day designed your way.

Can I include traditions or personal touches in an elopement?

Yes. Eloping doesn’t mean leaving out meaning. You can still exchange rings, include a first look, write vows, or have a friend or family member officiate. Elopements are incredibly flexible and are often even more personal than traditional weddings.

Is an elopement less meaningful than a wedding?

Not at all. The meaning of the day comes from your connection, not the size of your guest list. Elopements can be just as emotional, sacred, and memorable – sometimes even more so, because there’s space to be fully present.

How long does an elopement session usually last?

It depends on the kind of experience you’re dreaming of. Some couples opt for a simple two-hour session with just enough time to capture the vow exchange and some portraits in a meaningful or fun location. Others turn their elopement into a full-day story, complete with getting ready moments, travel to multiple locations, a picnic or dinner, and quiet time to just be together.

Elopements can be as short or as expansive as you’d like. Whether you’re envisioning a quick sunrise ceremony or an all-day adventure through your favorite place, your coverage should reflect the rhythm and intention of your day.

It’s the beginning of your marriage. It deserves time, space, and presence.

Can we still celebrate with family after eloping?

Absolutely. Many couples choose to elope first and celebrate with family and friends later. Whether it’s a casual backyard gathering, an intimate dinner, or a larger reception, you can still share the joy of your marriage with the people who matter most.

A favorite way for for couples to do this is by sharing a slideshow of the images and video clips captured during your elopement. It allows your loved ones to step into the experience to see the vows and the place where it all happened. Making them feel like they were part of it, even from afar. It’s storytelling at its most heartfelt, and it often becomes one of the most meaningful parts of your celebration.

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In recent years, elopements have grown in popularity—and it’s easy to see why. More and more couples are yearning for something quieter. Something slower. Something rooted not in tradition for tradition’s sake, but in presence. A day that feels like a deep breath. A celebration shaped by intention, not obligation.

Whether you choose the fullness of a wedding day or the intimacy of an elopement, the most important thing is that it reflects you. Let it reflect your rhythm. Your love. Your story.

And if you’re not quite sure which path feels right, I’d love to help you explore it. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the size of the celebration, it’s about the heart of it.

If an elopement is beginning to sound like the kind of celebration your heart is quietly asking for, I’d love to show you what that could look like. You can explore my elopement collections, coverage options, and all the soulful details here.

I’m not just here to document your experience, I’m here to help you remember how it felt.