Eloping isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing what actually matters.
At its core, an elopement is an intentional wedding experience built around presence, connection, and choice. It’s for couples who care more about how the day feels than how it looks to everyone else. Fewer expectations. More meaning. Space to breathe, move slowly, and be fully present with one another.
Modern elopements aren’t rushed or secretive, and they aren’t a watered-down version of a traditional wedding. They’re thoughtfully designed days that reflect your values, your pace, and your relationship — whether that means exchanging vows on a quiet mountain overlook, wandering through a place that feels like home, or traveling somewhere that’s been calling your name for years.
Choosing to elope isn’t about avoiding something.
It’s about choosing yourselves — and creating a wedding day that feels honest, grounding, and deeply yours.
There’s no checklist here — just a few reflections to help you listen to what feels right.
If you found yourself nodding along, eloping might be worth exploring further.
When it comes to eloping, location is about so much more than scenery. The place you choose shapes the pace of the day, the emotions you feel, and how present you’re able to be within it.
For many couples, Tennessee and the Appalachian region offer a rare kind of balance — expansive views without feeling exposed, natural beauty without needing to travel far off-grid, and a sense of quiet that invites you to slow down. Mountains, forests, rivers, and overlooks create space for intimacy while still feeling grounded and accessible.
Beyond aesthetics, the right location considers how you want to move through the day. How early you’re willing to wake up. Whether hiking feels grounding or stressful. How privacy, weather, and seasons affect your experience. These details matter just as much as the view — often more.
No matter where you choose to elope, the best locations are the ones that support your energy rather than compete with it. Places that allow you to breathe, be present, and stay connected to one another instead of worrying about logistics, crowds, or timelines.
That’s why location choice isn’t about finding the most popular spot — it’s about finding the place that allows your day to unfold naturally and meaningfully. For couples planning to elope locally, I’ve put together a detailed guide on how to elope in Tennessee.
While Tennessee and the Appalachian region offer incredible spaces for intimate, grounded elopements, they aren’t the right fit for everyone — and they don’t have to be.
Some couples feel drawn to wide-open deserts, dramatic coastlines, historic cities, or places tied to their story. Others know they want to turn their wedding day into a full travel experience — something immersive, expansive, and deeply memorable. That instinct is worth honoring.
Eloping elsewhere doesn’t mean starting from scratch or making things more complicated than they need to be. The same intentional approach applies whether you’re eloping close to home, across the country, or internationally: choosing a location that supports your energy, planning a day that flows naturally, and creating space for presence instead of pressure.
Destination elopements do come with different considerations — travel timelines, permits, cultural norms, and logistics — but those pieces don’t need to fall entirely on you. With the right guidance, they become part of the experience rather than a source of stress.
Wherever your story leads, your elopement should feel just as grounded, thoughtful, and personal as it would anywhere else. The place may change — the intention never does.
Elopement planning doesn’t happen all at once. It unfolds in phases — and understanding that alone can make the process feel lighter.
Below is what planning an intentional elopement often looks like, from start to finish.
months before
Before locations or timelines, this phase is about clarity. What kind of experience do you want to have? What feels meaningful to you? What do you want to remember about the day years from now?
The goal isn’t to find the most impressive spot — it’s to choose a place that allows the day to flow naturally and feel like yours.
(Once your priorities are clear)
With your values in mind, location becomes a tool rather than a pressure point. This is where scenery, seasons, accessibility, and privacy all come into play.
The goal isn’t to find the most impressive spot — it’s to choose a place that allows the day to flow naturally and feel like yours.
as details come together
Permits, vendors, travel plans, and weather considerations matter — but they don’t need to dominate the experience.
Handled intentionally, logistics become support systems rather than stressors, keeping the focus where it belongs: on the experience itself.
elopement day
When the day arrives, the planning fades into the background. What’s left is presence, connection, and the freedom to move through the day at your own pace.
This is what all the preparation was for.
Without a large guest list, coordinator, or structured schedule, your photographer often becomes the person you lean on most throughout the day. Not just to document what’s happening — but to help shape how the day unfolds.
The right elopement photographer does more than take photos. They help you navigate locations, adjust timelines when plans shift, and create space when emotions run high. They know when to step in with guidance and when to step back so moments can unfold naturally.
Just as importantly, they set the emotional tone. A calm, affirming presence makes it easier to stay grounded, present, and connected — especially in unfamiliar places or emotionally charged moments. That sense of trust shows up not only in the experience itself, but in the photos you take home with you.
When you choose someone who understands both the logistics and the emotional weight of an elopement day, you’re not just hiring a photographer. You’re choosing how supported you’ll feel while living one of the most meaningful days of your life.
Choosing an elopement doesn’t mean you love your family any less. It means you’re prioritizing the way you begin your marriage. It’s possible to honor your relationships and choose a wedding day that feels aligned with who you are.
An elopement is still a wedding — one rooted in intention, commitment, and meaning. The size of the guest list doesn’t determine the depth of the moment.
Some couples grieve parts of the traditional experience, and that’s okay. Regret and relief can exist at the same time. What matters most is choosing the path that allows you to show up fully and honestly on your wedding day.
But if you really want your best mates there, then can join in for the ceremony and activity! I will help plan elopements with up to 25 guests (micro weddings).
Intentional elopements are often slower and more spacious than traditional weddings. They allow room for pauses, connection, and presence — without the pressure of a packed schedule.
YOU get to design your day! If you want it to feel jam packed, we can pack it with activities. If you’d rather take the morning and cook breakfast with one another and then hike to your ceremony location, we can do that too!
While the images matter, the experience comes first. When you feel supported and present, the photos naturally reflect that.
Elopements are intentional hand-crafted, carefully designed wedding day(s) centered around you and your partners story.
You don’t have to hold all of this alone.
If reading through this page brought a sense of clarity or relief, that’s worth listening to.
Eloping doesn’t have to be figured out all at once — and you don’t have to know every detail before reaching out. The first step is simply a conversation to see if this approach, this pace, and this experience feel right for you.
When you’re ready, I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up and explore what’s possible together.