Intimate Spring Elopement in Washington

A soft breeze and the fresh Spring air surround Amber and Chris on one of the most special days of their lives.

Getting Ready and The First Look

When Amber and Chris first inquired with me, I knew that we would be a perfect fit. As some of you may know, I am currently based in Arizona but I am in LOVE with travel. Something about exploring new places, learning different ways of life and broadening my own horizon brings me such joy. For Amber and Chris, when they said they were wanting to elope in Washington, I packed my bags and made my way to capture their love story.

After finishing getting ready, Amber and Chris opted to do a first look. Something about first looks makes my heart flutter and it really brings me joy witnessing two lovers reactions. A first look is the perfect opportunity for you and you partner to have some intimacy and be more intentional on your wedding day. Being intentional to me means doing something because it means something special to you, rather than doing it just to “do it”. Whether you’re having a large wedding or a small elopement, it’s an opportunity to recollect and connect with your partner moments before you say “I do”. As you can see from the photos, we can easily say that this first look was an ABSOLUTE success! Both Amber and Chris were grinning ear to ear and you could tell how special this moment was for them.

Intimate Spring Elopement in Washington

After their first look, it was then time for the ceremony. They chose to have the ceremony at the Madison Falls Trail in Port Angeles, WA. The ceremony itself was in the middle of this field filled with daisies. To say I was speechless would be a complete understatement. Accompanied by their amazing officiant and adorable pup, the ceremony turned Amber and Chris’ dream into a reality. I also couldn’t help but be mesmerized by how beautiful Amber looked in her dress from Lovely Bride. It flowed so beautifully on her and it was almost as if the dress was made for her. After saying their vows and “I do’s”, two were officially newlyweds! It’s at this point where you start to think “we finally did it!” and reality sets in. Enjoy these moments because they are so precious.

Once the ceremony was done, it was time for some portraits. Of courser we had to utilize the beautiful greenery while we had the chance, so we took a few photos within the field of daisies. As we move inward towards the forest and followed the trail, we made it to the main attraction.. Madison Falls. It was a scene straight out of a fairytale! The waterfall in the background omitted this refreshing scent of nature which was exactly what we were going for. Close to the Airbnb where Amber and Chris got ready is a gorgeous lake surrounded by mountains so naturally we had to capture this picturesque moment for them.

As I say with most of my couples after any wedding, it was so incredibly beautiful. I am forever grateful for my job and so excited for what is to come for Amber and Chris in the future. Congratulations A+C - cheers!!!

Signs Eloping is for You!

Now some of you may be thinking, this looks beautiful and all but how do I know if this is right for me? How do I know that having an elopement is the right choice. The number one thing you should remember, is that your wedding is all about YOU. It can be easy to be influenced by those you care about and the “norm” but do whatever you feel comfortable. You want your wedding day to encompass everything that you value and love, whatever that may be.

With that being said however, there is a few things you can take into account when deciding to elope. Some of these being:

• You’re looking for a more cost effective option - elopements can be a great way for you & your partner to save money while still being able to celebrate your love!

• You want more intimacy - elopements are known to be much more intimate and intentional. You don’t have to worry about all the hustle & bustle of planning a large wedding so you can focus more of your time & energy in your partner.

• You want to travel/explore - elopements are the ultimate excuse to pack up your bags and travel somewhere new! Explore a new place with your partner, get married and even possibly honeymoon - all in one location!

• You’re non-traditional - while elopements have grown to be much more common (especially during pandemic/post-pandemic times), they still can be seen as outside the “norm” of a traditional wedding. If you are someone who wants to break away from the tradition and do something fun, exciting and different for this next chapter of your life, well… elopements might be right up your alley!

Whatever you may choose to do, remember that it isn’t about the fancy dresses and details or the large venues with glimmering chandeliers with hundreds of guests. It’s a celebration of you and your partner coming together as one and THAT is what matters most.

Oh and if you loved this Intimate Spring Elopement in Washington, then you’re going to love this Miami Elopement at the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens!

Looking to book the wedding of your dreams?

Miami Elopement at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Traveling has always been something that I enjoyed. You get to experience the thrill of exploring new places, learning about history and looking at the beauty that is our world. As a traveling wedding photographer, I am able to combine both of my passions of photography + travel and capture beautiful memories for couples that I serve, not to mention that Miami is my beloved hometown.

Miami Elopement at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

These two lovebirds decided to elope in one of the most beautiful locations in Miami, the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. Surrounded by ten acres of garden and views of the shoreline, this beautiful museum is the ultimate wedding location. It encompasses Miami’s beauty, history and culture all within this beautiful historic landmark. A must see for anybody in Miami, but especially for those looking for wedding portraits!

What to know before your session at Vizcaya:

Arriving at Vizcaya

Located on 3251 South Miami Avenue Miami, FL 33129, Vizcaya Gardens is easily reached by both car and public transportation (although miami public transit is not great). If couples plan to arrive their car, Vizcaya staff will direct them to one of their two parking lots on either side of South Miami Avenue. Both parking lots offer free parking. If you wish to take public transportation, take Miami-Dade’s Metrorail to the conveniently named “Vizcaya Station”.

Permits

For elopements, the first step in securing at your session at Vizcaya Museums and Gardens is reserving a daytime photo permit. Photo permits are required for any situations involving a photographer and subject(s) posing for pictures in Vizcaya without exception. Base photography permit start at $250 a day plus tax on weekdays and $350 a day plus tax during weekends. This pass allows for photography access during Vizcaya’s normal hours of operation, typically 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. This pass does not provide access to the Main House nor priority over other visitors touring Vizcaya.

The Premium Sunrise Permit allows for “nearly private” access to the gardens during 7:00 am to 9:30 am for $450 plus tax. Not only does this pass guarantee a beautiful sunrise for your pictures, but it ensures the session will run efficiently without wasting time to work around Vizcaya’s usual large crowds. For couples that want to take pictures within Vizcaya’s breath-taking Main House, a $750 plus tax Indoor Permit pass will be required. This permit also allows clients to take their pictures during the 7:00 am to 9:30 am sunrise period.

Lastly, all photography permits are subject to the rules found here: https://vizcaya.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Photo-Permit-Rules-10.13.21.pdf.

For regular photo permits, clients can start the reservation process here.

Ideal Times, Weather, and Clothes:

Miami’s extreme humidity and high temperatures during the summer are infamous, therefore taking pictures at Vizcaya during the summer days is a recipe for disaster. If you want your clothes to not be drenched in sweat, consider booking in the early morning and in the fall, winter, and early spring. The humidity and temperatures will almost always be high, so be conscious of this when planning your wardrobe. Light, flowy fabrics that hang off your body are a great rule of thumb to follow for picking your outfits. Also, consider bringing extra outfits if your session falls on a particularly balmy day. Other than the heat, the only other variable remaining for your session is the rain. Being on the coast, Miami has very erratic precipitation patterns. This can mean that one second the skies are clear, but the next, rain is coming down harder and faster than you have ever seen. Because of this, always pack an umbrella or rain coat for the rain and be assured that we will work around the rain (and maybe even incorporate it) so it does not ruin your shoot.

Looking for a wedding photographer for Vizcaya? lets get started!

Sara and Chris were naturals when it came to being in front of the camera. They soaked up every second that they were there and truly flowed perfectly together. We explored the entire property, making sure to capture the stunning gardens and greenery that we were engulfed in. Sara was wearing a beautiful off the shoulder dress paired with a stunning white bouquet from Nery’s Flowers. Her hair was done by @jeremybhair and makeup was done by @_MakeupByHazel to create a timeless and elegant look. After a bit of exploring, we found ourselves at these stone steps. It was at these stone steps that we decided it be a good time for some celebratory champagne. Which by the way, I am NOT opposed to taking a few celebratory shots on your special day. It can help loosen you up and help with those wedding day jitters you may experiencing!

What are Elopements?

Sara and Chris were the ultimate power couple and I am so honored to have been there to capture such special moments for them. Even though it was just the two of them, it was still just as magical as any big wedding. Elopements are the perfect option for anyone looking for something small and intimate, maybe with a few family members or just you and your partner. Elopements can take place on the top of the mountain to on a boat in the middle of the ocean to the middle of an enchanted forest. The choice is all yours! The main reason couples choose to elope is because they want something more intimate with their partner. Planning a big wedding can get pretty hectic and some couples would rather enjoy the moment than worry about planning a big wedding. It also could be a good alternative to those looking for a much more cost effective option. Elopements were once looked at as “untraditional”, and is now becoming more normalized which I love! Your wedding day is all about you and you should do whatever you feel comfortable with and no one else. That’s why I am always willing to travel wherever you want to go for your wedding day, because I want everyone’s version of a fairytale wedding to come true.

Congratulations Sara + Chris and thank you again for letting be apart of something so special :)

Oh and if you loved this Miami Elopement at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, then you’re going to love this New Jersey Wedding at The Molly Pitcher Inn.

Psst… for wedding vendors, scroll to the bottom of this blog!

Photography: Zarza Photography

Florist: Nery’s Flowers

Bridal Makeup: @_MakeupByHazel

Bridal Hair: @jeremybhair

Ceremony Site: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Getting married in Vizacaya? I’d love to be your photographer <3

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