IS ELOPEMENT RIGHT FOR US?

This comes from the bottom of my heart, sincerely.

Read this article as if a dear friend were explaining something new, interesting, and crazy to you.
Let yourself be carried away :)

I) DO NOT THINK WITH YOUR REASON, BUT WITH YOUR HEART

The definition of elopement has changed over the last 3 or 4 years now. It is no longer for lonely couples, ashamed couples or couples who do not want to invest in their ceremony.
An elopement is so much more than that…

Couples who choose to elope have a wide choice of activities, locations – despite how intimate it will be, or rather full of guests.

With all these options, it is sometimes complicated to know exactly what we want deep down. One of the recurring questions: “Is this the right choice? Should I continue in this direction, or change everything?”

To help you, here is what I advise you to do:
• With your partner, position yourself in a way that makes you comfortable: hugging on the couch; sitting face to face, hands touching discreetly…
• Close your eyes and breathe deeply
• Out loud, state what you see during your future ceremony.
• Don’t think about the logistics; let your imagination run wild: a large lake in the mountains of Italy; a helicopter taking you to one of the Himalayan mountains; your union in the lands of Patagonia… A chalet, a crackling fire… A special cake comes to mind? What are the activities you would like to do during your day? Be crazy!

What you are doing now is the right way to get started with elopement and to perceive what your heart thinks, and not your head. You may not be able to achieve everything, but it will be YOUR wedding!

II) HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN YOU INVITE?

With elopements, it’s a joy when you know that there are no rules, just the standard laws to follow.
No rules on the number of guests. No rules on the length of your elopement. No rules on what you should include in your ceremony.
Many photographers have different opinions. Some charge a higher or lower fee if you bring 1, 2 or 15 guests. Check what they offer to make sure you’re within your budget.
In my opinion, I honestly believe that each elopement is so unique, that I don’t have any rules on how many guests you can bring; this is normal, for your special day, the people who mean the most to you should be there.

Typically, couples arrive with an average of 15 guests, if not a maximum of 30. It’s up to you!

III) IS A WEDDING PLANNER NECESSARY? WHAT OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS SHOULD YOU CONSIDER? 

If you don't feel comfortable organizing the elopement without one, I can give you quality service providers.
In addition, if your idea is just to spend a unique moment in a magnificent place with beautiful photographs, you won't need anything except an officiant.

My job is also to accompany you, to give you the best of the supports and resources that I have at my disposal to develop the elopement of your dreams.

Most of the time, these elopement planners have additional skills - officiant, florist... -, and they will be happy to share them with you.

IV) HOW DO WE MAKE THIS OFFICIAL IN THE EYES OF THE LAW? 

For the French people, you will have to go to the town hall to sign the papers with your witnesses, without this, nothing will be able to say that you are married.

For those who have another nationality, I strongly advise you to choose the location you want with the mention "marriage License + location". It all depends on the country (and region) where you will celebrate your union.

Besides my job as a photographer, I can also be a witness for you.

For international elopements, couples prefer to facilitate the process by signing the papers before, and keep the real ceremony for their wedding. They will exchange their vows on the big day.

V) HOW MUCH CAN BE SAVED? 

This topic is a myth that many believe to be true.
It all depends on how you want to organize the elopement. You will necessarily pay less in relation to the number of guests, but not on the service providers.

Your dress, suit, wedding rings, florist, wedding planner, photographer… The reason for the elopement is not enough for the service providers to be less expensive.

Your elopement is not limited to 4 hours, nor 8, but it is a whole day, despite the time you have asked your service providers. When you think back on it, you will remember that it is a full day, 24 hours, 24 hours that are only for you. Personally, I see it like this: I will photograph you all day, without exception!

Know that the average expenditure for a wedding is €10,000; and €6,000 for the honeymoon. An elopement will cost you around €10,000 to €12,000.

VI) WHO SHOULD YOU HIRE AS YOUR ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER? HOW TO DECIDE? 

I'll make it easy for you: "Me" simply. Hahaha. I'm kidding.

Let's be serious, a photographer is THE person who can make you endure the worst or make you know the best when it comes to guiding you and photographing your union, your story.

To decide if a photographer is right for you, I recommend:

- Read their "About Me" page, and learn about them, and their desire to please their clients.
- Read their articles, look at the photos they can offer. Are these photos that give you a particular feeling? Would you like to show them to future generations?
- The price: yes, this is the painful subject. I don't like to talk about money either, however it is important. In my heart, I consider that you pay what you get. If the average is €4,000, and a photographer offers you €1,500. Ask yourself why? Why such a low price? Are they aware of the workload involved in an elopement? If not, do they have experience? I'm not saying to get in touch with the most expensive photographer, just pay attention to what vendors in this wedding industry are offering.
- If you like what they do, if you think the price is within your budget, send them a message, and then call after the first exchange. Never pay a vendor if you haven't had them on the phone. We want to learn about our clients. We want clients to know more about us. We want to know if we click, so we can know if we can create an authentic relationship = authentic photographs. If that's not possible, that's okay. It's nothing personal. There are photographers everywhere.


My job starts from the moment you contact me. Even if you don't take me; what I know is that I'm already thinking about your organization from your first EMAIL. I listen to you, I read you, I call you to learn more about you. Then, we start doing the research to find out the places that might suit you and the other steps of the elopement.

I hope this article has helped you see more clearly on a subject or several in particular concerning your dream elopement.

Thank you for reading me, and if you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them. Just send me an email :)

Or am I the right one for you and your dream elopement?