Intimate Elopement at The “Kill Bill” Church: Vicki & Lee

Kat

Made You Look Studio

December 18, 2013

It's no secret that I am completely obsessed with Made U Look's photography. I know I'm not supposed to have favourites and all, but if I was forced... well, they'd be way up there. They just kill it every time. Which is why, when Vicki and Lee sent me the photos of their elopement at a church in the Californian desert, shot by Made U Look, I didn't hesitate for one second when I replied saying "Yes, yes, yes I want to feature you!"

A Secret New York City Elopement: Sarah & Mason

Kat

Dustin Cantrell

December 14, 2013

Intimate Beach Ceremony in France: Anna & Jarrah

Kat

Pretty Days

December 11, 2013

No matter how many weddings I feature, or how many cool, quirky and original décor and details I see, it is always the simple and emotional, small weddings, that really slay me. Elopements, intimate ceremonies, the great outdoors. Anna and Jarrah did exactly this, travelling from their home in Australia to a beach in France, with just their parents and very best friends in attendance.

Utah Mountains Elopement: Patrick & Trisha

Kat

Jessie Alexis

November 22, 2013

Patrick and Trisha eloped in Utah, just off the Alpine Loop Road, in Provo Canyon above the Sundance Resort. They had just a few family members in attendance and the bride wore a short lace dress from H&M.

Intimate Elopement Inspiration

Kat

Joel Bedford Weddings

November 6, 2013

Are any of you planning to elope? If so, I hope this gorgeous shoot might inspire you. " I really wanted to showcase a different way to do a wedding", wrote wedding photographer and the driving force behind this session, Joel Bedford. "I pictured this lovely couple driving out into the middle of nowhere to recite their vows. The idea seemed so romantic to me: a red vintage sportscar, a ballerina skirt and a couple in love."

The Real “Non Wedding”, An Elopement at Home: Alicia & Phill

Kat

Blush

September 25, 2013

A lot of you will no doubt remember Whit and Colby's 'Non Wedding' shoot by the incredible Brooke Davis. It was one of my most popular wedding features of all time, and weirdly, sparked quite a bit of debate. But to those that said it was an irrelevant shoot with no real meaning to actual brides and grooms - today I present to you Alicia and Phill. After seeing those images not only booked Brooke to shoot their elopement, but went for their very own 'Non Wedding' theme - a secret ceremony and a party in their own back garden. Inspiration is everywhere.

Nineties Grunge Elopement: Ashley & Chris

Kat

Val and Sarah

September 15, 2013

Remote Coastal Elopement: Simon & Leanne

Kat

Pete Cranston

September 12, 2013

Planning a wedding is bloody hard work and sometimes it can all get a bit too much. I'm sure you've stressed a little over flower arrangements, worried if your bridesmaids will like their dresses or navigated your way through more family issues than you even knew you had. Big weddings are wonderful occasions but I'm yet to meet a couple who haven't wondered at some point if that crazy idea to elope was really so crazy after all.

A Wedding of Two Halves: Jen & Steve {Part One}

Kat

Fazackarley

August 19, 2013

It's unusual that I'll split a wedding into two parts, but as Jen and Steve had two very distinctive and very different wedding days I feel it's only fair to give both of them equal air time! Their celebrations kicked off with an intimate legal ceremony at Brighton register office... with an Elvis and Marilyn Monroe impersonators as their only witnesses!

Low Key Spanish Elopement: Satu & John

Kat

David de Biasí

May 30, 2013

Over the past few weeks I've been interviewed by three major media outlets about the rise of low key weddings (Grazia, The Daily Mail and the BBC). A number of celebrities have recently tied the knot in uncharacteristically understated ways (Keira being the latest) which has prompted the mainstream media interest, but as any Rock n Roll bride will know this is really nothing new. Planning your wedding in your own way has been something I've championed ever since this blog began waaaay back in 2007 and I'm honoured to have featured so many beautiful, small and honest weddings over the years. Of course I am thrilled that the mainstream are finally starting to sit up and take notice though - catch up guys!

Intimate Icelandic Elopement: Sophia & James

Kat

Nordica

May 27, 2013

There's something so incredibly romantic about eloping. Running off, declaring your undying forever love and completely forgoing tradition to do something just for the two of you. Well, as soon as I laid eyes on Sophia & James' wedding, posted in a private photographer's group that I'm a member of with the caption "I wish I shot this wedding. I think this is just so beautiful. In fact it's probably one of the most stunning weddings I've seen in a while..." I just knew I had to feature it. Thankfully wedding photographers Nordica Photography had the same idea because as soon as I asked for it they said they were literally about to submit it! Oh when the heavens collide...

A Touch of Vegas: Chelsea & Mike

Kat

Gaby J

May 16, 2013

Chelsea & Mike wanted to marry in Las Vegas but without doing the typical cheesy Vegas wedding thing. So instead of being married by Elvis, they opted for a simple ceremony (not photographed) at Little Church of the West, followed by a photo session around downtown Vegas with photographer Gaby J. "Our wedding them was 'a touch of Vegas', explained the bride. "We didn't want to go all out with an over the top Vegas style wedding equipped with an Elvis pastor. So we opted for something more subtle. I had my blue suede shoes and my bridesmaids wore gold sequin dresses."

Colourful Seattle Elopement: Kayleigh & Jason

Kat

June Cochran

May 6, 2013

If there's one thing I'm never seen without, its something bright and colourful on top of my head. And as the weather gets warmer, I'm rocking my flower crown collection as often as possible - the bigger and brighter the better I say! So it goes without saying really that I was pretty darn excited when I saw Kayleigh's bridal ensemble. I know that if I was getting married now, I'd so be wearing something like this. Also check out her amazing nail art. Daaaamn this girl's got style!

Mojave Desert Elopement Planned in Six Weeks: Ceri & PC

Kat

Julie Marchese

May 3, 2013

What could be more romantic than running off with your fiancé and your BFFs and getting married in the middle of the desert? Well, that's exactly what Ceri & PC did and I'm thrilled to have been allowed to share a sneaky peek of this super private and intimate wedding with you today. The ceremony took place in the Mojave desert just outside Joshua Tree, California, and afterwards they had a small 'reception' at Villa dei Fiori, a house they'd rented for the trip.

Intimate Georgia Elopement: Zack & Laura

Kat

Stephanie Cobb

April 30, 2013

This laid back couple met online and spent their first dates huddled on Laura's sofa, watching movies and eating food that she'd cooked. So needless to say when it came to their wedding they wanted to keep it as low key as possible too. "We have always been such an easy couple, lots of love and not much hassle of going overboard with things", Laura explained. "His proposal a year after we met was perfect. We were in the mall and he pulled me into a photo booth and he proposed while the photos were being taken inside. It was perfect!"

Sweet Backyard Elopement: Nicole & Tom

Kat

Studio 516

April 10, 2013

When it came to planning their wedding, Nicole & Tom knew they didn't want a big fuss. In fact a private elopement at home was just the ticket. They did everything themselves from the decor to the food for their small number of guests and the music. They set up a video camera for the ceremony to be livestreamed to their friends & family that couldn't attend.

Crazy Las Vegas Elopement: Erik & Brooke

Kat

Top Banana

April 6, 2013

Erik & Brooke travelled from California to get married by Elvis at a wedding chapel in downtown Las Vegas (not photographed). After they sealed the deal, wedding photographer Laura of Top Banana Photography arrived to document a post-ceremony photo adventure. They firstly had shots taken around the downtown area, followed by Boulder City and finally the Hoover Dam.

Intimate Maui Elopement: Monica & Jason

Kat

Trish Barker

March 16, 2013

With just $6500 to spend, Monica & Jason knew they wanted a small wedding. So instead of the going down the traditional route, they flew themselves and their daughter to Maui for an intimate beach wedding. "We didn't have an actual budget in mind", Monica began. "My parents gifted us $5000 to put towards our wedding and we spent a bit ourselves too. In total the wedding was around $6500, which doesn't include our rings. What it did include was everything needed for the wedding plus return airfare from Vancouver BC for three of us, lodging in Maui and car rental. Our thoughts behind what we were going to spend was this: we wanted to have what made us happy within reason."

Low Key Portland Elopement: Tyler & Revonna

Kat

In Essence

February 15, 2013

An intimate park ceremony, a trip to a cupcakery and a wedding that's an unpretentious as they get. With just $4000, Tyler & Revonna were wed at Council Crest Park in Portland, OR with just their two best friends in attendance. Their low key 'reception' was at Jake’s Grill, a local restaurant which they both love. The bride even made her own wedding dress, headpiece and the dress that her bridesmaid wore.

An $800 Fiesta Elopement: Carla & Nicholas

Kat

White Rabbit Studios

February 8, 2013

Yep, you read that right - Carla & Nicholas spent just $800 on their intimate fiesta elopement. In fact I had to double check they didn't mean $8000 when I received their submission and that it wasn't just a typo! The elopement took place on 28th December at Madison County Courthouse. After they got engaged, the couple immediately started planning a big wedding, but after some time decided to instead elope the weekend after Christmas. All their family was in town for the holidays so it meant they could all be there to celebrate with a big family meal afterwards. The bride's sister-in-law, Melanie, secretly hired wedding photographer Ashley Vaughn of White Rabbit Studios as a gift to capture their day. Everything else came in under the $800 budget.