When you think of elopements, you might picture magazine-worthy images of couples standing on mountain peaks or in front of waterfalls, their outfits flowing perfectly in the wind. And while those elopements exist, they’re not the full picture.

Your elopement shouldn’t be about curating a day for the camera—it’s about creating an intentional experience that feels natural, authentic, and true to who you are through documentary-style elopement photography.

So what does that actually look like? Let’s break it down.

1. The Morning: Ease Into the Day

Instead of rushing to hair and makeup at 6 AM, imagine waking up slow—making coffee together, journaling, or taking a quiet walk before the day unfolds. This isn’t about “getting ready” for a photoshoot—it’s about soaking in the moment and setting the tone for the day ahead.

✔ Some couples choose to get ready separately, enjoying a moment of solitude before their vows.
✔ Others share the morning, making breakfast, listening to their favorite music, or reading letters to each other before heading out.

No staged first look, no artificial moments—just real interactions that actually matter to you.

2. The Ceremony: Intimate, Unscripted, and Meaningful

Forget a stiff, structured ceremony. A documentary-style elopement captures your vows in their most natural form—whether that’s on a quiet beach, deep in the woods, or even in your own backyard.

✔ Maybe you’re hiking up a ridge and stop at the perfect spot to exchange vows.
✔ Maybe you’re on a sailboat, drifting along the coastline while you make lifelong promises.
✔ Maybe you’ve brought a handful of close friends and family to witness, keeping things small but deeply personal.

There’s no pressure to “perform” for the camera—just you, your partner, and a moment that feels entirely your own.

3. The Documentary-Style Elopement Experience: More Than Just a Pretty Backdrop

Your elopement shouldn’t feel like a styled shoot—it should feel like an adventure. What do you want to do on your wedding day?

✔ Pack a picnic and hike to your favorite spot.
✔ Rent a Jeep and explore the coastline.
✔ Grab tacos and margaritas at a roadside stand.
✔ Take a midday break for a nap or a swim in a hidden cove.

A documentary-style approach to your elopement means letting the day breathe—allowing space for spontaneous detours, laughter, and the kind of moments you’ll want to relive for decades.

4. The Evening: An Unscripted Celebration

You don’t need a traditional reception to celebrate. Whether it’s a quiet dinner at your cabin, a sunset cruise, or roasting marshmallows under the stars, your elopement day doesn’t end when the sun goes down.

✔ Some couples set up a private dinner with a personal chef.
✔ Others keep it low-key with pizza and beers around a campfire.
✔ A few opt for a night out, dancing in the city where they first met.

Whatever feels right for you, your elopement should end in a way that feels just as meaningful as it began.

5. The Photos: Capturing the Story, Not Staging It

A documentary-style elopement photographer isn’t there to direct every movement—they’re there to observe, anticipate, and capture the moments that naturally unfold.

✔ The way your partner looks at you when you’re not paying attention.
✔ The nervous excitement in the moments leading up to your vows.
✔ The wind in your hair as you laugh, completely unguarded.
✔ The quiet in-between moments—tying your shoes, refilling your coffee, holding hands without thinking about it.

Instead of focusing on “getting the shot,” the focus is on preserving the feeling of the day.

6. Sample Full-Day Documentary-Style Elopement Experience: Catalina Island

If you’re worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera, the key is planning a day so immersive and joy-filled that you forget the camera is even there. Your elopement should be more than just a multi-stop photoshoot—it should be an experience. Here’s what that could look like:

✔ Morning: Wake up slow. Enjoy a picnic breakfast with coffee and pastries from Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co. or grab breakfast from a cozy cafe. Watch the sunrise on a blanket in Lovers Cove. Take a stroll through the marina and pier, basking in the calm energy. Wander over to The Catalina Casino and marvel at the architecture.

✔ Midday: Head out for a privately chartered boat tour, sailing around the coast of Catalina Island. Stop in a quiet cove for a picnic at sea, go snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, or paddleboard along the shore. (Alternate Idea: Go on a Backcountry Hummer Adventure Tour around Catalina Island.)

✔ Afternoon: Return to your hotel and relax with your favorite snacks while getting ready for the evening. A professional makeup artist can meet you at your suite for a low-key hair + makeup look in a jiffy. 

✔ Sunset Ceremony: Hike up to a spot with amazeball views like Garden to Sky Summit, Lone Tree Point, Chimes Tower Lookout, or Buena Vista Scenic Overlook. Exchange vows in golden light, then pop a bottle of bubbly and celebrate with cupcakes.

✔ Evening: Head to Bluewater Avalon for a seafood dinner with ocean views before ending the night with a peaceful walk through Avalon’s streets, head to Via Casino (the bridge & entrance is iconic) to keep the party going, or just a quiet nightcap back at your hotel.

The best part? No pressure, no stress—just a day that’s fully yours.

Experience the Day + Relive it with Documentary-Style Elopement Photography

An elopement isn’t about creating an aesthetic—it’s about experiencing the day as it happens. When you strip away the pressure to make it look a certain way, what’s left is something even more beautiful: a wedding day that feels like you.

If this sounds like the kind of elopement you’re dreaming of, let’s talk. I’d love to help you plan and document an elopement that’s fully, unapologetically yours.