It’s the rainy season in socal and it’s making us reminisce on this romantic rainy elopement we captured in Yosemite last year. Jurate and Samuel are a perfect match made and heaven and they chose one of the most heavenly places to tie the knot. We were worried about the weather at first but it only made the day more magical. See below for all the all those pretty moody elopement vibes!
Emily + Kristian decided to ditch the typical indoor church wedding and instead elope to Yosemite with some of their closest friends and family. A big snow storm that dumped quite a few inches hit the park just days before their big day. The new dusting of snow over the park created such a magical setting for these two! They chose to tie the knot in one of our favorite spots in the park, Lower Twin Falls. After an early morning of getting ready at their little cabins we headed over to their ceremony location. It was an icy and snowy trek up the short trail but the scenic view at the end was so worth it. The ceremony took place right at the base of two of the biggest waterfalls and we were so lucky that instead of being iced over they were pouring out! After the quick but incredibly touching ceremony we took a few more photos on our way back to the cabins. With plenty of warm up breaks in between locations we were able to create some really special moments. We then jumped in our warm cars and headed over the the Ahwahnee Hotel for brunch and cake cutting. The Ahwahnee is such a timeless rustic hotel that makes you feel like you walked into one of the most luxurious cozy cabins you have ever been to. After some good food and a few family photos by the christmas tree we headed over to a few other iconic locations in the park to end the day. By the afternoon it had warmed up and we really enjoyed exploring some really pretty spots with these two. El Cap and Half Dome made for the perfect back drops for these two newlyweds. Emily and Kristian were some of the sweetest people and you could really feel and see the love in their eyes. Capturing them in their natural element was such a breeze and we couldn’t have asked for a better day. See below for some of our favorite photos from Emily + Kristian’s snowy intimate wedding in Yosemite valley.
Joshua Tree is one of those magical places. With its otherworldly trees and giant boulders scattered among the landscape it’s no surprise that people from all over the country travel to witness it’s unusual beauty. Jessica and Isaac drove hundreds of miles from Texas to not only experience Joshua Tree but to privately say their vows and become husband and wife. Although temperatures can get relatively high in July in the desert we were lucky to have a nice breeze and comfortable temperatures in the shade. One of the biggest perks of eloping is you get to make a schedule that works for YOU! When creating a timeline we planned to start their ceremony right before golden hour as temperatures were beginning to drop and it was perfect.
The day started with Allen and I arriving to one of the cutest airbnbs I ever did see to take some getting ready photos and to do Jessica’s makeup. I was so excited that I got to do her makeup for her special day and we created the most perfect natural glam look for her. Once we finished with makeup Jessica and Isaac got ready in separate rooms before the big reveal! Jessica walked nervously into the room but once Isaac turned around to see her for the first time he had the biggest smile I had ever seen. Elopements are so fun because breaking tradition and doing things your way can create some of the most intimate moments. With zero distractions these two got to express their love to each other in the most personal way. After wiping a few tears and having a fun dance break in the living room we packed up the cars and headed over to their ceremony location in Joshua Tree National Park. We had met a day prior just to look at a few options and make sure we picked a spot that they loved to tie the knot. After setting up the boho rugs and pampas grass it was time for Jessica and Isaac to say I DO! They had a picture perfect ceremony with one of the coolest rock formations standing tall right behind them. After a beautiful and touching ceremony we whisked them off to a few other locations around the park and just had a blast! These two were so adventurous! They climbed up boulders, ran and rolled around in the dirt, popped champagne and had many many dance breaks! We were SO incredibly lucky that we got to capture and help create a day for these two that they will never forget.
Joshua tree is desert magic and that’s all there is to it! If you are looking to elope somewhere unique I highly recommend checking it out!
It’s actually a really interesting story how we got in touch with Anthia and Mauricio! Last year Allen and I were driving out to Joshua Tree NP for an engagement session we were hired when at the very last minute our clients canceled. After driving quite a distance for their session we decided not to waste our time and reached out on facebook and instagram to see if there were any couples who wanted to take the session free of charge! Anthia and Mauricio reached out to us immediately and were able to meet us within the hour! It was amazing we felt so lucky that we were able to give our time to a couple at the last minute. We had such a fun session with them and we talked about how they were thinking if they were to get married they would love to elope! After parting ways we got in touch again and these two asked if we could photograph their elopement in Yosemite NP! I jumped out of my chair when I got the email! I was so excited because we LOVE Yosemite so much and know it like the back of our hands!
We decided on a sunrise elopement at Glacier Point to get the BEST light you will ever see in the park! As we discussed possible dates Anthia was super smart to choose a week day which made it significantly less crowded (yes even sunrise can be a busy time!). We started our day at 2:30am with makeup at their cute airbnb just outside of the park. All of us were running on barely a few hours of sleep but it was so much fun we had pure excitement and adrenaline (and lots of coffee!) fueling us. After our session we drove to their elopement spot and it was so perfect and empty! We were the first ones there and got to pick the most amazing spot overlooking El Capitan. We took them one by one to the spot in order to have a true first look at the location. Allen and I were both moved to tears as we captured them seeing each other first time in one of the most beautiful places in the world. They then started to read their vows and it was like God himself planned their elopement because the sun started to peak out behind the mountains the minute they began. Right as they finished their vows and had their first kiss and husband and wife the sun came out like a beam over the mountain and I was in actual shock! I had never witnessed something so beautiful and perfect in my entire life. You can tell these two are destined for each-other!
Yosemite is honestly one of the most diverse and stunning locations of an elopement. The best part is the fun doesn’t stop after the vows are read! We were able to stop at one of our favorite secret road spots and then into the beautiful lush valley below for a relaxing picnic with wine and cupcakes! Even the purple flowers in the fields were blooming for these two’s special day! We seriously love every moment as we capture couples enjoy nature and each other as we get to play tour guide / photographer for the day. Over all this was probably one of the most special elopements we have been apart of and feel so lucky we got to witness these beautiful souls on a day they will never forget.
Makeup + Photography - Sam Rae MUA Photo
Florist - New Creations Flower Co.
As a lover of mountain ranges of all shapes and sizes the Grand Tetons have always been a place I have dreamed of photographing an elopement. I would flip through instagram and pinterest just imagining what a sunrise elopement would look like underneath the golden glow of the mountains. Apart from their beauty the Grand Tetons are only minutes away from Jackson Hole, WY. This town have some of the most beautiful accommodations as well as world class skiing and snowboarding that you can practically walk to. It is a perfect place to escape for an elopement as you can enjoy the local town with all it’s charm and even drive up to Yellowstone which is a quick 2 hour drive north.
After sitting home for so many months because of COVID my husband and I devised a plan to do a massive 1 week road trip with our final destination being the Grand Tetons. I started styling and contacting vendors to try to create the elopement style I always dreamed would look amazing amongst the towering mountain-cape. I was very lucky to find and work alongside some really talented vendors from all over the country. Our florist and cake were both from Boise, ID and the hat, calligraphy, and rentals were all from California. With a huge collaboration like this I was so happy we were able to make this vision come to life.
Our models Renae and Daniel are already married but you can tell they keep the love alive! We all braced for the cold as we knew that a sunrise shoot in the end of October would be chilly. Equipped with a heated blanket, hand warmers, and many warm up breaks we were able to take some of the most spectacular photos right as the sun rays hit the mountains behind them. We had so much fun working with these two as we captured every smile and intimate moment.
Early in the planning process we decided to break up this elopement into two separate session. The first was a sunrise exchanging of vows and the second part included cake and sweet heart table overlooking the valley at sunset. I think this is a really awesome schedule for real couples looking to Elope to the Grand Tetons. It gives you a nice afternoon break to check out the park or take a rest and then enjoy the last bits of light the day has to offer in style. This styled shoot was also a good test run for us as we gained so much experience through the planning and styling process. I am glad to say both Allen and I became super familiar with local vendors, the permitting process as well as the many amazing locations around the park.
Overall I hope this photoshoot gives you all the mountain elopement inspiration you need! If you are looking to elope in the beautiful mountains of the Grand Tetons let us know! We would love to help you with the entire experience from styling to timeline assistance!
Featured in Wandering Weddings
Photography / Styling - Sam Rae MUA Photo
Planning: Rayanne Rose Weddings
Florist - Petal Works Design Studio
Cake - Amaru Confections
Table Rental - AKT Made
Rentals (Cushions, Rug, Accessories) - Archive
Tabletop Rentals - Rustic Peony Co.
Calligraphy - Chalk N Ink
Ribbons - Emma Linh Co
Suit - Stitch and Tie
Dress - Rue De Seine
Dress Rental - JJP Dress Rentals
Hat - Friends of Friends Hat Co.
Bride Shoes - Dolce Vita
Models - Renae Johnson + Daniel Spreier
Utah is home to some of the most incredible landscapes as well as 5 stunning national parks. It’s hard not to want to travel and see everything the state has to offer. One of my absolute favorite spots are the natural Salt Flats just a few hours outside of Salt Lake City. This location has been used for racing and countless photoshoots because of its unique features. The expanse of white salt that stretches as far as the eye can see also creates some beautiful lighting similar to a perfectly lit studio. When the light bounces off the white ground it can create some really stunning images.
My husband and I made it a goal to travel to the Utah Salt Flats and put together a fun styled elopement. After finding and getting in touch with some really special vendors to help create the vision I had in mind we packed up our truck and traveled a few hundred miles. During the styling process I created a mood board and decided to create two different looks for our bride. While the sun was still a bit high in the sky Natasha wore a bright blue and white dress that I thought would accentuate the natural environment at that time of day. Once the sun got closer to the horizon Natasha changed into a beautiful gold sparkling dress to really accentuate the golden hour and natural sunlight. I did some work prior to the photoshoot handpicking her hair piece and earrings to make sure they would work well with both looks. I love including those extra special details, they can really help complete a look. I have to shout out Petal Works Design Studio for providing a beautiful dried bouquet and boutonniere which added a nice boho flair of the entire photoshoot.
Over all we did our best to create images that can help inspire couples who are interested in eloping. Our models Natasha and Moy were so sweet and we had a blast taking their photos! Even though they are already married they are still so love that each moment felt just as special as a real elopement would. I hope this blog can help you with planning or styling your future mini-mony, elopement, engagement session or any fun photoshoot you are planning in your future!
Vendors
Planning: Rayanne Rose Weddings https://www.rayannerose.com/
Styling + Photography: Sam Rae MUA Photo www.samraemuaphoto.com
Florist: Petal Works Design Studio https://www.petalworksidaho.com/
Rentals: Archive Rentals https://archiverentals.com/
Models: Natasha + Moy Campos
Dresses: OKBridal https://okbridal.co.uk/
If you could describe a perfect elopement would it include soft fluffy animals with adorable eyes and a stunning waterfall that you can walk under? Then I have the perfect elopement for you! These two lovebirds included all of their favorite things for their special day. We had so much fun traveling all around Georgia to capturing them in some of the best places the state has to offer. I started the day doing the brides makeup and then we all headed over to an alpaca farm where these adorable creatures lived. These guys were just about to be sheared so they were extra cute and fluffy which made them look like real life stuffed animals! After having fun with the alpacas we headed over to Toccoa Falls to say the vows. This stunning elopement spot is located in the middle of nowhere, it is seriously tucked away where you can hardly find it. I wasn’t sure what to expect but this waterfall was WAY bigger than I expected. These two were so cute as we took a few shots of them by the cascading water. When they had the chance these adventurous lovers immediately took a little dip in the water below the falls. After dancing around in the misty water it was time to say the vows. These two had so much love in their eyes as they ended their day proclaiming their love to one another and I felt so incredibly lucky to experience and capture it.
Planning/ Styling- Martin Ngo Photography
Makeup / Photo- Sam Rae Makeup & Photography
Dress: BHLDN
Flowers: Neo Classic Designs
Hat: Nordstrom
Ribbon: EmmaLinh Co
Cake: Cake Cake GA
Venue: Apple Mountain Alpacas
If you love the color red Zion has you covered! With red rocks soaring into the sky in every direction there almost isn’t a bad spot in this beautiful park to tie the knot. See below for a picturesque elopement in one of the most stunning valleys in the US.
Vendors:
Planning/ Styling- Martin Ngo Photography
Makeup / Photo- Sam Rae Makeup & Photography
Dress: Rue De Seine
Florist: Robynn’s Nest
There is nothing like a quick escape to the beautiful mountains of Canada for a Bridal Session!
Vendors:
Planning/ Styling- Martin Ngo Photography
Makeup / Photo- Sam Rae Makeup & Photography
Florist- Flowers by Jerry
Louise and Robin are Banff locals and adventure seekers worldwide! They have been married for a few years but decided to celebrate their anniversary in style. We headed to some of their favorite spots and despite the rain misting around us we got some beautiful photos. Theses two special souls are some of the most kind people I have ever had the pleasure of capturing. Please see below for a super scenic and touching anniversary session in Gods country.
Vendors:
Planning/ Styling- Martin Ngo Photography
Makeup / Photo- Sam Rae Makeup & Photography
Florist- Flowers by Jerry
Dress #2 - Rue De Seine Bridal
Sand dunes are one of my favorite places in the world to take photos, the natural textures and the neutral tones are just a dream. I was so lucky to be apart of this couples wild elopement in Glamis, CA. They got to say their vows to one another and enjoy their moments alone without distraction. I was also super lucky to do this brides makeup as well. I used warm tones and some hints of gold to go along with the feel of the location. If you love super intimate elopements then this one is for you.
Makeup / Photography: Sam Rae Genido
Calligraphy: Chalk N Ink
Florist: Irises Designs
Is there a place on this earth more beautiful than Switzerland? I honestly don’t think there is. When a couple elopes it becomes such an adventure because without all the strings of a big wedding they can choose anywhere they’d like to tie the knot. The possibilities for elopements are endless. Lauterbrunnen is a gorgeous valley with powerful waterfalls on either side. As you walk down the valley you can see snowcapped mountains and little houses dotting the hillsides. I feel so lucky that I got to capture this amazing couple in a location that is just do die for.
List of vendors:
Photography / Makeup & Hair / Design: Samantha Genido (IG: @samraegenido)
Models: Isha Sulmon & Filip Sulmon (IG: @isha_sulmon @filip_sulmon)
Florist: Evelyn Krebs - Stil Und Stiele (IG: @stilundstiele)
Invitation Suit: Veraly & Company (IG: @veralyco)
Jewelry: Desert Daisy Jewelry (IG: @desertdaisyjewelry)
Dress Owner / Designer: Inge Stalyte - Wardrobe by Dulcinea (IG: @allthingsdulcinea)
Horseshoe Bend is one of those bucket list locations for most photographers. There is nothing like seeing this giant powerful river carve it's way through the earth in such a breathtaking way. About a year ago, before I started focusing on shooting couples and weddings my heart and soul loved landscape photography. There is something so healing and inspiring about the earth God gave us and capturing it became a passion of mine. Being able to mix my past love for landscapes along with the romance of a wedding created the most unforgettable day! Not only was I able to photograph this amazing elopement but I also got to provide this lovely bride with makeup as well. I am still shaking with excitement that I even get to post a blog on this stunning couple at one of the most gorgeous locations in the world! See below for a remarkable elopement that was one for the books!
Makeup & Photography - Sam Rae Genido
Planner / Organizer - Heather Taylor
Dress – Grey Pearl Bridal (Danyelle) [Jaclyn Jordan wrap skirt]
Top – Forever 21
Suit – Generation Tux
Florals – Elite Floral Events (Jena Waller)
Jewelry – Desert Daisy Jewelry (Emma Roberts)
Cake– Bleu Moon Bakery (Shayanne)
Rentals – Dogwood Party Rentals (Becca)
Stationary/Calligraphy – EG Letters (Liz)
Hair – Emma Roberts
Bride & Groom
Rachael Koch – www.intstagram.com/rachaelthedinosaur
Joel Mercier - www.instagram.com/joelsephski
