San Francisco was a special place for these two - it was the city where they met, fell in love, and built their lives together. Though the pandemic forced them to change their plans multiple times, they decided that they didn't want to wait any longer. So together we put together an epic day of adventuring to all the iconic San Francisco locations for their elopement - starting at the Ferry Building, then onwards to San Francisco City Hall, then to the Marin Headlands for a beautiful beach ceremony, and finally to a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. We originally had planned to capture the reception, but the city's traffic cut our time short, turning a 15 minute drive into a 45 minute drive and forcing us to make the split second decision on what to do with our remaining time. Though the sun had already set, I persuaded them to make to our last location in front of the Golden Gate Bridge - and it was absolutely perfect getting to watch them dance to an impromptu DJ on the top of the hill as the lights lit up the sky. Check out the rest of A + R's San Francisco elopement below!

These two met the old-fashioned away - on a blind date in New York City. When a new job brought one of them to California, they decided to do long distance for the year. But when the pandemic hit, their bicoastal relationship turned into being coworkers and roommates. What was once figuring out time zones became navigating work calls in a studio apartment. But getting to spend so much time together only made these two realize even more that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, and soon after, he proposed on a hike that almost didn't happen. In the midst of the pandemic, they reached out and together we planned an intimate wedding on the coast of Big Sur.

Though last minute changes meant shrinking down their guest list even more just the week before, it couldn't have been a more perfect wedding day. S + G started off getting ready at the beautiful coastal home of Wind and Sea with just a small group of family with them to witness them getting married. It was a day spent treasuring the big and small moments - the way her mother and mother-in-law aww-ed over what a beautiful bride she was, the tears that her brother-turned-officiant shed as they said their vows to each other, and the endless laughter over stories shared over toasts and desserts brought over from the famous Porto's Bakery. Their love was so clear from the way their family described how perfectly they balanced each other with her planner tendencies and his spontaneity, and the small smiles they shared when no one else was looking. And the bride, being a ballet dancer, showed off all the best moves as we continued on adventuring to the coast. Check out the rest of their Wind and Sea Big Sur elopement!

If there was one word I could use to describe these two, it would be joy. S + K originally planned to elope in Southern California, but they stumbled photos of the dramatic coastal bluffs of Big Sur and fell in love. These two were laughing and smiling from the very beginning of the day, even when the wind forced us to move their ceremony location. I had warned them that some of the paths would be a little more challenging with a full dress, so K came fully prepared with a new use for the Bridal Buddy, an underskirt that could be used to gather up all the layers of her dress so that she could freely hike safely. They ended their elopement day with a picnic and champagne on the beach, reading letters from their loved ones and dancing with their toes in the sand as the sun set over the horizon. When I asked them what their favorite part of their day was, his was watching his beautiful bride run and chase the birds, and her favorite memory was their picnic. It's those little moments that make each elopement so uniquely special! Check out the rest of their beautiful Big Sur elopement below.

I started talking with S + J about planning their elopement back in May when COVID-19 had changed everyone's wedding plans. These two met when S had been walking his dog (what better way to get a girl's attention?!) and they found that they shared a love for the outdoors and adventure. They knew they wanted their wedding day to be intimate, with just the bride's sister officiating their ceremony. With a September date almost finalized, unfortunately they had to put their plans on hold when an unexpected injury forced them to wait a little bit longer.

A few months later, I was so excited to hear from them again - we picked up right where we left off and started planning for a November elopement! Their day started off exchanging gifts at Glen Oaks Big Sur - J surprised her husband with a sweet photo book, and S made her laugh and smile at the roll of cash he wrapped up to make up for (honestly) forgetting his wallet on their first date. Ever the talented artist, the groom also gifted her a book of his own, with journal entries and hand drawn sketches documenting their memories together. I had never heard vows as eloquently written as J's vows written in poetry form. We then continued on to adventure to the redwoods and the coast of Big Sur to enjoy the rest of the day in a way that felt so genuine to who they were. And of course, a wedding day isn't complete without food + drink! We found a little spot out on the coast for just the two of them to share a first dance and enjoy a few bites of the home-baked Norwegian cake carefully made and delivered by the bride's mom. Right before the sun went down, we even got to include a bouquet toss - so we all know who's getting married next! Check out of the rest of S + J's Big Sur elopement below!

How can an elopement be a full day? I had been working with these two for the past two months to plan their backyard elopement. We had an itinerary and timeline all mapped out to visit a few different spots after the ceremony, but instead they took the day to just slow down and enjoy it. They had the sweetest Jewish ceremony where I had the honor to be their sole witness, cut cake in their backyard, and played with their pups who loved all the new sights and sounds. When it came time to adventure out for their portraits, we realized we wouldn’t have time to go to 2 out of the 3 locations we had planned, so headed straight for the coast for sunset. Though we had been worried about the rainy weather forecast all last week, we lucked out and watched the most beautiful sunset, ending their night driving over Golden Gate Bridge in the raddest 1954 Chevy Bel Air. It was a full day spent well in a way that just felt like them. Check out the rest of their California coastal and backyard elopement!

How many of you are planners like me? As a planner and a bride, P was on top of it when we talked through different timelines and location options. With Big Sur hit by so many fires this year, we weren't sure if Pfeiffer Beach would be open. Luckily just just in time - a  week before their elopement - the Dolan Fire was contained and we went ahead and planned to head their after their ceremony.

But as (not) the planner, A took his chance to surprise his bride with the sweetest gesture. Just as she was about to walk down the aisle, she heard music playing. He had somehow managed to livestream musicians - with the very limited Wifi out in the redwoods - for their ceremony. They shared a first dance together and all the tears on their elopement day. Check out the rest of P + A's Big Sur elopement! 

Choosing to elope can be every bit as special and meaningful as choosing to have a traditional wedding. These two really took it to heart and carefully planned their day to be intentional and full of memories and moments. We started off at the Hyatt Highlands Carmel, where they got ready separately (pro tip: they have two floor suites perfect for this!) It still felt like they were in the same room even as they were a floor apart, and they got to share little moments like J passing her shoes down the staircase without peeking. They then headed to the balcony for a first look, where they took a deep breath together and just took in how much this day meant to them.

As we drove down to the coast of Big Sur, we found ourselves surrounded by the most beautiful fog. It was such a sweet ceremony with just the two of them, sharing their vows that were written on cards that even had the coastline captured on the front. And while we loved the fog, K + J got to share a quiet moment watching the sunset together as the sun broke through the clouds for just a bit. To end the day, they had a picnic on the beach, read letters written by their friends and family, and then cuddled up in blankets as we said our goodbyes. What an incredible honor it was to get to capture such an incredible day with these two!

J + P knew from the very beginning that they wanted their wedding day to be an intimate day for their new joined family - one of the most important members being J's son. Together we planned a beautiful day in the redwoods and on the coast for their Santa Cruz elopement. While we originally had planned to have their ceremony overlooking the epic cliffsides, we talked over what was most important to them and narrowed their location down to Seascape Beach Resort. Having their ceremony at an easy-to-access location meant that they could include the important Hindu tradition of walking seven steps around a fire to bless their marriage. Their ceremony was one of the most important parts of their day, and I could just feel the love pouring out as they both said vows to each other and to their son, shared gifts, and ran into the ocean hand and hand as a new family of three. Check out the rest of their Santa Cruz elopement below!

When these two met in Canada at a friend's birthday party, little did they know that their paths would bring them all the way to California where they would eventually get married under the redwood trees. Work brought him to work in the San Francisco Bay Area, and love brought her to join him on a new adventure. With the pandemic making their plans to have a wedding with family across international borders impossible for 2020, they decided to tie the knot in a way that just felt right.

Eloping doesn't always mean it has to be just the two of you. K + L knew that they wanted to include their little one on one of the most important days of their lives, so they brought along two friends to help make their day happen. It was the sweetest day spent with their family, adventuring in the redwoods, playing in the river, and exploring the incredible coast of Big Sur. K would run without abandon as we went from place to place, barefoot on the sand and ombré dirt coloring her dress. For them, it was a day to feel free, to feel loved, and to feel wholly connected to things that mattered the most to them. Check out the rest of K + L's Big Sur Elopement!