We're Kevin and Sebrina - Halifax Nova Scotia Elopement Photographers and Small Wedding planning guides. Available worldwide to bring to life your unique and intentional wedding day.
I want to help you learn how to have a beautiful wedding during a pandemic.
Hello there you wonderful humans! I know it’s been a trying year (or more, let’s be real) of planning, replanning, and re re planning your wedding. And even though 2021 isn’t looking exactly how we all hoped, I’m here to tell you that you can still have an incredibly meaningful, wonderful, stunning and freakin’ magical wedding even during Covid. You can still have the wedding that you deserve. Aannnnd I’m going to show you how. <3
What really is an intimate wedding or elopement?
You’re probably thinking it’s a short little ceremony with just the two of you, the JOP, and your photographers. Well. Nope! It was a trick question. An elopement can be ANYTHING. Yup. Seriously.
Elopements used to mean running off together and tying the knot, hiding your secret shame and sharing it with no one. Well not anymore! An elopement can be anything from just the two of you, to celebrating your special day with your closest friends and fam (that’s right, a small wedding is now considered an elopement, too!).
You can create a memorable experience. There are nature and urban adventures, and everything in between. Your day is about celebrating YOU and your unity with your love, and the world is your oyster.
Let’s look at the Positives.
On top of the big giant fact that there is way less stress involved in the planning (and on the actual day), you can design it to be whatever you freakin’ want. You answer to no one but yourselves, and there is no big production or obligations involved. Whether you have a cliffside wedding with 15 of your closest guests, or you run off on an adventure hike with just the two of you. Do you want to stop for donuts or a dance in the street on your way to a portrait location? Do you want to get hitched in a hot air balloon? Do you want to hit up 3 different locations for epic photos? Do you want to have a picnic reception? You think it, you can make it! 🙂
A small wedding or elopement should be just as full, and just as special as any other wedding day. This is the day you join together and commit your lives to one another. It doesn’t have to be just 2 hours of coverage at the courthouse and posed photos. It can be a beautiful full day affair! Make it meaningful. Make it you.
BUT BUT BUT WHAT WILL WE DO ALL DAY?!
Let’s just take a pause, throw out all the dusty old rules you know about traditional weddings, and use your imagination.
If you two could plan the most funnest and amazing day together, from the moment you wake up to when you crash into each others’ arms…
WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE?
- When you woke up, what would the view be? What would the weather be like?
- Where would you go? What would you do and see first?
- What activities/fun/shenanigans would you get up to together? What would you EAT?
- What would make you the happiest and most celebrated?
That could legit be your wedding day.
Let me help you paint the picture…
An all day elopement is about creating a memorable experience that is full of the things you love, things that brought you together, and all things unique to you as a couple. It’s your own magical way to celebrate your commitment and unity.
This is how a typical timeline can look on your day:
Getting Ready – 1 to 2 hours
- With an elopement, you can really take your time here. The two of you can get ready together or separately, or even at different locations. Think fancy hotel, adorable BnB, or rustic cabin at the bottom of a trail or lake. Or even at home!
- You can have a lazy morning with cuddles, exchange special gifts, have the cutest breakfast at your rental, or get out the door lickety-split and ready for an all day adventure!
First Look – 1 hour
- This can happen at the same location you get ready, or if you’re in different spots, we can meet in another place entirely. Somewhere nature-y and beautiful, somewhere special like where you had your first date, you name it!
- The first look really sets the mood and gets you in that emotional frame of mind. It’s the “omg we’re about to do the thing!” feeling. 🙂
Portraits – 1 to 2 hours
- These can happen either before or after the ceremony, or both! Some couples like to use the first look location, or have multiple locations. This can give you a lot of variety that you don’t get on a traditional wedding day. And because you have more time, the quality is that much more amazing!
- If your adventure is outdoorsy and full of walks/hikes, then portraits can happen throughout the day in a more lifestyle and candid setting. This’ll have your images looking super genuine and in the moment!
Travel – 1 to 2 hours
- Depending on where you’d like to go, and the plan for the day, travel usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Some of that travel can be documented, like hiking, garden walks, wine tastings, hot air-balloon rides, etc. But some of it will undoubtedly be en route to portrait locations, ceremony spot, etc.
Ceremony – 15 minutes to 1 hour! Or anything!
- This is a ceremony that you can create, and it can take any length of time! Some couples like to do a quick 15 mins with a JOP, and others like to add in their own meaningful rituals. Like, a hand fasting for example!
- Some couples also write their own vows, do readings, or have other unity rituals from other cultures. Have it in Elvish! Whatever tickles your fancy!
Reception/Picnic – 2 hours
- Again, you can really take this in any direction. You could have a fancy romantic dinner together, or have a beautiful picnic with champagne, snacks, even hire a private chef to make a home-cooked meal. OR feed each other giant pizzas and poutine! Celebratory donairs!
- You could even take this opportunity to invite friends and family for a little celebration after having the elopement ceremony. It’s a fun way to have your day intimate, and then also share in the celebration with the people closest to you. 🙂
Lastly, just because you’ve decided to forego the stressful and rushed day of a traditional wedding, that doesn’t mean you have to automatically throw away all the little details! You can still share in the moment of having an intimate first dance, creating a wild bouquet, or cutting a cake together. You can even create your own traditions that are unique to you as a couple!