Elopement & micro wedding photography

A micro wedding just means you’re keeping things intimate. I consider any wedding up to 50 guests a micro wedding. 

My favorite U.S. destination—and home base—is Colorado. The climate is perfect for elopements and micro weddings between June and October. 

My favorite locations in Colorado include Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Crested Butte, Garden of the Gods, and the San Juan Mountains.

Other favorite U.S. destinations include Hawaii, Alaska, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. If you’re thinking of a fall event, the northeast and East Coast are spectacular, too!

That all depends on the experience you want — but not necessarily. 

I’m photographing the day that you’ve dreamed up. And while many of my clients spend the entire day outdoors, it’s not unheard of to take things inside!

Indoor activities I’ve photographed include getting ready together at an Airbnb, visiting a brewery or doing a wine tasting, enjoying a celebratory meal and dancing with loved ones, enjoying a private chef experience, or traveling by plane, train, car, or boat (okay, that’s outside, but I love taking photos on a boat!).

Once you decide exactly where you’ll be celebrating, I’ll help you figure out permits you need and any other important considerations.

More and more places are requiring permits. Most permit fees are under $350, but every location has its own rules and regulations. 

Here’s the best part about eloping and micro weddings: You can do whatever the hell you want. 

But if you’re looking for inspiration… I’ve had couples do a science experiment, land a helicopter on a glacier and enjoy a private picnic, go sea kayaking, hike, go off-roading, ride a tandem through a cute mountain town, get matching tattoos, charter a sailboat or yacht, hire a private chef, go horseback riding, eat pizza in a park…

I recommend doing something meaningful to you and your partner — or even using this opportunity to check something off your bucket list.

It varies by state! Some states require one or two witnesses for your marriage license. And then there’s Colorado, probably one of the easiest places in the world to get married. You can self-solemnize, which means there is no officiant or witness required.

Your dog could even witness your marriage license.

It depends on the state.

If you do need one, I can legally sign the marriage license as your officiant in most states! 

I won’t be talking during the ceremony — I’ll be busy taking pictures — but because I’m ordained, you can have a self-solemnization-style ceremony that’s actually official.

And remember: In Colorado, you can self-solemnize, which means there is no officiant or witness required. 

A private elopement ceremony followed by a ceremony for family or reception for a small group of loved ones is becoming more and more common!

If having friends and family there for your day is what you want, then yes, please! I can't wait to meet them.

Life’s an adventure, and your day will be no different. As much as we set ourselves up for success (factoring in weather/scenery/crowds when we pick a wedding date/location/time of day), sometimes rain and snow do happen.

And the couples I photograph often find that makes for the best photos and stories!

We will plan for the best and prepare for the worst in advance — so we’re ready for whatever the weather throws at us.

Goodness, yes.

The who, what, when, and where of all this requires some thought… But it doesn’t have to be stressful.

My advice: Hire vendors you trust and pour your time and energy into only the things that excite you or are meaningful to you. (And consider a wedding planner or day-of coordinator to take some of the pressure off if you’re anxiety prone!)

Keep reminding yourself of what really matters to you, and you’ll have an amazing day..

On average, each hour of photography coverage yields 40 to 60 images.

Colorado elopements & micro weddings  begin at $6000 for 4 hours.

Elopements & micro weddings anywhere else in the U.S. — which include the costs of my travel — begin at $11,000 for 8 hours.