You guys. This edgy Southern California elopement styled shoot was a freaking DREAM. This cliffside shoot took place overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Los Angeles; so COOL! After spending the evening letting my creativity flow with Luna and Zach, I had time to reflect on some tips for a laidback (and EPIC) elopement. Picture a nice, slow morning spent gearing up to marry the love of your life… Let’s get into it!

4 Tips for a Laidback Elopement

1. Utilize Pinterest

That’s right! Creating a vision or mood board of what your ideal elopement day looks like will help plan. If you are someone that likes a slower, more laidback pace, allow yourself time to move about your day with intention and calmness.

2. Get ready together

If having a first look isn’t on your list, I highly recommend getting ready with your lover. There’s just something about going through your morning knowing that at the end of the day, you’ll be MARRIED. Make some coffee together and soak up an intimate, quiet morning.

3. Meet with your vendors ahead of time

Look, I get it… meeting your elopement (wedding) vendors can be a little intimidating at first. If you are eloping in a new destination, you probably aren’t very familiar with the vendors who will be helping your elopement day dreams come true. If at all possible, meet with your wedding photographer, officiant, videographer, etc. in advance. The jitters on the day you say “I do” are real. Set up a Zoom call or meet in-person for coffee to get awkwardness out of the way. Bonus: you could meet your photographer for the first time for engagement photos! 😉 Or schedule a photo session the day before and we can all explore your dreamy elopement location, before the “I do’s”!

4. Don’t feel pressured to have a full day planned

While I 100% recommend creating a timeline for how your day flows, don’t feel pressured to do 12 activities in ONE day – let alone your elopement day. The beautiful part of an elopement is that it can be whatever you want it to be. If you want to kayak an hour after you tie the knot, DO IT. But just know that your elopement will be epic because it’s the start of the rest of your life with your lover. That is what makes it epic.

Alright, loves. That wraps it up, my top 4 tips for a laidback (and EPIC) elopement. I just want this to serve as a reminder to all the couples out there who are planning to elope. It doesn’t have to look a certain way. It doesn’t even have to look like one of the Pins on your Pinterest board. Your elopement should only look the way that best describes you as a couple. If you’re looking for tips on How to Plan a Tropical Destination Wedding, head over to my latest blog! As always, be sure to follow me over on the ‘gram (@michellegodfreyphoto).

Now, let’s get you MARRIED! And remember: your love is rare, wild and true.

Vendor Team:
Photography – Michelle Godfrey Photo
Model, MUA, & Hair – Luna Sernova
Florals – Long Beach Flowers