The difference between a traditional wedding and an elopement and/or intimate wedding is that the day is surrounded around all that YOU want to do, and less of the possible stress that comes with a larger, more traditional wedding. It's where a couple celebrates their marriage without the pressure or expectation

of societal norms. The term elopement has expanded well beyond what most think of - two people getting hitched in a church in Vegas (though, that can be really fun!). An elopement is typically the couple and possibly a few family and friends exchanging vows within nature or an in informal ceremony space. Elopements can be as fancy or as simple as you desire them to be, and often my couples will plan excursions or activities to do on their day, like canoeing or hiking or having beers at a local brewery. An intimate wedding expands slightly on the elopement, where you have a few more people and this may or may not take place in a formal setting, like a venue. These have often looked like me joining a family at their family farm, or a small gathering in a backyard.  The most significant reason why I choose to photograph these types of weddings over traditional weddings, is that I really find that I can connect with my couples on a deeper level, and give them a more full experience, versus photographing couples with 300+ of their guests at a large indoor venue. In my experience, that has led to less intimate and genuine moments, and more posed and pressured moments. That isn't my jam as a photographer. I want to encourage you to be more present, more engaged, on your day and I've found that elopements and intimate weddings give more opportunities for that to happen. 

After my husband and I planned our own elopement in Northern Minnesota, I became even more passionate with wanting to help others bring their elopement dreams to life! We decided on an elopement because neither of us like being the center of attention, and we wanted the day to be about US. I didn't want to worry about speeches or cake cuttings or first dances. I didn't want to worry about flower girls and ring bearers and all the decorations. I wanted simple and special and meaningful. That's why we did what we did, and I hope to inspire you to reach for something deeper too.

I have been photographing couples for the last seven years, coast to coast, but truly specialize in elopements and small weddings in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. One of my absolute favorite parts of elopements & intimate weddings is being able to be apart of couples every step, from deciding to get married, to location scouting, all the way up to the day you say I Do! So you may be thinking, what's my first step? Well, we start with a consultation either in person or virtually, and then once you decide you want to work together, we get to planning the dang thing!

so you may be wondering: what is an elopement or intimate wedding?