What makes NYC so romantic? Is it history? The culture? The lights? If elope there it will be all of the above, plus your love story. Imagine having a chic courthouse wedding, before exploring the city, and ending the night with a fat pizza. Or having your first look at dawn on the Brooklyn Bridge and  having an intimate ceremony and picnic in the park afterwards. There really is no wrong way to elope in NYC!

Big cities and new places can feel overwhelming, but luckily NYC is so loved that there are endless resources for even the littlest things. Today we’re going to talk about the big stuff: How to get your marriage license, where to stay, when to visit, places to elope, and things to do. Let’s get those things off your plate and jumpstart your imagination!

Getting to spend time with couples prior to their wedding is special and with J + B it was no different. I felt like we were old friends, chatting about our pets, travel (their favorite place so far is Aruba!) and all the food recs!

J + B met back in 2013 online and have been inseparable ever since. They easily have one of my favorite proposal stories to date!

It was so wonderful to get some with D + C during their wedding planning trip to Florida! We were able to sneak in some time in Rosemary Beach for their engagement session. With Espresso martini’s being part of their love language so it was only fitting to make a pit stop at The Pearl’s bar before eventually making our way out to the beach where we were met with the most beautiful sunset and breeze!

Dauphin Island, Alabama—a little slice of paradise nestled along the Gulf Coast. T and her boyfriend, H, decided to take a well-deserved vacation there along with family, seeking some relaxation and quality time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Little did T know that this trip held an extraordinary surprise in store for her, that everyone was in on.

Choosing each other, choosing a one-of-a-kind adventure, and choosing to keep this experience special between just the two of you is an easy “yes”. Don’t let fear or other people’s reactions make you doubt your choice to elope—or even worse—turn it into a “no”! It takes a special kind of person to get married this way, because it is equal parts brave and beautiful. You’re doing something different and although your friends and family may not understand at first, they’ll come around. The good news is, you don’t have to navigate these weird waters alone. I’ve got you! 

Summer evenings in Laguna Beach, Florida are SO special – especially for the couples who love to hit the waves (with boards or their bodies)!

Surfing and swimming together in the warm, summer water is an escape from the pesky humidity that hangs around the area especially this time of year. M + A love the peacefulness that the sound of waves provide and cherish the moments spent together in the muted evening light.

Right before I got into town this past May I got the best texts from someone who is like family and it wasn’t even words. It was a single picture of M and J, M was absolutely beaming as she was holding up her left hand showing the ring J proposed with after their run (honestly impressed he was able to hold on to it)!

It was a weekday morning in downtown San Francisco. The two lovebirds, after years of dating, were finally taking a huge leap toward marriage and starting a life together!

They showed up at City Hall, the iconic Beaux-Arts building, to tie the knot in a sweet and simple wedding. They were surrounded by nothing but love. What started off as a typical weekday morning, slowly turned into a very special day. And with it being a weekday morning it was quite as can be in this typically bustling building.

Waking up for sunrise is hard, but if you have a great reason then it’s definitely worth it! Z and M love to surf at sunrise, it’s one of their favorite things to do and I love that I just happened to capture them doing it, even if just a little! They love catching the waves early and watching the sun come up as they glide along. It’s so peaceful and special, and it’s something that they both love to do together.

B, C and I had an amazing time in the scenic desert of Palm Springs! It seems like a no brainer to take advantage of the stunning landscape and the complete quite the desert has to offer while in California. Not to mention the fact that the B + C looked amazing – B in his white shirt with dark slacks and C in her exquisite Rue De Seine dress, they were a vision! This unique combination of classic and modern elements created a beautiful space to capture their energy and love.