The Elopement Experience

You two are so excited to be married! But the idea of having a wedding? Not so much. But still, signing papers at the courthouse and calling it a day doesn’t seem right to you either. What are your other options?

Anything and everything!

I’m so excited to help you create a day that’s all about you without the pressure of being in front of a ton of people!


You’re about to have the best day ever!

Hi, I’m Christine, your elopement photographer and guide to South Carolina! I’m so excited to show what makes the two of you so unique!

I’m a wife and a beagle mom. I’ve called Greenville, South Carolina home since 2016. Mountains have my heart, but I’ve loved exploring beaches, waterfalls, and every state park in South Carolina over the last few years, which means I could help just about anyone find a place to elope in South Carolina!

I’m not just your photographer. I’m someone you’ve chosen to be there on your first day of marriage—possibly even the only person you’ve asked to witness your wedding. I’m here to help you have the best day ever, from picking the perfect place to say your vows to carrying your dress train to cross a stream. It’s important for you to feel comfortable with having me there and confident that the day will be everything you want it to be—the first step to loving your photos! 

Here’s a little about what it’s like to have me as your photographer:


Christine made us feel super comfortable and able to be our normal, goofy selves. One of our best decisions for our wedding day was choosing her as our photographer!
— Katrina and McKenzie

The Process

1.

First, we’ll meet over a Zoom call. You can tell me about the two of you and your plans for the day so far, and we can come up with ideas for how you want to spend the day.

2.

Once you’re ready to move forward, I’ll send an agreement and an invoice for a retainer fee to save your date. 

3.

We’ll start planning the first of your many adventures as a married couple! I’ll help you find a place that’s perfect for you, find the best lighting, and help you choose your vendors!  We’ll come up with a timeline for getting ready, traveling to your ceremony spot, and having a mini reception to celebrate.

4.

Optional, but highly recommended: Engagement photos are a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera together before the wedding day in a location that’s special to you. This will give you photos to have together besides your wedding photos!

5.

BEST DAY EVER!

6.

Within 24 hours, you’ll see a sneak peek of your wedding photos. Within 30 days, I will email you a link to an online gallery where you can download the edited digital files. You have the option to purchase prints (more on that here) and I’ll start designing your album.

7.

We will have a Zoom call to review the proofs of your album. After we finalize the design, the album will arrive at your house within two weeks, and you can show it to everyone you see! 

 

You won’t find many photographers who…

  • Specialize in elopements in South Carolina

  • Put this much time and effort into making sure your ceremony location is perfect for you

  • Provide planning assistance to make sure your elopement day is as easy as possible for you

  • Will encourage you to do all the non-traditional activities on your elopement day

  • Send you sneak peeks within 24 hours and your whole gallery within 30 days

  • Get to know you and help you through the process so you won’t feel awkward in front of the camera

 

Coverage Options

I will provide:

 
  • Assistance with planning and with choosing locations and vendors

  • Travel within upstate South Carolina

  • Wedding day timeline creation

  • An online gallery where you can download the edited digital files

  • A photo album with 20 full spreads


 

Up to 8 Hours:

Ideal for:

  • Under 30 guests

  • Multiple locations

  • Longer reception

Starting at $3000

Up to 6 Hours

Ideal for:

  • Over 30 guests

  • Multiple locations

  • Short reception

Starting at $2600

Up to 4 Hours

Ideal for:

  • Under 30 guests

  • 1-2 locations or a short hike

  • Short reception

Starting at $2200

Want more?

Additional hours of coverage: $350 per hour

Second Photographer: $200 per hour of coverage

Engagement, bridal, or anniversary photo session on a different date: Starting at $500

Are you getting excited now?

Let’s start putting together a wedding day that just feels right for you!

But How will we spend our elopement day?

Whatever you think is the best way to spend the day! Drive down Highway 11, take your kayaks out on the lake, or try that restaurant you’ve always wanted to try. Think about the things you like to do together or the things you WOULD do together on a special day. If you need ideas for how to spend your elopement day, I’m happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pick a location?

As a photographer, and as someone who’s visited all 47 state parks in South Carolina, I know where the most photogenic places are and what the crowds are like there. When you tell me what you’re envisioning for your ceremony, I can help you pick the perfect spot.

Do we have to pay extra for certain locations?

Some places require a fee to use their land, or you may need to pay to reserve the spot to make sure other people aren’t around.

When should we get married?

When it comes to the time of day, the lighting is usually best close to sunrise or sunset. If you don’t know what time of year to get married, I’ll help you choose the best time and date, depending on the location you choose, operating hours for certain places, and the timing of events.

Do we need to go to the courthouse?

You have two options. One is for you to get the marriage license beforehand and have a certified wedding officiant or a pastor sign it at the ceremony location. The other is for you to go to the courthouse on a different day from the ceremony to “make it legal.”

Do we need witnesses?

South Carolina does not require witnesses for a marriage to be legal, just a certified officiant. North Carolina and Georgia both require two witnesses. I can count as one, and the other can be anyone from a videographer to a passerby.

Should we do engagement photos?

I highly recommend it! If you do engagement photos with me, then I won’t be a stranger with a camera on your wedding day. Plus, you’ll have more photos than just your wedding photos to have in your home.

How much would it cost for you to travel outside of Upstate South Carolina?

We will work that out based on the driving time and whether I would need to spend a night or two at a hotel or campsite.

How long have you been doing this?

I took a photography class in my last year of high school and was active in the photography club during my time at Clemson. My first actual portrait sessions were after I graduated from college in 2015. The first wedding I photographed was in 2017, and the first elopement I photographed was in 2020.

What’s the Next Step?

Fill out my contact form to tell me all the details, and then we can set a time for a Zoom call! We can talk about your plans so far and look through albums and galleries to get an idea of what your day could look like!

I can’t wait to hear about your ideas!


Planning Resources