The Elopement Experience
You two are so excited to be married! But the idea of having a wedding with all the people watching you? 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 private, unique to you, and everything you want it to be. Keep scrolling to read about what it’s like to have me as your elopement photographer!
You’re about to have the best day ever!
Hi, I’m Christine! I’m your photographer, a witness to your marriage, and your guide through the elopement process. I’m ready to help you two coordinate the chill and perfectly unique wedding day you’re looking for.
I’ve lived in South Carolina since 2015 and I’m so proud to show off everything it has to offer. Visiting all 48 state parks in South Carolina has led me to pretty places in every corner of the state, so I can help you find the perfect place to elope. I’ll be there to help you find other vendors who support your vision, carry your dress train over puddles, and help you decide how you’ll spend your first day as a married couple.
Here’s a little about what it’s like to have me as your photographer:
Here’s a taste of what I’ve helped plan for couples like you:
Botanical Gardens, Ice Cream, & Sunset on Lake Hartwell
Wine Tasting & Waterfall Chasing in the Mountains
Donuts, Brunch, & Exploring Downtown Greenville
“Christine photographed our October 2024 elopement near Greenville, SC. She suggested the most beautiful locations for photos and provided lots of instruction for posing. She was knowledgeable about what would look good but also asked us what we wanted. She was very quick getting photos back to us, and the photos were STUNNING. She provided a ton of photos with so much variety. If you are looking for a photographer, look no further! Christine’s the best!”
The Process
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.
Once you’re ready to move forward, I’ll send an agreement and an invoice for a retainer fee to save your date.
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.
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!
BEST DAY EVER!
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.
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 - if you don’t know yet where or how to elope yet, I’ve got you covered!
Put this much time and effort into making sure your ceremony location is perfect for you
Provide planning assistance to make your elopement day 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
Investment
For every elopement and intimate wedding, I include:
Assistance with planning your day 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 and order prints
A photo album with 20 full spreads (40 total pages)
Starting at $2200 for up to 4 hours of coverage
But how will we spend our elopement day?
Think about the things you like to do together or the things you WOULD do together on a special day. Do you kayak or hike together? Is there a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try? Is there a place you’ve always wanted to see? If you need ideas for how to spend your elopement day, I have some blog posts for what elopement days in Greenville and Clemson could look like!
Are you getting excited now?
Let’s start putting together a wedding day that just feels right for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I just want an hour or so to take a few photos?
I’ve learned from experience how much time it takes to capture everything without you feeling rushed. I always hear couples say that the day goes by so quickly, and I want you to be able to enjoy every moment without worrying about how much time you have left.
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?
You’re welcome to bring a few friends and family members, but South Carolina doesn’t require any witnesses to sign a marriage license. 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.
How do I pick a location?
As a photographer, and as someone who’s visited all 48 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 space, or you may need to pay to reserve the spot to make sure other people aren’t around.
Can I bring my dog?
Please do! I love animals and I’ve done photos with dogs, a chicken, a pig, and a snake before. I have a few suggestions here to make it easier.
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.
Should we do engagement photos?
I highly recommend it! If you do engagement photos with me, you’ll be more comfortable in front of the camera and with me by the time you get married. 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!
