Eloping
LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR VERMONT ELOPEMENT!
I’m sure you’ve heard the word so many times, but what does “eloping” really mean?
Most people probably think of hitting up Las Vegas or a trip to the local courthouse, just the two of you. This no doubt can be true, to elope can mean so much more!
Elopements are an opportunity for you to celebrate your love for one another away from it all. Large weddings are beautiful and amazing, for sure, but they aren’t for everyone. Maybe you have a super stressful family and the thought of planning a big wedding seems like a nightmare. Maybe you and your partner don’t like being the center of attention. Maybe you are wilderness lovers and want to be on an adventure! Maybe you envision a fun lakeside adventure with a champagne picnic at sunset. Or maybe you’ve always wanted to be non-traditional and elope!
Whatever the reason you’re interested in eloping is, what you’ll get out of the experience is the same across the board. For starters, let’s talk about much less stress. No matter how calm or cool your families are, planning a wedding is stressful. There are a million little details to think and decide on, things to plan, timelines to follow, problems inevitably arise. Having a large wedding can actually pull the focus of the day from what should really be being celebrated, and that’s the two of you. Weddings can sometimes become more of a “guest experience” or even start to seem like an event. You’ll be thinking about a million things during your wedding day, things that could go wrong, if the decorations are right, if people will show up on time, etc. When you elope, all you have to think about is each other. That’s it. I mean, what else could you really want, anyways?
Eloping also doesn’t mean it has to be just the two of you. If you want, you can be surrounded by a small group of close friends or family. Or not. That’s why eloping is so great! YOUR DAY IS YOURS AND IS COMPLETELY UP TO YOU! Maybe you want it to just be you and your honey. Maybe you’d love your inner circle to be there. Have a pup? Can’t leave them out! No venue telling you you can bring your pooch to the venue, no pressure to invite that relative you haven’t talked to in ages, no stress over seating arrangements. See?! Talk about freedom!
Elopement seem to emit this authentic air of intimacy and intention. In my experience the last 7 years as a wedding photographer, nothing quite gets me like an elopement. There is something so special, so magical about an elopement. You really have a chance to curate your wedding day to be exactly how you want it to be without worrying about pleasing everyone or doing things you think you *should* do and not doing the things you want. The intention becomes so very clear, which is the union of you two beautiful souls. Why not spend it really focusing on each other and the day together? And with each elopement I shoot, there is just this beautiful sense of intimacy and togetherness. There is nothing else quite like it.
Eloping is also better for the environment (and yes, I am an environmentalist). The amount of waste that is produced is an average of 600LBS per wedding. That is a LOT. Try to think of how many weddings there are in the US in a year. Have a guess? I’ll tell you: It’s 2.5 million. That’s tons and tons and tons of waste. Also, think about the amount of fuel it takes to get all the guests and vendors to the venue. It all adds up. When you elope, your carbon footprint will just be yours, maybe a few guests, and mine. Yet the impact would be significant. Just something to think about if you're a tree hugger like me!
AND... drumroll please?!?!?!
Eloping doesn’t need to be a short experience (and shouldn't be, in my opinion) As I photograph more and more elopements, I always leave after a few hours and just wish I could have stayed longer to capture more of the day. I feel like I'm just capturing a second, only a sliver, of the elopement day for my couples with only a few hours of coverage. I feel like my couples are getting short-changed. So, what I am proposing is having a WHOLE DAY ELOPEMENT!
And honestly, why shouldn't the whole day be documented?! It's your Elopement Day, after all. It's technically speaking, still your Wedding Day, so don't you want the whole thing documented to be remembered? Think about it. Why should a large wedding warrant all day coverage while elopements shouldn't? I DON'T KNOW EITHER!
When you look back on your wedding photos, it going to evoke those same feelings of that special day. Your experience of getting married may be different, but it's still your wedding day, and there is nothing more I would love for than to be there for you to document and witness your love for one another! You're going to look back on this day and these photos for the rest of your life, and the photographs are what is left to help you remember the day! SO LET'S DOCUMENT THE WHOLE THING! The experience of getting married is so important, and you deserve all day documentation!
So this is EXACTLY what I'm proposing. LET'S DO AN ALL DAY ELOPEMENT!
Now, you may be asking, but Barbee, HOW?! How do we Elope in Vermont? And HOW do we do an all day elopement? Well, you decide! I will of course guide you in the direction you'd like to do with my knowledge of Vermont and expertise in these kinds of things! You want to venture into the backcountry of Vermont? I GOT YOU! You want to explore some hidden gems in Vermont on a day trip? I GOT YOU! How about a day hike and a dip in one of Vermont's AMAZING waterholes?! I KNOW WHERE TO GO! Want to explore the beautiful city of Burlington, ride bikes along the most beautiful stretch of Lake Champlain, and enjoy the city? LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN! Really, the options are endless.
So, just for fun, here is just one example of a timeline of what an all-day elopement could look like!
Stowe Area Mountains, Waterfalls, and Food!
12pm: Meet up at Airbnb/Hotel in Stowe Area, couple is already getting ready
1pm:First look outside hotel/AirBnB
2:30: Drive to trailhead for quick hike to waterfall for more epic portraits!
3:30 :Drive to the Toll Road/Drive up Mt. Mansfield
4pm: Portraits and exploration on Mt. Mansfield, exchange of vows w/ Champagne & snacks
6pm: Head back down Toll Road to AirBnB
7pm: Private dinner w/ chef, cake
8pm: Barbee departs and you two to bask in your amazing awesome elopement experience!
Of course there are so many ideas and iterations of these, and I would love to WORK WITH YOU to get to know you, what you like, what you envision your day to look like! We can craft and curate the perfect day together; don't worry, I will take good care of you!
Interested in learning more? Contact me with your intrigue! I CAN'T WAIT TO PLAN THIS AMAZING ADVENTURE WITH YOU!
Elopement Coverage starting at $4000
