The wedding industry can be...weird sometimes
The wedding industry can be ...weird sometimes
BUT YOU HAVE A CHOICE
"I can never stop thanking you enough. Know that you are appreciated and adored by us. "
— Allison & Bella
“You gave us a dream and the best day of our lives."
Meet your elopement photographer
Hello, my darlings. I’m Rachel (they/them), your Washington elopement photographer.
My approach is non-traditional, personalized, and tailored to your individual needs and dreams. I understand that every couple is different, and I work with each of my couples to make sure you have the support and space you need to have that “limitless” elopement experience.
EXPERIENCED, COMPASSIONATE, WEIRD
The Details: What's Included, And How Much Does it Cost?
Book me as your photographer/Planner in three easy steps:
Send me a message! I’ll get back to you within a few hours, and we can chat all about your elopement plans and answer any questions that you have.
Reach Out
We’ll start dreaming up the perfect day for you both. Doesn’t have to be specific or detailed: once we have a date and a general location (“Washington” is fine), I’ll send over a contract.
Start Dreaming
With a contract and flat-rate retainer (all handled digitally for ease), I’m all yours, for keeps. You’ll get the VIP client guide right away, and I’ll get to work.
I'm All Yours
(...Or more, who am I to say no to things.)
Up to 15 people. My travel anywhere in Washington (accessible by 2WD or a commercial flight) is included.
Includes:
- Photography (obviously) starting at 6 hours, up to two days.
- All your images displayed in a beautiful, digital gallery that tells the story of your elopement. Accessible for a year
- Printing rights to your images
- Unlimited downloads
- Hands-on planning assistance and consultations for everything from personalized location help to a bespoke wedding day timeline
- Film photography for the nostalgia
- Custom, online elopement portal: one, central location for everything (our roadmap together, timeline, location list, helpful resources, packing list, and more)
- Accommodations for neurodiverse folks, and no judgment
Washington Elopements
Local
STARTING AT $4800
Elopements are deeply personal, and having a stranger show up waving a camera in your face is…not ideal.
Getting to know more about you and your relationship before your elopement (and you getting to know me!) is a big part of the process. It makes your day all the more enjoyable.
My ultimate goal is to help you create the best day for you and your partner, one that gives you the space to be exactly who you are and enjoy every minute.
I have a database of proprietary locations that I add to constantly. You’ll receive a custom guide with the very best locations for what you’re looking for, containing all the info you need. You’ll also receive a personalized, non-traditional timeline: less of the “be here at 2 pm or the day is ruined,” and more of the “here’s a roadmap for your elopement day, taking everything into account, including breathing room and the best times for photos.”
Your Elopement Experience: What's Included
Getting to know you
The bespoke, "done for you" experience
“A photograph isn’t a photograph until it’s a print.”
I’d quote someone on that, but everyone and their sister has said some variation because it’s true. Your elopement story deserves so much more than getting lost deep in your phone storage. Getting a storyteller album printed adds life to your images, encourages you to flip through them all the time, and preserves them for generations in these gorgeous museum-quality books.
Albums
As soon as you book, The VIP Client Guide will arrive in your inbox. It’s an exclusive bonus for my couples, and it’s. got. everything. Think of this as a handbook to having the best elopement day that you can reference over time.
I’m also personally here for you every step of the way. Send me photos of your outfits, ask for help with choosing lodging, and bounce some ideas off me.
Unlimited consults
"Photography Plus"
"They are very laid-back and knows how to make their clients feel special and comfortable. They genuinely enjoy what they do and will do everything that they can to make sure that you are prepared for and happy with what you have planned for your ceremony. They are so good at what she does that the whole process felt easy. We could not have asked for more of the entire experience."
— CARYN & AMANDA
"Rachel was such an amazing photographer for our elopement! We chose Rachel because of her lovely portfolio and she was incredibly easy to talk with during our consultation. On the day of our elopement she made my husband and I feel very comfortable in front of the camera and captured some beautiful candid shots."
— taylor & dominic
"We like many others get super awkward when a lens is pointed in our direction. Rachel had a great way of making us feel comfortable enough to be ourselves and was able to capture who we are as a couple. She communicated well with us about what we were doing next and never pressured us to do anything out of our comfort zone. Not to mention our photos came out GORGEOUS! We got them back quickly and we couldn’t believe the quality. We’ve received nothing but compliments about our photos!"
— Alexis & Kay
“She captures real people in real moments at amazing locations. Love, love, love her.”
— Sarah & Kayla
“We would give 6 Stars if we could! We loved our experience from start to finish, as well as the edited pictures we received. If you are looking for a patient, kind and naturally talented photographer Rachel is the one to book. She truly loves what she does, and we loved working with her.”
— Alicia & Ryan
All the elopement magic I’ve been talking about? It takes time. And I always wish I had more of it. To photograph all the moments of your day, to give you time to soak it all in, to allow for breaks when you need them, and to make art together. The most enchanting images happen when you have time to fully relax and unmask, and when I have time to get creative.
This is your wedding day. Not your “15-minute ceremony, maybe some pictures, and then I guess pick up groceries on the way home” day.
You deserve it.
Because no one ever said, "Our elopement was too good, I wish we did less."
Let's talk all-day elopements
What if we don't know how much time we need?
Very common question! And understandable. I've got some example timelines for you to help with the decision making. I also chat with my couples to understand your specific needs, desires, and plans. We'll figure it all out together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we invite guests? How many people can we bring?
You can absolutely invite people! Eloping doesn't mean you have to be alone, although plenty of my couples love going that route.
I cap things around 10-15 guests, depending on how much time you book. Have to draw a line somewhere, you know? Your elopement day is about you, your partner, and your love. Not having to worry about 200 people's opinions is one of the perks!
We want to hire you, but we don't know where we want to elope yet. Should we wait till we know?
Fun fact: most of my couples don't know where they want to elope! Not specifically, anyway. If you really have zero idea, please email me. Part of my job is helping couples find the perfect place for their elopement, the best place to suit them, so I can absolutely help you narrow things down!
You can definitely keep hunting for places on your own, but...why?
What if we want something custom, something that doesn't fit neatly into an elopement package?
That's my jam. I have some easy-to-choose packages based on hours of coverage. Most couples book me for 8-12 hours, but I have packages up to two full days. ...And I mean, we can make it a full-blown, week-long adventure if that's what you're into.
I'm not here to put anyone in a box. If you want to make something totally custom, I'm on board. We'll make it happen.
Can we do [fill in the blank] on our elopement day?
99% of the time? Yes. I'm fully in your corner when it comes to your elopement plans.
That being said: if something won't work in the way you're envisioning, or there's information you don't have that will affect your decision making, I'll be straight with you. My priority is giving you the best experience possible, and very rarely, that does mean saying "I don't recommend that."
How far out from our date should we book you?
The earlier the better (up to 18 months). I can plan and pull off an elopement in a week, but the longer you wait, the less likely it is that I'll have your date available! (And the harder it is to get a permit.) Most of my couples book me 4-8 months out.
*NOTE: I do still have 2023 and 2024 availability. If you can see this, I still have room in the calendar.
Do you only work in Washington?
Nope! Most of my couples elope here in the PNW, but I'm a traveler at heart. Always have been. I've visited 16(?) countries and travel all the time. Let's just say: I'm good at travel, I'll fly wherever for you, and I'll help you travel better if you need tips.
And if you want to elope in Ireland, there are very special packages just for you:
Do you charge extra travel fees after we've booked you?
Not for most travel, no! Your elopement package includes all my "typical" travel. Anything outside of the usual, commercial travel (e.g. 2WD or commercial flight accessible) is going to be extra.
Like...helicopters, float planes, 4WD Jeep adventures, hot air balloons, whale watching boats, etc. All I ask in those scenarios is that you cover my tickets/whatever and we're good to go; no "additional fees." (:
