An elopement photographer and a wedding photographer are two very different things. In this post we will look at these differences and what they mean for your special day. 

But first, let’s get into the definitions of the actual processes.

So, what is an elopement? 

A secret wedding without witnesses is called an elopement. Originally, "elopement" meant to run away secretly; therefore, these marriages typically occurred quickly, and the bride ran away before anyone could stop her and the ceremony was conducted before anyone knew.   

Elopement weddings are still commonly thought to involve running away and not telling anyone, but this definition has evolved over time. You tie the knot and celebrate with a small, casual gathering in an elopement ceremony.   

Compare this to a more traditional wedding, which has months of preparation ahead of it, and lots of organisation around the details, and you can see the key difference between an elopement and a traditional wedding. There is less organization involved, pure and simple.   

In addition to that, you also have the fact that elopements have just a few people in attendance opposed to the many guests at a formal wedding and then the reception.

And photography? 

This is where things get a little more interesting. A traditional wedding photographer is involved in the proceedings to a certain degree.  They may have a role in the planning of your big day, especially with regard to guest details and events during the day (so they can organize photography).  

More traditional wedding photographers may be more involved in the planning process by helping you create a photo timeline and organizing a shot list for family photos. In the end, most of their time is spent taking photos and doing the editing afterwards. Wedding planners are commonly hired for traditional weddings, and can handle a small percentage of the planning work.  

It is arguable that a wedding photographer for a traditional wedding becomes your ‘closest friend’ on the day, and is often seen as anchoring the processes involved in the celebration.   

When it comes to an elopement photographer, things can be vastly different. In fact, an elopement photographer can virtually be seen practicing a different profession altogether, simply because of the different activities they are often involved in.  

While an elopement wedding may be a smaller affair, many couples choose to do something very different. It’s all about the experience, and is often the opposite of traditional.  

For example, an equipment welding is sometimes referred to as an ‘adventure wedding’. Because couples can do what they want on an elopement, it is not unheard of to have couples trekking, visiting remote places and requiring more intimate photography.  

Once you understand that the elopement photographer is part of your ‘adventure’, it is easy to understand the duties and services they offer.

An elopement photographer can:    

- Offer help in choosing the right locations for your wedding. This is a big deal, because while many people may want the adventure, they may not know what this actually looks like       

- Offer advice on the ideas around the day. Just as with location, it is sometimes difficult to know how to make the day special and intimate. An elopement photographer can be involved in this part of the planning stages   

- Advice on making sure the timeline of the special day matches the needs and wants of the couple   

- Offer help on some of the hair and makeup aspects of a wedding. Remember that there will be few people present, and a good chance that a makeup artist, for example, will not be there. It is not uncommon for an elopement photographer to bring assistance in this area  

In addition to this, an elopement photographer can offer complete packages that focus on common or desirable adventures. This is often part of the marketing of an elopement photographer, and can mean that all of the planning and stress on this very intimate day is removed and taken care of by one person.  

Simply put, the key difference with an elopement photographer is that they get to work on a more personal level with you. An elopement is an intimate occasion, and couples want to make it very special and unique. They will find that an elopement photographer is uniquely placed to offer desirable packages, reassure the couple, and provide beautiful photographs of an amazing adventure.  

If you are planning an elopement, you’ll find that an experienced elopement photographer will be an invaluable friend on the day. Essentially, it’s like having a wedding planner and photographer all in one.