Elopement Planning: The Difference Between Elopement Photographers and Planners
Elopement Planning
The Difference Between Elopement Photographers and Planners
Elopement Planning: The Difference Between Elopement Photographers and Planners
Elopement planning is at the heart of making sure your wedding day goes according to your vision. Planning an elopement involves many different aspects, including finding the perfect location, hiring vendors, and making sure everything runs smoothly on the big day. Oftentimes, couples look to experts to help guide them and, two important roles that can assist in elopement planning are elopement photographers and elopement planners. While they may sound similar, they serve very different functions in ensuring that your elopement is a success. In this blog post, we'll explore the key differences between elopement photographers and planners, and why you might need both for your elopement.
Elopement Planning: What Is an Elopement Photographer’s Role?
Oftentimes, your elopement photographer will do much more than just take photos on your elopement day. Many times, they will also guide you through the wedding planning process to help bring your vision to life. A good elopement photographer will take your ideas and inspiration and translate them into a plan. This can include a wide range of services such as location scouting, vendor recommendations, timeline planning that takes into account the best time of day for lighting, and figuring out composition that tells your unique story.
When working with an elopement photographer, their first step will be to get to know you and discuss your vision. Once they have a good understanding of your preferences for photos, they will help provide ceremony location recommendations. If they have not been to your exact location before, they will do location scouting for all parts of the day. They’ll also be able to provide accommodation suggestions and vendor recommendations to help get you started. Your elopement photographer is also a great person to bounce ideas off, especially as it relates to your photos. Need help deciding which Airbnb to choose? or maybe a wedding attire you’re contemplating? Your photographer can provide their recommendation based on which option would work best for photos.
As your wedding day approaches and plans begin to finalize, they will help you build a photo-based timeline that pays close attention to the special moments and details that are important to you.
On your actual elopement day, your elopement photographer be with you every step of the way, guiding you in-the-moment on your wedding day (where to stand, posing guidance, things to do, etc.). Unlike an elopement planner, an elopement photographer who doubles as a planner is with you at all times during your day. Since they will be with you capturing photos, they can continue to help guide you and coordinate all needed aspects even if your elopement planner isn't present at that moment.
A Note from Will
As a photographer, I believe I would be doing a disservice to all couples if I show up to their wedding day WITHOUT being part of the planning process. Arriving at any elopement without any planning, and hoping for the best is a recipe for thin coverage and many missed moments. When it comes to elopement photography, there is an in-depth approach and process to make sure that your day, timeline, details, and preparations are arranged well and according to your liking so that your vision comes to life. Not only this will bring a smooth flow to your day but it'll also set us up for a successful, cohesive, thought-out, and intentional way to capture a full day that reflects who you are and the things that are important to you.
Want to learn more about my services? Check out my elopement experience page here!
Elopement Planning: What Is an Elopement Planner’s Role?
The role of an elopement planner will vary depending on how much help and assistance you need for your day. An elopement planner provides a variety of services and typically, they can customize an elopement package designed to fit your specific needs.
Some of the main elopement planning services a planner will provide are:
Creating an elopement budget
Providing recommendations on how to save on costs
Sourcing and securing elopement ceremony locations
Coordinating details with vendors
Arranging transportation and accommodations
Creating a general elopement timeline
Providing overall guidance
And in some cases, even officiating.
Many times elopement planners work on behalf of the couple, so this can be a valuable vendor to work with if you don’t feel like you have enough time or energy to dedicate to planning your day. No two elopements are the same and while some elopements may not require a lot of planning, others can involve many details that require extensive coordination. Whether or not you need an elopement planner will all come down to what you envision your day to look like.
Is There an Overlap in Elopement Planning Services?
Simply put, yes. Oftentimes, there is an overlap of services with an elopement planner and elopement photographer, and there is also so much more that each service provider can offer that is unique to their skill set. While the elopement planning services from photographers and planners may sound similar there are definitely times when both services are needed. Oftentimes, planners and photographers work hand in hand to assist each other with their distinct responsibilities, providing amazing results for the couple!
I like to tell couples to think of your elopement planner as your overall logistical wedding planning guide. An elopement planner will help you in so many ways starting with the flow of getting you to your wedding day, coordinating throughout the event, as well as focusing on the overall design and vision.
An elopement photographer's main focus is capturing the special moments of your day. Our help and guidance are extremely beneficial during the planning process as it sets us and you up for success in understanding how the day will be structured to anticipating and capturing moments as they happen.
Do We Need a Wedding Planner if We Are Eloping?
Oftentimes, the couples I work with are comfortable planning their elopement on their own. However, if you're after a relaxed, organized, hands-off, and detailed planning experience, then having an elopement planner is the way to go. This is something that goes back to how much time you have to figure out the logistics, especially if you have a busy schedule and need more assistance in research and booking.
If you're planning a destination wedding having someone to help you with the logistics of getting married is where an elopement planner's services can be the most helpful. Oftentimes, a destination elopement planner’s services expand beyond the wedding day plan and include your whole travel itinerary. This is especially helpful when planning a destination wedding in another country where you don’t speak the same language and need help navigating the logistics of getting married abroad.
If you're planning an intimate wedding with friends and family, this is also where a wedding planner’s expertise can make a huge difference. Their services can be as simple as helping you coordinate family formals, or as detailed as researching and booking the right location and accommodations for your guests. Planning an elopement with guests involves a lot of additional details and having a planner you trust to help walk you through the process can alleviate a lot of additional stress.
What's the Difference Between an Elopement Photography Timeline vs a General Elopement Timeline?
An elopement photography timeline is focused specifically on the scheduling of the photography during the elopement. This timeline is created by the elopement photographer with consultation with the couple and the elopement planner (if there is one). A photography timeline outlines the specific moments, activities, and locations where the photographer will be taking photos throughout the day. Specific moments can include your first look, vow exchange, sunset photos, or even a time when you just need a moment alone to take in the beauty of where you're eloping. An elopement photography timeline will include details such as the time and location for the "getting ready" photos, what to do during that time, the ceremony photos, and the portrait session photos. This timeline is important to ensure that your photographer has ample time to capture all of the special moments without rushing you through any of the experiences.
On the other hand, a general elopement timeline that's created by an elopement planner covers all aspects of the day and includes the elopement photography timeline. This timeline is typically created by the elopement planner, in consultation with the couple and all other vendors involved in the elopement. It outlines the entire schedule for the day, including arrival times, transportation details, ceremony start time, and reception (if applicable). It also includes any breaks or downtime for the couple and their guests. The general elopement timeline is important to ensure that the day runs smoothly and that all guests (and vendors) are on the same page with regard to timing and logistics.
The best way to think about the difference between the two is that your general elopement timeline is a complete plan for your day while your elopement photography timeline is a specific subset of the general elopement timeline, focusing exclusively on the photography segments and how they'll be captured during the elopement day.
Elopement planning is one of the most critical steps in creating a seamless elopement experience. While hiring an elopement planner is not always necessary, working with a planner AND elopement photographer is a great way to ensure that all the details of your elopement are thoughtfully planned out.
Ready to start planning your dream elopement day?
I know just the photographer (wink wink) to help you capture all the important moments and details. Learn more about what planning an elopement with me can look like or, if you’re ready to get started, head over to my contact page! I can’t wait to meet you!
