I LOVE surprises. I mean good ones of course, (actually I really hate being startled), but unexpected mail and dates planned by someone else, and treasure hunts- all those spur of the moment good things that you just pull together last minute to make things happen, those are my favorite. There’s something about the secretness, (totally a word), of a surprise it that makes it special, even beyond whatever good thing it already is. Which is why when I got married I was desperate to elope. Unfortunately for me, my other favorite thing is people. My husband, fiancé at the time, his favorite thing is also people, so there was no way we could miss out on having all our favorite people in the same place and throwing a party about it, hence, we had a wedding.

Yet what about right now? In the midst of so many couples having to cancel their weddings and postpone their weddings for coronavirus, now could be the perfect time to do what you can with what you have and end up with the best of both worlds. Coronavirus may have put your wedding and other special events in limbo but…

Why not?..

schedule an elopement session for as soon as the outdoor limits are lifted and have an impromptu wedding as close to your original wedding date as possible? Then if you weren’t already- start quarantining with your beloved, and all takes is an officiant, a photographer who can act as your witness, and the two of you! Buy a simple dress online, I know a handful of florists who would be delighted to chat with you on the phone and hand you a bouquet for drive-by pick up, and let’s run out into the wild together where you can GET MARRIED, (while the officiant and I stay legally and safely socially distanced because, IN THE WILD that is easy!)!!!!

Then take your time, plan the wedding of your dreams with all of your friends and family and let it be the end of this year or even next, when you don’t have to rush, you don’t have to worry about the coronavirus, your favorite DJ has openings, and so does the venue you’ve been dreaming of. There are not many situations in which I say “have it all!”, but for your big day, have your cake and eat it too.

To that end I am offering a 30% discount on all elopements photographed due to the coronavirus shut down and scheduled before July 1st. I would love to come along with you, (in a separate car and socially distanced once we get there), and document this sacred moment in your lives. It doesn’t have to be spoiled because of all of this, it can just be spread out and celebrated for longer and in several different ways. Tiny wedding now- big wedding later.

I’ve been combing ye olde internet for good advice on postponing your wedding during these difficut times and these articles came up with my favorite suggestions:

Brides: (what are some top questions about postponing you wedding? They’re probably yours as well)

Harper's Bazaar: (it’s okay to be disappointed about postponing your wedding)

Huffington Post: (one girl postponed her wedding and here is her experience and advice)

Modern Wedding: (Coronavirus and Weddings: Should I Cancel or Postpone? Expert advice on how to cancel or postpone your wedding)

Take heart friends, weddings are about the bond between you and your love and that can happen with a sea of well wishers, or a sacred foursome on a quiet place, it can be now or later, planned or next week, (you do need a marriage license so a few days is good), and remember that some of the best love stories began on the fly. This is only day one… Hurrah!

Want to see real life?

Real life weddings don’t always work out the way we hope- but they can still be sacred and beautiful and full of love and life and goodness. Click on the posts below to see a real life wedding I photographed that went anything but as planned, and yet the hope and heart, (and friends and vendors), of the bride and groom saved the day and the silver lining turned out stunning….

San Diego Engagement Shoot || A Great Story - Part 1

Stone Brewery, Liberty Station || San Diego Wedding - Part 2

Mount Laguna, San Diego || Elopement Photography - Part 3