A Summer Elopement in Downtown Raleigh on Film

I had the pleasure of spending this lovely summer afternoon with Jas and Henry. It was filled with intimacy and trust - as they opted for everything to be shot exclusively on film. I utilized 35mm, 120 format, and vintage Polaroids, and they embraced the nostalgia of slowing down, trusting the process, and being in the moment rather than spending too long capturing it. What was documented on this day truly felt genuine to them and what they value.

We started out at their high-rise apartment that boasted beautiful views of the city and offered great options for us to get creative with. Doing this felt low-stress for the couple (which was key for them), and allowed us to include pieces of their home in the photos. This would be even more sentimental for them since they planned to move later in the year onto a new chapter. Details like this are great to add to your own elopement photography, because why not start out at a place that gives you comfort and may inevitably change or evolve. I got to snap photos of them getting their final touches together and include pictures with their cats.

We moved on to the highly anticipated courthouse ceremony. Jas had always imagined a smaller, more intimate celebration of love, rather than a traditional wedding with a crowd. Just their immediate families were invited for support, which were important to the couple. We got to walk downtown afterwards where the sun radiated on the newly wedded. The day ended with a heartfelt dinner at their favorite Italian restaurant, just steps from their apartment. It's beautiful to see how a home, good food, family, and having each other, were the key things to their perfect elopement and wedding celebration.