We wanted to bring to light the joys of eloping. Here are 5 ways our real life couples made their elopements truly theirs. These videos may provide some inspiration as you navigate creating the vision of your upcoming elopement and seeing the positive in having fewer guests for your legal ceremony.

Before we go into some of our most memorable elopements and intimate weddings, we would love to breakdown some of the ways we have been equipped to capture elopements safely and continue to do so with the current guidelines

• Our secret weapon of choice, the 70-200 lens. We own several of these and it allows us to be far beyond 6 feet away. Not only giving you privacy during the ceremony, but truly putting you at ease to be in the moment

• Ninja style. We love our couples deeply, but we know you have life long bff’s. This is why our approach is to be incognito as much as possible. We want you and your partner to take in the day and the beauty of the location you have selected.

• Documentary style approach. You and your partner are the centre of the day and why we are there. Our approach lets your photographer lead during portraits while we capture the moments as they naturally unfold, along with the little in-between moments that truly bring out genuine smiles!

How Parfait Couples Eloped

Honouring your family

1. Surprise your immediate family with an invite to witness your legal ceremony

2. incorporate family, with a reading during your ceremony of your favourite childhood poem or passage

3. Have your friends + family send in video messages to watch on your big day!

Plan for the best light

1. Without the pressure of guests, you can plan for the most magical light that otherwise could be challenging to navigate with a large guest list. Sunrise and Sunset are truly the best.

2. Golden hour is without a doubt the most dreamy light of the day and locations may be less crowded during this time

Discover a new location

1. Check off your bucket list hike, frozen, beach or town with your elopement location

2. Have your elopement + honeymoon on the same trip/weekend getaway

Foster new traditions

1. Incorporate your favourite date night tradition or start a new one. Beers after the ceremony, picnic by the lake?

2. Create a new one as your begin your new life together.

Your style through and through

1. Without a doubt, our biggest tip and reoccurring theme with the great majority of couples who decide to elope is writing your own personal vows. Vows are the best way to add a personal touch and connection to the ceremony.

2. Style your elopement day with your favourite blooms, colours and decor. Your ceremony decor could be similar to your initial vision.

3. Plan your reception, or combination of symbolic ceremony and reception for the future, when its safe to do so. Take some time to decide what this will look like once you make it official. A symbolic ceremony is very common for destination clients who would like the ease of getting married back home. For your symbolic ceremony, you may have more flexibility in regards to your chosen officiant, perhaps a friend will be open to this role.

4. Your after party can be as simple as you would like. A summer BBQ in your yard or indoor cocktail party at your place. Do what reflects you both, through and through.